Obfuscation of Reality

A New Dawn

2012-01-08T23:25:00.000-05:00

Happy Belated New Year. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. :-)

I won't ask you what your goals are for this year and such because I don't want to list any myself. I have personal goals and don't really want to blog about them.

I will tell you one thing though. I will definitely attend more conventions this year.

Sometimes we plan and things don't always go the way we think they should. So, in lieu of more reading material, I offer you one of those times when things go haywire rather quickly and unexpectedly:

Time Flies!

2011-12-29T20:18:00.001-05:00

We are almost at the close of another year, folks. I cannot believe that I have been blogging for so long. :)

I hope everyone had a nice holiday!

Please be sure to be careful during the holidays because so many things can happen and seem more rampant during this time of year. We all should take care in everything we do.

So keeping the aforementioned in mind, please take caution when you plan to send a naked text of yourself to someone. What do I mean? Well, make sure that you have the CORRECT number and make sure that you have a hot body to show off!* Ewwww....just ew. o.O

And also:

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

*A friend received a naked text by mistake from a stranger and she is still scrubbing her eyeballs clean!

What Now?

2011-12-13T19:11:00.002-05:00

I've had this blog for almost five years, and although I don't blog daily, I do try to blog when my schedule allows. I used to blog about once per week or more, depending on what I had to talk about. But I can't think of what to blog about today.

What do you guys want to see more of on my blog? I ended up reviewing a few books, but decided against it. I may continue to have giveaways and interviews now and again, depending on a few factors.

I didn't want to talk about reading and writing every time I blog because I like to keep it interesting; for me and my readers.

Regular commenters, occasional commenters, lurkers, and strangers are encouraged to tell me what you think. :-)

I Can't Wait!!!

2011-11-29T22:04:00.001-05:00

There are too many books to count on my to-be-read pile in all genres, from all time periods, by a host of authors.

Some stories stand out more than others because of their originality and appeal.

Currently, I'm reading BAG OF BONES by Stephen King, which has been on my TBR for far too long. And since the movie will premiere on A&E on December 11th, I thought I'd better get a move on. :-) I prefer to read books before I watch the movie version.

THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy was something I couldn't get enough of. I am in the middle of A LOT of series, but this one I had to devour sooner than the others. The story was/is so fascinating to me because it could really happen, IMHO.

And the sixteen-year-old protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, is a strong-willed young woman who is defiant against an unjust government. Katniss is endearing and not some whiny teen who thinks of nothing but her own interests. Even the two young men vying for her affections are characters you will love as well. I love Gale, but I'm team Peeta all the way! Teehee. ;-)

If you have not read these books, please do. The first movie is coming out March 23, 2012. And I am sooo there. :-D

And I cannot wait for this movie. Watch the trailer below:

Too Much?

2011-11-14T18:06:00.000-05:00

I love to read--period. I read in all genres, age groups, etc. I am reading several series as well, in various genres. So many books, so little time. :-/

I was thinking the other day about when a writer should end a series? Just wrap up the characters' lives, predicaments, relationships, etc. As a writer, I have had to think about this for my own work because I'm working on the first in a series as well.

This very topic has been discussed on numerous discussion boards. But as readers, I'd like to know what you guys think. When is enough enough?

Favorite Horror Movie Moments-Part 5

2011-10-31T14:46:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween! Last on my list is Firestarter (1984) starring Drew Barrymore (Charlie McGee) and David Keith (Andy McGee). The movie is based on Stephen King's novel of the same name.

I love this movie. Unlike my previous favorite horror movie moments from the past month, this part isn't funny to me. It's serious in that this little girl lost her father and she is pissed. These people were responsible for his death. And I urged her on as I watched her get her revenge. It was shocking.

Prior to this scene, Charlie killed the man who murdered her father. But she went on to seek revenge against those who were responsible as well.

Just watch the whole scene if you wish. Rent this if you haven't seen it before. It's a classic.

Favorite Horror Movie Moments-Part 4

2011-10-24T17:10:00.000-04:00

Next up, we have Tales From the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight (1995), starring Billy Zane and Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Tales From the Crypt is a well known horror series that ran from 1989 to 1996. There were three films made under the franchise: the first is Demon Knight; the second is Bordello of Blood (1996), and the third is Ritual (2001). Ritual was released in 2001 without any connection to the franchise, but was later released in 2006, with the cryptkeeper parts restored. Needless to say, I never saw that movie. o.O And I didn't care for Bordello of Blood. Demon Knight is the one I loved.

SPOILER ALERT!! My favorite part is when the Collector (Billy Zane) arrived at the motel with the sherrif and deputy in order to retrieve the key from Brayker (William Sadler), and it proved who the bad guy really was. I won't tell you, but watch.

Skip ahead to 2:50 minutes and watch until 6:00 minutes.
If you haven't seen this movie, rent it. In keeping with the Tales From the Crypt franchise, they like to scare you and make you laugh. And the part where the bad guy went through the window is quite humorous to me.

Watch his reaction when he throws off his coat. LOL.

Favorite Horror Movie Moments-Part 3

2011-10-18T13:25:00.002-04:00

Next on the roster we have 28 Weeks Later (2007), sequel to the awesome 28 Days Later (2002). I love zombie movies, although this is a different spin on zombie movies because the infection is from the "rage virus". So, you won't necessarily be eaten, but you may beaten to death. ;-)

Spoiler alert! Ragers get into a private home that is owned by an elderly couple. The couple allows strangers who are also survivors to stay with them during the rage virus outbreak. A little boy comes to the house banging and pleading to be let in, but some in the group prefer not to open the door. Eventually the boy is let in, but he had ragers who chased him to the house. Well, things escalate, and the survivors are quickly taken down.

Don and his wife, Alice, run upstairs. The little boy is up there as well. Alice is so bent on protecting the boy (since she doesn't know where her own children are) that she risks her life after her husband pleads with her to come with him. And...well, you'll see when you watch this clip. I don't blame Don at all for what he did. And honestly, it tickled me.

Favorite Horror Movie Moments-Part 2

2011-10-10T15:10:00.002-04:00

There are many horror movies that I really love, but I am going to only include 5 this month in my favorite horror movie moments "series".

SLEEPWALKERS (1992) is an original screenplay penned by Stephen King.

The story is about the lives of Charles and Mary Brady, son and mother, respectively. They are sleepwalkers, nomadic creatures, that feed off the lifeforce of virgin women. O.o

Well, one girl in particular, Tanya Robertson, fights back, and does a number on Charles. And let's just say that his mother Mary (heh!) isn't too pleased with what's been done to her poor son Charles.

If you haven't seen this movie yet; what are you waiting for? It's a classic! :-) I did put this exact scene on my blog a couple years ago for Halloween, but whatever, I'm doing it again! LOL.

And here's one of my favorite parts of the movie. It's morbidly funny to me:

Spoiler alert! The end is my absolute favorite part. Wow, I loved cats after this movie. :-D Skip ahead to 7:00 minutes and watch till the end. If you haven't seen this movie yet, rent it, buy it, or something. :-D

Favorite Horror Movie Moments-Part 1

2011-10-06T11:37:00.003-04:00

I'm a few days late with this post. My goal was to post every Monday this month leading up to Halloween. The rest of the posts will go on as such, but this one is just late. **Le sigh**

I will post clips of some of my favorite scenes from horror films that I adore.

I mentioned Night of the Demons (1988) before. I have an absolute favorite scene in this movie. And since, I couldn't find just those few minutes, I have included a really long clip, but will direct you to the exact moment of which I speak. So, here we go:

Skip ahead to 3:22 minutes. It's a little ahead of my favorite part, but I wanted you all to get the gist of the scene when Roger and Judy are confronted by the demons. My exact favorite part is at 4:17 minutes, when Roger begins to shake his head, and what he does after that. Even though it is horror, I always get a big laugh from that particular instant. Enjoy!

And oh, you should watch the entire film, so I suggest you don't watch the rest of the clip unless you have seen the movie in its entirety. It's a classic. :-D

Reality Overload!

2011-09-22T15:31:00.001-04:00

Reality television has been around for a looong time now. I remember my first introduction to reality TV. It was 1992 and I saw the Real World. Being a kid, I was so fascinated that cameras were going to follow the lives of seven strangers who were put into a house together. I really liked it!

It was something that most Americans had never seen before and, as a result, garnered much success. It was a hit!

And now, the Real World season 20 will air later this month. The show seemed genuine when it first aired almost 20 years ago, but now it doesn't seem so "real." o.O

Don't get me wrong, I continue to watch reality television till this very day, but the genre has become too saturated. And most of the shows are just laughable to me. JMHO.

Producers, executives, et cetera, ad nauseum are approving almost any and every reality show they can think of in the hopes that the American public will watch them, no matter how ridiculous they are.

Personally, I am very tired of reality shows at this point. I am burnt out. Wonderful television shows have been cut due to reality TV overload, or for other reasons, but I blame reality shows. :-D Shows that have been cancelled are: No Ordinary Family, Hawthorne, Ugly Betty, Heroes, etc. I would rather see shows that are well-written, original works of fiction rather than see "supposed" reality shows. Most folks participating in those shows now are only out to become famous rather than actually participate in what the show is supposed to be about. *Le sigh.*

So, now I have a message for Hollywood.

Dear Hollywood,

No more reality television!!!

Stunned

2011-08-08T17:34:00.001-04:00

After I put up my post last week, I learned that my friend and New York Times Bestselling author, L.A. Banks passed away after her battle with adrenal cancer. I was too stunned to blog about it, and decided to do so today.

Leslie was an awesome person. Although I never met her in person, we have talked and kept in touch over the years. She went out of her way to help aspiring authors fulfill their dreams. And her fans adored her because of her warmth and the love she showed others--no matter who they were.

She will be greatly missed by her family and in the writing community--and just, everywhere. Her website is here: Leslie Esdaile Banks. Her books are still available and I encourage you to read them because she was an outstanding author.

Goodnight, Leslie.

Computer-Generated Imagery

2011-08-02T16:17:00.002-04:00

Remember when horror movies--or any movie for that matter--required make-up to achieve an awesome special effect? Now they rely heavily on CGI. Look at The Incredible Hulk of the 1980's starring Lou Ferrigno, and now look at the computer generated hulk in the movies. **sigh**

Years ago, movie make-up artists worked very hard to achieve authenticity. Some artists still work hard today, but not like they did decades ago. It took a lot of time to achieve those looks. Make no mistake, the 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes, had lots of hands-on make-up, but that's not true of a lot of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy movies of today. Don't get me wrong, there are movies that nail CGI, but not many, IMHO.

Night of the Demons (1988) is one of my favorite horror movies. The make-up on that so-called "B" movie received an 'A' from me. :-D Look at Angela. That face scared me more than a lot of villains ever have. By the way, if you haven't seen the movie, rent it. Make sure it's the original and NOT the remake.

Do you remember An American Werewolf in London? That movie scared the crap out of me as a kid. And what's more, John Landis did an outstanding job, IMHO. It remains a favorite of mine. That wolf transformation looked soooo real, which made it even scarier.

What do you think? Do you prefer the make-up styles of yesterday or do you prefer the computer-generated imagery of today?

P.S. And remember to "Keep off the moors, and stay on the road." ;-)

The Next Big Thing?

2011-07-07T15:57:00.000-04:00

There have been blockbuster, best-selling novels for decades, but the franchise that has grossed the most money is the Harry Potter series. It is known around the world.

Most writers would love to have their series or stand alone novels soar as this series did--and continues to do.

Genre fiction (horror, fantasy, and sci-fi) seems to have gained in popularity the last decade or so, i.e. the Twilight series, Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood), The Hunger Games, Marvel comic superhero movies, etc.

I am enjoying it all because I love these genres.

So, what do you guys think--what do you think will be the next big thing?

Sad News...

2011-06-14T21:46:00.001-04:00

It is with great sadness that I make an announcement concerning my friend and New York Times bestselling author, Leslie Esdaile, a.k.a. L. A. Banks. She is battling a grave illness. I received the following e-mail from her friend, Tina Wise:

It is with profound sadness that we have to inform you that our beloved sister and friend, Leslie Esdaile, (“L.A. Banks”) is most gravely ill. She is facing an uphill battle in her struggle with serious illness. Please know that as Leslie needs all of her energy in this fight, she is absolutely not able to receive visitors, answer emails, texts or phone calls, or receive flowers. What she is able to receive is your continued prayers.

Also, Leslie’s medical expenses are mounting at an astronomical rate. If you wish to assist Leslie, a fund has been established to help with these ever increasing expenses. If you wish to send donations (please note that donations are not tax-deductible) to help Leslie, please see the information listed below:

Leslie Esdaile Fund

Account #81538801

Police and Fire Federal Credit Union

Operations Center

901 Arch Street

Philadelphia, PA 19107-2404

215-931-0300

If you live in Philadelphia, PA, you may take donations directly to any Police and Fire Federal Credit Union branch. Please be sure to note the account number. You may also send them to the P.O. Box listed below*.

Police and Fire Federal Credit Union Branch Locations:

Main Branch:

901 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Additional Branches:

Leo Mall, 11705 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116-2515

Davisville Shopping Center, Street Road, Philadelphia, PA

Andorra Shopping Center, Ridge and Henry Avenues, Philadelphia, PA

City Avenue Shopping Center, 7604 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19151-2007

Mayfair Branch on Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

Northeast Branch, 7500 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

Grant and Academy Shopping Center Branch, Philadelphia, PA

You may send good wishes and cards to*:

Leslie Esdaile

c/o Tina Ryan Wise

P.O. Box 37189

Philadelphia, PA 19148-9998

On behalf of Leslie, her daughter Helena, her sister Liza and all of her family and friends, we sincerely thank you for all of your continued prayers and support.

Tina Ryan Wise

Tinarwise@gmail.com

Also guys, writers and other publishing professionals are holding an auction to raise funds for Leslie's hospital expenses. This is a link: http://labanksauction.org/

Anne Elizabeth and Jo Carol Jones are the persons to contact if you have a service or item you'd like to offer here: http://labanksauction.org/Auction.htm

Any paypal information should be updated there. Thanks!

And the Winner Is...

2011-06-14T21:07:00.000-04:00

There were 10 official entries. I used random.org to choose a winner, and the winner is Smarty P. Jones, who was commenter #8. Smarty, You'll receive an autographed copy of LET'S PLAY WHITE. Thanks to all who entered.

An Interview With Chesya Burke--And a Giveaway!

2011-06-03T17:02:00.001-04:00

Chesya Burke has published over forty short stories in various publications including Dark Dreams: Horror and Suspense by Black Writers, Voices From the Other Side, and Whispers in the Night, each published by Kensington Publishing Corp.; the historical, science and speculative fiction magazine, Would That It Were and many more.

Several of her articles appeared in the African American National Biography published by Harvard and Oxford University Press and she won the 2004 Twilight Tales award for short fiction. Her short story collection, Let’s Play White, debuted a few weeks ago and was published by APEX Books.

Chesya attends Agnes Scott College where she studies Creative Writing and the African Diaspora as it relates to race, class and gender and many of these themes appear in her fiction.

Visit Chesya at http://www.chesyaburke.com/ or on her blog http://chesyaburke.livejournal.com/ where she tends to discuss these issues, and genre fiction as well.

I had the pleasure of interviewing my good friend Chesya for my blog, which is below, and the giveaway for her short story collection, LET'S PLAY WHITE, will follow thereafter.

1.) The title of your novel is quite fascinating. What convinced you to choose such a title and why?

Let's Play White is a short story collection, although it does contain a almost 30,000 word novella. The title was influenced by Richard Wright's 1940 novel, Native Son. The novel follows a black man living in poverty and unable to make a better life for himself and his family because he's black.

At one point the main character and a friend play a game titled "Let's Play White" where they imagine what life would be like if only they could be white. The novel is about oppression and what happens when people are placed in boxes and not allowed to get out. Although it's 2011, many of the same problems still exist for minorities. I decided to highlight some of these issues of class, race and gender in my collection, while adding an element of the speculative.

2.) What is your favorite genre to read and/or write in? And why?

I read pretty much any genre. I don't like to limit my reading because I enjoy using elements from both genre and so called more literary works within my fiction. I know many people say it, and it's not
different for me; my work is hard to classify. I've been told I don't write horror often enough, and I don't really write classic (urban) fantasy or science fiction. I think my work could be called magic realism, but even that's subjective.

3.) When did you first begin your writing journey?

I first began writing when I was about 12 years old. I first began the "writing journey," as in trying to write for publication, about ten years ago.

4.)Who are your major influences?

Octavia Butler, hands down. I absolutely loved the way her work encompassed many different ideas, usually simultaneously. Her work touched on ideas of femininity, politics, spirituality, sensuality and culture, while exploring what it means to be a woman of color through the supernatural. I'm also fans of Robert McCammon, Ralph Ellison, Tananarive Due, Joyce Carol Oates, Toni Morrison, Walter Mosley, Samuel R. Delaney, Nikki Giovanni, and many many many more.

5.) What are your favorite novels?

It's hard to make a concise list. Don't make me. I will say that anyone who hasn't already should read Octavia Butler. Sooner rather than later.

Thanks for having me.

I'd like to thank Chesya for stopping by and participating. And also for giving away a copy of her awesome collection. And now for the giveaway:

Below is the synopsis for Let's Play White, taken from the Apex Book Company's website, where you can also pre-order Chesya's book: http://www.apexbookcompany.com/2011/03/lets-play-white-by-chesya-burke-available-for-pre-order/.

White brings with it dreams of respect, of wealth, of simply being treated as a human being. It’s the one thing Walter will never be. But what if he could play white, the way so many others seem to do? Would it bring him privilege or simply deny the pain? The title story in this collection asks those questions, and then moves on to challenge notions of race, privilege, personal choice, and even life and death with equal vigor.

From the spectrum spanning despair and hope in “What She Saw When They Flew Away” to the stark weave of personal struggles in “Chocolate Park,” Let’s Play White speaks with the voices of the overlooked and unheard. “I Make People Do Bad Things” shines a metaphysical light on Harlem’s most notorious historical madame, and then, with a deft twist into melancholic humor, “Cue: Change” brings a zombie-esque apocalypse, possibly for the betterment of all mankind.

Gritty and sublime, the stories of Let’s Play White feature real people facing the worlds they’re given, bringing out the best and the worst of what it means to be human. If you’re ready to slip into someone else’s skin for a while, then it’s time to come play white.

Chesya received excellent reviews from Publisher's Weekly and Laird Barron. And Chesya also received a stunning blurb from Nikki Giovanni, Grammy nominated spoken word artist and poet. To find out more about Chesya, visit her website or her blog.

Giveaway: For a chance to win a signed copy of LET'S PLAY WHITE by Chesya Burke, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the U.S. only please. The contest will end on June 13, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on June 14, 2011. Good luck.

The Royal Wedding and Mr. Bean

2011-04-27T13:21:00.001-04:00

Sorry I've been away, but real life has had me uber busy. It's been crazy for the last month. :-)

I don't know about you guys but I'm tired of hearing about the upcoming royal wedding! I don't care! What is so special about it? Because it involves British royalty? Whatever. No offense to the folks who want to hear about it, but the media has been saturated with it. It's annoying.

(Rowan Atkinson and wife Sunetra Sastry)

Anyway, British-born actor Rowan Atkinson, better known as "Mr. Bean," was invited to the royal wedding, which I found hilarious since the actor starred in a hilarious skit about him meeting the Queen.

I love Mr. Bean to death and have the DVD collection. If you haven't seen Mr. Bean in action, rent it. You won't regret it.

Now, if you would give the video below six minutes of your time, I promise you will laugh hysterically; especially towards the end. LOL. Tell me what you think in the comments. ;-)

Giddy

2011-04-06T19:23:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the long absence. I don't know if you guys have read THE HUNGER GAMES or not, but I cannot wait for the movie, which is slated for release sometime in 2012. I also read the rest of the trilogy, with CATCHING FIRE being the second, and MOCKINGJAY being the third installment.

When I first heard about the plot, I thought it would be something terrible and disturbing, but instead it taught me once again to never judge a book by the premise alone. If you haven't read it yet, do it!! You won't be sorry.

I have a few more books I'd like to see adapted into movies, but THG is the one I'm really excited about.

Do you have a favorite book you'd like to see made into a movie? If so, what?

Longevity

2011-03-14T14:11:00.000-04:00

I thought of something important last night after my hubby and I couldn't remember if we'd seen a certain movie or not. It wasn't a good movie at all, and that's why we couldn't remember if we saw it or not until about five minutes in, when we turned it off in disgust.

Which made me think of longevity for authors, and, as equally important--memorability. What makes an author's career last and what makes their work memorable--in a good way? This goes for all artists, not just authors. This goes for musicians, sculpters, painters, actors, etc. What makes them stand out and what makes people recognize them or their brand?

Of course my focus is on authors, since I'm a writer. What makes you remember a certain book and love it! What makes you remember it years down the road and still appreciate it? Please share in the comments.

Notice: I will continue to conduct interviews and giveaways as I see fit, but I will NO LONGER review books on any level. This blog started as a writing blog only, and now the requests for reviews has it leaning towards a review blog and that was never my intent. So, to keep it as my own personal writing blog, there will be no more book reviews. Thank you. I'm Tyhitia Green and I approve this message.

Beth Revis' Contest

2011-03-11T21:05:00.005-05:00

Hi guys. You can win signed copies of five different books by five wonderful YA authors. The link is here.

Here's a quick blurb of each book copied from Beth's blog.

•THE ETERNAL ONES by Kiersten Miller is a fast-paced, adventurious love story that involves reincarnation, secret societies, and fire.

•THE REPLACEMENT by Brenna Yovanoff is a hauntingly beautiful book that scares the pants off me.

•NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer is not about werewolves--it's about true wolves that can shapeshift into people written by a brilliant scholar who incorporate history into the tale.

•MATCHED by Allie Condie shows us that love can break through any barrier, and the most important thing is to not go gently...

•ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (description from Goodreads) by Beth is about Seventeen-year-old Amy who joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Go on over and enter if you'd like a chance to win some awesome books!

And the Winner Is...

2011-03-08T17:48:00.000-05:00

There were 3 official entries. I used random.org to choose a winner, and the winner is Robin, who was commenter #1. Robin, You'll receive an e-copy of NIGHT AND CHAOS.

Night and Chaos: An Interview and A Giveaway

2011-03-01T16:11:00.002-05:00

NIGHT AND CHAOS is the first novella in the Deva Chronicles series by my friend Naomi Clark. It was self-published in e-format in January 2011 by Naomi.

The description per Naomi and Goodreads.com:

Ryan McCarthy fled Applied Paranormal Theory and Tactics, her father, and her lover six years ago, desperate to build life away from the weird science and supernatural experiments of her childhood. But everything she hoped to escape comes back with a vengeance when she's kidnapped and tortured by a possessed APTT employee out for revenge on the man responsible for his possession: Ryan's father.

Now, reunited with the lover she abandoned, Ryan is forced back into a world of danger and darkness she no longer understands, pursued by enemies with powers she can't fathom. But Ryan's not entirely powerless herself. She'll have to use every trick she knows - as well as the mystic gift she hates - to stay ahead of those enemies. And that will be easier said than done.

Here's my interview with Naomi, followed by a contest:

1.) What made you decide to write gay/lesbian fantasy? And is that the only category you write in?

It was one of those happy coincidences. I'd never written any before, but a friend emailed me the call for submissions for the Queer Wolf anthology because they knew I love werewolves and shapeshifters. I wrote WOLF STRAP, reviews really liked it, and the publisher took a chance on me and invited me to write a novel for them. The Urban Wolf series was born that way! I've been amazed at the reaction to WOLF STRAP and SILVER KISS – it's so much more than I could have imagined.

I also write straight urban fantasy, for want of a better term, as well as general “dark” fiction and some romance when the mood takes me.

2.) Do you think there’s enough diversity in fantasy?

I think it's growing, thanks to ebooks, which allow more niche books to find audiences. M/M romance is huge, but I think F/F is still catching up. I'll be working on some GBLT anthologies in the near future, and I'm really hoping to get some great lesbian stories for those.

3.) What made you decide to self-publish rather than go the “traditional” route?

I've had two agents since 2006, and it didn't work out with either of them for various reasons. Having had some success with small presses, I felt confident that my writing was strong and that with dedication and care, I could have some success self-publishing. That said, I danced around it for a long time. I spent most of 2010 just reading up on it, learning the pros and cons, figuring out a strategy. This year I decided I was ready to take the plunge.

But I don't see this as an either/or situation – there's no reason I see that authors can't pursue self-publishing and traditional publishing. I love my small press editors and hope to work with them for a long time to come.

4.) Do you think publishing will change in the next few years? If so, how?

It's already changing! The rise of ebooks and ereaders means there are a lot more options for readers, which means there are a lot more options for writers. The best thing writers can do right now is educate themselves on all the changes taking place, both the positive and the negative. I think we're going to see a big rise in the indie movement, heralded by people like Amanda Hocking and JA Konrath, but I do hope that traditional publishing stays with us. A lot of people are speculating about the end of the industry, the end of bookshops, etc, and I find that quite depressing. I don't see why there isn't room for both sides of the publishing game.

5.) What advice do you have for aspiring/unpublished writers?

Read a lot and write a lot. It sounds obvious, but it's so true. And write something your passionate about – there's no point trying to jump on bandwagons or follow the latest trends, because those things will have changed by the time you're ready for publication. So write the kind of book you want to read, not what you think other people want to read. And do your research! Before you submit to an agent, a publisher, self-publish, or even join a critique group, research them. Being informed is so easy these days – there's information all over the internet, so there are no excuses for not being informed!

And now for the contest!

Giveaway: For a chance to win a PDF copy of NIGHT AND CHAOS by Naomi Clark, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the world. The contest will end on March 7, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on March 8, 2011.

To find out more about Naomi, go here, and there.

And the Winner Is...

2011-02-25T12:32:00.001-05:00

There were 8 official entries. I used random.org to choose a winner, and the winner is Lana, who was commenter #8. Lana, send me an e-mail that includes your mailing address and you will receive a copy of FORCE OF HABIT.

Interview With Alice Loweecey and a Giveaway!

2011-02-17T15:50:00.001-05:00

FORCE OF HABIT is the debut novel by my friend Alice Loweecey.

Below is a blurb of the novel per Alice's website:

After ten years in the convent, Giulia Falcone now works as an investigator for the foul-mouthed former police detective Frank Driscoll, for whom she harbors some romantic feelings. The duo are hired to find the person who is stalking and threatening a local wealthy businessman and his fiancée, but Giulia soon attracts the stalker’s attention. This debut mystery by a former nun contrasts a humorous narration with the realities of Giulia’s adjustment to her new life outside the convent walls and her low self-esteem.

Alice took time out of her busy schedule for an interview with me:

1.) Did you loosely base your MC on your own life as a former nun?

Very, very loosely. The similarities are: She was a Franciscan nun, and so was I. Giulia is much more uptight and repressed than I ever was. However, some nun traits are universal and enduring. For instance, about fifteen years after I left the convent, a priest told me I still “stood” like a nun.

2.) What genres do you prefer to write in? (I’ve read some of your horror, which was excellent, btw)

Thank you! I’m a horror writer in my heart of hearts. I didn’t know that I had a knack for mysteries until I started to write one. I’m also a huge post-nuke dystopian fan—I’ve read just about everything in that sub-genre. My next project (besides more Falcone & Driscoll books) is a Young Adult dystopian.

3.) Is this book the first in a series or is it a standalone? Do you have other series planned or just stand alone novels?

I have a contract for three books in this series, with potential for more. Giulia, Frank, and Sidney (their perky admin) are easy and fun to write. I can imagine several more books about them. Then there’s the paranormal and the horror and the dark fantasy and… My “to Write” file keeps growing!

4.) Do you have any writing rituals or habits?

I’m a confirmed outliner. I wrote my first book as a pantser and it took forever. When I decided to try mysteries, I knew I’d be lost without an outline to plant clues and remember suspects. Now I won’t start a book without one. I’m also an anal-retentive researcher. I can get lost for hours looking up details and scenes and floor plans and all the things that help me to visualize a scene.

5.) What is your best piece of advice for aspiring or unpublished writers? ( I ask this question quite often)

Never give up! Never surrender! (With thanks to the movie Galaxy Quest.) I had some brain-melting setbacks in my drive to see my name on a shelf in a brick-and-mortar bookstore. There’s a file folder on my desktop with approximately 185 rejections in it for three different books. It was a long, hard road—but if it was easy, then seeing my book on those shelves wouldn’t be as sweet.

Also, find some fellow writers, online or in meatspace. No one understands writers like other writers. I’m part of the Absolute Write Water Cooler, and they’re some of the best people I’ve never met (in person). This business is like the roller coaster from Hell sometimes, and fellow screaming coaster passengers make it easier.

I'd like to thank Alice for taking time for the interview. You can find out more about Alice and her work here. FORCE OF HABIT is now available in stores and online.

Giveaway: For a chance to win a signed copy of FORCE OF HABIT by Alice Loweecey, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the U.S. only please. The contest will end on February 24, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on February 25, 2011.

The Winner of A Discovery of Witches Is...

2011-02-15T15:17:00.001-05:00

There were 5 official entries. I randomly chose a winner, and the winner is Kara, who was commenter #1. Kara, send me an e-mail that includes your mailing address and you will receive a copy of A Discovery of Witches.

A Discovery of Witches: A Review and A Giveaway

2011-02-08T14:06:00.003-05:00

Title: A Discovery of Witches
Author: Deborah Harkness
Hardcover: 592 pages
Publisher: Viking Adult
Release Date: February 8, 2011

A summary from the author's website:

When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer.

For witches are not the only otherworldly creatures living alongside humans. There are also creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires who become interested in the witch’s discovery. They believe that the manuscript contains important clues about the past and the future, and want to know how Diana Bishop has been able to get her hands on the elusive volume.

Chief among the creatures who gather around Diana is vampire Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist with a passion for Darwin. Together, Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the manuscript’s secrets. But the relationship that develops between the ages-old vampire and the spellbound witch threatens to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between creatures and humans—and will certainly transform Diana’s world as well.

My review:

Diana Bishop is a professor and a witch at Yale whose life spins out of control after she puts her hands on the alchemical manuscript, referred to as Ashmole 782. There are four groups of beings in this novel: humans, witches, vampires, and daemons. Diana becomes fast, but reluctant friends with Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist and 1500 year old vampire.

A group comprised of three witches, three vampires, and three daemons, known as the Congregation, want to question Diana as to how she was able to find the bewitched Ashmole 782. With the help of Matthew and the Knights of Lazarus, she travels from Oxford to New York on an unexpected adventure. Lots of research and detail went into this novel--and it shows. A Discovery of Witches will appeal to fans of paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

To find out more about Deborah Harkness and her work, click here.

Giveaway: For a chance to win a copy of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment. You do not have to be a follower. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the world. The contest will end on February 14, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on February 15, 2011.

Disclaimer: As per FTC guidelines, I received a review copy of A Discovery of Witches from Penguin/Viking. I did not receive any endorsements of any kind, whether that be monetary, gifts, etc.

The House Eaters...

2011-02-07T13:27:00.002-05:00

THE HOUSE EATERS by my blogging pal, Aaron Polson, is now available at Virtual Tales and Amazon, in either e-book form or paperback. Aaron is a fantastic writer! And if you haven't read any of his work, then you need to click on his name above and order some of it--right now. ;-)

THE HOUSE EATERS is a YA horror novel about high school senior, Nick Gillingham, who suspects sinister forces in his house may be the cause of all of his problems as of late.

To find out more, click here. Or to get a signed copy from Aaron, you can email him at: aaron.polson@gmail.com.

The Winner of Taken by the Others Is...

2011-02-02T16:37:00.001-05:00

There were 12 official entries--plus one extra for each follower of the blog. I randomly choose a winner, and the winner is donnas, who was commenter #1. Donnas, send me an e-mail that includes your mailing address and Jess will send you a signed copy of Taken by the Others!

Thanks to all who entered. With this being a writing blog, I never planned on having so many giveaways, but it seems to be happening anyway--stay tuned for all kinds of things. :-D

Also, my officially blogoversary was January 26, 2011--one week ago. Four years going strong! I hope to have many more to come.

Interview With Jess Haines...and a Giveaway!

2011-01-25T20:14:00.003-05:00

Jess Haines is the author of HUNTED BY THE OTHERS, and her new book in the same series, TAKEN BY THE OTHERS, was released on January 4, 2011.

Here's a description of TAKEN BY THE OTHERS per Jess's website:

Once, New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest’s most pressing problem was keeping her agency afloat. Now she’s dealing with two dangerous, seductive vampires who have been enemies for centuries. The only thing Max Carlyle and Alec Royce agree on is that they both want Shia–for very different reasons.

Max is determined to destroy Shia for killing his progeny, while Royce’s interest is a lot more personal. That’s not sitting well with Shia’s werewolf boyfriend, Chaz. As the feud between Max and Royce gets ever more deadly, a powerful vampire-hunting faction is urging Shia to join their side. Shia has always believed vamps were the bad guys, but she’s discovering unexpected shades of grey that are about to redefine her friends, her loyalties–and even her desires…

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jess this time around. The interview is below, and a contest follows thereafter. Enjoy!

Tyhitia Green--1.) What makes your series different than other urban fantasy series?

Jess Haines--Most urban fantasy novels are centered around a protagonist who isn’t completely human. The main character in my series, Shiarra Waynest, has no special powers of her own. Sometimes she picks up an extra boost from one of her friends—like the snarky, sentient belt that helps her hunt vampires—but underneath it all, she’s like you and me. No mind-reading, no zombie-raising, no super strength/speed/stamina—and, like anyone would expect, when she’s forced to deal with Others (supernaturals), it scares the bejeezus out of her. *g*

2.) Do you prefer silence or background noise (television, etc.) when you write?

JH--It depends on my mood. I sometimes crave silence so I can concentrate, but most of the time I prefer to have music or my friends chatting with me in the background. It’s a rare moment when it’s completely quiet around me.

3.) How many books are planned so far for your current series?

JH--Right now, I’m contracted for six. Two of them are out now:

1) HUNTED BY THE OTHERS (released May 2010)
2) TAKEN BY THE OTHERS (released January 2011)
3) DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS (coming July 2011)
4) Untitled Work In Progress (coming 2012)
5) Untitled Work In Progress (coming 2013)
6) Untitled Work In Progress (coming 2014) Whether it goes beyond that? We’ll see…

4.) Do you have a particular food or drink you must have while writing a novel?

JH--Coffee and chocolate. It’s how I survive.

5.) Are you working on another series or stand alone novel?

JH--I am working on a stand alone paranormal romance novel! It ties into the world of H&W Investigations, but it is meant to be a story that can be read on its own. It may be a while before this one is ready to be shopped around for a home, so don’t count on seeing this on the shelves in stores anytime soon.

I also have a novella coming out in an anthology called THE REAL WEREWIVES OF VAMPIRE COUNTY later this year. Ever see or hear of those reality TV shows, “The Real Housewives of _______” (New York, New Jersey, Atlanta, Beverly Hills, etc)? Yeah. Give it a supernatural twist, some extra bitchy werewolves, and a prima donna supernatural hunter, and you’ve got the idea of what my story will be like. *g*

Thank you Jess for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions for me. To find out more about Jess Haines and her novels, you can find her here.

Now for the contest!

CONTEST RULES: For a chance to win a signed copy of TAKEN BY THE OTHERS by Jess Haines, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment, which equals one entry. And I've learned something from my friends who hold giveaways. You can receive an extra entry if you're a follower of my blog--old or new. That means current followers and new followers alike--so click the button. ;-) And tell me if you have one entry or two. So that means you will have TWO entries instead of one and will be twice as likely to win. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in North America only please. The contest will end on February 1, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on February 2, 2011.

The Winner of MERCY BLADE Is...

2011-01-16T14:55:00.001-05:00

There were 12 official entries--plus one extra for each follower of the blog. I randomly choose a winner since a few people had extra entries and it was just fairer that way. And the winner is Sullivan McPig, who was commenter #3. Sullivan, send me an e-mail that includes your mailing address and Faith will send you a signed copy of MERCY BLADE.

Thanks to all who entered. There will be more reviews, interviews, and giveaways. :-D

Win A Copy of MERCY BLADE!

2011-01-08T22:26:00.003-05:00

Hello all. And Happy New Year! My friend, Faith Hunter, is giving away a signed copy of her third Jane Yellowrock novel--MERCY BLADE, which was released on January 4, 2011.

The first novel in the series is SKINWALKER and the second is BLOOD CROSS. Both of which I've given away here on my blog.

Here's a brief description per Faith's website:

Jane, a shapeshifting vampire-hunter-for-hire, crosses paths with a stranger who has arrived in New Orleans, enlisted to hunt vampires who have gone insane-or so he says…

You can also read an excerpt of MERCY BLADE here.
Faith has been published for over 20 years and also writes thrillers and mysteries under the name Gwen Hunter.

Contest Rules: For a chance to win a signed copy of MERCY BLADE by Faith Hunter, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment, which equals one entry. Oh, and this time, I'm changing it up a bit. You can receive an extra entry if you're a follower of my blog. That means current followers and new followers alike--so click the button. ;-) And tell me if you have one entry or two. I will check as well. So that means you will have TWO entries instead of one and will be twice as likely to win. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the world. The contest will end on January 14, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on January 15, 2011.

If you'd like to know more about Faith Hunter you can visit her website at: http://www.faithhunter.net/wp/

Holiday Plans...

2010-12-15T22:43:00.001-05:00

So, what are you planning to do for the holidays? Some of us have time off from work and some of us have to work through the holidays.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have lots of fun, lots of laughs, lots of food, and most of all, lots of love.

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah (Chanukah), or whatever you celebrate! If you don't celebrate--get plenty of food anyway. And happy new year!

See you guys next year.

The Carl Brandon Society

2010-11-16T18:24:00.002-05:00

Sorry I haven't been around but I'm participating in NanoWrimo again this year and it's been hectic. I just heard about this from a friend whose work is featured in the giveaway. Details below:

The Carl Brandon Society announces a prize drawing to support The
Octavia E. Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Carl Brandon Society, an organization dedicated to racial and
ethnic diversity in speculative fiction, will hold a prize drawing of
five eReaders to benefit the Butler Scholarship, a fund that sends two
emerging writers of color to the Clarion writers workshops annually.

In keeping with the Society’s support of literature from and about
people of color, the prizes include five eReaders: two Barnes & Noble
Nooks, two Kobo Readers, and one Alex eReader from Spring Design. Each eReader will come pre-loaded with books, short stories and essays by writers of color from the speculative fiction field. Writers include:
N. K. Jemisin, Nisi Shawl, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Terence Taylor, Ted
Chiang, Shweta Narayan, Chesya Burke, Moondancer Drake, Saladin Ahmed, Rochita Loenen-Ruiz and more.

“Octavia wanted everyone to enjoy the powerful stories writers of
color can produce when we write speculative fiction, so this drawing
would have made her very happy. It’s a wonderful win-win-win event,
raising money for a scholarship that helps writers of color while
sharing their creations with the world,” said Carl Brandon Society
co-founder Nisi Shawl, winner of the 2008 James Tiptree, Jr. Award.

“It’s so appropriate that booksellers are supporting the development
of the next generation of writers, with the next generation of reading
devices. This fundraiser will help ensure that great and
thought-provoking literature will be coming out of our community for a
long time,” added Claire Light, CBS Vice President.

“We’re thankful for the generosity shown by Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and
Spring Design in donating the devices for this drawing,” said K.
Tempest Bradford, Special Events volunteer. “Thanks to them we can
offer some of the best eReading devices available.”

The drawing’s tickets will cost one dollar US ($1) and can be
purchased at http://carlbrandon.org/drawing.html. Entrants may
purchase an unlimited number of tickets, which will be available from
November 5, 2010 through November 22nd, 2010. Sales will close at
11:59PM EDT on November 22nd. Winners will be drawn randomly from a digital “hat” and announced online.

To purchase tickets, read details about the eReaders, or to learn more
about the Carl Brandon Society, please visit the Carl Brandon Society Website: http://carlbrandon.org/

And the Winner of THE DEAD PATH Is...

2010-11-03T13:00:00.001-04:00

There were 13 official entries. I used random.org to choose a winner. And the winner is Mariska, who was commenter #12. Mariska, send me an e-mail that includes your mailing address and Penguin will send you a copy of THE DEAD PATH.

Thanks to all who entered. There will be more reviews, interviews, giveaways, and my usual ramblings. :-D

The Dead Path: A Giveaway!

2010-10-27T14:53:00.003-04:00

I have one copy of THE DEAD PATH by Australian Filmmaker and Novelist Stephen M. Irwin to give away to one lucky winner. What's more, the book is in hardcover and glows in the dark. I hope there's also awesomeness betwixt its pages as well.

The plot and author description per Stephen's M. Irwin's publisher (Random House/Double Day):

A haunting vision in the woods sets off a series of tragic events, leaving Nicholas Close lost amid visions of ghosts trapped in their harrowing, final moments. These uniquely terrifying apparitions lead him on a thrilling and suspenseful ride to confront a wicked soul, and will leave an indelible mark on lovers of high-quality suspense and horror alike.

Nicholas Close has always had an uncanny intuition, but after the death of his wife he becomes haunted, literally, by ghosts doomed to repeat their final violent moments in a chilling and endless loop. Torn by guilt and fearing for his sanity, Nicholas returns to his childhood home and is soon entangled in a disturbing series of disappearances and murders—both as a suspect and as the next victim of the malignant evil lurking in the heart of the woods.

Stephen M. Irwin is the kind of debut author that readers love to discover—and rave about to all their friends. His electric use of language, stunning imagery, and suspenseful pacing are all on full display here. The Dead Path is a tour de force of wild imagination, taut suspense, and the creepiest, scariest setting since the sewers in Stephen King’s It.

I've yet to read the novel myself, as I will receive my review copy around the same time as the winner, but once I'm done reading it, I will post a review on Goodreads.com, which will be under my name as it appears on this blog.

Contest Rules: For a chance to win a signed copy of THE DEAD PATH by Stephen M. Irwin, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the world. The contest will end on November 2, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on November 3, 2010.

If you'd like to know more about Stephen M. Irwin, you can visit his website at: http://www.stephenmirwin.com/.

Disclaimer: As per FTC guidelines, I will receive a review copy of The Dead Path from Random House/Double Day. I did not receive any endorsements of any kind, whether that be monetary, gifts, etc.

Bad To The Bone!

2010-10-19T17:28:00.000-04:00

In lieu of a real post today, I have another fun quiz. Which Supernatural villain are you?

Which Supernatural Villain Are You?

More on Supernatural. Created by BuddyTV

Which Supernatural Character Are You?

2010-10-11T17:05:00.002-04:00

Okay, by now everyone knows I love the television show SUPERNATURAL. And since it's October and I'll be thinking of all kinds of spooky things to post about this month, I decided to take this quiz. I was tired of quizzes until I saw this one. Feel free to take it and post your results in the comments. :-D I'm my favorite character:

Which Supernatural Character Are You?

More on Supernatural. Created by BuddyTV

The Winner of GRAVE WITCH Is...

2010-10-05T12:15:00.000-04:00

There were 19 official entries. I used random.org to choose a winner. And the winner is Bethany C., who was commenter #9. Bethany, send me an e-mail that includes your mailing address and Kalayna will send you a signed copy of Grave Witch.

Thanks to all who entered. There will be more reviews, interviews, and giveaways. :-D

Interview with Kalayna Price and a Contest!

2010-09-29T16:45:00.020-04:00

Kalayna Price is the author of the Alex Craft Novels, a new dark urban fantasy series from Roc, and the author of the Novels of Haven from Bell Bridge Books. She draws her ideas from the world around her, her studies into ancient mythologies, and her obsession with classic folklore. Her stories contain not only the mystical elements of fantasy, but also a dash of romance, a bit of gritty horror, some humor, and a large serving of mystery. She is a member of SFWA and RWA, and an avid hula-hoop dancer who has been known to light her hoop on fire. To find out more, please visit her at Kalayna Price.

Kalayna was awesome enough to agree to an interview with me. Take a look below and then go forth and buy all of her books. ;-) Interview:

Demon Hunter--1.) How did you come up with the concept for Grave Witch?

Kalayna Price--Determining where ideas originate is always hard, so I'm not sure where the initial inspiration for the book started. Early on a series of "what if" questions like "what if I had a woman who could talk to murder victims?" "what if this was a known ability so she could work with the police?" "what if I had a killer who could silence the dead?" From there, the characters and the world began building off each other.

DH--2.) How much research did you conduct for Grave Witch?

KP--Tons. I researched folklore. I researched firearms. I researched a whole bunch of information on law enforcement and talked to someone with EMS training. Now, can I point to that research in the books? It would be a challenge as a lot of it is in the background. It always amazes me how you can do hours or days of research and only use that information in a single sentence.

DH--3.) Will you eventually write in other genres? If so, what will they be?

KP--I will probably never leave the fantasy classification, but I hope to eventually write in a couple different subgenres within fantasy. High fantasy was my first love, so one day I plan to once again pen a big epic fantasy, but more than likely if I diverge anytime soon it will be with a fantasy YA or with a cyberpunk or steampunk novel.

DH--4.) What are your favorite genres to read?

KP--I read all over the board. Urban Fantasy is currently my favorite genre (which is why I write it) but I’m also loving the new surge of YA novels I see happening. I read about every subgenre in fantasy but also add to the mix mysteries, thrillers, horror novels, and romances just to shake things up. I’ll read about anything well written—I just love books.

DH--5.) What is currently your favorite television show?

KP--No contest, that would be Vampire Diaries. I usually don’t watch much TV, but something about that show caught my eye last year and I’ve been addicted ever since. It is deliciously dark and twisted—I love it.

DH--6.) What are your writing rituals/habits?

KP--I don't have very established writing rituals. I prefer to have tea and music when writing but flexibility and the ability to write about anywhere in whatever time available is more important to me than a set ritual.

DH--7.) Do you have any advice for unpublished writers?

KP--Write every day, even if it is only a couple sentences a day. Also, getting published can be a long and, at times, a discouraging journey. You need a thick skin and a dream you can believe in. Stick with it!

I'd like to thank Kalayna for taking the time to stop by to answer a few questions for us. :-D Now for the contest.

For a chance to win a signed copy of GRAVE WITCH by Kalayna Price, all you have to do to enter is to leave a comment and tell me why you'd like to win a copy. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the world. The contest will end on October 4, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be picked at random and announced on October 5, 2010.

Even if you don't win, don't forget to pick up a copy of GRAVE WITCH, which will hit stores on October 5, 2010.

I'd like to thank Kalayna for stopping by. Good luck everyone! :-D

Winner of SAY MY NAME...

2010-09-02T14:14:00.001-04:00

Tatiana said that she couldn't choose a winner since all of the entries were so good, so she chose a random number and Raine is the winner! Congratulations Raine!

Guest Blog: Tatiana Caldwell

2010-08-25T13:57:00.002-04:00

My blog is usually dedicated to all things dark and scary (for the most part) but today I have a friend--Tatiana Caldwell--who has a new e-book out from Liquid Silver Books called SAY MY NAME. The description from her website is below:

There's much more to the fable of Rumpelstiltskin than you've been told …

Due to her father’s constant bragging, word of Anna Miller's beauty and virtue piques the interest of King Thomas. Upon taking the boasting of her father too literally, the king of Grimbros imprisons Anna and threatens to kill her and her father if she fails to spin straw into gold.

A mysterious and sensual magical being finds himself drawn to the castle--and the beautiful Anna. He offers his help in exchange for the most intimate, precious gifts she could possibly give. Soon Anna finds herself wanting far more from him than just his help. But he threatens to consume her and all that she holds dear.

Unless she says his name.

Tatiana is guest blogging today and she's offering a free e-book copy of SAY MY NAME to one lucky commenter. See details in her guest blog.

WHY FAIRY TALES ARE HOT

Let’s face it – fairy tales are hot. If you took a look at some of the most popular tales of all time, such as The Dark Knight, Star Wars, E.T., Avatar, The Lord of the Rings, etc., you'd notice that in some way they are all grown-up fairy tales. Doesn't matter what subgenre a story falls under; romance, fantasy, futuristic / sci-fi, paranormal or urban fantasy, so many of the stories that have made the biggest impressions hold the basic elements of a fairy tale.

Danger. Heroism. Mystery. Magic, myth or fictional science. A tale of a person a lot like you but nothing like you, living in a time or place you never have and never will. An interpersonal relationship is often at the heart of it and a triumphant, happy resolution is always at the end of it.

I’ve loved these kinds of stories since I was a little girl. Now that I’m a grown woman, I find that I still enjoy these kinds of stories, but long for them to divulge further into the relationships, to more fully explore the effects of the danger, magic and science on the mentalities and sexualities of the characters. Some may ask “but why romance”? And I can't help but answer - "why not"? I can’t think of any adventure truly worth having without the love of something. Would Indiana Jones bother risking his life to hunt treasure if he didn’t love rare archeological finds? What’s the point of a super hero fighting to save the world if there’s no one in it that he cares about?

But not only is love a great motivation, it’s also an obstacle. I can’t think of many daring feats that leave you more vulnerable than opening yourself up emotionally to someone else.

These stories draw me because they provide an escape. We live in a world where the things we don't fully comprehend often get disregarded as implausible. Tales with fantastical elements tend to allow us to more fully explore these concepts intellectually, emotionally, politically, interpersonally, without a biased need to be “right”. They provide worlds that are limited only by the author’s - and reader's - creative imagination.

My first published book is a fantasy romance novella, titled SAY MY NAME, and it is a sensual, adult retelling of the fable Rumpelstiltskin (learn more about why I chose this particular fairy tale on my blog). Leave a comment here sharing a fairy tale that you’d love to see retold and why, for a chance to win a free copy of the SAY MY NAME eBook. All entries need to be in by 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 2010 (EST). A winner will be chosen on September 1, 2010. Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by, Tatiana! Okay guys, you have one week to enter Tatiana's contest.

The Future of Publishing

2010-08-11T00:43:00.002-04:00

Sorry I've been absent, guys. My computer died, so I'm dealing with the aftermath of that. I don't have another one yet, but I plan to very soon. When I'm back to blogging regularly, I promise to visit all of your blogs. :-D

Debates about the future of publishing have been going on for quite a while now. I do not wish to partake in said debate because I'm not sure how I feel about it one way or another, but I do know that nothing will replace the feel of a book in my hand--it's my preference. I'd like to share a video with you from the folks at Penguin Books.

Please check out the entire video and tell me what you think.

The Downside Books

2010-07-21T14:04:00.002-04:00

The awesome Stacia Kane has a hot dystopian urban fantasy series out right now--the Downside books--that addresses some real world issues, which makes it even better for me.

The MC, Chess Putnam, is a Debunker for the Church of Real Truth. She is also a fully tattooed witch and ghost hunter, and she gets into some really spooky situations.

The first book in the Downside series, UNHOLY GHOSTS, debuted on May 25, 2010. Here's the description from Stacia's website:

The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen and constantly attack the living. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Consequently, there are many false claims of hauntings from those hoping to profit. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully-tattooed witch and freewheeling Debunker and ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for nailing the human liars or banishing the wicked dead. But she’s keeping a dark secret from the Church: a little drug problem that’s landed her in hot and dangerous water.

Chess owes a murderous drug lord named Bump a lot of money. And Bump wants immediate payback. All Chess has to do is dispatch a very nasty species of undead from an old airport. But the job involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and crossing swords with enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust with a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.

The second book in the series, UNHOLY MAGIC, debuted on July 6, 2010.

And the third book in the Downside series, CITY OF GHOSTS, will debut on July 27, 2010.

Stacia was nice enough to grant me an interview to share with you guys. I hope you like it and will pick up these books. You won't be disappointed!

1.) Demon Hunter--What makes your MC, Chess Putnam, different from other Urban Fantasy main characters?

Stacia Kane--Well, the obvious answer is that she's an addict, but I think that's actually kind of peripheral, in a way. Chess is different because her magical ability--she's a witch--requires tools and rituals and memorization; it's not like a muscle she can flex; of course, not all UF heroines are like that, but a lot of the ones I've seen are. I think she's different because of the depth of her self-destructiveness and self-loathing; she's someone who is constantly ashamed of herself, who constantly wants to escape herself. But at the same time there's hope in her, and loyalty, and friendship and even love. I think she's tough and kick-ass without being stereoptypically "kick-ass;" she can take care of herself, certainly, but she doesn't relish the prospect of violence and the way she makes her living isn't violent, although the potential is there.

That's a difficult question to answer, I think, because it sounds like I'm dumping every other UF heroine into a pot and declaring them all alike except mine, and that's not the case at all. There are as many different kinds of UF heroines as there are UF novels. But I do think Chess's self-destructiveness and shame combined with her sense of hope and loyalty make her unique, or at least, make her like a real person.

2.) DH--Chess is a drug user. What made you explore that angle within your character?

SK--I don't really remember how the idea came to me. I really wanted to write a UF heroine with real problems, someone who wasn't just an outcast but who deliberately hid. I wanted someone who was tough but who had this one major vulnerability, and I wanted that vulnerability to be something plots could spin from and which would contribute to the world and the stories; you know, if your story isn't unique to your character and your world, if it could happen with other people in other places in exactly the same way as it happens in your book, maybe you shouldn't be writing that story.

But I really liked the idea of that weakness and of the ways it could be used in a story. I loved the dichotomy in her employment with a Church that emphasizes Truth, and her job with that Church being to catch those who lie, while she herself lies constantly and hides the deepest part of herself from everyone.

And I liked the way it gave structure to her life and the books. But to me the drugs are an adjunct to Chess's character; the drugs are how she dulls her pain, but her pain is what makes her Chess and what makes her someone I want to and can write about.

3.) DH--Why do you write Urban Fantasy? What influenced you to write it?

SK--I just love it! I've always been a big fan of anything paranormal, and I was writing paranormal romance when I suddenly kind of realized, wait, I don't have to write romance! I can write whatever I want. Not that I don't love romance and didn't love writing it, but it was so freeing. And then I realized that most of the books I really love are now considered UF, so it just seemed natural to me. I love that while there are genre conventions, there aren't so many and they aren't as strict. I love seeing how far I can take the characters and the world.

4.) DH--Do you plan to write in other genres in the future?

SK--I don't know, really! I'd like to try writing something maybe a little less fantasy and a little more straight commercial or women's fiction someday (with fantasy elements still, but not genre fantasy work), but I don't know that I ever really will. I love writing fantasy too much to want to permanently leave it, honestly.

5.) DH--Who are some of your writing influences?

SK--Oh, gosh, I have so many! Neil Gaiman. Andrew Vachss. Vera Caspary, Cornell Woolrich; really all of the old noir writers. Barbara Michaels. Richard Matheson. Alan Moore. Stephen King. Early Elizabeth George. I think everything we read influences us in some way, so it's impossible to list all of them, but those are the main ones, I think. Those are the voices and atmospheres I try to keep in mind when I work, even if it doesn't come through at all.

I'd like to thank Stacia for her time and for letting us get to know a few things about her. You can find her at her website here or at the links above. :-D

Dark and Disorderly

2010-07-12T11:29:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the delay guys, but I was rather busy for the past few weeks. :-D Anyway, my friend, the wonderful Bernita Harris has an e-book out called DARK AND DISORDERLY, available here. I asked her to do a guest blog, which is available below. The blog is all yours, Bernita. :-D

Hellbenders

Tyhitia, you lovely girl with the lovely name, thank you for inviting me to guest blog today.

I love a kick-ass heroine. I love the warrior-woman trope. And I'm very anti-heroine-as-victim, especially of her own stupidity. That's stupidity as a character trait, the lack of common sense, not the occasional miscalculation that any character can make because of an absence of credible information about risks. A heroine can be a victim of circumstances without being a "victim." I have no use for the TSTL girl that sneaks out from a safe house to phone a friend just because of some rebellious denial of reality. Perhaps a similar wall-banging revulsion among readers has led in part to the creation of heroine who can kick ass and take names.

So what makes a kick-ass heroine? Often she is adept at martial arts via the Buffy syndrome, because if you are going to put your heroine in dangerous physical environments, she has to have equalizing talents at her command. So martial arts, knife savy and/or gun expertise are an obvious given. Urban fantasy meets heroic fantasy. Red Sonja lives in Chicago, or New York, or St. Louis.

Unfortunately, this trope is meeting a bit of a back lash. One reader wrote me that they were so glad that Lillie St. Claire didn't do martial arts, that she was so over Buffy. Seriously.

But it doesn't have to be a strict either/or in heroines.

Superficially, my heroine doesn't qualify as kick-ass. Further, she throws up from stress and once even passes out (though after the immediate danger is over--she doesn't cringe at the crunch) and isn't trained in karate, judo, savante, marksmanship... no street skills at all. In effect she is more a civilian than a warrior, or, perhaps, she is a warrior for the working day.

But she does have other characteristics necessary for kicking ass: courage, determination, dedication-- above all a willingness to confront evil -- to stand between the helpless and the forces of darkness.
And something else rather needful in fighting paranormal enemies, magic in some form, an internal magic, an innate ability that doesn't rely on magic talismans or enchanted swords.( I must say though, that I'm fond of the magical accessory trope too and doubt I'll ever get tired of reading stories that utilizes it)

Genres develope and change, and it will be interesting to see how heroines of Lillie's type are received by the reading public. So far readers have been overwhelmingly positive, but I'd really like to have your opinions on the type and style of heroine who satisfies you the most.

Dark and Disorderly - the Adventures of Lillie St. Claire - is published by Carina Press, Harlequin's new digital first imprint, and is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or where ever ebooks are sold. The first chapter can be downloaded free at http://carinapress.com/blog/2010/06/launch-book-excerpts/

Thank you so much for stopping by and talking with us about heroines in urban fantasy, Bernita. If you guys have questions you can ask Bernita in the comments or visit her blog here. :-D

Con Carolinas

2010-06-14T22:01:00.026-04:00

As you guys can see, I changed my template. After three years of you guys seeing pink, I thought I'd offer a change. You may see a few more templates in the near future after I really settle on one. :-D

I traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina on the weekend of June 4th and attended the sci-fi/fantasy convention known as Con Carolinas. I had lots of fun hanging out with old friends and making new ones as well. I attended many, many panels, and had a blast. I'll share some pictures below of convention goers, then authors:

This is Kyle. His Godzilla shirt rocked! Plus he had some awesome figurines of some characters he's made over the years.

These guys on the right work for the Umbrella Corporation. They were there to ensure that the zombie apocalypse did not take place. A zombie was chasing the guy in the far right of the photo.

He was back-up.

Yay! Star Wars! These guys were giggly at first, but then they kept it real for the 2nd photo. :-D

Oh, where did that pic come from? This Spartan was back-up too. Yeah--that's right--back-up.

Who you gonna call?

And his car.

Scary Monsters and Super Freaks Panel

(Left to right: Robert S. Snare, artist; Kalayna Price, Urban Fantasy

author; Carrie Ryan, YA author; and Gail Z. Martin, Fantasy author)

Left: My friends and Urban Fantasy Authors Marcia Colette and Kalayna Price!

Right: Me and my new friend, YA author, Carrie Ryan!

The wonderful authors over at Magicalwords.net

(Left to right: Stuart Jaffe, A.J. Hartley, Kalayna Price,

Misty Massey, Faith Hunter, and David B. Coe)

The vampire panel with urban fantasy authors: Karen Diaz, Marcia Colette, and Kalayna Price. The latter two authors informed the audience that I was yawning. LOL. I was tired. Revenge is sweet, ladies. ;-)

Lots more contests and book reviews are coming. Stay tuned! :-D

And Then There Was One...

2010-06-03T12:59:00.004-04:00

Rue McClanahan, born Eddi-Rue McClanahan in Healdton, OK, died at 1 a.m. this morning of a stroke. Her best known role--and my favorite--was that of Southern Belle Blanche Devereaux on the legendary Golden Girls.

Everyone who knows me well understands how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Golden Girls. I have the entire collection but I still watch it on tv. There will never be another show like it or as good, IMHO.

I don't have much else to say--sigh. We'll miss you, Blanche/Rue. RIP.

Here's one my favorite episodes where Blanche steals the show:

The Marks of Cain

2010-05-24T12:05:00.006-04:00

The Marks of Cain is a thriller by Tom Knox, a pseudonym for journalist Sean Thomas.

According to the publisher, Viking, The Marks of Cain is a parallel mystery that takes two men from the jagged cliffs of north Atlantic islands to the heart of the Arizona desert, from the cursed graveyards of the Basque countryside to a horrendous and earth-shattering secret that lies in wait in the heart of old Colonial Africa.

My review: The story centers around a young lawyer, David Martinez, who receives an ancient map from his dying grandfather. At the behest of his grandfather, David travels to the Basque mountains and runs into danger immediately.

Meanwhile London journalist, Simon Quinn, stumbles into several murder mysteries where rich elderly people are being murdered in horrific ways.

The novel is told from the points of view of both men and is based around a mystical race of Cagots, who are thought to be humans but not from Adam and Eve.

The Marks of Cain is a fast-paced thriller that centers on Nazi eugenics, which will offend a great deal of people. It also ties in a religious slant that will again offend some people.

For me, it didn't have shock value, even though I think that was the intent. It has been touted as the next DaVinci Code. It was a fast read, but it didn't "wow" me. It was only okay for me. Based on a five star rating, I'd give The Marks of Cain a 2 out of 5 stars.

To find out more about Tom Knox and his books, go here: http://www.tomknoxbooks.com/

Disclaimer: As per FTC guidelines, I received a review copy of The Marks of Cain from Viking. I did not receive any endorsements of any kind, whether that be monetary, gifts, etc.

And the Winner of HUNTED BY THE OTHERS Is...

2010-05-19T15:15:00.002-04:00

There were 23 official entries. I used random.org to choose a winner. And the winner is Marianna, who was commenter #12. Marianna, send me an e-mail that includes your mailing address and Jess will send you a signed copy of HBTO.

Thanks to all who entered. There will be more reviews, interviews, and giveaways. :-D

Guest Blog: Jess Haines and A Contest!

2010-05-11T12:47:00.006-04:00

Howdy, folks! My name is Jess Haines, and I’m the author of HUNTED BY THE OTHERS, hailed as “a delightful romp of a book” (Angela Knight, NYT Bestselling Author). I’m here today to let a few of my characters tell you about their adventures and what makes them tick.

Take the floor, guys!

______________

Shiarra: Um, hi? Wow, this is different. Uh…

Royce: Haven’t you done this before? Say your name. Introduce yourself.

Arnold: Find your cue cards. Did we get cue cards?

Sara: Hush! Let her do it. This is her interview.

Shiarra: Right, sorry. My name is Shiarra Waynest. I’m a private investigator, co-owner of H&W Investigations. I’m also the main character in a book. How weird is that?

Sara: Hi, I’m Sara Halloway, the “H” in H&W, and Shiarra’s best friend.

Chaz: Is it my turn? Oh, hi. Call me Chaz. I’m Shiarra’s boyfriend, leader of the werewolf pack, the Sunstrikers. Go Yankees!

Royce: Was that really appropriate? Well. My name is Alec Royce, owner of A.D. Royce Industries. You may have visited one of my clubs or restaurants if you’ve—

Shiarra: This isn’t a commercial.

Royce: *offended look* May I finish?

Shiarra: Yeah, sure.

Royce: As I was saying. I run a number of fine dining establishments, as well as nightclubs and other local entertainment. I’m also the leader over the vampires in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Arnold: Show-off… Hey, I’m Arnold. I’m a mage and head of security for The Circle, a corporation devoted to making the benefits of the arcane available to one and all. I also helped save Shia and Sara—

Shiarra: Hey, hey! No spoiling things for the readers.

Arnold: Oh, yeah. Well, I’m still awesome.

Sara: Now who’s the show-off?

Chaz: Hey, do we get any pizza for doing this interview?

Shiarra: Ohh, pizza! I want pepperoni.

Royce: This is the silliest interview I’ve ever seen. Why isn’t anyone running some kind of control on this? The PR people should’ve briefed—

Sara: I’ll get the crushed pepper and garlic salt.

Arnold: The vampire may not like that.

Sara: Ohh. Made a Very Bad Call there, didn’t I?

Royce: …

Shiarra: Hey, so, while we wait for the pizza, I’ll tell you a little about the story.

Royce: Finally.

Chaz: Nobody asked you, fang-boy.

Royce: That’s it. I’m done.

Shiarra: Sit your ass down! Jesus, you’re such a whiner… Now, as I was saying, this is a story about me and a few of my friends. Acquaintances, in some cases. *eyes Royce*

Chaz: Don’t forget the friends with benefits.

Shiarra: C’mon, I’m blushing over here.

Sara: What she’s trying to say is we’re a bunch of regular folks—err, in some cases, supernaturals, aka, Others—who got caught up in a big mess started by The Circle—

Arnold: Not all of us are assholes, by the way.

Sara: No one said you were!

Royce: Most of them are. Executives at The Circle did attempt to steal my property. Which, last time I checked, is illegal whether you’re human or Other.

Arnold: Not the point!

Shiarra: Anyway! I ended up doing some stuff I never thought I’d agree to—ever. Unfortunately, it involves Mr. Sensitive over there—

Royce: I don’t have to take this abuse, you know. I managed to get injunctions against the White Hats, I’m sure I can do the same—

Shiarra: Oh, whatever! Look, we have a bunch of adventures, things get wacky, and just read the darn book.

Arnold: *in Summer Blockbuster Guy Voice* It’s bold! It’s new! It’s—

Chaz: Really annoying?

Sara: You guys are such children.

Royce: I’m calling my lawyer.

Shiarra: Are we done yet?

______________

Um, sorry about that. Sometimes my characters have a mind of their own. *sheepish grin*

While I’m here, I’d like to invite you to join me in my celebratory shenanigans over on my blog (http://jesshaines.com/blog/2010/05/04/release-day-is-here/)! Through June 30th, I’m running a contest-slash-experiment. Stick around for a while! There shall be pictures. There shall be swag. There shall be much rejoicing.

Hope you all enjoy my book!

—Jess

Also, for a chance to win a copy of HUNTED BY THE OTHERS by Jess Haines, all you have to do is leave a comment. If you do not have a blog with your e-mail address listed, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so the spam bots won't send you junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the world. The contest will end on May 18, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck.

The Best Show on TV

2010-05-03T12:44:00.004-04:00

Supernatural, a series on the CW, has been my favorite show for the past five years. When I first saw the preview for it in 2005, I knew that I had found the next best thing since Buffy. If you have never seen demon-hunting brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester in action, you need to see this show. Fans of horror, fantasy, or just about any genre will love this series. Oh, and the show airs on Thursdays at 9 p.m.

Supernatural is nearing the end of its fifth season. Series creator Eric Kripke only planned for five seasons. But, with the show's popularity, the CW will continue it for another season. Eric will step down as the day-to-day showrunner, but will still play a major role in the show.

TNT is now airing reruns of the show (10 and 11 a.m. Mon-Fri.) and they are currently into season 2. If you still need convincing on the awesomeness of this show, check out this very short preview. It gives me the chills. Oh, and that song--love it. I love this show! :-D

The Hook

2010-04-12T12:33:00.005-04:00

Sorry for the delay folks, but RL took over for a few weeks. :-D

After a book premise has piqued your interest, what keeps you hooked?

Is it the cover?

Is it the first sentence? The first paragraph? The first page?

For me it's the first sentence. When an author makes me want more from the first sentence, then I'm pretty certain I'll like the book. For those that don't, I'll give it a chance, but expect it to be pretty boring until some action or something begins.

Even when I don't like a book, I keep reading until the end. Maybe it's because more than likely I've already paid for it, and just have to finish it.

What about you? What hooks you when you read? And do you finish books no matter what? Or do you get bored and put them down forever?

Hunted by the Others: A Review

2010-03-23T16:24:00.006-04:00

Description from author Jess Haines' blog : They are the Others — the vampires, mages, and werewolves once thought to exist only in our imaginations. Now they’re stepping out of the shadows, and nothing in our world will ever be the same again…

IN A TOWN LIKE THIS, BEING A P.I. CAN BE MURDER

Shiarra Waynest’s detective work was dangerous enough when her client base was strictly mortal. But ailing finances have forced her to accept a lucrative case that could save her firm — if it doesn’t kill her first. Shiarra has signed on to work for a high-level mage to recover an ancient artifact owned by one of New York’s most powerful vampires.

My impressions: This novel kept my attention and I wanted to know what would happen next. Please know that it is very easy for me to put down a boring book--and this was not one of those. It was an absolute thrill ride. After Shiarra Waynest (Shia) decided to take on an assigment from a high-level mage, her safety went downhill. From being threatened by the most powerful vampire in the state, to being threatened to join a hate group against THE OTHERS, Shia is not sure what her options are. Add a few murders to the plot, and you've got yourself a very fun, creative novel. I loved it.

Please pick up a copy on May 4, 2010 or you can even pre-order at any online store now. :-D

There will also be a giveaway in April for a signed copy of this book here on my blog. Check back. :-D

And the Winner of Angelology Is...

2010-03-11T12:38:00.003-05:00

There were 26 official entries. I used random.org to choose a winner. And the winner is Tracey D (Booklover 0226), who was commenter #13. Tracey, send me an e-mail that includes your mailing address and Penguin will send you a signed copy of Angelology. But, if you do not contact me by Sunday, March 14, 2010, then random.org will be consulted for another winner.

Thanks to all who entered! :-D Please check back. There will be my usual posts, along with reviews and contests.

Win A Copy of Angelology!

2010-03-03T18:22:00.007-05:00

Okay, now that I have your attention. Not only do I offer a contest, but I conducted a phone interview with Danielle (author of Angelology) from her home in France! :-D She was so lovely and polite. And yes, I did gush about how much I loved the book. :-D Read our interview below her picture:

Demon Hunter--1.) What piqued your interests in angels and angelology?

Danielle Trusonni--I've always been interested in angels. I went to Catholic school as a child, but I never knew I'd be that interested in them until I stayed at a convent for research. There were beautiful glass windows, and pictures of old medieval churches and convents that were very inspiring to me as well. I think angels are part of our society in a really big way.

DH--2.) In order to conduct research for your novel, you stayed in the convent of Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, WI, where your grand aunt is a nun. What did you experience there? And how did your stay influence your novel?

DT--I really didn't know what direction I wanted to go in during the beginning stages of the book. While I was at the convent, I knew I wanted angels to be a part of the novel. And I got a lot of ideas about Evangeline and decided her status of being a nun. Staying at the convent was only part of the research. I also visited all of the major locations mentioned in the book--New York, Paris, and the Devil's Throat Cavern in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria. My research spanned two years.

DH--3.) Will the sequel to Angelology begin immediately where it left off, or will a period of time have passed? And will Evangeline remain the main character?

DT--A little bit of time will have passed. Evangeline and Verlaine will remain the two central characters.

DH--4.) What made you decide to write such a dark, fantastical story after your critically acclaimed memoir, Falling Through the Earth?

DT--My memoir was a book I wanted to write for personal reasons. I didn't have any preconceived genre set for me. I think that it's impossible to write the same book twice. I always knew that I would write fiction at some point. I think that it's important for writers to change and evolve. But initially, I didn't set out to write this kind of novel.

DH--5.) What sparked your interest in writing? And when did you begin your writing journey?

DT--I started writing when I was a teenager. I've always loved to read and write. In high school I wrote poetry and took creative writing classes. It took me a while to take writing seriously. I thing I began to take it seriously while I was at the Iowa Writer's Workshop, which gave me the discipline and the time. The time was a luxury.

Angelology was bidded for buy two major motion picture companies. Columbia won the bid. I cannot wait to see this movie and read its sequel. Angelology will be released everywhere on March 9, 2010. Go forth and buy it! You won't be disappointed. You can read all about Danielle at her two websites:

Danielle Trussoni

Angelologist

Viking has agreed to give away one signed copy to one very lucky commenter. All you have to do is leave a comment. If you do not have a blog with your e-mail address listed, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so the spam bots won't send you junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in the world. The contest will end on March 10, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Good luck and don't forget to read my review of Angelology in the post below this one. :-D

Angelology by Danielle Trussoni: A Review

2010-03-02T15:31:00.009-05:00

Title: Angelology

Author: Danielle Trussoni

Pub Date: March 9, 2010 by Viking Adult

Format: Hardcover, 464 pages

ISBN: 9780143145264

Synopsis: (Penguin) A thrilling epic about an ancient clash reignited in our time-between a hidden society and heaven's darkest creatures.

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them.
Genesis 6:5

Angelology is a riveting, intricately woven tale of a centuries old battle between the secret society of Angelologist and the infamous Nephilim race.

This novel had me enthralled from start to finish. It has been categorized as thriller, dark fantasy, horror, etc. I'm not so much concerned about the category as I am the story. It was amazingly crafted by Ms. Trussoni.

The story follows 23-year-old Sister Evangeline at the St. Rose Convent, Hudson River Valley in Milton, New York. The year is December 23, 1999 and the young nun discovers a 1943 correspondence between deceased philanthropist Abigail Rockefeller and the late Mother Superior of the St. Rose convent.

Discovery of the letter, and a chance meeting with a stranger who was searching for the correspondence, leads Evageline through a phenomenal web of lies and secrets in just 48 hours.

The villian of the story, Percival Grigori, doesn't disappoint. Even in his frail state, and the fact that he is a few centuries old, he manages to cause great pain to Evangeline and those closest to her, with assistance from some horrific creatures.

At first I was hesistant to review this novel because it contained nuns, angels, and the Nephilim race, just like the current novel I'm working on. :-D But to my delight, our stories are not similar, and Ms. Trussoni has her own wonderful plot and I love this story. I promise you that this novel is one of the best you'll read this year. :-D Pick it up at any store or online.

Disclaimer: As per FTC guidelines, I received a review copy of Angelology from Penguin/Viking. I did not receive any endorsements of any kind, whether that be monetary, gifts, etc.

P.S. I will hold a contest for a signed copy of Angelology beginning tomorrow. Danielle Trussoni can be found here or there.

And the Winner of 33 A.D. is...

2010-03-02T10:24:00.003-05:00

There were 24 official entries. I used random.org to choose a winner. And the winner is Charles Gramlich, who was commenter #7. Charles, send me an e-mail that includes your mailing address, and David will send you a personalized copy of 33 A.D. with whatever inscription you'd like. But, if you do not contact me by Friday, March 5, 2010, then random.org will be consulted for another winner.

And as for everyone else, thanks for participating. Stay tuned. Later today, I will post a review of another book, and a contest will be held for that book on tomorrow. :-D

P.S. If you'd like to know when and where you can purchase your own copy of 33 A.D., you can check out David McAfee's blog here. I will mention a release date for it in the future as a reminder.

33 A.D.

2010-02-22T13:10:00.004-05:00

My friend David McAfee wrote an amazing novel, entitled, 33 A.D. I've read it and it is splendid, IMHO. :-D

According to David's blog, "33 A.D. is the story of a vampire in Biblical Jerusalem who is sent to assassinate Jesus of Nazareth." In David's tale, vampires used Pontius Pilate and Judas to further their cause. It is an intricately woven tale of suspense and horror. This novel deserves some attention.

David's UK publisher, Ghostwriter Publications, will release David's novel around June 2010. Since David's previous agent did not sell his U.S. rights, David decided to release the U.S. version himself, but he is still seeking representation and a U.S. publisher. ;-) And this novel deserves both.

I conducted an interview with David about his work. A contest will follow thereafter. :-D

Demon Hunter--1.) How did you come up with the concept for 33 A.D. And did you ever imagine it would offend anyone?

David McAfee: 33 A.D. was inspired by the book Violent Sands, by Sean Young. Violent Sands (Breakneck Books, 2006 – now an imprint of Variance Publishing) is the story of Barabbas, the murderer set free by Pilate instead of Jesus. Young’s book is incredible in its ability to take you back to that time and place, and while I read it, I started to think about what else might have been lurking in the shadows and I started to wonder what a vampire in Biblical Jerusalem would have thought of all the hoopla surrounding Jesus. Viola! The concept for 33 A.D. was born.

I did worry about people getting offended, and I still do. Some people already have, and they let me know about it, too. But the book isn’t meant to be offensive, it’s just a story. I tried pretty hard to get a lot of the details as close to the Bible as possible, which was a real challenge for me because I’m not especially religious. (I bought my first Bible while writing the book and used it for research) But there is only so much you can do when you insert a vampire into the New Testament, and there are people who will not be interested. Thankfully, I have several friends who are deeply Christian and they helped me out (Jeremy Robinson Aprilynne Pike, etc.) by reading it and making sure I didn’t screw up too badly. ;)

DH-- 2.) Why do you prefer to write in the horror genre?

DM--That’s a harder question than it seems, because I don’t necessarily prefer to write horror, I just write what I like and it is what it is. I like vampires, but I don’t care for the romantic’s view of them. I like vampires with bite (no pun intended), so I think that is what makes this a horror novel rather than an urban fantasy. That said, if you’ve read any of my short stories, well…those are definitely horror. Huh. I just blather on, don’t I?

DH--3.) How long have you been writing?

DM--I wrote a kids’ book when I was six, does that count? I even illustrated it. It was titled TIGGER MEETS LADY TIGGER. Obviously it violated all sorts of copyright laws, and my parents were far more aware of such things than I was. But I was proud. I’d written a book. At twelve, I started my first horror novel about a giant mutant cat that escaped from a geneticist’s lab and terrorized a small town. A few weeks into writing it I discovered girls, and that piece of fiction remains unfinished to this day. But I’ve only been trying to get published for about 5 years now.

DH--4.) What is your writing dream?

DM--I would love to quit my day job. I know that’s kinda lame, but that’s it. Really. It wouldn’t even take much because my day job doesn’t pay all that well.

DH--5.) Who are some of your writing influences?

DM--Hmmm…there are a lot of them. King, Crichton, R.A. Salvatore, Margaret Weis and Tracey Hickman, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind, P.N. Elrod, and several dozen others who helped warp my mind just enough to want to write the weird stuff that comes from my head.

DH--6.) What else are you working on?

DM--33 AD has been taking up a lot of my time, but there are a few things in the pipeline that are growing nicely. Another vampire book, BAIT, is most likely the next novel-length fiction I will write. I love that story, it’s about a guy who uses himself as bait to catch and kill vampires, and he has a very unique method of doing so, but that’s all I’m going to say for now. Keep your eyes and ears open.

DH--7.) Do you think you'll ever write in another genre? If so, what?

DM--Other than horror? Probably, but I’m one of those annoying people that always tends to think of worst case scenarios. I’ll see someone’s discarded grocery list in a parking lot and wonder if they were attacked before they could finish shopping, or I’ll see a dog riding in the back of some guy’s pickup and start thinking up reasons for the dog not to be in the cab. Usually I come up with things like the dog is vicious and would eat the driver, or it’s possessed and the driver is taking it to an exorcism. That’s just how my mind works. So most of the time when I get an idea for a story, it’s not pretty. That said, I do have one or two non-horror projects in the pipeline, including YA and MG projects.

DH--8.)Do you have to have silence while you write or do you prefer music?

DM--Silence. I used to write to the soundtrack from DRACULA, but I didn’t want it to become a crutch, you know what I mean? So now I close the door to my writing room and tune everything out.

David agreed to give away a signed copy of 33 A.D. to one lucky commenter. All you have to do is leave a comment. If you do not have a blog with your e-mail address listed, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so the spam bots won't send you junk mail. The contest is open to anyone. The contest will end on March 1, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Sins of the Mother

2010-02-18T14:48:00.005-05:00

The awesome Carleen Brice wrote an equally awesome book titled, ORANGE MINT AND HONEY, which was released February 12, 2008. And the folks over at Lifetime Movie Network thought so as well and bought the movie rights to OMAH. :-D

Being Lifetime and all, they changed the title, and the movie will be called Sins of the Mother, starring Jill Scott and a host of other wonderful stars. The movie will air on Lifetime Movie Network on February 21, 2010, at 8:00 EST.

Also, Carleen has another book, CHILDREN OF THE WATERS, that was released on June 23m 2009. Be sure to pick up both books--not just because she's my friend, but because she's a rockin' author. :-D

You can visit Carleen here, and here, where she encourages White readers to buy Black books.

Oh, and here's the movie trailer for Sins of the Mother:

P.S. I am posting a contest on Monday for an unrelated work of fiction. :-D

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-09T00:45:00.006-05:00

It's almost Valentine's Day and I figured I'd post early. I decided to do something different other than the standard ubiquitous post. There aren't always happy times during this holiday and I figured I'd post a few of my favorite songs to capture four types of relationships that are expressed on this holiday and throughout the year. And since I write about things that don't always have a happy ending, it will be rather interesting. :-D

1.) The first category is LOVE (of course) and one of my favorite love songs is by Anita Baker, who also happens to be my favorite singer in the world. :-D

Here are both the video and lyrics for SWEET LOVE:

With all my heart I love you baby
Stay with me and you will see
My arms will hold you, baby
Never leave, 'cause I believe

[Chorus:]
I'm in love, sweet love
Hear me calling out your name, I feel no shame
I'm in love, sweet love
Don't you ever go away, it'll always be this way

Oh, your heart has called me closer to you
I will be all that you need
Just trust in what we're feeling
Never leave 'cause baby, I believe

I'm in love, sweet love
Hear me calling out your name, I feel no shame
I'm in love, sweet love
Don't you ever go away, it'll always be this way

No stronger love in this world
Oh, baby no, you're my man, I'm your girl
I'll never go, wait and see, can't be wrong
Don't you know this is where you belong

Sweet, sweet and lovely baby
Stay right here, never fear
I will be all that you need
Never leave, 'cause baby, I believe

I'm in love, sweet love
Hear me calling out your name, I feel no shame
I'm in love, sweet love
Don't you ever go away, it'll always be this way

2.) The second category is the awful BREAK-UP. Former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson did a good job with this song, but NO ONE can sing it like Jennifer Holliday, IMHO. ;-) Here are both the video and lyrics for AND I AM TELLING YOU (I'M NOT GOING) by Jennifer Holliday (she begins singing at the 3:30 mark):

And I am telling you I'm not going
You're the best man I'll ever know
There's no way I can ever go
No no there’s no way
No no no no way
I'm living without you
I'm not living without you - I don't wanna be free

I'm staying, I'm staying
And you - and you - you're gonna love me
Ooooh - you're gonna love me

And I am telling you I'm not going
Even though the rough times are showing
There’s just no way, there’s no way
We’re part of the same place
We’re part of the same time
We both share the same blood
We both have the same mind
And time and time we’ve had so much to share
No, no, no, no, no, no way
I’m not waking up tomorrow morning
And finding that there’s nobody there
Darling there’s no way
No no no no way
I'm living without you
I'm not living without you
You see there’s just no way, there’s no way
Please don’t go away from me
Stuck with me, stay with me
I’m starstruck and hold me
I am starstruck and hold me
Please stay and hold me, this man
Hey mister, hey mister
I know, I know, I know you care
Tear down the mountain
Yell scream and shout
You can say what you want
I’m not walking out
Stop all the rivers
Push, strike and kill
I'm not gonna leave you
There's no way I will

And I am telling you
I’m not going
You’re the best man I’ll ever know
There’s no way I could ever, ever go
No no there’s no way
No no no no way
I'm living without you
I'm not living without you
Not living without you
I don't wanna be free
I’m staying, I’m staying
And you and you and you
You’re gonna love me
Oooooh, yeah,
You’re gonna love me
Yes you area
Yes you area
Yeaaaaah
Love me, love me, love me, looooove
You’re gonna love me

3.) The third category is that of CHEATING. And this young lady has her own way of dealing with her cheater. Here are both the video and lyrics for BUST YOUR WINDOWS by Jazmine Sullivan:

I bust the windows out ya car
And no it didn't mend my broken heart
I'll probably always have these ugly scars
But right now I don't care about that part

I bust the windows out ya car
After I saw you laying next to her
I didn't wanna but I took my turn
I'm glad I did it cause you had to learn...

I must admit it helped a little bit
To think of how you'd feel when you saw it
I didn't know that I had that much strength
But I'm glad you see what happens when...

You see can't just play with people's feelings
Tell them you love them and don't mean it
You'll probably say that it was juvenile
But I think that I deserve to smile

I bust the windows out ya car
You know I did it cause I left my mark
Wrote my initials with the crobar
And then I drove off into the dark

I bust the windows out ya car
You should feel lucky that that's all I did
After five whole years of this bull----
Gave you all of me and you played with it

Oooh ahh...
I must admit it helped a little bit
To think of how you'd feel when you saw it
I didn't know that I had that much strength
But I'm glad you see what happens when...

You see you can't just play with people's feelings
Tell them you love them and don't mean it
You'll probably say that it was juvenile
But I think that I deserve to smile

But it don't comfort to my broken heart
You could never feel how I felt that day
Until it happens baby you don't know pain

Oooh Yeah I did it (Yeah I did it)
You should know it (You should know it)
I ain't sorry (I ain't sorry)
You deserved it (You deserved it)

After what you did (After what you did)
You deserved it (You deserved it)
I ain't sorry (I ain't sorry) no no oh... (I ain't sorry)

You broke my heart
So I broke ya car
You caused me pain (You caused me pain)
So I did the same

Even though all that you did to me was much worse
I had to do something to make you hurt yeah
Oh but why am I still cryin'?
Why am I the one whose still cryin'?

Oh you really hurt me baby
You really you really hurt me baby
Hey, hey, hey now watch me yule
I bust the windows out ya car...

4.) And the 4th category is the dreaded STALKER. Nothing to add here except that stalking is illegal in all 50 states. Here are both the video and lyrics for SHAME by Stabbing Westward:

I only see myself reflected in your eyes
So all that I believe I am essentially are lies
And everything I've hoped to be or ever thought I was
Died with your belief in me so who the hell am I?

I don't know if I'm real without you
What is left of me without you?
I don't know whats real without you
How can I exist without you?

I'm wondering 'round confused
Wondering why I try
The more that you deny my pain
The more it intensifies...
I pray for someone to ache for me the way I ache for you...
If you ignore that I'm alive
I've nothing to cling to

I don't know if I'm real without you
What is left of me without you?
I don't know whats real without you
How can I exist without you?

I stare into this mirror
So tired of this life
If only you would speak to me or care if I'm alive
Once I swore I would die for you
But I never meant it like this
I never meant like this
no I never meant like this

I don't know if I'm real without you
What is left of me without you?
I don't know whats real without you
How can I exist without you?

I love all these songs. I fall into category # 1 and hopefully most of you guys do as well. Happy Valentine's Day! ;-)

Three Years and Counting!

2010-01-26T16:10:00.009-05:00

Today is my three year blog anniversary. Yay! It has evolved and will continue to do so. I plan to have more contests this year, interviews, etc. And hopefully I'll have some interesting news concerning my own writing as well.

So sit back and enjoy the things to come. :-D

And since I have nothing to really discuss today, feel free to make suggestions for future blog posts--and that includes everyone. Lurkers too. ;-)

No Response

2010-01-24T12:14:00.002-05:00

Hi guys. Since I have not heard from T from the UK--the original winner of BLOOD CROSS, I had go back to Random.org and choose another winner. And now, Soullumination is the new winner!! And Soul, same rules apply to you. You must contact me via e-mail by Tuesday, January 26, 2010 by midnight in order to officially receive your prize. (My e-mail address is in my profile)

I need your name and mailing address so that Faith can send out your book and a couple other goodies. If I do not hear from you by the aforementioned date, another winner will be chosen--again. :-D Congratulations.

And the Winner of BLOOD CROSS is...

2010-01-21T12:20:00.006-05:00

I wish that all you guys could win but there can be only one--like the Highlander. LOL. :-D Yeah, okay. I used random.org to choose the winner. And the winner is T from the UK, who was commenter #4. So, T you can click on my profile and email me your address and Faith will send out your book plus a couple wonderful prizes to go along with it. :-D BUT if I don't hear from T before midnight on Saturday, January 23, 2010, then random.org will be consulted for another winner.

And as for everyone else, thanks for participating. There will be more posts where I blather on about nothing, but I also have more interviews and giveaways planned so stay tuned.

Faith Hunter, BLOOD CROSS, and a Contest!

2010-01-12T22:22:00.018-05:00

As many of you may remember I gave away a copy of Faith Hunter's SKINWALKER in December after winning Nano '09. So, Mrs. Hunter was kind enough to offer a signed copy of the 2nd Jane Yellowrock novel, BLOOD CROSS, which came out only days ago. :-D

Faith Hunter's other wonderful Urban Fantasy series, The Rogue Mage series, was her first series in the genre. But Mrs. Hunter has also written thrillers under another name, Gwen Hunter, for over twenty years.

Mrs. Hunter was kind enough to answer a few questions for a little interview of mine. Contest information will follow below the interview. :-D

BLOOD CROSS's description as seen on Faith's site: The vampire council has hired skinwalker Jane Yellowrock to hunt and kill one of their own who has broken sacred ancient rules-but Jane quickly realizes that in a community that is thousands of years old, loyalties run deep…

Demon Hunter--1.) How did the concept for Jane Yellowrock develop?

Faith Hunter--I was having tea with Kim Harrison at Starbucks, a time when we let our minds rest from the creative and promotional process of being writers. Yes, we talk business, a lot of business, but we also use tea-time to detox and let our creative juices start to flow freely again. This particular day we were talking about our future book ideas – nothing specific, more along the lines of, I have this character, or this magic system, or this conflict line in mind… Kim was thinking about epic fantasy—to give her brain a chance to rest from urban fantasy. Her worlds are wonderful, the magic systems so unusual, and I was entranced! I was thinking about thrillers, specifically Lee Childe’s character, Reacher.

I said, “For the last few weeks, I’ve kept hearing two things: this street name in the Smoky Mountains—War Woman Road, and this line in the back of my head. ‘Katie’s Ladies, the oldest continuously operating whore house in New Orleans.’ And this line ‘Have Stakes will Travel.’ ”

Kim said, “Go with it.” And I did. For about five minutes, as ideas started coming, I talked and Kim got excited with me, her eyes glowing, sharing the joy of that first blooming. In that first five minutes, came the image of Jane, a Cherokee warrior woman, a vamp-killer (no last name at the time, but an orphan called Jane Doe,) and the conflict point of a vamp-killer hired by the vamps. Ideas are like that for me. I’ll get a line or an image or a name in my mind and it sits there, until something nudges it forward.

DH--2.) Was it difficult to write such an excellent, tough female character without her being whiny and mean for no reason?

FH--The answer is in the question itself. “For no reason.” If a writer does her job and presents a character’s motivations properly, then readers will accept and understand, even if they do not always agree with the acts that follow.

Jane had to be a tough cookie to do the job I wanted her to do. Vamp killers can’t be wusses, you know? So she had to have sharp edges and inner strength, which I usually achieve by giving a character depths she hasn’t plumbed yet, or a history she either doesn’t know or refuses to look at. In Jane’s case, she has no memories from before the time she walks out of the forest at age 12-ish. Her search for that lost time, and for her heritage, make her strong.

Yet, I needed Jane to have a softer side, weaknesses that could be used by her enemies to hurt her. I needed to have something that might make her cry—in Jane’s case it’s always Angie Baby and Molly—the two people she loves most on the face of the earth. In Blood Cross, Jane cries several times, something she doesn’t do in book one, Skinwalker at all, or in book three, Mercy Blade, at all. Why does she cry in Blood Cross? Her best friends in the world are in danger. For me, it’s the juxtaposition of weaknesses and strengths that make a character or a person interesting.

DH--3.) When will the 3rd Jane Yellowrock novel be out?

FH--Mercy Blade... I have no idea!!!! I hope by the end of 2010.

DH--4.) Is there another Urban Fantasy series in the works?

FH--Not right now. I am working on a paranormal psychological thriller with a co-writer, and an RPG (role playing game) with 2 co-writers, based on the Rogue Mage series, and I have an urge to write a stand alone about Molly Everheart’s twin sisters, young witches who get into big trouble when they think they are working a love potion, and instead a demon appears and falls in love them. Both. But now that I see it written out, it still lacks some spark that I will need for it consume me and make it on to paper.

DH--5.) What made you shift from thrillers to Urban Fantasy?

FH--Wow. Lots of reasons. In no particular order: I want to remain viable in a market that is constantly changing. Thriller market is shrinking and the mystery market is flat-lining. I read fantasy and urban fantasy. I finally found a voice that the market wanted with the Rogue Mage series, and then another with the characters in the JY series. Real life is dull sometimes. I can’t knit. I don’t want to play Parcheesi. So I needed to keep my writing life exciting to make up for a routine, unchanging real life. (Of course, that was before I fell in love with white water kayaking, and spiced up my RL.) I discovered I was probably 40% American Indian (Cherokee and Choctaw) and maybe 20% African American, and I wanted to explore some of my ethnicities in my fiction. There are likely more reasons, but these come to mind.

DH--6.) Do you like Urban Fantasy better than thrillers? If so, why?

FH--I like writing and reading both for different reasons. Writing: Thrillers give me less to work with, (no magic) which means my job is harder. You would think that I then would enjoy it less, but that isn’t the case. The challenge is fun! The limits imposed on my writing by reality as it is can make a book fast paced and action packed. And the characters can be just as vivid as in urban fantasy. Yet, the creative freedom found in UF is hard to beat. The limits on anything are created by me, not physics, history, culture, etc. It’s my world and I love that! The best fun for me is merging the two, giving me the best of both worlds, which writing the Jane Yellowrock series does.

As to reading, the choice between urban fantasy and thrillers is based on which writer has what book out now. If there is a new Stuart Woods, Lee Childe, Harlan Coben, John Connelly (to name a very few) I pick that up. If there is a new Rachael Caine, Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher (to name a very few) I pick that up. Then I read when the need hits me.

DH--7.) Will there be more books in the Rogue Mage series?

FH--I certainly hope so! That world is ripe for change, filled with internal and external conflict and the characters are sooo very different from other urban fantasy characters.

DH--8.) What advice do you have for unpublished writers?

FH--Write. Write, write, write. And study the market. How? Read a LOT! Not older fantasy, but the new stuff, things just released by New York City-based commercial publishing houses, written by newly discovered, first time published writers. That will tell you the trends that editors were looking for most recently. Read analytically, tear up a book with pen and highlighters and sticky notes to see what a writer has done that worked. Rewrite sections that didn’t work for you. And, again – write. BIC – Butt in chair. Also, for writerly advice with a decidedly fantasy twist, read www.magicalwords.net every day. Four writers and lots of guests post and chat back and forth about the business of writing and the creative part of writing.I'd like to thank Mrs. Hunter for participating in my interview. Also, since I'm posting this so late, I will allow everyone to enter the contest starting tonight, Tuesday, January 12, 2010. And the contest will end on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. All entries must be in before that time. All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment on this post. Everyone only gets one entry this time. Winners will be announced on Thursday, January 21, 2010.
To read more about Faith Hunter and her work, you can find her on these websites:

http://www.faithhunter.net/wp/
http://www.gwenhunter.com/
http://magicalwords.net/

UPDATE: Anonymous posters!! I don't know who you are if you don't leave a name, and you can't win if you don't have a name, right? Riiiight! So please leave one. The two Anons who already posted are free to add their names. Any ANONYMOUS poster after this notice will not have a chance to win if their name is not included in their comment. Thanks! :-D

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T00:54:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! I am not into resolutions--not anymore. I'm more into goals, which another friend of mine blogged about. :-D

My goals for this year are to make my current WIP shine, find an amazing agent, get a HUGE book deal, and even sell more short stories. I already sold one flash piece last year. You can read about that here.

So what are your goals or resolutions for 2010? They don't have to be writing related. They can include anything. :-D

Well, spill it, why don't ya?

Authors in December!

2009-12-20T23:28:00.009-05:00

As a few of you know, I met Kim Harrison and Faith Hunter on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at their joint book signing. It was really a good time! :-D They're such sweet, cool ladies.

Well a friend of mine, Chesya, got free tickets to see an author in Decatur, Georgia at her school. :-D I drove to Georgia on Monday, December 14, 2009.

When we went to meet said author and get books signed, we met up with two other friends. The unnamed author spoke from about 6p.m. till about 7:20p.m. The rest of the time was devoted to signing books. Here's a pic of me and said author:

I got my book signed at 11:30 p.m. It's me and NEIL GAIMAN!! The pic is from a camera phone and kinda grainy, plus my butt was numb at that point from sitting; but who cares, it's Neil Gaiman, who was extra nice! :-D

Contest Winner Announced!

2009-12-10T11:37:00.002-05:00

We had 22 entries, and a winner was drawn at random. Congratulations to Kailia Sage! You've won your very own copy of SKINWALKER, plus two goodie prizes. Click on my profile and e-mail me at the address located there. You need to include your name and mailing address. You have until Saturday night (midnight) or the prizes will go to another person.

And for the rest of you guys, there will be another chance to win a signed copy of a different book in January. Details will be given at a later date. ;-)

My Contest!

2009-12-02T12:12:00.009-05:00

Okay guys, I promised you a contest. And here it is: All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me why you like urban fantasy, or if you haven't read any urban fantasy yet but would like to. If you post about my contest on your blog, live journal, Twitter, etc. and link to it in my comments section, you get TWO entries in the contest instead of one. If you don't link it, it doesn't count. All entries must be in by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2009.

Oh, and the prize? It's something awesome! It's a brand new signed copy of Faith Hunter's SKINWALKER. And Faith agreed to add a goodie or two to my prize for the lucky winner! :-D Here's a summary copied from Faith's website:

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind—a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. Back from hiatus, she’s hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katies’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps.

Amidst a bordello full of real “ladies of the night,” and a hot Cajun biker with a panther tattoo who stirs her carnal desire, Jane must stay focused and complete her mission—or else the next skin she’ll need to save just may be her own…

P.S. The contest is open to everyone, regular commenters and lurkers alike, foreign and domestic. :-D

*Remember the contest ends 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2009. Winners will be announced on Thursday, December 10, 2009

I WON NANO!!!

2009-11-30T23:21:00.008-05:00

Yay! I'm a 2009 NanoWrimo winner! It was very hard work, but worth it. I'd like to thank my blog family for encouraging me and saying the sweetest things. ;-) Aww shucks.

Since you guys have been so sweet to me, I'm going to be sweet to you. Just in time for Christmas. ;-)

I'm going to post a contest. Not sure of the prizes just yet or anything, but check back on Wednesday for details. :-D

Now I'm off to reward myself with ice cream and Buffy Season 5. :-D

P.S. Oh, and for those of you wondering what happened when I won Nano, first I said, "yeah!" when I reached over 50,000. And then I couldn't believe that Nano didn't count some of my words, so then I said, "What?" And I submitted again, and was like, "Okay."

But no one can say it better than Lil' Jon, so I'll end this post with him. ROFLMAO! Enjoy!

Nano Update!

2009-11-16T02:31:00.009-05:00

I'm at 22,061 words as of tonight folks. :-D

My blogger pal Rick asked for an update and this is it.

I have a local meeting on Tuesday evening. And another one in another part of the state on Saturday, so I'm looking forward to it. I've already been to two Nano meetings.

Nano is really cool. I like it more than I thought I would. Every writer should try it at least once, IMHO. ;-)

UPDATE: 11/23/09-(33,001 words as of today, folks)

Three Days To Dead

2009-11-02T12:31:00.010-05:00

Hi everyone. Even though I am participating in Nano (1950 words so far), I still decided to conduct an interview with my pal Kelly Meding, before her book relsease. Kelly's book titled, THREE DAYS TO DEAD, will be released November 24, 2009 from Bantam/Dell. You can pre-order it now. :-D

Along with her book coming out, Kelly has some wonderful giveaways on her website and other places, and if you click on her name, you will be redirected to her awesome blog.

If you still need convincing, you can read the first chapter here. Click on the "read an excerpt" line underneath her book cover. It's awesome and you'll want a copy of the book. :-D

Also, I've conducted an interview with Kelly that you can read below: Kelly Meding

Demon Hunter: 1.) What first piqued your interest in writing?

Kelly Meding: I've always been a voracious reader. For as long as I can remember, I've loved books and stories. But as a child, I never thought about where those books came from. Authors were names on a cover, they weren't really people yet. Then my English teacher (5th grade, I think) asked us to each write a fan letter to our favorite author. At the time, my favorite book was A Rat's Tale by Tor Seidler, so I wrote him a letting telling him so. Imagine my shock when he wrote back. I still have that letter somewhere, and it was the first time I consciously thought about the people who wrote the books I loved.

I didn't start writing my own stories down until around seventh grade. I decided, in the way that twelve year-olds do, that it didn't matter that I wasn't an author. It didn't matter that I was just a kid. I was going to write down my stories, too. So I did, and I haven't stopped.

DH: 2.) What is your favorite genre to read in? Write in?

KM: Can I just say Speculative Fiction for both answers?

As a reader, I go all over the map. I'm a huge Stephen King fan, but I don't always consider his books horror—some are fantasy, some are just paranormal. I also love and adore reading both urban fantasy and paranormal romance. If it's speculative or paranormal, chances are it's something I'd want to read.

For writing, right now I'm firmly planted in the same realm. My upcoming debut, THREE DAYS TO DEAD, is urban fantasy. I have another series in the works that superhero fiction, so still fantasy. Most of the ideas rattling around in my head are Spec Fic of some sort. It's where my heart has always been.

DH: 3.) Who are some of your writing influences?

KM: I mentioned Stephen King. I love his ability to transcend genre and write just about anything. His long, epic books (The Stand, IT), are some of my favorites, but I also adore his short story collections. He writes people well, and has just a brilliant imagination.

I also worship at the feet of Joss Whedon. He isn't a novelist, but he is an amazing writer. "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" is truly what drew me into urban fantasy with the notion of the strong, capable heroine. It took me a while to find her in books, but I do believe that Buffy spoke to a lot of other women my age, who went through high school and college at the same time as she did. Joss is such a terrific scriptwriter; I'd love to see him tackle a novel.

DH: 4.) What are you looking forward to careerwise?

KM: At the moment, I'm most looking forward to surviving November. Career-wise…I don't want to get ahead of myself, but all I want is to keep writing and keep getting paid for it. I'd love a chance to continue Evy's story past the two currently-contracted books. I'd love a chance to explore some new characters and new worlds. It's a tough market right now, and while I'd love to think I have it made now that I've sold, that's just not true. I have to stay positive and keep writing the best novels I can; that's all any of us can really do.

DH: 5.) Are you planning any tours for your first book?

KM: Nope. I have a handful of guest blogs scheduled and some online promo stuff lined up for November, but no real-world tours. Tours are very rare, and usually reserved for the people who will attract crowds. I'm content just being little old, unknown me for now.

DH: 6.) How did you come up with the idea for THREE DAYS TO DEAD?

KM: The idea came about two ways. The first was simply a desire to write something very paranormal. Before I wrote Three Days to Dead, I'd written other speculative novels (one about psychic powers, another about superheroes), but nothing that was straight paranormal—vampires and werewolves and ghouls and goblins, etc… I hadn't gone there yet, and I wanted to. Only I wanted to put my own spin on the critters, so my vampires are very different than most others out there (definitely not sexy or sex objects), as are some of my other monsters of choice.
The second part of the idea was a scene that never ended up in any written form. I had recently read Jackie Kessler's Hell's Belles and had concepts of heaven and hell on my mind. I had a flash of a scene in which a woman is stuck in Purgatory, but is then summoned by someone (an archangel, maybe). This someone makes her an offer of sorts—go back to Earth and help do something, and you get a free pass to Heaven.
I started brainstorming this, trying to answer a few questions: Why her? What could she do that would prompt her getting this deal? What's happening back on Earth? As I worked on these questions, it occurred to me it wasn't what she could do, but rather something she knew. She wasn't being sent back, someone brought her back with magic. As the heroine and her circumstances began falling into place, that initial Purgatory scene became useless. The story begins when Evy, my heroine, wakes up in her brand-new body, with no clue as to what's going on or where she is. Once I had that initial scene, and a vague idea of the world, I started writing.

DH: 7.) How many books do you have planned for the series?

KM: I don't have any specific number planned at this point. I've brainstormed as far as four books, but there could easily be more. The complexities of the histories and the political machinations happening behind the scenes with the various species could keep me in Evy's world for a while.

There you have it, folks. I hope you enjoyed my interview with Kelly and that you will buy her book, THREE DAYS TO DEAD. I'd like to thank Kelly for the interview and everyone else for reading it. :-D

NanoWrimo

2009-10-21T19:13:00.003-04:00

This is the first year that I will be participating in NanoWrimo--and I'm excited. I didn't think I would be, but it will help keep my butt in the chair and ensure that I write daily and consistently.

For those of you who don't know, NanoWrimo stands for National Novel Writing Month, wherein participants are challenged to write a 50,000 word novel within the month of November (November 1-30). I think that I may do well. ;-) And if I don't, well at least I'm going to try. :-) For those of you participating, my Nano name is Horror Diva if you'd like to friend me. :-D

Who else is participating? Who's just going to watch?

Book List!

2009-10-06T20:00:00.011-04:00

Most of us have books that are near and dear to our hearts--books that we treasure and admire.

And there are some books that have yet to be read, but that pique our interests even though we haven't read a word.

I have always loved books since I was a very young child. My parents bought me books before I even knew how to read them.

I buy books quite often--so much so, that I've accumulated an awesome to-be-read pile, like many book lovers do.

I'll only list a few of the books on my pile because it would take forever to list them all.

Note: These are not books that I plan to purchase, these are books that I have already bought, and are waiting to be read at my house. :-D Here are a few:

THE GOOD HOUSE by Tananarive Due

THE OTHER BROTHER by Brandon Massey

STREET MAGIC by Caitlin Kittredge

DEMON INSIDE by Stacia Kane

HELL HOUSE by Richard Matheson

DUMA KEY by Stephen King

SKINWALKER by Faith Hunter (currently reading--it's awesome!)

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UNDEAD by Kim Harrison

THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini

WINGS by Aprilynne Pike

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

CURSED TO DEATH by L.A. Banks

HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE by Jeaniene Frost

URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy

DON'T MAKE A BLACK WOMAN TAKE OFF HER EARRINGS by Tyler Perry as Madea

OFFSPRING by Liam Jackson

PUSH by Sapphire

ANANSI BOYS by Neil Gaiman

HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill

FATHOM by Cherie Priest

MONSTER by Frank Peretti

I have many more, in various genres. I have non-fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction, a few classics, etc. I named mostly genre fiction (horror/sci-fi/fantasy) because it's my favorite. :-D

So, what are a few books on your TBR pile?

Halloween Contest

2009-09-29T13:59:00.003-04:00

My friend Writtenwyrdd is having a contest on her blog. Take a look at it here: Contest

It should be loads of fun. Even if you don't write horror, take a shot at it. You never know what may happen. :-)

Get to writing, fright fiends! :-D

Are You A Vampire Or A Werewolf?

2009-09-14T12:30:00.001-04:00

I love vampires and werewolves, so I didn't care what the result would be. Take the quiz and tell me what you are! :-D

You Are a Vampire

You are charming, sensual, and even a bit manipulative.

You can't help but get people to do what you want.

You have sharp senses and a strong predatory instinct.

You go after what you want, without mercy.

While you have the heart of a killer, many people are drawn to you.

You are elegant, timeless, and mysterious. You are the ultimate fantasy object.

Are You a Vampire or a Werewolf?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

Legion

2009-09-06T12:49:00.003-04:00

OMG, folks. When I saw this preview for the movie LEGION, I actually had hope for horror movies again. It. Is. Awesome! It's five minutes long, but I promise you that you won't be able to concentrate on anything else as you watch this preview. LEGION doesn't come out until January, but I am patient. I cannot wait to see it.

A friend of mine said not to get my hopes up, but I say hogwash. It's going to be awesome. I guess I'm so stoked about it because my urban fantasy series involves angels as well, but not in the same light as this movie does. Watch the preview, horror fiends, and let me know what you think in the comments. :-D

Urban Fantasy

2009-08-19T20:11:00.010-04:00

Urban Fantasy is a very hot writing trend/category at the present time. I have a dark urban fantasy series that I'm conducting research on right now.

My question to writers and readers alike, what would you like to see in urban fantasy that you haven't seen yet? What are you tired of seeing in UF? What elements would you like to see added or eliminated?

I'd like my lurkers to answer this as well. I'm not going to write something that caters to any ideals, but I am curious to see what everyone thinks in regards to this topic. :-)

Hint Fiction!

2009-08-10T17:26:00.003-04:00

Robert Swartwood coined a wonderful term called hint fiction, which is a story of 25 words or less that suggests a larger, more complex story. The definition was taken directly from his website: Robert Swartwood.

W.W. Norton will publish an anthology of hint fiction in the fall of 2010. Oh, and anyone can submit for a chance to be published in the anthology with some well-known authors. For more details, check out his site: Robert Swartwood.

And if you are accepted into the anthology, please let me know. :-)

David's Contest!

2009-08-03T12:55:00.004-04:00

David McAfee has had four pieces published by the horror magazine, Necrotic Tissue. I was featured in the July 2009 issue as well. My flash piece MARGIE was in that issue.

David also has a chapbook called THE SPIDER AND THE FLY which was released by Ghostwriter Publications in June. More information can be found on his website.

David is having a wonderful contest over on his blog: http://mcafeeland.wordpress.com/

You can win all kinds of great prizes. All you have to do is come up with a name for his new website. So head on over, and tell David that I sent you. :-D

What the Jack??

2009-07-30T13:31:00.003-04:00

Some things never cease to amaze me. I just read this story about a man who is on the sex offender registry in South Carolina for doing this: OMG. Of course he should be on the sex offender registry list, but will there be a new one created just for people like him? You have to read it. I don't even want to type what he did. Although the story is sick---I'm sorry, but I laughed. You have to read it. And please remember that this guy is mentally ill and it's thought that he was off his medication for a while, according to other sources.

I can honestly say that as a former mental health counselor, none of my mentally ill clients ever did anything remotely close to this. I thank God that I function in my right mind. Visit a mental hospital sometime, you'll agree.

Don't Eat That!!!

2009-07-20T14:34:00.003-04:00

Hi. Have you ever wondered about foods you should and should not eat? Of course---we all do at one time or another. I recently read a warning about MSG in most of our food here in the U.S. A very famous fast-food chicken restaurant was named, and it was mentioned that no one should EVER eat anything from said restaurant.

Yeah, I'm terrible. Just ate lunch there today. X-/ Well, at least I didn't want what this guy named Freddy craved.

Escape With the 7!!!

2009-07-09T18:23:00.003-04:00

Yay! I won a contest from the ladies at EscapeWiththe7 website! I won a wonderful prize pack, people, let me tell you. Some other folks won a copy of a book or other prizes. I. Won. All. Seven. Books! What a reward for returning to the Internet! Some of these books were on my TBR list already. I don't own any copies yet. I actually never heard of a few of the novels, but now I've been introduced to the works of all of these wonderful authors. I'm so happy, can't you tell? :-) I'll list these wonderful, talented, authors for you.

Aprilynne Pike is the author of the best-selling debut, WINGS. (Okay, bias on my part by listing her first since I "met" Aprilynne a few years ago on AbsoluteWrite.com. :-)

Carrie Ryan is the debut author of the Teen Book Video Award 2008 Finalist, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH. (Okay, more bias on my part since Carrie is a fellow South Carolinian) :-)

Saundra Mitchell is the debut author of the hit novel, SHADOWED SUMMER.

Sarah MacLean is the debut author of the smash YA regency historical called THE SEASON.

R. J. Anderson is the debut author of the "spellbinding" novel, FAERY REBELS: SPELL HUNTER.

Sarah Cross is the debut author of the riveting YA novel, DULL BOY.

Sarah Rees Brennan is the debut author of the "fiery" novel, THE DEMON'S LEXICON.

So go forth and buy the works of these wonderful authors. Enjoy their work! I know I will. :-)

Finally!

2009-07-07T11:32:00.011-04:00

I'm back! Yay! It's so weird to go several months without Internet service when you are used to using it on a daily basis. What's weirder still is having to go to the local library, use their service for a specified amount of time, and sit next to a random fat guy in a greasy t-shirt who keeps grinning at you. **Shudder**

A great deal has taken place in my absence. I know I'm late, but Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett died. Tragic. But what's more, two of my most favorite celebrities passed away as well.

Michael Jackson was one of my favorite entertainers growing up. I had his albums, even a Michael Jackson doll. I will truly miss him. R.I.P. M.J.

Bea Arthur, a.k.a, Dorothy Zbornak, was my favorite 'Golden Girl'. Maybe it was her quick wit or her ability to make everything funny. I am collecting the entire Golden Girls series. It still cracks me up. I even get D.H. to watch it with me. I will really miss her work. R.I.P. Bea!

In other news, there was a serial killer in my state. He killed five people in S.C. Check it out here:
Serial Killer. What's worse, D.H. and I drove all the way to Gaffney, S.C. to shop at the outlets just last week, not knowing there was a psycho somewhere waiting in the bushes. What the jack?!

In any case, I'm glad to be back with you guys. Now I'm off to check out your blogs. :-)

I'm Back! Well, Sort Of...

2009-04-17T17:17:00.002-04:00

Hey guys. I'm back---BUT my Internet service could take up to two months to get set up, so I'm at the library today, where everything is timed. So, no blog exploring for me until I can do it from home. I cannot wait to be able to be back online officially. I miss you guys! What's been going on with everyone?

A Little News

2009-03-11T00:38:00.006-04:00

I have been up to my eyeballs with life, but decided to announce a little good news before the "Big Day."
Although I write mostly novels, I also write screenplays and short stories. A flash piece I wrote (MARGIE) has been accepted by the online magazine, Necrotic Tissue. Although they are an online magazine, they will convert to a print magazine beginning July 2009, the issue I'm in. Yay. So I'm looking forward to holding the magazine in my hands. I haven't gotten much writing done because of all the wedding stuff and everything in between, so this was definitely good news for me.

What have you guys been up to? I've been reading your blogs every now and then. :-) I'll be back in after the honeymoon. :-)

Busy!

2009-01-14T11:04:00.003-05:00

Hi guys. Happy New Year! :-) Sorry I've been somewhat absent from the blogosphere, but I've been soooo busy. With the wedding planning, "secret project", and everything else, blogging has had to take a backseat.

I will definitely be back to blogging regularly AND frequently in April 2009. That doesn't mean that I won't be blogging in the meantime, it just means it won't be often and I won't be able to read your blogs as often. But I promise after all the craziness is over, I'll be back to reading your blogs daily like I used to. :-) Oh, and doing new and fun things with my blog as well. ;-)

So, what are you guys looking forward to in 2009? What are your aspirations? As for me, pretty much what I wanted to do last year, but with much more time and effort on my part. :-)

Like I said before, I may not be around that much in the next few months, but I'll be watching:

Rant

2008-12-16T14:44:00.004-05:00

Are there things that people do in public that just annoy you? Well, I'll just rant about a few that are just sickening to me. And that have happened during a busy Christmas season. :-)

I am a firm believer in personal space. When someone (especially a stranger) is standing too close to me (like in line someplace) I tend to move further away from them. Then said butthole moves closer to me still. I remember standing in a grocery store line and I could feel some guy's hot, putrid breath on the back of my neck, so I moved forward, and so did he. After that he SPAT on the back of my neck as he spoke. I wanted to stab him in the eyeball with a sharp pencil, but I didn't. Instead I went home, doused myself in alcohol and took a very long, very hot shower. Eww!!! Just eww!

Next, I remember being in a library and some kid (pre-teen) invaded my personal space and farted. I could not believe that some rude kid came close to me and floated an air biscuit that resembled some very elderly person who uses Ben-Gay. I wanted to grab one of their arms and one of their legs and toss them into a pile of books. LOL. But, I didn't. :-/

Lastly, I went shopping with D.F.H. (Dear Future Hubby) and we both had to use the public restroom of a very high-end department store. Well, when I came out, D.F.H. was ready to go and had a really strange look on his face. I asked him what happened. He said that when he went into the men's bathroom, that apparently some guy had diarrhea because there was a trail that led to the corner of the bathroom. And in that corner sat a poopey pair of boxers. And this time I laughed. Especially when D.F.H. told the very regal woman who was working there what had happened. She was in disbelief, so I guess she believed when she took a gander.

So, next time I go into public during a busy shopping season, I'll be sure to take my friend with me. Here's his picture:

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-26T09:11:00.002-05:00

Even though I'm not excited about the history of Thanksgiving, I am excited about what we do with it today. It's all about getting together with family and friends, eating and laughing, and just having a great, loving time. What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Happy Thanksgiving, guys! :-)

Awards

2008-11-18T09:32:00.006-05:00

The rules are as follows:

* Put the logo on your blog or post*

Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

* Be sure to link to your nominees within your post

* Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog

* Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award

And the award goes to:

1.) Laughing Wolf (Gave me this wonderful award)

2.) Bernita Harris

3.) Charles Gramlich

4.) Gwyneth Bolton

5.) Carleen Brice

6.) Darius Williams

7.) Ello

8.) Josephine

9.) THE Karrie B.

10.) Lana

11.) Miladysa

12.) Raine

13.) Travel Diva

14.) Written Wyrdd

VICTORY!!

2008-11-05T08:31:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone! No blog post about horror today. I must say that I am speechless. I am in awe. I am ecstatic that Barack Obama is going to be the 44th president of the United States of America! :-) Yes. We. Did! Take a look at the first family:

Robert Kennedy said it best 40 years ago in 1968:

As an aside, I must mention that John McCain gave an eloquent speech, and when he mentioned President Obama's name, the crowd booed. BUT, when President Obama mentioned Senator McCain's name during his speech, the crowd cheered. That says something about the wonderful character of President Obama's supporters. Yeah, it does...

Yolanda Adams can sing a victory song like no one else. Take a look at Yolanda Adams' "Victory"

Monsters---Shaken or Stirred?

2008-10-24T14:14:00.013-04:00

Most horror movies have bad guys in the form of normal-looking human beings, mutated sub-human freaks, or some variation in between.

Some people are more afraid of the unassuming, friendly-looking guy who lives next door type who turns out to be the bad guy in books and film. One minute he could be mowing the lawn, waving at neighbors, then the next, he could be slicing and dicing in his basement. It's a shock when you're not expecting it.

While other folks prefer the in-your-face evil that jumps out at you. Both can be scary if utilized properly. Above all, they need to be convincingly scary, no matter how they're presented.

So, my question is for readers, writers, and watchers of horror films. How do you prefer your monsters? Overtly evil, or covertly evil? You choose.

I choose both, depending on how it's executed. But I still have a special place in my heart for the overt monsters. :-)

Tiny, Magical Creatures!

2008-10-09T10:34:00.010-04:00

Sorry for the delay, but I had to think of something wonderfully gross to blog about since it is October and I must post about Halloween-related topics all month. :-) So now, without further ado, I would like to share with you guys something that has grossed me out for years. Some of you have already heard about this, while others have not. The following information was "borrowed" from here. In any case, here goes:

Demodex folliculorum, or the demodicid, is a tiny mite, less than 0.4 mm long, that lives in your pores and hair follicles, usually on the nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin, and often in the roots of your eyelashes.

(A follicle is the pore from which a hair grows). Demodicids have a wormlike appearance, with legs that are mere stumps. People with oily skin, or those who use cosmetics heavily and don't wash thoroughly, have the heaviest infestations ... but most adults carry a few demodicids. Inflammation and infection often result when large numbers of these mites congregate in a single follicle.

The mites live head-down in a follicle, feeding on secretions and dead skin debris. At the left, you can see three demodicids buried in the follicle of a hair, and you can also see the hair's shaft. If too many mites have buried into the same follicle, it may cause the eyelash to fall out easily.

An individual female may lay up to 25 eggs in a single follicle, and as the mites grow, they become tightly packed. When mature, the mites leave the follicle, mate, and find a new follicle in which to lay their eggs. The whole cycle takes between 14 to 18 days.

Sometimes demodex is called the 'face mite', since it is often associated with blackheads, acne and other skin disorders (although it is not the cause of these). Demodex are harmless and don't transmit diseases, but large numbers of demodex mites may cause itching and skin disorders, referred to as Demodicosis.

The mites have tiny claws, and needlelike mouthparts for eating skin cells. Their bodies are layered with scales, which help them anchor themselves in the follicle. The mite's digestive system results in so little waste that the mite doesn't even have an excretory opening. So although there may be mites in your eyelashes, there isn't any mite poop! Thank goodness!

However ... did you know that you go to sleep at night on a pillow that is home to many thousands of dust mites ...which help keep our homes clean by consuming the tens of millions of skin cells we shed each day? Just pretend they're not there!

So guys, please don't try to go look in the mirror. You need a microscope and one of your eyelashes to see these little guys. Happy grooming, fright fiends! ;-)

How Evil Are You?

2008-09-23T11:49:00.002-04:00

Just when you thought I'd never do another quiz. I. just. cannot. help. myself. When I find a quiz, I have to share it with you guys. :-) So here goes:

You Are 42% Evil

You are evil, but you haven't yet mastered the dark side.

Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.

How Evil Are You?

P.S. Don't forget to watch Fringe tonight!

Fringe

2008-09-17T11:15:00.009-04:00

Usually I'm kind of skeptical when it comes to some new TV show that claims to be the next best thing. And a new Fox series, FRINGE, was being compared to the X-files. I said to myself, "yeah, yeah, sure, sure. I don't think so." But wow. Fringe is one of my new favorite shows, hands down!

On last night's episode (2nd one of the season), some guy had just had "relations" with a prostitute. Something in the woman's stomach began writhing around soon after. By the time the guy dropped her off at the hospital, the prostitute was nine months pregnant. Then, only four hours later, her baby looked like this:

An old man! After four hours. That's crazy. If you haven't watched this show yet, then do so. It will take too long to post the character breakdown. But this show is a must-see. Watch it Tuesdays on Fox.

I should really be getting paid for all of this free publicity. :-)

What's Going On in the Writing World!

2008-09-02T09:43:00.012-04:00

Phew, after a month away, I almost went into shock! I cannot stay away from Blogger. LOL.

Some wonderful things have been happening for writers lately. My friend L. A. Banks (pictured left) participated in an interview for the upcoming HBO shows: TRUE BLOODLINES: VAMPIRE LEGENDS and TRUE BLOODLINES: A NEW TYPE, which will air on September 6, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The two shows precede Charlain Harris' new series, TRUE BLOOD. If you don't know Ms. Banks' or Ms. Harris' works, you should check them out. They're awesome. :-)

Also, Stephenie Meyer's book, Twilight, has been transformed into a movie, and will be released

on November 21, 2008 in theaters.

This is all some awesome news. Please give these ladies a hand. Congratulations, ladies!! ;-)

Announcement!!!

2008-08-05T09:38:00.003-04:00

Hi guys. Sorry I haven't been visiting blogs as often as I used to, but I promise that I will as soon as I get things together. I'm getting married in 2009, so I've been planning my wedding, plus working on a writing project that I will discuss later. :-) So bear with me as I get things together.

In the meantime, imagine getting older with your spouse. Some things are just priceless! And hilarious. Check out my favorite commercial as of late:

Rest In Peace, Golden Girl

2008-07-29T08:57:00.006-04:00

Anyone who knows me, is aware that I absolutely LOVE the Golden Girls. I watched them every week after the Cosby Show years ago when the show first aired, and I still watch the reruns till this day. I am even collecting all of the seasons on DVD.

The Golden Girls can still make you laugh with their timeless wit and humor. I have sat and watched all of the episodes for hours on end, holding my sides while I laughed and laughed. That show is a true classic.

Estelle Getty, a.k.a., Sophia Petrillo, was a star whose mouth made her one of my favorite characters ever on television. Her one-liners were hilarious. She will truly be missed.

Sophia Petrillo had her moments with various characters on the show, but one of the funniest and most memorable "Sophia" episodes for me was, "Yes, We Have No Havanas." The episode involved a Cuban gentleman that Sophia and Blanche were both dating. When Blanche found out that Sophia was also seeing her beau, they agreed to share him. Watch the very funny clip below:

Estelle Getty, a.k.a., Sophia Petrillo, thank you for
being a friend. You were truly a Platinum Golden Girl. :-)

The Happening

2008-07-22T11:39:00.005-04:00

When I read that M. Night Shyamalan was coming out with another film, I sighed in disgust. The only film I loved by him at that point had been The Sixth Sense. I really liked The Village as well, but I did not really care for his other films.

So naturally when I heard about The Happening, I was hopeful, yet reluctant. But when I went to see this movie last month, I was pleasantly surprised. The Happening is now my favorite film by Night (what his friends call him. :-)

Mark Wahlberg and John Leguizamo star in this film. There are a few points in the movie where the moral of the story gets a little preachy, but overall, I loved it. :-)

If you haven't seen this film yet, you should. It was exciting to watch. It had gore, drama, suspense, etc.

***Spoiler Alert***

I got that Mark Wahlberg and his wife, played by Zooey Deschanel, were having marital problems, but it was never fully fleshed out. An affair was hinted at, but I wanted to know fo sure. Why mention it if you don't plan to elaborate on it? Especially since it seemed to add to the drama of their rocky relationship.

Have you already seen this film? If so, what do you think about it?

In any case, I recommend that you see this film. It offers social commentary, and I find that refreshing. Thanks for this film, M. Night Shyamalan. :-)

Supernatural Occurrences

2008-07-15T12:59:00.005-04:00

Hi guys. Sorry I didn't post last week, but I have been ridiculously busy. I'll explain later ;-) Anyhoo, on to this week's topic.

Have you or anyone you know, ever experience a supernatural occurrence? Even if you haven't or don't know of anyone who has, please weigh in on this topic anyway. I'd like to know what you guys think about it? Are you a skeptic or believer? Somewhere in between?

I am a mega fan of the awesome TV series, Supernatural. Sam and Dean are made of awesomeness. Especially, Dean. :-)

I'm just waiting for the producers or directors to realize that I'd like to write an episode of Supernatural. :-/ LOL.

So, what have you guys experienced? Please share your supernatural occurrences with us!

And The Winner Is...

2008-07-01T08:26:00.003-04:00

Hi guys, thank you so much for participating in my first contest ever. I certainly hope it won't be the last. ;-) Well, I plan to give away copies of my books whenever I am published. :-) And my writer friends will be glad to contribute some of theirs as well. Hey, so this won't be the last time.

Don't forget that Brandon Massey's book, DON'T EVER TELL is in stores today!!

Oh, and last but not least, the winner of my contest is--- Laughing Wolf! Okay, Laughing Wolf, e-mail me (address in my profile) your address. You've just won a signed copy of Brandon Massey's ARC for his new book, DON'T EVER TELL. :-) Congratulations.