Friday, April 27, 2012

Fighting Gravity by Cherie Reich

Intriguing, fast-paced, sci-fi fantasy with a dash of romance

Tormented by his daimon and the task of executioner, Phoebus, a young Aresian, flees his planet, escapes through a wormhole, and crashes into Earth. A group of boys take him captive.

Marissa, eager to escape an arranged marriage, leaves her family in search of a better life. She witnesses Phoebus crash and is captured by the same group of boys.

Together, the two escape their captors, but become prey to the Aresians, searching for Phoebus.

Cherie Reich creates a futuristic world and throws these two characters together up against the odds of survival. The journey this story takes you on is full of secrets, discoveries, and reflections from both characters. It pulls you in and supplies you with a unique ride from beginning to satisfying end.

Available at Smashwords, and Amazon. Official release date: May 1st

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Voices of Fiction - From Idea to First Draft - Part Two

Welcome to another edition of Voices of Fiction.

Part One , with authors Cherie Reich, Joylene Butler, Karina Kantas, and Jade Varden, proved fun and insightful.

We have another set of wonderful authors participating today. Let’s begin with introductions.


Children’s Picture Book author, Clara Bowman-Jahn, of “Annie’s Special Day” is living the life of her dreams an hour at a time. Link, Blog, Link



Terry W. Ervin II is an English and Science teacher who enjoys writing. He’s an editor for the speculative fiction magazine MindFlights and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies, magazines and ezines. The genres range from science fiction and fantasy to horror and inspirational.
In 2009 Gryphonwood Press published Terry’s debut fantasy novel FLANK HAWK, and released BLOOD SWORD in 2011. He is busy working on the third novel in the First Civilization’s Legacy series. Website, Blog

Vicki Batman likes to kick back with a diet Coke and write crazy things for her characters. She has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA, and the DARA, Elements, and RWA-WF chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??" Blog, Blog, Link



Thea Landen writes erotic literature, frequently in a sci-fi/fantasy setting. When she's not writing, or thinking about writing, her hands and mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or role-playing games. Blog, Link, Link




Welcome Authors! It’s wonderful to have you here.

Now, the question is: What steps do you take to move from idea to complete first draft?

Clara Bowman-Jahn: I get my idea and write down my manuscript in long hand with pencil and paper where I can erase where I want. After that, I move to the computer and copy and paste for my complete first draft.

Terry W. Ervin II: My novels start with an idea—an event or situation. Then I devise the world where the event could occur, populate it and begin focusing the characters that will tell the story. I keep notes and ideas, including bits of dialogue in a file. I generally know where the story will start and end. I list the main plot events I anticipate happening along the way, usually in a spiral notebook. It’s kind of like mapping out a vacation—the routes one will take and places to stop and visit. Just like in a vacation, some places are visited longer than anticipated, with a few surprises and additions along the way. Detours occur and places anticipated for a visit get bypassed. But, in the end, the destination is reached.

Vicki Batman: All authors get their work done by "their" formula. I'm big in dialogue. And usually, my work begins with dialogue, something someone has said or I hear in my head. I imagine two people talking and write it down. Because I'm a pantster, I just write and write.

Thea Landen: Once upon a time, I used to just sit down and go. Then I started keeping notes in a separate file as I went along (I'm a typer, not a handwriter). I've finally gotten to the point where I've realized, "Gee, maybe making an outline first, even if it's really vague, is a good idea." I'm nearly finished with the first draft of my WIP, but I've started a few notes for the next one on the list.

Thank you all for sharing your process with us.

Readers feel free to ask questions concerning this topic in the comments or send  additional questions to chergreen@chergreen.com Subject: Voices of Fiction Question, and have them answered by the participating authors in later editions.

There’s also room for more authors to participate. Drop me an email, Subject: Voices of Fiction.

 (Disclaimer - Bios and answers have been posted as submitted by author) 

Voices of Fiction - From Idea to First Draft - Part Three

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Voices of Fiction - From Idea to First Draft - Part One

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

The response to this project has been both overwhelming and exciting. The number of participating authors continues to grow, and therefore, Voices of Fiction will be a weekly event.

Today and over the next few weeks, we explore the process of moving from the seeds of idea to the completion of a first draft. Authors walk down a variety of paths in this procedure, from plotter to pantser to everything in between.

As writers step toward the dream of writing, many read the available guide books only to be told one has to find their own direction. I hope the many voices available here will help you in your journey.

Let’s begin by introducing today’s group of authors.


Cherie Reich is a writer, freelance editor, book blogger, and library assistant living in Virginia. She is a member of Valley Writers and the Virginia Writers Club. Links – Website, Blog, Facebook



Joylene Butler is the author of Dead Witness and Broken But Not Dead. Links – Website, Blog


Karina Kantas is the author of five titles, including Huntress which is published by MMP. She originates from the UK but now lives in Greece with her husband and two beautiful daughters. Website

Jade Varden is the author of the Deck of Lies series, a collection of YA mystery books that show what happens when dark family secrets are exposed. Jade also provides professional writing tips to other indie authors on her blog. Blog, Twitter


Welcome Authors! It’s wonderful to have you here.

Now, the question is: What steps do you take to move from idea to complete first draft?

Cherie Reich: When an idea first forms, I often mull it over. I try not to act on it right away. When I have enough idea of the characters, basic plot, and some scenes, I'll outline/plot out the novel. Once I have everything in place, I'll start writing like mad to get that first draft down.

Joylene Butler: First comes the story questions. I generally work out the plot in my head before I type a word. I need to know I have a forward moving story with a strong protagonist and a satisfactory ending.

Karina Kantas: I start with the basic plot, then write a scene, jot down any ideas that come into my head any names, titles, then try to piece everything together. Once I have a note pad full then I start typing up the first draft.

Jade Varden: I think about my characters first. Once I figure out who the main character is, some of the others start to fall into place. Then I like to do an outline and get some early research done before I start writing. Before I write, I think about the scenes carefully and sort of pre-write them in my mind, so I know where I’m going when I sit down to write.

Thank you all for sharing your process with us.

Readers feel free to ask questions concerning this topic in the comments. Also feel free to send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com Subject: Voices of Fiction Question, and have them answered by the participating authors in later editions.

(Disclaimer - Bios and answers have been posted as submitted by author) 

Voices of Fiction - From Idea to First Draft - Part Two

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Voices of Fiction - Introduction

Over the next few weeks, I'll be assembling a group of writers for this project, Voices of Fiction.

The plan, for these monthly (possibly bi-monthly) articles, is a single question answered by multiple writers. The goal of this project is to bring together both writers and readers in an effort to grow and learn.

Readers long to know more about the writers who create the fiction they read. Aspiring writers crave the knowledge of the published writer. Published writers continue to grow in their journey.

I extend an invitation to all writers. All genres and forms welcomed. Publication is not a requirement. The questions will vary from writing process to personal aspects. Questions will be sent out to participating writers, along with a request of bio and available links. Of course, you are not required to answer every question. The choice is yours. You are also welcome to submit your own questions, which I would then send out to other participants.

I also invite readers to participate. Send me your questions and discover what the panel of writers have to say.

Contact me in comments (please leave contact information so I can send the first set of questions.), through the contact form, or at chergreen@chergreen.com.

I look forward to your participation.

From Idea to First Draft 
Character vs Plot
Who's Your Favorite Character

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

My Memories Suite - More than a Scrapbook Program


The My Memories Suite can be used to do much more than create scrapbook pages. Here's a little project you may want to consider:

Bookmarks

Use the program to create an 8.5 by 11 album page.  Export the page, print, cut and you have your own self-made bookmarks.

To have double sided bookmarks, you can print on both sides, or you can paste two sheets together.

For my bookmark, I used the free Quick Page: Reflections of Love and the Image of my Escape to Love book cover.

Deadline for entering to win a free copy of this software is Saturday, April 7th at Midnight. Don't miss out. Enter now.
 
Blog Directory