Saturday, April 28, 2012

Author Alex Owens and "Kill Me": A Blood Chord Novel



What was the spark that started you down the path to writing?

To be honest, I don’t really remember. I was pretty young when I started making up stories in my head and not much older when I started writing them down. The creative spark of youth is a bit harder to hang onto over the years though, so I finally decided to get serious about writing within the last year or so.


Do you have a favorite scene or character in your book?

I have a few, but if I have to narrow it down I’ll go with the scene where the main character Claire is drawn to the bewitching sound of music coming from a convention booth. It is there that she first meets Bette and is encouraged to try her hand at the haunted violin that can only be played by the supernaturally gifted. Everything changes for Claire with that scene.


Boxers or briefs? Kidding! Do you write with a pen and paper, or go straight to the laptop?

Boxers, duh! Briefs might as well have neon superheroes printed on them. Seriously though, I started out handwriting, but l am too lazy to write out everything, then have to type it all over again. I even write small bits on my phone and paste them into the manuscript later, all in the name of saving time.


How long does it normally take you to write a rough draft?

That depends on my current level of procrastination. I’ve knocked out a full first draft in thirty days before, when life and motivation allowed. Other manuscripts I’ve worked on in fits-and-starts over the years—and they’re still not done.


What made you decide to go indie and not go after a more traditional publishing path?

If the right traditional deal came along I’d consider it, but there are things traditional publishers won’t touch, like novellas and short story collections. I enjoy writing those and it seemed a waste to just leave them on my hard drive. Plus, I don’t work well when I know it’s “work” so if I had to write according to someone else’s deadline and creative direction, it would eat at my soul. Well, not really, but it would sure feel like it.


What is the hardest part and best part about self-publishing for you?

Answering only to myself—that’s both the hardest and easier part about self-publishing. On one hand, I have complete creative control; I set the pace and tone and a book doesn’t go out of the door until I’m satisfied with it. On the other hand, if the book gets bad reviews or fails to find an audience, that falls all on me.


Any words of advice for up and coming (or still learning) authors?

You know those t-shirts you see everywhere now… the “Keep Calm and Carry On” ones? Being a writer is like that. Keep writing, no matter what. As long as you keep at it, working to craft the best story you can, the writing will improve and you will find your audience.


Book Blurb:

Three days ago, Claire was a wife, a mother, and very much alive... then the music called for her.

Claire has one goal for the conference-- to land a few whales so that her boss will give her a badly needed raise. She pitches and prays while courting the music industry elite until her plans are derailed by hotness-in-high-heels.

Bette is at the conference on a mission--to find a human with untapped talents that she can mold and control. Bette uses her cursed violin to lure Claire in with a haunting song, which unravels Claire's life as her new talents emerge. To make matters worse, Claire is attracted to two unlikely people-- Bette and her hunky associate, Gregor. Both can light Claire's fire, but is either of them the only one?

Unfortunately for Claire, life isn't all song lyrics and seduction. Tied to darkness by blood and power, Claire must harness her abilities if she has any hope of returning home to her daughter and regaining her former life... if that's what she really wants.



To contact Alex, try her on her website, Twitter or blog!

Website: QuirkyGurl.com

Twitter: @imaquirkygurl



Author Bio:

Alex Owens is a woman with little free time, which means she stays up all hours of the night putting pen to paper. By day she's June Cleaver in jeans, and by night she writes. Somewhere in the middle of all that she finds time to tend 'dem babies, fry up the bacon and curl up with a good book (or ten), much to the chagrin of her family. She's currently at work on her Blood Chord Series, with book one just released and book two due out in late summer 2012!


Thursday, April 26, 2012

"Forging Truth" with Raymond Masters

I'd like to welcome Raymond Masters, author of "Forging Truth", his newest novel. Here's a rundown of the story before we get to Raymond!




Kade Truth awakens in a strange house sideways of reality, where he learns he has “died” in a mysterious attack on the Statue of Liberty. Rather than facing the afterlife, he now wields energy powers, including flight. Kade joins and befriends Caduceus – eccentric caretaker, magician, and feeder of soup – and Mao F’Yang – an intoxicating girl with the uncanny ability to disappear – in a quest to regain his memories, uncover who is behind the attack, and discover why he has been so drastically altered.

In a counter to Kade’s mission, the malign Dark Monk joins forces with Richard Van Parson – arrogant CEO of VPI – to forward his own hellish agenda under the ruse of a retaliatory war.

The question remains, though, if the French government orchestrated the Liberty Island attack, why are our heroes certain of Van Parson’s involvement? What ties does the Dark Monk have with Caduceus? What designs does he have for Kade? And will Kade unravel the truth in time
to embrace his true destiny?


What was the spark that started you down the path to writing "Forging Truth"?

  Well, I had really wanted to write a novel around the time I got into college. I thought on it for a couple of years before deciding that the only things I could come close to writing well were either horror stories or superhero stories. I was more interested in comics at the time, so I started thinking up the story I wanted to tell. In the beginning, Truth was going to be much more of an origin story than the final product. Along the way, though, I developed the story and made the origin an unfolding mystery.

Do you have a favorite scene or character in your book?

Of course, I'm biased, but I have several scenes I just love. I have a twisted sense of humor (Thanks, Stephen King!), and I set up a dark joke in the first chapter that doesn't pay off until chapter three. But it's also a really cool way of showing the reader one of the core aspects of the series.

Boxers or briefs? Kidding! Do you write with a pen and paper, or go straight to the laptop?

Now, I do all my writing on my laptop. The first 30 pages of Forging Truth, in the first draft, were handwritten on a legal pad. Now, I might take notes throughout the day; and then I'll type them up at home. That's about all the handwriting I do for my stories.

How long does it normally take you to write a rough draft?

It depends on the length of the story, of course. Plus, I have a day job that keeps me away from the keyboard. A short story could be a month, while a novel could take me up to half a year.

What made you decide to go indie and not go after a more traditional publishing path?

I did, actually, try the traditional route first. No one bit, really. I had one request a partial. I had another tell me that should I not find a home for it they would take it, but they wouldn't be the best cheerleader for my book. So, I started researching self-publishing and I asked my indy peers just gobs and gobs of questions before switching my plans.

What is the hardest part and best part about self publishing for you?

The hardest part is convincing someone to read/buy your book over a known entity from a known publisher. The best part would have to be the editorial control you have. It's the freedom to take your story wherever you feel it should go. Any words of advice for up and coming (or still learning) authors? On top of writing, daily, I would say to read at least one article on writing a day. It doesn't matter if it's about the craft of writing, how another writer broke into the business, or proper use of punctuation. Even if it's something you feel you know, read the article and apply it to your work.

Any words of advice for up and coming (or still learning) authors?

On top of writing, daily, I would say to read at least one article on writing a day. It doesn't matter if it's about the craft of writing, how another writer broke into the business, or proper use of punctuation. Even if it's something you feel you know, read the article and apply it to your work.

If you'd like to learn more about Raymond and his writing, check out his BLOG, or AMAZON PAGE


Friday, April 20, 2012

Character development, do you need it?

Developing your characters is SO important, a part of writing that cannot be left out if you want your readers to enjoy what you've written.


In particular, I find that pin-pointing masculine and feminine traits in my protagonists very necessary. If you don't have that nailed down yet, you're in luck.


Since I'm feeling generous today, I'd like to share my secret weapon that helps me remember that there is a massive difference in certain types of people . . . .a short clip that will open your eyes.  ;p




Saturday, April 14, 2012

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Friday, April 13, 2012

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Monday, April 09, 2012

Battle Royale #5 Jacob Black VS Stefan Salvatore

This is the final Battle in the first round! Jacob Black, werewolf, in love with Bella and hottie, VS Stefan Salvatore, Vampire, in love with Elena, and hottie. Yes, this will be a difficult choice!


Jacob Black VS Stefan Salvatore
Voting will be open until the April 12th at midnight at which point I will set up the next round in the Battles.







Friday, April 06, 2012

Battle Royale #4- Ron Weasley VS Legolas

Battle Royale #4 Brings to you the battle of the Sidekicks! Ron Weasley VS Legolas. I thought this might be a landslide, but after the other Battles, I'm not so sure.

Who supported their hero better? Who was the better friend? Who came through when it counted?

Ron Weasley VS Legolas
Voting will be open until the next Battle Royale post goes live.


 Ron Weasley



                                                     Legolas









Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Battle Royale #3 Harry Potter VS Aragorn

Woohoo! We're really picking up steam now! Battle Royale #3 is the Battle of the Heroes. The true white Knights of the pages and the big screen! One rocked the world of magic and the other rocked his big sword. (Get your mind out of the gutter!)

Harry Potter VS Aragorn.
Leave a comment below for the one you choose, the voting will be open until the next Battle Royale post goes live.


Harry Potter









                                                         Aragorn