Books for kids, teens, & those who are young at heart

Category: Uncategorized (Page 5 of 6)

Meet Kristen DaRay Author of Gemini of Emréiana

Today I’ve got Kristen DaRay, author of the YA sci-fi Gemini of Emréiana. She’s discussing the dreaded writer’s block. Thanks for posting, Kristen. Have a great weekend, everyone!

frontA Writers Super villain

by Kristen DaRay

I have this novel written out in my head. The ideas flow through my mind like water. I sit at my desk with my Sony Vaio out in front; I type away each chapter for others to enjoy. By chapter six I’m pretty well off, but then something happens. I can’t decide what Carson, my leading character, should do next. An enemy has kept me from my creativity, and that villain is writers block. Writers block is annoying; however, there are ways to overcome it.

First, writers block can be subdued by simply leaving it alone. Many writers can become stressed from contemplating their ideas. A writer can over think and not get anywhere. Instead if the writer will take a step back and perhaps do an activity then the block can be eased.

One such activity could be listening to music. Whenever I get a block, but need to write something immediately, I will rock it out to my ipod. Something in the lyrics, or even in a dance move, will jog my block; I then will be back on my path of creativeness.

Next, jotting down some ideas can defeat the torment of writers block. Many writers prefer a web, and others prefer to free write, but whichever it is do it. Not only will it help clear the mind, but it is also keeping the writer focused on the project itself. As the writer continues to place ideas on paper he/she will see light on what move to make next.

Finally, writing an insert for later can be the cure the writer needs for writers block. Many writers get stuck at the beginning, but they know exactly what they want at the end. Go ahead and write the ending! As the writer gets it out they are enlightened on what to use for the beginning. I use this tactic when I have an idea and don’t want to forget it. By the end of the insert I already have ideas on what to write at the beginning to pull it together. Writing ahead kicks writers block out of the head.

Posturing myself I take a seat. I crack my knuckles and smile at the white pearly laptop. I take a deep breath and restart my journey. The sound of the keyboard will be my music through the night. Writers block cringes in defeat as I stomp it out with my last chapter.

Gemini of Emreiana blurb:

My entire life has been a lie: My parents didn’t die in a car accident. They’re not even dead. I’m not American. I’m not even human. I have strange powers, and I’m the heir to the throne of the planet Emreiana.

If I take the crown, I have to leave behind everything I have known here on Earth. I would have to say goodbye to my friends and leave behind Kyle, the boy I’ve loved since I was five. If I don’t, then I risk the Bremoir finding me here on Earth and destroying everything I love.

Available as an ebook from Barnes and NobleAmazonKobo, and Smashwords, and in paperback at Amazon.

1126101108-01About the author:

Kristen was born in Alabama in 1991 and still resides there today. She has been writing since the 6th grade. However, she did not begin to write fiction until she was 15. In 2009, Kristen had an idea that would spark the concept for Gemini of Emréiana that she would later write in 2011. During that time, she met her husband. They married in August of 2012. When Kristen is not writing, she spends time watching Korean Drama’s or creating SIM’s 3 stories. Kristen continues to write the next novels to the Gemini Trilogy. She also plans to release a new series later on in the year.

Priscilla Brown author of Nothing But Love

Today Elixir Bound is being featured on Juniper Grove, complete with a giveaway of the book. In the meantime, fellow Muse author Priscilla Brown is visiting all the way from across the world to discuss her humorous contemporary romance Nothing But Love (check out my Goodreads review).

NBLcoverPriscilla, what made you want to become a writer?

Encouraged initially by a wonderful English teacher in high school, I’ve always enjoyed language and playing with words.

What inspired you to write Nothing But Love?

A real-life couple’s unusual meeting circumstances stayed in my story bank, and this became the first scene in Nothing But Love. Also, for the main location I wanted to use an isolated weather-beaten setting.

At what moment did you truly begin to feel like an author?

Cheekily, when my first magazine article was published, long before I started to write fiction; this ‘author feeling’ suffered several dents until I received my first acceptance from MuseItUp.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? What is your least favorite part?

I would rather edit, self-edit and work with a publisher’s editor, than produce new text. My least favorite, as I believe applies to many authors, is the dreaded synopsis.

What is the single best piece of advice you have for aspiring authors?

Never bin any writing—characters, scraps of dialog, descriptions—and read through them when you’re stuck. One or more from this story bank may spark a new narrative or fit perfectly in an ms that’s giving you trouble.

What is next for you in your writing career?

Editing my next contracted ms for MuseItUp, and interrogating my story bank for the missing middle of a novel for which I’ve written the beginning and ending.

And here’s the fun part…below are three list of words from the magnetic refrigerator poetry set…please write up a little piece of poetry or prose from these words. 

The brain attic was full with this ghost idea, page after page, for book use one day.

Nothing But Love blurb:

Being almost run over by Alistair is Cassandra’s introduction to life in the fun lane. Both fresh out of inappropriate relationships and jobs, each is novelty value for the other. But the exes are pulling tricks to be reinstated. So can Cassie’s passion for crafting silver jewelry and Al’s for woodcraft keep them fed? And is this fizzing too-much-too-soon chemistry suitable for the long haul?

Nothing But Love is available from the MuseItUp Publishing bookstore and Amazon.

VLUU L100, M100  / Samsung L100, M100About the Author:

Priscilla lives in regional New South Wales, Australia; her district is well-supplied with cafes in which she does much llistening, observing, scribbling and keeping up the caffeine.

Meet Scott R. Caseley Author of Isosceles

Please give a warm welcome to fellow Muse author Scott R. Caseley and his YA mystery Isosceles as he shares a satirical piece of flash fiction about the writing process.

 
ISOSCELESbanner

“Twice in A Millennium Inspiration”

Written by Scott R. Caseley

Swedish Translations provided by Tanja Pihlblad

Like millions of other people around the globe, I bought and read Stieg Larsson’s ‘Millennium’ trilogy for a book club. While I struggled to get past a lot of the Swedish in the text, I found myself most impressed by his Salander character. Two other club members, Jackie, an American and her fiancée, a Swede named Anders had seen both film versions of “Dragon Tattoo”. While she preferred Noomi Repace in the title role, he was a fan of Rooney Mara. When a heated argument sprung up one night at the library after a book club meeting over which performance was better, I settled it by telling them I would watch both and be the tiebreaker.

“Maybe you’ll get ideas for your next book, too, win-win,” Jackie said with a kind smile. I appreciated it, but her kindness was as constant as my writer’s block both of which had been a part of my life for several years now. I once wrote one novel, a psychological thriller. It received some decent press and sales were not bad for an unknown like me. Since then, my ink well was dry, and the creative part of my brain was on pause.

“We’ll see,” I smirked.

“Go for it, min vän.” Anders said patting me on the back with confidence. He often called me ‘min vän’. I just smiled and agreed though I didn’t know what it meant. I didn’t want him to see me as a stereotypical American who could only speak one language. Though, in fact, sadly I am.

After they left, I perused the video section, which had to have at least three thousand titles. There was an attractive brunette, around my age of twenty-five in the comedy section. When she selected a DVD and held it in her hands, I did a quick check and noticed she didn’t have a wedding band. It had been forever since my last date, but I decided against trying to pick her up. It was difficult enough trying to create clever lines for dialogue for a fictitious piece, let alone an icebreaker to impress a woman. With my tail between my legs, I selected both ‘Tattoo’ films and headed to the counter to check them out.

I watched the Swedish version first and enjoyed the pacing and the action, Noomi’s Salander was deadly, dangerous, and of course, her spiked hair was hot too. I took my phone out of my pocket to see there were seventeen new text messages and all from Jackie and Anders to see which Salander was my choice. Rather than answer them, I popped in the Blu Ray for the Fincher adaptation and began to watch. Mara seemed to immerse herself in the character, making her lethal yet vulnerable. Fincher’s deft direction kept me on the edge of my seat though I knew the story well from both the novel and the Swedish version. When the credits rolled, I felt inspired by both films and convinced myself I needed to write a compelling thriller with a strong female protagonist. But, first I needed to get some sleep.

As a writer, you’d think my imagination would lend itself to impressive dreams with dynamic visuals and compelling action, but alas the reality was they were pretty humdrum. Usually just a retelling of an event that happened in my waking life, or so uninteresting, they aren’t worth repeating here. However, on this ‘Tattoo’ marathon night, my dream got off to a dramatic start.

Rain was coming down sounding like nature’s rendition of Beethoven’s “Moonlit Sonata”, in a haunting and peaceful way. I sat on the couch in my living room reading the latest Young Adult novel by Marysue Hobika on my Kindle. A clap of thunder drowned out the beautiful concerto and I was startled when someone burst through my front door. I powered down my ereader and headed into the kitchen where the attractive brunette from the library stood wearing all black and was drenched from head to toe. She lit up a cigarette and began trembling as she held it and inhaled deeply. Her eyes seemed dangerous, so I hesitated to tell her smoking wasn’t allowed in my apartment.

She removed the cigarette from her lips and spoke nervously, “Hej” I sat down at the kitchen table, and observed her, not knowing what to say, as I couldn’t understand what she said. My smartphone was on the table, I picked it up, and discreetly scanned it for a translate app to see if I could type the word she said, though I didn’t know how to spell it. Was it haj, hij, or hej? Because of my Larsson overdose, I did know it was Swedish, so that was at least a start. I did a quick search for translation apps on Google and found one. I downloaded it, and thanks to my Wi-Fi connection, it took a matter of seconds.

“Jag heter Annika—” as she spoke, the most amazing thing happened, English words in white text started to form in front of her chest revealing she said her name was Annika. “Vad är detta, engelska undertexter framför mig? Hur gjorde du det?” (What is this, English subtitles in front of me? How did you do that?) I could have answered her in English and had the app do Swedish subtitles for her, but I was far too awestruck at what was going on to do so. “Jag heter Annika och kommer från Västerås, Sverige, även kallad  ‘gurkstaden’.” (My name is Annika, I’m from Västerås, Sweden, often nicknamed the Cucumber City).

“Hi, I’m Andy Schmidt,” as I told her my name, a smile came across her face. Then, I realized, Duh, she must know who I am, she did come to my apartment after all.

“Jag har förstått att du är författare. Jag sitter på en riktigt bra story som sker framför ögonen på mig på mitt jobb. Det kommer helt klart bli en bestseller. Här är detaljerna.” (I understand you are a writer. I have quite a story unfolding where I work that will be a Bestseller for sure. Here are the details.) Intrigued as I was about the prospect of a new story, a Bestseller no less, part of me was dubious about receiving an idea under these circumstances. Whatever the story was, it must’ve been something very hazardous, since she came to my apartment, looking like a scared child. However, the writer in me won over the protective side.

Sensing none of my trepidation, she continued on, “Jag jobbar som studievägledare på ett universitet och jag hörde av misstag skolans Dekan tala med hennes elevassistent vid vaktmästarens förråd. Dekanens man är konstkurator vid det lokala historiska museet där några antika föremål blivit stulna från ett av rummen. Misstankar riktades mot honom, men nu är han också försvunnen. Hon måste tro att hennes assistent är den enda som kan hjälpa henne att hitta både honom och de försvunna föremålen!” (I am a counselor at a university, and I overheard the Dean speaking to her student assistant by the janitor’s closet. The Dean’s husband is curator at the local historical society where some antiquities were stolen from one of the rooms. He was suspected of taking them, but now he has vanished too. She must believe that her assistant is the only one who can help her find him and the missing items.)

“Nå, vad tycker du? Gillar du det?” (What do you think? You like?) I read the subtitles and smiled like a maniac eager to start putting pen to paper. I knew the best thing would be to start taking notes. I reached for a newspaper sprawled out before me, and removed a pen from my pocket. Just as I began to write, she grabbed me by the wrist. Her grip was callused and intimidating. I glanced up, her eyes boring into me with fiery intensity. I sensed whatever she would say next, I wouldn’t need the subtitles to know it wasn’t going to be good, “Det finns mycket mer men det kostar. Fem miljoner, varav tre i förskott.” (There’s a lot more but it’s going to cost you. Five million, three up front.)

“I don’t have that kind of money,” I admitted out loud, thankful she didn’t speak English, because I was afraid of what she would do to me if she knew how destitute I was.

“Fine, I should have known better than to come here. I’ll get Gillian Flynn’s agent’s number and pitch the idea. She could always use another Bestseller,” she spoke with a southern accent. I was too in shock to speak.  Before I could say anything in response, I heard my phone ringing in my pocket, the unmistakable sound of “Moonlit Sonata”.

My eyes snapped open; I was on the couch with my phone sitting in the palm of my hand. The screen indicated ‘1 New Voicemail’ from ‘Unknown Caller’. I pressed the Voicemail key and pressed the phone to my ear, “Hi, I hope I’m dialing the right number, I’m trying to reach Andrea Schmidt. This is so awkward. My name is Stephanie, I saw you in the library yesterday renting the ‘Dragon Tattoo’ films and they’re two of my favorite movies. I was wondering if you would like to watch them with me sometime. You might have seen me there, I was in the video section when you were picking them up and I got your number from the librarian.” She then left her number, and I debated about whether to call her back.

I ended up writing five pages based on what Annika told me in the dream, and then I called up the real woman to agree to meet for coffee sometime. If that went well, then maybe watch a movie with her. I didn’t want to rush things, besides I had a novel to write now.

About Isosceles:

When he finds his best friend Trey Goodsby dead and almost completely submerged in a bathtub filled with bloody water, Sean McIntyre is determined to find out if it was an accident or suicide. If it was suicide, why did he do it? And, did his death accidental or intentional have anything to do with Madeline Edwards, the woman who came between them constantly through their thirteen-year friendship? Isosceles, a coming-of-age mystery romance begins with the death of Trey Goodsby, and explores his relationships with family, friends, his romances, and which of the circumstances he found himself in that led to the tragic event, and the repercussions for those he left behind. Purchse at:

MuseItUp Publishing

Amazon.com

Amazon UK

Bookstrand

Coffee Time Romance & More

Omnilit

About the Author:

Scott R. Caseley was born in Nashua, New Hampshire. He gained an interest in writing in elementary school in nearby Hudson. Growing up, he carried a small notebook or pen on family trips making observations and frequently turned them into poems or short stories. While attending Franklin Pierce University, he co-wrote and co-directed a student film. After graduating, he wrote and directed a dramatic feature, co-wrote and directed a documentary and conducted interviews for an online magazine. He’s also passionate about acting, and he’s enjoyed performing on stage, in bit parts on film, and is also a trained voice actor. In addition to his creative pursuits, he is passionate about healthy living. He follows a fitness regimen consisting of several activities such as; weight training, walking, swimming, yoga, and hula hooping. He complements this by cooking several nutritious examples of international and American cuisine. Last, but certainly not least he also enjoys just spending time with family and friends until the early morning hours with plenty of laughter and coffee. You can find Scott on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottRCaseleyWriter

Twitter: @scottrcaseley

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/ScottRCaseley

Website: scottrcaseleyauthor.com

Reading to the Youngest Children

I’m guest posting today over at 5 Minutes For Books with tips on how to instill the love of reading to the youngest of children. I’m, of course, drawing from my own experience as a mother to The Boy.

Plus, want to know how Katora and company celebrate the Winter Solstice? Then check out Lorrie Struiff’s blog on Thursday for an original Elixir Bound related short story.

I’ll leave you with a pretty picture (because I think we could all use a little prettiness today) from a walk The Boy and I took a few months ago.

IMAG0311

It Is Time

As the reports about the school shooting in Newtown, CT grow more and more bleak, some may think it’s insensitive of me to blog about this so soon or at all. But as a writer, a mother, and a human being, I’m turning to this platform to try and work through my feelings.

I don’t think it even needs to be said that first and foremost my thoughts are with the families and communities directly affected by this tragedy. My own community, a mere 25 miles from the school where this terrible thing happened, will certainly be dealing with the emotions of this for a long time.

I have to wonder when we will live in a world where I don’t have to worry about going to the mall or the movie theaters or sending my son to school in a few years. The Columbine massacre happened when I was a junior in high school, and all these years later, we as society are still having to face a world where children die in horrific numbers while in school.

When is the time to have a serious conversation about gun control? I understand crazy people will do crazy things, no matter if they have a gun or not. Terrible things happen in this world and there is no way to prevent every tragedy. But there is a way to prevent so many deaths. Fewer guns, especially the powerful automatic weapons, will mean fewer deaths in situations like these.

It seems like such a simple concept, but there are still people who don’t want to talk about it. Who don’t think it’s an issue. I, right here, am saying it’s problem and something needs to be done about it. No, I don’t have the right solution to offer here and now. I just hope we can finally open up an honest dialogue about gun control. This is an issue that can’t wait.

 

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