Author Sherry Soule Blog

March Already?

2012-03-01T17:53:00.004-08:00

Hi everyone!

Can you believe it’s March already? According to the Georgian calendar, March is the third month of the year. According to the early Roman calendar, it was the first month and was called Martius. The ancient Romans later made January 1^st the beginning of the year, and March became the third month on the calendar. March has always had 31 days. In most of the world, winter ends with March, and then comes Spring.

Spring in the northern hemisphere is when the sun is directly over the equator. March can feel either wintry or spring-like, with as many blustery, windy days as there are mild, sunny days. Bears, woodchucks, and chipmunks leave their hibernating beds to join the warmer days and await Spring’s arrival. I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for some warmer weather. And the end of flu season. I came down with a nasty head-cold on Monday and have felt awful steadily every day since. Ugh.

This month, I'm reading the Strange Angels series by author, Lili St. Crow and I'm totally loving it. Wow, she's such an amazing writer and her descriptions for scenes and places and buildings are awe-inspiring. If you haven't read this series, I recommend checking it out. (But be warned, there is a lot of F-bombs and cussing, in case that bothers you, however, it's still an excellent read.)

So, what's on your YA bookshelf this month?

Anyhoo, I’m just taking a quick break from editing the sequel, MOONLIGHT MAYHEM (going to post the official excerpt next week on my Spellbound blog) to pop in here and ask a small favor, if you’ve read my book and enjoyed it, and you have a few seconds to spare, then please consider leaving a quick review on Amazon , B&N , or Goodreads! And I would really appreciate the feedback, and having more reviews posted helps me reach more readers. :-D Thanks!

A Malicious Lullaby

2012-02-29T12:24:00.001-08:00

I discovered this eerie, but awesome bedtime story/rhythm and wanted to share it. I like me some creepy verse. :-D

By Nox Requiem

Sleep tight, my darling. Do not fret
For things that lie below your bed,
that plot and wait for you to sleep
Ere crawling out from underneath.

Goodnight, my darling. Do not fear
Whatever noises you may hear:
The groaning of a ghostly step,
The sigh of a chilly breath.

Rest now, my darling. Just ignore
The tapping on your closet door.
The creaking of a rusty hinge…
’Tis probably not just the wind.

Dream long, my darling. Worry not
Of shadows drifting ’round your cot
That linger at the edge of sight
And whisper evil things all night.

Farewell, my darling. Pay no heed
As unseen horrors come to feed,
To rend and tear with teeth agleam
The flesh of children as they scream.

Sleep tight, my darling. Will you wake?
Who knows? Who knows if you are safe?
There, there, my darling, please don’t cry.
Goodnight, my darling—or goodbye?

My Brand of Crazy

2012-02-22T21:46:00.088-08:00

Dear awesome readers,

I feel I should apologize to you for the incredible lag on the sequel to BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN and the postponed release of my adult novel, DISENCHANTED, and my total lack of blog posts lately. The last few months have been grueling, so please bear with me and I’ll explain why. As most of you know, my debut novel was published in August 2011 (and I was so dang excited!) and I naively thought that my life was finally getting back on track…

I had struggled with myself about posting something so personal on my blog, but decided that my readers needed to know and understand why my next two novels were postponed. Last year, I’d taken my six-year-old daughter to numerous doctors that had all given me various misdiagnoses on her skin condition and nose. (Her nose had started to shift at an odd angle and it looked like it was broken.) When her hair started falling out, I decided to consult a specialist who immediately ordered a biopsy and an MIR. And the result of that visit in August has turned my world upside down…

She was finally diagnosed with a rare and severe disease, which is a form of systemic Lupus, and from what I understand, less than 49,000 people have this disease in the US. There is no cure.

If left untreated this disease could leave my daughter horribly disfigured and scarred, and it can also affect the underlying structures such as muscle and bone. It is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body’s immune system turns against itself too, and as a progressive disease, it also affects connective tissue (including cartilage, bone, fat, and the tissue that supports the nerves and blood vessels.). What my daughter has is a rarer form of the disease, which affects the skin, skull, and the brain. And because it can affect the brain, seizures are sometimes associated with it. Eventually, she will need to undergo several surgeries to correct the distortion that has already affected one side of her face and nose. Fun disease, huh?

My first reaction was shock. All I wanted to do is crawl into bed and cry, but I couldn’t do that, even though I was scared and worried. I don't handle stress very well and couldn't sleep. Also, I develop my own brand of crazy when I'm sleep deprived.

But I had to be brave for my daughter and supportive. I had to put on my “happy face" and continue the book blog tour and promotions that I’d promised to book review sites. I had to schedule doctor’s appointments and pick up prescriptions. I still had deadlines from my publisher, and two more books to finish editing, if I was going to be able to pay for said doctor visits and prescriptions. Juggling all this as an out-of-work, single mom was tough. (But hey, most single moms are tough.) Looking back over the last few months, I think most of us can find a hidden inner-strength within that we didn't realize we possessed until tragedy strikes a loved one.

The first three months we practically lived at the hospital while she underwent IV treatments. Now, she has to take several different medications every day and a form of chemo once a week in an effort to slow the progression of the disease, and hopefully within three to five years, it will become dormant…until puberty hits when it’s known to reappear with a vengeance.

Sometimes I ponder all the hopes and dreams I had for my daughter since she was born, and all the wonderful things I've imagined her life would be. I pray she'll make smarter choices than I did. I hope she accomplishes all of her dreams. That she goes to college and will always love to read. Other times, I wonder what her life will be like years from now. Happy? Fullfilled? Independent? And I even contemplate the boy who will be her first love, and imagine her sitting on the floor, drinking iced tea and writing poetry while listening to Christina Aguilera (her favorite singer) in her first tiny apartment. But I never imagined her going through this…

So my life has been crazy busy the last seven months. But you know what? Despite having to go through this horrible ordeal, my daughter, who I try to encourage daily, has been encouraging me. She’s proud of my accomplishment, and she’s also my biggest promoter, even telling people waiting in line at the grocery store: “My mom wrote a book! It’s really good—you should read it.” Cute, eh?

My daughter inspires me every day, and even at this tender age, she knows that writing is like therapy for me, in other words, it keeps mommy sane.

Although I admit, I didn't feel like writing anything the first few months. I wasn't in my happy place and I couldn't write in Shiloh's snarky, humorous voice because I wasn't feeling like my usual snarky or humorous self. *sigh*

The sequel, MOONLIGHT MAYHEM needs another revision by moi and then I will send it off to my editors, so they can rip it to shreds. Anyhoo, I’m hoping to have it released this Spring, followed by my adult paranormal by Summer 2012.

Enough of my rambling, I just wanted to say thank you for your patience and continued support of my writing. You guys are the ones who have made my dream possible and I promise more fabulous books in the future. I should have at least three more chilling, epic tales published this year. :-D

~Sherry

Cover reveal: MOONLIGHT MAYHEM

2012-02-13T21:43:00.003-08:00

This is the cover for the sequel in the Spellbound series, MOONLIGHT MAYHEM coming Spring 2012. I love it!

Is it fantastic or what?

Parajunkee Designs designed it! She is amazingly creative. (Please check out her website.) I can't wait to see what she comes up for the third book, DESTINY DISRUPTED. Her talent continues to astound me!

Back Jacket Copy:

Enter a world of otherworldly creatures, dazzling magic, and fiery romance

Shiloh Ravenwolf thought she was getting used to the supernatural events of Whispering Pines, but the full moon has brought a new wave of threats to her northern coastal town. Ferocious wolves, deadly necromancers, and skulking demons have descended upon the neighborhood, and Shiloh needs to gain control over her newfound magickal abilities—fast!

Originally settled by a coven of witches, Whispering Pines is no stranger to the macabre. Buried beneath its charming façade is a dangerous secret, kept for generations by the quirky townsfolk, all of whom have something to hide. Even the gorgeous football star Shiloh befriends seems to be hiding something.

While trying to uncover the town secrets, Shiloh’s also dealing with issues in her turbulent relationship to her boyfriend Trent and her crippling fear of the dark. And for a teen demon slayer, this can be an epic problem.

After her classmates are attacked by a mysterious animal, coma patients disappear from the hospital, and her father is murdered, Shiloh vows vengeance. Forcing her phobias aside, she forms an unlikely coven of supernaturally gifted teens to help her eradicate this menace from her hometown, but Shiloh’s battling a different monster within herself. She’s struggling not to become the very thing she fights: evil.

But with demon blood inside her—anything can happen…

Moonlight Mayhem is the second novel in the unforgettably epic Spellbound series.

"This is Indie YA" Event

2012-02-03T13:19:00.000-08:00

Coming March 2012 is the fabulous, exciting, booklover extravaganza: “This Is INDIE YA” event over @ Ashley's blog, What's Your Story Book Reviews.

Every day in March she will feature a different Indie author. We're talking book giveaways, super fun quizzes, contests, author and character interviews, guest posts, and so much more!

On March 4th, I'll be giving away a Kindle or Nook version of BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN to some lucky winner after they take my wicked awesome character quiz!

So, please mark your calenders and join the fun in March with us!

The Hunger Games Official Movie Trailer

2011-12-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited about the upcoming "Hunger Games" movies. Just finished the last book! Thought I'd post the trailer and synopsis info. The official movie trailer can be viewed here.

In an attempt to preserve the anticipation and mystery that fans are relishing, the trailer only shows footage from the first half of the film, chronicling events leading up to but not including the Games themselves. After giving fans their first look at all of the book’s beloved characters brought to life, giving viewers who haven’t read the book vital information about the world of Panem, the trailer ends with an electrifying cliffhanger right as Katniss enters the arena.

About THE HUNGER GAMES

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy.

If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel, the first in a trilogy published by Scholastic that has over 16 million copies in print in the United States alone, has developed a massive global following.

THE HUNGER GAMES is directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, the first in a trilogy published by Scholastic that has over 16 million copies in print in the United States alone, has developed a massive global following.

Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES on March 23, 2012.

The Capitol Website: www.thecapitol.pn

Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie

Official Website: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

Are you guys excited too?

Dark YA Blogfest Movie Cast

2011-11-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, today (although I'm a few days behind schedule) is my post on who I would cast as actors for my own dark YA novel. So without further ado...

The MC Shiloh Ravenwolf is a tough one. For me it is between these lovely actresses: Chloe Bridges and Rachel Bilson and Malese Jow. (I couldn't find many Native American actresses in my Google search that would fit my description of Shiloh, who is half-French and half-Sioux.)

For the part of the arrogant, playboy, Trent Donovan, I think these two actors would be great: Alex Pettyfer or Louis Hunter?

For Jillian Broussard (Shiloh's mother and remember that Shiloh was conceived when her mother was only 17 yrs old), I like these actresses: Angelina Jolie (she would be so perfect, but she'd have to have lighter hair) or Sarah Michelle Gellar (but she'd have to act a bit more cynical and sinister to play the role.)

For Jackson Ravenwolf (Shiloh's father) these actors might be great: Oded Fehr or actor/model, Rick Mora or even Keanu Reeves?

For Shiloh's sassy best friend, Ariana Parsons, these actresses would be great:

Tiffany Thornton or Julianne Hough.

For Antony Evans, Shiloh's mentor and friend, I like these 40ish actors best: Aaron Eckhart or Josh Lucas or Patrick Wilson.

For Shiloh's aunt Lauren, I like these actresses, Gwyneth Paltrow or Charilze Theron?

For the bratty Trendies, Ashley and Kayla, I like these young actresses: Victoria Justice for Ashley and Amanda Bynes for Kayla:

Okay, so there you have it, my actor pics. If you've read Beautifully Broken, what actors would you pick for the leading roles?

NOMINEE: BEST PNR - WIZARD AND WITCH (2011)

2011-11-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

Beautifully Broken has been nominated by TRR reviewers for Best Paranormal Romance – Wizard and Witch/Sorcery (2011) at The Romance Reviews (“TRR”).

I am beyond excited and honored to be nominated in this category. (My hands are shaking as I type this!) I actually got tears in my eyes when I read the email. As some of you know, the past year has been incredibly hard for me both financially and personally, and I've felt like life keeps kicking me in the teeth. This made me smile for the first time in weeks. Even if I don't win, it is such a great tribute and privilege to be listed among such well-established authors.

Dark YA Blogfest Flash Fiction

2011-11-14T10:21:00.000-08:00

My 500 flash fiction piece inspired by this picture:

On the outskirts of Whispering Pines, there was a small lagoon bordering the city limits near Muir Woods. A special place to me. Somewhere I’d go when my issues with my mother got too much, or when I couldn’t take the school bully, Ashley’s taunts.

Fifteen minutes later, I parked, and hopped out of my Jeep. One side of the lagoon was a dense meadow and the other thick with trees, their torsos covered with moss. The forest had California bay, pine, maple, redwood, and Douglas fir.

Along the magnificent face of twilight, the sun pulled closed the drapes of night, creating more shadows and dark patches around me. Eyes twinkled from tree hollows. Winds yowled among malformed trunks and ancient ferns, carrying the sickly stench of decomposed wood and stagnant pools of water. The carpet of dead leaves and twigs snapped and crackled underfoot. Dark and dank, yes, but normally I felt safe here.

Until today.

I reclined against a fallen tree near the embankment, close to the edge of the water. Now I wished I'd changed out of this billowy, white summer dress I'd worn to school before coming to the lagoon. I closed my eyes. Let my senses absorb nature flourishing around me. Drawing energy from Mother Earth was another source of power. I sensed my aura all around me. I focused on it until I had a strong awareness of it. A white light radiated in spikes outward from my body. The earth, ferns, woods, wind, and water all lent me their energy. Magick gave me a pleasant buzz as it hummed through me.

A thin silver spark flew from my index finger and, like a lightning bolt, struck a pine across the lagoon. Smoke billowed from where I’d hit the trunk.

Cool.

The atmosphere changed without warning. Fog wafted closer, like spectral hands seeking to pull me into the water. A familiar whooshing vibration startled me.

Not now. My stomach churned. I blew out a long breath, laboring to steady my pulse. Unseen eyes watched from the mist. Crackling underbrush and breaking branches sounded close to the water's edge. Something lurked in the twilight—something otherworldly.

Suddenly the world was draped in an eddying, weaving gray fog. Winds became sharper, colder. It numbed my face. Things within the murky haze slithered along the sides of the entrance. Faint screams of lost souls penetrated the night. Dozens of shadowy corpses surrounded me. Ashen, skeletal bodies—flickered, bones protruding in their spectral cheekbones—stared with wide, empty eyes. Fear fluttered in my chest, but I flicked my scarred hand at them in a silent warning to stay back. They whooshed off in different directions, except one.

A woman with dark hair flying wildly into her translucent face materialized. She floated toward me in her dirty dress. Her eyes fierce. Sapphire flames.

My legs were limp and weak. Trembles racked my body.

I put my arms up in defense as the ghost floated closer. The back of my hands covered my eyes as though that would make the ghost disappear. Childish-I know! When I lowered my arms, I saw...

Her own arms were outstretched, her hands curled into claws. She clutched my throat, suffocating the scream trapped deep within my soul that begged for release…

Learn more at Yatopia: Dark YA Blogfest 2011

My Christmas Booktacular Giveaway

2011-11-05T19:48:00.001-07:00

Well, I didn't reach my goal, but I wanted to thank everyone who helped with promoting my Christmas Booktacular Giveaway (US only).

As a special offer, I have decided to let the winner choose between one of the books listed below OR an autographed paperback of BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN. (I can also provide digital versions if preferred.)

The Secret Circle by L. J. Smith

Descended By Blood by Angeline Kace

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Autographed copy of BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN

The winner is (drum roll please)… Staci Murden!!!

CONGRATS!!!

If you didn’t win—don’t worry, I’m going to hold several more contests in 2012 to celebrate the release of MOONLIGHT MAYHEM and my adult PNR, DISENCHANTED.

Some of my Favorite Dark YA Books!

2011-11-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

Whisper in the Dark by Joseph Bruchac

Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Descended By Blood by Angeline Kace

EXILED by M.R. Merrick

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Look for Me by Moonlight by Mary Downing Hahn

Raven’s Gate by Anthony Horowitz

Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause

The Haunting by Margaret Mahy

Whispers from the Dead by Joan Lowery Nixon

Are You in the House Alone? by Richard Peck

Cirque du Freak series by Darren Shan

The Boy Who Couldn’t Die by William Sleator

Blood Trail by Nancy Springer

Haunted by Judith St. George

HOLLOWLAND by Amanda Hocking

The Other Ones by Jean Thesman

The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

And of course....Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule :-D

The themes for this Dark YA Blogfest:

WEEK ONE...

November 2nd: Bloggers will post about their favorite dark YA book(s).

WEEK TWO...
November 9th: Bloggers will write a 500-word or less flash fiction piece inspired by this picture—

WEEK THREE...
November 16th: Music and Movie Fun—Bloggers will take a dark YA book and build a soundtrack for it or cast characters for them in a movie version.

WEEK FOUR...
November 23rd: #YASAVES—Bloggers will chat about how a dark YA book made an impact in their life.

WEEK FIVE...
November 30th: Waiting on Wednesday—Bloggers will chat about what dark YA book they are most looking forward to?

Click here to learn more about Yatopia: Dark YA Blogfest 2011

A Bad, Weird, Romantic Dream

2011-10-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Last night, I dreamed about zombies. It’s weird that I write and often dream about ghosts, vampires, witches, and demons, but I have never dreamed about zombies.

Sure I watch horror flicks and AMC’s The Walking Dead (So effing good!) but my dreams don’t usually include the undead.

Except it wasn’t a creepy dream, because it played out like movie. More like a terrible, haunting, romantic tale.

In my dream, Zombies had taken over the world and I was trapped in my house. Outside the windows of my home were hundreds of zombies eating humans. It was like post-apocalypse world. It was chaotic and dismal.

The man I loved (who resembled the actor, Sam Trammell from “True Blood" who plays Sam Merlotte) told me that I had to become a zombie or I would die. Kind of like becoming a vampire. He told me I had to eat brains to complete the change. I didn’t want to do it. I was grossed out. But I took his hand and together we roamed the streets.

And the weird part of the dream (As if zombies weren't enough?) was that I loved him. I mean really loved this dream-zombie guy, and so I decided to make the “change.” I ate some weird stuff like flesh and I thought I had died. It was painful. Then I felt better, although I didn’t look like the other zombies and either did my lover. We were just two zombies in love...

I suppose the dream could be made into a novel. It was long and very detailed. I think it would've made a great horror film too. A zombie love story. LOL

Besides, zombies aren't that scary. Right? I think they're fun to Tweet about because there's so much literature, movies, and sites devoted to the undead.

Let’s look at the zombie, shall we?

World-wide plague kills more than 99% of population in hours; a third of those reanimate after a few days. An actual zombie is a decomposing person, their muscles don’t heal with strain, and every shuffling step they take carries them one step closer toward eventual paralysis. In most stories, anyone who dies, no matter the reason, becomes one. Zombie bites will initiate the spread of infection, kill the host after a few hours, and then cause reanimation. Zombies generally have bite marks, missing limbs, open wounds and large amounts of blood on their clothes.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve dreamed about paranormal creatures, and I wasn’t frightened this time either. Monsters don’t scare me; they never have. In a good horror movie, yes they can be frightening, but not enough to give me bad dreams. The only scary movie with a creature that totally terrified me was in the film, JEEPERS CREEPERS. That demonic-thing was totally freaky! Still gives me shivers…

The nightmares that do scare me are the ones about bad things happening to my family and those dearest to me. Not monsters. Or zombies. Nope…

For Zombie Lovers everywhere!

2011-10-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

The Zombie Song by Stephanie Mabey

Such a catchy tune, huh?

And a zombie wedding cake. What could be cooler? :-D

Join me on Twitter @WriterSherry for more zombie mayhem & fun!

hashtag #zombies

Writing a Sequel

2011-10-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

pant⋅ser [pant-ser]

–noun

1. One who writes a novel by the seat-of-their-pants, without an outline, character sheets, or any semblance of pre-novel planning.
2. Crazy person.

See also: clever, humorous, and downright lovable.

Yup, that’s me. I’m a seat-of-the-pants kind of writer. A total pantser. And proud of it.

Wondering what I've been up to when I'm not spouting nonsense on Twitter?

Well, I've been editing my online vampire/romance novel, THIRSTY and mostly rewriting scenes to the sequel of my debut novel, and worrying that it won't be as clever as the first book. There is always pressure for writers to make their next story, just as good or better. Ugh. I suppose all writers feel this way at times. I guess it keeps a writer humble. No big heads here! lol

The ability to properly rebuild the tension and excitement found in the first book can make or break a writers’ efforts to continue a series. To succeed, the main character needs to face even more increasingly difficult challenges than were written into the first tale. A writer must tie up any loose ends from the first novel. Consider all the elements that made the first book remarkable and enhance them in the next book. New story-lines and characters must be introduced. And the main plotline should progress from the initial murmurs of suspicion to MC participation to a terrible, gut-wrenching conflict, to end with a resolution of some kind or a cliffhanger.

The hardest part for me as a writer is to include backstory into the sequel. (Great post on this subject at Sherry's Fiction Writing Tools )

How much is enough to refresh the reader’s memory?

Yeah, I realize there should be some references to events from the previous book, but I need to figure out how to add it without a full blown recap aka info-dump. Which is boring. Most people read books in sequence, so clearing up any confusion or dangling questions from the first book should be addressed and answered while creating new unanswered questions in the second book...right?

Unless someone picks up my book and hasn't read the first...

I try not to be lazy. I try not to rely solely on my editors to help me weed out long blocks of backstory.

Now as I read over my mostly finished WIP. It’s unpolished, but I believe the ideas are fleshed out and all there. I really like the direction the story took. I am pleased with the first (5) drafts. My crit partner thinks I’m on the right path.

Now I heave a sigh, prepared to start the endless revising that will make the story even better. I tell myself to 'cowboy up'—I can do this. I will listen to the entire manuscript read out loud on my computer. I will finish editing those unevenly paced sections. I will lace a few descriptive tags into certain scenes that always help a story come to life for the reader. I will move around scenes and chapters for better flow. I will trim wordy sentences and delete any unnecessary details that can bog down a draft. And I will make my MC suffer than ease her pain...

Then I can turn the story over to my editors and...you guessed it.

Start all over again.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

Darkness descends upon the land and with it comes witches, ghouls, vampires, zombies, mummies, and haunted houses! A time when the veil between the living and spirit world is believed to be the thinnest.

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the evening of October 31^st each year. Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns. I love the decorations such as the lit carved pumpkins faces, ghosts and goblins hanging in trees, hay rides, apple cider, hanging out candy to the trick or treaters, and seeing all the different costumes. And I love going to some “haunted” event too.

I love Halloween, because it is the time of year to revel in the ghostly delights or go to a Halloween party and dress up. I love the red, orange, and brown tones of autumn, the crisp nights, and the possibility of being spooked. I enjoy decorating my house with tons of Halloween adornments like, hanging skeletons, black crows peering down from bookshelves, lots of candles, orange and purple stringed lights, and skulls.

Halloween has a sense of whimsy, creativity, and anticipation. On Halloween, you can be someone who you've always wanted to be, you can eat candy like a kid again, you can scare people, dance like nobody recognizes you—because they don't, and wander around at night.

I still love other holidays like Christmas, but Halloween has remained my favorite holiday since childhood. Maybe it's because of the wonderful change from summer to fall hues, or the fun and inventiveness of making my own costume each year. And now the excitement of what my kids are going to be, but I continue to look forward to October 31st every year.

Let's not forget all the awesome scary movies that come out in the theatres or the endless hours of horror movie marathons on TV. And it seems I’m drawn toward TV shows that have a paranormal/supernatural/horror premise. I love that there is a lot of new shows this fall with a supernatural slant.

List of 2011 Supernatural/Paranormal Fictional Fall TV Shows:

The Walking Dead

SUPERNATURAL

The Secret Circle

True Blood

The Vampire Diaries

Game of Thrones

Grimm

Once Upon a Time

Terra Nova

A Gifted Man

Fringe

Awake

Alcatraz

Touch

The Fades (BBC)

American Horror Story (FX)

Now for some Halloween humor:

Why do vampires brush their teeth regularly? To avoid bat breath

Where do Ghosts go sailing? Lake Eerie

What do vampire sailors call their ships? Blood Vessels

Why was the witch thrown out of school? She couldn't learn to spell.

What do you call two witches living together? Broommates

What do you call a witch who lives at the beach? A sand-witch

Why did Dracula take cold medicine? To stop his coffin

Why do witches fly on brooms? Because vacuum cleaners are much too heavy

Check out Haunted Houses USA HERE

Check out Paranormal Shows HERE

Check out my spooky guest post at A Life Bound by Books

I hope everyone has a safe & happy Halloween this year!

What is your favorite part of Halloween?

Excerpt from MOONLIGHT MAYHEM

2011-09-30T06:01:00.000-07:00

Epic Zombie Battle!

Did you know that there were Functional
Teenage Zombies found in Whispering pines?

Posted below is a short excerpt from the next novel in the epic Spellbound series.

Hi, there. Some of you may already know me, but for those of you that don't, my name is Shiloh Ravenwolf. I am a Heritage Witch. Most powerful wiccan since the Charmed Ones. Kinda like Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, except I have magical powers and hunt ghosts and demons...and now, you guessed it, zombies.

My recent battle?

Yeah, well, believe it or not, it was with the walking dead.

I’d parked my black jeep by the cemetery gates, grabbed a flashlight from the glove compartment, and walked down the sidewalk past a rickety old Victorian and through the arched entrance of the Silent Hollows Cemetery. I was doing a spell for my frenemy and needed some graveyard dirt. The place was nearly suffocated by trees. There was always fog hovering over the ground, especially at night. From the streetlights around the edge of the graveyard, deep pockets of darkness fell across the path.

Shadows moved. They raced ahead of me. Scampering like puppies on a walk. Silly hounds. The shadows separated and morphed into small combat bodies. Bakaz, Azeri, Kasha, and Zrekam. Four small demons squatted before me, scaly armor the color of moss, little barbs poking from their spines like dragons. They tilted their heads, eager as dogs, their claws clasped, with impatient faces and wide crimson eyes.

Kasha’s head cocked to the side. They froze. Listened to the night. I stopped too.

Horrendous noises flooded the woods. Screams. Cries of agony. And underlying them all, a deep growl, not unlike that of a dog defending his recent kill.

Trees rustled. Leaves fell. Something moved in the darkness.

Shiloh, you need to get the hell out of here! And fast!

I swung the beam of the flashlight and it shone on the iron-gate separating the graveyard from the woods. Tombstones were bathed in the eerie moonlight. Stone angels stared out of the darkness. On the aged headstones from centuries before, moss grew thickly. The names almost diminished by time and weather. Headstones lined up in precarious positions, some knocked over. Many of the mausoleums had ivy curling their way around the ruins. Winds whisking through the grass, sent a clammy chill straight into my bones.

A greyish figure moved behind one of the headstones. Fuzzy edges. Same color as the slab. Ghosts didn’t bother me much anymore. I could handle them. Demons and other paranormals were a different story.

My guardian demons darted closer, whispering. They shrouded the grass like spattered ink.

Still kinda weird that a witch fighting for good has demons as protectors, but heck, I’ll take all the help I can get.

Grayish bodies flickered. Spectral faces stared with hollow eyes.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Forgot to keep my telepathic shield up. Again.

Magick in hues of silver, violet, and aqua swirled around my body like a mini-tornado. The force lifted my black shoulder-length hair. I pointed my scarred arm at the specters. “Ghosts be gone. Leave my sight. Before you’re swallowed by my might.”

Ghosts zoomed off in various directions.

Distracted, I tripped over something and stumbled forward. That was when the ground disappeared and I fell for several seconds. My hands were flailing out in front of me as I tumbled head first into a freshly dug grave. The flashlight, slipped from my fingers. I hit the ground. Not the ground. But a coffin. The jolt knocked the breath out of me. I sat up dazed, moist dirt caked to my face and hands. Worms clung to my hoodie.

“Ewww!” I brushed them from my top. On my hands and knees, I felt around for the flashlight. My fingers curled around the base, but it won’t turn on. Damn.

Glancing up, I guessed I’d fallen six feet. I grasped at jutting roots and tried to get a foothold with my hot-pink Doc Martens boots, which sank into the soft earth.

Heads peeked over the top of the grave. Red eyes blinked in the darkness. Bakaz, Kasha, and Zrekam. Kasha extended a claw to grasp my hand. Their strong claws grasped my wrists. Bakaz tugged. Kasha pulled on my other arm. Struggling and grunting, they pulled me free. Pungent odor from the musty, moldering autumn leaves that stuck to my jeans made my stomach turn.

“Thanks guys,” I said, dusting myself off.

I banged the flashlight against my open palm trying to get it to turn on. The cemetery was dank and still. My gaze rested upon the open grave. I noticed two things immediately. One, someone had recently dug up this coffin. And two, the mahogany coffin had been broken and splintered from within. Something had obviously clawed its way out.

The mark gracing my forearm tingled. It started to thrum. Yes, thrumming with energy. Kinda painful, too. Not good. Shades stiffened. Crimson eyes flashing.

“Something comes,” Kasha said. The other three little demons stood in front of me. My demonic guardians. My friends.

The breeze carried with it the rancid smell of decaying flesh and dirty hair. The odor suggested the thing hadn’t ventured too far from its bed.

Pinching my nose, I spun around. My eyes searched the graveyard. My heart fluttered in my chest like the wings of a bat. The whiff of smoke billowing from the chimneys of the nearby homes gave me little comfort. Especially, when the thick aroma of embalming fluid hit my nostrils.

I listened attentively. Silence. Kasha clutched my trembling hand.

Movement again. Laboring footsteps shuffling through the high grass. The footfalls grew closer. Louder. Terrified, I clamped a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. My supernatural radar like high-frequency waves told me to be cautious. Had something followed me into the cemetery? Was it another demon?

Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.

With sluggish, jerking movements, a pale teenage girl appeared through the fog. The white trim on her ragged cheerleading outfit was yellowed and grimy. She licked her dry, cracked lips. A sickly sweet stench rose from the blond-haired corpse. Her supernatural aura flickered slightly like a dying fire.

Damn. Zombies. Really? Not bad enough I have to hunt paranormals, but now zombies?

Felt air shift my hair, and turned just in time to see a dark blur slam into me. I hit the ground. Dizziness assaulted my senses. I got to my feet. Staggered backward. She jumped on my back and bit my shoulder. I screamed and bucked zombie girl off my back. When I turned to face my assailant, I was punched in the nose. Pain shot up my temple. I went reeling back against a tombstone. Blood trickled off my chin. My hands covered the throbbing wound. Tears sprang to my eyes.

I heard the little demons softly singing an archaic song of magick. Shadowy tendrils of dark energy encircled my body like a protective cocoon. They wouldn’t let anything hurt me. I expected the demons to flank her, but they watched and sang instead. Motionless. Crimson eyes wide. Frightened. Staring at…me.

"Freaking great. Could use some help here, guys!" I said.

When the shades were afraid, it usually meant someone needed to run. Someone meaning me. Not a good sign.

Through blurry eyes, the greyish figure lumbered forward with outstretched arms. Full Thriller style. “Aaarrgghh!”

Darkness pulsated beneath my ribs. Demon blood. Preternatural. A blistering sensation. Hot as hellfire. Hot as a desert sun burning the sand. Hot as Trent’s passionate kisses. Blackness, rousing. Awakening inside me. Blood pumping. But it wasn’t white magic running through my veins. No, it tasted like snake venom. Strange metallic liquid on my tongue. Uncontained dark magick pleading for freedom. Twitching in my veins. Thrumming. Demon blood mixing with my Heritage Witch lineage.

I closed my eyes and repressed the dark power. Couldn’t lose control now. Pushed it under my ribcage. Sealed the darkness away in my heart.

“Aaarrgghh!”

I opened my eyes and feinted forward, then dropped into a crouch and swept one outstretched leg around behind zombie girl. My foot caught the attacker’s ankles and yanked her feet from beneath her. She stood up faster than I would’ve thought possible. I lifted a fist and threw a quick, clumsy punch to her jaw. The zombie took two staggering steps backward. Then lunged again. I leaned forward and headbutted her. Hard. Even I saw stars for a few seconds.

But she recovered quickly and swung a punch that I ducked. I hit her with an unexpected right hook. She wobbled on her feet. I faked her out with a high backhand that she blocked, and then I brought my fist down to punch her in the stomach, making her hunch over in pain.

Backing up, I chanted under my breath a protection spell. “Pure white light, pure white light, pure white…”

Guess that summer I took kickboxing classes has finally paid off!

Between my hands, I created a mystical ball of energy. The sapphire orb pulsated with power and white light. It gave off an electrical discharge. I lifted my arms to throw the luminous fireball, and then froze.

That’s when I recognized her. One of the Trendies from school. A walking undead cheerleader.

I launched the energy ball at her, vanquishing the undead creature before me…

Ugh. Now Evans would make us go into total research mode. And I had an exam next week.

I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed Evans. He answered on the second ring. We spoke briefly and hung up. I dredged back through the cemetery toward my jeep. Dreading the research I’d be doing over the next week, I hopped into the driver’s seat and sighed.

For as long as I could remember, I’d seen things in the shadows, first in my haunting dreams, then the otherworldly creatures that preyed on the innocent—including my friends. Whether ghost or zombie, I knew it was my destiny to slay those who lurk in the shadows…and eat, well, brains.

Hope you enjoyed my online zombie story!

For more zombie mayhem and fun, join me on Twitter @WriterSherry

hashtag #Spellbound

Feathered Quill Book Reviews

2011-09-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share this lovely and eloquently written review I received this morning. It made smile. Big time. (And I needed a smile today)

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble

Beautifully Broken (A Spellbound Novel)
Author: Sherry Soule
Publisher: Moonlight Publishing
Publication Date: July, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-6155-0812-2
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor, Feathered Quill
Review Date: September 18, 2011

REVIEW:

Shiloh Ravenwolf is a young girl involved in a past she doesn’t quite know everything about. Her father and mother are a bit “odd” and her family has been split down the middle over things she doesn’t really understand. Shiloh has the ability to see and hear the “shadows, wraiths, and spirits” that appear in her room and all around her; including a large “Shadow Man” who tells her that, “Debts Must Be Paid.” Being the owner of a strange scar that goes from her wrist to her elbow, Shiloh seems to be marked by the spirits, hearing and seeing images from the past as they gather around her: Some wish Shiloh to help them, others are simply there to destroy Shiloh once and for all.

Living on the dismal northern shores of California in a place called Whispering Pines, Shiloh is trying desperately to get used to the paranormal figures watching, talking, and following her around - including Easel, the huge ‘Shadow Man’ who is a spirit that wishes nothing more than for Shiloh to make a deal with the Devil.

In Whispering Pines, there are teens disappearing - teens who were all a part of the original Thirteen families who settled the town of Whispering Pines back in the 17^th Century. In this original group were witches who built and ran the town - a town that is lovely during the day but, when twilight settles, is covered with a thick layer of fog that makes the town seem as if it is far away from any location in the country.

One day, at church, Shiloh sits in the pew beside her best friend Ariana - a strong, tough girl who goes to her school. When Trent Donovan appears - a handsome ‘rebel without a cause’ type, he can barely keep his eyes off Shiloh as the rumors begin to abound about he and his family. Long ago, Trent’s mother had been found dead, and his father caught up in a murder investigation of which he was cleared and freed. Where they live is the old Ravenhurst Manor that was once home to disturbed teenagers, murders, and creepy experiences. Now, the Donovan family is restoring Ravenhurst and Shiloh lands a job as an intern to help with the architectural renovations…or so she thinks.

Soon the story unfolds as Shiloh teams up with a “ghost hunter” to try and get the spirits to calm themselves and leave the mansion once and for all. Inside the ghostly building there are shadowy spirits after Shiloh, who try their best to kill her with everything from falling chandeliers to windows smashing down. Shiloh soon learns a variety of historical information including the fact that she must discover and “hone” her ‘gifts’ in order to save Trent Donovan from being the next victim of the “Shadow Man.” And with this war comes a prophecy of the 13^th Daughter - a girl who was born to save Whispering Pines and banish the dark souls forever.

A truly interesting story that involves a deep mystery and powerful Wiccan magic. The first in a truly adventurous series of Spellbound novels, for readers to find their way through the darkness as they stand beside Shiloh Ravenwolf and watch her fight for her life, home, family, and true love.

Quill Says: A great horror, thriller, and paranormal book that is a good, solid beginning to a series of fiction that YA’s and adults will love.

E-Piracy is illegal. And here's why:

2011-09-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Recently, I discovered someone requesting an upload of an eBook copy of my novel BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN on a forum, so that other people can read my book for free. What really upsets me is that my book has only been out for about a month and I've found it uploaded for free on 2 different share file sites.

This, well, sucks.

And yes, it is partly about the money. Writing books is how I make my living. It is my sole income. I'm a single parent with mouths to feed. The US economy is hurting and there aren't many well-paying full time jobs in my area. Not to mention, I've been out of work for over a year and I haven't even received my first royalty check. So, yeah, every book sold helps my family. Helps me to continue writing more books.

And it makes me sad. Like someone is crushing my dreams in a way. If readers want me to continue working, providing them with stories to enjoy, then please HELP ME do that.

No, I'm not just another author whining about sharing their books.

Sure, I'm flattered that people want to read my published novels, but by supporting all my hard work (all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into writing my novel) BY purchasing a copy of their own, I can continue to write more books. And get to do what I love for a living. Telling stories.

And this has happened to me before. The other time, someone was SELLING an actual copy of a novella I wrote on their retail website. Yeah, I was pissed. The book was removed after I contacted the website owner, but I lost all of those sales. I didn't bother with a lawsuit. I should have. I don't like the fact that this is happening to me AGAIN.

My eBook can be purchased through Amazon and Barnes & Noble for ONLY $0.99. I think that's pretty cheap.

E-Piracy is especially damaging financially to self-published and indie authors. Although, I realize most authors have had at least one of their copyrighted works pirated without permission. But if we can ban together to stop these websites violating the copyright laws, maybe we help our favorite authors to continue to produce novels that we enjoy and cherish.

Like I said, I am struggling like many folks in this economy, and I realize some people can't afford the $1.99 to $7.99 to purchase an eBook to read. I get it. I understand. I can't even afford my own reading habit right now. Which sucks. I'll be lucky if I can even come up with the rent this month. But I'm not about to steal books just so I can have some reading material handy.

And I still have out-of-pocket expenses to recover. If I don't sell books, I can't earn this money back. As an indie author, I do not have a big New York publishing house backing me. Nor did I receive an advance for my novel. This means I have to pay for all my own book trailers, banners, website design, buying and shipping out ARCs to reviewers, and other miscellaneous marketing tools in the hopes of reaching a wide audience, and, well selling a few books. (Yeah, I know, you must spend money to make money.) Unlike authors represented by big publishers with marketing departments, I'm my own marketing dept. It's a tough job.

And meany E-pirates aren't making my job any easier. *snivel*

It makes me wonder why these people don't just ask their local libraries to purchase a copy to lend to readers. My librarian is kind enough to orders books for me whenever I've been unable to purchase my own copy. And there are a TON of used books on Amazon that sell for $0.1. Yes, that's right--1 cent! (The difference is that these books have not been illegally scanned, copied, and uploaded to share sites for free. To thousands of people.)

If you have a copy of a book and want to lend it to a friend, that's fine. Because it is one book and hopefully that person will tell others about the book, and buy that author's future publications.

Lending a book to a friend is not like stealing a bunch of copies of a book from a bookstore and handing them out for free. Which is kinda the same thing that these share sites are doing when they scan and upload books for free. By uploading a book to a share site or torrent, it doesn't compensate authors for the work that they produce. It is stealing, folks.

The difference is in making copies. The reader does not own the right to either reproduce or distribute copies of an e-book. With any book, e-book or print, the author initially owns those rights.

Did I mention it’s just plain wrong to steal?

To be fair, I suppose some people may not be aware that by downloading eBooks on share sites or torrents, you are committing e-piracy, and you are engaging in an illegal, unauthorized reproduction of a copyrighted work.

Or they just don't care.

And, well, that sucks too. I'm sure there a ton of arguments about why this is okay. And I'm certainly not looking to get into a debate with anyone who thinks that this is acceptable. It isn’t. It’s WRONG. It’s STEALING. Plain and simple. NO EXCUSE. There is no reasonable justification for e-pirates to upload a copyrighted work.*snivel*

Still not convinced?

On the copyright page of every novel sold, there is a warning that states: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning, or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher.

What is e-piracy?

The FBI refers to e-piracy as this: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted work.* So if you’re not the copyright owner of a product (like a book, song, etc., but this post focuses on books), yet you downloaded that product for free on a torrent or other unauthorized “share” site, you’ve engaged in an illegal, unauthorized reproduction of a copyrighted work.

Does buying a novel make you the copyrighted owner?

Nope. Most books are registered with the United States Library of Congress or have a Creative Commons license, but if you didn’t create the work yourself, then you’re not the copyright owner and you cannot upload or download it. eBooks are an electronic medium, which means that they are also covered by the electronic media laws and the Millennium Act (if they are DRM-protected).

*Complete FBI message: “Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.” http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/

Remember e-pirates, karma's a bitch!

In conclusion, I generously offer monthly giveaways and contests here on blog and on other blogs, (what's the point if anyone can download my book for free anyway?) to give people a chance to win a free copy of their very own. I also offer a couple of free novels that I've written to read on Booksie.

I'm not naive, I realize there is no way to completely stop this from happening, but but it doesn't mean I have to like it or ignore it. Say it with me: "E-piracy sucks!!"

Thanks for letting me rant (whine) about this issue...

Want to learn more about e-piracy and the law? Please visit these links:

goodreads: Authors Without A Yacht (AWaY)

goodreads: The true cost of piracy from the ebook-community

Dina James on why e-Piracy Hurts

Author Dina James on how to fight e-pirates

Some info on e-piracy and quotes from author, Dina James

Authors have your eBooks digitally tagged and tracked

New Book Cover: DISENCHANTED

2011-09-13T07:25:00.000-07:00

I’m really excited about my new adult paranomal romance novel, (with dark magic) DISENCHANTED and its awesome cover designed by the talented Parajunkee Designs.

Release date: Jan 2012

I can’t wait to tell you more about it over the next few months.

And I’ll be talking about it on Twitter with the hashtag #Disenchanted.

In the meantime, here’s the synopsis:

Elizabeth Blackburn, an intelligent and sassy New Yorker, doesn’t believe in the supernatural until she moves into Summerwind Mansion and begins having nightmares about a young woman murdered in the house. She suspects there’s something strange about this place and it’s not just the bad dreams.

Determined to unlock secrets that have remained hidden for centuries, Elizabeth is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. Not to mention, her uncontrollable attraction to the former owner, Dorian Knight. But soon after meeting Dorian, all of her beliefs are tested. He seems so familiar, and as close to Mr. Darcy as she’ll ever get—but Jane Austen never wrote a hero like him--someone who both excites and frightens her.

As the dark history of the Knight family begins to unravel, tensions heighten and old resentments turn deadly. Even though Dorian warns her about a terrible curse–she doesn’t know who or what to believe anymore.

And Elizabeth starts to wonder which she would rather hold onto—her sanity…or her life...

Obsessed with Victorian Architecture

2011-09-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

I’ve always been obsessed with architecture. I’ve always dreamed of owning my own home someday. And I always wanted it to be a Victorian. I have a passion for older houses. There is something so magnificent and charming about them. They have character and style. Grace and elegance. Mystery and antiquity. The years from 1870 to 1906 produced the bulk of San Francisco and Alameda's Victorian houses. The photo above and below is of Halliwell Manor from the TV series, Charmed. (Yes, I am an obsessive former fan)

The Victorian architectural period spans 1825-1900.

The Victorians drew deeply from history, nature, geometry, theory, and personal inspiration to create their designs. Prior to 1890, designers, though properly trained in the academics of standard architectural systems, still managed to employ their own creative ideas. Prior to 1890, designers, though properly trained in the academics of standard architectural systems, still managed to employ their own creative ideas. The years from 1870 to 1906 produced the bulk of San Francisco and Alameda's Victorian houses.

I love the smell of old wood, the feel of a mahogany banister worn smooth by hands over the years, and discovering all the tiny intricate architectural details that were handcrafted so long ago like the steeply pitched roofs and arched bay windows. Gables and decorative trusses abound. To me these are works of art not just homes.

The term Victorian did not start out to describe a design, but a time in history. It refers to the years 1837 to 1901 when Queen Victoria ruled in Britain. There are many designs found in Victorian architecture. The three dominant themes are the Queen Anne, Gothic Revival, and Italianate.

My favorite style is the Queen Anne.

The characteristics of architecture in a Queen Anne Victorian are tall, rambling houses with porches that wrap around the width of the frame. In San Francisco and Alameda, California these types of homes can be seen in abundance.

Queen Anne (1870 - 1910)

Queen Anne style residences have gabled roofs, shingles, angled bay windows and sometimes a turret (or tower). It’s open and spacious porch was one of its most striking features. By the end of the 19th century, most Queen Anne homes featured classic Victorian porches adorned with gingerbread trim, brackets, ornate spindles and spandrels, intricate sawn-wood balusters, fluted columns, or turned and painted posts.

Some homes also added cupolas or gazebos to their property. Even the little touches in a Victorian home were meant to project a sense of exoticism and sophistication. Elephant statuettes, hanging ferns, and peacocks embroidered on pillows were not uncommon. Lace doilies, pewter candleholders, enormous chandeliers, and antique dolls also characterize a Victorian home.

All of my novels have at least one Victorian home in them. In my make-believe world, I get to walk the hardwood floors, admire the detailed crown-molding, sit in a window seat and look out stained-glass windows.

I may never own the home of my dreams, but my characters can...

In honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11

2011-09-11T10:52:00.001-07:00

Today we should honor the men, women and children who lost their lives during the horrific terrorist attack on the World Trade Centers and Pentagon.

To all those brave people who gave their lives. And the Heroes that responded to the emergency on Sept 11, 2001. To all the families and friends who lost a loved one on one of the most horrific and tragic events in our nation’s history.

"Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children." - President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

View The Pentagon Memorial

Twin Towers Memorial

Do most writers have a, you know, quirk?

2011-08-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

The reason, I ask is I was discussing this with a fellow writer and we had very different writing styles. Technically, she’s says that she’s more of a typist than a writer. And I like to let my characters dictate where the story is going.

I create characters as if they were real people. I don't confine them to any simple metaphors. I let the characters develop into who they are, with both good and bad personality traits.

And I assume that most writers do that too.

That’s when your best writing comes out—when you let go and let the characters drive the story. Although, a bit of my own personality does reflect some of my heroine’s choices—but not all. I like my heroines to be feisty, quirky and funny. I like my heroes to be brooding, suave, and dangerous. I want my make-believe world to be an incredible adventure and an emotional journey for my readers. I want to create stories that before you know it; you’ll find yourself swept up in the intrigue as you hurry to turn those pages.

I like to think that my prose is a bit different from the “norm of young adult novels" you may be used to reading. My goal is to make my stories so suspenseful and believable that you will find yourself walking in the heroine's shoes, seeing the world through her eyes, speaking her words, and hopefully feeling her emotions.

My odd writing quirk?

Well, when I’m writing a story in a specific genre I totally emerge myself in that theme. Don't want any outside distractions or influences...

For example, whatever genre or theme I’m writing; I ONLY read and watch anything related to that particular subject. Sort of like a method actor.

When I wrote the first few drafts of Beautifully Broken, I ONLY watched movies that had either ghosts or haunted houses and read stories about real ghostly encounters. I even read true stories about people who have encountered demons and shadow people. There was a ton of great information out there.

Then I researched teen slang, wraiths, witchcraft, Wicca, magic, spell casting, and Victorian mansions. I wanted the heroine's encounters with the shadow people and demon to seem as real as possible. I read a ton of documented paranormal cases to make the story more realistic. The research was fun and completely fascinating. Wanted to stay in the zone—so to speak. And it really gave me great ideas and helped me flesh out the story.

Also, I visited the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, which is a Victorian mansion with over a 100 rooms. I've been obsessed with Victorians ever since I first toured the mansion as a child.

Since I love all things supernatural, it does instigate itself into my prose. As a result, I construct all my stories with some sort of dark, mysterious, and eerie setting. I like to listen to creepy music on YouTube and/or spooky sound effects (Halloween soundtracks are the best!) while I'm writing a suspenseful scene.

When I started writing my adult paranormal/romance novel, "Disenchanted" (with Pride & Prejudice undertones), I watched a ton of period-piece movies and read Jane Austen. I researched myths on immortals and necromancers, the city of Carmel, and Victorian dress and language. A lot of work, but so worth it!

Now I'm researching Lycan lore and zombie eating habits.

Love doing research, and aren’t we lucky as writers in this day and age to have the Internet—such a vast wealth of information—at our fingertips?

Maybe I’m just weird. ;-)

And you know what? I can live with that…

Supernatural Smackdown Event!

2011-08-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

"Congrats on a well deserved victory, Antony!"

Supernatural Smackdown

Shiloh Ravenwolf vs. Antony Medichi!

The first annual Supernatural Smackdown event has arrived. Characters from all over the world unite for the premiere entertainment event. Held in a super secret location, supernatural characters will put their talents to the test to win the World Champion title and everything that comes along with it.

Are you ready supernatural fans?

Let’s get ready to rumble!

vs.

Hosted by:

Dark Faerie Tales

Parajunkee’s View

Twitter #SuperSmack

To learn more about Caris Roane and her novels, please visit this awesome website: CarisRoane.com

Writing Young Adult Romance

2011-08-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

This post should be tilted: Creating Emotional Conflict in Your YA Characters.

Writing realistic Young Adult romance isn't easy. As a teenager, most of my relationships were pretty turbulent. Lotta drama. And confusion. Reading-Too-Much-Into-Things. Jealousy. Each new love was exhilarating. Every break up was the end-of-the-world.

Not to be a traitor to my gender, but as females, we often tend to not only listen to the words a guy says, but watch his body language and facial expressions, which can be ambiguous, and then totally read-into-it.

As a writer, the hardest part of writing romance is making the relationship seem as realistic as possible between the two main characters. No insta-love. Which happens a lot in young adult novels.

Instant lust and attraction—yes. Love? No. It is even harder trying to capture the true essence of the turbulence associated with teen romance. Plus, you gotta have tension in any good story.

Physical attraction or infatuation can be very intense, especially during the early stages of a relationship, so extreme that it can be confused for real love. Romantic love is formed when attraction, friendship, and intimacy are combined. Most relationships began with an initial attraction (a crush or “lust at first sight”) and then develop into something more.

It is impossible to have everyone love your work. If truth be told, the more people that enthusiastically love your stories, the more people who will hate it. And various readers—will also transfer their feelings about the book(s) to you. That said, some reviewers didn’t like the up-and-down relationship between the two main characters in my novel, Beautifully Broken. Sure, they had chemistry and attraction. But they also had a few arguments and misunderstandings that naturally happen in most relationships, right?

(Let’s not forget the fact that the heroine in my book has to deal with a vengeful wraith, the usual teen traumas, a dysfunctional family she loves to hate, and a demon trying to suck out her soul.)

Yet each character is emotionally flawed in their own way.

Just like all fictional characters, my heroine is not perfect. She has flaws. Trust issues. Mommy issues. Valid fears. Her cardinal trait is emotional intensity. Otherwise, she won't be able to push the story forward as a realistic character should. One of the most interesting insights character relationships offer is how a character acts differently around other characters. Sometimes the chemistry between the two main characters can strengthen one character but weaken the other.

Their love story expresses loss and pain. A series of misunderstandings and old festering wounds. Lust and attraction. But at its core it is a story about the power of first love, and the courage of two hearts that were meant to beat tremendous odds just to be together…

But will destiny split them apart?

For the hero, Trent, his mother died at a young age and his father abandoned him after her death. He’s been hurt and neglected by his family. His arrogance is his shield against getting to close to anyone, because he is afraid of getting hurt.

For the heroine, Shiloh, her mother has never really been the “motherly” type. She is cold and indifferent. Years ago, Shiloh tried to kill herself and her mother didn't even bother to come to the hospital to see her. It wounded her deeply. Shiloh strives in school to get grades and be noticed, earn some praise from her mother. This doesn’t work.

In a way, both characters in my young adult novel, Beautifully Broken are very needy of parental love and acceptance. Openness and honesty is hard for them. When they find each other it’s difficult to let down their carefully built walls and…just trust their hearts.

Besides, I’ve always thought the hottest romances were the ones with a little friction, passion, and tension. If we’re being honest, when you meet someone new and are getting to know that person, you don’t know what subjects are off-limits or what questions they might be touchy about.

Sure, most of the quarrels between the hero and heroine of my novel could have easily been solved by better communication. But instead of having the characters find instant love—the romance includes the awkwardness and insecurity that comes with first love and dating. There is miscommunication. Misunderstanding. Doubt. Even drama.

Teenage girls ride an emotional roller coaster that begins during puberty. There are a lot of emotional highs and lows. One of the most obviously dramatized aspects of high school is teen romance. While every relationship has its problems, during the adolescent years the ups and downs seem to be magnified due to raging hormones and inexperience.

Teen relationships are a complex subject…if you’re a girl in a relationship, there’s a gazillion questions that will fill your mind: Am I happy? Does he really like me? When he says that he really cares about me how do I know if he means it? He mentioned his ex-girlfriend, is he still thinking about her? He didn’t call when he said he would, am I losing him?

As a teen, romance and dating, mingled with new emotions can be confusing. Teens can become overwhelmed with all sorts of emerging feelings, such as anticipation, happiness, and uncertainty.

Personally, I like to create quirky female characters with sassy assertiveness that don’t need love, but find it nonetheless. Once, they learn to trust themselves, that asking for help doesn’t make them weak, and it’s okay to be emotionally vulnerable, they become strong and resilient.

At the end of Beautifully Broken, this type of realization gives the main character, Shiloh the wisdom to understand that while she does not have all the answers, she does know that she can overcome any obstacle that might darken her path.

And Shiloh certainly doesn’t need a guy to rescue her, she can do that all by herself…

That said, who are your favorite fictional YA couples?

All Things Witchy

2011-08-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, it seems as though summer is going by too fast! Mostly because there hasn’t been an incredible amount of hot weather this year. Too much morning fog and overcast days that don't burn off until noon. Of course, living in the Bay Area the weather doesn’t get hot until Indian summer in the months of late August, September, and October.

Well, I’ve completed 60 pages on the sequel, Beautifully Haunted. Yay! My goal is to have a decent draft to send off to my editors by mid-September, then comes the endless rounds of edits. Which honestly, I enjoy more. I get to add the elements and descriptive tags that make a book come to life for the reader. Insert peeks at Shiloh’s personality, thoughts and feelings. Create suspense in scenes where the pacing is too slow.

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of witch and witchcraft related reading. Both fiction and non-fiction. I’ve also discovered some great witchy blogs. The blogs are great for helping me with Wiccan research and learning more about casting and the Craft.

Although, the narrative of my series is loosely based on the actual Wiccan Religion; as a fiction writer, I have taken certain liberties with the portrayal of real witchcraft purely for entertainment purposes to fit the theme of my story.

The premise of the Spellbound Series involves an adolescent girl who is chosen by an ancient prophecy to have magickal powers to defeat paranormals and battle other evils in the cursed town of Whispering Pines. She accomplishes this with the assistance of her friends and family.

And I'm thrilled that there is a new witchy TV drama airing this fall! Yay! Along with The Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith's, I read The Secret Circle novels and loved them. Now I can’t wait to watch the TV show.

For now, I’d love find more great witch-related teen books to read.

Any suggestions?