see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Thanks for the patience! New Author’s Notes ASAP

Warning!!! I ramble. There is a point. I do eventually get to it. LOL

The Story up to now: Regan, a bodyguard for celebrities and socialites, escorts the mayor’s son to a museum benefit for a religious archeologist seeking more money. Before we get to find out much about the Dr or the people at the party, we find out that her contact Andre is missing, her sister goes out of her way to guilt her into coming to see her the next day and then that something is wrong that an old friend and one of the venue security think she needs to be in on. Find out what happens next in Chapter 2

Sadly and also because it’s unedited…for the moment I don’t have many show note links. If I go back and re-listen I will edit. So here are the links I remember.

KL Grady - FiveScribes
Jackie Kessler - Cat and Muse
Scott Sigler
Christiana Ellis - Nina Kimberly the Merciless
Tee Morris
Philippa Ballantine
JC Hutchins - Personal Effects: Dark  Art

Promo: The Computer King

Guardians Chapter 1

Take a listen to the following Author Cast for your update on Chapter 1.

So tired ack!
But really quick I want to point you as some AWESOME links. Take a look at all the NET LOVE I’ve been shown.

Jackie Kessler’s Cat and Muse Interview with Raegan
Karen Syed’s mention of Guardians’ Release
Dead Robots Society’s Interview w me!

And now bed. Remember to track me down if you are at Balticon to grab your extra ticket to win one of the Zunes!

Or, if you’d like to get creative and get an extra chance to win all you have to do is find some way to advertise the url and name of Guardians, then track me down at the convention and get your extra ticket. Write it on yourself, write it on a t-shirt or make a paper hat, post it on a sign on your back. I’ll even help you, several places around the Con I’ll put some temporary tattoos. Find one, wear it, and show me! And last but not least if you make such a big splash with your advertisement that I spot YOU in the crowd, I’ll come and give you 2 tickets.

Now you’re saying…but how on earth will I find you? Easy…I’m on two other panels and you can find those in the Balticon schedule. I’ll be at many of the new media and podcasting panels. I’ll be at the New Media Party on Saturday night. And I have twitter and I’ll be posting where I"m at and what I’m doing!

So…the info you need to know:
What to advertise: Guardians and http://www.guardiansnovel.com
My twitter acct: kimidreams
The drawing: Chesapeake Suite, Sunday at 6pm

Things are so crazy while I get ready for Balticon next week, and I have been trying to head off the flue that I slipped a bit on my time release. But I believe this is the best question answered so far! Check it out.

• Writing is the only thing to do
• Writing the Touch Chick
• Holly Lisle and the Case of the Exploding Cat
• Balticon Techno
• Get Out of your Own Way
• Five Reasons Authors should Podcast

This is me…raw and uncut! Enjoy!

Go take a listen as we count down the days left until Guardians is released. 17 days and counting!

• Balticon
• Scott Sigler
• Guardians
• Tee Morris
• Philippa Ballantine
• Soulhuntre
• Soulhuntre’s Flickr
• Herdwatching

Balticon May 22-25th

• Tale Chasing Live!
• Creating a Serialized Audiobook
• Best Promotion Techniques from the New Media Pros

Send in your question for next weeks Angellus Journal in the comments or call 201.860.1586

Remember to send in your questions by leaving comments here on Guardians, by email or calling 201.830.1586

You don’t have to have any experience but enjoy reading and know what you like!

We’re trying something a little new. Since some of you don’t read the blog I am reading some of the more important posts to you in my cast. You are free to skip over them but keep in mind I may add a little bit or answer questions posed in the blog so it might not be exactly the same.

We’ll have a promo from JC Hutchins and his new book coming out - Personal Effects: Dark Art

And in the second half we have a snipped version of accomplishments vs new years resolutions.

Check it out!

I am standing with 8k words in my hands, wondering if it’s good enough. This is no doubt, not an uncommon process or issue for writers. So let me tell you about how I got here.

I sent out my first chapter to about 5 people. I figured that since I’m happily on the 5th Chapter and I still wish to get earlier chapters podcast it was about time in the process to do a final edit and get it out to the voice actors. Hence the need for a few beta readers.

Each person I sent it to had some issues with my first chapter. One person in particular helped me see that I was showing the opposite of what I’d intended with my main character. This left a hearty but not impossible re-write. InkGypsy, who’s become a big supporter and very helpful, calmed some of the stress. No, I didn’t need to trash it and start all over. Yes, it could be fixed with a bit of change here and there. It was all going to be ok.

So for the last week or two I’ve been mulling over how to fix Chapter 1. Then upon talking with someone else, I realize….we might not be getting into the action soon enough. There might not be enough uf in my first chapter. Suddenly everything I have written looks extraneous and do I need to cut out large chunks of what I’ve written or do I keep it and some small change can keep it salvagable? *sounds of screams and much head holding*

My thought is…if I cut out a large amount of what I’ve written to make things happen faster….isn’t that just making a book into a short story? I want to avoid doing that. It’s a novel I’m writing not a 5k word short.

Sadly, there is no resolution to my questions yet. This post is about my process and I haven’t found the answer yet. But I felt it was good to get this out here as I’m sure there are a few others of you right now holding your heads and sighing. We aren’t lost. We’ll discover the way out.

I do however, want to leave you with a few good links I’ve found:
A Novel in Three Acts Pt 1 - Stacia Kane
A Novel in Three Acts Pt 2 - Stacia Kane
A Novel in Three Acts Pt 3 - Stacia Kane
The Fear of Writing
Holly Lisle’s Think Sideways Course

Warning: This episode is recommended for mature audiences only.

Show Notes:

Promo: Acts of Desperation

Mark Henry
Jenna Black - Morgan Kingsly Series
Kensington Books
Cherie Priest
Richelle Mead
Caitlin Kittridge
Kat Richardson
League of Reluctant Adults
Stacia Kane
Jackie Kessler
Douglas Winter - Less than Zombie
Paranormal Bender Tour
Jaye Wells
DragonCon
Charlain Harris
Tracie Lords
John Waters
Powells Books
Romantic Times Convention
Mario Acevedo

I realize I haven’t written here in a while either. Part of that was because I went back and forth about the issue of “does anyone read the posts”? Because my feed contains both the posts and the podcasts I don’t know how many read the blog. (hint - feel free to speak up in the comments section if you do so I can get a count)

Of course then there are all the other life reasons. I experienced some seasonal depression, there were holidays, and amongst all of that I spent time pulling myself further into unhappiness because I couldn’t figure out why I had things I knew needed to be done, things I wanted to get done…but not the ability to get myself motivated enough to do it.

This is a problem I’ve had for quite a while. And I expend a decent amount of brain power beating myself up about it. I found myself at Barnes and Nobel in the self-help section a week ago quite by accident. On a lark I decided to look through the books to see if anyone had any big advice on how to get motivated. There were a few on procrastination and I picked up one that I’m going thru a little at a time. I’ll be happy to recommend it if I find that it becomes helpful. I’m sure I can’t be the only one out there with this issue.

(I may have just come up with a good idea how to get blog posts to those people who only listen to my feed.)

Anyway, one of the things the book was useful for was finding out “why” you procrastinate. At first I couldn’t answer this question. It wasn’t like I didn’t know what to do. I even liked doing a bunch of the things I keep putting off. I’m not really afraid of making a mistake while doing them. So why did I put off things like putting up a post or a podcast? Why did I promise myself tomorrow I’d write some on Guardians? Or the same with any number of things I put off? It’s certainly not the full answer…because there is a hint of fear that what I write won’t be good enough or that I’ll write it and find out it’s wrong and needs to be re-written (an upcoming post)….

But the answer is…I find so many cool ideas I want to pursue that I bury myself in projects. Podcasts (I help with 3 right now), my book (short stories to draw attraction until it’s finished), voice work (for pay or for traffic - I’ve got two parts I’m currently playing besides mine), working on my fitness (food, trainer, cardio and weights), interviews (I have 3 ARC’s to read and at least 6 other people lined up I want to interview for the podcast), critique partner auditions (5 currently “auditioning”…3 who’ve sent return scenes to critter), helping others in my circles (I have 3 people expecting me to eventually get around to reading their current projects and maybe crit for them), and the endless list of podcast novels and shows I want to listen to (don’t even ask me how many that is).

Are we seeing a trend? I simply get overwhelmed by the amount of things I need/want to do. I don’t look at it that way in the moment. When I’m thinking about how I don’t want to write right now or “I think I’ll edit that later”…it’s just this dread…this tiredness. But when I look at the larger picture it’s clear to me…why on earth would I want to do any of the things I have to do when I’ve picked so many things and have so many people counting on it to all be done NOW.

There are people waiting for new episodes of Tale Chasing, people waiting for Guardians to come out, people waiting for the voice work, and expecting me to interview them. There are people who are looking forward to seeing my fitness progress. And I’ve told them all I’m working on each thing right this minute. Though no one but me knows it….each track has the same deadline. The immediate future. I think that calls for a reason to feel overwhelmed.

So…what am I going to do about it now that I know what’s happening. It’s not a perfect plan and like the book says, the object is not to “cure” procrastination but to do it less. I was referred to a site called Team WorkPM. It is a project management site and I’ve found it useful to seperate the projects I have and list the tasks that need to be performed and in what order to get them done. That has a least let me get it all out of my head so I don’t feel like I might forget something. And knowing what to do next is helpful.

Another suggestion from the book is to pick something little and accomplish it. Even something so small as writing an email is enough to get the ball rolling. Accomplishment gains momentum the more you add to it, and the more you add to it the more motivated you are to get things done. Because you feel that you can, you know that you are capable.

The last note on how I’ve been working on this is the obvious. Stop adding to the pile until I get something significant done. I have already caught myself twice going … “no, now is not the time to take that on.” And to me that’s a huge success. (of course reading back on this post I realize that while my idea on how to help those of you who don’t read the blog is part of the “Podcast Project”…techniquely it’s a new thing to add to the list of things to do. Some habits are hard to break but at least I caught it.)

So….if any of this sounds familiar…I hope this entry helps you.

(as a side note: There are two podcasts recorded and set to be put up shortly. Guardians is on it’s 5th chapter and I’m at 8500 words. I’m set to re-write the first chapter and get it back to a crit partner. I’m doing well with my fitness and have done two training sessions and have a plan on how to get better progress. I’ve also managed to stay away from foods I shouldn’t eat and keep with the every 4 hours eat thing.)

But I have been working. I’ll be getting up a new podcast here shortly. Topic: Resolutions? Let’s try Goals.
There will also be a special guest host reading an excerpt from his soon to be released new book, RoadTrip of the Damned…author Mark Henry!

So if you still get me on your rss feed. I’m glad you are still around. I’ve got some exciting casts planned and a few that are already taped, I’m just waiting for some permission to post them. I’ll be putting up a DragonCon 2008 panel talk from Michelle Belanger after the afore-mentioned cast goes up!

And how is Guardians? It’s going peachy. Much writing on it has been taking place. I’m thinking of putting up a word counter on the side so you all can see the progress. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think about that.

Cybrois - Promo
Anthesis - Promo
Twilight Trailer
Twilight - The movie
Stephanie Meyer
Behind the Scenes Making of Twilight - click through for more
Robert Pattinson

Thanks for your patience!!

Please send an mp3 file to kimi@talechasing.com named: Ben_yourname_audition.mp3

Ben: 30’s, confident, capable, use to getting his way, will be learning empathy over the course of the book so at first he won’t seem to understand the basic workings of humanity.

(bemused…curious…only very slightly smug for second sentence)
Line 1: I always wondered what went on in your head Reagan. Interesting that some areas are boxed specifically with my name on it.

(non-sympathetic…almost resigned…non-compromising)
Line 2: He’ll have to be sacrificed. It’s not an option to negotiate a trade.

(speaking softly as if trying not to be heard from someone near asleep…slightly surprised…almost tender)
Line 3: She’s truly amazing. Despite the reasons she has to give up on people, she still fights for them. Its…endearing.

Learn how to adapt your written work into a podcast or podiobook from the award winning folks who make it happen, and find out the special tricks of the trade that will make your podcast novel stand out.

Michael Stackpole, J.C. Hutchins, Tee Morris, MW Selznick, Seth Harwood, Christiana Ellis

Take my poll here!

A TC episode is also coming to explain why I’m asking and where I’m at! It’ll be a good one. I’m really hyped about progress!

More then anything I need to know if you’d feel gyped if an episode was under 15 mins. Thanx!

For those of us having trouble understanding our villians!

P.S. I think I’m missing episode 20 but who’s to say it won’t find it’s way in the feed someday

Here are the links mentioned in the show:

• MurVerse
• Heaven
• Hell
• Earth
• Wasteland
• Playing for Keeps
• News from Poughkeepsie
• Geek Fu Action Grip
• I Should Be Writing
• Mursbitches.com
• The Take Over
• Scott Sigler
• Podiobooks
• Evo Terra
• PG Holyfield
• Balticon
• JC Hutchins
• Earl Newton
• Rich Sigfrid
• Joss Weadon
• Buff the Vampire Slayer
• Online Writers Workshop
• Viable Paradise
• Matt Wallace
• Set Harwood
• Fossil Watches
• Metamor City
• Murder at Avedon Hill
• Magic Tree House Books
• Eugie Foster
• Zen_Jewitch
• RobinInSeoul
• Origins
• GenCon
• DragonCon
• Throwing Toasters
• Luke Ski
• Ookla the Mok
• Sudden Death
• Lulu.com
• Jonathan Colton

Babbling Writers:
Writers discuss what it’s like to podcast about the subject that is nearest and dearest to them- fiction writing.
J.C. Hutchins, Tee Morris, Scott Sigler, Mur Lafferty, P G. Holyfield, Philippa Ballantine, Michael Stackpole

Once it is released to the public I’ll post a link here for you to be able to go and get if you choose.
So you’re wondering (I know you are) what’s next? Well here’s the list…

• Put up next DragonCon panel podcast
• Record SSF for @dsawyer
• Quick run through of bumpers made the other day and send out
• Create 2 promos for “client”
• Finish Mur’s Interview and release
• Make and release “gift/offer” for TC followers
• Play with Staxx Tracks and create new TC intro/outro
• Write up project HTRAB: non-fiction
• Write up project WMBDSM

And while I”m working on that short list I’ll be working catching up on Guardians and releasing it very soon! It is the current priority goal. (I’ll also be starting back on my workout plan, etc)

So I’m off to recover from being sick like dog…while I do that…head over to enter for the big giveaway celebration that Holly’s offering!

It’s going to take me a while to get to the recordings from the other panels because they will have to possibly be edited then approved by the people on the panels. But there some good stuff about urban fantasy and writing with some awesome authors.

This first panel I’m putting up is Podcasting for Promotion. It is one of the panels that I was on. Here’s the description:
Podcasting has become a powerful tool. Learn different ways to promote just about anything.
With: Evo Terra, Tee Morris, KimiDreams, Marc Gunn, Christiana Ellis

I’ll also put a button on the side bar.

I am looking for donations and in return I will make a promo using the music from my purchases FOR FREE for YOU! You can use this promo to push your blog, novel, podcast, or any of those for a good friend of yours. HELP ME HELP YOU TO HELP YOURSELF!!

*edited to remove the chipin widget*

Enjoy
Show Notes:

Tee Morris

Adventures in SciFi Publishing ( my bad I said American SciFi Writing)

Lost Socks Insanity Podcast

Scott Sigler

Mur Lafferty - I Should Be Writing

DragonCon

Ivy Riesner - Writing Cast

PJ - Tech for Writers

PC Haring

Holly Lisle - Shop

Kimi’s Tarot Lines

Kimi’s Advice Lines

Ingenio

Ink Gypsy

Renderosity

Deviant Art

Ian McLein (props to anyone who finds the beta pic)

Poser

The Devil Inside

David Mack

How to Think Sideways - Holly’s 6 month course

My calendar: Kimi’s Calendar

Flickr Pictures (soulhuntre since he’s got a pro account) : http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulhuntre/

Sadly, as you see I was unable to get up Mur’s interview and it’s on my list to do when I get back. I also was unable to finish the recording for Holly but I have it all recorded and can finish it up quickly when I get back. There will be lots to do when I get back in ever aspect of my life. Among them I spoke with an author today who is helping raise money among herself and other authors for sciatic fibrosis. I will be donating a promo for the site as well as donating a promo and some podcasting advice among the prizes being given away for their read/write-athon. There are many perks to doing this.

However, on to the reason I brought you all here. I planned to get up a short story from the Guardian Universe and even had Lisa Tobias read it for me, but I didn’t have time to edit it either. I did, however, get up a teaser of Chapter 1 and it can be found at the Guardians Novel site.

So…enjoy! Until later from Atlanta.

There will be other characters as I go but these are the last two main characters I need currently. Please send your audition to kimi@talechasing.com with the format yourname_character.mp3

Thanks!

Erin – female, mid 20’s, club kid air but is actually very wise and “old”. Major Character

At a club, she’s just been asked about her wings since she’s dressed up in goth costume:
“Thanks, they’re a bitch to take off though! I swear, if one more guy tugs on them with a comment about how he’ll help me out of them I’m liable to show him one of the deadly sins … and it ain’t lust!”

Helping her roommate (the heroine) who’s just been hurt after someone has broken in. She’s amazingly calm for the situation
“Put the ‘bad ass’ on the back burner and lay still. I’m not your sister, so let me take care of you for a few. I promise not to damaging your rep.” (last part said with a smile) (Reagan looks at her a little in shock but is in pain.) “What? You didn’t honestly think I can’t see behind your masks did you?”

Jessica – female, younger sister of main character. 20’s. She’s a “sister” – religious. Kind but not a door mat.

“Grams said I should have lunch with you. She seems to think I can give you advice that might be useful. What does she mean Rae? What kind of advice could I possibly give you?”

She’s just been told something amazing pertaining to her faith. At first she thinks she’s being made fun of.

“That’s not funny Rae. This isn’t any better than the time you told me that the “ghost” from the ouiji board was following me and then left a black rose on my desk at school! I thought you were at least trying to understand my choices.”

I’m working on the next part of Guardians and still seeking a few voice actors for some characters coming up. Things are going well with Holly’s Ebook and I’m on track to deliver to her before DragonCon in TWO WEEKS!!

Things are going a little slow with the “Thinking Sideways” workshop from Holly Lisle. Partly because I’m dividing my time between projects and the class. Currently I’m trying to get in touch with my Muse, so if you see her please let her know I’m patiently waiting for her to drop back by. It’s very much worth the time and money. A lot of it is helpful for life, not just writing. So I’m really digging it. I’m also going to use it to refine Guardians.

I’m including my entry for Mur’s Stories from the Third Wave in prep for her release of Playing For Keeps on the 25th. This was the first full-cast Stories of the Third Wave.  Love Lines producer, editor, and concept created by Kimi Alexandre. All the participants created their own characters and their own lines for Love Lines.

* Dora Holly – Kimi Alexandre
* Jason Block – Jason Block
* Amora - Ivy Reisner
* Bruno – Chad Henderson
* Shelly – Paulette Jaxton
* Julie - Pamela Templin
* Kim - Comic Book Goddess

Love Lines - A story from the Third Wave

I know…You want to know what the hell the name of the book is already. It’s called Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke. And it’s so special because it’s about dragon shapeshifters. She had a huge opportunity to do this poorly and she didn’t. She wrote about these guys so well you can not only imagine what they look like but you can see them fighting! I also loved the heroine because while she was logical and a bit skeptical there’s not a lot of hysterics or days full of denying what she’s seen. She also managed to say all those things we say out loud to the hero (even though none of them can hear us). It was nice to finally be with a heroine who was on the same page as I was. She made a realization, I made it with her, and she told him! It was also nice to meet a heroine who ENJOYS being looked after. She managed to be strong AND happy about having someone pamper her. So thank you Deborah!

As a treat for you, I contacted her and she’ll be coming on Tale Chasing soon for an interview! Now…everyone go by this book!!

Oh and keeping with the dragon theme….I have some dragon eggs…please help them hatch!

I’m not a real big fan of zombies….but this is really funny! Enjoy

One of them is the Muse Online 2008 Conference.

The Muse Online Writer’s Conference is unique and I am thrilled to see all the positive responses trickling in from everyone.

You’ll get to meet some publishers, authors of various genres, editors…all here to answer questions you may have on writing, all teamed up on one writing lounge.

Bookmark us and come back often to see who we place in our PRESENTERS webpage and who will be conducting what in our Interactive Chat Lounge on the Second Floor of the Muse Convention Hall.

More info to come each and every day.

It look like a lot of fun and very informative as well. It’s being held OCTOBER 13 - 19, 2008 and registration is now open if you are interested in joining the fun! Check it out!

This is, btw, for @BlaqueSaber who comments that most writers’ blogs don’t talk much about writing.

This interview is with Tee and Philippa as they prepare for their release of their books to Amazon on 08.08.08

I was anxious to get this interview up. So along with the show notes from PG’s interview I’ll get the show notes up for this one tomorrow as well! Enjoy!

As a side note: Currently PodPress doesn’t work with WordPress 2.6 so if you simply click on “listen” you will be able to listen to the podcast in your defaul media player on your computer. Right clicking will allow you to download it.

To make up for it a little bit, I will have a special audio file with PG and another special for later with PG and Mur together! But regardless you will have PG’s Interview very very shortly! I PROMISE!

For now…I’d like to offer you the best thing I could think of as a peace offering.

The Pitchers Pendant by Tee Morris - PDF
Digital Magic by Philippa Ballantine- PDF

• Writing and recording Chapter 1 Guardians
• Setting up GuardiansNovel.com
• Editing previous recorded Interviews to put up on TaleChasing soon
• Organizing all the volunteers for a BDSM festival next weekend
• Scheduling all the security volunteers for said event
• Helping with the scheduling of other events at said event
• Doing a final edit of my friend’s new book being released at said event - The Forked Tongue
• A complete server move for over 25 domains I’m associated with
• Planning and beginning the write of Chapter 2 of Guardians
• Taking Advice, Tarot, and “other” calls to make a little extra green
• Working out like a dog to loose some weight for the event

Whew…I’ve been busy.

Here’s what my next week and change looks like:

• Finishing placing a few spots left to fill at the event
• Organizing sheets and giving out all my volunteers their final hours for the event
• Finishing up the server move
• Taking a few extra calls for the cash
• Packing for the event
• Dying my hair before the event
• A small shopping trip to Khols before the event
• And then Thursday - Monday running around like mad and hopefully having some fun at THE EVENT!

What am I planning for after the event?

• Doing finishing edits on 3 interviews
• Putting up the PG Holyfield Interview
• Putting up the Mur Lafferty Interview
• Putting up the Tee Morris/Philippa Ballantine Interview (I did today)
• Putting up the first Chapter of Guardians
• Making some cash on phone calls so I can go to DragonCon
• Writing and putting up the 2nd Chapter of Guardians

And there you have it….where I been, what I’m doing, where I’m going. So hopefully you can understand why there has been a delay in not only podcast episodes for here…but for Guardians as well. Thank you for your understanding. Peace out

I had help editing the PG Holyfield interview and I can get that up very soon. So…it’s coming…thank you all for baring with me.

more cat pictures

It’s getting down to the wire for the event I’m helping put together so I have all that to deal with and I had no idea how much of a nightmare coordinating so many people was. I’m doing it but part of it makes me want to scream at people or tear my hair out.

I had a post in mind I wanted to write but it requires a bit more thought then these small update posts do so that will have to be put on hold as well. I just wanted to give you an update on all the things happening and tell ya I’m working on it.

The good news is, I’ve slotted the parts for everyone in Chapter 1 and I’m getting them recorded this week. My weekend is so packed with a family movie of “The Happening”, a TESFEST meeting on Saturday, and Father’s Day on Sunday I may not make my imposed deadline of July 15th but we won’t be far off! I’m started to get SO excited! I hope you are as well.

So…keep your eyes and ears open and go and subscribe to Guardian’s so you are the first to hear it when it goes live. Please also feel free to download the promo and play it if you’d like!

Next podcast coming, Interview with P.G. Holyfield

Please send your audition to kimi@talechasing.com. Make the file name with your name and the character name.

Erin - (female, 20 something, confident, seems naive sometimes, on a mission, concerned about religious happenings, no concept of time)

“A cathedral was broken into last night. They tore it apart looking for something I guess……. I wonder if they found it.”

“Has it ever occurred to you that the things you’ve been seeing, might really be there?”

Chris Murphy - (male, model, 20 something, laid back and confident)

“You can’t blame them Raegan, you do look good enough to eat in that.”

“Please tell me we can leave soon.”

Dr. Ackerman - (male, professor, religious archeologist, intelligent, not telling everything he knows, 30’s)

“I’d love for you to bring your lovely guest to view the documents I’ve just found. Once I’ve deciphered the script they are written in they promise to set the church on it’s ear.”

“I’m the one paying and you’ll do what I want. I’d tell you to quit, but we both know you won’t….now that your curiosity is piqued.”

Guard - (male, stiff and doesn’t like being pushed around by a woman)

“If you’re a bodyguard, then I wear diapers on my days off.”

“We’re sorry for keeping you waiting. If you’ll follow me, I’ll get you to your table.”

Bob - (male, psychotic, “serial killer”, bad guy)

“Feel free to fight…I like that.”

“It’s not my damn fault you gave me a body that isn’t worth shit!”

Apprentice (female, confident, righteous)

“Take care of this one, will you? I’ll be happy to send you back where you came from and find someone competant.”

“Don’t pretend you have no clue what you did! We both know you are much smarter then that. Sadly you wont be smart enough in the end.” (hushed tones)

Trace – (male, 20 something)

(embarrassed) “Me personally? Twice.” (relieved) “I’m going to be so glad when I hand him back to Ben.”

“Aww, you ruin all the fun. I was hoping you’d run after them and pull that gun from where ever you keep it.”

Ben – (male, experienced, 30 something)

“You owe me, Ragan. I know I don’t have to remind you about Bali.”

“If I thought it would have effected you, you know I would have told you. You’ve known me long enough to know I don’t put anyone willingly endanger if I can take care of it myself.”

Feel free to download and play on your site or podcast! Help me spread the word. The tentative release date for the first chapter is June 15th!

Runner up in the Guardians Promo contest was @Zen_Jewitch!

This is a podcast recorded in the car discussing Chapter 1 of Guardians with my boss (S.O.)

NOTE: This contains spoilers. Do not listen if you want to be surprised.

Chapter 1 has 2367 words and I’m finishing up the last scene in it and striving for Chapter 2. The discussion in the car prompted a good thought on how to fix my issue with it so I’m letting the last few paragraphs percalate and then I’ll give it one last beta read then put it up.

I’m fixing up GuardiansNovel.com which will be set to open with the first chapter of the podcast novel. I’ll keep you updated as it and the first chapter are set to be released.

Yesterday, I was not hitting on all cylanders. I attempted a podcast (which will be up shortly) that I wasn’t really happy with. I even gathered a few people together to talk about writing and wasn’t very happy with how that turned out either. Later on, when I was thinking about getting to that re-edit I thought back to my evening and decided that I might be better off getting to it tomorrow since it was clear that I wasn’t really happy with my performance. I was pretty ok with that and sat down with a book that I bought to help spark my creativity. I got so into it that I read for several hours. It even sparked me to want my book to be as good.  I read until I got to tired to stay awake.

This morning when I woke up somehow that great spark of hope turned inwards on itself into fear and self-doubt. I contemplated beginning the re-write and nothing I thought about writing seemed like it was going to be good enough. I managed to let my fear take over.

A book I got recently called ‘The War of Art’ by Steven Pressfield, talks about “Resistance” in terms of what keeps people from rising to their potential and fulfilling their desires. You’d think he would tell us that “fear is the mind killer”, which in some cases it is. But his feeling on fear is this:

“Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do….. Resistance is experienced as fear; the degree of fear equates to the strength of Resistance. Therefore the more fear we feel about a specific enterprise, the more certain we can be that that enterprise is important to us and to the growth of our soul. That’s why we feel so much Resistance. If it meant nothing to us, there would be no Resistance.”

He goes on to talk about other interesting ideas reguarding resistance and how to over come it. I’m not quite through with the book but I find that it has a lot of truth in it. I’m still scared of failing to write something people will like, or not writing it well enough. It’s likely going to be a fight I’ll have to work through until the book is finished and maybe even during the next one. But I do want to write this and I do think it can be really good.

So if you think you’re alone in your fear, if you think you’re alone in your fight against Resistance..y.ou’re not. I’m right there with you. Let’s fight it together.

I have maitance to do on the site with promos, along with other work on my plate. I’m trying not to let the fact that I had to take a few days off (and maybe one or two more) get me down about being behind. It happens to everyone right?

So that’s what’s up with me. What’s going on with you’re writing and projects?

I will warn you…this podcast episode has some small NWS content but it’s not that bad. If you are unhappy with alternative life-styles, don’t listen to the second half.

Here’s the deets:

Create a promo for Guardians using the blurb text on the Guardian’s page. You can use creative license with the blurb text but don’t go to far a field. Include that this is a free podcast. Tell them that novel is being done in real time, meaning I’m writing and podcasting as I go.

You are free to word it anyway you wish. Be as creative as you like. Include sound effects or don’t.

Winner Gets:

I will be doing t-shirts for Guardians. If you do the winning promo, you will get a free t-shirt and a your name in black (I can’t afford the lights yet) as well as an exclusive premium writing pen!

Deadline:

May 30th. I hope to release Chapter 1 no later then June 1st.

Of course, part of the reason I decided to save this for later is because I started reading and questioning whether I’d covered all the things they were talking about in my story and characters and that way leads to madness.

So…enjoy!

She had some people from the media who came and other VIP like people. She gave out goodie bags and raffled off some prizes. She had quite a few helpers from her friends and such and it makes me think about if I ever have one what work it will be. LOL It was good experience to have actually.

It was a three hour party, and while pretty much anyone was allowed to come, she had us check off names so she could have a decent accounting of how many people came. The raffle was held 30 mins from the end so that kept most people hanging around to possibly buy something. EVERYONE wanted a gift bag but we only gave out tickets for them to the first 200 people. So many people tried to scam them. LOL Makes me wonder what kind of stuff I could put in a goodie bag if I gave them out. Her’s was a sex/relationship book so lots of the goodies in the bag had something to do with that. No wonder everyone wanted one.

I mentioned that I wouldn’t want to do mine in such a small club but someone mentioned that the atmosphere was probably better with everyone so close together and hyped up. Probably right but ug!

Episode 15, Part 2 will be released tomorrow!

The following were mentioned in the Podcast (in no particular order)

• Bryan Watson
• Philippa Ballantine
• Nobilis
• BaltiCon
• DragonCon
• Metamor Keep
• Blade Runner
• JC Hutchins - 7th Son
• Mur Lafferty - Heaven / Hell
• Scott Sigler - The Rookie / Ancestor
• Tee Morris - Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword
• Leeann Mabry
• Kim Harrison
• Rachel Vincent
• Vicki Petterson
• Seth Harwood - Jack Wakes Up
• Crown Publishing
• The Metamor Forums
• Jim Butcher
• Cunning Minx
• PG Holyfield (which I mention last since they ARE arch-nemesis)

I mentioned I had a few people beta read for me. One of my readers (and thank you to all of you) mentioned that it seemed like what I wrote for Chapter 1 should really be Chapter 3 and that parts of it were probably Chapter 2.  From their comments, they made alot of sense and I really do need to start out the story showing more of her character as a base line for life is normally like for her. I can even make it work so that Chapter 2 is plausible and Chapter 3 is even more believable because of the events of 1 and 2. Confused yet? LOL

So…that’s what my next TO DO is. Figure out how to start Chapter 1 in a way that gets you all right into the action. Come up with a killer hook line for the first sentence and get you all deeply involved in wanting to see what comes next from the action in Chapter 1.

I’ll be heading to hide my head under the covers for a while. *just teasing*

P.S. My net connection went down last night so Episode 14 and 15 - Part 1 and 2 of my Interview with Chris Lester of Metamor City will be up in a few hours. Right now there’s Tuscani pasta from Pizza Hut calling my name.

I have added the cover image to the side bar and I smile everytime I look at it. I’ll be putting up some wallpapers to download soon and you are more then welcome to use the image on the side if you’d like to promote it on your website. Let me know so I can mention you here as well.

I want to thank the people who’ve found my site and talked about it in their blogs or on their podcasts. Also thank you to the people who’ve played my promo! If you have a promo, let’s trade.

Also keep up the comments if you have them. They are very helpful! Ok..back to work. I’ll be putting up an interview cast by this evening!

I just finished helping edit a podcast for PIP (bdsm podcast) and am finishing up a critique for Chris Lester. Over the weekend I wrote 925 words on Chapter 1 of “Guardians”. My cover is almost ready and when I have Chapter 1 done and critiqued I’ll put up a page with some world info and media goodies for you to download and distribute if you’d like to spread the word about my podcast novel!

I’m finishing up edits for the next TC episode: An Interview with Chris Lester of Metamor City. I have a few “interview casts” in the can and as soon as I’m done being sick and get my voice back I have a few “writing casts” to record as well.

I have a “poll” question but I think I’ll simply let you reply in the comments section. Are you interested in my word count and if you are would you prefer a quick block of my words written as I go, a widget showing WIP status, or some other method I don’t know about. Let me know in my comments.

P.S. if you  have written me email, I intend to reply to you I’ve just been swamped!
P.P.S for more fun then you should be having since you SHOULD be writing…check out my new kitty in the side bar. Hover over her…she’s seriously fun to play with!

I will be unveiling it shortly and I can’t wait for you all to see it! I also have a wallpaper image similar to the cover that I’ll be putting up too. Because of these two things I’ll be making a page with character info, world info, etc.

In quick other news, I’ve gotten some great feedback and comments and I’m going to be doing a small episode with those very soon. I’m almost done with Chris Lester’s interview and have others already in the can waiting for you! So stay tuned! You aren’t going to want to miss this!

SO…..last night I did two amazing interviews back to back cause I’m insane like that. The first was with PG Holyfield, followed up with Mur Lafferty and then I got them to both get on the line for a couple mins of spontaneous chat. I had a great time and both of them were increadibly nice as well as seriously helpful. Right now I’ve managed to slate so many interviews that my plan is to get the interviews in the can and work on them one at a time. This way the people I’ve asked for interviews don’t think I’ve forgotten them. I don’t want to flood the feed with just interviews so I may space them out…but that just means I’ll need to get off my butt and either write (which I plan to do) or discuss something interesting in between.

I’ve changed the sidebar a bit. I took down the polls because not many people were taking them. I think I’ll repost them in blog posts and give them a category for anyone who comes to the site. You’re comments, questions, and suggestions are really important to me and very valuable so please feel free to give your opinion if you find the time. Speaking of polls, I would love to know how many people read the blog as well as listen to the podcast. I’m trying to decide if I should make seperate feeds for both or just keep it in one feed so that info would be helpful. Feel free to just leave a quick comment here if you’d like to answer.

Also changed on the sidebar is the “recent comments” section. This will help you see if there are threads going on to any of the posts you might like to voice an opinion on. I also added a donation button to the side. I do not expect donations. But I will welcome any help keeping the site/podcast running.

In voice acting news, I sent in an audition and recieved an email asking me to audition for another character as well, which was way cool. And lastly, I just found out last night that I will speaking at 11am at PodcampNYC 2.0 on “Podcasting for Authors”. So um…wish me luck! I’ll be taking my ipod and mic and recording it so you’ll all get to hear how it goes.

It was an extremely useful article in two ways. One..it’s always good to know what is bothering readers out there so that perhaps you can fix it. I admit, I was slightly overwhelmed when I read the “problem” which didn’t have very much in the way of “HOW” to fix it, until I read far down into the comments.

Vera Nazarian’s main contention was that most UF these days is the same ole same. But here were some points she mentioned to fix those issues.

- Evocation of genuine wonder requires subtlety.

- Evocation of wonder requires genuine enthusiasm for the object of wonder on the part of the author first and foremost — before any of that can be transmitted on to the reader (or to the characters, or to whoever).

- Wonder and humor and smart attitude are not mutually exclusive.

- Humor of the non-wisecracking non-streetwise kind is an option — give it a try (put an ordinary non-funny person with little-to-no attitude in a crazy situation).

- Fast pacing can detract from a sense of wonder; slow down.

- Show don’t tell: present the right details to the reader and that will elicit the wonder regardless of what the characters perceive (regardless of whether they are jaded or not).

- Take it a step further — make the familiar unfamiliar, alienate the reader from the ordinary.

- The pleasure of NEWNESS comes from the re-configuration of the FAMILIAR. No need to discard the familiar and comfortable, just reupholster it (who was it that said there were only 10 plotlines in the world?).

- Attraction is a reaction, to be elicited only, and only from a combination of specific elements that may all be different from reader to reader. There is no other real way to make it happen; no one leather vamp hunk fits all.

- Attraction is a kind of sense of wonder in itself.

- Flimsy facades of wood laminate paste board masquerading as the numinous in fantasy are overdone; give us the paranormal real thing, solid through and through.

- Unexpected real events can be just as striking or more so that banally presented fantastic events (bird poop versus boring fairy).

- Cliches jade not only the reader but the author who is writing them.

- Fairies [other "monster" types] can be very different — we haven’t seen your unique version of them yet…

Stay tuned, coming up in a podcast I’ll talk to Paul Jessup about what he thinks is wrong with Urban Fantasy and how to fix it.

This week I’ll be recording two interviews for the site and working on getting the one I did with Chris Lester up.

Last night I recorded most of my part for Chris’s cast. I finished recording my part for our entry for JC Hutchin’s Obsidian project, my new lines in Astral Audio’s new script and sent did an audition for another cast.

I found out yesterday that not only am I on the following panels for DragonCon but I am on a really awesome panel about Casting your Writing with Tee Morris, Michael Stackpole, and Scott Sigler. I may even have an opportunity to read something while I’m there. So I have a lot to do before August. Get a good percentage of my story written and cast, make biz cards to hand out, make a t-shirt to wear (which means you may have the option to buy one representing the story), and of course the ever present tone up. LOL

These are the panels I’m on:  Webcam Girls, Self Publication, Promoting your Podcast, and Podcasting your Writing

Speaking of T-shirts….I am looking for an artist for an image I have in my head of what I want to represent the story. If you are willing to contribute your time and work for credit on the site and cast and want to send me a sample of your work please email me. The media can definitely be digital, done in poser, or regular.

Here’s a few links worth taking a look at:

• How not to write like an Idiot
• Dissing the Advantages
• Money with a capitol M O N E Y

Btw..I’m also looking for a few good beta readers. What I’m seeking is someone who can critique my story not my grammar. I need feedback on my characters, my setting, what you get out of it, what you think you learned, etc. Feel free to write if you are interested. I should have something to crit in less then a week.

Here’s a few things I found that might be of interest to you. I’ll be adding a few of them to the Resources page as well.

Laurell K Hamilton puts up a post on her blog where she talks about realizing what SHE wants to do and what her Characters want to do are two different things and which way is better to go.

Lawrence Watt Evans, writes several great articles on his site dealing with writing, getting your work published, and sci-fi/fantasy in your work. It’s well worth going and looking over the site.

For anyone who wants to put a touch of the middle ages in their stories, I ran across a site on Castles and the like. It’s a great find for extra believability in your stories.

That’s why I love comments and mail. I want to encourage anyone who wants to participate. I still would love to do more Critter Comments. I take suggestions very seriously, and I’m looking forward to sharing my upcoming story with you all. You all will actually have the ability to help shape it as I go.

So thank you to those of you who’ve taken a few minutes to call in, write, and leave comments on the site. By doing so, you are helping me and I really appreicate it!

The following were mentioned in the podcast in no particular order:

• Holly Lisle’s FREE Mini Plot Clinic
• Holly Lisle’s Plot Clinic
• Orson Scott Card - How to write Sci Fi/Fantasy
• Mind Manager Pro 7

Promo:

I Should Be Writing

In the podcast I talk about how to use Mind Manager or a Bubble Map to help brainstorm for your story. The following link is a .pdf of a sample bubble map using Mind Manger Pro 7. It’s slightly altered from what I mention in my podcast but I’m a writer and we do that kinda thing. It will however make sense once you see it.

I also mention how to figure out the number of scene cards you need depending on your book length. Here is Holly Lisle’s formula for calculating scene cards for building a fast plot.

Mentioned in the podcast in no particular order:

Backspace
Luna Imprint
Mira Imprint
Romantic Times Convention
DragonCon
RWA Convention
Jackie Kessler
Rinda Elliot

I added a few names to the interviews that are coming up soon and made the text a bit bigger so it’s easier to read as well. And I updated the About page just a bit to make it a little more clear what this site and podcast is all about!

As I mentioned above, I may be getting involved in an audio project that I set in motion in February. I’m keeping the details close to my chest but it looks like I may have an opportunity to record some audio books and I’m really excited about it.

The last bit of really exciting news is that it looks like not only is a comment I made on an article in the SF Chronical online mentioned in an article for today but it’ll be printed in the SF Chronical’s paper tomorrow! The article is about how Seth Harwood and Scott Sigler have made such an impact on the publishing world via their free audio podcast of their work. The Tale Chasing site is actually mentioned and will get the exposure of all of their online and print readers! They asked me yesterday if they could repost my comment and it never occured to me that they’d be ‘printing’ the comment as well. So I’m extremely psyched about that!

As a side note, because people are starting to search for “tail chasing” to find the site, I back ordered the tailchasing.com domain in the hopes that anyone looking for this site can find it. Ok…now I’m off to work on my plot.

Also you might want to go over and bookmark the New Releases 2008 page on Urban Fantasy Land. Then start saving your money because you’re going to need it!

• Got part in Metamor City podcast to voice a character
• Asked to do an intro for Scott Sigler’s Nocturnal
• Interviewed Rachel Vincent
• Interviewed Jackie Kessler
• Interviewed Stacia Kane
• Interviewed Chris Lester of Metamor City
• Have an interview slated with Marjorie Liu
• Have an interview slated with Justin Gustainis
• Have an interview in the works with Mur Lafferty
• Have an interview in the works with PG Holyfield
• Collaborating with PseudoJoe, PodcastJunky, and Ivy Reisner on an audio bit for 7th Son: OBSIDAN
• Got listed with PodCastle for voice work
• PodCastle editor said they were looking forward to my short story entry
• Was asked to do a meeting at TES for Service Submissives
• Started my project which will be recorded on Tale Chasing
• Half done with a story to submit to PodCastle
• Got to help critique and offer thoughts on a short story by Tee Morris
• Was given permission to do the audio version of Holly Lisle’s Mini Plot Course
• Was asked to be the Chair for Tesfest Volunteers

I think there is more but I can’t remember at the moment. But all the above is so exciting….I can’t even begin to tell you!

On Friday morning, I got a chance to get Rachel Vincent on the line and we did an interview about her books and writing process. I’m sure you’ll enjoy listening to our converstation.

In related news, this article on how podcasting can get your work out to fans and possibly to publishing houses is a great source of info. Check it out!

Mentioned in the show: (in no particular order)

Sherrilyn Kenyon - Author of the Dark Hunter’s Series
DragonCon�
Metamor City - Chris Lester
Mur Lafferty
Scott Sigler
JC Hutchins
PG Holyfield
Rachel Vincent

The following were mentioned in the podcast (in no certain order)

Stacia Kane
Ellora’s Cave
December Quinn
Passionate Ink Online Writers Group
Romance Writers of America
Jackie Kessler : Cat and Muse

Promo:
The Writing Cast

You can get this audio book and her free pdf for $9.95! Click here for more information.

I skimmed the rest of the blog and there are other posts that look just as useful! Take a peek.

I should have the interview up within a few days as I seem to be getting faster at doing them. Podcasting and my side audio project seems to be my main focus right now. I know, I know…I need to be writing too. I’m getting there. It’s all perculating while I work. Don’t you fear.

Speaking of side project, I mentioned that I had something in the works. As a test model, I have spoken with Holly Lisle and she has given the extra go ahead (her ebook gives permission to begin with) to record her Mini Plot Workshop Ebook. I’ll be selling (yes I have permission) the audio file with the ebook very very soon. Here’s your chance to get your say in. This ebook gives you the starting point to get the basics of your plot down. What would you pay for an audio and ebook mini course? Leave a comment or send me email!

The following were mentioned in the show:

• Plot Clinic - Holly Lisle
• Free Plot Mini Course - Holly Lisle
• Stacia Kane - Personal Demons
• Orson Scott Card - Writing Sci Fi and Fantasy
• Rachel Vincent - WereCat Series
• Kim Harrison - Outlaw Demon Wails
• PaperbackSwap.com
• Mind Tweaks - Creative Crunch
• Podcastle, EscapePod, Psuedopod
• Paperback Writer
• Podpress
• PodcampNYC 2.0