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Writer Wednesdays: Unparallel Worlds with Alisa Jeruconoka

June 13, 2012 No comments

Welcome to my feature with Alisa Jeruconoka. Alisa has prepared original content about two characters in her book Unparallel Worlds.

* * *

First of all thank you (and the Corgis) for this fantastic opportunity to spread the word about YA Fantasy Fiction Unparallel Worlds. The reason why I have chosen characters’ interview is because I think it’s one of the best ways to introduce the readers to the heart of the book.

From the outside you could be forgiven for thinking that Unparallel Worlds is a traditional fantasy book that is typical of the ones that have recently filled the shelves for young adults…but be prepared for very pleasant surprise. Unparallel Worlds is unique as it also mixes into it science fiction that also educates young adults on the wonders of the universe as well as the advances made in genetic engineering.

The story is set on a distant planet called Adriana. On this planet two civilizations exist in parallel dimensions and they are called Light and Darkness. A chance meeting between the two triggers a series of events that threatens their future so a gang of weird and wonderful characters from both sides assemble and set out on an epic adventure to save their planet – only to soon realise they will be saving the universe as well!

The following is an interview/ meeting between two characters in the book (this is unique content as this version is not in the book):

Laylah – The godmother from the Light Side.

Zalion – the King of Darkness

 * * *

Zalion: Laylah thank you for giving me another chance to see you.

Laylah: This will be our last chance to meet so thank you also, given that the portal will close at any time and you could be trapped here and prevented from travelling back to that wretched place.

Zalion: I have of chosen to meet you as I trust you, I need your help, tell those on your side about the betrayal that King Edmond committed and the effect this has, for only you on your side knows that we must exist together to create harmony and a future for our civilizations.

Laylah: Well, we all make mistakes and his seems to be epic…it is, as you know my legacy to protect Edmond and the people of the Empire of Light. I know we are getting weak and our immortality is no longer promised, as we do not have the essence of darkness from your kingdom, so I will help as much as I can.

Zalion: As you have probably guessed I am here because we are also suffering, my people are mutating because Edmond refuses to give us even a fraction of light needed for us to evolve.  So I am here to trade, my kingdom’s essence of darkness to sustain your immorality in return for a fraction of light, for my people to evolve, if not then I will attack to get what I need.

Laylah: Why would you attack?

Zalion: Because Edmond and his Empire have turned their backs on us and think they can find the essence of darkness through another mean, for example they abducted my son to experiment on him and extract the Dark essence in order for the people of Light to get stronger, they do not care for my people or want to help my kingdom.

Laylah: I helped, I got Leonard your son back to the portal and into your kingdom again, safe and sound.

Zalion: I will be always grateful to you for that and that’s why I’m here, come with me, for if the trade talks collapse then I will attack and I will win and you will be spared, for my side is getting stronger, I will not tell you now how, but we are getting stronger.

Laylah: Is that the only thing you are grateful for? and how is it possible that your side is getting stronger for you need the light to give you power?

Zalion: That is still the case but only for us to evolve – not for us to become more physically stronger. We have found a way and built an army of genetically modified warriors who are stronger and quicker than anything you have seen, more importantly, they are ready to attack. And no it’s not the only thing I am grateful for, the memories of you and our love kept me alive through tough times but now the future is more important to me and if the trade talks collapse I will attack. I ask again, come with me for I will win the war.

Laylah: You want another war? More death, more sorrow?  Have you not learned, we need peace for both our civilizations to exist, isn’t this what we together have always dreamed about. Zalion? I loved you also and although our destinies are entwined, we will never be together. If you want to see me happy please leave me alone and erase all the memories about me and withdraw from your war plans. I will not go with you as my duty is here with my kingdom and for all his faults King Edmond.

Zalion: I will not force you to come with me against you will for I care for you too much for that.

Laylah: You are an admiral person and thank you for your respect I also will never forget our time and love together but I must stay here. If there is a piece of happiness that I can give you then take my lock. For in this I have trapped the happy memories we shared and if what you say is true and my Empire loose the war then I will be dead, at least then one of us will have these happy memories….

P.S What Laylah does not tell Zalion is that in the lock she gives him is the DNA of a wonderful boy who goes onto playing a major part in saving Adriana and the two civilizations.

If you like to find out more about the insights and wonders of ‘’Unparallel Worlds’’ then have a look at the following characters’ interviews, which I hope even more brings out the story of ‘’Unparallel Worlds’’:

 http://stacyeatonauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/flavia-princess-of-light-talks-about.html

 http://www.miadarien.com/?p=522

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Links:

http://www.unparallelworlds.co.uk/

YouTube Trailer
YouTube link

interview none

Book Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

June 11, 2012 No comments

This book was loaned to me by a beta reader who is in middle school. She told me she really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the second one, so I was eager to read it. My reaction in short is that I probably would have loved the book in middle school, but as an adult reader, I find that the story needed more depth to truly captivate me.

The premise of the book is that main character Clara is one-quarter Angel-blood, and as such she is given one task, or purpose, that she is set on Earth to accomplish. She learns through visions that her task involves saving someone from a forest fire—far away from the California home she has come to love. Her mother is half-Angel-blood, and therefore understands the importance of Clara’s purpose. She moves the family away from everything to help Clara with her task.

The first half of the book was slower than I had hoped, but the second half really picks up, driving the main conflict: In her new life, Clara is torn between two crushes—one, the boy she is supposed to save—the other, the brother of her best friend. Aside from the teenage romance / love triangle, Clara has many other issues to deal with. She is trying to learn how to control her wings and learn how to fly while controlling/hiding her frighteningly-heavenly appearance that intensifies as she gets closer to her assigned task. All the while, her mother is being secretive about what she knows about the lives of Angels on Earth, telling Clara that she needs to discover it all for herself. I won’t reveal too much about what Clara discovers. This is the first in a series, so the ending is a cliffhanger. I’ll leave it at that.

While I really enjoyed the premise of the story, the number one thing I wish were different is the tense. The story is written in first-person present tense. Each time I picked up the book again, it took me a few pages to forget I was reading in present tense. It wasn’t that the writing was flawed; I just find present tense especially tiring for some reason—as if I’m listening to a teenager telling a story to her friend in the hallways at school (which, I sort of am, as the protagonist is 16-17 and writing in a conversational style). I would have preferred past tense—I find it faster to read.

The other thing that kept me from becoming totally infatuated with the story was the same thing that caused Twilight to be so successful: the use of first-person point of view. The narrator provides just enough details to give us the idea of the characters (including the protagonist) without going into too much depth. In Twilight, Bella was someone a reader could relate to and impose one’s own personality traits on. In Unearthly, it’s the same thing. The character was designed so that teenagers could impose their own preferences and prejudices on the character, making her relatable to a reader. This works well for works for teenagers, but as an adult reader, I wanted more. I wanted to know the character more and go into more depth. There were some scenes where the first-person point of view was just too limiting to give me an in-depth look at the protagonist or any of the other characters.

There is one point in the book where Clara has to decide whether to do what fate/God/heaven has tasked her, or follow her own heart. This act of possible rebellion resonated with me of Milton’s Paradise Lost and all the Biblical and archetypal issues of fate versus free will. Yet it was simply glossed over in this book. The one character who could have provided perspective on this, Clara’s mother, was largely silent for the last part of the book (as Clara chose to keep many things secret from her, and she conveniently went out of town for weeks at a time). A little more from Clara’s mother could have given me the depth I craved.

Still, all in all it was a fun read. I would recommend it highly to teenage readers (mostly females). For adults, it would be a good beach read, and for parents of teenagers, it would be a good reminder of the types of things your children think about and obsess over—it did remind me of my priorities as a teenager (and made me realize how thankful I am to be beyond that awkward stage of my life!).

Even with my criticism, if time allows, I would give the second book a try. The plot is compelling enough to make up for narration issues.

book reviews none

Character Interview: Tommy Wellesley

June 10, 2012 2 comments

Interview with a character:
Today I had the chance to talk to Tommy Wellesley, graduate student in experimental physics and co-star of the romance novella For Whom My Heart Beats Eternal.

Dr. Wellesley, tell us about your interest in physics.
I’ve always been fascinated by the field. Space and time are interrelated in ways the human mind can just barely grasp. It’s always been my dream to discover these secrets. Oh, and you keep calling me “doctor,” but I’m not one. I haven’t earned my PhD. I’m still working on my Masters degree.

Oh, um… just a slip, I’m sure. Sorry about that. So tell us about the special visitor you had recently.
Oh, Anna is…

Dr. Wellesley, I mean—Tommy—are you alright?
Yes, sorry. It’s just—thinking about Anna. She’s amazing. I never thought I’d meet a girl who loved physics as much as I do. And the things she brought with her will never cease to amaze me. There’s this thing called a “tablet,” for instance. You should take a look. It’s like something out of Star Trek. I mean look at this! You touch the screen, and slide your finger, and—

I’ll have to try it out. But what else can you tell us about Anna?
Well, she’s in my living room right now. I tell you, just the way her nose twitches when she has an idea. I’ve never seen anything so cute. We were working on our plan, and she fell asleep waiting for me to put together some equipment. She looked so peaceful, I just covered her with a blanket and snuck out here to do this interview. She’s been up all hours of the night working on this—plan of ours.

What plan?
I’m not sure I should say. Let’s just say Anna isn’t from around here. I’ve got to help work out a way to get her back to her own time—I mean, home.

Are you saying Anna traveled to you from a different time period?
Who is going to see this interview? Is it going in a newspaper, or is it just for your own interest?

I promise it’s not going in a newspaper.
Good. In that case, I can tell you. Anna came through a wormhole that apparently I helped to create some forty years in the future. I know it’s hard to believe. I mean, you would never imagine a world where people have these little screens they carry around with them. Anna let me borrow hers because it has all kinds of formulas on it—that supposedly I created forty years in the future. But Anna doesn’t belong here, and we aren’t sure what would happen if she stayed. I mean, how can she live her life before she was even born? We both agreed it would be for the best if we sent her back to her own time as soon as possible. Only…

Only what?
I just wish she didn’t have to go. She’s offered me so much encouragement and companionship. Up until this point in my life, I’ve always been so obsessed with physics. I never had time for girls. But with Anna, it’s different. It’s like we were meant to be. I was never one of those types of people to believe in soul mates, but Anna’s arrival has gotten me thinking…

Do you think having Anna travel back in time will have any repercussions on future events?
That’s something Anna and I have been debating. We’re not sure. I guess we won’t know until Anna goes back to her own time. Sometimes I think we’re messing up the entire world, and other times I feel like maybe this was all just meant to be. What if Anna was always meant to travel back in time to meet me? Then wouldn’t we just be following what was meant to be? Anyway, I hear Anna in there. I’d better go. I don’t think she’d like me telling anyone about our—plan. So don’t tell, okay?

Okay, I won’t. Thanks for talking with me today—and good luck with your plan.

You can learn more about Tommy and Anna’s relationship in their novella, For Whom My Heart Beats Eternal, available for Kindle and other e-readers. To celebrate Rebel Ink’s release party, I’m giving away one e-copy of the novella. The winner will be able to choose from among the available formats and must have a valid email address.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

contest, interview, romance, writing none

My Tribute to Ray Bradbury

June 8, 2012 No comments

The first “grown up” novel I remember reading is The Martian Chronicles. My parents came into my room one day and handed me the book as if it were a rite of passage. It was an old copy—it had that old book smell—and it was folded and worn like it had been read many times. While I was too young to fully understand the satirical elements of the novel, I fell in love with Bradbury’s imagination. I knew he was saying something important about what it meant to be a human being, and I felt like I had just been initiated into a secret society, one who was on track to discover the secrets of life and happiness. I soon devoured as many of Bradbury’s short story collections as I could. I loved the Halloween tinge that bled into many of his works—Halloween had always been my favorite time of year, and Autumn my favorite season. And while Bradbury wrote about future technology or horror or other speculative elements, he was never a science fiction writer. He was always an author who wrote about people. That’s what makes his pieces timeless.

I read Dandelion Wine a few summers ago. As a teacher with the summers off, the season still holds for me some of the magic it once did for me as a kid. I resolved to read Farewell Summer during the week before school started that very same summer—it seemed like an appropriate frame for my vacation. Both works have that painful twinge of nostalgia while still celebrating the human spirit, and they’re written about a simpler time, drawing from Bradbury’s childhood in the 1920s. The most important scene in Dandelion Wine is when one of the characters realizes why he’s so happy—he finally realizes that he’s alive, and knowing he’s alive is the best feeling in the world. I try to keep that thought in the back of my mind as the workweeks blend together. Never forget that you’re alive! At the end of Farewell Summer, there is an unforgettable image symbolizing the passing of the torch when it comes to human spirit, in which an older man metaphorically passes his life force to a younger boy. I have been trying to keep that idea in my mind: we are all alive and part of something larger than ourselves. I try to remember this on days when I just don’t feel like doing anything after work, on mornings when I would rather be sleeping an extra twenty minutes than writing that chapter in my next book. And it works—it makes me get up off the couch or out of the bed and smell those metaphorical roses. And realize I’m alive.

 Packing up my classroom for the summer, I came upon a Ray Bradbury piece I teach in my creative writing class. It’s called “The Pedestrian,” and it was written in 1951. The story tells of a man, a writer, who walks around the neighborhood at night while everyone else is inside. Though it was written more than half a century ago, Bradbury had the uncanny ability to predict where life was heading. In the story, everyone is inside—the suggestion is that they are all watching their televisions. The man in the story is the only one out, and in the end he is taken away by a police car—and it turns out there isn’t even a person inside the car; it’s all automated.

Every year I teach the story it scares my students a little. They recognize the number of hours they spend in front of the television, and they shudder, seeing that they have fulfilled Bradbury’s prophesy. Even on the last day of school, when students were dismissed from exams at 11 a.m., I heard students complaining in the hallway: “I don’t want to go home now—nothing’s on TV at 11 in the morning!” Since I first read “The Pedestrian,” I pay attention as I walk my dogs in the evening—pay attention to the windows I pass by, and it’s scary to count how many of them have that glowing blue flicker of the television screen. I’ve often wondered what humanity could accomplish if we collectively turned off our televisions and applied our brain power to something useful. Bradbury himself wrote 1,000-2,000 words every day—every day.  

And as I put away my copy of “The Pedestrian” for the summer, tucking it in its folder until next year, and pack up the rest of my classroom, I am reminded of the lesson from Dandelion Wine—and really, the lesson that is woven throughout all of Bradbury’s work. I am human. I am alive. With Bradbury’s death coming at the beginning of my summer, I am reminded that I am alive, and that every second of my summer off is a gift, and not one that should be squandered. How can I loaf around when there are flowers to smell and books to read and places to go and stories to write? There is so much to appreciate in this world—there’s just no time for reruns.

Often when a great mind dies, it is said that a bright light has gone out in the world. But that is not so. Ray Bradbury was once told that he would live forever. And while that is physically impossible, it is already true for him—metaphorically. Ray Bradbury lives everywhere a child discovers the joy of being alive. He lives every time a writer sits down to pen a new tale. Every place a young reader cracks open one of his books and discovers his old tales as if they were brand new.

Even before I was published, Ray Bradbury had been a profound influence on my life as a reader, a writer, and a human being. He has cast light on the mystery of the human experience, and he has reminded us of what it means to be alive. So take some time today to breathe a little more deeply. To look at something mundane—really look at it—in a new and profound way.  To appreciate the fact that you’re alive. And when your breast swells and your heart pumps with the realization of it, smile—for you’ll be touching the spirit of Ray Bradbury himself. Because you’ll know, then, that you’re alive!

inspiration, musings, Ray Bradbury, writing none

Spot Writers: <3 at first txt by Val Muller

June 7, 2012 No comments

Today’s flash fiction comes to us from Val Muller, the author of CORGI CAPERS: DECEIT ON DORSET DRIVE, a mystery novel for young readers and FOR WHOM MY HEART BEATS ETERNAL, a spicy sci-fi romance with a twist. Learn more at valm16.sg-host.com

Next week’s story will be by Cathy MacKenzie, who has self-published two books of poetry, “To Love a Grandmother” and “Poems of Inspiration and Love,” which can be found at: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/camack. She also appears in various anthologies, such as those published by Rebel Ink Press and Dancing With Bear Publishing. Visit her website (at end of this week’s story) for more information on this author.

 * * *

<3 at first txt

 Alison and Sarah cheered as Remy sank the eight ball, clearing the table and winning the game.

“Thanks, gals!” Remy took a bow then checked her watch. “But I’ve got to get going. Work tomorrow.”

“At least play one more game,” Sarah said. She leaned in close. “I think that guy’s been checking you out.”

Remy watched the man in question through her periphery. He had been sitting at a bar table with his friend eating wings and playing with his phone.

“Cute, but I think he likes his phone more than he likes me,” Remy said.

Alison laughed. “Maybe he likes his phone almost as much as you like yours!”

Remy blushed, pushing her phone into her pocket.

“Want us to walk you home?” Alison asked.

“Nah. I live right around the corner now, remember?”

Alison shrugged. “Suit yourself. That guy’s pretty cute, though…”

“Maybe next Thursday. You know how nervous I get around guys.” She frowned. “Night, girls.”

She walked toward the door, careful to avoid making eye contact with the man in question on her way out. She made it safely to the sidewalk and took a deep breath, avoiding the temptation to take one last peek through the window at the handsome stranger.

Go home, she reminded herself. The girls had chosen The Corner Pocket for their Thursday night outing on purpose. It was a block away from Remy’s new condo, so it would be a fast walk. Remy had just taken her first step toward home when her phone vibrated. It was a text:

Mr Hottie is following you!

Remy turned to look. Indeed, he had left right after her, and he was alone. Remy already felt her skin flushing as she turned and hurried toward her condo.

Step, step, step, she told her feet. Don’t look back.

Behind her, a deep voice cleared its throat.

Remy couldn’t help but turn around.

“I thought we could walk back together,” he said.

“Walk back together? I—”

His hair was perfectly disheveled, and his smile could have been chiseled by Michelangelo. His eyes twinkled like the stars above them. Her heart fluttered.

“We’re neighbors,” he said.

“Neighbors?”

He nodded. “You’re the new girl. The one in 1352.”

“1352,” she repeated senselessly. Her head spun. She was losing the ability to think. Her friends would never believe this was happening.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I should have introduced myself. I’m one door over. 1354. I’ve seen you around the building. I’m Jeremy.”

“Jeremy,” she said, the syllables flowing off her tongue. She barely realized they had reached the door to her condo.

“Do you hang out at The Corner Pocket often?” he asked, stopping under her porch.

The lighting from the street lamp above broke the trance. “Yes,” Remy said, regaining her ability to think straight. “I’m sorry—I’m Remy. And yes, my friends and I hang out there on Thursdays.”

Jeremy smiled with his eyes, his lips curling in approval. “It’s a date, then,” he said.  “Next Thursday at The Corner Pocket.” He typed it into his cell phone.

Then Jeremy reached down to her hand, and Remy’s heart raced. He’s going to take my hand, she thought.

But he didn’t.

Instead he reached for her phone, which was—as usual—in her hand at the ready. He slid the phone from her hand and typed something in. “Text me,” he said, “handing back the phone.”

She looked down. He had entered his phone number. She smiled, but when she looked back up, he had disappeared into his own entryway.

Night, she typed and hesitated only for a moment before sending it.

As she entered her apartment, her phone vibrated once more. It was from Jeremy. Sweet dreams, Remy, it said. And she drifted off to sleep that night dreaming sweetly indeed of the possibilities that next Thursday night might hold.

* * *

The Spot Writers- our members. You can find our Thursday posts at any of the following blogs:

Catherine A. MacKenzie

http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter

Jessica Degarmo

http://www.jessicadegarmo.com/

 RC Bonitz

http://www.rcbonitz.com

 Val Muller

https://valmuller.com/

 

Uncategorized none

Writer Wednesdays: Interview With Kathleen Patel

June 6, 2012 No comments

This week’s Writer Wednesday features author Kathleen Patel.

Tell us about yourself:
I was born and raised in the Chicago area, although I have spent time living on both coasts.  I’ve been happily married for almost twenty years. I have a small dog and a big bird. I like to think that my  books are fun to read, but always educate and contain a message. I’m an active promoter of peace and acceptance. I believe knowledge is the key.

“With ignorance comes fear- from fear comes bigotry. Education is the key to acceptance.”

I consider myself an activist that fights for those without a voice. This includes abused children, animals, and especially victims of bullying. I wrote a short handbook, ‘The Bullying Epidemic-the guide to arm you for the fight’ and offer it free of charge.

“I hope that my books can open new worlds for my readers.”

Tell us about your book:
‘Hiren’s Magical Adventure’ is first book in the “Magical Adventure” saga. Since my husband is from India, I have spent extensive time traveling throughout the country and learning about the culture firsthand. Also, some of the scenes are inspired by real life experiences, shared by my husband, Hiren.

“This book is important because it is fun to read, full of magic and adventure, but most importantly it has an educational aspect to it. So many Indian families have immigrated and are raising their children in America, yet most Americans know very little about the Indian culture. With ignorance comes fear- from fear comes bigotry and bullying. Asian American children are the most bullied children in America.

What book or author has been most inspirational for you, and why?
‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ by Norman Vincent Peale.  I read the book as a child and it made a real impact.

If you were to be stranded on a desert island, what non-survival-related item would you bring along that you couldn’t live without?
Books! (Kindle wouldn’t work- no electricity to charge it)

Are you working on any other projects at the moment? 
Yes, I am simultaneously working on the second book in the ‘Magical Adventures’ saga,  I’m also creating a series of seminars on anti-bullying. I will be speaking at various schools , creating awareness, educating the teachers, children and parents.  Everyone needs to know how to spot the bullying behavior and the steps to take once you’ve identified it.

Finally, where can we find you?

My books:  http://amzn.to/JrfZfM

My Blogs:

http://kathleenpatelwriter.blogspot.com/

http://anirishpatel.blogspot.com/

http://kathleenpatelreviews.blogspot.com

interview, Writer Wednesdays none

Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and me, Elizabeth by E. L. Kongsburg

June 4, 2012 2 comments
I picked up this book because it had earned a Newbery Honor, and was written by the same author who wrote From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a Newbery winner. The book was written in the 1960s, so there are some elements that are outdated, but a good story is a good story, and this one has passed the test of time.
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This is a middle-grade book told from the point of view of Elizabeth, an only child who is new to her apartment, awkward, and short. She meets a girl named Jennifer who is quite strange, claiming to be a witch. Throughout the novel, the reader is only given Elizabeth’s perspective, so we are always wondering whether Jennifer really is a witch. Certainly Elizabeth believes she is. Jennifer initiates Elizabeth into the world of witchcraft with a series of strange and coincidental requirements. One week she must consume raw eggs—something her mother is thrilled about because Elizabeth is a picky eater (remember, it was written in the 1960s). Another time, she is given a list of restrictions that prevent her from partaking in activities at a party but end up working in her favor. I won’t reveal the ending, or whether Jennifer really is a witch.
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What I enjoyed about the book was the voice. Elizabeth’s voice is genuine and honest. She is never trying to show off. As readers, we trust her immediately to tell her perception of the truth. The book only tells the important elements of the story, so I never felt like my time was being wasted. It’s a middle-grade book, so it’s meant for younger readers and therefore was a quick read for me. I read it in two sittings (it would have been one if I had more free time!). From a writer’s perspective, the book is a good study in the building of suspense from a subjective point of view. My least favorite element was the ending, which I feel wrapped up too quickly, but overall it was an enjoyable read. I missed reading it as a child, but it was definitely something I would have enjoyed—and read more than once.
book reviews none

Spot Writers: A June Weekend Afternoon by RC Bonitz

May 31, 2012 No comments

Today’s contribution to the Spot Writers comes from RC Bonitz, author of sweet contemporary love stories A LITTLE BIT OF BLACKMAIL  and  A BLANKET FOR HER HEART.

Next week’s story will be by Val Muller, author of FOR WHOM MY HEART BEATS ETERNAL, a sci-fi romance, and CORGI CAPERS: DECEIT ON DORSET DRIVE, a mystery novel for young readers.

Check out our blogs at the end of this story. You’ll also be hearing from Jessica and Cathy soon.

A June Weekend Afternoon   by RC Bonitz

 She watched him come down the street, gliding along with an easy ground-eating stride. Before she could see his face clearly he’d caught her attention. The guy looked interesting. Rising from the chair, Gail Mason moved to the steps of the porch and sat down on the top one.

One house away now, his features were becoming clear. He was one good-looking guy. And he’d seen her, she could tell. Her heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t slowed or given any sign of changing direction- which meant he’d walk right by her pretty quick. Darn, she should have opened a button or two on her shirt before she sat down.

In front of her now, he stopped. “Hi. Do you know where Eileen Ryan lives?”

Oh crap. Another of Eileen’s boyfriends. “Across the street. Two houses down.”

“The white house with black shutters?”

“That’s it.”

He grinned. “Are you a friend of hers?”

Was she a friend? Mostly. Except when Eileen moved in on her boyfriends, which she seemed to like to do lately. “Yeah, I am. I guess.”

“You don’t know?”

“Of course I know. Who are you?”

“Chris. Who are you?”

“Gail.’

“Nice to meet you.”

“Her boyfriend’s there now.” No need to be snarky. The poor guy probably had no idea.

“Oh? Okay.”

“You don’t seem too upset. I’d say he’s got the jump on you.”

“I’d say I’m ahead.”

Gail smiled. “You certainly are an optimist.”

“Realist, actually. I’m the one closest to home.”

She frowned, not sure what he meant.

He stepped to the porch and offered a handshake. “I work with Eileen. She’s been telling me about this neighbor she has. A very pretty gal, who’s been keeping her busy breaking up her dates with other guys.”

“What?” she gasped.

“Are you going to shake my hand or not? I’ll put it down if you won’t.”

She took his hand and felt him squeeze, not terribly hard, but definitely strong. And warm.

“That’s good. Now, I’m Chris Butler. You’re Gail Mason and I’m supposed to ask you to dinner tonight at Eileen’s house.”

“She sent for you?”

“Yeah. Isn’t that cool?”

“I don’t know. I do pretty well getting my own dates. Except she messes them up.”

“Yeah, that was her plan.”

She stared at him, her heart thudding in her chest. He was darn cute. And he seemed very nice. And she had liked him from a distance. “What are you talking about?”

He broke out in a zillion dollar smile. “She says we’re made for each other.”

“Oh God! And you believed her?”

“I figured it was worth checking out. I’d say she’s got good taste.”

“Oh.”

“What do you say? Dinner at Eileen’s? And a movie, just the two of us?”

 

The Spot Writers- our members.

 

Catherine A. MacKenzie

http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/

 

Jessica Degarmo

http://www.jessicadegarmo.com/

 

RC Bonitz

http://www.rcbonitz.com

 

Val Muller

https://valmuller.com/blog/

 

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Book Review: Dead on Town Line by Leslie Connor

May 28, 2012 No comments

Dead on Town Line by Leslie Connor

This is a quick read—131 pages written in verse with lots of white space on the page. The story itself is haunting, told from the point of view of Cassie, a ghost lingering around the site of her murder and awaiting the day she will find closure for her death (note:  don’t read the back blurb if you want to figure out the murderer on your own). She encounters another ghost, Birdie, this one from the 1940s, whose missing body is buried nearby. Through the narrative, Cassie learns about a ghost’s powers and limitations while forging a friendship with Birdie, recollecting important moments and people in her life.

Though I usually enjoy prose much more than poetry, the verse is effective in this book. It’s concise, poetic, and poignant. From a writer’s point of view, it’s a good study in condensing the emotion of a story into an engaging plot.

There isn’t much I can say about the book without spoiling plot for you, so I’ll leave you with the portion of the poem that was quoted on the inside book flap:

From my perch
I’m watching the dogs miss it
Over and over again.
If I could guide them
I would.

The body changes
This is a cold October.
Rot happens slowly
But it does
Happen.

Its simplicity and eloquence paired with the actual topic make it a haunting read indeed, and one that is worth your time.

 

book reviews, poetry none

Book Baby

May 25, 2012 17 comments

Welcome to the Second Annual Splash into Summer Blog Hop! I’m glad to be part of the tour. Check out my blog post below, and enter to win. I’m offering a choice of prizes: winner can choose from the following:

  • a copy of Corgi Capers: Deceit on Dorset Drive for e-reader
    OR
  • a paperback version of the novel
    OR
  • a Corgi Capers t-shirt (available S-XL)

Book Baby

More than once, readers looking at my book cover have asked whether the boy on the front cover is my son. He isn’t. But even my parents commented that the boy on the cover looks the way I would have looked as a kid—if I were born a boy. This was not intentional. The artist chose a picture based on a description of my character taken from my book.

But the metaphor is appropriate. Publishing a book is often likened to having a child. You can do many things while developing it—taking vitamins or doing research, getting proper exercise or editing for grammar. And you can practice everything within your power to raise it correctly—good discipline and enlisting beta readers, loving praise and a critical eye. But for any published author, the time will come when “the baby” is fully grown and ready to be released into the world. At that point, everything on your end is finished. Your “baby” is out on its own.

Does the boy on the cover look like a young, male version of me?

As an English teacher, I’ve had similar conversations with students. They sometimes ask me, during bouts of intense literary analysis, “What if the author didn’t realize he was putting so many symbols into his novel? Aren’t we going into too much depth? Can’t we just ask the author—and if he didn’t intentionally put in all those symbols, then we don’t have to write about them, right?”

And that’s when I tell the students: it doesn’t matter if an author intentionally intended anything. The point is, when a work is published, it is released into the world. It is open to interpretation and criticism as well as praise. And most of the time, the author is absent while the book is being read. Intentions or not, if a reader sees symbols in a work, then the symbols become relevant.

In my book, I’ve been surprised at what readers focus on in their comments. Though they enjoy the rest of the book, they seem to be highly interested in the character of Courtney—and her bad behavior. More interested than I thought they would be when I was writing.

Courtney, the seventh-grade older sister of the protagonist, was written to be a bit of a tease. In writing, though, she took on a life of her own and became somewhat of a bully to young Adam. Throughout most of the novel, she gets away with it, too. I was surprised when readers commented especially on how much they were rooting for Courtney to be caught and punished the whole time. They turned page after page, waiting for justice (I won’t spoil the end by telling you whether she’s ever caught). I’m not sure if I’m desensitized to bad behavior after years and years of teaching… or maybe I know more of Courtney’s redeeming qualities, which aren’t fully shown until the third book in the series. But the point is, Courtney’s behavior wasn’t as infuriating for me as it was for the readers.

So here I am, the author, saying: Courtney isn’t as bad as you think—just wait until the third book when we discover her good side. She’s just going through a rough patch in her life right now—try to see the world through her troubled perspective!

Does that mean the readers’ interpretations—that Courtney is essentially a villain—are invalid?

I would answer no. Once the book has been born into the world, it no longer belongs to the author. It belongs to all the readers, and their interpretation is just as valid as mine.

What do you think? Let me know–and happy summer, happy reading!

Giveaway details:
Leave a comment below for your first entry, and use the Rafflecopter to enter for more chances to win. The winner will receive his/her choice of a copy of Corgi Capers: Deceit on Dorset Drive for e-reader OR a paperback version of the novel OR a Corgi Capers t-shirt (available S-XL)—winner’s choice! Contest is open to US shipping addresses only. Winner will be notified by email and asked for prize choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

contest, corgis, dog, musings, writing none
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