How cool, huh? Not only is this the first Wednesday of the month, its the first Wednesday of year 2016. I have high hopes for this year in both my writing and everyday life.
I feel its important to start the year with positive thoughts. Later in the year, as things get out of whack and hard to deal with, it will be good to reflect there was a point when things were exciting, new. When there was all that potential . .
Like a lotto ticket sitting in the glove of the car - as long as I don't check the numbers, its the big winner.
As long as I don't submit . . er, no, that's going the other way.
Anyway; not doing a reflective post, lots went sour, plenty went well, or even better than expected. No publications to brag about, but got some writing done, settled some issues causing major stress, wrote (revised) some projects, and remembered how to be a real person again. See, I can be glass half full, a little.
No resolutions either, just a simple goal to make the best effort I can in everything, and to write 100 words a day (or at least most days) through 2016.
Congrats to all the writers who submitted to the IWSG Anthology; and bigger congrats to those that were accepted in the first publication. WHOOP! WHOOP!!
I'm out of town, and wasn't planning on posting for either the BATTLE OF THE BANDS (hosted by Saint Mac and FAE) or Write Edit Publish: Holiday Celebrations (hosted by Denise Covey and Yolanda Rene) because it will be a couple days before I'm home and able to browse this many link participants.
Scroll down for WEP if this BotB doesn't dazzle you.
For BotB'ers: short and sweet. Vote on your favorites, or just enjoy - or not. Please feel free to vote on all your impressions: visual, auditory, group favorite. Or stick your tongue out at me in the comments and register a "no vote." Ya'll know I'm not one for traditional or commercial Christmas spirit.
Want to give me MORE Holiday spirit? Read and comment on my original Write, Edit, Publish: Holiday Celebrations writing. Yep, you read that right, I wrote a near one thousand word excerpt as my last writing and blogging post for the year.
For this challenge, our final for 2015, you will be asked to share your ideas for a holiday that is out of this world, literally. Take us to a new planet, universe, or simply change the one you're on.
Since December is the month of celebration, the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve and many more. We want you to take us out of this world. Take a trip to a new planet but use your experiences, memories, or just your imagination to write a holiday celebration that is unique to you and this new or drastically changed location.
Write a story, a paragraph, a poem, show us some artwork, a screenplay or take a photograph. The night sky is always 'out of this world' – okay, sorry for the pun, but have fun!
Remember, anything is possible! You can make it happen!
This month, the out of this world, speculative fiction/sci fi excerpts will be judged by author/blogger and IWSG founder Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click here for further details of this challenge and to read others and/or add your own submission to the linky. Submissions close Dec 19, Australian time.
EARTH DAY
998 words
All feedback acceptable.
Dag and Fil clipped the mossy skirt to the six meter long metal float, then stood back to admire their achievement. For months the two boys had spent every free moment collecting the glowing, multicolored lichen and embroidering it into the satiny blanket that now surrounded that float’s structure.
“Now what?” Dag asked his brother.
“Now we wait for Sol to place his ice sculpture atop and we join the parade,” Fil answered.
“He’s late.”
“Yep,” Fil agreed, scratching at a down-covered spot on his neck that had begun to molt.
“Don’t pick at it,” Dag warned. “Someone will notice and report you.”
Dag had begun molting again a few weeks earlier, starting between his shoulders and quickly spreading down his back and hips. Just thinking about the changes made him shake involuntarily, causing the rough undershirt to rub against his feathering skin and satisfy the urge to scratch. Two years older than his brother, he’d been through the process once already, and knew a few tricks about remaining undetected; and coping.
Fil looked around the warehouse, taking note of the noise and bustle of the other parade participants for the first time since arriving hours earlier. No mentors were allowed in the staging area as the students put the final touches to their Earth Day projects and jostled for position in the line up. Many of their classmates had already joined the procession – those that decorated with traditional Earth flowers and vegetables grown in special green houses all year, musicians and dancers in colorful costumes depicting the unusual diversity of that old world; bakers and cooks that intended to sell their wares at the banquets and street markets that the holiday encouraged.
None of the other industrial projects looked ready for presentation. Fil was sure they could be next up, if Sol would just get here and uncover his masterpiece.
“We’re all evolving, no one is Pure anymore. I’m not ashamed.”
Dag moved closer, lowering his voice to a level that no Pure Earthling and few Articans could hear. “It is not shame that keeps us hidden.”
“No shame.” The words drifted on the air from many directions, sifting through the artificial warmth.
Dag and Fil glanced around, but everyone seemed busy with their projects. Welding sparks, shouts of enthusiasm, curses and challenges, hammer bangs and ignition booms; nothing out of the ordinary for this artistic apprentice group.
“Trouble makers.”
That whisper was easily tracked, and both boys smiled as Sol strode through a side door. As usual he was wearing only a short sleeved shirt, khaki pants, no shoes, his long blue-black hair looking more like a mammal pelt worn by their ancient Earthling ancestors. Jem followed in his wake, small and mysterious in a deep blue robe that covered her from head to – bare feet.
“Aw come on; this is not the day to make statements.” Dag succumbed to a nervous itch, then he and Fil followed Sol to a locked freezer.
Sol punched in a code, lifted the huge metal lever, and turned to grin at his friends. “We’re going to win today. Grand prize is an audience with the Empress –"
“Only her daughter-”
“ – who is rumored to be evolving just as we are. I say that today is the perfect day for a statement.” Sol opened the heavy door wide and motioned for Dag, Fil and Jem to precede him.
“There will be a hundred prize winners Sol. And who wants to sit through all those ceremonies and speeches instead of drinking, eating, and getting it on with the girls.”
Dag adjusted his body temperature as he stepped into the freezer. At three degrees Celsius outside, it was one of the warmest days on Artica, and the scientists had speculated direct sunlight might even reach them later in the day. Dag put as much faith in the possibility of sunlight as he did in a supply shipment from Earth. It’d been over three hundred years since the appearance of either anomaly. Unlike the self claimed Pure Earthers, Dag did not welcome the feel of heat, although he hid his displeasure in clothing that looked layered and warm when in public.
“Its beautiful,” Fil stated, scratching at his neck again.
The sculpture glistened in the frigid air, a perfect replica of the colony ship Pleiadies that brought their first ancestors to the frozen planet named after the coldest region of Earth. The settlement had thrived for a hundred years after it was established, but as supplies and support had diminished, and eventually stopped, the citizens had to adapt to the frozen tundra. Many of the younger generation questioned why the annual Earth Day holiday was still celebrated. Few lived who remembered landing day.
“Its too small to be noticed,” Dag disagreed.
At just under four meters, the replica would be the smallest entry into the parade. The prospect of a dance or three, and possibly more, with his girlfriend later was looking up. He could almost taste the Artican Brew on his rubbery lips.
Sol and Jem laughed, the sound vibrating on the freezing air like the humming notes of a flute.
“Show them Jem,” Sol said, tugging the shoulders of Jem’s robe.
She raised her arms and let him pull it over her head. Fil showed his respect by turning his head, but Dag stared at her nude, multi-colored body. He’d seen her talents before, and the spectacle always fascinated him.
Jem winked at Dag, and suddenly the room was filled with a shifting rainbow of colors that crystalized around and above the Pleiades sculpture.
“Under the lichen blanket Jem will be able to absorb and reflect the natural colors. We’ll outshine even Dar’s electrically generated lights,” Sol bragged.
Dag glanced at his brother, who returned his eager grin. “We’ll be arrested.”
“Making us the biggest winners of the parade, with a private audience with the young Empress for sentencing.”
“Brilliant,” Dag and Fil said together as they lifted the sculpture.
Here in the US it is the holiday season, starting in November with Thanksgiving, which officially opens the SHOPPING SEASON for Christmas. Although I enjoy the lights, decorations and sentiment of peace, love and togetherness, I'm not fond of the shopping mandate, the advertising that implies (and many times outright states) that the LOVE a person receives is dependent upon the price of the gift giving.
Color me a scrooge; I don't need all that advertising - as in constant e-mail spam - to remind me I'm broke. I'll give gifts when I feel like it, which is birthdays and whenever I see something that I think someone I care about would like to have.
Bah Humbug!
I caved into the shopping spirit this year, and have already got a good portion of my list completed. I've even been thinking of buying a four foot tree for the Cat to enjoy. Its early, we'll see about that one. My favorite thing about Christmas is the stockings. I love collecting items to stuff them with on Christmas Eve. Candy, lottery tickets, iTunes/Google Play gift cards, miniature cars and action figures. And of course a book or two for those who love a good read to cozy up to.
E-readers and tablets are making that book stuffing a bit more difficult; the generic Amazon or B&N gift card just isn't the same as picking out a specific book title. Unless the person I'm giving a book to is as difficult to buy a book for as I am. My grand daughter (11) is an avid reader, and she loves the feel of a paper book, but already she is proving difficult to buy a book to her tastes. Today she is into faeries and dragons, tomorrow she might prefer Greek Gods, and then there's the Monster High or zombie books she'll sprinkle into the mix. Like me, she needs to be staring at the book titles and covers before making a final decision about what to read.
Today is the first Wednesday of the month, and for my INSECURE WRITERS SUPPORT GROUP contribution I'd like to admonish all my author friends to remember their target audience. THE STRANGER READERS, not the fellow authors or critique partners that consistently view the working manuscript before its final publication. Yes, do listen to your crit partners and those you trust to give you honest feedback.
As a frequent critique partner and beta reader, I am often reminded that writers have a tendency to want to please their writing groups as much as their target readers. I am guilty of this fallacy myself. Too often when starting a project, I think of what my critique partners would like to read in the story I'm producing, and I forget that my friends/co-authors are not the purchasing audience I want to entice with the publication. Admittedly, writers are also readers; but I have noticed (for me anyway) that being a part of a story's creation can remove the wonder of discovery that makes that stranger reader so important..
Congratulations to all the NaNoWriMo participants that completed their commitment; and for those that started and did not finish, kudos for the attempt. Keep at it, some people write slower than others, but the revision process is in all our future stories.
Hey Ya'll; Happy Thanksgiving to all my US friends - and anyone else who celebrates this holiday. Turkey Day is one of my favorites because all you have to do is cook, eat and spend time with family and/or friends. Who doesn't love a good meal!?!
Speaking of meals, and overeating, and getting fat and lazy - at least for one or two days - I found your perfect after Turkey read. Or, before the meal, if you don't have to cook or travel and need something to take your mind off all the delicious smells.
Perhaps THE BODY INSTITUTE (Entangled Teen) will even help you to not overeat due to reading about the health care issues and bullying surrounding obesity, even those who carry just a tad of extra poundage. Of course, you could go the other way; feeding your literary appetite while stuffing your gut and then napping with the dream of a Reducer melting off all that excess poundage. Now that's my kind of weight loss program!
I wasn't sure I'd like this YA novel, but I was intrigued by the premise, and the one line on the cover that asks the question "are we our minds . . . or our bodies?" I attended a book signing at a local bookstore, and after hearing author Carol Riggs discuss the book, the plot concept and issues explored, I had a few questions. The author wasn't sure if it was Dystopian, but did assure me it was not the typical angsty YA voice. I liked what she read, and that intriguing question, and decided to take the chance and purchase a paper copy.
To my mind, this is definitely not dystopian, and does not take place in a school. The world is set approx 50 years in the future, but that future is not a set date, as the technology, environmental, and social issues addressed could plausibly happen any time between next year or more than a hundred years. I liked how the author moved today's current issues along to a logical conclusion, complete with all the expected benefits and drawbacks. I could see myself living in this speculative future and completely related to the concerns and stubbornness of the Grandfather.
The age of the protagonist - nearly 18 year old Morgan who is an over achieving science geek with loyal friends and a wholesome, patriotic attitude - works well for the future focus, as even today young people and their industriousness is what the older (not elderly) generation depends on to keep the world moving forward. Each generation of characters was well developed, easily relatable regardless of the age of the reader.
Without giving spoilers, I'll just say the villain in this novel is Big Business and Government, focusing down to one person of course; and includes the question of how much control each should have over our individual choices/rights. I like a book that opens my mind to different opinions, and makes me want to research/learn about technologies and philosophies.
I would recommend THE BODY INSTITUTE to anyone who enjoys a well paced mystery, an exploration of social issues in the near future, excellently developed and believable characters, and a wholesome concept that promotes family values.
As I said, this book is good food for thought, and if you would prefer exercising your mind as opposed to your body after an excellent meal, pick up this book and your favorite beverage and snuggle in for a cozy read.
Meet Morgan Dey, one of the top teen Reducers at The Body Institute.
Thanks to cutting-edge technology, Morgan can temporarily take over another girl’s body, get her in shape, and then return to her own body—leaving her client slimmer, more toned, and feeling great. Only there are a few catches…
For one, Morgan won’t remember what happens in her “Loaner” body. Once she’s done, she won’t recall walks with her new friend Matt, conversations with the super-cute Reducer she’s been text-flirting with, or the uneasy feeling she has that the director of The Body Institute is hiding something. Still, it’s all worth it in the name of science. Until the glitches start…
Suddenly, residual memories from her Loaner are cropping up in Morgan’s mind. She’s feeling less like herself and more like someone else. And when protests from an anti–Body Institute organization threaten her safety, she’ll have to decide if being a Reducer is worth the cost of her body and soul…
Are we our minds...or our bodies?
Carol Riggs lives in the beautiful green state of Oregon, USA. She enjoys reading, drawing and painting, writing conferences, walking with her husband, and enjoying music and dance of all kinds. You will usually find her in her writing cave, surrounded by her dragon collection and the characters in her head.
Now, I'm not a beer drinking woman - don't like beer at all. Hmm, well, had few sips of a Bud Light Strawberita a couple times, and that wasn't too bad. It didn't have much of the usual beer aftertaste, but I wouldn't drink it just cuz there was nothing else alcoholic around. I'll pass. Wine is my adult beverage of choice, but I rarely say no to Captain Morgan.
I do love those drinking songs though. Red Solo Cup is likely my favorite, but Drunk On A Plane comes close enough to call it a tie.
BEER DRINKING WOMAN embodies that fantasy of sitting at the bar, having a guy hit on you, buy drinks in hopes of going home (or somewhere) with you, then the gal gets to walk away and leave him with the tab.Not that this has ever happened to me . . the last time I was out and got too drunk to drive I was alone, with a slot machine, and an attentive waitress.
HooYeah I got lucky - which is why I kept saying yes to the cocktail waitress well past reaching my two drink and drive limit. Too bad I spent all the winnings on the motel room. I don't remember much; except the music was good, the machine kept vibrating and screaming, and Willie stared down and encouraged me again and again to make all my dreams come true.
Ah well, on with the battle.
The original:
The cover contender
Which story did you like better: Memphis Slim or the Roy Buchanan remake? And if you care to visit other BATTLE OF THE BANDS competitions, visit the link at my awesome sexting - er, texting pal STMcC Presents, and my wino pal Far Away Eyes. FAE has been feeling poorly of late, so be sure to stop by and leave her some blogger smiles.
Today I have the exquisite pleasure of hosting everyone's favorite cocoa-nut Mark Koopmans and his debut biography REVIVAL; The David Braswell Story.
Mark Koopmans is originally from Ireland. After working in Holland, Spain, France and England, he won his U.S. “Green Card” in 1994, and is an American by choice since 2003. Koopmans began his writing career with a feature for a regional magazine in California. Since then, he’s worked as a staff writer for newspapers in Florida and Texas. Koopmans is also a proficient blogger and is working on his next book, a novel. Koopmans lives in Virginia and is a married, stay-at-home dad to three active boys under the age of nine. He writes at night.Visit his blog here.
She wants to know the history of the title, and how I came up with “REVIVAL.”
Simplest explanation is to head down the Webster rabbit hole (and yes, I got distracted by the Monster of the Day feature, and now I know way too much about the Chupacabra!)
There’s several definitions to “Revival," but the two that struck me were the musically related one (a period in which an old play becomes popular again...) and the Christian “revival” (a period of renewed religious interest.)
Once I realized the significance—and connection—of this one word with Donald’s inspirational journey, I knew I’d found the winner.
Time wise, I came up with the title in about five minutes (the benefits of working as a beat reporter under a daily deadline) but then had to sit on it for years while I wrote the book and waited for last week’s official launch.
I did have to laugh then, a couple of months ago, when a certain blockbuster author (I won’t take The Stand or complain about IT) released his latest novel. It’s called “Revival.” Of course it is.
Really, Stephen. Really?
###
Thanks again Donna, for being so kind in hosting me today. I really appreciate it - and you!
Tomorrow, I’m heading over to spend time with Sir David Powers King, who's curious about the book's timeline.
SINGER BIOGRAPHY: Donald Braswell II is an American actor, classical crossover tenor and composer. Braswell was on a fast track to become an internationally acclaimed opera singer when he suffered a car accident in 1995 that made him unable to speak for almost two years. After that, he lived a quiet life outside of the spotlight until his appearance on the 2008 season of America’s Got Talent where he was a Top 5 finalist, which gave him another chance at a career in entertainment. Since then, he has entertained audiences both internationally as well as shore to shore in the United States in concerts, television appearances, inspirational speaking and radio. He boasts an international fan club with fans from over 25 countries.
Braswell has reentered the world of music by singing in concerts starting with the Symphony of the Hills in Kerrville, Texas in June 2009. He performs a variety of musical genres ranging from pure classical repertoire to soul to mainstream pop. He engages people of many cultures by singing in various languages outside of English, including Spanish, Italian, Neapolitan, French and Russian. His concerts are generally multilingual, and he has performed pieces that are themselves in more than one language.
Some of these include: Mario Frangoulis bilingual version of “Nights in White Satin” (Italian title “Notte di luce”), originally by The Moody Blues; “The Prayer”; and Andrea Bocelli’s “Vivere” (English title “Dare to Live”). His other non-English repertoire includes Aqustin Lara’s “Rosa” (Spanish),Mario Frangoulis’s “Vincerò, perderò” (Italian) and the Neapolitan standard “O sole mio”.
Some of his many compositions can be heard on his recent album We Fall and We Rise Again.
Donald is a testament to the powers of the human spirit in difficult times and he inspires all who come to know him. Find him at donaldbraswell.com
The book
BOOK INFORMATION:
Title: REVIVAL - The Donald Braswell Story
Subtitle: How a Tenor Lost his Voice, but Found his Calling
Authors: Donald Braswell with Mark Koopmans
Category: Non-fiction
Genres: Memoir, Biography, Inspirational
Publisher: Pen-L Publishing
Length: 236 pages
Release Date: November 03, 2015
Pitch: From Juilliard to jumper cables; from wasting all the talent in the world to America’s Got Talent, this is the story of the Texas opera singer who lost his voice - but found his calling.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Five years removed from his 1990 Juilliard graduation, Donald Braswell is set to be “the next Pavarotti.” Braswell’s successful career ends, however, not with a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall, but alone, lying in a dirty ditch. Following the hit-and-run accident that steals his voice and future, the “Texas Tenor” struggles with depression and despair - until the night his daughter, Aria, is born. Understanding this new and immediate life change, Braswell fights to relearn how to speak, sing -and share this gift of second chances with others.
Working as a plasterer, a car salesman, and many jobs in-between, it takes thirteen years - and a musical miracle - for Braswell to battle back and sing on a professional stage. His dreams and ambitions collide with a tired and angry crowd when he auditions for America’s Got Talent. For his family, his faith and his entire future, can the Rocky Balboa of the operatic world find the courage and strength to win just one more fight?
giveaway
● GRAND PRIZE (2 winners): Donald Braswell to sing (Happy Birthday/Anniversary) via
Skype or phone call. (A unique gift idea!)
● 1ST PLACE PRIZE: Signed Donald Braswell CD/REVIVAL book combo
● 2nd, 3rd and 4th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of REVIVAL (by Donald and Mark)
● 5th, 6th and 7th PLACE PRIZES: Signed copies of Donald Braswell CDs
● 8th, 9th, and 10th PLACE PRIZES: Signed Donald Braswell 8x10 picture
EMBED CODE: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Ok, its late, like after 11 pm pacific time, and I'm just starting my post. Years ago we (military) cared about Zulu time, but now the only time that matters is Eastern US. So yeah, I'm writing/editing/posting late - blogger time. Or early, if you're across the pond. I prefer late, as I'm always late. My sister says I'd be late for my own funeral . . yada yada. Whatever.
I missed the IWSG anthology deadline; couldn't get up to word count. Dumped the damn thing three times before 3,000 words, when the self editor said the story line was not flowing well. Thank you, but . .
At least I can move on to other projects now the deadline has passed. A much anticipated beta read, a book to read for review, several overdue book reviews. Yes, I enjoy writing/publishing reviews, and hosting author on the blog; but don't enjoy the review/survey in other aspects of my life.
You book a room, log onto a sales site, purchase a product, access some information, pay a bill, check your account balance. The email is instantly there: Your opinion is important to us, please fill out this survey and tell us about your experience. If you did not have a 10 star rating someone will be fired, but give us your honest feedback.
Sometimes I'm ashamed of myself in this opinionated world. I don't feel the person/service/product met my expectations, but I'm not sure if that is my unreasonable expectations, or the limitations on the product/service. I certainly don't want to be responsible if someone keeps their job or not, especially based on my mood at the time of purchase/usage. Hello, I'm human. I've also been on the other end of the survey where the customer wants something the company does not produce, but as the rep I'm the bad guy for not satisfying the customer! Can you say survey frustration; regardless if you are consumer or product rep?
My Insecure Writers Support Group post this month is about the REVIEW/SURVEY SYSTEM. All those policies and rules, and sometimes bullying, for an opinion. On EVERYTHING. Now, many of you know (if you've followed me for a while, long before this particular blog incarnation) that I write reviews for the books I read. I understand how much effort the author put into the writing and development of the characters/setting/plot; but as a reader of a finished, published product, I'm entitled to my opinion. If I care to share it publicly.
Recently I read three books from author/bloggers specifically for review. Yeah, I bought each of the books cuz I wanted to review (familiar with the authors) and I did not want to add the disclaimer "I was given this novel in exchange for an honest review." Amazon is getting weird about published reviews when the reviewer is friends with the author, and I am acquainted with a lot of inde/self pubbed authors. The blogs, ya know?!?
I understand the policy Amazon has adopted that they don't want to publish reviews by persons "acquainted" with the author, whether the review is positive or negative. I've seen enough blog posts where the author is upset by a review, especially by a review from a fellow blogger, and next thing you know there is a review war. Total abuse of the review system, if you want my opinion, but nothing that helps comes without its drawbacks. Sad but true, just how society is today.
Was this post a rant? Sorry. I guess my complaint is the obligation to review EVERYTHING. Sometimes I want to, other times the service wasn't worth the time or effort. But posting a bad/negative review takes courage. Its the bullying concept. Say you don't like something and you are subject to harsh response and ridicule; say you liked it and you're scrutinized as currying favorites.
EDITED: AFTER READING MANY OF THE COMMENTS, I NOW REALIZE THAT MUCH OF THIS POST HAS BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD, AND SO I HAVE DELETED AND EDITED SEGMENTS THAT DO NOT FIT THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE. THAT POINT BEING THAT THE OBLIGATION TO REVIEW OR COMPLETE A SURVEY FOR EVERYTHING HAS MADE THE WHOLE PROCESS PRACTICALLY USELESS. NOT JUST FOR BOOKS, BUT FOR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE.
And good luck to all the NaNoWriMo participants. I can barely produce 1k a month, so I have not signed up, but I applaud all those brave writers that have made the commitment. Remember, its all about the word count, so shut down that internal editor and JUST WRITE IT.
