May 2014

And so it begins.  I've started submitting my romance "Jessie's Secret" and my young adult "Wizard of Time" to publishers across the U.S.  I'll post updates as they happen.  Two more semesters until I graduate from Southern New Hampshire University with my MA and start my MFA which is equal to a doctorate in literature.  It's considered the finishing degree for Fine Arts, i.e. Creative Writing. 

I'll be posting my screenplay synopsis here and submitting them to theaters for their Summer and Fall runs.  Last year I submitted to 5 theaters and was invited to submit back to two of them which I will do this month. 

Things should start picking up.  About half way done with the purchase part so that should be in place shortly.

End of Year - New Beginnings

Here we are again at the end of another year.  Looking back we want to tell of our accomplishments and delve into what made us happy and sad this last year.  I could do all that, too.  Let you-all know what I've done this last year and where I am in my happiness meter.  Blah.  Let's talk about the future instead.  Next year I plan on releasing 3 new books including the 3rd in my Wizard series.  I plan on finishing two almost done romance books and may toss in 2 new children's books if I can find an illustrator that doesn't give up before they start! 

Raena from Final Fantasy

I plan on turning this site into a purchase site for my new books and plan to up the marketing from what it is now (zero) to something more!  I have opened the door to screenplays and plan on posting and promoting my plays ... both the 3 15-minute plays I have almost done and the 1 full-length movie I'm 1/4 of the way done. 

Seem like a lot of writing?

Yuper sure is.  Plus I'm continuing my two classes per session towards my Masters in Creative Writing and then onto my doctorate in literature. 

Still not enough?

Well I guess it'll have to do.  I'm feeling like the years are passing me by and I have so much I need to accomplish before its over.  My loving companion keeps telling me it'll happen ... fame will happen.  As much as I love hearing that I know he's full of crap.  It doesn't just happen ... you have to make it happen.  So, fine folks that still follow this out of date blog look for changes.  Because this year change is going to be my middle name.

GUEST Brooklyn James, Author

***THERE'S A GIVE AWAY IN THIS POST!!***

How Tough Is Too Tough For A Heroine?

In my thriller/suspense trilogy, Vigilare, female detective, Gina DeLuca consistently challenges her counterpart, Detective Tony Gronkowski. She does so with grace, quick wit, and a true desire to excel at her position. Their mutually respectful yet heated repartee often mirrors foreplay. The sexual energy between the two is certainly tangible. “DeLuca and Gronkowski have a palpable chemistry going, a playful flirtatiousness that's fun to read. Their interaction, both among themselves and with almost everyone they come in contact with, is fast and funny.” –Gabino Iglesias, Austin Post

Which brings me to my quandary: How tough is too tough for a heroine?    

Growing up, I would sneak my mother’s western romance novels into my room and read into the wee hours of the morning. I enjoyed those books, although my generation was more inclined to believe we could rescue ourselves. When the book would draw to its climax, pitting the hero against the villain, I remember thinking, ‘Why doesn’t she help him? Do something, lady!’ I always wanted the heroine to be part of the resolution. And as times progressed, we have witnessed that trend. Just the other night, my sweet, handsome beau and I had date night. We watched The Hunger Games. There is no guesswork involved in identifying the eminent hero in that story…or heroine rather, Catniss Everdeen.

Much like Catniss, my female lead, Gina DeLuca, carries Vigilare. The hunky, charismatic male lead is still featured, however, he plays second fiddle. Granted, Vigilare is also the story of a kick-butt female vigilante, as the Italian term ‘vigilare’ means to watch out, to guard, to look over. Therefore, the female perspective is booming. “Gotham has Batman, Vanguard has Vigilare. Viva Vigilare!” Amazon Review.

Bearing its superhero nuances and scientific paranormal twist, it is based in realism. “Vigilare walks the line between a thriller and a supernatural adventure while safely anchored in a scientific discourse around blood that James put together so well that it's reminiscent of a Douglas Preston or Michael Crichton novel. With action, romance, a strong female hero and a likeable group of characters, Vigilare reads like a good action movie.” –Gabino Iglesias, Austin Post. I see superwomen everyday in my real life, mothers, for one. These superwomen are my inspiration for writing capable, competent female leads. I’m of the opinion, so long as our heroines have some vulnerable characteristics, some flaws, some soft qualities that allow us to relate and empathize with them, we will fall in love with them and their story.

Which brings me to my next quandary: Would I even consider the question, how tough is too tough for a HERO?

One of my favorite writers, Jane Austen, once said, “But when a young lady is to be a heroine. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way.” I love that quote. In fact, it hangs on the wall of my living room. But what happens when that hero doesn’t find us? Are we to sit and wait? Consider this: By pushing ourselves to become the heroine we’ve always wanted to be, we may inadvertently attract the hero we’ve always wanted. Like recognizes like, right? I believe we attract the very energy we give.

Excerpt from Vigilare: Hell Hound Acknowledgments: I’m a singer/songwriter in Austin, Texas. We were tearing down from an acoustic gig one night, myself and my guitarist, John. I grab up two rather heavy pieces of equipment, one in each hand. John says, “Geez, Brooklyn. How very manly of you. You’re making me feel bad here.” My response, accompanied by a chuckle, “I am not manly. I am capable.” Divert to the next gig. Once again, we’re tearing down at the end of the night. I grab up a few pieces of equipment. John holds the door for me, a grin across his face. “Brooklyn, if I may say, you sure are capable,” he says. Ha! My point: Thank you to every competent, capable woman I have met in my walk of life. It is your grace, your respect for yourself, and your ability to define yourself by your own terms that inspires me to write about strong female characters. And to any man fortunate enough to share his life with a competent, capable woman...thank you for being strong enough and secure enough in yourself to walk beside her.

I would love to hear your comments. Stop by our Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/BrooklynJamesSinger. Feel free to ‘like’ and leave a comment that you read our blog on Sue Owen’s blogspot. All ‘likes’ and comments from this blog will be tallied and one random name will be drawn to receive a giveaway of Vigilare, in either print or ebook format, whichever you prefer.

For more information on the Vigilare series or author Brooklyn James, visit www.brooklyn-james.com. The second in the series, Vigilare: Hell Hound releases June 1, 2012. Plenty of time to read the first book, Vigilare, before then!

Brooklyn James is an author/singer/songwriter inspired by life in the Live Music Capital of Austin, Texas. Her first novel, The Boots My Mother Gave Me, has an original music soundtrack and was chosen as a Quarter Finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. Brooklyn holds an M.A. in Communication, and a B.S. in both Nursing and Animal Science. The Vigilare trilogy is an adaptation from a short narrative film. She is currently working on the last novel in the series, as well as another book and music soundtrack combination. All songs from the soundtracks are written/co-written and performed by the author.

Short Stories released

Following short stories have been released.  Please check them out!!
Perfect Romance

Annie and Edward lived in their own worlds and each was perfectly happy with the way things were. Until one day Edward decided it was time to ask the beautiful lady he saw on the front porch to go on a walk with him. Could this be the beginning of the perfect romance or just one more journey on a road often traveled? 
Smashwords
Amazon
Barnes & Noble



A Basketball, A Storm Drain, and a Choo Choo Train

Ty Ballard, chief homicide detective was staring at three murdered young boys. Nothing in common, no ties to each other. If the pattern continued number four would soon be following. There had to be something in the boy's past or present that tied them to the murderer. He follows the clues, a basketball, a storm drain and finally the choo choo train to lead him to an unlikely killer with an even more bazaar reason for his deeds. This novelette will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Smashwords
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Later

It was always later with him.  Time was never on his side but he wasn't going to give her less than all of him.  She was patient.  She could wait for him as long as he needed her to.  She knew it was just a matter of time.  But was time running out for them or would God grant them time to be together?
Amazon
Barnes & Noble





Elizabeth's Quest

The powerful Sorcerer Demetrius held captive a whole village and it was High Priestess Elizabeth's duty to carry out the Guild's punishment of death. But he had a surprise waiting for her. Was her power to control ice and fire enough to combat his Earth power and this new surprise? She had to defeat him to get the 2nd piece to her people's existence getting them one more step closer to going home. This short story is seeped in legend and danger with powerful enemies fighting for their very lives.
Smashwords
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

The Quill Pen

When Jennie was given a beautiful quill pen by Gertie the Witch she was convinced it was haunted. But for some reason it was being stubborn and wouldn't work right. Try as she might, she couldn't convince the pen to write for her. Maybe when her grandmother came to visit she could shed some light on how to make the pen work. This is a delightful short story with a cute twist at the end. 
Smashwords
Amazon
Barnes & Noble 


The Striped Scok Mystery (Billy Kelton Adventures)

(Children's book)
Have you ever wondered where socks go when they don’t come out of the dryer? So did Billy Kelton after hearing G-pa Marq's story. Only Billy was determined to find out. Enlisting the help of his friend Allison, Billy sets out on an adventure taking him through the streets of Yakima chasing a striped sock. Where will it end up? Will Billy and Allison be able to solve the mystery or just find a dead end? Where do socks go when they disappear?
(exclusively) Amazon

Something Exciting to Report

I have been busy over the holiday's and have published three books in the last month.  Details can be found on my Published tab but here's a quick peek.

All Joe’s father wanted was a grandchild. All Joe wanted was to run his own research facility. All Jennifer Rose wanted was to raise Mustangs. When Jennifer Rose agreed to teach Joe how to ride a horse, she had no idea the lessons he would teach her. Joe was resigned to getting the horseback riding lessons over with so that he could pursue his real desire; getting out from under his father and becoming the scientist he knew he could be.

But was that really his only desire? What about this young, capable, beautiful woman that seemed to know his very thoughts? She was unlike anyone he knew and he found himself thinking about changing his dream to include her. But what about her grandfather? He was just old fashioned enough to shoot him for even thinking about his granddaughter.

And Jennifer Rose? Could she ever be tamed? So who was going to get what they wanted out of this deal, anyway? Could there be more than riding lessons taught at Prescott Farms?

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/111499

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Riding-Lessons-ebook/dp/B006IHHHIW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323540087&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/riding-lessons-sue-owen/1107875843?ean=2940013468771&itm=1&usri=riding+lessons+owen

Book Patch (Paperback)

http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreResults.aspx?search=riding%20lessons&ddl=any

In a small town it was next to impossible to keep a secret but Jessie had a big one.  She loved country life and had established herself as a foremost breeder of champion boxers.  She was happy.  Until Vic Morris took over the local vet practice.  He disturbed her in a way that she wasn't prepared for.

But he had a secret of his own.  Vic wasn't sure how receptive this amazing, self-sufficient lady was going to be to his 9 year old daughter.  Would they accept each other and become the family that he came to the backwoods of Kentucky to find? 

And what about Jessie's secret?  She was about to be discovered and her life changed irrevocable.  Would she go back to the life that she was born to or would she stay with the man she had grown to love?  Would Jessie's secret prove to be too much for either of them to overcome?

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/118324

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jessies-secret-sue-nelson/1108103881?ean=2940013821682&itm=1&usri=jessie%27s+secret

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jessies-Secret-ebook/dp/B006R9R81C/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325354624&sr=1-2

The Book Patch: http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5285&ID=26edad9a-8b17-4c06-a0d3-c3eaaeac1029

Have you ever wondered where socks go when they don’t come out of the dryer? So did Billy Kelton after G-pa Marq asked. Only Billy was determined to find out. Enlisting the help of his friend Allison, Billy sets out on an adventure taking him through the streets of Yakima chasing a striped sock. Where will it end up? Will Billy and Allison be able to solve the mystery or just find a dead end? Where do socks go when they disappear?

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Striped-Mystery-Kelton-Adventures-ebook/dp/B006RJ6DTA/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325381752&sr=1-1

The Book Patch: http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=3192&ID=8d6e8d8e-1057-4153-ba40-d10d3ad45eeb

Indie Author JON REISFELD

It is my pleasure to interview Indie Author Jon Reisfield.  Welcome Jon ....

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a newspaper reporter, probably the result of watching too many episodes of superman on TV in the afternoons. I didn't want to be "cub reporter" Jimmy Olsen, mind you. I wanted to be Clark Kent!

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I go to the movies, normally with my cinema-fanatic son, preferably to see new Sci Fi, Action/Adventure or indie releases.  I also watch my home team, The Ravens, battle it out -- but sometimes that's anything but relaxing. And, of course, I read.

What are your current projects?

Well, in addtion to launching/marketing The Last Way Station, I'm finishing up an expansion of my novella, The Reform Artists, into a novel, scheduled for rerelease in January 2012. Then, when I'm not doing marketing consulting work, I'll be researching and writing a sci-fi trilogy, set on earth and spanning several hundred years of human history.

Are your works based on someone you know or events in your life?

In some cases, I'd say the books have been "inspired" either by individuals in my life, my life events or both. For instance, The Last Way Station was inspired both by my Jewish background and by my knowledge of Hiter and Holocaust deniers.  The Reform Artists was inspired by my own experiences relating to divorce. But in other cases, such as the sci-fi trilogy I'm working on, the characters and situations are completely unrelated to real-life. However, in that instance, the idea for the book came from musing about very specific scientific interests.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Yes. I find it difficult to separate the writer from the editor in me. If I could, I'd sedate the 'editor' so I could write my drafts with reckless abandon. Then, I'd slip a micky to the writer and let the editor have at it. Unfortunately, these two opposing forces seem locked in perpetual combat when I busy myself at the computer keyboard.

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

I want to do more sci fi and in longer format. (I really like the idea of trilogies, rather than endless serials.) But even here my trilogies seem to share the multi-generational structure of the Foundation trilogy, rather than the more commercial single-generational format. Beyond that, I want to continue to refine my craft and build my audience.

How long have you been writing?

Since I was in second grade. That's when I started writing poems. Short rhyming ones like, The Car Wash: "We go into the car wash/And watch the water spout/But we don't see it very long/Because the car comes out!" I still like that one a lot, and it was one of my first.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

If we're talking about writing in a "technical" sense, the most important elements are to use active construction, i.e., "the dog bit the man" vs. passive construction, "the man was bitten." I owe my appreciation for active construction to my professors at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. They also taught me not to "back into" sentences. I came there believing introductory clauses made sentences flow smoothly. Now, I know careful construction is what creates smooth, exciting prose. Almost every sentence I crafted as a high school senior used an introductory clause. After a year of training at Medill, reading a paragraph of such sentences left me feeling "sea sick."

Can you share a little of your current work with us? 

One of my favorite passages is the dream sequence in which Hitler meets his grandmother, Maria Schicklgruber, for the first time. Here's a segment:

What a hideous state she had fallen into, Hitler thought. He looked but could find no trace of the young woman she once had been, a woman comely enough to have inspired the advances of a teen-aged boy. He felt embarrassed about confronting this aged visage with questions about such an indelicate and ancient matter. But he could not let the opportunity pass.  

Over tea, in her dreary parlor, he began to press the issue. “Oma,” he began. “I heard some disturbing talk about you today and not for the first time.”  

“What?” she said, rattling her teacup, “someone has been speaking ill of me? Who would dare! I have done nothing to be ashamed of." She arched her back and fiercely shook her head from side to side. "I’m an old woman. I mind my own business. I bother no one!” 

“No, Oma,” Hitler said in an attempt to soothe her. “This is not about anything recent. It’s ancient history, really.” 

“Then, why would anyone be dredging it up now?” she glared. 

“I suppose, because people like to gossip,” Hitler said, “and because, if true, this story still has relevance for the family ... even today.” 

Slowly a look of recognition, and resentment, grew in her eyes. She pulled away, cocked her head to one side and pointed an accusing finger at her grandson. "I know what this is about!" she said, in a voice suddenly small and mean. She squinted and began to quiver as a line of white spittle appeared on her lower lip. Then, she leaned forward just enough for Adolph to get a whiff of her sickly sweet breath and she poked him in the chest. "It's about Frankenberger, isn't it? You heard some talk, and now you're worried that you may have Jew blood in you, aren't you? You’re no better than your father!"  

The sudden attack surprised Hitler. "No, I never −" 

"Then, you think your granny's a whore, boy?" 

"No. Of course not!" 

"Do you believe Frankenberger's son took advantage of me? Raped me for his pleasure?" 

"I don't know what to think,” he said. “But to hear people talk about it, you either were a victim, a liar, a whore or a very shrewd woman who tricked the Jew out of a lot of money!" There, he had said it. 

His grandmother stared at him for a moment, sizing him up. "What do you think I was, boy?" she finally asked. 

Who designed the covers?

I did. I created the artwork and the design for "The Last Way Station," and I selected and applied artwork purchased from others for the cover design of "The Reform Artists." This is an area I hope to turn over to others in the future.

Is there a message in your novelette that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. There are many messages embedded in "The Last Way station." But I prefer that readers discover those messages for themselves through the reading process. 

What books have most influenced your life?

That's a tough question, which, I assume, also makes it a good one. As far as writing a book like "The Last Way Station" goes, I would have to say Elie Wiesel's books "Night" and "Dawn." I also found "The Last of the Just" by Andre Schwarz-Bart and "House of Ashes" by Oscar Pinkus particularly moving.

What are you reading now? 

Well, I just finished reading the advanced proof of a friend of mine's debut novel about the ad business, but it's "classified." I'm not at liberty to talk about it. At least, not yet.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Sue, I know you may find this hard to believe, but I really don't have a single, favorite author. I will tell you this, however. When it comes to epic-length novels, three writers stand out for me: Tolstoy, Clavel and DeMille. All three of them have incredible story-telling skills. These guys are the cathedral builders, in fiction. Yet I like each of them for different reasons. I like Tolstoy for the breadth and complexity of his plotting and his brilliant writing skills; Clavel for similar technical abilities and his great gift to absorb and relate a deep understanding, and appreciation for, foreign cultures. DeMille scores high in his technical, story crafting and writing abilities as well as for his irreverent sense of humor (See, "The Gold Coast.") But DeMille primarily is an entertainer. His books seem to lack the philosophical scaffolding, and depth of messaging, that one might expect from a writer with his natural talents.

Links:
Website
Blog

Purchase Links:
Amazon
Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Apple Store


Interview by Sue Owen
 

This is part one of a series of interviews for my blog tour through Indie Writers Unite.  Look for the Support Indie Authors logo for further submissions.  Please support these authors, check out their blogs and purchase their books.  They are the best of the best.  /Sue Owen.

RJ Palmer, Indie Writer

No, this is not RJ Palmer's site ....  we are just lucky to get to interview her twice this month.  This time, however, we are focusing on her new book.  Check this out and order your copy now!

Excerpt from Sins of the Father

Lucian whispered something in that nebulous language that Aaron didn’t understand, “Bendithia 'r blentyn , achub 'r blentyn.”

Lena had only made it a few steps when Lucian stood and began to make his way to the front of the church and Aaron was at first completely confused until he thought that perhaps someone in Lucian’s past might have been a practicing Catholic and taught it to the boy.  Aaron sat back and observed despite his trepidation to find out what would happen next.

Lena watched Lucian walk past her without acknowledgement and turned to watch him as he made his way to the front of the church.

Aaron began to feel a heavy, electrified feeling in the atmosphere and began to become alarmed though he carefully suppressed it and continued to watch.

Lucian walked up to the front without so much as a bow or a by-your-leave and made his way past the Father who was intoning the prayers.  The Father stopped for a moment and looked at Lucian mildly askance and then seemed to smile beneficently and indulgently and tried to speak to Lucian in greeting.

Lucian ignored him completely and walked up to the cross hanging prominently centered on the back wall of the church behind the pulpit.

The Father trailed off in complete confusion and turned around to watch.

Lucian laid his small hands on the cross and screamed his words with his head thrown back and his body tense and taut as a bowstring, “Bendithia 'r blentyn , achub 'r blentyn,” And smoke began to rise from the cross on which Lucian’s hands rested.

A few people rose and began to mutter, some cried out in surprise and fear as the cross at the centerpiece on the back wall of the church burst into flames.

Description

A minister losing touch with his faith…

A severely autistic child with no past, no present and no real future…

An evil older than time itself…

When the boy Lucian is thrown into Aaron’s life with nowhere else to go all hell breaks loose and Aaron confronts things he never actually imagined could really exist in an effort to save one small, tortured child.