Author Interview – Todd Douglas Keister

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I would like to give a warm welcome to Todd Douglas Keister and say thank you for joining me today for this eye opening author interview.

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  • What is your name and where do you call home?

My name is Todd Douglas Keister and I live in Binghamton, upstate New York.

  • Do you have a pen name?

I write as Todd Douglas – easier to pronounce and avoids people pronouncing my last name “Keester”  LOL

  • What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?

A Republic, if you can keep it; a chronicle of the American Counterrevolution. To educate Americans on the long process that led America to the loss of our liberties, and how our political masters keep us in a state of confusion.

  • Is the above book part of a series?

It is not, although the next book, on American foreign policy in the 20th century, relates to the same concepts; our collective departure from the principles of liberty and federalism as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the constitution.

  • What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

It was just the passion I felt for what was happening to our nation; and the more I learned, the more I realized how ignorant most of us are about our heritage as a country.  Reading the available literature, it was apparent that there was plenty of rants against the current presidential administration, but nothing to explain how we got to this point; where presidents and congressmen of any party have such unlimited power over our lives and fortunes.  I have been writing since 2009, when I began writing columns for Examiner.com and a number of pieces at American Thinker.com

  • How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?

I wanted something that conveyed America in distress and harkened back to a time when we still honored our constitution.  I purchased a photograph of a yellowing American flag and used it as a backdrop for the title.  I created it with PowerPoint, saved it as a .jpeg file, and had my cousin – a graphic design student – convert it into the required .pdf format.

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  • Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

I generally can’t concentrate well with music, but sometimes I listen to Mozart.

  • How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

When Benjamin Franklin emerged from the constitution’s signing session, a Mrs. Powell asked him, “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”  To which Franklin replied, “A republic – if you can keep it.”  Republics historically have not lasted and quickly descended into anarchy.  The counterrevolution subtitle conveys the book’s assertion that America has already been fundamentally changed into a completely different governmental structure and the constitution is essentially a dead letter.

  • Do you have a book trailer? If so where can we watch it?

Yes, there is a trailer on the home page of my website at www.todddouglasonline.com

  • Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?

Personally, I prefer hardcover, but if your self-publishing, soft cover and Kindle are your best options

  • Are you a self-published/Indie author?

Yes, my current book is self-published using CreateSpace.com and is sold through my website and on Amazon.

  • If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?

I sent my work to more than 100 agents and publishing houses without success and simply got tired of waiting.  Once I discovered CreateSpace, I immediately began work on prepping the book for print.

  • Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I have read Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged three times, and Anthem twice.

  • What is your opinion of novellas?

I think they are an excellent form of reading enjoyment; for relaxation and escape

  • Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

Not solely on the cover, but it certainly makes a difference on whether or not I pick it up off the shelf to examine it further.

  • What is your favorite film based on a book?

It has to be The Hunt for Red October based on the Tom Clancy Book by the same name.  It’s also one of the only films I’ve ever seen that follows the book plot exactly.

  • What is your favorite book genre at the moment?

Although I love history and write about world affairs, of late I mainly read spiritual and self-help books – trying to undo the damage of two decades in law enforcement.

  • What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?

The Catcher in the Rye – a classic I’ve never read; The Law, by Frederic Bastiat; You are not Your Brain, by Jeffrey Schwartz, M.D.

  • What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

The 4-Hour Workweek, by Timothy Ferriss.  I listen to it on my iPhone using the Audible ap during my frequent long drives.

  • If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

I’m not a big fan of celebrities in general, but I’d probably invite Christopher Walken, Adam Sandler, Will Farrell, and Jennifer Lawrence (To hang with my daughters).

  • What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

I received precious little advice with regard to writing; if anyone out there has some, I’m all ears…

  • Do you have any hobbies that are not related to reading & writing?

I enjoy hiking, and am in the process of trying to hike all 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks with my daughter before 2020.  I also kayak, run obstacle/mud races, and ride motorcycles.

Author Interview – Cynthia Christakis

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I would like to give a warm welcome to Cynthia Christakis (aka Cynthia Seasons), Author of No Such Thing: The Committee as she shares her experiences as an author and some insightful advice to new writers.

CindyShopped spotlight 5-30-2014

  • What is your name and where do you call home?

Cynthia Christakis. I now call Northern Baja California (B.C) Mexico home for the past 10 months.

 

  • Do you have a pen name?

Yes. I am Cynthia Seasons as I figured it would roll off the eyes and mouth EASIER than figuring out how to pronounce that Greek (formerly married) last name.

 

  • What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?

 No Such Thing: The Committee is the title of my non-fiction eBook. The healing of Multiple Personality Disorder true story of my 45 years of psychotic splits and then healing set in a single 365-day occult and spiritual event; only by the Love, that conquers all.

 

  • Is the above book part of a series?

Yes, the 2nd novel Come Away With Me  is next to be indie published expanding the story to tell the finishing next 365-days and what happens to both psychotherapist and patient.

 

  • What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

The astounding experiences themselves inspired both therapist and me as this story begged to be told in hopes that even one other person would read and be given hope and understanding that this seemingly incurable disorder can be healed with a normal wonderful life ahead for the victims. I believe I was born with a keyboard in my hands.

 

  • How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?

Based on Smashword.com founder Marc Corker’s recommendations of credible book cover designers I contacted Dane Low at http://www.ebooklaunch.com  and he guided me through expressing my vision of what the ‘feel’ of a cover would look like.  Within days, Dane created two choices for the cover, either of which would have been great. For $99, I had a cover that fulfilled my vision.

 No Such Thing

  • Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

Strange that you should ask that question. YES I did. I even received permission from Jazz Diva Diane Reeves to include that one song as a planned supplement attached to the planned paperback editions donating some royalty to her per book we’d eventually work out once publication actually became realized.  The song is attached.  I Remember as a cut off her 2002 CD.  The song tells the entire novel story in 2-3 minutes of song. Link to the album: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bridges/id724937214

 

  • How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

The chorus is the name of my book. ”There is no such thing as being too far gone.”

 

  • Do you have a book trailer? If so where can we watch it?

Not yet. However I just discovered Google+ free YouTube live Hangout videos and plan to figure out how to create a trailer soon.

 

  • Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?

I still prefer the feel and smell of old-fashioned book reading in paperback, but since E-publishing and being a book reviewer, I’ve grown quite partial to e-books.

 

  • Are you a self-published/Indie author?

Yes, all the way!

 

  • If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?

After attempting to attract any kind of interest in the traditional route for a good 5 years, by then relocating to a suburb of Las Vegas from Austin/San Antonia area, I developed a kinship with a fellow author also attempting to learn how in the heck to become an indie author of his 7 romance heroine novel series Sisters of Destiny by Dwight W. Hunter.  We pooled our knowledge, energy, and mutual encouragement.  Within 2 months we simultaneous became indie published authors. I would have never been able to wade through the ‘simple’ Smashwords.com instructions without his engineering type mindset.

 

  • Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

‘Ever’ is a long time, Nina. Especially with me at 65 jam-packed Life of adventures and situations. Let me think… Secret Garden is the first book I recall reading in childhood and just now received it again from Amazon to read again. Since I seem to have a type of photographic style mind, most everything is stored upstairs in imaginary computer files I can pull out when need. So no is the answer.  Seldom do I re-read a book or re-watch a movie.

 

  • What is your opinion of novellas?

Unfortunately not much. I say this because generally for me, novellas don’t flesh out characters enough for me to ‘join’ a character to develop a relationship with them. Perhaps I just haven’t read a great novella yet.

 

  • Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

Yes. Color choice and LACK of busy-ness (I call noise) will grab me first and then title second.

 

  • What is your favorite film based on a book?

The Pelican Brief was IT for me.  Luckily I saw it first as a movie that I do indeed re watch often. I say lucky because had I read the book first…I would’ve never understood what the heck was going on.  Experience both landed me as a die-hard Grisham fan for life. (at least when Grisham sticks to what he knows best, legal stories)

 

  • What is your favorite book genre at the moment?

Either ‘based on a true story’ fiction or non-fiction or actual biographies.

 

  • What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?

Currently doesn’t apply in my case since I became an indie book reviewer for BookVetter.com, Readers In The Know.com, Rave Reviews by Nonnie Jules.com,  Rookie Writers Solutions.com Goodreads and a couple of others.  I do get to read indie authors in my preferred genres and sub-sections however many are books I would personally not read once I’ve read them with an impartial review hat on. Some have delightfully surprised me.

 

  • What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

For pleasure, I am currently reading Eye For An Eye a psychological/detective thriller by J.S. Vizzard.  Although it comes in all formats…I far prefer PDF mode on Kindle.  Also re-reading and re-proofing Mei-Ling and Kate by Dwight W. Hunter in preparation for new classic book cover roll outs.

 

  • If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

Hmmm this Q? is asked often by interviewers and I still wonder why.  Maybe you will give me the answer or motivation that asks that Q?   ANSWER: Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Abraham Lincoln on his meds, and Jim Carey.   (yes I would have added Mya Angelo, but heck everybody wants her)  Answer 2:  I believe they are all deep, enlightened, brilliant thinkers and excellent communicators that most likely would love my cooking and be fascinating in discussions. I used to own a restaurant back in the day as my German/French/Irish/Mexican heritage combined with my deceased (thank God) ex-hubbies Greek-Polish heritage makes for one heck of a cook!

 

  • What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

Be lucky enough to have obtained an excellent rounded education, and then don’t listen to anyone’s advice regarding my own voice and heart when writing.  The entire object of writing is to be your highest authentic transparent voice.  Bring the reader into your writing as if they were the only reader on earth you with whom you’re sharing the story.

 

  • Do you have any hobbies that are not related to reading & writing?

Umm, well I am the stereotypical cat woman as I find them the only suitable life companions to share a household.  I’m a triple Pisces, which in itself is near impossible to exist on this earth unless it is surrounded by water and the mist of the mountains, nature and not too many humans.  I was a grand swimmer until I became Titanium based spirit having a human experience. I.E. I’m more nuts, bolts, screws, baskets, implants and replacement parts than blood and bones.  However being blessed with the unlikely situation of living 2 mile from a mountain top, on a cliff-side rental house that is nothing but ¾ windows with a wrap around deck view of the Pacific ocean, whales, dolphins, seagulls, pelicans, ravens, egrets, falcons, hawks, heron, doves, desert or ravine foxes as they call them here, coyotes, free-ranging cattle, horses, goats, etc.  Nature is my hobby and inspirations.  I live on the cliff and view Stevenson’s famous Treasure Island, to boot.

 

  • Where can your readers follow you?

http://www.smashswords.com/books/view/292164

http://www.cynthiaseasons.com

http://rookiewriterssolutions.com/cynthia-seasons.html

http://www.LinkedIn.com-Cynthia.Seasons

http://www.Facebook.com-CynthiaSeasonsChristakis

http://www.cynthiaseasons.net  Coming soon whether or not I EVER fix the .com mess of a website!

http://www.BloodAngelSeries.com

 

What an exciting and interesting woman. I hope you enjoyed the interview as much as I have. If you have any questions for Cynthia, please post them here so she can get back with you as soon as possible.

Author Interview – Garry Abbott

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I would like to welcome Mr. Garry Abbott to my blog today and thank him for sharing his insite into being an author with us. He is the author of The Dimension Scales and Other Stories now available on Amazon!

Garry Abbott

  1. What is your name and where do you call home?

My name is Garry Abbott, and my home is in Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire, UK.

  1. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?

‘The Dimension Scales and Other Stories.’  (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JW1KMUG)

Short stories based around themes of malevolent, secret authorities, metamorphosis, survival and projections of contemporary fears into near-future realities.

  1. Is the above book part of a series?

No. It is a self-contained collection, though there is always the chance that one of the most popular stories may be extended into a longer work.

  1. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

Reading made me start writing! Especially Tolkien, although I moved away from trying to write Fantasy as I got older and discovered Science Fiction authors, especially North American authors like Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick. I also love Roald Dahl’s adult short stories, and they inspired me to try to get the most out of the short format. I’ve been writing since I was 9 or 10 – I won an award for writing at primary school, so I think I must have been inspired by that in part!

  1. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?

My cover was designed by a friend and fantastic illustrator/creative Nicola Winstanley. She worked through a few ideas based on the themes of the book and together we settled on the best ones (though I wasn’t much help because I liked them all!).

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  1. Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

No. I can’t listen to music and work unfortunately. I’m also a musician so it puts me in the wrong head-space to concentrate.

  1. How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

The title is based on the title story that binds all the others together (The Dimension Scales). It just seemed to make sense when I considered the collection as a whole.

  1. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?

Different formats for different situations! I don’t see why they can’t all live side by side happily, and I think that’s how it will turn out when the dust has settled.

  1. Are you a self-published/Indie author?

I am self-published, but I am part of the Trident Media Group’s ‘ebook programme’ which means the book is represented by an agent and they have helped with formatting, sales and marketing to a degree. It’s been good to have a team on board, even though I’ve never met them face to face because they are based in New York!

      10.  If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?

I was happy to try all routes, but with self-publishing as a backup. However, when Trident offered to put me on the programme, I decided that would be a good place to start. I hope in the future to have the option of the different outlets available for different titles.

       11.  Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I’ve read Lord of the Rings about a dozen times! But other than that, and The Hobbit, no, not as I can remember. I’ve probably read a few Dahl short stories more than once.

       12. What is your opinion of novellas?

As long as it suits the length of the story, what’s the problem? A story should be as long as it needs to be, and if that means it comes in as a novella, I would prefer a shorter volume than a padded out, dawdling novel.

      13. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

No! I don’t access books that way. I go off recommendation.

     14. What is your favorite film based on a book?

That’s a hard one! There are so many. Maybe Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, just because it is so audacious that it needed someone like Terry Gilliam to make it!

     15. What is your favorite book genre at the moment?

Speculative fiction.

     16. What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?

Agatha Christie! I want to read some light crime fiction because I’ve just finished studying philosophy for a degree, and I’m told they are quick fun reads. Not my usual genre choice, but just want a break from heavy texts for a while!

     17. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

I’ve been very slowly reading ‘Roald Dahl’s Ghost Stories’ in paperback. The stories aren’t by Dahl himself, they are a collection he compiled of the best in the genre. But because of studying, it’s taking me a while.

     18. What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

Show don’t tell.

     19. Do you have any hobbies that are not related to reading & writing?

I’m also a musician, both professionally as a composer and as a hobby. I sing and play guitar in an original band. I also keep an allotment and have a bit of an obsession with board games!

     20. Where can your readers follow you?

 

Thank you so much Garry for letting us have a small peek into your writing world. If anyone has questions for Garry, please post them below and he will answer them as quickly as possible.

Blood Angel Series – KickStarter Project

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Hello to all my wonderful followers…

I am here seeking your help. I just launched a KICKSTARTER Project to help me fund the Blood Angel Series.

Please click on the following link to check out my video and the details of my project:

The Blood Angel Series KICKSTARTER Project

I hope that you will take the time to visit my KICKSTARTER project and maybe even donate a little to help me reach my goal. Every dollar counts and for your donation of $5 or more you’ll even receive a special reward directly from me!!! You’ll have to click on the link above to find out the details of all the available rewards.

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Blood Angel Series Cover Poster

WHAT IS THE BLOOD ANGEL SERIES ABOUT?

The Blood Angel series is set in a world very much like our own, yet Atlanta isn’t just an ordinary city and Alee Moyer isn’t just an ordinary girl. Having barely survived her childhood, it will take the death of her father for the truth of her bloodline to come out, even if it means losing her life or her identity. Watch as Alee struggles to understand her true destiny as the first surviving Dhampir in history. Surrounded by a new world ,where the horror films she grew up watching have become her reality, the most unlikely characters have become her lifeline. Follow as Alee discovers herself and her purpose.

Camouflaged by the mundane happenings of a high school existence, Alee would never have guessed what was happening below the surface in, “The Underground”. If she thought hunting in the wild and drinking blood was bad, what will she think when she becomes one of the hunted?

Will Alee be able to survive her destiny, or will it prove to be more powerful than she is?

The Blood Angel Series by Nina Soden
The Blood Angel Series by Nina Soden

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nina Soden, Author
Nina Soden, Author

I have always been creative, be it art, theatre, film – anything but singing…trust me, you don’t want to hear that! I earned my bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Military Science from Eastern Michigan University where I spent most of my time either on stage, rappelling down buildings, or working one of three jobs. After college I moved to Los Angeles like so many other starry-eyed actors in pursuit of fame and fortune in tinseltown. While there, I worked to pay the bills but my love was always acting. I was able to achieve some level of success, mostly in commercials and independent films, and I consider those experiences as some of the best of my life.

After some major life changes, I self-published my first book entitled PRIVATE WORDS UNSPOKEN, a compilation of self poetry. Since then, my literary interest has grown and I would like to think my storytelling ability has improved. I have done everything from office administration, to business development, to being the Director of a private preschool. I have jumped out of a C130 aircraft, fired a M16 machine gun, and given birth – TWICE! But I always return to my art.

Though I’ll forever be a Michigan girl at heart, I now live in the South where I am married with two wonderful children. If I’m not working on my latest story you can find me lounging with a good book, playing with my kids, or indulging in my unhealthy addiction to Starbucks coffee.

To learn more about me and my books you can check out my website, or follow me on one or all of the various internet/social media sites.

Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Blog

MY KICKSTARTER PLANS

Although I have been writing for quite some time, the Kickstarter Project opportunity is very new to me. I am the author of the Blood Angel Series. Book 1: AWAKEN and Book 2: BEGINNINGS, have already been published and are available to the public. However, with the steady increase of positive feedback I have received of late, I realize that my books will need additional editing in order to have a significant impact in the world of Young Adult Supernatural Fiction.

With that in mind, I have put together this Kickstarter Project in order to raise money to do the following:

  • Professional Editing, formatting, print and re-release of Awaken (book 1 ~ the Blood Angel Series)
  • Professional Editing, formatting, print and re-release of Beginnings (book 2 ~ the Blood Angel Series)
  • Professional Editing, formatting, print and release of Revenge (book 3 ~ the Blood Angel Series)
  • Marketing for the Blood Angel Series

I have found some amazing editors and formatters on elance.com and plan to work closely with them to ensure that my books are properly edited and formatted in order to give my readers the most enjoyable reading experience possible.

HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED?

Traditionally, published authors receive an advance from a publisher in exchange for the chance to publish their book. Unfortunately, I have not been afforded this luxury – I’m an Indie Author. So, Kickstarter is my advance. It is a way for me to fund my literary project and produce a much higher quality product.

Here is an estimated breakdown of where the money will go:

  • $1050 for professional editing fees ($350 per book)
  • $400 for print and e-book formatting
  • $400 for the first paperback print run
  • $150 for fees and shipping costs

Any/all excess funding will go towards marketing/promotion of the Blood Angle Series, as well as, investment into the future of the series.

WHAT IF YOU DON’T READ YOUNG ADULT (YA)?

That’s okay!!! Even if you don’t read or even like Young Adult Fiction or the Supernatural Genre, I can guarantee that you know or love someone who does! Every reward level of this project can be given as a gift to someone else. Just pledge the amount for the reward you’d like to gift to a friend, and when the surveys are sent to collect your information you can let me know whether or not it is a gift and who to send it to. I’d even be happy to write a special gift message for you as well.

WHAT TO DO NOW?

So, you’re convinced and want to be a part in making the BLOOD ANGEL SERIES a reality? Awesome! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! All you have to do is click the button that says “BACK THIS PROJECT” at the top right of this page and pledge any amount over $1.00. Then, choose your reward, follow the instructions to pay, and I’ll keep you updated on the project every step of the way!

Even if you can’t pledge today, I would like to personally thank you for stopping by and giving me your time. Please feel free to share this project with your friends and family!

SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks to my wonderful husband, Eric and my beautiful children, Sydney and Ethan, for all of their love and support.

My Fingertips Are Bleeding!

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There are days when I feel so creative that my fingers can’t keep up with my thoughts.

Today is one of those days!

I have a new book editor and she is awesome! Trust me… I hate to see my pages covered in red just as much as any author. However, I also can appreciate that all those edits, comments, deletions, additions, etc. etc. etc. are only going to make my manuscript better.

So I say, BRING IT ON!

Since I was getting some great feed back on my books AWAKEN and BEGINNINGS (with the exception of a reoccurring negative comment about some minor grammar issues) I decided to re-edit and re-release the books. I hired a wonderful editor out in California and am now doing a thorough edit (round 10+) of Awaken, Beginnings, and my soon to be released Revenge (book 3 ~ The Blood Angel Series).

I can’t wait to re-release Awaken and Beginnings and see what type of difference the new edits will make on their reviews.

MORE SO… I can’t wait to announce the release of REVENGE…

RELEASE DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!!!

Revenge ~ a Blood Angel novel (BOOK 3) by Nina Soden COMING SOON

Revenge ~ a Blood Angel novel (BOOK 3) by Nina Soden
COMING SOON

REVENGE: 

Having died in her father’s arms only to awaken in a pool of blood surrounded by the corpses of the mutilated, her true love among them, who could blame her for what she did next? Wouldn’t you seek REVENGE?

REVENGE ~ book 3 in the BLOOD ANGEL SERIES

Behind Locked Doors: SHE

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moon

The dark night shields her as she swims in the glow of the moon.

The setting sun brings with it the strength she’ll feel soon.

In the eve her afterlife she cherishes.

As the sun rises her afterlife all but parishes.

Where others fear, she shakes with excitement.

It is her fortitude not her indictment.

Where others hide, covered in a blanket like a shroud,

She stands tall, confident, and proud.

Where others crumble in shame,

she drives on to lead them to fame.

On dry land she’s fluid and all but floats through the air,

but into the water and a master is what you’ll find there.

Her speed… Her skill… Her freedom within,

they allow her powers that have never been.

For she is one with the waves, and in control of the night.

Open your heart to her beauty or it is you she may smite.

(c) Nina Soden

swim

 

Behind Locked Doors: It Has Always Been You!

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313_b_n_l_kiss_in_rain

He stood in the doorway, back against the cold brick wall, hidden by the dark shadows of the night. The rain poured down in sheets, but with his keen hearing he heard every drip… every drop… every splash as if the goddesses were playing a beautiful symphony just for him. He waited patiently until finally from across the street he saw her step out of her door.

She pulled the umbrella over her head, to shield herself from the rain. As the street light softly lit her face he could see the bruise covering her left cheek and the tears pouring from her eyes. It took less than a second and he was across the street and through the door before it closed behind her. All she felt was a cool gust of wind as he passed. Then she continued on her way.

Once inside, he didn’t give him time to react. Grabbing him off the couch and smashing the liquor bottle he was sucking down over his head the went down easily. He could hear through the thin walls of the old building the little old woman next door phoning the police. He knew he had to act fast and finish what he had started, but he wasn’t worried about being caught.

With his teeth like blades he bit easily into the drunk man’s neck and drained him quickly. Wiping the blood from his chin he stepped back into the rain. For only a moment he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He could smell her…  sense her… feel her. Hearing the sirens approaching in the distance he took off down the road, turning right… then left following his instincts and his heart.

Her trail ended in a dark alley between two old abandoned factory buildings. He was confused… Worried for her safety… He had never lost her scent before. He had never been more than a stone’s throw away from her and he always made sure he could see and hear her at all times. He was like her guardian angel from a far… If guardian angels killed.

Although he knew he could never hold her… feel her touch… or taste her lips he would always protect her and in his heart and soul he would always love her. His heart, though it no longer beats, would always long for her and his soul, though condemned to walk alone, would always belong to her.

Falling to his knees he cried out in pain.

He searched for days covering every inch of the two buildings and the property. When he finally gave up and stood in the shadows silent and alone he turned to leave. But then, a feeling came over him… Her scent… Her touch… She was there! Something was different… He couldn’t hear the beat of her heart. He turned and in seconds her body was against his.

Her lips so close to his that he could taste her breath… Her hand softly ran down his arm, and she leaned in close and whispered in his ear, “It has always been you.” He took her in his arms grabbing her tightly… passionately… not willing to let go, and he kissed her hard with everything he had.

The Editing Process…

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editing2Edit: To prepare (written material) for publication by correcting, condensing, or otherwise modifying it.

Editing: The act of putting something (a written work such as a literary work) into acceptable form.

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When you decide to right write a book… you have to understand and accept that editing is all part of the process. The worst WORST part! YET ESSENTIAL!!!

Yes in the end the editing process makes your book story novel the best it can be. However, the moment you get your manuscript back from the editor… and it is covered COVERED in RED ink INK… WOW!!! Your heart stops!

At least mine does.

I imagine my editor sitting at her desk stacking piles and piles of red pens… brand new – fresh out of the box on the desk in front of her.

Red Pens

 

I can almost feel her excitement, from a thousand miles away, as she gets ready to strick strike that first line across the page. Yup, her joy is my pain!

The waiting… that time between sending her the manuscript and getting her mutilated improved  mutilate yet improved copy back… is almost as bad as the first ten seconds after opening the package after it arrives in the mail.

I SAID ALMOST!

But, I won’t lie, after I’ve spent the next few weeks reading and rereading all of her edits, comments, deletions, additions, etc. etc. I do have a better understanding of what will  is needed to make my book better the best it can be. Then, after spending a couple of week on rewrites… well, I feel more confident that sending the manuscript off to the editor AGAIN isn’t going to be as painful.

My process is this: write – edit – rewrite – edit – rewrite – edit – rewrite – edit – rewrite – final edit – final rewrite – final review by editor – final review by me – format – review – format edits – review – and so on… until publication!

I do not don’t use only one  1 editor… I have a team of editors. Why? Well, because if you read someone reads the same thing document over and over you they start seeing what the words should be instead of what they are. I like to have a fresh set of eyes to edit at different stages of the process.

THAT IS WHERE I AM TODAY!!!

I have gone through all the edits, all the comments, all the changes my editors could come up with. Yes, I accepted most of them but not all! I am now ready to move forward with the final round of edits. This round is purely for grammar – spelling – punctuation – etc. NOT TO CHANGE THE PLOT, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, OR THE STORY! I want the book to have my voice – not the editor’s voice.

As my son’s karate teacher would say…

“BRING IT ON!”

 

Meet the Writers750 Authors

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Meet the WRITERS750 Authors!

WRITERS750.com is a group of creative fiction writers who work together to publish short story anthologies such as the Giant Tales 3-Minute Stories books and the Giant Tales Apocalypse 10-Minute stories books. I am excited to announce that one of my short stories will be included in the upcoming Giant Tales Apocalypse 10-Minute Stories book FINAL SHIPS being released this summer! I will post more about FINAL SHIPS when it is released.

Many of the authors in this amazing writing group have also published their own independently written novels – like me!!! Below is a list of books published by WRITERS750 Authors. Please check them out and if you find something you’re interested in – please pick up a copy and support an author today!

Shadow Force by J.R. O’Neill (Books 1&2)

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Black Cat’s Legacy by Elaine Faber

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Beyond Earth Series (Books 1-3)

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Death of Heaven by JZ Murdock

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Goddess of the Moon by Glenda Reynolds

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Blood Angel Series by Nina Soden (Books 1-3)

Awaken (Book 1), Beginnings (Book 2), and  Revenge (Book 3 – Coming Soon)

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 Country and the Rock by S. Willet (Books 1&2)

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Books Written by Writers750 Authors

I Found ZEN in an Unexpected Place!

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zen

ZEN:

A state of relaxation without the stress and worries of the things you can not change!

 

I Found ZEN in an Unexpected Place!!!

I’m a creative type… I like to paint, draw, act, write, etc. So, if you were to tell me I found find ZEN in the arts, I would say HELL YEAH! Because, it has happened over and over again. I feel right at home in front of an easel, with charcoal and blank white paper, or my arms elbow deep in clay. I feel at peace when I’m standing on a stage in front of hundreds of people or quietly typing stories into my computer.

Those things make sense to me! Those activities bring me to a calm like nothing else can!

One place I have NEVER been able to find my ZEN… my place of relaxation… my calm… is outside doing yard work. Okay, don’t get me wrong, I love the outcome of mowing the yard, weeding the garden, planting flowers, even raking the leave. I just don’t like doing those things myself. I would rather pay someone to do the yard work!!! So, I was surprised, to say the least, to discover that there is one outdoor, yard work like… chore that I actually do enjoy!

I Found ZEN While

Using the POWER-WASHER!!!

Yup, you read that right! We bought a new gas engine power-washer this weekend and my husband cleaned the driveway, walkway, and sidewalk. By the time he let me have a turn I got to do the backyard patio… Oh my goodness… I LOVED IT!

By the time I was done, I was covered in more mud than skin, soaking wet from head to toe, and my muscles felt like I had done a thousand push ups!

But it was AWESOME!

You see… the power-washer is so loud that it drowns out all other noise. You are completely focused on what you’re doing and not on the screaming kids or the barking dog. I put my headset on and played the soundtrack to Pitch Perfect over and over and just washed clean all the dirt and grime from the back patio.

Like I said, I am a creative person… Yard work is not really my thing, but what I discovered about the power-washer is that it is like one of the best things in art… Wondering what that is? Okay, I will share.

In Art – be it painting, drawing, sculpting… it really doesn’t matter… when you make a mistake you just wipe it clean and start again. The power-washer is like using the eraser tool in Photoshop… You can literally watch as all the dirt, grime, and yucky stuff goes away. It creates a brand new clean canvas…

I love a clean white canvas… an untouched piece of paper… a chunk of un-molded clay… a fresh new script with the spin unbent… and a keyboard waiting to be played.

You see… now, my back patio is a clean canvas for me to reinvent my backyard!

Patio

The new patio furniture arrived and a summer of relaxing evenings spent lounging on the patio with a glass of wine, a good book, my loving husband, and my happy kids on the play set can begin! All I need now is an umbrella and some wall art… I will post photos of the completed project when it is done!