The Surrogate Sea: Blog Tour and Guest Drabble by Danielle Shipley

Today I'm again featuring the newest book in The Wilderhark Tales, The Surrogate Sea. Author Danielle Shipley has provided, for your reading pleasure, a delightful drabble, (which is a teasing prequel to the book), plus some book info, excerpt, and a giveaway over on her website.

Smarter, Wiser, Better

A daughter.

The South Wind eyed the newborn. Though he’d not especially wanted a child, neither did he begrudge the Great Sea’s desire. But why couldn't she have the sense to birth a son?

The Sea lifted the baby toward her rolling surface. “Will you hold her?”

Wiser not to. Smarter to maintain distance. Head shaking refusal, he turned to fly, but the child’s cry slowed him.

Less a cry than a song, and sung for him. The sound ensnared his heart.

Alas: He loved her.

Wiser to go. Smarter, too. But not better, he thought, and held her close.

Where you can find The Surrogate Sea:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Goodreads

Author's Website

32 Seconds by J. K. Pitcairn

Today, the blog is a stop on the virtual book tour for the novel 32 Seconds by talented author, Johanna K. Pitcairn. There's a spotlight, a bit about the author, and a few fun facts about the book and its writer. So read on, and enjoy!

32 Seconds by J. K. Pitcairn

To the average onlooker, the city of Los Angeles represents glitz, glamour, and the celebrity lifestyle. But to seventeen-year-old Julie Jones, the city is a vast host of problems she’s longing to get away from. The latest? An unfortunate disagreement with her ex-boyfriend Mark—one that could land her in some serious hot water.

So rather than face the troubles that torment her, Julie decides to run away from her old life and start fresh somewhere new. But her parents aren't on board with the plan, and she soon finds her bank accounts frozen and her wallet empty.

With just seventy-five dollars and a full tank of gas, the troubled teen is far too stubborn to turn around and head home. So what’s a girl to do?

What Julie doesn't know is that her travels are about to take her somewhere unexpected—a place where she’ll be forced to come face to face with the ghosts of her past in order to secure her future.

A tale of redemption, hope, and freedom lost and found, 32 Seconds is a thought-provoking exploration into the human spirit and the nature of forgiveness.

Available on Amazon

Random Fun Facts:

1) To trigger my inspiration, I binge on Netflix. I pick shows from any genre, and study the dialog and the plot. I also watch video game walkthroughs on YouTube. It's a great help to develop my characters.
2) I can't remember the last time I've had a bad case of writer's block. Plotting helps eliminate that issue. 
3) My biggest pet peeves: misspellings, grammatical errors, and inconsistent formatting. 
4) Julie Jones has named her car "Bubble", and when she swears, she says things like "shizzle", "shizzle nizzle" or "crapola in a peanut butter jar".
5) The original title for the first draft of the story, before it became 32 Seconds, was Death by Chocolate. 
6) Julie Jones loves In&Out burgers, and strawberry milkshakes. 
7) Julie is also a surfer. Her favorite beach is the one in Oceanside, CA. 
8) I'm a cat lover. I have four cats, and they all distract me from writing by taking turns and lying on top of my laptop.

About the Author:

Johanna K. Pitcairn has dreamed of becoming a writer since childhood--authoring her first novel at the age of nine, and countless poems, stories, and screenplays by the age of seventeen. Later, rather than pursuing a career as a director and screenwriter, she decided to go to law school, driven by her father's opinion that "writing does not pay the bills."

Ten years later, she moved to New York City, which inspired her to go back to the excitement, wonder, and constant change of being a writer. Pitcairn is a huge fan of psychological-thriller novels and movies, and delves into her hopes, fears, friends, enemies, and everything in between in her own writing.

Contact the Author:

Website I Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads I

The Independent Author Network 

Storyteller: Guest Author Sheila Deeth

Please welcome author Sheila Deeth to the blog today.  She is currently on a blog tour for her new book, Flower Child, and she's stopping by today to talk about her books and writing.  Take it away Sheila...

I Tell Stories.

I used to tell children’s stories in church and called them children’s sermons. But I tell stories for littler kids too, with pictures; and big kids’ stories, with words; and grown-up stories, short and long and all points in-between; and they’re all stories. One day I tried to call myself a writer and the first question anyone asked me was, of course,

What do you write?

An answer that covers every possible age-group and genre might not be quite what the questioner’s looking for. So I looked at the books I’ve had “properly” published (as opposed to published by myself). I’ve got three ebooks out with Gypsy Shadow, and tried to decide what genre they’d fit into.

It wasn’t easy. My books don’t seem to have an awful lot in common. Refracted’s set in the future, except it’s the past, and the present, and all points in between. Perhaps it’s sci-fi. Time-travel? Something like that. Meanwhile Black Widow’s firmly set in the past—except it’s a slightly altered past where sorceresses can reinvent themselves and Holy Grails can change the world. My new ebook, Flower Child, is set in the present, except… Well, except it’s a present where a mother grieving her miscarriage can develop a relationship with her unborn child. Maybe that word “except” is the common factor.

Actually, my books do have some things in common. They’re all speculative, in that they all tell about things we can’t analyze or hope to understand. They’re all spiritual too, in that they’re linked by Biblical symbols and hints of stories from the Bible. They’re all fiction—well, obviously. And they all involve some element of someone searching for identity.

In fact, I suspect most of my writing, as well as my search for a genre, has identity issues. I’m not quite sure what that says about me. But at least I have an answer to the question now.

What do you write?

I write spiritual speculative fiction and other things too…



You can find the “other things” as well as the Gypsy Shadow books on my websites:

http://sheiladeeth.weebly.com/

http://www.sheiladeeth.com/

Or find links to all my pages at http://about.me/sheiladeeth.

About Flower Child:
When Megan miscarries her first pregnancy it feels like the end of everything; instead it’s the start of a curious relationship between the grieving mother and an unborn child who hovers somewhere between ghost and angel. Angela, Megan’s “little angel,” has character and dreams all her own, friends who may or may not be real angels, and a little brother who brings hope to her mother’s world. But Angela’s dream-world has a secret and one day Angela might learn how to be real.

Where to find Flower Child:

On Gypsy Shadow’s site: http://gypsyshadow.com/SheilaDeeth.html#Flower

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flower-Child-ebook/dp/B005PGMT4O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317398482&sr=8-1

On Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/91467

About the Author:

Sheila Deeth grew up in the UK and has a Bachelors and Masters in mathematics from Cambridge University, England. Now living in the States with her husband and sons, she enjoys reading, writing, drawing, telling stories, running a local writers' group, and meeting her neighbors’ dogs on the green.

Sheila describes herself as a Mongrel Christian Mathematician. Her short stories, book reviews and articles can be found in VoiceCatcher 4, Murder on the Wind, Poetic Monthly, Nights and Weekends, the Shine Journal and Joyful Online. Besides her Gypsy Shadow ebooks, Sheila has several self-published works available from Amazon and Lulu, and a full-length novel under contract to come out next year.

You can find all the stops on her Flower Child Blour Tour Here:
http://sheiladeeth.blogspot.com/2011/09/flower-child-blog-tour.html

Pen Name or No

Another guest joins the blog today, author John Betcher.  He stops by on his virtual book tour to give tips on using a pen name:

Pen Name or No

Today's post has to do with an issue I have recently confronted in my writing -- whether to use a pen name instead of my real one.

A pen name . . . or nom de plume . . . as some say, is simply a made up name used in place of your real name as author of your work. There are reasons why one might want to do this. And reasons why one might not want to.

Why you may want to use a pen name:

Here are several popular reasons to use a pen name instead of your real one.

-- You want to change your gender. In certain genres, romance for instance, it seems that female authors are better received. This is particularly true if your main character is a female. And in other genres, thrillers perhaps, there is a preponderance of male characters. So you may want your author gender to be male. (These are just examples. I'm not trying to pick a fight.) If you're writing in a genre where readers prefer authors of a certain gender, maybe you want to switch yours if your God-given version isn't right for the task.

-- If this is your first book, you may wish to preserve your privacy by using a pen name. We all know that once our personal information is spread across the internet, it is widely available to anyone with nefarious intent. So privacy might be another consideration.

-- If you are already known for writing in a different genre, or appearing in a different medium, you may consider a nom de plume either: 1) to avoid confusing your readers as to the type of book they are buying; or 2) to preserve an alternate image for your previous work. St. Paul newspaper columnist, John Camp, writes as John Sandford, presumably for this reason.

-- If your real name is very common (eg. John Smith), or you share a name with another author, you might consider a pen name so your fans can more easily find your work on a search engine, or to avoid confusion with the other author.

-- If you want your author name to have a certain pizazz, you could spice it up a bit. "Rocky Savage" may sound more masculine to some than "Tracy Ween."

-- Or you may have one of those given names that might be male or female (like Stacy, or Sean, or Jamie). And perhaps you want to make your gender clear for the readers.

Why you may not want to use a pen name:

-- For many self-published writers, their personal name recognition (at least by friends, relatives and community) may be their best initial marketing tool. You might not want to lose that advantage by using a pen name. Community is a great place to start building your following.

-- If you have already established some name recognition with your other writing pursuits (columns, short stories, etc.), you may want to extend your "brand" to your new works. Using your real name as author of your new book(s) is a great way to do this. Hopefully, any goodwill you have established in your previous writings will transfer to your new audience. This is called "leveraging goodwill" in the marketing world. And lots of big companies use it. At one point the Gerber Company was known only for its quality baby food. But they have leveraged the the goodwill of their brand into baby clothing lines, and other areas as well. Why should we think a food packager can make clothing? Who knows . . . but leveraging works.

-- If your name is recognizable in some non-writing circle -- eg. you're a sports or entertainment figure -- using your real name can be a huge advantage. How many people would have bought "Chelsea, Chelsea, Bang, Bang" if the author weren't a famous comedian?

Well . . . those are a few reasons I have come up with.
I'm currently trying to balance name recognition, with the potential to confuse (or even alienate) my audience, as I approach publication of a new novel in a completely different genre from my "Beck" suspense/thriller series. I'll be happy to let you know later what I decided to do.

If you have other reasons for using a pen name or not, maybe you'd like to leave a comment.


Thanks, Anita, for allowing me to share your blog . . . and your readers. All the best to everyone!

About the Author:

John L. Betcher is a University of Minnesota Law School graduate and has practiced law for more than twenty-five years in the Mississippi River community of Red Wing, Minnesota. He possesses substantial first-hand knowledge of the Prairie River Nuclear Plant’s real world counterpart, as well as Red Wing’s airport and the flight rules around the nuke plant.

In addition to The 19th Element, he has published a second book in the “Beck” series entitled, The Missing Element, A James Becker Mystery. The second book is available everywhere.

The author has also been a long-time supporter and coach of youth volleyball in and around Red Wing and has authored three feature articles for Coaching Volleyball, the journal of the American Volleyball Coaches Association. His most recent article was the cover story for the April/May, 2009 Issue.

His book on volleyball coaching philosophies entitled The Little Black Book of Volleyball Coaching is available at http://www.johnbetcher.com/ and at amazon.com.



Push Forward and Write Your Tale

I have a guest today, stopping by as part of his virtual book tour.  So please welcome, Joel M. Andre:

Push Forward and Write Your Tale by Joel M. Andre

Everyone has a story to tell. There is little doubt about it. Over the course of the day, I have different friends and others pitching me story ideas. Why do they do it? Because it is a tale they want to read. For some, I will take the time to write a short story that they can read and the tale dies there. Other times, I suggest they write the story themselves.

Yes, it takes about 6 months to draft a book and to stumble through the editing process. In some cases, it can take longer. There are many factors that come into play. But this information isn’t to discourage you. Instead it is there to inspire you. Think about the number of times you’ve read a book and were depressed at how it went. Often, you feel you can write a better story.

That motivation alone should push you into writing for a living. While you might never be able to live off your royalties from the book you draft, you will have something you can be proud of. This can be a tale that slowly takes off and then quickly becomes something people talk about years from now. You never know until you sit down and write it.

You might be surprised at how much of a stress reducer this can be for you as well. Many of us have stress and anxiety that can be taken away from writing stories. This can be your chance to escape to a work full of dragons, or fairies. There is no limitation to the world you create and that is the beauty of writing.

If you don’t feel like you can write a whole novel, then take the steps and write a short story. Take it from start to finish and then read it back. This is your chance to revisit the world you’ve created and to find a place you’ll love for a lifetime. You have the talent in you and I believe you have what it takes to write.

So push forward and tell your tale. Share it with the world if you like, or reserve it for yourself and perhaps a few friends. No matter what you do with it, there is one thing to keep in mind. When you are done, there is something to be proud. Most people will spend a lifetime saying they are going to write a book or story and you’ll have done it. Keep that in mind and let it motivate you for telling your story.

About the Author:

Joel M. Andre was born January 13, 1981. At a young age he was fascinated with the written word. It was at fourteen that Poe blew his mind, and Andre began to dabble with darker poetry.

Between the years of 1999 and 2007 Joel was featured in various poetry anthologies and publications. In 2008 he released his first collection, Pray the Rain Never Ends.

Knowing there was something deeper and darker inside of his soul, Joel decided to take a stab at commercialism. Releasing the dark tongue in cheek, A Death at the North Pole, created a dark world among the death of Kris Kringle. Ultimately providing a tale of redemption.
October of 2008 saw Joel release his second book, Kill 4 Me. A tale in which a woman is haunted by a vengeful spirit through text messages and instant messaging.
Taking some time off and doing a lot of soul searching, Joel took things in a new direction and dabbled in the Fantasy Genre with, The Pentacle of Light. The tale dealing with five major races battling for control of Earth, and the acceptance of their God.
Finally, after missing his detective Lauren Bruni, he released the book The Return in October 2009, this time moving the action from the North Pole and placing it in the small Arizona community he was raised in.

Andre’s latest book is The Black Chronicles: Cry of the Fallen about a dead man who seeks revenge on the woman that tormented him in peaceful Northern Arizona.

Currently, he resides in Chandler, AZ.
You can visit his website at http://www.joelmandre.com/.

Vampire Kisses: An Interview with author Elizabeth J. Kolodziej

 Today, author Elizabeth J. Kolodziej is stopping by as part of her virtual book tour to talk about her book, Vampyre Kisses, and about writing.  And be sure to check out the link at the bottom of the page for her Contest Giveaway.

An Interview with author Elizabeth J. Kolodziej:

1. Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.

Well, my name is Elizabeth J. Kolodziej (pronounced Ko-La-G). I am a newly self published author. My book is entitled Vampyre Kisses and it is a paranormal YA romance. So the reviews keep telling me. It is a book filled with awesome Greek Mythology along with vampiric folklore. I think it is a great mix. The best thing to me is my character, Faith, who finds out she is a witch. Mostly because there don’t seem to be too many books with witches and vampires anymore.


2. How long have you been writing? Did you always desire to make it your line of work?

I have been writing short stories, research papers, reviews, and everything else since I have been a little tot. I did not always want this to be my line of work though. When I was little I dreamed of being an actress on Broadway, but writing just took over my life.

3. Can you tell us about your latest book.

Of course! Take a look at the synopsis:

Vampyre Kisses is an enthralling story about a young woman named Faith, who was content with her life, but deep down craved more excitement. Then a mysterious man named Trent enters her life and everything changes. Surprising to Faith, Trent is a green-eyed vampire from Ireland. She is even more surprised to find out that she is a witch, and the last of her kind.

Faith finds out that she is destined to restore her witch line and becomes more powerful as she gains confidence and knowledge, but danger lurks everywhere. Especially when unknown assailants steal the most important gems from the vampire master and werewolf royalty.
Now surrounded by a world full of mystifying vampires and werewolves, can Faith gain enough power to help her friends and rescue the stolen gems?


4. Why did you decide to write in the fantasy genre? What is the hardest part of writing fantasy fiction?

My mother grew me up on fantasy. Witches and magic being my favorite. It was just always a big part of my life and fantasy is what I knew best. So it was natural for me to write about it. The hardest part of writing fantasy is offering something new to readers. Sometimes I would get the feeling that my book had nothing new to offer readers. But in reality it is very different from what is going around right now. Mostly due to the extensive mythology and folklore that is offered in the book.


5. Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?

I write when I feel that itch to do it. When I try to write when I do not feel like it not much comes out. Normally I can get a couple thousand words out when I am writing at night.
My ideas come from everything around me, but mostly my huge imagination. I watch movies and say what if it was like that but with this twist and then it ends up being something completely different and I love it. Just everything around me gives me ideas. From music to movies to books to the people who are in my life.
My writing routine is basically trying to write at least 500 words a day, which is sometimes difficult for me cause I work a 40 hour work week as an office manager. But I try to make due with what free time I do have.


6. What is your greatest challenge as a writer?

My greatest challenge would have to be getting over writer’s block. When it hits me it hits me hard. I use to have one friend in particular that I could turn to but that has changed. So now I just bug all of my friends and whine to them about it.


7. How do you research your books?

I read … A LOT! I mean I have so many books that it is starting to take up most of my bedroom. I just read and pick and chose what I like and then find another book that talks more about what I chose. I also do a lot of research on the Internet and talk to writer friends and readers about what they think might work.


8. What advice would you give beginning writers?

Do not give up on your idea. If you think its good write it all out and finish the book. You are going to be criticized, sometimes harshly, but you just got to keep on doing what you believe is right.


9. Who has inspired you as an author?

Lots of people, music, books, and things, everything around me inspires me. I am always looking to people in my life to give me ideas or hints of an idea. I never shy away from the unknown and I think that is what helps my imagination the most.


10. What’s next for you?

I am working on the sequel to the first book. I am not sure what I am going to called it yet though. Having a little bit of trouble with that. But it will have more to do with the werewolves and their history. Lots of great werewolf folklore will be added, which as been a lot of fun for me to research so far.

I have really enjoyed this interview. Thank you so much for having me!

You can find Elizabeth on Facebook, Twitter and at the Vampyre Kisses website


Where to buy the book:


Publisher’s Website: http://bit.ly/9aYtXo
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/dpJsLC
Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/byci6O
Kindle: http://amzn.to/bMzSKN
Amazon.ca: http://www.amazon.ca/Vampyre-Kisses-Elizabeth-J-Kolodziej/dp/1609116054

Website: http://www.vampyrekisses.com/

Giveaway Contest: http://www.vampyrekisses.com/?page_id=511

Did Napoleon’s Hemorrhoids Make History?

Another guest blogger today, Jean Hart Stewart, who makes a stop on her virtual book tour with an interesting musing on the quirks of history and a look at her historical romance, The Third Rose:  

 
Napoleon’s Hemorrhoids

I’ve been fascinated by a book of that name, written by Paul Mason. It’s packed with unusual and interesting bits of information. Its basic premise is that much of history was accidental, the result of a chance happening and luck. I can’t begin to tell you about all of them, but here are two. Although it’s a page turner of a book as he exposes a lot of myths. 
Now to the Napoleon story. Napoleon has long suffered from hemorrhoids and the day of last battle of Waterloo he was unable to mount his horse. His doctors accidentally overdosed him with laudanum, and it’s possible this is what caused the fatal delay of starting the battle. I write about this in The Third Rose so of course I loved this bit of historical gossip. It’s pretty well established that if Napoleon had begun the battle earlier Wellington would not have been able to join forces with Blucher and the battle would probably have been lost.
Another story that is a gripper. Marie Antoinette might have avoided execution if she hadn’t changed escape plans at the last minute. Louis IV had planned to leave alone in a small carriage and she would follow. Marie, however, insisted they travel together. They left at night, after she got lost in the Tuileries gardens and delayed the start by a half hour. A broken wheel on the larger carriage and the slower pace also delayed them, and so they were three hours late for the planned rendezvous with their armed guards. They were finally caught, only 25 miles from Belgium and safety.
What if? It seems from reading even snatches of this book you can’t help but wonder about the fate that rules us all.
As I say, I was enthralled. There’s a tidbit in the book about almost any famous man. If you have a favorite event of historical personage I’ll look it up for you.

Author Website:  http://www.jeanhartstewart.com/index2.htm

For the full schedule of Jean's tour stops:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2010/04/virtual-book-tour-third-rose.html?zx=eb73ec2b8a6b4cf4

The Third Rose:

When Sara Coverly hides in Lord Wolverton’s bedroom to avenge him for the rape of her friend, she is determined to shoot him so he can never ruin another female. Instead she finds herself wondering if she’s picked the wrong man! Wolf decides he needs a token fiancée to cover his tracks as he searches for a spy, and soon Sara finds herself helping him. And falling deeply in love.


Wolf’s espionage duties bring danger to them both. When he
decodes a message threatening the assassination of Wellington at Waterloo, they both set out for Brussels to catch the villain.


Can their growing love endure through war, a desperate villain who is out to stop them, and Wolf’s determination to save Wellington at any cost?

Excerpt:

At last. The bastard had come home. He must have lit more candles, as the room became brighter. She could see a large man, elegantly dressed, stride across the room. Double drat! He moved out of her vision, and she did not dare part the draperies any further. She waited, breath suspended, as he re-appeared and sat on the bed. He arched one long muscled leg, bending over to tug at his boot. His face was in shadow, but his build was powerful, that of a more than adequate sportsman. His size didn’t worry her. A gun was a great equalizer.
He meant to take his boots off himself? She was surprised he didn’t require his valet to wait up for him. An unusual bit of consideration for a servant, one she’d not expected. She’d thought she’d have to stay hidden until the valet had come and gone. Perhaps this was better, since at least he was decently clothed. Not that she’d let any missish tendencies deter her. Actually seeing a large nude male might be educational.
Now was the time.
She cocked the gun and stepped out in front of him, the barrel pointed directly at him.
“You will please rise, my lord. I do not intend to shoot a seated villain.” She felt pride in the composure of her voice. She’d worried a little about that.
Wolverton did not appear unduly upset, although his eyebrows arched upward. He bent the long leg stretched on the bed and clasped both hands around his knee.
“A woman. How interesting. I admit you make a very fetching young man dressed in those breeches, but your voice is definitely female. Might I inquire why you have your gun pointed at me?”
She had to give him his due. His tone seemed as cool as hers, and she certainly must have been a nasty surprise. Although come to think of it, he probably often found women accosting him in his bedchamber. But surely for more pleasurable purposes, cad that he was.
“Stand up, my lord.”
Neither her voice nor the hand holding the gun on him wavered, as Joshua Sinclair, Earl of Wolverton, slowly placed both his boots on the luxurious Aubusson carpet and rose to his feet.
“Is there anything I can do for you, madam?” he inquired, as politely as if he were asking her if she took milk with her tea.
She shook her head slowly, carefully lowering the gun a trifle. What a shame he was such a handsome devil, but then she should have expected no less from a despoiler of virgins.
She was pleased to see him blanch a little as he realized where she aimed.
“Can I persuade you to raise your gun a little? I don’t mind being shot in the chest nearly as much as if you hit the most valued part of my anatomy.”

You can find The Third Rose at Red Rose Publishing.

Kelly Harmon Serves Up Advice And Blood Soup

 Welcome Guest Blogger Kelly Harmon, who is treating us today with some sage advice regarding "Writing Crutches".  Also, she's sharing a sneak peek at her new book, Blood Soup, as part of her whirlwind virtual book tour.
So, with no further ado...

Letting Go of Writing Crutches

Are you that guy on Friday night, looking for your lucky Hawaiian shirt, before you sit down at the poker table? Maybe you have a lucky bowling shirt?

Or perhaps... you’re a writer that needs a particular pen to write with? One that glides effortlessly across the page. Maybe the words flow only when your favorite band is jamming through the speakers? Or the door is closed, or open. Or you’re drinking tea (not coffee) or you’re in front of your PC in your writing cave...

Did I hit a nerve there?

I’m going to step out on a limb and opine that if you’re a writer who needs:

•  the right pen - gel, erasable, India ink, ball-point, fine point, wide point, felt-tip
•  the right notebook - moleskin, snakeskin, lined, unlined, college rule, wide-rule, spiral on the top, composition
•  the right laptop, netbook, PC, hand-held, split keyboard, IBM Selectric, Royal manual
•  the right music: jazz, metal, classical, country, new-age, new wave, punk
•  the dark
•  the light
•  the morning
•  the evening
•  a large chuck of time

.... or any other such crutch, in order to write, you’re not living up to your potential.

Let it go. Let it all go.

I believe that having the right pen, notebook, whatever–can hinder you in the long run, like creating a bad habit. Year after year of writing only with Bic fine-points in Mead wide-rule notebooks creates in your brain an imprint of how the writing process needs to be for you.

After a while, you may not be able to write any other way. Your muse will ignore you if you try to break the routine you’ve established.

In Booklife, Jeff VanderMeer calls this need for the right “whatever,” “fetishizing the process.” He says (and I agree) that doing so, instead of simplifying the writing process, costs writers moments of creativity.

I think they cost more than moments: they toss huge roadblocks into the writing process, particularly if you happen to be in a place with some time to kill and you’re not toting your notebook.

I have my favorite pens, a preferred style of notebook and my favorite laptop (yeah, I’ve got more than one). I’m not advising anyone to chuck these favorite things into the trash. I’m just advising that you don’t let any of them influence how or when to write.

I advocate writing in the moment, with whatever means you’ve got, to capture the idea. The trusty laptop won’t always be by your side. There will be times when it’s inconvenient to carry your notenook.

Are you in a fast-food joint? Use the napkins. Taking a walk? I’ll bet you’ve got a receipt in your wallet you could scribble on. If not, use currency. I have. (VanderMeer carries index cards for just such found moments.)

Writing doesn’t mean you have to be typing the words or printing them along the blue-lined spiral. Are you driving? Call your home phone from your cell and dictate into the answering machine. Don’t wait until you get home and you’ve forgotten all that juicy prose.

How about texting yourself a message to your email? (Please, not when you’re driving.)

The key is to not care about:

•  where you are
•  who you’re with
•  what time of day it is
• or what you’re using to write...

... so long as you’re getting down the words or ideas.

Seek little moments, with whatever’s at hand, to watch your progress grow.

But what do you do when you don’t have your favorite pen, notebook, laptop, whatever?

Not only that, but needing these things to write can be wasteful. How much money does the perfect pen, notebook or laptop cost? And, if you keep having to upgrade that laptop...

...with the spiral on the top?

For instance, you’re at a concert or on a date or at a party, and you see something or hear something which triggers that writing response....where’s your notebook?

For more on the author visit Kelly Harmon's Website:  http://kellyaharmon.com/

Blood Soup:
A tale of murder, betrayal and comeuppance.

King Theodicar of Borgund needed an heir. When his wife, Queen Piacenza, became pregnant, he’d hoped for a boy. His wife, along with her nurse, Salvagia, knew it wouldn’t be so: with each cast of the runes, Salvagia’s trusted divination tools yielded the same message: “A girl child must rule or the kingdom will fall to ruin.” The women were convinced that the child would be a girl.

When the queen finally gives birth, the nurse and the king are equally surprised. The king is faced with a terrible choice, and his decision will determine the fate of his kingdom. Will he choose wisely, or will he doom Borgund to ruin?

Excerpt One:
    Theodicar looked down at the mewling infant in his arms, and felt the anger rise up. Even in death his wife defied him, the nurse ensuring her success. Women did not rule. He would not allow it. They had created a male  child, and that child would take the throne upon his death.
    “You can save the boy,” he said to Salvagia.
    She slitted her eyes at him, her stare mutinous. Her words were loud and hard in the wake of Pia’s death. “I have the power to save one at the expense of the other, Sire. The girl is stronger. And eldest. She was born to rule.”
    Theodicar watched the girl curl up in his arms, her birth fluids staining a brown patch on the dyed-yellow wool of his tunic. She burrowed into the crook of his elbow, trying to achieve the comfort of the womb.
    “I will not hear those words again,” he said. “That absurd idea died with my wife. My son will rule.” He reached for the boy, thrusting the girl child back into the nurse’s hands. “There’s no need for a daughter. And no need for anyone to know of her.”
    “So be it,” Salvagia said, wrapping the weary girl in a square of wool, covering her face. She reached for her basket.
    “Kill her now,” said Theodicar.
    Salvagia looked stricken.
    “Sire, if we kill her now, she will be of no use to her brother. Once dead, the blood won’t flow, and we need her blood to strengthen his.
    “Then drain her now,” he snapped. “I will not have her crying out when we call the witnesses back to cut the boy’s cord.”

Excerpt Two:
    “Do you want to learn about your sister?” King Theodicar asked.
    “Go on.”
    “Salvagia had a set of runes, and she cast them over and over and over as Pia’s pregnancy advanced. Always, the answer was the same: ‘A girl child must rule or the kingdom will fall to ruin.’”
    “Do you believe that, Father?”
    “Your mother did. And so did Salvagia. They came from Omero, where the eldest born ruled, not just the eldest male. They believed your sister should rule.”
    “But, did you believe?”
    “I think your mother wasn’t meant to bear children. She was little and frail. Her labor arrived early—almost too early for you to survive. Your sister was born first. She was tiny, and just as delicate as your mother. Pia died the moment she was born, without even seeing her. Salvagia cut the girl’s cord and handed her to me. Then your mother’s belly contracted, and we realized there was another babe: you.”
    “So, you killed my sister so she wouldn’t take the throne.”
     “It wasn’t like that at the time.” Anguish washed across Theodicar’s face. “The girl was
frail, but you were worse. Salvagia could only save one of you. She was certain you wouldn’t last through the night, and she tried to convince me that your weakness fulfilled the prophecy. I wouldn’t listen to her. I told her to sacrifice the girl so you could live.”
    “The girl, the girl, the girl. Has my sister a name?”
    “Her life was given for yours before she was named. I’d asked Salvagia to remove the body afterward, so there would be no question about who would rule after me.” He looked down at his feet. “I’m fairly certain Salvagia named her, though she never told me so.”
    “How did my sister save me?”
    “Her blood, Amal. You drank of her blood to strengthen your own.”
    Amalric’s hand tightened on the glass in his lap. He swallowed hard, imagining he could taste the tinny flavor of blood on his tongue. It was worse than he first thought: not only was he winner by default, but he was beast—some variation of an incestuous cannibal—alive only because he drank his sister’s blood.

Excerpt Three: (This is condensed from a much longer passage...)

    Almaric didn’t know what he had expected to see—what he expected to feel—once he pushed aside the curtain. But it certainly wasn’t the empty void he experienced. Surely, these two women should mean something to me, he thought. He should feel sad for their passing. Or relief at his own existence. Or anger at his sister’s senseless murder.
    But he’d never met them, and they meant nothing.
    “Mother,” he whispered, trying to feel the relationship. He touched her loose brown hair, satiny in death, as if it had been oiled. Mummified flesh clung to her skull, her mouth hung slack with decay. But he could make out her features, even in abstract.
    Piacenza’s arms crossed her chest, holding onto the baby she’d died birthing.  The child lay on her stomach, her face turned out to the corridor. Smooth in death, the babe’s skin  was stretched taut across her skull, her tiny mouth open as if searching for a breast. He couldn’t picture this small babe as his twin.
    “Sister,” he said, failing to convince himself of an emotional connection to the babe. He smoothed a thumb across her forehead, touched a finger to her puckered lips.
    A scowl wrinkled his forehead, and he felt a tightness behind his eyes.
    Now that he knew about them, how long would he continue to feel the emptiness that knowing them should have filled?
    Had his father confirmed his sister’s existence in order to wring sympathy from his heart? Didn’t he realize that a man who had never known the loving touch of his mother nor felt the bond of his long-deceased sister would find nothing but apathy amid these moldering bones?
    Amalric gazed at the wispy hair, the withered skin, and suddenly, he made a fist and drove it into his mother’s side. He felt her ribcage shatter beneath his knuckles, and saw his sister’s small frame sink as the bones of his mother failed to support her. A puff of dust rose above his sister’s head like a small halo in the torchlight.
    He laughed, finding sudden humor in the situation. He should be rejoicing, he thought. Perhaps he should feel some harmony with his sire—the man who removed all obstacles from his path to the throne.
    How pathetic of him, thought Amalric, if he felt any pride at all for getting rid of these women. Women! Who should be seen and not heard, who should do the bidding of their husbands without fail, who are required to take the brunt of a man’s anger and return it threefold with a submissive demeanor. Women, he thought, who are frail beyond measure and easily subdued. How pitiable that Father should take pride in such an achievement. And worse, how contemptible that he might think my seeing the mortal remains of these women would create in me a sudden change of heart.

You can find Blood Soup at Eternal Press:  http://www.eternalpress.ca/bloodsoup.html

All of Kelly Harmon's tour stops:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2010/03/virtual-book-tour-blood-soup.html

Interview with Janie Franz , author of The Bowdancer Saga

Today, author Janie Franz stops by on her virtual book tour for a little chat.  We discuss her new fantasy series, The Bowdancer Saga, the first volume in the series, The Bowdancer, and the particulars of writing fiction.  Don't forget to comment, one lucky person will win a free copy of her book.

Come and share some fantasy and a touch of romance from a great new voice in fiction.

Interview with Janie Franz , author of The Bowdancer Saga:

 

1.  Let’s start with a brief description of The Bowdancer.

My book blurb describes the book this way: Jan-nell, a young healer and keeper of village lore, despairs of ever finding the child who will be the next bowdancer or a man worthy enough to love. It is set in another world that could be mistaken for a very primitive Europe. It deals with roles and choices—and, of course, love.

2.  Where did the idea/inspiration for the story originate?

That is really interesting because Jan-nell came to me in a meditation, fully formed, shooting a flaming arrow across the night sky. While in meditation, I asked her questions about who she was and why she seemed sad. That became the background and motivations for her character. The story of her village and her place in it unfolded as I wrote the novella. And, Bastin, the bandit who rides into her life, became part of her conflict.

3.  Do you have a favourite character, and if you do, why?

Jan-ell, of course, is my favorite, but she, like many other authors’ main characters, is part of the author. We sort of live through our characters. I have really enjoyed some of the people that Jan-nell has come to know and love. I was especially fond of the women in Warrior Women and actually cried when I finished that book.

4.  Did you find it challenging to create the world of The Bowdancer?

Creating Jan-nell’s world was actually easier than I had imagined it might be. I think that is because her world is partly one I would have liked to live in, a world that is far more simple than our own, where people lived off the land. I did have to work out some different landscapes and climates and try to make them consistent. My biggest challenge in The Lost Song has been broadening Jan-nell’s world and finding other landscapes and cultures.

5.  What kind of research did you do for the story? Is the world based on any particular culture?

The cultures in The Bowdancer Saga are not based on any one particular culture. I’ve tried to be very careful and not co-opt anyone’s lifeways or religion. There are some similarities with ancient Europeans, some Norse cultures, some American Indian groups, and even North African peoples. But most readers won’t recognize them directly—or at least I hope they don’t. But I do think they might find some of the lifeways to be familiar at least.

I did do some considerable herb research for the last three books. Though my foremothers wildcrafted plants from the Appalachians for medicinal uses, I just grow and use a lot of culinary herbs myself. I have also consulted with my son, who is the executive chef and part owner of a high-end martini bistro here.

I would like to make note that the books in The Bowdancer Saga are heavily influenced by songs. The Bowdancer hints at them, while some of the other books in the series have them figured more prominently. My husband, who is a singer/songwriter, checks some of the doggerel I’ve written to see if it hold together enough for a song. So, far they have. And, he’s also working with me to create a companion group of songs from The Bowdancer Saga. Some he’ll just put to music, and some he will create outright because they are talked about often. We haven’t decided whether that will be a CD or mp3s we can offer for download for a bonus.


6.  Did you feel having a female protagonist was essential for your fantasy romance? Do you feel more comfortable writing the female point-of-view?

Jan-nell, the bowdancer, is the cornerstone of The Bowdancer Saga. It is important that readers see the world through her eyes. She allows us to process the new people she meets and the experiences she has through the filter of her culture, which is very different from nearly everyone else’s she meets.

I am more comfortable writing from a woman’s point of view. But I think for The Bowdancer Saga it is critical that everything is filtered through this particular woman because the series plays with concepts of gender, roles, family, and lifeways.


7.   Did you encounter problems when writing The Bowdancer, or was it an effortless writing experience?

The Bowdancer nearly wrote itself. But I had done that several years ago. I had written the first chapter of The Wayfarer’s Road and jotted down some notes shortly after The Bowdancer was written. When I picked up my notes and began The Wayfarer’s Road, I sort of knew how it would end, but I had no idea what would happen in the middle. That emerged as I wrote and began to fill out a skeletal outline as the first two or three chapters were fleshed out. From that story, I got the idea for Warrior Women and from that book came the idea for The Lost Song.


It had been sometime since I’d plunged into fiction writing, except for a short story here and there that never was circulated to publishers. I had quite forgotten how much the writing experience was a spiritual one. What I mean by that is that sometimes I’d look down at my hands on the keyboard and see the words pouring forth and I’d wonder where they came from. But more than that it was diving deep into the world I had created, eager to find out what would happen next. Since I was working with basically chapter titles as an outline (Those titles were never used, by the way.), I just knew the direction I was going, but I didn’t know the details.

There is a real stepping into the creative flow that I experienced. It reminded me of a painter I know who turned away from his work when it was done and looked back in wonder to see what had been created while he had been in the flow. That was sort of how I felt about writing this series.

When I was writing Warrior Women, I purposely delayed writing a juicy scene that was going to be the climax of the story. I wanted to get into that scene so badly, but I kept myself from writing it. Because I delayed that writing, when it came time for that scene, it became a totally different experience and made for a better ending that the one I had in mind.

8.  Which aspect of the book did you enjoy writing the most, the fantasy or the romance?

I must confess I’m not a romance reader. I have reviewed maybe a handful of romance novels out of over 300 books I’ve reviewed in the past five years. I don’t like boy-meets-girl stories when that’s all there is there. I’m not crazy about reading love scenes either. In fact, most of the time when I read a good mystery or thriller, I’ll skim those parts. I just don’t find them interesting.

But I do like stories about relationships and that have some kind of romantic tension between the characters. It’s like with X-Files. There was all this romantic tension between Muldar and Scully. When they finally kissed, the shows ratings plummeted. There is something to be said about anticipation.

That said, I did find myself getting into the romance parts of these stories. And, frankly, all of them deal with relationships in some way. However, I am finding out that what I think is graphic is really a mainstream love scene. When my book was picked up by Breathless Press, they added a new heat category: Sweet Confections. That category describes traditional romance and some mainstream love scenes.

I do enjoy building Jan-nell’s world and creating the cultures there. But it is the interplay of the people she cares about that I find interesting and allows me to explore those questions of roles and family and gender.

9. Are there any more Bowdancer stories forthcoming?

Yes, there are at least three more. The second book, The Wayfarer’s Road, and the third, Warrior Women, are finished and will be released soon. I’m writing the fourth, The Lost Song, which I hope will become one of my favorite types of books—the map quest.

I’ve always been fascinated by adventure stories that deal with clues, maps, and codes. I remember reading The Diamond Cave Mystery by Troy Nesbit when I was a little girl. It was one of the few books I ever saw my dad read, and he shared it with me. It was a boy’s book about finding a treasure in a cave using clues from the Bible. That got me hooked, not only on books like that but on adventure movies. So, naturally I am a fan of the Indiana Jones films, the Mummy series, the Librarian TV movies, National Treasure, and Sahara. I just hope I do proper homage to them in The Lost Song.

Janie Franz still calls herself a Southerner (she was born in Tennessee) though she has spent more than half her life living in North Dakota. She holds a degree in anthropology and has an unquenchable curiosity, which may explain the broadness of her journalism credits that include regional, national, and international publications. She has co-written two books with Texas wedding DJ, Bill Cox (The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Book and The Ultimate Wedding Reception Book), and has published a writing manual, Freelance Writing: It’s a Business, Stupid! She is also a prolific book and music reviewer, and runs her own online music publication, Refrain Magazine.

She has been a radio announcer, a booking agent for a groove/funk band, and a yoga/relaxation instructor. She has been happily married to a singer/songwriter for almost four decades. They have a daughter who is a fiber artist and is married to an animator, and a son who is the executive chef of The Toasted Frog, a high-end martini bistro, and who plays drums and blues harmonica with local bands.
 
The Bowdancer is her first published work of fiction.
The Bowdancer Saga

Janie Franz, author of “The Bowdancer” (2009) published by Breathless Press:
Jan-nell, a young healer and keeper of village lore, despairs of ever finding the child who will be the next bowdancer or a man worthy enough to love.
http://www.breathlesspress.com/erotic/romance/fantasy/the-bowdancer.html 


If the interview whetted your appetite for more, check out Janie's other tour stops.  And be sure to join me back here on March 4 for my book review of The Bowdancer.

Janie Franz is currently on a two-week virtual book tour with Novel Works. February 22 – March 6, 2010.

Janie Franz’s Tour Stops
2/22/10  Interview with author Janie Franz on Novel Works - http://novelworks2.blogspot.com
2/23/10 The Changing Market of E-books on Book Madness - http://bookmadness.wordpress.com 
 2/24/10 My Writing Journey on Novel Works -  http://novelworks2.blogspot.com
2/25/10 Interview with author Janie Franz on A. F. Stewart's Blog- http://afstewartblog.blogspot.com
2/26/10 "The Bowdancer" Midwest Book Review on Novel Works- http://novelworks2.blogspot.com
2/27  Falling In Love With Your Characters on Janie Franz’s blog- http://thebowdancersaga.wordpress.com/
3/1/10  Interview with Jan-nel from the Bowdancer Saga series on Novel Works- http://novelworks2.blogspot.com
3/2/10  Janie Franz's Live interview with Kim Smith on Introducing Writers - Blogtalk Radio-  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kims
3/3/10 The Virtual Tour Experience on Janie Franz’s blog- http://thebowdancersaga.wordpress.com/
3/4/10 A. F. Stewart book review of "The Bowdancer"  http://afstewartblog.blogspot.com
3/5/10 Interview with author Janie Franz:  Penny Ehrenkranz's One Writer's Journey- http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com
3/6/10 Jan-nell the Bowdancer’s Conflicts Color Her Goals and Motivations on Susan Whitfield’s Blog- http://susanwhitfield.blogspot.com

Chat with the Author of "Dead, Undead or Something In Between"

Paranormal fans, I have a treat for you.

Today's Guest is J. A. Saare, who shares the juicy secrets about her writing in a wonderful interview.   She also shares an excerpt from her book, Dead, Undead or Something In Between.

Don't forget to comment, for a chance to win a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate.

 

 Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between:

One bad corpse can ruin your whole day. No one knows that better than Rhiannon Murphy.
She’s left behind the flash and sass of Miami for the no-nonsense groove of New York City, eager for a clean slate and a fresh start. A bartender by trade, a loud mouth by choice, and a necromancer by chance; she’s managed to keep her nifty talent hidden from those around her – until now.
The deliciously good-looking vampire Disco knows her secret, and when he strolls into her bar to solicit help investigating the mysterious disappearances of his kind from the city, she discovers he’s not the kind of person that appreciates the significance of the word no.
But in a world where vampires peddle their blood as the latest and greatest drug of choice, it’s only a matter of time before the next big thing hits the market. Someone or something is killing vampires to steal their hearts, and unlike Rhiannon, this isn’t their first stroll around the undead block.

 Interview with J. A. Saare

1.    Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself?
Well, let’s see… Before I became a mother and wife, my aspiration was to become an elementary school teacher. Of course, life happened and changed my plans.  I’m still pretty much the same the same person, aside from the fact that I have a bundle of children and embraced the creative portion of myself that I once kept locked away.

2.    How long have you been writing? Did you always desire to make it your line of work?
In high school and college I wrote poetry and attempted a few stories which were never completed.  I love to read and the idea of creating a story with characters of my own was incredibly appealing. Nothing came of it, however, as I was working two jobs, attending school, and struggling to pay the bills.
It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I started getting the itch again. Only this time, I didn’t stop or berate the work (or even consider the possibility of publication).  There was no expectation; I was writing entirely for me.  I think that was the turning point.  I had to stop worrying about whether someone would like what I produced and just let go.  The story came to life as a result.

3.    Tell us a little something about your book, Dead, Undead, or Something In Between.
Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between is about Rhiannon Murphy, a woman who left behind a tainted past in Miami for a fresh start in New York. She’s seen the spirits of the dead ever since she was a child, starting with the next door neighbor who died of a heart attack.  She doesn’t particularly like seeing the recently deceased, but has learned to live with it, and keeps her ability hidden from those around her. 
One night while hustling some nine-ball her secret comes out to some of the worst people imaginable – vampires. She quickly breaks down her cue and leaves, hoping she escaped notice.  When they show up at her place of employment, asking for her help, she learns it’s not a request. As a newbie necromancer on the scene, she’s struggles to acclimate to her increasing powers while uncovering the mystery of missing vampires in the area.

4.    What do you enjoy most about writing in the paranormal genre?
I love the fact that the sky is the limit.  I always set rules for the worlds I create and try to keep the characters as normal as possible, but with the paranormal, there are varying directions to take.  That means you always have an out and anything is possible. 
To be fair, I also have a yen for werewolves, vampires, and things that come out when the sun goes down.  I can’t seem to stay away from them.

5.    Did anything surprise you about the process of writing your book?
The amount of time it would take to guide Rhiannon through the streets of New York, without question.  Who knew there were so many ways to travel, all of which is determined on exactly where you want to go?  Thank goodness for my friend, Anthony, who lived in Queens at the time.  I printed out maps, got on the phone with him, and spent hours talking things over. 
Next time, I’ll make sure to have a better understanding of the geography before I take the plunge!

6.    What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
Finding time. This wasn’t an issue a year ago, but it is a huge one now.  With promotion, advertising, blog visits, editing, and numerous other responsibilities at home, there is hardly time left to sit down and get any actual writing done. 
At times, it’s frustrating, but I understand it’s a part of the process. 

7.    How do you research your books?
If I know I’m going to tackle something I’m not familiar with, I’ll begin research before I put anything to paper.  Of course, that’s an ideal situation, and isn’t the norm.  When you’re a pantser (as I’m prone to be) ideas come from nowhere and redirect the story.
Normally, I start out my with a list of things I need and take it from there. The library is a great place to visit, but the vast WWW is usually one-stop shopping.  Depending on the material, I’ll spend weeks or months getting everything I need. 

8.    What advice would you give beginning writers?
My answer is something those far greater than me have said, but I say it again because it’s true – keep writing.  Don’t ever stop.  It takes time to hone your craft.  The more you write, the better you will become. The desire to get to the finish line is always there and never diminishes, but don’t fret, it won’t vanish into the oblivion. If you stumble, get back up, dust yourself off, and keep going. 

9.    Who has inspired you as an author?
When I started writing, it was authors like Kresley Cole, J.R. Ward, Christine Feehan, Elizabeth Lowell, Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, and Jim Butcher. Then, I became acquainted with e-pub authors, and it opened up my eyes to an entirely different world.
There are so many talented writers who are trying to make it, and speaking with them has inspired me to keep going, believe in myself, and keep writing.  I’d have to say they are my inspiration and keep things in perspective.

10.    What’s the next project for you?
Up next is Crimson Moon, a full-length paranormal romance which will release at The Wild Rose Press on June 25th.  I’m currently working on edits for Eternity and a Day, an erotic romance with elements of fantasy and the paranormal, and expect that to release early this year at Loose Id. After those are wrapped up, I hope to complete several projects, including a new UF series tentatively titled The Company of Wolves. 

Thanks for having me by the blog!

You can visit me on my websites: www.jasaare.com, www.alinehunter.com, or my blog www.jasaare.blogspot.com. 
I’m also on Twitter, @jasaare, Facebook at http://tiny.cc/jasaare747, and always respond to emails: jasaare@gmail.com. 

 You can find all the author's tour stops here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2010/01/virtual-tour-dead-undead-or-something.html 


Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between Excerpt:

My shoulders drooped in defeat. Of all the shitty luck.
The only way my life could get worse is if I got my throat ripped out.  Coincidentally, I was due to leave my place of employment and enter into a darkened alley to meet up with a vampire. So the odds weren’t stacked in my favor. Not at all.
My boots squeaked on the linoleum as I strode past the coat rack, walked down the hall, and entered the narrow concrete hallway. The big steel door at the end distorted, appearing too close and then too far, invoking images of The Shining. I finally reached it and limply grasped the knob.
I stood there, fingers loose and flaccid. Once I turned the knob, I was sealing my fate. My pride wouldn’t stand for beating on the door and screaming like a pansy to be allowed back inside. I exerted my backbone, grasped the knob, and twisted. The door opened with a protest of metal against metal.
I scanned the area quickly and then sagged in relief. The alley was empty. Thank you God, hallelujah! The door slammed shut behind me as I rushed down the narrow street. I was dodging a bullet, and I knew it.
The moon wasn’t out but the streetlights lit the way decently enough, the circular swells of white shining bright against the darkened concrete. The air was slightly chilly, sending prickles along my skin. I’d have to break out the jeans and sweaters soon.
I hooked a right, keeping my ecstatic pace, until I glanced up.
Disco was propped casually against the wall, his broad back braced against the red bricks. He was standing beneath a nearby street light that shone off his hair, the pale honey blond intense. Pulling out a cigarette and lighting up, he waited as I approached. I watched the red tip brighten as he took a long puff, lifted his head, and exhaled slowly into the darkened night.
So much for dodging a bullet.
Some girls get to be prom queen, others get a perfect SAT score, but not me. I was the biggest winner on The Price Is Right, and Johnny just told me to come on down.