My Very First NaNoWriMo Book Tag

I’ve known about National Novel Writing Month (Novel-ember) for a few years; most writers are familiar with the concept but for those who are not, NaNoWriMo is a 30 day high intensity month of writing nationwide. Writer’s start on November 1, working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30. I’m not surprised that there is a book tag for this one and since this is my first year actually participating, I thought I’d celebrate with this post.

Don’t get discouraged if you think 50,000 words are a lot. The community of writer’s participating are super supportive and you can even find yourself a writing buddy.  This particular tag came from our all-knowing Google overlords and a blog called The Bookish Underdog. The original creator is said to be Kristina Horner.

Jumping In!

 

How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?

This will be my very first year participating. I started writing for it on my birthday, (NOV 7) as a means to finish my grad school writing sample. That and I’ve always wanted to try it but haven’t always had a story in mind. This year I had both a need and an idea.

How did you first find out about NaNoWriMo?

I’m almost positive I saw a tweet about it a few years ago, though it could’ve also been Facebook. Most likely it was some form of social media, having never heard the acronym before, I did some research and learned all about it.

What was the name of the first novel you attempted with NaNo?

I don’t currently have a title. I like to name my books once they’re written and I haven’t finished writing this one just yet. I was thinking of calling it Damsel. For now it’s saved as Untitled W.I.P. for NaNoWriMo on my computer.

Give us a 1 sentence summary of what you’re writing this year.

Red Riding Hood, Alice (from Wonderland), The Swan Princess, and Goldielocks go on a quest to rescue Thumbelina and wake Snow White’s Kingdom from a curse. 

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?

“If You Continue to Procrastinate Someone Else Will Write Your Story”

I looked everywhere and unfortunately couldn’t find it but basically it’s a pinterest quote from an author who may not have been identified. I am a chronic procrastinator with the attention span of a gnat. My biggest struggle is completing projects and this quote is a real kick in the butt. For me it reminds of two very important things. I’m not the only writer in the world and also that my ideas no matter how innovative or entertaining will eventually be thought of by someone else, whether or not the world sees their version before or after is completely up to me. Something that helps me when I really need to focus.

Did you ever take a year off from NaNo? Why?

I’ve never participated in NaNoWriMo before this year so every year before this one would be my break I guess. I have taken a break from  I plan on doing this again next year and every year from now on if I can. This seems like a great way to actually finish some work.

What’s your biggest inspiration when figuring out what to write?

Life itself has always been a pretty big inspiration. Different things have inspired different stories. The story I’m working on this month came from my love of Once Upon A Time and the discovery of The Lunar Chronicles. I haven’t read that series yet but I hope my story is much different.

 

Read us the first sentence from one of your novels.

“Roselyn pulled her crimson cloak higher, concealing her raven hair.”

Why do you love writing?

The short answer is, I love writing because I love reading. I’m infatuated with books and the worlds those books create. Creating those worlds and being a part of a profession that allows me to do so on a consistent basis has always been a goal of mine. The much longer answer is that I’m a creative being who enjoys the ability to express my emotions and ideas through words. I love being able to connect with someone through my writing and knowing that there are people who can relate to either my characters or myself.

 

Bleu’s Reviews: House of D’Antonio

The views shared throughout this review are solely the opinions of Blu Moon Fiction Staff. As always, we recommend reading the book for yourself and should you disagree with our views we encourage you to tell us. The reviews published by Blu Moon Fiction have been read for content, spelling and grammar.

The very first thing I noticed when receiving my copy of, The House of D’Antonio by Reece Cooper James, was the beautiful cover. The young woman on the cover is very striking and the translucent figure gives a sense that something of the paranormal may be happening.

Flipping to the back of the book we read of Roman D’Antonio king of Brocklehurst and surviving ruler of the House of D’Antonio. He alone is charged with traveling through dimensions to seek out Abigail, whose bloodline is the key to breaking the D’Antonio curse. Abigail has been bred to understand her family’s legacy as one of great responsibility; in her world she envisions Roman as her imaginary friend. From the explanation you should infer  this novel is one that features the two meeting and blending worlds in a way that either successfully ends the curse or doesn’t. Unfortunately, that is not what you get.

The most noticeable thing when you open the book is the possibly triple spaced layout. There are a few minor typos that can be overlooked if you desire to power through. If layout doesn’t put you off and for some people it may, then continue reading and learn all about  Abigail “Abi”Trenaulde.

Pages: 1 2 3

April Author: Lance Oliver Keeble

American author; Lance Oliver Keeble has a passion for the arts, but his talent for creating realms of fantasy have given him a particular niche. A long time fan of the Sci – Fi/Fantasy genres, in his youth he continuously practiced his prose by writing lyrics, poetry, and short stories.

For over three year’s Lance has written superhero comic strips for three trade magazines. He is currently developing one of his comics into a Graphic Novel as well as working on the editing stages of the prequel to his current novel Globes Disease.

Lance has published poetry in anthologies and magazines; and continues to write and submit short stories, he’ll be penning the 3rd book in his Globes Diseases series soon.

Some of his favorite authors include; Nnendi Okorafor , Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, and his 6th cousin six times removed, Edgar Allen Poe. (allegedly)

Lance credits his mother for encouraging his love of books and writing. He continues to live in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter; is a Father of 7 and a Grandfather of 4.

What We’re Reading – American Gods

 

I’d been really hype, I’d managed to grab tickets to a literary event in Atlanta and was determined to seem farther along in my business than I was at current. I was going to read up on black authors and authors in my genre, I was going to devour novels like a starving man stranded in the desert. I had been pouring over lists and catalogues for days compiling my shining achievement a Must Read list of 50 books specifically from the Urban Fantasy genre.

This is my swimming pool. I’m a fairy following, vampire documenting witch, with an affinity for the elements and an unnatural affinity for speaking to the GODS. I create them, and their worlds manifest themselves in my memory. I’ve traveled through earth, around it and above, my realm has spanned the cosmos and interrupted normal time patterns.

Yet, after spending half a salary on new books to begin my new expedition into a world of Gods and monsters I found myself staring at the same 3 pages for at least a month. I couldn’t get into the story, the character of Shadow didn’t really grab me. The mystery of American Gods was eluding me.

It opened simple enough , plopping us at the end of a prison sentence; we meet Shadow a young man who’s looking forward to a life of vanilla normalcy once he finishes his time for armed robbery. His wife Laura will be waiting as will his old job. He even picked up a new hobby, he’s recently become infatuated with coin tricks.

A few anecdotes aside, the first chapter or so of American Gods wasn’t enough to pull me in. The book sat closed bookmarked by a transpass for another month or so. Mid July I did manage to make it to chapter 3. The most profound moment at that point; had been reading and then visualizing a woman, who had literally consumed a guy with her womanly virtues. It was this moment that hooked me, i’d been dying to learn more about this Goddess, to discern why she posed as a prostitute and to discover who she’d really been.

Much like  during my time with the Nicholas Flamel series, I found myself researching the Gods origins. As mythic fiction is more my passion, seeing how others write it intrigued me. I’m still reserving all my opinions until I get to the end ofo the book, but the slow set up would definitely be something I’d change in my novels.

Gradually I began to see a true backstory, the world outside the world of Shadow the grieving convict. The world as it was for Wednesday his mysterious new employer. It’s obvious that Wednesday is one of the afformentioned Gods on the cover. He reserved in providing information but happily drags Shadow along to meet a hosts of characters. There is a significance in the coins that I feel speaks to Shadows true nature, but even now I’m not sure what or who he is really supposed to be.

Shadow wins a coin from a self – proclaimed leprachaun after a bar fight and he gives that coin to Laura at her funeral.  I am familiar with the tradition of leaving coins over the eyes of the dead to pay their passage into the underworld. However, I am unsure how I feel about gifting a magicalk coin to you alduturous dead ex-wife.

It seems to bring her back to life somehow, as Laura acts as a sort of ghostly guradian angel, literally murdering to keep Shadow safe.

I stopped last night two pages into chapter 7. The book has over 600 pages and I’m on 157. Originally I thoguht i’d be done the book by August and as of august 16, i’m about 25% through. Here are my take aways at this point.

There is an underlying war that may or may not be happening between the Gods of Myth and the new gods of what i believe to be “Technology” and “Money” or something along those lines. CIA style drones Wood and Stone beat poor Shadow silly during interrogation which ends with one’s death at the hands of Laura. It is definitely becoming interesting but it does drag a bit. I’ll continue to crawl through the chapters. I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

Shemar Moore Leaves Criminal Minds

I watched in awe, partially on the verge of tears as we all said farewell to Agent Derek Morgan of the BAU. He isn’t dead Shemar Moore just left the show.

After 11 seasons of playing the BAU’s hunky chocolate hitter, Shemar Moore bid farewell in the final episode “A Beautiful Disaster”.  The final episode features Derek hunting down the man responsible for shooting his pregnant wife Savannah (special guest star Rochelle Aytes plays Mrs. Morgan).

Week after week we were prepped for Morgan’s departure, after he was kidnapped and tortured in “Derek” I was just happy he wasn’t killed off. Moore’s final episode aired March 23, 2016, though Morgan is leaving to spend more time with his wife and new son. Moore is leaving the show to puruse new oppurtunities.

The most heartbreaking goodbye, was between him and character Penelope Garcia, who’s friendship has kept us all enamored with the show since it started in 2005. Moore stated in an interview with TV Guide that he’d happily return in some capacity later down the line. Noting his occasional appearances after leaving the soap Young and the Restless.

Did you forget he was on that?

Criminal Minds still comes on CBS Wednesdays @ 9pm. Be sure to also catch the new spin-off Criminal Minds:Beyond Borders which airs just after @ 10pm.

FreeWrite#7

The page remained an unforgiving shade of white. For hours she’d stared at it, glaring brightly back at her, taunting her lack of progress. She’d been told she’d made a mistake, the life of a writer was not one that she could survive on. She heard these things while blazing through the newest Best Seller on the NY Times reading list. Oprah made millions on a book club membership for people to tell her that becoming a writer wasn’t lucrative.

She’d always had to defend her passion. The bubbly loud mouth would always simmer down when you placed a good story in her hands. Her brows furrowed glasses dangling from the bridge of her nose. She would momentarily immerse herself in a world of fantasy.

Where knights risked everything for true love and the pursuit of a good battle. Magic could be used to force sides, all things were possible. She allowed herself to believe this, because closing the book she was shown all things were not possible. She was told that if you don’t move fast enough opportunities will pass you by.

Told that her caramel colored skin made her desire to dress up in costumes unacceptable; that not enough people shared her interests for her to survive on sheer passion alone. It was unwise not to look for other venues or to refine her visions to match other people’s aspirations because her aspirations were too ambitious.

She often wondered if she was lighter or a man if any one would have ever told her that she was too ambitious. Wondered how much of her writing those “advising” her actually read. She been writing one thing or another everyday since she figured out how to hold  a pen. She wondered sometimes rhetorically, how many dreams they had pushed aside because someone said so.

Looking up she noticed that her page was no longer a blank face staring at her but a fluid moving entity that grew as she allowed her heart to spill into the keyboard. Her words stretched across the screen marching in time with the beat of her heart. Her words, that they’d often told her she’d used too many of, could no longer be ignored.

She never needed the wealth or fame that would naturally come. She needed to know that her voice mattered, forgetting the only person it needed to matter to was the one using it.

Wonderland Legacy – The Circles of Life 2.3

Life in the Hollister household, mimicked life elsewhere in Willow Creek. The neighborhood had grown in size. New faces were renting out houses formerly owned by Wonderchild parents. Some of the couples participating in the program had dropped out a few years in. The  people in the lab coats hardly ever stopped by anymore.

Tamar was able to sell an app and buy the house they rented from SimsCorp. The renovations took a few years but when they were done it looked like a gorgeous 3 bedroom house had always been there.

The children also were growing, Mason had taken an interest in sports. Spending every waking moment at the gym or jogging. He didn’t have to work. Instead his focus was grades and being a teenager.

Tamara found the creative bug her mother had. She  as often found locked in her room coloring or practicing the violin. Her stuffed animals would have tea parties with her and she would spend hours talking to her mother in the garden.

Tamar had retired after he sold the app and enjoyed the time he had to be home with his children. There is something sobering about knowing when your time is up. Each year his children grew marked another year of borrowed time.

It happened suddenly, late in the night without a sound. Tamar passed on leaving his wife of 18 years a widower raising a growing boy and an impressionable young woman. It left her devastated. Each of the Hollister clan grieved differently. Mason shed almost no tears, his younger sister, completely heartbroken.

With Tamar no longer in the home, Mason had to take on responsibilities as man of the house. Tamara would continue to have a normal childhood. Naomi slipped into a deep depression, she moped around the house for days. She never fully recovered from his passing. As old age set in, the loss of her one true love had taken its toll on her.

Mason found he’d have to care for young Tamara. Until Naomi dealt with her grief the two were on their own.

Dragon Hunter: Case Files of Erin Draconis

It’d been a family heirloom, the dusty book bound in worn animal flesh. She’d always been fascinated by the stones on the cover. Both a journal and an encyclopedia of sorts, it was among the things willed to her by her late uncle.

Vincent Draconis, renowned paleontologist had been keeping a secret. Though he had built his name and his fortune on the research and study of bugs and fossils they’d only funded his true passion.

He’d spent all of his youth and most of his elderly years pursuing and recording the few lasting breeds of an ancient creature. He’d stumbled on the existence of dragons. At first he needed proof that they’d really existed, he was sure the findings would make him famous.

Vincent had bee contacted by a secret order, sworn to protect the magical beings. At the height of their existence they were beings of untold power, every piece of their bodies could be used in potent spells. The dragons were almost hunted into extinction.

As a girl Erin had remembered going on many adventures with her uncle but none to explain this revelation. She’d seen him hunched over the book often, furrowed brow scribbling frantically while mumbling into a tape recorder. These moments she wandered the corridors of his mansion.

She’d been fourteen when she’d come to stay with her father’s brother; after a house fire claimed her remaining parent. Erin had lived through several tragedies at once for such a young age. Her mother weakened from the stress of childbirth gave her life so she could survive. At thirty – five Evan Draconis would fumble through her early years. They’d survived unscathed when Vincent fresh from college came to stay the first time. He’d become infatuated with fossils and decided to travel the world to study them. Her earliest memories were of his beard and backpack.

The backpack lay abandoned in the corner of the office now. his desk was still cluttered with maps and charts. He’d been planning to go somewhere prior to his stroke. Vincent was always full of life but he was a man of terrible health. In between meals he enjoyed copious amounts of liquor and fat. He was beloved, but had grown plump and slightly senile in his later years. The imminent stroke that claimed him was of no surprise; though it was heartbreaking just the same.

A knock at the door relinquished her from her thoughts.

The attorney had brought a flash drive she was to view alone and only after agreeing to the task on the drive. She’d signed her name and received a box promised to have everything she’d need for her new life. The lawyer shook hands and departed.

Everyone else had gone home.

She decided to watch the drive.

Wonderland Legacy – Births and Birthdays 2.2

Naomi was in her third trimester. Months ago when she and Tamar were celebrating their new beginnings they were creating a new life. The fertility treatments provided by SimsCorp at the beginning of the Wonderchild trials was so potent that several years later and at 45 no less she was carrying her second child.

It was to be a girl. Mason was a rambunctious tyke climbing on things and swinging from high places, Naomi hoped the little girl would be interested in quiet activities like coloring and reading. It was Tamar’s birthday he would be turning 50.

The couple would look back on the day fondly, Naomi worked quietly in the kitchen. She’d been stirring cake batter when she felt the familiar tug, the rush of liquid seeped through her linen pants. This time they’d been prepared. Tamar was in the car before she even felt her second contraction.

Tamara Hollister was born on her father’s birthday. As he aged into an elder, she started her life as the youngest child and the newest edition of their little clan.

Naomi and Tamar were pleased with themselves. They’d managed to have two lovely children. The scientist at SimsCorp were happy to hear of a second child so long as Mason remained the primary focus. He’d be a teenager soon, the formidable years were approaching.

Wonderland Legacy – Mason the Early Years 2.1

 

Mason’s first few years were a breeze. Naomi’s decision to stay home allowed her to dote on the child. When he was sleeping she would garden and work on a few recipes. She’d started to take an interest in cooking, more than she had before. She had agreed to stay home with Mason but maybe she’d find a career in cooking once he started school.

Tamar had loss interest in his tech career. There were only so many video games you could play before your eyes bled. He found peace  in his home and his son. The two bonded before Mason was even old enough to speak.

The years had flown by and soon it was Mason’s birthday. Giving birth to the wonderchild was one thing, but raising him had been another. Each birthday needed to be special. He was officially of school age and would be leaving the house the following Monday to attend Willow Creek Elementary.

Naomi felt a strange tug in her chest. She’d been hosuebound for the past few years, caring for Mason assuring he was well prepared for success. She was excited for the possibilities of the future. She would start searching for cooking jobs, something part time.

Tamar’s response to Naomi working was a mixture of excitement and praise. He was happy she’d found something else to look forward to since Mason would be leaving school. He too was having second thoughts about his job, he wanted to write. It seemed easy enough and he could do it from home.

They had an agreement. Naomi would start her job search on Monday after Mason left for school and Tamar who had secretly quit his Tech job last week, would start his new job at Walrus books later that week. They threw Mason a birthday party!