I’m over at the Soul Mate Blog today – part of our April Blog-athon. Please stop by and say hello! Otherwise, I will be lonely!
Stop By and Say Hello, My Friends!
Soul Mate Publishing
A Chance to Win Mystic Ink!
I’m part of a giveaway at Book & Trailer Showcase. I’m giving away an e-book copy of Mystic Ink to one lucky person. Head over to their site by clicking here and follow the directions on the site. Good luck!
Inspired Beauty
Happy Friday everyone! Don’t miss my guest over at the Scribes today – Lisa Kessler, author of Night Walker
This week’s post is a short one. I’m working on MYSTIC STORM, Zephyr’s story, so I’m a bit preoccupied! I’d like to share with you some photographs of the enchanting real world setting for the book.
Stonington Point is a historic area of Stonington, Connecticut. Just miles away from Mystic, CT.
The houses are beautiful! I love the blue door.
Roses in bloom. I like to imagine that Zephyr would stop to smell the roses.
I imagined the Gallup Inn, Zephyr’s hotel and spa before I ever visited Stonington. I was delighted to find an actual house that fit my imaginary vision. And this is actually a hotel. While we visited, a movie with Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep was filming. (No, sightings, but we did see the film crew set decorating.)
I loved all the colorful buildings!
One last look at the beautiful ocean.
I hope you enjoyed the brief tour! See you all next week!
Tell Me a Good Story
Happy Friday everyone! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes today – Lasting Impression.
I recently began writing MYSTIC STORM, Zephyr’s story, and it got me thinking about storytelling and two television programs – Downton Abbey and The Walking Dead.
What does a British period piece and a post apocalyptic survival story have in common?
On the surface they seem to have zero in common. But in reality they have many similarities. They are both about a group of people trying to cope with social change brought on by a world cataclysm (World War I, The Spanish Flu, a zombie outbreak). They both feature a compelling cast of characters that are easy to root for (or in the case of Thomas and Mrs. O’Brien – despise!). And both programs are stellar examples of great storytelling. The kind that sucks you and doesn’t let you go. (Even if I do rush out of the room when zombies appear during The Walking Dead).
As a writer, these are the comments you want to hear from readers:
“I couldn’t put your book down!”
“The story pulled me in.”
“You kept me up all night.”
“I can’t wait for your next book.”
Music to a writer’s ears. Praise of the highest order.
As a reader I want to read (or watch) a great story. I’m not impressed by flowery prose, laundry list descriptions of a character’s outfit or paragraphs describing a room’s furnishings. In my mind, writing and storytelling are two different things.
A storyteller takes you on a journey, weaves a tale, and connects you to the characters. Writing is the vehicle that brings the story to life, but should be more the like the soundtrack (in the background creating a mood, not bowling you over with bombast).
So tell me, what’s your preference? Do you get caught up in the words themselves? Or do you go for pacing and action? Or maybe a combination of both?
Owl Love You Forever
Happy Friday everyone! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes today and meet guest author Donna Shields!
In case you haven’t noticed before, I have a thing for owls. When I updated my blog, the first image I reached for was an owl. I found the owl to the left at a shop in Mystic, CT called Whyevernot. The only reason this guy isn’t in my collection is because he cost $149.00.
I’m pretty sure my owl obsession began with my youngest son and his first stuffed owl – Oogles. We found Oogles sitting alone on a shelf at Old Sturbridge Village. He (yes, he’s a boy), was already looking a bit man-handled. My son reached out from his stroller and latched on.
Over the years, Oogles has had many adventures. He even has his own Christmas hat.
Oogles is still with us and he still looks a bit care-worn, but he is well loved all the same.
From there we (younger son and me) steadily began acquiring more and more stuffed owls. But we didn’t stop there.
We moved onto to glass ones, owl mugs, owl lawn ornaments. Owl Christmas ornaments. You name it – we probably have one with an owl on it.
Lest you think I’m totally crazy and need a hoarders intervention, I don’t have a zillion of them. Not yet anyway. Although if you did come to my house, you wouldn’t have to look far to find an owl.
I’ve often wondered what makes us gravitate towards certain animals. When I was growing up I had a thing for unicorns (what teenage girl doesn’t have a brief fling with the lovely unicorn?) and a later I really liked penguins.
I know, I know. I’m strange!
But admit it. We all like some things more than others. And for me, it’s the owl and their soulful eyes and quiet presence. They are silent predators in the wild. But in my house, they are my constant watchers.
And they’ll be my companions as I begin my next adventure.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be writing my next book. Since the release of Mystic Ink and the positive reception, I’ve decided to write the next book in the series – Mystic Storm (one of these days I will complete Devil’s Advocate!). This is Zephyr’s book. God of the West Wind. I won’t say more than that. If you read Mystic Ink, then you know why he’s up next.
Until next time, remember – Owl love you forever!
Time to share. What’s your favorite obsession? Anything you like to collect? Any owl lovers out there??
The Big Moment
Hi everyone! Today is a big day for me.
MYSTIC INK is officially on sale from Soul Mate Publishing. The book will be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble within the next few days.
Also, I will be guest blogging today at Mare’s Place.
On 1/26, I will be Jennifer Fusco’s guest at her Market or Die blog.
And 1/28, I will be at Nights Of Passion. Be sure to stop by for a chance to win an e-copy of MYSTIC INK.
I’d love to hear from some friends! I hope to see you there!
Ever Been Rejected and Accepted in the Same Day?
Happy Friday everyone! Please be sure to visit the Scribes today. I have posted my recipe – Wyatt’s Whoopie Pies.
And if you still haven’t entered the Soul Mate Author’s December contest, what are you waiting for? The prize is a brand new Kindle! You can enter once per day!
As most of you know, I have two other completed novels, besides Mystic Ink: Ascension and The Undead Space Initiative. I have been actively seeking publication for both books. And both were out to editors. Key word in that last sentence – were.
Now, I never thought in a million years that I would receive a rejection and an acceptance all in the same day.
The rejection – Ascension – which boiled down to scheduling, was disappointing. But, I was expecting it. (I always expect a no, but that’s how I protect myself from being crushed by rejection!). The editor was kind and encouraging. I will try submitting that book elsewhere in the coming months.
Later, that same day, I received an offer for the book I wrote in a month as part of the Scribes double dog dare back in July.
Yeah – The Undead Space Initiative which I never, ever, thought would sell, that book received an offer!
I was so shocked, I asked my husband to read the e-mail to me. He looked at me like I was nuts, but obliged. After all, I had just been rejected, how is it possible that on the same day, I got an offer to buy USI?
I’m not complaining, but merely pointing out the strange way the world works. I’m thrilled! Ecstatic to have made another sale!
You may have noticed, I haven’t named names. I won’t yet. Not until everything is finalized.
I only mention the offer now, because two weeks ago, I promised on the Scribes page to mention good news faster.
And a promise is a promise!!
Once it’s a done deal, I will share the details.
And now, I really have to start my next book! Evil plotting – here I come!
Ever have good news, but been afraid to divulge it right away? If you have any good news or any news, feel free to share it!
Extra! Extra!
Happy Friday! Please be sure to remember to visit me at the Scribes today for my blog – One Month from Now.
Today, I have some newsworthy items to share with everyone.
- Sunday, December 4, I will be blogging at Mare’s Place. Be sure to leave a comment to enter for a chance to win some Mystic Ink/Casey Wyatt stuff.
- Great Prizes!
- Writers – it’s not too late to enter CTRWA’s The Write Stuff Contest. The deadline is December 5th. In addition to receiving feedback from experienced contest judges, this contest awards cash prizes to the winners!
- Speaking of excellent prizes – stop by and leave a comment at the Soul Mate Author’s Blog for a chance to win the December contest prize – a Kindle.
- And fans of the Scribes – we need your help. If you enjoy our blog, please nominate us for The 6th Annual Top 10 Blogs for Writers Contest – here. Please leave a comment and our link (otherwise your vote doesn’t count!). Thank you for your support.
Anyone have news to share?
Hits and Misses
Happy Black Friday everyone! Please be sure to stop by the Scribes and check out – You’ve Got a Friend in Me.
I mentioned a few weeks back that I’m participating in NaNo. I hit the 50,000 word goal on Day 20. I plan on finishing the novel by 11/30. That will make two completed novels in 2011 – The Undead Space Initiative and Redemption (book 2 of my Aethera series).
Sadly, I did not get to finish plotting The Devil’s Advocate or Mystic Storm (sequel to Mystic Ink). But, hey, there are so many hours in a day. And I’ve learned a lot about my writer self this year.
- I’m not Nora Roberts or Dean Wesley Smith, capable of pumping out high volume, superior quality manuscripts nearly out of the gate. Plotting and characterization takes time (for me anyway). I have to be totally on-board with the characters and plot, otherwise, I can’t finish the book.
- I can write a novel in a month. I did it twice. See above – I have to know what is going to happen in my books. I don’t need to know the how or even the why. Those details can come out when I write. I don’t have my million words in yet. But I’m working on it.
- If there is a zombie apocalypse, I won’t survive long-term. I like modern conveniences way too much.
- I love Twitter. A lot. See my post here – Twitterpated.
- Oh, and the big one, I can sell a book!
A new day is dawning
I won’t be kicking back anytime soon. I have a busy 2012 coming up, including promo at other blogs, working on edits for Redemption, writing other books, and I’ll be CT RWA’s new Media Director. Busy, busy.
How’s your 2011 going? What are you looking forward to in 2012?
Casey Wyatt 