DEFENDING THE PEN
It’s all about murder . . . romance – writing it!
I post flash fiction, book announcements, interviews, and the things I love.
Careful . . . you may end up the victim . . .
of fun!
I'm taking places, characters, scenes, and
other interesting items about my book and I give a brief explanation with a very
short snippet from the book.
Light and love seem a fleeting moment in the
frozen north of Alaska. Despite his personal experiences with evil, Detective
Steven Quaid is determined to hold on to that light amidst the darkness.
Accused of murdering his fiancée, Detective Quaid flees incarceration to track
down the culprit. He might survive the wilderness, and a savage bear attack,
but another man's insidious obsession could finally prove more powerful than
this dedicated detective.
Today
I am honored to be featured at my good friend, Renee’s blog. This past year has
been a whirlwind with rehabbing my new loft, moving, and now a new
four-month-old puppy. Life certainly is hectic, but I am finally back on track
with focusing more on writing and editing. Two things I actually LOVE to do.
Last
month I was asked to submit a short story to an amazing anthology published by
Stay Classy publications.
THE THING THAT TURNED ME.
I
am honored to be included in this prestigious publication. Many of my blogger
friends will also be featured. Such talent! The lineup is star-studded!
Authors,
S.K. Anthony, Imani Allen, Michelle Athy, Madalyn Beck, Diane Carlisle, Alex J.
Cavanaugh, Crystal Collier, Cathrina Constantine, Tonja Drecker, Deanie
Humphys-Dunne, Sherry Ellis, Elise Fallson, Heather Gardner Samantha Geary,
Misha Gerrick, Krystal Hillman, Celeste Holoway, Harper L. Jameson, Randi Lee,
Terrance Dwane Mack, K.D. Martin, Tyrean Mathinson, Melissa Maygrove, Nana
Prah, Christine Rains, Melanie Shultz, Elizabeth Seckman, Tara Tyler, Michelle
Wallace, L. Diane Wolfe, and Roland Yeomans…
Imagine
all this talent in ONE anthology… The cover is stunning, the trailer amazing,
and the writing off the charts!
A
few years ago, I started my business, Michael Di Gesú Presents for the purpose
of creative editing. I've created blurbs and taglines for such amazing writers
as Yolanda Renée, Denise Covey, Julie Flanders, and Michelle Wallace, just
to name a few, and now, my story, THROUGH SHADES OF GRAYwill
be published. Words can’t describe how incredibly happy I am to be featured in
such a wonderful debut. The title says it all!
What
turned you?
In
life, there is always that ONE EVENT that changes your life. It could be
anything and it is something every human being experiences. Even though my
story is a work of fiction, it is loosely based on one of my own experiences.
If I may, I’d like to share the first page from THROUGH SHADES OF GRAY. As
most of you know, I'm hired for my atmospheric description and how to incorporate
it into your works.
This
story certainly features my signature trademark of setting the scene… I hope
you enjoy it.
Charcoal skies
face me on yet another frigid morning. Haunting, like a shroud suffocating the
dormant sunrise. Amber street lights reflect in the crystalline sheath,
entombing my buried car.
A high pitched
bleep breaks the deafening silence.
As I pry the
door open, the fragile layer cracks with a loud snap and the surface creates an
intricate web of golden threads. My stiff body folds behind the steering wheel
and a moment later, the engine roars to life.
I drive down
the skeletal tree-lined street, edging Lincoln Park. The brittle, elongated
fingers of barren trees seem to wave an eerie goodbye. The road is slick, but I’m
ready for my escape back to light.
How could I
have let those brightly lit days set without one note of appreciation for so
many years. Heather skies, cotton-balled clouds, and mild trade winds caressed
the tranquil sea. But without her, the sunshine dimmed, and it was time to move
on.
Little did I
know how much the north had changed. No longer did the bright summer days last
forever. Overcast skies now dominated the plains and what little light present
struggled to break through the mass of clouds.
Mood plays a
huge part in this particular story. Here, the city represents the feelings of
the MC as he escapes the frozen north. Many of us can relate to this especially
this time of year!
The anthology
will be released sometime in mid year. I will keep you all posted.
******
Thank you, Renee
for featuring me today. It was a real pleasure!
After
fifteen years of modeling in New York, I spent the past eleven years as an
interior designer in Chicago. I decided to take my creative talents and
write/illustrate my first m/g novel, Amber and the Whispering Willows. A year
later, I wrote The Blinded Gardener, an edgy y/a contemporary. I never knew how
wonderful it could be to write novels ... I'm addicted!
Thank you, Michael!
Congratulations on the Anthology, The Thing That Turned Me, and your story, Through Shades of Gray. Michael barely mentioned his business Writing Art & Design. He does an amazing job with taglines, blurbs, and introducing your novel to the world. But he also does an even more astounding job designing covers. Here are just two.
Need help with design or writing those short taglines and blurbs? Need to come up with a design or logo for that new business? Consider giving Michael a call. He truly is a magic man! Learn more by following these links: Michael Di Gesu Presents Writing Art & Design
This insecure post I want to offer a little inspiration for the projects you're pursuing and thought this quote by Thoreau would help achieve that!
I'm thrilled to be starting a new venture with the awesome Aussie Denise Covey and WEP-Write…Edit…Publish Blog Hop featuring flash fiction challenges.
I'm awaiting the first edits from my publisher on my third book Murder & Obsession, and I'm still working to put two new projects into the readers hands.
My life is full, complicated, and blessed. Wishing you all the happiness, inspiration, and success, you desire!
******
The awesome co-hosts for this posting of the IWSG are
As Alex says, "Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!"
The Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Did you know there's a t-shirt for the IWSG! You can purchase it here – http://www.neatoshop.com/product/IWSG
******
I just received this message from Laura Johnston regarding
Authors Untied Against Child Slavery
Campaign Ending This Weekend
Authors and Bloggers,
Thank you all for your support of this campaign. We have reached nearly $3,000 in donations and hope to reach that goal amount--or even break it!--by this weekend before the campaign closes on the Fourth. If any of you can share the campaign on your social media outlets in the next couple of days and ask your friends to donate, that would be great.
