IWSG - COMPLETION

The Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh's awesome co-hosts are Stephen Tremp, Fundy Blue, MJ Fifield, Loni Townsend, Bish Denham, Susan Gourley, 

and Stephanie Faris!

THE INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

As far as insecurities go. I've at least a dozen this month, but no time to dwell on them. I'm pushing them aside to get back to the mundane stuff for awhile, but before I go I'll do my A to Z Wrap-Up!

COMPLETION

I did it, and from what I understand so did you! We finished the A to Z Challenge, and while I fell behind a few times, I managed to catch up. The oddest thing that happened was when I realized, right after my Z letter posted, that I hadn't added the official letters to my Murderous Imaginings Blog. No big deal right. It was 2 AM, but I quickly replaced the A to Z logo with the proper letter. I bet none of you even noticed.

I know the A to Z reflection posts are being scheduled for the 9th through the 13th, but I may not show up for that. It depends on too many variables and I did want to say Thank You, for a great A to Z Challenge. To the organizers, hosts, minions, participants and especially the commenters! Well done! Don't forget to pick up your survivor badge!

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new bloggers and loved all the different themes. I really, and I mean categorically appreciated the shorter blogs. Those blogs made my day! However, to be honest, some of those longer ones, where I was hooked on the continuing story, well; those were wonderful too, because damn it, I just had to know what happened next. LOL

These are just a few of the blogs that impressed me the most:

Guilie & Dog Rescue

Kathleen Valentine & Meet My Imaginary Friends

Light Traveler Kate & her Paris Journey

Megan Morgan & The Worst Romance

Melanie Schulz & Flash Fiction UBook

Patricia Garcia & The Prophet & the Child

Rosa Temple & It's Just Coffee

Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles & The Case of the Cursed House

Vidya Sury & Mindful Living 

Zeljka & Traveling thru Eastern Europe

Anyway, it's over, and I'm going to take a break. I really, really need to take a break. Therefore, for the rest of this month, I will be doing anything but blogging. I will be writing, daydreaming, and repairing family connections that I've been ignoring.

I wish you all a great month, but I think a few of you will be joining me. Rest, write, and soak up that great spring sunshine (it's supposed to rain all week, oh well). I'll see you all again in June!

The winners of the drawing for a copy of all three books in my Murder Trilogy are:

Defending the Pen – Sophie Duncan

Murderous Imaginings – Melissa Sugar

Everyone, have a great month!

PARALLELS HAS ARRIVED!

Enter the realm of parallel universes!

Congratulations

Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor

you've won an ebook copy of

Parallels: Felix Was Here!

What if the government tried to create the perfect utopia? Could a society linked to a supercomputer survive on its own? Do our reflections control secret lives on the other side of the mirror? Can one moment split a person’s world forever?

Exploring the fantastic, ten authors offer incredible visions and captivating tales of diverse reality. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Crystal Collier, Hart Johnson, Cherie Reich, Sandra Cox, Yolanda Renée, Melanie Schulz, Sylvia Ney, Michael Abayomi, and Tamara Narayan.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will expand your imagination and twist the tropes of science fiction. Step through the portal and enter another dimension!

Print

Amazon

 Barnes & Noble

Ebook

ITunes

Amazon

 Barnes & Noble

 Kobo

 Goodreads

Release date: May 3, 2016

$14.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 218 pages, Freedom Fox Press

Science Fiction/General ( FIC028000) and Fiction/Alternative History (FIC040000)

Print ISBN 978-1-939844-19-4 eBook ISBN 978-1-939844-20-0

Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or from the publisher

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

“Pensive and manifold views into parallel earth not without a glimmer of hope.”

- Edi’s Book Lighthouse

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, two Facebook groups, and a monthly newsletter.

 

Freedom Fox PressA division of Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

P.O. Box 383, Pikeville, NC 27863-0383

inquiries@dancinglemurpressllc.com

www.dancinglemurpress.comwww.dancinglemurpress.com

SORTILEGE FALLS

The A to Z Challenge is over but the world of book publishing moves forward and today I have the honor of introducing 

Libby Heily and her latest release

Welcome to Sortilege Falls.

But first!
I'd like to announce the winner 
of the drawing for the A to Z Challenge!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Sophia Duncan!

Now take it away, Libby!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks Yolanda for having me over today!

Writing Character Journals

Thankfully, or to my own detriment, I've been involved in many areas of the creative life. I fell in love with words as a small child so I've always written. I've also studied acting, film making, and I now perform in several improv troupes.

All those endeavors have influenced my writing but none more so than acting. Oddly enough, I wasn't a very good actress despite my commitment but hey, we can't win them all. But all that studying did give me valuable tools. One of the many techniques I learned was to write a character journal for any role I played. I read the play and took detailed notes. What did my character say about herself in the play, what did others say about her, what were her actions and how do those actions reveal her true self? Armed with that information, I would open a brand new spiral bound notebook–my favorite type of notebook–and I would write entries as my character. 

All my classmates had their own way of doing this and I definitely experimented for a while. The process I grew into was to start with an entry using known information. Maybe I would write about a scene in the play and how I felt about it–“I” here is the character, not Libby. Then I would tend to branch off and write a bit about my childhood and my ambitions and my hopes and fears. I would ask myself questions like “what do you most want?” and try to answer these questions fully. This was so incredibly helpful because writing a character journal provides you with a backstory inspired by the text. Your life as the character becomes so much richer and fuller because you've given yourself a life outside the world of the play.

As a writer, I've used this technique several times. Characters can be tricky to nail down.  Human beings are complex and rarely have one motivation in any given scenario. I don't write character journals for every character but I do write them for either the main characters, or the ones that are giving me the most trouble. For Tough Girl, I wrote a character journal for the MC and through that, I created the character of her best friend, Leon. This was a huge gift to the novel. Leon allows for so many layers to develop emotionally for Reggie, and he never would have come about except for the journal. Writing as Reggie also let me nail down her voice and tap into her strength and sadness.

If you're thinking of adopting this method but you're scared of the added word count, don't be. My journals run about 5-15 pages. It's not really about the length or the events that you cover. The exercise is really about trying to see the world through that character's eyes. Realizing how their world view differs from your own can be extremely helpful. Next time you're having a hard time getting a character to come off just right, try a character journal. It will take maybe 2-3 hours max but might save you weeks of pounding your head against the keyboard.

What writing tools have you pulled from other areas of life?

 Libby's latest novel: Welcome to Sortilege Falls

Published by Fire and Ice YA Publishing

The blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Grape Merriweather has just moved to Sortilege Falls and already she knows something isn't right. A small pack of teenage models, too beautiful for words, holds the town in their sway. The models have no plans on making Grape's life easy. But no matter how cruel they are to Grape and the other “Normals”, no one can stay angry with them for long.

Grape's life changes for the better, or so she thinks, when Mandy, the only “nice” model, befriends her. But that’s when the trouble truly begins. 

Mandy's friendship places Grape smack in the middle of a medical mystery that has the entire town on edge. One by one, the models fall ill from an incurable disease. Grape quickly realizes that the models' parents are hiding a secret, even as they watch their children die. To save her only friend, Grape will have to find the truth–and that means putting her life in danger.

***

Welcome to Sortilege Falls will be out in May/June of 2016. You can enter a contest to win one of five copies by clicking here.

(goodreads contest link-in case hyperlink doesn't work: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/181005-welcome-to-sortilege-falls)

I was born during a blizzard. I’m told it was pretty cool but I have no memory of that time. I grew up in two tiny towns in Virginia and spent most of my twenties moving around the US. I’ve lived in Virginia, Florida, Missouri, and Washington. I’ve settled down, for now, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

I’m a writer and improviser. I studied acting in college but spent more time rewriting lines than memorizing them. My first play, Fourth Wall, was produced my junior year. Since then, I’ve written several full length plays, one acts, and screenplays. I started writing fiction in my late twenties. Now, I focus mainly on novels but still dabble in theater.

Fun facts about me:  There are none. I’m sorry to disappoint you so soon. But, I do love to read, write, and run. My hubby is my favorite person on earth. Dogs are my second favorite. All dogs. Know that. I love orange juice, especially when it’s mixed with club soda. Carbonation is better than alcohol. Jaws is my favorite movie. Everything I’ve said so far is true.

Connecting with Libby:

libbyheily.com 

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

Amazon

Goodreads

Fire and Ice YA Publishing link:

http://www.fireandiceya.com/

Z - ZAZZY

Z IS FOR ZAZZY

Zazzy means shiny or flashy - stylish... And only one character in Murder & Obsession fits that role. Alice Foxx, Sarah's nemesis and a woman who shows up during Sarah's memorial to make another claim on the unsuspecting Detective.

Picture Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

Her perfume hit Steven’s senses a second before he saw Alice Foxx sashaying toward his table. He couldn’t even remember what he’d been saying as she drew closer and then planted herself between them. Her presence shocked Steven speechless. He had no idea Alice would come to Alaska for Sarah, a woman she hated. Her red dress and black fur coat were a bit pretentious for the event, but not for Alice’s personality.

“Well, if I haven’t located the two men who loved her most, acting civilly. Drowning your sorrows or comparing notes? May I join you? Sorry, Steven, I don’t mean to sound flippant.”

Alice had his complete attention, she smiled, and brushed a stray hair from his face, her touch made him cringe. He searched for the camera shooting the event hoping it missed the moment.

“You look incredible for a man who died in a bear attack.” She took his hand in hers. “I’m sorry about Sarah, and I mean that.”

Alice repositioned her chair closer to Steven and put her hand on his thigh. “From what I understand, you’ve located a few of those responsible. How many are there?”

Steven shrugged. “More than I’ve uncovered.”

Alice whispered in his ear, “I’m here as long as you need me.”

Buy Here

Read All the Amazon Reviews
of Murder & Obsession
HERE!

Thank you for supporting my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)

*********************************************************

This is it folks!

The last post of the
2016 A to Z Challenge

Whew! We did it!

Thank You!
Everyone one who posted
everyone who kept it short
everyone whose post was so interesting 
I had to know what happened next!

&

Thank You!

Especially to all  who commented
Reciprocated!

Everyone who stayed with the challenge
 despite the dirty laundry
the cold meals
and the un-swept floors!

You are my heroes!

See you for the IWSG on Wednesday!

Photo Copyright

Y - YOLANDA

y IS FOR YOLANDA

Okay, so I cheated for the letter Y and used my own name. Yolanda.

When it came down the 11th hour on Superbowl Sunday, it just made sense. Yes, I was working on my A to Z blogs, even then.

Denver was the team I was rooting for, but only because the Steelers nor the Seahawks made it. (Although, we all know they should have!)

Yolanda - meaning "violet flower" is of Greek and Spanish origin. Popular in the 1970's it's rank has fallen.

Renée - means rebirth. French. Every year the spring flowers bloom! Just like me. :)

What does your name mean? Check here.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

They landed at Bishop Air Services at six in the morning and Steven’s attitude immediately changed, especially when Yurij’s red and white Piper Super Cub waited in front of a hangar. In the office at one end of the tarmac, they sought answers. A middle-aged woman, her hair styled in a crew cut, managed the place.

“May I see the flight logs for the plane flown by Yurij Markowski?” Steven asked.

“Why?” Her gaze went from his feet to the top of his head very slowly.

“Because I asked politely.” Steven smiled.

She returned his smile. “Trudy Bishop at your service, Detective.”

“Good to meet you, Ms. Bishop.”

“Have to admire a man who’d fight off two bears.” She put an arm around a young secretary who came out of a small office. “Right, Patty?”

“Right.” Patty cuddled close to Trudy.

“Yurij called an hour ago asking the mechanic to get his plane ready. What’s that crazy Russian done now?”

*****

What does Yurij mean?

(Old Greek) farmer, earthworker 

[ syll. yu-rij, yur-ij ] The name Yurij is pronounced as YUHRIYJH †. Yurij is used chiefly in the Russian language and it is derived from Old Greek origins. Yurij is a variant of the name George (English).

Buy Here

Read All the Amazon Reviews
of Murder & Obsession
HERE!

Thank you for supporting my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)

X - X FACTOR

X IS FOR X FACTOR

The X factor

The X factor or what is known as a variable in a given situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.

Or in the case of my 'murder trilogy' certain clues play a significant part in the story of another book.

The story detailed in Murder & Obsession was hinted at in Murder, Madness & Love, the hints continued in the second book, Memories of Murder, but concluded in this, the third book.

Hints and certain happenings in both of the earlier books come to the forefront during this mystery. And while all three books are a stand-alone story, there were definite details shared early on - these X factors tied all three books together.

Photo Copyright

Here's a scene, from Murder, Madness & Love  
that demonstrates an X-factor . 

Inside the entry door, she breathed easy, then heard laughter. He was on the other side. The door was heavy and would not come down with just one kick, but solid wood still wasn't strong enough to keep a determined assailant from getting to her.

She should have realized when he'd stopped following her. He'd come straight here—hell, he probably had time to go back to the church and get his car. How did he know? How could he know? She was disappointed in herself, but only for a moment. Think, woman, think.

"I've been waiting for you, sweetheart. Predictable. So damn predictable. I can get in, but you can't get out."

"Then come in and get me." She ran up the steps to the master bedroom. Locking the door, she knew how easy the door would come down. She went into the bathroom. Locked that door too, knowing a fist could take the door off its hinges. Opening the window, she waited. Listening, to make sure he was in the house before she went outside.

She poured a bottle of shampoo on the floor. "See how well you can stand up after you hit this," she whispered.

A loud explosion told her the front door was down, and she scrambled through the window to the first-floor roof.

"Come out; come out, wherever you are!" A loud bang heralded the news that the bedroom door was down.

She quickly, but carefully, made her way across the wood shingles, to a point where she could shimmy down to the porch roof, and to the ground. She heard him kick in the bathroom door and allowed herself a smile when she realized the other sound was him falling on his ass. Curse words filled the air.

She smiled as she ran for safety.                      

^***

Buy Here

Read All the Amazon Reviews
of Murder & Obsession
HERE!

Thank you for supporting my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)

W - WRITING

W IS FOR ON WRITING:

A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT

by

STEPHEN KING

Writing a trilogy isn't easy. An understatement for sure, but while I will write several more Detective Quaid novels, these first three books, this trilogy, is my ode to love. All along, I meant to write three separate murder mysteries tied together by a love story. All stand alone books but with a running theme. I almost gave up.

To help get my head back in the game, I read Stephen Kings. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, and it helped to inspired me to continue. On Writing, and the content edit that Barbara Sachs Sloan did for all three books made all the difference. Without her patience and advice, these books might never have been written. 

A good content editor makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

But Stephen King's book inspired me to continue!

Amazon

The scariest moment is always just before you start.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“you can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“You cannot hope to sweep someone else away by the force of your writing until it has been done to you.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“Bad writing is more than a matter of shit syntax and faulty observation; bad writing usually arises from a stubborn refusal to tell stories about what people actually do― to face the fact, let us say, that murderers sometimes help old ladies cross the street.” 

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

*****

This is my 'murder trilogy'!

#1 Murder, Madness &Love

#2 Memories of Murder

#3 Murder &Obsession

Light is a fleeting moment in the frozen north that is Alaska. Although the light shines brightly during the Summer Solstice, Detective Steven Quaid struggles to hold on to what he holds dear during life's darkest moments, his love for family, and professional achievement.

Will a murderous stalker, a self-proclaimed Lucifer resurrected, or insidious obsession prove more powerful than this dedicated detective? Three separate life-threatening situations. One determined man.

*****

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)