Monday, March 29, 2010

Monday Madness OR Who Am I Picking Now?

Still haven't found a good name for this feature!!!

Okay - today's subject is someone I actually know (or think I do) pretty well. She's one of my first and dearest "writer buddies" a huge support, a critique partner and EXTREMELY talented.


I have to say, this is a difficult one... So let's think this through together, shall we? Julie is beautiful, kind, capable and maybe even slightly shy (though she covers it well). She likes adventure though - so don't be too fooled. Hmm. She's kind of two-sided. Adventurous and carefree and sweet/shy. Why Julie Dear, I do believe you are actually a WEREWOLF!! I bet all those crazy water-skiing and motorcycling adventures take place on the full moon, don't they?

So, now that I've outed you - are you going to bite me?

WHO'S NEXT???? Mwahahahaha!!! Check in on Monday to find out. (Of course checking in for my Thursday post is always a good idea too)! Comment and I'll give you extra consideration. But remember - no one's safe! NO ONE!!

Also want to give a heads up - I'm looking to do another interview of a supernatural creature, so any suggestions?



Thursday, March 25, 2010

Double Double Toil and Trouble, This Witch Has a Bone to Pick!

Okay. So last time, I might have made a little faux pas by picking someone who'd had his brains sucked out to do a review. I think I've done a little better this time though. Let me know what you think.

The book is The Wish Stealers by Tracy Trivas. The reviewer is a witch. Now, Tracy never clearly claims the existence of witches in her book, but I think the relevance is there. So, without any further ado, let me turn things over to my reviewer (who wishes to remain anonymous).

I so love this book! Yes, the heroine, Griffin Penshine can be obnoxiously good to the point I want to gag, but I do love anything to do with magic and this book has it in folds. I've always believed in the magic of wishes. And what an interesting idea... to steal wishes of others. Hmm. What? Don't look at me like that Lisa! I'm just engrossed in the story.

Anyway, my favorite characters in the book were hands down the witches from MacBeth. Of course they must have been wearing theater makeup because witches are NOT all ugly and warty. Look at me. I'm gorgeous. Well, I am. But anyhow, even miss goody-two-shoes, Griffin has her moments and I love that. So I give it a big thumbs up!

Thank you. I think. Anyhow, much better than the zombie review. I will add my own two-cents now. Ha ha! Get it? A book about penny wishes? Two-cents?

Anyway, I LOVE this book. It's an MG and I have to tell you I thought it was amazing. Griffin is a great character, multidimensional as my guest indicated and I love the supporting cast as well. Grandma Penshine being my favorite. The story is original, with fresh writing and carries a beautiful lesson for those in the MG crowd and some grown ups I know. I hope you will check it out.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Look Who I've Picked Now

I really have to come up with a permanent title for this Monday post seeing as it has become a regular feature! Any ideas??

Ahem. Allow me to introduce today's victim, er, I mean lucky winner!!


Anna is amazing. She's got such a great blog and website. She has great character building exercises we can all use. But if you go to her about section you will see that Anna was actually born in Poland! I mean how cool is that? A writer who actually speaks English as a second language! That takes talent. She's also got a background in theater (like me, he he) and seems to be a bit of a social butterfly, mentioning on her site that she likes to get together with other writers because writing can be lonely.

Hmm. Social butterfly. Dramatic. Worldly. Talented. I know what you are Anna! You're a FAIRY!! Now the only question that remains is, where do you hide your wings?

Anyone else want to be called out? He he. I do take requests, but I also might just start picking of my own accord. Oh the delicious possibilities...

Stay tuned on Thursday for another attempt at a book review by a supernatural creature!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

A Closer Look At Vampires

Vampires. They have been the subject of countless books, movies and television shows. But how much of what we see and read is true? Which book comes closest to the reality? Let's take a better look at some of the better known vampire books to get an idea...

Dracula - This book started it all, well, at least for modern culture and our views on vampirism. Of course the real Count Dracula was a nasty Romanian dude who liked to stick people's heads on spikes outside of his castle. Any real self-respecting vampire would never waste all that nice warm blood. The one thing Bram did get right? Sunlight isn't deadly, just weakens them.

Interview with a Vampire - What can I say? I loved Lestat. He's one of my all-time favorite vampires - at least in the fictional world. Unfortunately, Anne Rice, though a brilliant author, didn't get a few things right. Examples? Stakes do in fact kill vampires. Vampires do not have a reflection.

True Blood - I love Sookie. She's got spunk. Charlaine got some things right on. Like the idea that vampires don't have to kill a person just because they drink some blood. The whole silver thing is bogus though. Werewolves yes. Vampires no.

Twilight - hey I had to go there, right? Ah, Edward. Charming? Yes. But the whole sparkle in the sun thing? Stephanie gets points for creativity, but not realism. And YES vampires do have fangs, though as many other works of fiction point out they are retractable. In Stephanie's own defense though - she probably never met a real vampire. At least not one that revealed his true nature.

There are so many other books right now that I could go into - The Vampire Diaries, The Immortal Instruments Series (though only a small part), Vampire Academy, etc. etc. One things for sure though, vampires have captivated our imagination for some time and though their popularity ebbs and flows, it will continue. Just as they will continue, living in the shadows, just out of sight.

I know you hate to appear trendy and all, but come on, who is your favorite vampire and why? I'm curious. So are the vampires.

Monday, March 15, 2010

What Kind of Supernatural Being Are YOU??? Episode 2

Well, it seems there is enough interest in finding out what supernatural being you are to warrant a regular feature on my blog!! So, going back through the comments, and based on enthusiasm alone, I have decided to pick (another drum roll please)


Tahereh is a twenty-two-year-old writer from Orange County. Tahereh is obviously rather secretive about her true nature, offering little other info besides the identity of her agent (you'll have to check her blog to get the details). Therefore it is my best guess that she is actually a ghost. Perhaps she is somehow communicating with and transcribing her work/blog through said agent. So out with it Tahereh - exactly how many years have you been twenty-two?

What do you all think? Anyone willing to be the subject of my paranormal musings for next time? Let me know in the comments!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Zombie Ate My Review!

I want to introduce yet another potential new feature to my blog today. There are oh so many book reviews out there, but are there any books reviewed by supernatural creatures? Well, now there is. And since Carrie Ryan's paperback, The Forest of Hands and Teeth debuted this week at #5 on the NY Times Bestsellers list, I thought PERFECT! I'll just find myself a zombie to do a review.

Well, silly me, Zombies aren't exactly the best choice for anything intellectual like a review. Let me demonstrate by showing you what happened:

Me: So did you read the book?

Zombie: AWWWAAAHAAWWWAAAGHH

Me: Uh huh. And did you like it?

Zombie: AAAVVRAGAWAAAHAAASHAA

Me: Did. You. Feel. It. Was. A. Fair. Depiction. Of. Zombies?

Zombie: AAARRRRGGRAWWAGHHFFLAAA

Sigh. I promise to do better next time. I think it's worth another try don't you? Only next time I'll use a reviewer with an intact brain. In the meantime, let me give you my own opinion on the book.

It was a beautifully written page-turner. I couldn't put it down. The dark and oppressive feel of the ever-looming forest of hands and teeth could not squash the fire within the main character, Mary. I wanted Mary to succeed (and by succeed I mean not die a horrible death). Does she? You'll have to read it to find out if you haven't already. The sequel, The Dead Tossed Waves was just released as well and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Was the depiction of Zombies realistic? It certainly painted them in a negative light. All they really want is human flesh. Maybe someday we'll read a book from their side of things. Come to think of it though, it might be awfully short if my review experiment is any indication...

Monday, March 8, 2010

What Kind of Supernatural Being Are YOU???

So, I've been thinking (dangerous pastime) and wondering how I can involve all of you loyal readers and followers out there in my little world. Even (gasp!) how can I attract a little more attention, since I love attention so very much. So, I am going to try an experiment -something new!

Have you ever wondered what kind of creature you would be if you were in a fantasy? Would you be a vampire? A werewolf? An ogre? A faery? Well, let me help you find out. I am going to link you to another writer and tell you all what she would be in my world.

Jealous much? Well, if you want to find out what you would be, leave me a comment and come next Monday I might just pick you! Depending on the responses I get, I may even make this a regular event. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to...


Elissa would be (drumroll please) a Shape Shifter! If you read Elissa's "about me" section on her blog, you will clearly see the many forms she can take. Super Mom, Super Wife, Super MG Writer! All approached with unbelievable energy, gusto and obviously a touch of humor - characteristics common to shape shifters. I mean FIVE kids? I can barely handle two. Writing all night? Hmm. So out with it Elissa - are you a shape shifter??

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Books for Supers, Supers in Books

It's a funny thing that when I attempt to market my books as non-fiction, no one will look at them! So, I cringe and make that sacrifice and say "yes, they are paranormal fiction." Well, they are paranormal anyhow.

So I was thinking. We talk quite a bit about what is accurate when it comes to Supers. I assume from that, you the reader can extrapolate which books are most accurate. On the other hand, what books do Supers read? Now that is an interesting question...

After researching this a bit, I found (not surprising) that tastes among Supers vary as widely as tastes among humans. Let me give you three answers as I received them to illustrate:

1. "I love romance! I'll read anything that has a good love at first sight moment. I swoon over the underdog - boy or girl - who gets the popular mate. My third husband, Reggie was a classic nerd so it makes me think about him. Except then I always cry because it was so tragic when he accidentally got that knife stuck in his back."
- Dahlia the nymph

2. "Fantasy? No way! That stuff is such trash. Have you seen how most books depict my kind? A bunch of bloodthirsty, brooding, wimps. Either that or mindless killing machines. There's so much more finesse involved and really? I don't know about you but I'm not going to sit around for hundreds of years worrying over my breakfast. No I like historical stuff. Fiction, non-fiction, it doesn't matter. I like to see if it matches up with what I remember."
- Carl the vampire

3. "Me LOVE books! Books are yummy! 'Specially the red ones."
-Thomas the Ogre

Well there you have it. Three very differing views on books. Oh - I did go back and ask Charity the demon and Shelly the mermaid what their favorite books were. Charity's is "Lord of the Flies" and Shelly had to blush telling me this, but eventually admitted it was "Twilight." She really is a typical teen isn't she? What's your favorite book and why? Human opinions count too!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Interview with a Demon

In honor of my short story that can be found here, I present this interview:

Welcome! Today I have with me the lovely Charity (demons do love to deceive). She appears to be a normal 17 year old girl, but the truth is she is really a demon.

So Charity, Tell me, does being a demon give you a bad rap?

Most people don't realize what I am. Of course there are clues, take my eyes for example - they tend to flare red when I'm feeling a bit... mischevious. Humans are delicate creatures and they don't like to accept things that might disturb their perfect little worlds. Of course that trait is what makes them so much fun to play with.

Ahem. Yes. So, is this your true form then?

No. Would you like to see it? (She smiles and her eyes flash scarlet) I promise not to hurt you.

Yes, well you can show me but do remember I have some friends here just in case. No offense but I do know demon's promises aren't worth - well - a damn.

True.

Charity has morphed into a very impressive looking six-foot creature with black skin, bulging muscles, wicked looking horns and extraordinarily sharp teeth. She is morphing back now...

Let's get to some questions my readers have posed. Iankez wants to know why you don't sleep? Don't you get tired being awake all the time?

No. Not at all. I'm not built like you are Ian. I've tried sleeping before, you know, just for fun. But I found it to be rather dull. Now eating on the other hand - and drinking! Those are much more interesting hobbies, depending on what substance I'm putting in my mouth.

Serenissima wants to know how you keep the spark alive in being evil? Doesn't it ever get boring?

There are so many delicious ways to cause lovely emotions like doubt and jealousy. No. I've been around for hundreds of years and frankly, it never gets dull as long as there are mortals around to play with. The fun comes in because yes, most humans can be predictable, but then there are those few that create a real challenge. They react in ways you don't expect and therein lies the challenge. Those are the ones that make it all worthwhile. Those are the ones I search out.

Stephanie wants to know: if your role in the universe is being evil, and you're really good at being evil, have you failed because you lived up to your potential?

Nice try Stephanie. I'll be looking out for you. The word "good" is terribly subjective, don't you think? What seems good to you, may not be good for me.

What's next on your list of dastardly deeds?

That's for me to know and some poor unfortunate soul to find out.

Thank you Charity for being here today. I know you are a busy demon.
Anyone with other questions for Charity can post in the comments section and she has agreed to try to get back with an answer.