Missy's Twisted Tangent

http://urbanfantasyland.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/saturday-briefs/

http://urbanfantasyland.wordpress.com/?p=879

http://digitalsidhe.com/writing/?p=70

Today we have an interview with Tate Hallway, author of the Garnet Lacey series of books. Welcome Tate!

*headdesk*: For those that may not be familiar with your books, could you tell us a bit about The Garnet Lacey series and about yourself?

Well, I’m an, ehm, pleasingly-plump forty-something Scorpio witch living in the capitol city of Saint Paul, Minnesota, with five cats and five fish and my soon-to-be-five year old son.

The Garnet Lacey series started with Tall, Dark & Dead (Berkley Trade, 2006) and it follows the exploits of a reed-thin, thirty-something Aquarius witch living in the capitol city of Madison, Wisconsin, with a cat allergic to magic and a vampire boyfriend.

Dead Sexy (2007) continues Garnet’s adventures adding a dash of ex-boyfriend, sexy FBI agents, and frat boy zombies. The third book is available now, Romancing the Dead (2008), and there might werewolves and ghouls, oh my!

*headdesk*: You’ve written Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy and Science Fiction under a different name. Is there any genre or subject that you would like to write about but haven’t yet?

I’m a big mystery fan. In another life - the one that wrote science fiction - I actually won a mystery award, the Shamus, for my novel Archangel Protocol in 2001. Though that was science fiction, I’d love to try my hand at “mainstream” mystery.

In fact, the Garnet books were originally conceived as a series of cozy murder-mysteries. Astrology is a hobby of mine, and I thought it might be cool to have an astrological counselor who, through her predictive readings, would actually solve murders BEFORE they happen. But the opportunity came up to write vampire romance and Garnet seemed like the perfect heroine for that series.

Also, if Marvel Comics ever finds themselves short a writer, they should feel free to call me.

*headdesk*: What would be your dream job if you weren’t a writer?

Artist.

All through high school, I did a lot of visual arts. I drew superheroes and what would now be labeled “fan art,” (portraits inspired by fantasy and science fiction novels). I had dreams of running away to Japan to learn to animate, which were never realized… mostly because I grew up in a small Wisconsin town where Japanese language classes were hard to come by. Also, what artist do you know who can afford a plane ticket to Tokyo?

Oh, and I could be a rock star. Not that I have any musical talent, mind you. But it seems like a pretty cool job.

*headdesk*: Garnet is a witch and so are you. Have you written much real life into your stories?

In a way, I have. My characters and their situations are often so outlandish (and silly) that I try to add a touch of realism where I can. Sometimes it’s something simple, like describing Wisconsin weather or wildlife. Other times, I try to incorporate the way Wiccan magic works for me. For instance, there’s a scene in the first book, Tall, Dark & Dead, where Garnet sends out a plea to the Goddess for help to distract the witch hunters that have William cornered in the storeroom. The reader is likely expecting a big clap of thunder or other vastly dramatic event to happen. Instead, Garnet hears their phone ring and they all leave. I’ve had situations very similar to that, minus the witch hunters, of course.

Also, I work very hard to make Garnet and her friends dynamic people. That is to say, they change — and hopefully grow — from book to book, which I think is more real than characters that are exactly the same from book to book.

*headdesk*: You write under a pseudonym. What are your thoughts about why some people are so insistent on identifying who is behind a pseudonym?

I didn’t realize some people are! I’m sure it’s natural curiosity, though. I know that for me, I always check the copyright page to see what name owns the copyright. Sometimes I do it because I notice someone has such an awesome name that I have to ask myself, “is that their real name?”

I’m sure people are trying to be savvy consumers, too.

*headdesk*: Comic Book Genre Smackdown: Captain America Speculation - Truly dead? Or Coming back via The Punisher, Bucky or New and Improved Cap? Discuss.

Well, you know Marvel comics: it’s hard for heroes to stay dead.

I haven’t heard of a Punisher replacement, and that would bother me, because, well, Cap is such a good guy and the Punisher so isn’t.

I have to say that having followed much of the New Avengers: Civil War (Brian Michael Bendis) and the Captain America: Winter Solider (Ed Brubaker) storylines, I would really like it if dead would be dead in Cap’s case.

I really fell in love with Captain America right before he was assassinated. His patriotism, which I had found annoying, naïve, and cloying in the Watergate and Reagan eras, resonated for me when he broke with the party line and went rogue rather than sign the Patriot Act, er…. I mean that Superhero Registration Act after 9/11… I mean, the Samford School Disaster.

As for who should/will replace Cap, I’m pretty happy with Brubaker’s solution of having Bucky/Winter Soldier pick up the shield.

Of course, maybe none of that may matter. I’m ready to have an aneurism over the events of Bendis’ Secret Invasion.

*headdesk*: Can you tell us what other projects you have in the works?

I would, but then I’d have to kill you.

No, seriously, I just turned in Garnet Lacey’s fourth book, Dead if I Do (due out in 2009), and will be soon starting number five: Honeymoon of the Dead, which is under contract for publication sometime in 2010.

I hope to be signing a contract soon with a small press for a prequel for my other persona’s AngeLINK science fiction series called Resurrection Code.

As my mother would say, that should keep me off the streets for a while.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tate’s Website and Tate’s Blog

Lisa Trevethan

*headdesk*

Also posted at Urban Fantasy Land

First, I have a post up today at sfnovelists. Go have a read if you like.  It starts like this:

The first title of this post was: I write crap. I changed it though and the rest of this post is about why and why I would call my writing crap. Read more . . . .


 And now a snippet from The Turning Tide:

As Fairlie pushed through behind him, the path closed again. He was caged within the metal thornbush. William looked at her, pressing his handerkerchief to his cheek, refusing to let his rising fear show. Her nostrils flared and he knew she could smell it.

“You’re heart is racing,” she said.

He didn’t answer. He became aware of another sound, soft and sibilant. He couldn’t place it. He started to step forward. Fairlie caught his arm.

“Look down.”

His gaze dropped obediently. At his feet was a blue basin made of worked sylveth. Inside it, silvery raw sylveth swirled and lapped like a miniature sea. It was making the noise he’d been hearing.

And what have you got for me today?

Oh, and on another note, bought some plants and seeds today. Going to dig in the dirt.

http://www.leagueofreluctantadults.com/2008/05/league-interview-jeri-smith-ready.html

Joining us today in the League Lounge is Jeri Smith-Ready. But it's filthy--Anton threw a party last night for all his alcoholic gamer friends and left the place a mess. Lucky for me, Carrie (the Bookgirl) has agreed to help clean up--I don't think she has any ulterior motives, but we'll see--she's like my little hausfrau (without the oomlaus because I don't know how to make those happen).

So, with that, Jeri and I sit down with foot tall steins of beer. Carrie sulks around in the shadows, sweeping.

Moi: So you're old hat at this book release thing, what with the two "Crow" books on the shelf and all. Did you spend May 13th sitting around drinking Grasshoppers and yawning?

Jeri: I guess from a distance, to a deaf person, it might have looked like yawning. But up close, to the non-hearing-impaired, it looked (and sounded) a lot like yelling. I won't say it was a complete mental meltdown, but my laptop had to be put into protective custody.

I'm all better now. *twitch*

Me: The first thing I noticed when picking up your book was the playlist in the front. How did you pick the music for your playlist or are those your favorites?

Jeri: I actually didn't pick the music for the playlist, I picked the music for the story itself. Then the buyer for one of the major bookstore chains read the manuscript, loved it, and suggested I add to the front matter a list of all the songs mentioned in the text. And when a buyer of a major chain says, "Jump!" you don't ask "How high?". You get on a pogo stick.

The fun part of forming the list was figuring out which songs to choose when they were mentioned only obliquely. For instance, the text in one scene said that Shane played a Bob Dylan song and then a Pogues song. So I had to figure out which songs he would play (I went with "Isis" and "The Old Main Drag," if anyone cares). I also went back in the text and put "a Liz Phair song" in the background of one scene, just so I could add "Flower." It's a perfect song for Ciara and Shane. Every line. (Mom, if you're reading this, you're NOT allowed to look up the lyrics.)

Not all the songs on the playlist are favorites of mine. I wouldn't count myself a big fan of Blue Oyster Cult (or any band with an umlaut in their name), outside of the SNL/Christopher Walken cowbell sketch.

Before I stop yammering about music, I have to mention the most awesome song appearing on the BAD TO THE BONE playlist (coming May 2009): "Christmas Sucks" by Peter Murphy and Tom Waits. It's a thing of beauty. A lot of people *think* they have a dark sense of humor, but this song is the litmus test. It can be heard on vampire Regina's playlist.

Carrie elbows her way in between us and slaps a fresh stein down.

Carrie: The vampires in Wicked Game are pretty unique. Did you consciously set out to have a different vampire or did they just evolve that way (this one is from Carrie)?

Jeri: When I first had the idea almost three years ago, vampires were already EVERYWHERE, so I was not looking to follow the crowd. But what other paranormal creature could get psychologically and culturally stuck in time? It had to be one of the living dead, and I wasn't brilliant/twisted enough to think of zombies.

So for me to enjoy writing about vampires, they had to be different. The 'stuck in time' thing, the OCD behavior, etc. But the twist was so extreme, I had to ground them in many recognizable vampire traditions, like aversion to sunlight, drinking blood, supah-sexeh eyes, etc.

Me (pushing Carrie to the side): The only other vampire DJs I remember were both in movies (Buffy and Blade). Were either of those influences?

Jeri: I've actually never seen BLADE, and I don't remember a vampire DJ in the Buffy movie. Then again, there was that three-day blank spot in my memory that took place after the bright light appeared over my house. Maybe those movies were pumped into my unconscious mind. It sure beats an anal probe. Though not by much.

Carrie (slips back in, kneeing me in the groin): Will there by another book about Ciara, Shane, and the other vamps at WVMP?

Jeri: Yep! BAD TO THE BONE (current bane of my existence, as I'm wrestling the plot into submission for the purposes of, er, submission) will appear May 1, 2009. Beyond that, let's be frank: it's up to readers. Popular series continue, the less popular ones, not so much.

To savvy readers I'm sure it feels like a holdup/hostage situation--the publisher points a metaphorical gun to the book's head and tells them, GIMME YOUR MONEY OR THE SERIES GETS IT!

But it's just business.

Me (slipping sleeping pills into Carrie's drink): You're in or near Baltimore, right? I gotta ask, because I've never met anyone who lived there, is John Waters as important to your life as he is mine? Are there monuments to his honor, perhaps depicting "tea-bagging?"

It's Bawlmer, hon, of course there are monuments to our favorite son (Barry Levinson and Babe Ruth notwithstanding)! A 20-foot statue of Divine stands outside the American Visionary Art Museum. Sadly, the gay strip joint Club Atlantis, home of the infamous tea-bagging ritual, is now closed. Another lost American icon, but you know how it is with the Wal-Martization of the country. Ever since those big-chain gay strip clubs moved in, it's hard for the little guys to compete.

It can safely be stated that Baltimore is like nowhere else. If you ever come here, I promise you a John Waters tour. And a Barry Levinson tour, for the sober day.

Me (nudging Carrie's body with my toe): I'll get beat all up against the head if I don't ask you to tell us about your first sale. What it be?

Jeri (wincing): I entered my second completed novel (the first was just batting practice), urban fantasy REQUIEM FOR THE DEVIL, in the Warner Aspect First Novel contest. It made the semi-finals, and I got a letter from Betsy Mitchell, who said she was passing it on to Paul Witcover, the sf/f editor for their new e-publishing venture, iPublish.com (an unfortunate name, as people kept getting it mixed up with the self-publisher iUniverse). Paul bought it, became my first amazing editor, and it was published in 2001 (and is still available at your friendly neighborhood impersonal online bookseller).

Since the Warner Aspect First Novel contest and iPublish.com no longer exist, my path to publication is irreproducible. But there's the story, useless as it is to anyone but you, who at least will avoid a beating about the head because of it.

Me: I read in your bio that you love cooking, maybe you can help me out, what am I going to do with all this leftover beer?

Jeri: 'Leftover,' as in 'not drunk'? Hmmm...

Leftover Beer
Leftover Beer
Leftover Beer

Sorry, can't help. Those words just don't like each other.

Me: Well thanks Jeri. Sorry about this mess.

I drag Carrie's body to the corner and prop it up next to Anton's.

Me: I hope you'll come back real soon.

Turning back I notice that Jeri has escaped.

*****************
Visit Jeri at her website and don't forget to order Wicked Games, out now.

Jeri stopped by the League to chat, unfortunately she had to witness something unseemly.

 My sister has decided to name the second kitten...Gustave!

http://urbanfantasyland.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/interview-the-saturday-seven-with-author-tate-hallaway/

http://urbanfantasyland.wordpress.com/?p=874

"Part of creating is letting go. I remember very vividly when writing The Land of Laughs that I reached the part in the story where the dog speaks for the first time. I wrote the passage and stopped. I thought-- the *dog* just spoke-- that's crazy. But a moment later I said okay, let's just see where that goes. In an essential way it was the turning point of all writing I have done since then. My paradigm moment came about because I simply let go, accepted the nutty for fact, and kept moving. The Germans have a nice phrase about trust in romance-- 'fall back and I'll catch you.' The same could be applied to writing or any art, as far as I can see: If you believe you have it in you, write whatever it is you want and stop thinking about approaches or limitations or or or... Just *write* it. Clear your mind of hesitation and everything other than the sentence you are trying to write and do it. Then write the next one. The more you think about it, the less well you do it. Start with a phrase or a character you like or who intrigues you. Then begin to spin a spider's web out from that center point. But don't *think* about it. Very often when I begin a book or story, I only have a single line or image which I put down and then think--who is this? What are they like? 'Haden was in trouble again' is the beginning of GLASS SOUP only because I liked that line. After writing it I thought-- who's this Haden? He's a handsome asshole. Okay, what does he do? Where is he? Etcetera. Don't think about it-- just be a spider and spin the web only you can design."

Read more of Jonathan's thoughts here.

BATMOBILING: putting up emotional shields. It comes from the retracting armor that covers the Batmobile. "She started talking marriage, and he started batmobiling."
BLAMESTORMING: sitting around in a group discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed and who was responsible.
BLOWING YOUR BUFFER: losing your train of thought.
COBWEB: a World Wide Web site that never changes.
ELVIS YEAR: the peak year of something's popularity; Barney the dinosaur's Elvis year was 1993.
OHNOSECOND: that minuscule fraction of time in which you realize you've just made a big mistake.
"I was cleaning out the e-mail. Between hitting the delete button and seeing a message disappear, I realized it was a personal message for me." Thus, the OHNOsecond. In SI units, it is the period of time between slamming your car door and realizing that you left the keys inside.
PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE: the fine art of whacking a device to get it working
RODENHINEY: rat's ass; used in the phrase, "I don't give a rat's ass," which mutates to "No rodenhiney."
SALMON DAY: An entire day spent swimming upstream, only to get screwed in the end.

Originally published at Dark Territory. You can comment here or there.

Well, it happens.  The super-literary demon novella isn’t so super for the project it was intended for (which is a super-cool anthology featuring Marjorie M. Liu)(even though she scarred Mark Henry for life, she’s pretty much awesome.)  It’s a cool idea but it’s just not right for me right now.  (It’s not you, novella…it’s me.)

So I’m going to start something new, and bite the bullet on the fact that I owe a 25,000 word novella along with Book 5, by July 1.

HOWEVER.

There is a bright side to the writerly angst.

The new story will be a Black London story.  Specifically, it will be a story about Jack Winter, circa 1990, his band, the Poor Dead Bastards and an American demon hunter.

And demons.  Because, you know, duh.

http://theswivet.blogspot.com/2008/05/may-is-international-slush-pile.html

I think I may just have fallen in love with these guys: 101 Reasons to Stop Writing.

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

Frog & Lilies

My birthday comes up in July, and I like to share a list of links to things that didn't find it's way under the Christmas tree last year.

Originally published at Dark Territory. You can comment here or there.

Well…laundry, mostly.  Because whoa damn, do I have a lot of clothes.

See, there’s a reason I don’t blog when I don’t have exciting geek rants, writing news or dubious advice.  That said, I’ve really been enjoying my week off.  I worked with a friend on some fanfiction, watched a lot of movies, did a light 500 words/day on “Ashes to Ashes” (or less in some cases, but that’s fine.)  I turned in edits on a short story and thought about what else I want to do this year, beyond Book 5.

Short answer is a lot, but since it’s still at the Inside My Head stage, I’m not going to share until if/when it becomes concrete.  Big stuff.  Big overarching career stuff.  Anyway, like I said, it’s larval.  But I’m working at it to make it reality.

Also in exciting authorly news, I have another book out on submission.  It’s the oft-mentioned and still seekrit Seekrit Project, the co-written novel.  Our agents decided we might hit the market a little better as YA, so that’s where we’re at now, waiting to hear back from YA editors.  I like being on submission–it makes my toes tingle with excitement.  Or something.

My mom is coming to visit on Sunday for a week or so and tomorrow I’m hosting Cherie.  My last hurrah of sociability before I dive back into noveling, and finishing up this super-literary present-tense demon novella that has eaten my brain. This time, as usual, I will try to do it better than the time before…meaning here, doesn’t have to write 4000 words a day because you sat around drinking mojitos for a week with a bunch of romance writers. As yet, I have no cons and no major obligations during May and June, so I can hopefully not kill myself.

Having said that, I’m sure something will come up.

Laundry’s done.  Later all.

1100+ new words tonight and a phone call from Joni at Writers of the Future letting me know I placed out as an Honorable Mention, which, while nice, is not a sale. She did say that K.D. was sending me a note concerning my story. I'll wait to see what K.D. had to say before sending it back out.

Dark Water Blues

starting count: 61131
ending count: 62302
change: +1171

starting line:
He’d left the long blade in Andreas’ room, but there were scissors on the nightstand for cutting more bandages and they were plenty sharp enough.

ending line:
No one answered.

darling:
Tony had pulled the bed out from the wall when he’d set the candles up: now, with the black flames dancing in the twilight, the room looked like a gateway into a cotton candy hell.

The iChime.

[link]

http://carrie-ryan.livejournal.com/11076.html

I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with her 100%.  I need to keep my writing close to the chest while writing it.  I have my writer's group.  And I know that I have friends on LJ that will help should I ask.  But I think that as of now, I'm going to continue writing, posting updates as I go along.  But I don't think I'll do any more teasers or such. 

I'm very happy with my story, I like the direction it's heading in.  I really think it's a relevant YA story that will appeal to many types.

So as of today, my story is staying with me.  I'll get it written, revised, written and revised a million times until hopefully it's perfect.

I somehow feel as if I did more damage giving peeks.

ah well.  Carrie, awesome post.

Blogging is so difficult.

Guess I have to blog about my 4 year old's continued pooping issue. *sigh*

LOL!

Which is it "donut" or "doughnut?" After all, it is made out of dough, so the latter seems likely. But they aren't nuts, per se. So maybe it's all just nonsense. Anyway, I'm done worrying about it and the research would bore me to tears. So let's get on with the post.

I've been to donut Mecca.

I've seen God.

I was chatting about this with my Yahoo group awhile back, as I'm wont to do. But here's the story for all of you. Last week, when I accompanied Richelle and Caitlin to their reading/signing at Powell's--if those two don't need a chaperone, no one does--I was firmly mid-Atkin's induction and thus carbs were a no-no. But being out of state, one loses a bit of motivation. Alcohol does not help the situation.

Well, on many occasions, I've sought out the comfort of a warm donut (I probably should have used the other spelling for that sentence, lest I give the wrong impression). And in Portland, there is a place. A place where the icing flows like manna from heaven onto bulbous pastry so tender you'd sock your moms. What's even better? The recipes seem culled from the depths of MADNESS!

The place is Voodoo Doughnut.

I've attempted to make my acquaintance with this locale many times, always to be denied. I didn't think this particular night would be any different. So, to my surprise, following much debauchery at a Portland pool hall, my companions and I were driven to Voodoo Doughnut. Which was open (as it is 24 hours a day, unless you're really jonesin' or are me--in many cases-- and then it will be closed mysteriously).

Under the cruller chandelier we made our selections.

Mine...


The Cap'n Crunch--though it could have easily been called the Cap'n Crunchberry. Dear God what diet could survive in the presence of such glory? It was delicious. Raised and fluffy and covered a thick slathering of pink icing and an avalanche of forbidden breakfast treats. Ummm.

I just gave myself shivers.

Caitlin opted for the Double Bubble (not pictured). A decision, she insisted, made entirely based on the Double Bubble gum protruding from the center of the delicacy. I don't know much about the flavor, but her jaws were smacking, so I'm certain it was a success.

Richelle had to be dirty and ordered herself a Dirty Snowball...


I'll have you know, the woman ordered that one sight unseen. I was half expecting something yellow to pop out but the donut turned out to be far more enigmatic (yes, I think that's a dollop of gooey peanut butter protruding from the hole, if you catch my meaning.

I'm not saying there's a sexual connotation to the name "Dirty Snowball" but there is another donut that might clear up the issue...
( Under the cut, as to protect the children... )
There were so many weird donut varieties, I thought I'd have an aneurysm, or maybe, someone has jammed the pretzel into the voodoo doughnut's head...


It could happen, you know? Anyway--and I can't stress this enough--the next time you're in Portland, do yourself a favor and cheat on your diet at Voodoo Doughnut. You'll be happy you did...and bloated.

So I feel like crap today. Shaky and a little off balance. I don't know why. My temp is almost to normal, so that means I"m running a little fever. Sigh.

So I give you some amusement. It requires clicking.  These via Smart Bitches.

First, book cover snark. It's amusing. Just scroll through some of the posts.

And then, the Austrian National Rugby team lost a match 48-0 to Lithuania. I don't know if they did this performance to show that they are still brave, strong, and whole, or if it's one of those things you do to avert bad luck, or if they were just awesomely drunk. However, they did a striptease. This is not work safe. Not at all. And they go full monty, though I never laughed so hard as when they are down to the nitty gritty and everything's still around their ankles. And on top of all that yummy funniness, They SING!  So go here and scroll down until you get to the video and then play.  Do not be drinking things.

And from otterdance whose Nightrunner book is nearly out (just one more month left!!!! And that falls after my deadline, so I'll get to read it when it comes out!) We have this, which should tell you most everything you need to know about my sense of humor. But just in case it doesn't, let me tell you a story . . . .

There will be snippet Saturday. It will, coincidentally enough, be tomorrow after my son's soccer game.

And now, to write some more.

The long and the short of it - all the cool kids are doing it. (Or having it done for them. I don't know. Ye gods, it isn't cheap.)

So - what do you think, folks?

Poll #1189015 Book trailers
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

Book trailers - waste of money or best promotional tool ever?

Should I do one?

If you answered yes (to any degree) above -

I have to start thinking about the logistics of this, if the feeling is positive towards having one. Do any of y'all know someone who is in the business of producing these whom you can recommend...?

THE PRETENDER’S CROWN is spell-checked, the prologue is rewritten, the NOTES are fixed, and it has been submitted to my editor, who says, “Huzzah!”

I am officially On Holiday* until after my birthday. Laura Anne, the writing brain is yours; have at. I will be reading, exercising, trying to get my bad eating habits a little bit sorted out, visiting family, doing photography, and generally taking time off.

Starting *now*.

*Where “On Holiday” means I only have to write one short story, and possibly a comic book script if I get ambitious.

(x-posted from the essential kit)

What if The Last Unicorn had to fight The Last Dragon? Discuss.

EDIT: By The Last Dragon, I am of course referring to the mid-80s martial arts masterpiece about Bruce Leroy becoming the Last Dragon, a martial arts master in New York City...

Marilyn Manson is the cure for what ails me.   I swear that every time I don't listen to him for a little while I almost convince myself that he's not as incredible as I remember, must be a trick of memory or something, but then I hear his voice . . .   If you could take that feeling of temptation, that if I could bottled sin it would be this . . .  *sigh* and the voice . . . and the lyrics . . and passion . . . I've even watched YouTube videos to find interview clips and of course, looked at his art online . . . It all underlines the "yes, wow, and did I mention YES" reaction I get when I hear his voice.

I listen to others, hoping to find someone else that flicks my switches to this degree, but he's it.  There are plenty of other artists I can & do enjoy, but none come close to this never-fails-to-please reaction.  I don't even need to see which CD I'm selecting. If it's his, I'll be happier once it's on.  His music is the perfect drug--all the pleasure without any of those nasty consequences real drugs have.