THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them.  I hope you'll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy.  On this stop on the blog hop, you'll find a bit of information on me and one of my books and links to three other authors you can explore!

My gratitude to fellow author Rhea Windrider for inviting me to participate in this event. You can click the following link to learn more about her work.  Website:

In this blog hop, I and my fellow authors, in their respective blogs, have answered ten questions about our book or work-in--progress (giving you a sneak peek).  We've also included some behind-the-scenes information about how and why we write what we write--the characters, inspirations, plotting and other choices we make. I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

1: What is the working title of your book?

I am currently working on two books; Maxmillion’s Despair and Vril.

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

For Maxmillion’s Despair, this is the second book in the DREAD Fleet pirates’ series. The idea comes from performing with Arizona Pirate troupe, The DREAD Fleet.

Vril is a little something different. I was inspired to work with some former characters, add a bit of fantasy, and write in the realm of the Dime Detective.

3. What genre does your book come under?

Despair is adventure, but Vril is sort of a blur of Mystery, Fantasy, and Noir.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I don’t think I am allowed to choose the pirate characters without consent, so I refer readers to TheDREADFleet.com to post inquiries there.

For Vril, I have to say any young Harrison Ford type for the male lead. I think Uma Thurman would make a good female lead, but I am not a movie buff so I am not too sure. Maybe on all counts it would be better for me to say I would look to my Indie Film friends and get some unknown names to star.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Commodore Max regails the glorious and inglorious moments that made him a king among pirates.

A hard boiled detective and his assistant visit a small town portal to a noir fantasy city with some magical investment problem.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

Considering I was just informed that I am now a Brick Cave author, it is pretty safe to say these will be published at the Indie level, and I am very excited!

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Despair has been like pulling teeth from a shark, the draft is still pretty rough, so I will let you know what the final number is when I have it.

Vril is one of my NaNoWriMo babies.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I would compare Despair with most of the classic pirate and adventure novels of the late 1800s, like Treasure Island, but it might have a bit more modern humor.

Vril is probably a blend of Goodis’s works with Urban Fantasy.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The “real” Commodore Max is the inspiration behind despair. He is quite a character and hard not to write about.

I am not sure where is the inspiration for Vril came from, I guess, myself. I haven’t been very good at working on projects that are personal rather than connected to other people, or groups. I think I have a little of that noir era running through my veins as I really appreciate the romance of the dime novel characters.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

If you want to gain an interest in my pirate novels go watch the pirates who inspired them. The characters are real and the adventures are varied. Check out The DREAD Fleet then tell me why you wouldn’t want to read more.

Vril, Vril is about growing older and revisiting the past, my past, as I work with characters from my youth, and the characters’ past as they clean up old messes that they thought were long ago swept under the bed.

Who’s next on the NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP?

So glad you asked!

Below you will find authors who will be joining me by blog, next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on Works in Progress and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

P. J. Hultstrand: azpublishingservices.blogspot.com

Sharon Skinner: sharonskinner.com

The Next Big Thing Blog Chain

I was recently invited to participate in the Next Big Thing blog series, By Lori Hines, another Phoenix local author. Lori and I originally met at a Read Local Event in Glendale, Arizona. Lori’s novels “The Ancient Ones,” and “Caves of the Watchers,” published by Aberdeen Bay, include information about ancient Arizona as well as a balance of mystery and the paranormal. Check out Lori and her books at http://lhauthor.wordpress.com/

 

The idea of The Next Big Thing is each writer answers the following questions then tags five more up and coming authors.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:
What is your working title of your book?

I am currently most excited about the much anticipated release of Trolls, but I am working on the second book in the DREAD series, Max’s Despair. I am also working on several other pieces including a noir fantasy tentatively titled Vril.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Most of my books start as ideas stemming from the research that I do merely out of curiosity. I will dive into study on various topics and some will strike my fancy enough to write a story instead of a research paper.

What genre does your book fall under?

All of my current books fall under fiction and adventure, the fantasy or historical aspect is secondary. I am such a fan of classic adventure.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I do not currently have any actors in mind primarily because I am not a fan of new actors but the ones I do like are getting a bit too on in years to play the parts anymore.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Trolls – A young girl’s adventure in a fantastic world of magic and monsters, appropriate for all ages.

Vril – All crimes have an element of the bizarre, some have elementals equally bizarre.

Max’s Despair – The king of the DREAD Fleet tells all, in this history of how Maxmillion de Xavier became captain of Despair.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I am currently and hope into the future, represented by Arizona Publishing Services based here in Phoenix, Arizona.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I am a long time NaNo-warrior and I write all of my rough drafts since 2003 during NaNoWriMo. The editing obviously takes much longer.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Trolls definitely has been compared to Alice in Wonderland or Peter Pan, while I hope readers feel the Captain Blood or Treasure Island ambiance in Max’s Despair.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Trolls is of course inspired by my son and the children that I come in contact with. Kids are great inspiration for adventure stories.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?

I hope that readers really enjoy that all of my main characters never go it alone. There is always a need for allies. I really want readers to love the secondary characters as much as the heroes.

The Next Big Five:

Ashley Barnard

Ann Chamberlain

Patti Hulstrandt

Chet Shupe

Todd VanHooser

Hot Ace Comics and Storms!

A huge thank you to Hot Ace Comics for hosting Patti Hultstrand, Todd VanHooser and I, on Saturday, July 14^th. It was definitely eventful!

I had a great time chatting with Patti and Todd, and with store proprietors, Anna and Joe, but I must say the best was hanging with Spiderman! Thank you to everyone who braved the storm to come out to say hi. I am really sorry to those who missed us and I hope to see you next week at the Book Rack also in Mesa.

I cannot talk about this day without mentioning the amazing storm! Good gods of air and water that was crazy! I love wild weather though! I almost hope next Saturday’s signing is just as stormy. It will be like living it up on the ocean! 

In with mentioning upcoming events, rumor has it The DREAD Fleet and the dancers of bint Hazine will be dropping in to Hot Ace Comics for a full day of pirate shenanigans, No date yet, but keep a weather eye on The DREAD Fleet page and Facebook for more information!

See you Saturday at the Book Rack! 

Hot Ace Comics

10839 East Apache Trail #131

Mesa 85120

(480) 582-6642

www.hotacecomics.com

Patti Hultstrand

www.pjhultstrand.com

Todd Van Hooser

www.toddvanhooser.com

Pirates, Hot Ace, and Mermaid Birthdays

The story of Captain Blackstrap Gennie is full of strong female characters and men, real, hardcore men, willing to accept them. Complete fiction, right? Of course not! Historically as well as presently, there are power females gallivanting about, and they pal around with some pretty tough guys.

Her part in His-story

Some of the most prominent pirates throughout history were of the fairer sex. When I use fair in this case, I mean to say firm, level-headed and enforcers of the pirate code.

Most fans of pirates know the name Jack Rackham, better known as Calico Jack. If you have not heard of him, look him up, he is one of my favorites! By default that makes him one of Blackstrap’s heroes. Calico Jack is in some ways similar to Marrick, Blackstrap’s loyal first mate and best friend. And, if Marrick is anything like Calico Jack, then one must be lead to compare Anne Bonny and Mary Reed’s relationship to that of Maggie Pye and Blackstrap Gennie. The historical trio, as well as the fictional, wrought havoc in the golden age of piracy and did so by breaking the cardinal rule of Western sailors – no women allowed.

Captain Hook…err

Exiling women from ships was not a hard and fast rule in all traditions though, thank goodness (badness) for Ching Shih. Think the idea of Gennie becoming the Korsana of the sultana and training the harem girls to take up the banner of piracy is a bit far-fetched? Well, then do a bit of research on the prostitute turned pirate queen. The men surrounding her learned right quick that Shih had dropped her former profession in pursuit of greater gains. Bedding any woman while on duty was grounds for execution.

Enforcing the rules in the ranks of her 400 ships was not this little “lady’s” only claim to fame. Ching Shih was also a top notch strategist and general. Maybe Shih and Gennie should set down to a game of chess?

Today

Still think that having a broad aboard, if not leading the battle, is beyond reality? How about this one? Most of the stories and characters in Blackstrap’s Ecstasy are based on actual events and people. Czep has a fair number of smart, strong, stunning female cohorts at her side and, while these women can hold their own in a confrontation they do have a few good men willing to come to their aid.

Visit the crew of The DREAD Fleet to see the inspiration in action! This Saturday, July 14^th, they make port at Hot Ace Comics (Mesa) from 11:00AM – 3:00PM and then the Phoenix Zoo for Moon Mermaid’s Birthday from 6:00PM – 9:00PM.

Captain’s orders, mate!

Rio Vista and Foothills Week Three: Scenes

Set the Stage

This is the part of writing I liken most to working on stage or interior design. It is also the place where a writer can really get a God complex. It is time to build the world characters play in.

In terms of the interior design aspect, I like to think of my scenes as the studio set the actors need to interact with. I fully admit, my scenes are much better since script writing a few times. Making a list of required props and realizing how much space actors have to move helps add plausibility to a story.

What would you tell a set designer if he were to build your props? Be specific. It is not so much that all of this needs to be written into your descriptions but your final product will be much better received if you have considered all the props your actor/ character could interact with.

Lighting and sound is important too. To set the mood in movies or stage the light and sound technicians adjust volume, add effects, brighten or dim the lights, and sometimes change the filter color to be even more dramatic. Think of your Scene Outline as directions for the technicians at your disposal.

Be as wild as you want to be! Movies, television and stage are still more limited than the written word. A scene written on paper is limitless in financial budget, it is only a deficit of imagination that can slow production. While makeup, CGI programs, set construction, costumes, and fire codes create hurdles for the visual arts, writers put the imagination machine into motion and the possibilities are boundless.

Exercise for class or group:

Use Scene Outline worksheets to pick apart descriptions.  Do this to your own work or trade with others. 

Exercise for Lone Writers: 

Use worksheets to build a scene for your story or recall important moments in your life.  Decide if it is easier to use the sheet to create a scene or as follow up to writing one out.

*Worksheets can be helpful, but over analyzing, can cause hang-ups in creativity.  It’s all about balance.*