Sunday, July 19, 2020

THE JULY ISSUE





The Fifth Issue!  My how time does fly!  While I continue writing the occasional blog posts, this newsletter covers a variety of subjects. This month I’ll talk about creating characters, the release of my latest story, an interview with a talented new author and music. Let’s Rock!

WRITING
Creating great characters is vital to any good story. It’s one of my biggest challenges to develop players in my work that readers can identify with. They need to be able to make a connection with the characters, to care about them, to raise their curiosity to learn if my cast can get beyond the conflict they’re facing. It’s more than just a name and a description. These characters become real people in my imagination.

Years ago I developed a character profile, to help me keep the details straight. One of my most memorable and difficult people is Jefferson Chene.  It took months of tweaking his background to make him someone unique. His name is the starting point. Chene was abandoned at birth. He was found at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Chene Street in Detroit, by two Catholic nuns out for an evening stroll.  When the police arrived to take a report, they inadvertently listed the intersection as the child’s name.

Chene ends up in an orphanage and is raised in the Catholic school system. As a result, he has trust issues, sporadic experiences with women and difficulty developing and maintaining relationships. A skeptical nature makes him a natural for police work.

THE RELEASE

Well, this was a surprise. When the June issue was done and posted, I figured there was ample time to prepare for the release of “Magic & Mischief” the Inkspell Anthology that contains “Don’t Mess With the Gods” my collaboration with Elle Nina Castle.  A week went by and I got the news. We were going live on July 13! 

In short order a number of the authors were able to get together for a video conference call to talk about our stories.  Radio interviews were conducted, a press release was written and as the great comedian Jackie Gleason would say “And Away We Go!”



There are nine novellas in this big book, over 600 pages if you opt for the print version.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

It is my pleasure this month to introduce you to my writing partner, Elle Nina Castle.  Before we get to know her a bit, it’s only appropriate that I explain how this all came about.  Last September, Elle received a copy of “Why 319?”. After reading it, she wrote a wonderful review. We traded emails occasionally and I caught a glimpse of her talent. She’s got a sharp sense of humor and a fresh perspective on writing.

When I heard about the anthology and the idea of focusing on paranormal stories, I was intrigued. This was not my normal genre. Yet I wanted to try something different.  Somewhere along the line, I pitched the idea of a collaboration to Elle.  Several facts continue to amaze me.

First, Elle agreed to the project.

Second, we’ve never actually met. Elle lives in Australia and I’m in the US. We hadn’t even spoken at that point. It was December when we started writing this tale.

Third, with a combination of emails and Google Docs, we were able to put together the first draft of the story by my self-imposed deadline of March 15. That night, I submitted it to Inkspell for consideration, along with an explanation of the collaboration.

Fourth, on March 16, yes, one day later, we received notice from Melissa at Inkspell that she was accepting the story. One day! One freaking day! This has never happened to me before.

Now that you’ve learned a little background, let’s chat with Elle, who by the way, is a little camera shy.



Where are you from? 
I’m from Mumbai, India but currently live in Australia.

What’s your ‘someday’ or dream vacation spot and why?
My dream vacation spot is Iceland. There’s just something magical about their natural landscapes not to mention the aurora borealis which is eye candy for days. There's a simplistic, minimalistic allure this country.

What’s your favorite thing to do for relaxation?
I’m an avid reader and love to get lost in a story.

Any favorite hobbies?
I enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes along with watching Netflix or Amazon Prime and board games! I love listening to music and podcasts too.

How long have you been writing?
A journal has been a constant companion throughout my life, so I'd say a good ten years. A disclaimer – another human being has read none of these words. I’ve recently started writing fiction and it all began in December 2019.

Are you able to write full time or do you also have a job/career?
I believe in dealing with the hand I’ve been given. I work part-time at my university assisting them on a long-term project. I’m a full-time student and I’ve completed 90% of my course. So, my work and studies come first, before I have time to write.

Is there a particular genre that you write?  Or more than one?  What led you to there?
I'm drawn to romance, but I find that there's a mix of paranormal associated with my writing. I believe that it stems from my mindset of finding magic in the mundane. I hope to write a mystery or a thriller novel eventually.

Do you use friends or family as characters in your work?
Yes, sometimes. Everyone is unique, and individual traits stand out. If I’m developing a character and a memory of a friend or family comes up, I'm definitely integrating that trait, emotion or reaction into the story! 

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? 
Enid Blyton. She was my guiding spirit in the school library as one of my earliest memories of reading are "The Famous Five" and "The Secret Seven" books. Agatha Christie is another who opened the doors to the mystery genre. Val McDermid has made my jaw drop with her psychological thrillers. Jane Austen, who added an intellectual flair in romance and instilled a love for taking note of the natural surroundings and having fictitious boyfriends. Colleen Hoover’s books are full of heart and in the end I often resembled the theatrical expression of drama and comedy.

Has anyone in your life influenced you or encouraged you to pursue your interests of writing? (teacher, family member, friend)
My mum and dad have been incredibly supportive. Mum was the one who picked up my love affair with words in Grade 5, and that encounter is ingrained in my memory. I have to say you because you've always given me encouraging feedback and have patiently answered around one million questions that I keep asking!

What is your favorite aspect of writing? Your least favorite? 
One of my favorite aspect is expanding on the structure or adding another element that magically weaved its way. Building on that initial idea always brings a smile to my face. I have still to discover the least favorite aspect.

What aspect of writing would you most like to improve on? 
I'd love to work on being more daring and exploring adjectives to convey my thoughts in a better manner. Also providing the reader with an insight into the mood or tone of the speaker after a dialogue.

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?  (Food, drink, silence, noise, location, scented candles)
A bottle of water on my left-hand side and windows where I can look at the sky are my must-haves. Music is another one, but it depends on the scene that I'm writing. If it's an intense scene, I like silence. I mostly write in my room and only like to be interrupted by my two adorable pooches!

Is there a common theme or item that appears in your work?  
I've noticed an element of hope that's associated with each story. Nearly all of my characters are driven and very curious about the world that surrounds them.

What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?
How much space do we have? Haha! It's my first rodeo, and the main things I've picked up is that there be patient with yourself. Another one is don't be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to the writing communities on various social media channels. They are very supportive and helpful. Feedback can be a powerful tool which can help take your writing to the next level.

Tell us about your latest work:
This is my first published work. "Don't Mess with the Gods" is the second paranormal romance story in the summer anthology "Magic & Mischief". It’s loosely based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and you’ll have to read it to get an idea of the modern twist that’s added.

How did you decide on your story plot?
 I was travelling on a train to work (this was pre COVID-19), and suddenly a random thought crossed my mind of Snow White visiting a psychologist. I shared that with you in an email, and we were unknowingly verbally sparring to develop the plot for our novella. Everything took off from there.

Describe how this method works best for you. Outline or ‘seat of the pants’? 
I'd like to think that I'm a hybrid. Most of the times, I have a basic outline which gives me a general sense of the chapter or scene. However, when I start expanding on this, it's more a 'seat of the pants' as I let my imagination take flight. I surprised myself because I had a particular image of myself as a writer.  Writing this short story has been an awakening of sorts, shattering illusions and making me love writing even more.

Do you have a favorite scene you’ve written? What makes it special?
When Solana is at a personal crossroads, and she recollects the advice of her mother. It's a mix of the elements of Solana immersing herself in her natural environment, the thoughts that cloud her mind and the lead-up to a decision. This sets the tone of what happens next in the story. It’s special because there are times when I recall my mother’s advice and it brings a sense of peace and clarity.



Blurb: Two people existing. Leave it to the Greek Gods to help them live a little.

Solana is troubled by a cruel stepmother who takes great pleasure in ridiculing the young woman, separating her from a loving father. As she turns to her friend Imogen for solace and advice, Solana also questions her own sanity when she begins to hear and see the Greek Gods. She reluctantly agrees to meet with Dr. Michael Granger, a psychiatrist whose practice has dabbled in the paranormal occurrence.

Will the Gods revolt at his efforts? Or are there other powers at work here?

Excerpt:
“Relax.”

The music no longer played. This was unusual, since the stereo would continue until he commanded it to stop. There was no power outage, as the dim light in the kitchen was still on.

“Just relax.”

Was he actually hearing a voice out loud, or was it only in his head? Perhaps it was nothing more than the power of suggestion, brought on by Solana’s story. Michael drew in a deep breath and let it out as slowly as possible. To his amazement, an image began to take shape before him. Sparkling brown eyes perched over a narrow, aquiline nose. Dark brown hair cascaded down her shoulders and back. She was curvaceous and long limbed. She seemed to hover just before him, not even an arm’s length away.

“Aphrodite,” he whispered is disbelief.

The head bobbed once in response. He recalled Snow’s comments that this visitor didn’t talk much lately. Now he felt a slight pressure as if invisible hands were stroking his temples, easing his restlessness. This was a new sensation for him. While many of his patients talked about alternative realities and other worlds, he had never experienced anything like this.

“Aphrodite, did Solana send you?”

Book Links
Social Media Links

Contact:
elleninacastle@gmail.com

MUSIC
While I enjoy many different genres of music, rock and roll tops the list. As far back as I can remember (which is a very, long, time!) the Father of Rock and Roll has always been a favorite.



Chuck Berry’s career spanned more than 50 years and he delighted audiences well into his seventies. Here’s a list of my top five, including one that was released after his death.

Reelin’ & Rockin’: https://youtu.be/ca2jxk6o3Rw
You Never Can Tell:   https://youtu.be/u9l0YBKcGnY
No Particular Place to Go:  https://youtu.be/t6OS_ItMGpc


Monday, July 13, 2020

Release Day!


It’s here!

“Magic & Mischief” is now available at your favorite platforms.  This anthology has NINE great paranormal novellas, from a global cast of talented authors, from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. That's over 600 pages in print!

Whether Gods or Demons, when romance and magic mix, anything is possible. Join Inkspell authors as they enchant you with these stories filled with supernatural twists and turns!



Everwood Academy by Clara Winter
With the casting of a single spell, Grace’s world falls apart. Enrolled in Everwood Academy, the teen discovers that darkness is everywhere, leading her into a dangerous trap where even her new friends won't be able to save her.

Don’t Mess with the Gods by Mark Love and Elle Nina Castle
Solana doubts her sanity when four Greek gods visit. Enter psychiatrist Dr. Michael Granger. Two people existing. Leave it to the Greek gods to help them live a little.

Vital Impetus by VK Tritschler
Lost between worlds, Jess is hunted. Fighting back using newfound powers the teen has yet to understand, her only help is an old childhood friend with secrets of his own. Will their reunion be her salvation or the end of her life?

Breath of Life by Kristy Centeno
In a blink of an eye, Arie Garcia is thrust into a dangerous world--unsure if the man claiming to be her savior is in fact one…or…something much worse.

My Soul to Save by Nicole Sobon
Some birthdays are special. Mine proves to be life altering. I only hope I can survive it.

The Urn in the Attic by Liz Ashlee
Anna, Dani and Wilson only want to clean out their attic, but they find an urn. When weird things happen around the house, is it an unwanted entity...or just the cat?

The Curse of Cinder Ash by Mikaël Lemieux
Plagued by a curse and ruled by evil, a traveler must save the town of Cinder Ash to find a piece of his soul.

Through the Mirror by Majanka Verstraete
As a Gatekeeper, sixteen-year-old Aster protects innocent people from demons, and sends them back through mirrors—gates—to hell. When Collin Mortimer, a Dark Caster and one of the most popular guys in school, asks Aster for help and she accepts, it might be the deadliest mistake of her life.

Curses, Quests and Cuties by Celia Mulder
A love story no one asked for set in motion by a curse no one can break.

BUY LINKS:


Thursday, July 2, 2020

Magic And Mischief


Magic & Mischief
Amy, a colleague from the college where I teach happened to mention living in Japan as a child for a few years while her father was working there back in the 1970s. Amy, her siblings and parents, would tape record messages and mail them, (Yes, snail mail!) along with some pictures to her grandparents back here in the states.  That was more affordable than an overseas telephone call at the time.

This is one of the many reminders of how different our world is from previous generations. Through the wonders of technology, we don’t think twice about making a phone call with someone halfway around the world. You can simply switch on your computer or smartphone to actually see that person or group of people, interacting with you. As I write this, I have two laptop computers (one for personal use, one for school) a tablet and a smartphone all on the same table. Not bad for a dinosaur!

The shrinking world played a specific role in the collection of talents that came together for the anthology “Magic and Mischief” which will be released on July 13.  Ten authors created their own paranormal novellas. (Some called it a short story collection, but seriously, 20,000 to 30,000 words ain’t no short story!)  In addition to several authors from the US, there are authors from Canada, New Zealand and Australia.



This was my first lengthy effort at the paranormal genre. This was also the first time I’ve tried a collaboration.  It was my pleasure to work with Elle Nina Castle, an up and coming new author, to bring our tale “Don’t Mess With the Gods” to life.  Elle has reluctantly agreed to be my featured author in the July newsletter, where you’ll get a chance to learn more about her and our modern twist on a classic fairy tale.  Elle’s a little camera shy and when I asked for a picture, this is what she sent me.



Whether you like e-books or print copies, this anthology is hefty. With nine novellas, that’s over six hundred pages, any way you slice it. You can pre-order your copy now, or mark your calendar for the release on July, 13.
Hmm. I wonder if it’s merely a coincidence that the anthology with paranormal stories is being released on the 13th?


Buy Links

 It wouldn't be a post from me without music. Here's a classic from the late Roy Orbison. You may recognize a few of his back up musicians.