Shadows of the Dark Crystal Review

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to post a review of "Shadows of the Dark Crystal" by J.M. Lee.  I've just finished reading it, and I must say that I'm very impressed.  I figured that I would like it, but it was everything I hoped it would be and then some.  I'm going to attempt to write this review without spoilers because I highly recommend that you read this book yourself.  You will enjoy it, especially if you enjoyed the movie.

The characters are very likable and have excellent motivations for what they do.  Their arguments and bantering flows very naturally.  At the end of the book there are even some surprises about the motivations of certain characters that I didn't expect.  It was great to see the differences between the various clans of Gelfling.  I'm hoping that in future books we'll be introduced to the remaining clans as well.  The differences between the cultures fueled many interesting conversations with the characters, and it was wonderful the way they banded together to face something greater than their differences.

I was pleasantly surprised with the dark tone of the book.  One of the things that most of us remember about the Dark Crystal was that the movie terrified us as children.  I'm pleased that these books can frighten a new generation in the same way.  The Skeksis are far scarier than the ones in the movie.  This might be because they're younger and stronger, but there is another element that makes them particularly terrifying in that they are the ones capturing the Gelfling themselves.  They actually kill some of the main characters by the end of the book.  (No, I'm not telling you which ones...)  Also, the character of "The Hunter" essentially the bogeyman of all Gelfling, and was written in such a way he lived up to the part.

The descriptions of the various settings are very good, as with the descriptions of the characters.  Even without the beautiful pictures (and the pictures are gorgeous), you get a very good idea of what everything looks like and there are very few confusing descriptions, especially for a book based in a fantasy universe.  While there is a glossary in the back, it's hardly necessary since most of the analogies the characters make are clear enough to get a good idea of what they're referring too, and the "real world" references are at a minimum which shows Lee's experience as a fantasy writer.

I highly recommend this book.  It took me only two days to read it because I couldn't put it down.  From those of you who read this blog, you know I have two children, so finding time to read this within two days means it had to be exceptionally good.  ;-)  Well done, Joey.  I'm looking very forward to the next one.  I knew they picked the right person to write it.

Go buy this book right now!

https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Dark-Crystal-Jim-Hensons/dp/0448482894/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470153352&sr=8-1&keywords=Shadow+of+the+Dark+Crystal

Blood Rain

Hey Everybody,

Well, it's been awhile since I've blogged and awhile since I've had anything new to report.  I'm glad to say, that I finally decided to put "Blood Rain" on sale on amazon as an e-book.  As those following this blog know, I started this book series a long time ago and it's been though a great deal of editing and reworking over the years.  I decided a few days ago, it's finally ready for the public eye.  If this goes well, I'll also be selling "Blood Moon" and "Blood God," thus putting the entire trilogy up on amazon.  I hope it works out.

It's been very exiting to finally be publishing something.  Even if it's something I'm getting off the ground myself, I'm very happy that people will finally have the opportunity to read my books.  Even though I wrote "Blood Rain" long ago, I feel like it actually withstood the test of time and got better due to all of my editing instead of getting worse.  I don't intend to let anyone see many of my earliest books, but I enjoyed writing "Blood Rain," so I'm glad it was different.  I just hope it's good enough for those kind enough to read it.

Many thanks to Joey for the cover art.  It's beautiful.  He was very kind to work on it for me given that he doesn't have very much time right now, himself.  (Good luck at Comic Con, man.  I'm very happy for you. Wish I could be there to see you speak.)  Also, many thanks to those of you who have read it and critiqued it for me.  I took a lot of suggestions on this story and it's better for it.

In other writing news, I'm still working on the young reader horror series.  I've sent it to several agents now and am basically waiting to hear something.  I really have enjoyed working on the series and am up to book four.  Wish me luck.  If I don't have any luck finding an agent with this series, I'm definitely going to publish it somehow.  I just feel it would do better as a softcover than an e-book, but we'll see.  Also, I still feel strongly that horror, especially young reader, is making a comeback right now.  There is a definite lack of it in the stores, and I want to be able to help fill that gap.

Well, I'll keep you posted on any new developments or ideas I have.  Thank you to everyone who bought my book, and thank you for those who decide to critique it.  I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  There might be a few more e-books in the future, if nothing more than short story compilations.  I want some of my homeless stories to at least be seen.  Knowing that these are finally out there warms my heart.

Thank you for reading.  

Full Circle

Hey Everyone,

Wow, it's been a long time since I wrote a blog.  I just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive and doing okay, all things considered.  There are a few personal things going on that are stressful, but I'm handling it pretty well.  (Mostly involving an unstable job situation which we're hoping will be resolved by the end of the month.)  The children are doing well, so I'm very grateful for that.  Pretty soon Faith will be walking and Eva has started potty training.  It feels like time is really flying by.

I've come to terms with my thirty fourth birthday.  I know that thirty four isn't that old, but for some reason my birthday really got to me this time.  I think it's because I realized my body is more achy than it used to be and, for a short time, I felt as though I was losing who I was to parenting.  Don't get me wrong, I love my children, but I don't want to lose sight of what makes me who I am.  Thankfully, I a have wonderful and supportive family and good friends that got me through it.  My sister, brother in law, and husband took me to Charleston to see Phantom of the Opera while my Mom watched the kids and it was just what I needed.  

In writing news, a few months ago my one contact in the publishing industry said that he really liked my mid grade horror series.  It seemed like I was finally going to get published, but the editor and chief couldn't get excited about the series.  It was the best rejection I ever had.  It's hard to explain, but having a "good" rejection is more painful than someone just disliking the story, but at the same time it feels so much better, like there's definitely hope for the future.  He said he liked the writing style and the story itself, basically telling me that it was very good and that I should get it published somewhere else.

So, long story short, once again I'm searching for agents.  Things are coming pretty much full circle, so I decided to own it.  I'm submitting "Scarecrow," the first book of the series, and I've already written two more and started the fourth.  In the meantime, while I'm waiting to hear something, I'm revisiting an old YA fantasy story I wrote years ago, "Everburn."

Everburn has a steampunk setting, but is definitely the fantasy genre.  It's mostly about a strange race of winged creatures that can summon elemental spirits.  There's a heavy romance element to the first book, so I decided to change the protagonist to female and am completely rewriting it.  (Don't get me wrong, I know some men enjoy reading books that are fantasy but have some romance as well, but I didn't really like my original main character and, admittedly, more women enjoy that than men, especially in YA.)

If/when I decide that I'm done with Everburn (assuming I have no representation for the mid grade horror series) I'm also going to revisit my "Blood Rain" series as well.  I need to finish the last book.  However, my husband brought up a good point that I might have to concede.  He told me I'm a better writer now than I was when I first started that series and thinks I should re-write the first and second book.  I have to admit, I'm more concise than I used to be and the books are probably overwritten, not to mention that there are some scenes I could probably cut and better scenes I could add.  Either way, before I revisit the series I need to think about it and decide what I want to do.  

I intend to continue writing mid grade horror, but I don't want to burn myself out on that series.  So far, I think it's some of my best writing and I want an agent to represent it.  If I can get one, that will be the best motivation for me to pick it back up.  I do my best work with just one word of encouragement.  Please, wish me luck and be praying for me.  I could use some good news right now.

Anyway, keep reading and writing.  I'll stay in touch.

Crimson Peak

Well, I said my next blog would be about the Halloween Party, but that will be my next entry.  I actually got to go out with friends and watch a movie (for a change...), and it's been awhile since I've written a movie review on this blog.  I went to see Crimson Peak, and let me tell you, it scratched every itch in my brain.

I love Gothic horror as a genre, and even though there are other themes, overall the movie is definitely Gothic horror.  The mansion in the movie is perfect, complete with walls that ooze blood red clay.  It's also set in the Victorian era, which for some reason is my favorite time period.  There are elements of romance and mystery intermixed with ghostly thrills.  Also, among other good actors/actresses there is Tom Hiddleston.  (I'm quite a fan of Tom Hiddleston, and there are a few love scenes including one where he is almost nude.  I was told later by my husband and my friends that I was wearing a stupid grin through most of the romance scenes and most of the movie in general.  My husband would occasionally glance at me and laugh...)

I'm not saying this movie changed my life, or that it was high art, but it was a good movie if you like Gothic Horror.  If you don't like that genre, you won't like the movie, but it's worth seeing if nothing more than for the elaborate sets, nice costumes, and the occasional jump scare.  Also, the main character is a female writer struggling to get noticed in a time period where no one takes her seriously.  For those of us who are female writers trying to be taken seriously, this is definitely something we can relate to.  I like Guillermo del Toro, and once again he didn't disappoint me.  Go see it on the big screen, because I'm not sure if you'll get the overall effect on a normal sized TV.  Either way, I'll definitely be getting it on Bluray when it comes out.  Beware though, this movie gets pretty gory.  

Feeling Good, but Still Sick...

Hey everyone,

Well, I'm finally getting things done again.  Between flooding, illness, and children, things have been very busy around here.  

As you probably know, the entire state of South Carolina is recovering from severe flooding.  My friends have dubbed the event "rainocalypse."  I thought it was just going to flood in a few places, but it turned out to be much, much worse than I expected.  Thankfully, we live on the top of a hill and in an area that was less affected than most.  My family did lose power and clean water for a little while, but they also live on a hill, so they were also lucky.  The amount of damage throughout the state is depressing.  For at least a week, businesses were shut down all over the state.  Even as it is, a lot of places are still closed or still suffering from lack of clean water/supplies.  Many of the roads are still closed too.  It's getting better, though.

Unrelated to the flooding, I've been sick off and on for about a month now.  I've had a constant cold and bronchitis.  Currently, I think I might be on my way to a sinus infection.  One of the problems with sending your toddler to preschool is that they bring back any illness going around in the classroom.  My poor older daughter is suffering from a constant cold as well.  For a short time she had croup cough.  The cold virus (not croup cough) also made the infant sick, but she's okay.  Honestly, she's taking it better than we are.  I can't complain too much, though.  It could've been a lot worse.  I just hope that we all feel better soon.  I'm very tired of being sick.  Also, being sick makes me exhausted, and that makes me less productive.  I get down on myself sometimes when I don't get much done, so I'll be glad to have my energy back.

I'm finally adjusting to having two children.  It is a challenge, but so far so good.  I love my little girls.  They keep me busy, but it's a good kind of busy.  We're starting to have normal routines again.  My two month old is starting to respond to picture books, so I'm starting to read to both of them.  My older child needs to stop watching as many movies, but I'm almost back to one in the evening and mostly books, toys, and learning games during the day (During my bronchitis, I sometimes had to resort to movies so that I could relax a little, so naturally that's what she expects now.).  Now that she's in preschool four days out of the week, she gets a good amount of learning games, activity, and books anyway, so getting back into that routine has been a little easier.  She's making friends as well, which is exciting to hear.

I've figured out the best times to write again, so I've been more productive lately than I've been in a long time.  I've finished reworking my "Grim of Black Pond" story (except for test reading).  It's now entitled "The Beast of Black Pond" and I know it's much better for the changes that I made.  So, thank you to my contacts at penguin random house for giving me the suggestions.  Currently, they're looking over my novella "Scarecrow" right now.  I'm hoping for the best.  I really want this to work out.  I think there's definitely a need for more young reader/middle grade horror.  It's a genre lots of children like, and a genre I love to write.  While I'm nowhere near arrogant or stupid enough to think I could compete with R. L. Stine, I would love to be even in the same section with him.  Wish me luck.

Well, that's about it for now.  I'll keep you posted as major things come up (first, the Halloween Party).  Talk to you soon.  Take care!        

Achieving Zen

Well, a lot has happened since I've written on this blog.  First of all, I had my baby on July 29th, about a week and a half early.  Honestly, I was ready.  This pregnancy was a little worse than the first one and it seems that she was as ready to get out as I was to have her.  The delivery went much better than the first time.  I handled the pain pretty well and actually did correct breathing without even taking a class to figure out how to do it.  (I was basically breathing through my teeth like when you hit your knee against something...apparently that was 'great technique.')  I only started screaming when they started pressing on my midsection to stop the bleeding afterward.  That was excruciating in comparison.  Anyway, she's very healthy and strong and was seven pounds.  We named her Faith Alyssa.  Another beautiful little girl.  I'm a lucky Mom.

The reason this post is entitled "Achieving Zen," is because now I have to perfect the art of balancing two children, a two year old and a one month old.  Luckily, I have a lot of help from my family, but I'm trying to figure out how to do it by myself.  On some days, I feel overwhelmed, and on others I achieve a Zen-like state and feel like I'm Super Mom.  On days like that, I manage to more than meet their needs and still have the time to write and take care of the house.  I need to figure out how to do that on a regular basis...

I don't know how, but I've still found time to write, and so far it's working out well.  My story "The Romance Star" is going to appear in the anthology "Game Fiction 2."  It was heavily inspired by Katamari Damacy and possibly one of the strangest and most fun stories that I've ever written.  Please, when it is published, check it out.  If you like video games, you'll love stories inspired by them.  There are probably plenty of stories inspired by video games that you've read that just don't advertise it.  Anyway, it was a pleasure working with Gold Shader Publishing.  They were very professional and prompt in their responses.  I'm proud to be a part of the project.

Other than short stories, I'm still working on my "Junior Investigator's Club" series.  I've reworked the first story and completed outlines for almost all of the first five books.  I'm about halfway done with the third story "Big Bad Wolf" as well.  I sent the second story, "The Scarecrow," to my contact in Penguin.  Even if he doesn't feel the story is "for them" I might get more useful advice.  My first contact at Penguin told me the first story "The Grim of Black Pond" was overwritten.  Now that I started working on it, I can see what she meant.  I fixed it and I think the changes make it a stronger story.  I think after changing so many things about it, it's ready for a second chance.

Anyway, wish me luck.  I've got a lot of things to balance now, but I know I can do it.  I am very happy with my family, my house is more organized than it's ever been before, and I feel better than I have in a long time.  I'm going to keep working hard and praying and I know that someone will want my young reader horror series.  I just have to not give up.  I don't plan to.

It's Been Awhile

Hello all,

Sorry to keep you waiting again.  First of all, the holidays went well.  I guess you could say I was taking a break from everything for a few weeks.  There was no family drama, just lots of good food and overall things were pretty relaxing.

Since I'm practically done with the first trimester, I'll also go ahead and say that I'm pregnant again.  It's very exciting, but I wish I didn't feel sick everyday.  I'm almost over that, but every now and again I feel like I'm going to throw up for no reason...not much you can do.  This pregnancy has seemed a little worse than the first one, but hopefully the delivery will be a little easier.  So, needless to say, a new baby has been weighing heavily on my mind and all that entails.  I'm happy about it, but it'll be a big adjustment.

I think that the biggest reason I haven't blogged in a long time is mostly that for about two months I've been in a writing slump.  I didn't know if I should continue working on the middle grade horror books.  I have plenty of ideas, but I still don't have representation for them.  I could write ten of them, but if no one represents me, then I it's like they're just relics stored in my computer with no one to read them.  I have two fully written and the outlines for three others.  I've changed a few things around to make middle grade instead of young reader, mostly because kids tend to "read up."  Anyway, I was waiting to see if I could get an agent before writing more of them.  

Then, I thought about writing middle grade fantasy, but I just couldn't get inspired for it.  I've written fantasy before, but not for a younger audience, and I just couldn't feel enthusiastic about the project.  I would start to write something, decide that I wasn't feeling it, and then wander off to do something else.  I was mostly going to write that genre because I thought it would be more marketable.

Needless to say, I've gotten a lot of rejection letters lately.  Rejection letters always make me feel down.  I was hoping that being a finalist in the Dark Crystal contest was really going to help my chances, but everything felt the same.  It made me feel less confident and made me question if I should still be trying to get published.  Everyone goes through this occasionally, but this time was worse than usual.

Anyway, I realized yesterday what the problem was, a problem I've had before that seems so simple that I should have been able to identify it sooner.  I'm thinking too much about the future.  I want an agent so badly that I'm trying to write things I think will be more appealing to an agent, rather than writing what I feel like writing.  Thus, I wasn't really producing anything at all and what I did write wasn't worth sending to anyone.  I know that sounds ridiculous, but that was the problem.  Once I realized that I wasn't enjoying working on what I felt like people wanted to see, I felt much better.

I've made a decision.  I'm going to write whatever genre I feel like pursuing.  It might be the middle grade horror books, or I might just pick up one of my unfinished novels and finish it.  Either way, I'm going write again.  I'll send out more agent letters and worry about that when when I'm done with more work.

In the meantime, I'm still trying to find representation for the middle grade horror books, but I'm not going to stress over it.  There are a lot of agents out there.  One of them is right for me.  I just haven't found him/her yet.  I know a few that I'm interested in, but if they aren't interested in my work, it isn't meant to be.  I think when I finally find an agent that loves my work, things will really take off.  I just have to have  more faith in myself and that my prayers will be answered.  The last time I was in a slump this bad, I became a finalist in a competition.  I need to remember that.

Anyway, I'm back, and I'm writing.  Keep reading and writing too.