Author Guest Post with Michelle Franklin

Many people ask how I write and what I write.

I write two chapters a day and usually a short story to post on the official Haanta Series website. This amounts to about ten-thousand words a day. I am aware that may seem like an unconquerable lot, but if one considers how much one writes in emails, through messengers, and over social sites in a given day, ten-thousand is not much. I’ll share with you how I do what I do with the hopes that my technique can help you too.

My process is very simple:
1) Write what you love most
2) Write without the notion of being published
3) Write what you want to write at that moment
4) Begin with small and allow small to turn into big.

It is really that simple, but I will discuss each point to show you what I mean.

1) Write what you love most.

When I was in a university writing course, I was encouraged to write different genres and styles. This is excellent for those who wish to write but are uncertain as to what. I, however, knew that I wanted to write high fantasy. This was not an accepted genre amongst a group of existential fiction writers. I became frustrated, stagnant, agitated with writing, and I considered giving it up until I left the class and began writing on my own. Fantasy has always been a natural proclivity for me and therefore I write nothing else. Write the genre and in the style that suits you; do not change to please others.

2) Write without the notion of being published.

Before I began writing the Haanta Series, I wrote an epic fantasy series called the Arustan series. Do not search for it; you shall not find it. I had written a few books in the series but none of them were ever finished due to my querying agents and publishers.I was told that high fantasy was out and no one beyond two or three major imprints would consider my work. I became discouraged, gave up finishing some of the books, and the rejections the frst ones received stopped me from writing altogether. It is true that the publishing industry moves in trends, as does any creative business, but I resolved not to await the time of high fantasy to shine anew to begin writing again. I began writing the Haanta series and did not query agents and publishers until I had four books completed. While I was waiting for answers, I wrote books six through ten. I did receive rejections, but because I had written so much, it hardly mattered, and when I received a few acceptances, I had plenty of material prepared.

3) Write what you want to write at that moment.

This has kept me from writer’s block for years. Many never want to deviate from their current work because they might feel that if they leave if, they will never return to it. I say, not so. I constantly write books and stories out of order because something in them might give rise to something I can use in a previous work, etc. Often, while I’m doing rewrites, I will stop and write a short story, and sometimes that short story becomes a book itself. I never prohibit myself or inhibit my characters, which keeps a constant flow of writing all day long.If your original work is important, you will return to it and possibly with more to ad to it.

4) Begin with small and let small turn into big.

Many writers feel overwhelmed with overall story and might lock themselves into an outline they would otherwise change or simply not complete. My suggestion here is to start with just one chapter or short story, whether in the middle of a book or at the beginning, or even an epilogue. Many a time, I have written the epilogue to one book only to discover what the beginning of the next one should be. Before I even began writing the first book in the Haanta Series, I had written over seven-hundred short stories. These helped me understand and develop characters as well as introduce them to readers. Often, a three-chapter short story has become a grand story arc while entire novels I may have planned become only half a book.

One other point I should like to share is this: write everywhere. I always have writing implements with me, whether digital or traditional, and I write anything that comes to mind when it comes. I have written in hospital waiting rooms, at parties, in parks- the venue matters little. What matters is that the idea is written.

And, of course, I encourage people to challenge themselves. For example: if someone is used to writing only 500 words a day, I urge that person to try for 1000. Usually the person will get to 800, which is excellent because it’s more than that person had been used to write, but many writers believe that if they don’t reach their goals, they have failed. This is untrue; writing more than usual is the real goal.


Khantara
By Michelle Franklin

Blurb:

Khantara tells the story of the Den Asaan Rautu’s mother and father.

Khantara is a Haanta conquerer, meant to wage war and rule over the enemy nation of Thellis, but after vanquishing Thellis and occupying a construction of a Haanta outpost, he meets Anelta, a woman enslaved by her own people bearing a brand of servitude on her neck. Khantara contrives to save her from a cruel home and bring her to the refuge his people can provide, but how can he do so successfully when the eyes of Thellis are upon him?

Advance praise from Avery’s Book Nook:

“After having read only a few pages of this book, I recalled how exceptional Michelle is not only at her world building, but also her character development- talents which completely draw the reader in, making them impervious to everything going on around them. I don’t think it possible for the reader to not fall in love with Khantara and Anelta.”

Author Bio: 

Michelle Franklin is a woman of moderate consequence who writes many books about giants, romance and chocolate.

Twitter: @MrsDenAsaan

Author Guest Post with Georgia Cates and #Giveaway

When developing characters, a writer must have a complete sense of who the character is and everything that influences who they are; beginning from birth and ending in the presence. Although I can’t include every detail of a character’s life in my books, that doesn’t mean their entire life from beginning to end doesn’t exist. I use Character Profiles to acquaint myself with the personality of my characters and I will be sharing two of those with you today.

Who is James “Curry” Brennan before he became a vampire?

Born August 11, 1824 in New Orleans to James and Claudia Brennan.

The eldest of 3 children.

One younger brother, Sullivan Augustus “Sully” Brennan.

One younger sister, Scarlet Brennan

Born into a family of shipbuilders.

As an adult, sets out on his own from New Orleans to coastal Mississippi where the shrimping business was booming and successfully builds his own shipbuilding business.

Asks his younger brother, Sully, to join him as a partner in his thriving business in an effort to distance him from the troublesome people he has become acquainted with in New Orleans.

Although Sully leaves trouble behind in New Orleans, some of it follows him to his new home with Curry in Pascagoula in the form of his vampire lover, Marsala, whom becomes obsessed with Curry.

Marsala’s obsession of Curry drives the brothers apart. Sully hates Curry, believing he stole Marsala from him.

Who is Curry after he becomes a vampire?

He was unaware of the existence of vampires when he was turned by his brother’s lover, Marsala, and is confused upon rising as a vampire.

Loathes Marsala and the monster he believes he became when she turned him.

Held captive by Marsala for 139 years before an unexpected turn of events releases him from her hold.

After his release from Marsala, he carries the burden of what he is and all he should have been before he was turned. Although he learns to live with what he has become, he never truly accepts himself.

Who is Chansey Leclaire?

Born July 11, 1989 to Laura and Steven Leclaire.

The middle child of three daughters.

1) One older sister, a twin named Emelyn Leclaire, was stillborn minutes before Chansey was born.

2) One younger sister, named Hannah Leclaire

Spends her childhood blaming herself for her twin’s death.

Her parents and younger sister are killed in a car accident when Chansey is 10. She is raised by her mother’s parents, Anna and Grady.

She is a college student, an elementary education major. Wants to teach kindergarten because she loves young children.

Works in a casino as a hotel clerk while going to college.

Dates, but is unable to become serious. She questions her own sanity because of an inner feeling that won’t go away. For as long as she could remember, there was always an inner knowledge that “the one” was out there somewhere and he would coming for her one day.

I hope these character profiles help you see Curry and Chansey’s dynamic personalities and the reason I love them so much.

GIVEAWAY:

Giveaway is an ebook copy of Blood of Anteros via smashwords code so the winner can download the format of their choice.  Please leave a comment with a question or comment for the author.  For an extra entry: follow on Facebook or Twitter.

Georgia Cates Links:

Georgia Cates Blog

Georgia Cates on Facebook

georgiacates on Twitter

Blood of Anteros on Goodreads

Book_Trailer

Links to Purchase Blood of Anteros:

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Smashwords

iBooks

Blood of Anteros
By Georgia Cates

Book Description-

Cruel circumstances turned Curry Brennan into the wretched monster he hates and refuses to accept, but when an expected turn of events releases him from the bond of his obsessive maker, he returns to the home he knew 161 years earlier and finds the return of happiness and joy in something he didn’t know existed.

Puzzled by his growing attraction to Chansey Leclaire, a human, he is unable to resist the captivating relationship that threatens to reveal his existence as a vampire. He eventually discovers the reason he was destined to find what he didn’t know he searched for and is faced with the cruel realization that the living and the immortal undead will always be separated by one thing. Eternity.

Brief Excerpt-


I was tantalized by mystery of her. The leech inside me came out to find prey, but found none in this enigmatic girl. The close proximity of her essence didn’t entice the monster within, so what did that make her? I had more questions than answers, but one thing was unmistakable; although she released me from her embrace, her hold on me remained.
 
Amazon Smashwords
 
 

About the Author:

In addition to being an author Georgia is a wife, mother of two daughters and a labor and delivery nurse.

She recently added Paranormal Romance Writer to her list of things that keep her busy, but she is ecstatic to release my debut novel, Blood of Anteros, the first book in The Vampire Agápe Series.

Like others that enjoy a great story of paranormal romance, she is easily bored by the tale of an obtainable, ordinary romance and was inspired to create The Vampire Agápe Series. When not tied up with family or delivering babies, she is working feverishly on the second book in The Vampire Agápe Series.

Author Interview with KaSonnra Leigh with Giveaway

Please let us know a bit about yourself and your book.

My name is KaSonndra Leigh. I was born in Charlotte, NC (race car capital of the southeast). My parents moved to the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina when I was young so I don’t remember living there. I live in an L-shaped house that my sons and I have remodeled to mimic an Italian villa. It’s like you’re driving down the street in a laid back southern neighborhood and then…wham! There’s this pinkish reddish brown house sitting there. It was a bold move. But my neighbors appreciate it, though. My book is one of many treats I have ready to pump out for my readers in 2012. I have a total of 3 novels that will be released in 2012. When Copper Suns Fall is not the first novel I’ve written. It’s the one that has proven most controversial (unique voice, cross-genre, multi-cultural). So I began with this one first. The sequel, When Silver Moons Rise, will have its cover reveal in February and be released in late spring. I’m really excited about the warm reception that the world of Copper Suns has received. Thank you so much everyone as the journey to get this book into your hands has not been an easy one.

Why did you choose to write about angels?

Actually, When Copper Suns Fall, is about nephilims and the demons they hunt. Nephilims are half human, half angel. I didn’t choose this story because it was the next fad in tow. When I started working on Copper Suns seven years ago, angels and vampires were still based in New Orleans and people hadn’t jumped on the bandwagon yet. I was inspired by the Prophecy series. And then this wonderful genre called dystopian began to gain popularity. So I said, “what if…” and the Copper Suns trilogy was born. Of course, I just skipped over all of the ridiculously terrible titles I had started out with. I wouldn’t be here interviewing with you today if you had read some of those. Thanks Professor Scollins for setting me straight on that bad, bad first title.

Angels seem to be the next big thing since vampires, why do you think this is?

Actually both angel and vampire books, stories, etc. have been around for a long time. Both Anne Rice and Thomas Sniegoski were writing about vampires and angel wars long before True Blood, Twilight, and angel reads such as Hush Hush and the Mortal Instruments. But only recently, these supernatural creatures crossed into the young adult realm. I think that’s what’s making them so super popular these days. The approach is fresh. The plotlines are fast and therefore intriguing enough to dive into. But with that being said, angels exploded onto the scene after Becca Fitzpatrick and Lauren Kate’s novels hit the bestseller’s lists. But the thing is, angel books read differently than vampire books. Some people are turned off by the religious themes found in some of the books. But an angel book without some type of slight religious nod is much like a vampire book without the blood.

Tell us about how you pick the names of your characters?

Oh boy. That’s a tough one. My characters like my book titles tend to go through a series of changes. I don’t usually settle on the names until after the book has gone through the final edits. I don’t tend to go for overused. There is one guy name that is so overused right now, that I cringe when I see it. In fact, the lead male in my book had that very name when I first started doing beta reads. One of the major characters in When Copper Suns Fall name changed at the very last second. Like right before release day. It was a razor-eyed beta who saved me from, eh-em, a very embarrassing situation.

Do you have a favorite scene or what was your favorite to write?

I do have a favorite scene. I have many of them, in fact. And I like to go back and re-read them every so often. Without turning this into a spoilery interview for everyone visiting today, I’ll just say there’s a scene in the middle that I was very excited to write. It’s between Chela and Faris and a few creatures that will leave you saying…what  the..? But in a really good way, though.

Describe When Copper Suns Fall in just 5 words.

A read you won’t forget! Haha 😀

Giveaway:

To be entered to win a ebook copy of When Copper Suns Rise please leave a comment with your email address.  For an extra entry, follow on facebook or twitter (links on top bar) and leave a comment with the name you follow with and your email address.  Winner will be selected 12/23/2011.

When Copper Suns Fall
YA Dark Urban Fantasy
By KaSonndra Leigh

In fifteen-year-old Chela Prizeon’s city, alchemy is forbidden, and angels hide among the mortal. With a deadly virus ravaging the globe, Chela’s nightmarish memories compels her to experience a past riddled with gloom, and now her brother is infected.

Chela’s only hope is the Caduceans, slayers sworn to protect the last seven Light Keepers and the ancient memories they share. A group led by the sometimes elusive, sometimes infuriating boy who intrigues Chela. But can she trust this boy with the mysterious past, someone who can influence her memories?

With the Caduceans aid, Chela races to defeat her rivals, to unearth dark family secrets, desperate to find a cure…only to discover the glutovirus is far more than a simple disease.

In this haunting debut, KaSonndra Leigh offers an escape into a world as intriguing as The Mortal Instruments and a story as chilling as Enclave. Full of celestial creatures, fascinating villainy, high-stake choices, and a secret romance, When Copper Suns Fall, is a fresh and original urban fantasy—with a dystopian twist—that will take readers on an unforgettable adventure.

About the Author:

KaSonndra Leigh lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. She likes to write about teens doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Her two sons have made her promise to write a boy book next.

She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to play CLUE, Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora’s Box (good writer’s block therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated to her grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.

When Copper Suns Fall is her debut novel.

www.kasonndraleigh.com 

http://twitter.com/#!/kasonndraleigh 

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5137209.KaSonndra_Leigh

http://www.facebook.com/pages/When-Copper-Suns-Fall-by-KaSonndra-Leigh/111665822268673