SHOUT-OUT: BBA Online Conference

My intention was to share an article I wrote covering my adventures during my Bon Jovi weekend; however, I must postpone that until Wednesday. Boo--I know. But I found some great information you might be interested in and it's time sensitive. I have another SHOUT-OUT for you.

I was over on Crazy-for-Books the other day and saw her post on an upcoming online conference. It sounds great! The fee is relativity low, $15, and it covers two full days.

Discussions will range from what to blog, what makes an interview great, and a writer's online presence. The convenience is there, too. If you miss a chat or lecture you can always log in and listen to the recording. You can go HERE to register or get more information.

Here's a lowdown of what the conference looks like:

Thursday Night - August 5th, to make sure your set up is working properly.
Official Facebook set up. Facebook is a great way to get yourself out there. Learn how to utilize all its benefits.

Friday - August 6th, Panel for International Bloggers -
What do international bloggers face that is different from other bloggers?
Panelists Larissa of Larissa's Bookish Life, and Doug the SciFi Guy!
Moderated by Jessica of Novel Reaction an What do international bloggers face that is different from other bloggers?

6 - 6:30 pm - Opening Event - How the conference works - what we will be talking about.  Meet the Moderators and ask questions. 

6:30 - 7:30pm - The Art of the Review
Hear how reviewers approach writing their reviews as well as authors weigh in on what they look for and appreciate.
Panelists - Sabrina of Cheeky Reads
Moderator - Jessica of Novel Reaction

7:30- 8:30 pm - Be a Better Guest Blogger/How to Guest Blog
Learn what bloggers and readers are looking for.  What is important to include when you guest blog.  What is the blogger's part and what is the author's/guest's.  How to bring more attention to your guest blogs.
Panelists: Rachel Smith - Bitten By Books
Moderator:  Terry Kate

9 - 10:30 - Should Authors have Blogs?
A round table discussion on the benefits and downsides of authors having blogs and what other possibilities are open to them.
Panelists - Author Gail Fraser,
Moderator - Terry Kate


Saturday 7th

11am - 11:30 EST- Opening Panel 
11:30-12:30 - Finding the Right Blogs 
What makes a blog a good match for what you write?  How do you find them?  What can you do to work with them, how to get in contact, SEO and web search secrets.

12 - 1pm - Approaching Authors and Publishers
Bloggers, how do you approach authors and publishers?  What makes your blog stand out to them.  ARCs, Authors, Interviews, the important parts and procedures.
Panelists: Rachel Smith - Bitten by Books,
Moderator: Terry Kate

1 - 2pm - The Book Trailer Debate
So to make or not to make a trailer.  Where can you put it, and who can you get to watch them?
Panelists - 
Moderator - Jessica

2 - 3pm - Time Management - Promotion
This is a good thing for all of us in life.  We are bringing in some pros to talk about time management and the benefits it can have on your promotion.

3:30 - 4:30pm - Live Events and Happenings - Important to Bloggers AND Authors
We need to reach out as authors and bloggers - so lets talk about how to go about it.  Book signings, conferences, libraries, book stores and more.  Where to go and how to go about it.

5 - 5:30 pm - Get your books Reviewed
Authors roll in getting reviewed and why that is important.  Is it all on your pub?  What is the proceedure and what falls to the reviewers.  Discussing why it is important to get reviewed.
Panelists - Larissa of Larissa's Bookish Life, Rachel Smith - Bitten By Books,
Moderator - Terry Kate

5:00 - 6:00pm - Bloggers Working Together - Co-operation
Blog hops, memes, networking, and reaching out to fellow bloggers.
Panelists - Rebecca - Dirty Sexy Books
Moderator: Jessica - Novel Reaction 

6:00 - 7:00pm - Blog Tours Pros and Cons 
Are they good for bloggers?  Do they benefit authors?  Hear from bloggers, authors, and those who organize the tours.
Panelists: Rachel Smith - Bitten By Books
Moderator: Terry Kate

7:00 - 8:00pm - What makes a Great Interview- 
Authors Weigh in on what they like to be asked and bloggers what makes the returned answers stand out.
Panelists  -  Ilona Andrews  http://www.ilona-andrews.com/  -   
Stacia Kane  http://www.staciakane.com
Moderator:  Phoebe Jordan 

9 - 10:30 - How Can Bloggers and Authors do it Better?
Wrapping up the ideas covered during the conference and discussing the future of Blogger author relations.
Panelists: Marta Acosta - Author and Vampire Wire
Moderator: Terry Kate 


I hope this was helpful. I'm going to take advantage of this conference. Hope to see you all there. ";-) Enjoy your weekend, Alleywalkers. 

My Yellow Brick Road

A few weeks back I was blessed to make it to the fourth round of a First Line Contest over on Adventure's in Children's Publishing. I hadn't expected to make it passed the first round. For me, this was an accomplishment. Validation. Someone somewhere read something that I wrote and took notice.

Granted, I got ousted for the final round, but that's okay. Really. However....It got me thinking.

Other than the one short story I received Honorable Mention for and the short story about being a hockey mom which was read on a radio station throughout this past winter season, I haven't submitted anything--not even a shortie. I suddenly started feeling like I've been backpedaling.

But is it really backpedaling or is it growth? Ever heard the saying 'When nothing's happening, everything is happening?'

Fully aware my current manuscript needs editing, I've spent the last four or five months messing with it. I've gone from rearranging scenes to writing three totally new beginnings. I've been told and do feel that no writing is wasted. It's all par for the course. But at some point, all this slicing and dicing began shaving layers off my confidence.

What to do? What to do? Sit and mope, whine and fuss. Nope.

Despite the above and that I haven't been in this industry long, I am now able to recognize that hoary voice--bumbling little munchkin--bobbing between my ears telling me I'm crap.

You can't do this.


Who do you REALLY think you are?


Have you checked out some of the writers out there--the published ones?? You are out of your league chicky.

When I received the H.M., I had just put my first YA novel-attempt--TYMELESS--aside and started writing my second, MARKED BEAUTY. It took me 3 1/2 months to write the first measly draft. I then mapped out a middle grade series and wrote half of the first book, REMEY ZORRO AND THE FANTASTICAL TRINKET BOX. (Title still up for discussion.) I also wrote a first chapter of another YA novel, a few other short stories, and even three children's stories with my daughter none of which I've done anything with...yet.

Point being, I've kept myself busy, learning, reading, studying, and of course, blogging/sharing with all of you. I think I've found my Yellow Brick Road.

I am where I'm supposed to be right here, right now.

Where are you on your Yellow Brick Road? Or is your road a different color, texture, or located in some distant galaxy just waiting to find you?


(Taken the tribe to the beach today, so if I miss you blogging I'll catch'ya later. Enjoy your day Alleywalkers!!)


Splatter Alert: Corrine Jackson is having an awesome contest over on her blog to celebrate her year anniversary. Check it out!!

GRAFFITI WALL: Riv Re (pen name) an On the Horizon Writer

It's my pleasure to introduce a young, feisty go-getter with a passion for writing. She also loves helping others--like me. She'll be a new beta for me soon. I'd like to thank her for giving the GRAFFITI WALL some more teenage splats!!

 Riv Re, a YA teen writer

Being a younger teen, what do you find most intriguing in a young adult novel: romance, adventure, life-lessons?

I'm not a major romance fan, especially love triangles. They get on my nerves. (Because I feel so bad for the girl who has to pick between two people/vampires/werewolves that love her.) Life lessons hold no interest either. I'm all about the adventure. That's why fantasy is my love. Of course, as any love-lacking teen, I am interested in romance. That's why I've lately started looking at Harlequin teen; adventure with romance at the sidelines. If I had to choose, I'd take action over love any day.

What about teens in general. What do you think is most intriguing to them?

As a Blogspot lover, I've seen many different teens interested in different things. If all teens were forced to choose action or romance I think a slightly larger percent would take romance. But for many, a mix is important. Maybe around a quarter of teens are also interested in a deep book, that makes you think a lot.

We met on Inkwell, a writing community, where you belong to the Teen Group with Graffiti Wall ALUMNI, Jacob Milhouse. How has that helped your writing? 

Well, Inkwell introduced me to many wonderful writers, to start with. I've collected some useful tips there, and gotten critiques on some of my work. I've also hooked up with some great bloggers and possibly an editor.

Would you recommend writing communities to other teenage writers?

Yes, I would. Definitely. Besides for picking up tips and people, communities sympathize when you're in the Denial Stage and will always be there when you feel alone. It's a comfort.

Do you have a critique partner? How does that work for you?

Well, I sort of do. We have both been very busy and haven't spoken much, but I have picked up some useful tips from her. I also have a fellow teen writer that I met on Agent Query Connect that I chat with on iGoogle every now and then.

What strengths do you feel, as younger writers, you bring to the publishing table?

A fresh and knowledgeable voice. We know exactly what we're talking about. Adults may say that teenagers are not intelligent, but we can give you the teen voice better than any adult. We are the teen voice. As for freshness, we're young, innocent, and new. We read YA and we are YA. It's all crystal clear and fresh to us.

During our pre-interview, you mentioned Harry Potter over Twilight. Why? Is it the setting, storyline, characters, writing, etc..?

*laughs* I don't dislike Twilight, I just don't love it. It's multiple things. I mentioned before that I dislike books in which the main character has to choose between two loves, for starters. And, the characters aren't likeable. Edward is controlling, Bella is helpless, Jacob can be forceful and selfish. The writing, in my opinion, was okay. Not incredible, but okay. What I did like about the writing was one of the ideas of Jake. I mentioned this on Fantasy Fanatic, when I reviews the Twilight saga, but I like the way Stephenie channeled all her humor into one character, keeping the book serious and light at the same time. It was a definite page-turner. I read both series around the same time, and I liked HP better. It didn't have creepy imprints, and was very original with a very active plot and no girls pining over their boyfriends for almost a year.

Where do you write? What inspires such a young person to write?

I write almost anywhere; when in school I'll write if I'm bored (it looks like notes!), or now that it's summer and I'm working in a day-camp, I write sometimes when I have free time. I used to write at night in bed, but my notebook is very tattered, and I write almost daily on Microsoft Word.

Why I write. Ah, what a question. I get asked it every now and then by friends. It's several things. I'm able to write as a genetic thing; my mother wrote very well, as does my sister. The idea for Eberheardt, my main WIP, came to me in pencils and a dream, but that's a story for another time. Eberheardt entered my head, and I decided to write it. Writing is something I've loved for several years. It puts me in charge, it lets me express myself. A friend of mine and I agree that, another aspect of writing, is you can put bits and pieces of yourself in different characters, and no one will ever know.

Are there any topics in YA that you believe should be avoided? If so, what and why?

Hmm; this question is a bit difficult. Although I mentioned depth before, I think that teens don't want to spend a whole book being a deep thinker. Nor do we like plot-driven books. I've recently read several plot-driven books, including Percy Jackson which I am halfway through (and have been halfway through for a while), and they get on my nerves. We notice when an author runs out of stuff for the character to do and makes something happen. A friend recently suggested an earthquake for a scene in Eberheardt, and I refused straightaway. I do my best to keep it all character-driven.

What would you like to see more of in the young adult genre? Less of?

I'd love to see more unique fantasy. I finished an ARC of Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel a very short time ago, and I'm still wowed by how you unique and individual it is. I think YA needs more of such raw emotion. Also on raw emotions, I find that the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater is full of it. I recently reread the ending of an ARC of Linger, and was wowed again by the prose of the ending. YA needs more emotion like this.

I think we need less vampires. The vampire craze is slowly lessening, and I think it's time for something else. Kersten Hamilton wrote about goblins, another bit of originality. Vampires are over. Let's bring something else to the paranormal table.

As I suspected, Riv Re you've put a magical spin on the teen perspective of YA literature. You've given us a ton to ponder and I'm sure to blog about. Thank you for signing my Graffiti wall.

Feel free to visit Riv Re on her Blog, Write Here, and Inkpop.

A Splat Alert!! Um...keep me in your thoughts this morning. After my rowdy weekend with 3 lovely ladies from my past tranquil getaway (results to be shared in a later post), I'm off with child #3 for her dreaded dental impressions--the prelude to her braces. Yikes. And...take a gander over to Carol's Prints. She's having a massive ARC giveaway!!

Precious Research

I've been keeping a secret from you guys. I've been busting at the seams to tell you, but I had to wait until today. Hopefully, the next major thing to excite me will have to do with my writing career but this does not.

Scroll on....

Guess where I'm going today and will be tomorrow and Sunday??? Guess. Pwweeasss.......

Okay, okay. I'm reliving the past, making new memories, and semi impersonating Thelma & Louise for the next three days. Except there's four of us, not two. Hmmm....we'll have to come up with homie names and not the ones we used in high school.

No. I'm not telling you what mine was back in the day when big hair and lip gloss coated everything...everything.

Ready for the unveiling????

I'm going to see BON JOVI in concert in Foxboro, MA with three of my old high school girlfriends!!!

Can you say, DANGEROUS!

OMGosh...we are going to have so much fun. 

However, me being moi, I'm looking at this as more of a smörgåsbord, a grade-A Research Event. Picture the stuff I'm going to hear, see.... 'K, don't do that. Visuals are probably not good at this time.

But, I'm going to miss you guys. My laptop has already been rudely extracted from my person. The ladies have forbidden me from working. Ugg. *gnawing the end of a fingernail and I'm not even a nail biter* Dudes, I can't not work! (yeah, double negative...so sue me.) I think I'm going to breakdown. I've nervous. I am, however, sneaking in a few notebooks to 'journal our adventure', as I've told the ladies. They want me to write a paper on it, get it published, and maybe even turn it into a weekend chick flick story. I think they see it as some silver screen phenomenon about a group of high school girls, who get back together after 20 years and have a hell of a time. (Can you say Sex in the City?) Hee....dreaming.

I heart my friends. ";-) And I heart all of you. Thank you for your love and support, and for gosh sakes pray that I don't get trampled in the crowd. Apparently we are in 'sweat range' of the band. *omg...my heart just fluttered again. I'm regressing back to a seventeen year old. Woot!! Bring it on.

A special shout-out goes to the hubs, whose staying home with the 4 humaniods. I love you.

Enjoy your weekend, and please take a gander over to the Impetus Room. Gather your thoughts and goals for next week and share them with me. I already have. 

~Love out~

Passing on Some SPAM!

I have the honor of passing on some BAM-BAM SPAM, today!! AWARDS. There are so many amazing bloggers out there, so many WORTHY! Ugg. So little time, so much to do, so many Alleywalkers deserving of some Wha-hoo!!! 


I humbly accepted this Versatile Blogger award like, um...forever ago from my wonderful bestie, Cheryl of Wandering (and wondering) through YA Lit. I am a slug. Ugg, again. (I think I must like the letter 'g'.) I am finally passing on the goods, my precious'.


Some of you have seen this, and some of you haven't so I'll elaborate. The rules of this award are to share seven things about yours truly and to pass it on to 15 more blogs I've recently discovered.

Oh'Tah, Buttweats! You asked for it.

1) I love chocolate! No I REALLY, REALLY love chocolate. Like fresh strawberries dipped in warm dark chocolate with a few glasses glass of red wine LOVE.


2) I've broken my nose, not once but twice. Yeah, big book deal is going to get me a new nose. I HATE my nose. I want the one I was born with. 


3) I am a MONDAY NIGHT HOTTIE. (I can't believe I just said that out loud. We don't have Pink Lady jackets or anything. Okay, some of us have sweatshirts.) Really, they are the wonderful woman, ages 23 to 60, that I dance with. They are my dancing angels.


4) No. I'm not telling you HOW I broke my nose-TWICE. Saving that for a later date.


5) I was a speaker at my high school baccalaureate. I made them cry...and laugh a ton...and no, I didn't trip in my three-inch heels up the freaking steps to the alter at church.


6) I was never the girl in high school to have a crush on any celebrity, hanging posters on my walls or buying teen mags. I was too busy fantasizing about my vampire and werewolf hunks. 


7) I was asked to enter a national pageant. I turned it down. Though I can prance with the best of them, I'm just not the frilly girl. *no apologies, either. not anymore. *grins* 


Now, for the really interesting part. Here's some newer blogs I've stumbled upon that are special to me, even if I have one-heck-of-a-time visiting often.


Kay Em Evans
KCBOOKS From Mom to Author & Everything in Between
Karsten Knight
MBWcreates
Plot This
Nicole O'Dell
Read My Mind
The Siren's Song
Shannon Loves Cats and Zombies
Sharp Pen/Dull Sword
So, Write
The Daily Harrell
Totally the Bomb
Under the Fairy Dust
Watch Me Practice

There you have it, my fanGtastical Alleywalkers. Check out my friends' pads, and have a blast. I do have one more item to add. A list of Debut Authors for 2011 has been compiled on Goodreads. More are being added daily. Go vote for your favs. Authors Supporting Authors. ALWAYS! Thanks. 


Love <3

Shout-outs! Linkage, & Other Eerie Tales From The Alleyway

~Shout-outs~

Between Writers' Ally and the GRAFFITI WALL, I feel I'm slowly developing a place of ultimate support for readers and writers alike. This is a place where the unpublished writer and the published author can mingle the splats of their life and writing experiences. I use daily posts to chat about writing techniques, inspire with the occasional writing exercise, and have a loaded Tool Box for the MG and YA Writer. I promote the success of writers/authors. I also have the Impetus Room, where anyone can jot down their goals for the week, and share their successes. *Can never have enough people sharing successes and encouraging one another.*

So now, I've decided to start another venture. Nothing too serious, but I hope to make it a regular event. Many bloggers share interesting links they've come upon throughout the week. I love that. So much information to feed on. In the coming weeks, every-so-often, you'll see a post called Shout-outs, which will cover links to helpful posts or sites, to contests I've stumbled upon, and just about any link to promote a fellow writer's success.

Here's a few I want to share with you. Have at 'em!!

Great middle grade book suggestions on From The Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors. Check out the wonderful books this group of middle grade authors have suggested. You don't have to write MG to read it. Sometimes the plot lines and sub plots are easier to follow from an internal 'writers' perspective. (Yup, it's fairly impossible for me to read like a reader, anymore. I try like @#&*, but it's tough.) These are great books to dissect to see and learn how the author weaved it all together.

Become an email subscriber on Random Acts of Reading. Great site! A group of sales reps for Random House Children's Books have joined forces to chat about what we love most...BOOKS!!

A major MUST contest, giveaway, and great cause!! Check it out at Candyland.

Free downloads on books! I have a few. Awesome and major THANKS and boxes of invisible Hotheads goes out the the amazing authors! Check them out on The Book Butterfly's Blog.

On Ingrid's Notes, she shares different picture books and how they are developed. It's an interesting post, and can be related to the development of MG or YA material.

Tara, over on the Bodacious Pen, is have a 'Honkin' Giveaway!!

Happy hunting, everyone! *Monday grins*

Supporting an Author: Maggie Stiefvater

LINGER is HERE!!, released on Tuesday! Maggie Stiefvater is one of the most wonderful and inspiring authors I have ever met. Well, via cyberspace. Did I get'chya??? Were you al--most jealous?? Ah...someday, I'll meet her. *cheese*

Seriously. Each time I visit her site, she amazes me. And it's not because she's an amazingly talented writer--that in itself stalks me at night, hounding me to improve my own skill. No. She's a genuine person. Simple. This is the kind of writer person-in-general I'd do anything for. I think every time--if you know me, I rarely say every, always, or never--I've left a comment on her blog she's responded to me. How generous. I'm a writer nobody, not forever just presently undiscovered.

Like my recovery???? I've been working on the confidence bugger. ";-)

Can you tell I'm a fan? I'll be honest. I haven't read a ton of her work, and haven't even finished SHIVER. But I would buy anything she wrote because of who she is. Character does matter, peeps. Never forget that the blogosphere has eyes everywhere, and what you do or say does matter. We really can make a difference. For me--and I'm sure she has no clue--Maggie has made me want to be a better writer and uphold the craft.

I humbly thank her. BTW, she's a member of YAlitchat and we are so proud of her release.

On a recent visit to her site, she shared the song she most listened to during her pondering over LINGER. Check out that post HERE. It's a wonderful song and totally inspiring. Take a listen. It makes me want to cry...in a good way.

Want to support this wonderful author? Purchase LINGER here, and visit her website here. And oh, HERE'S another reason why she's so sweet. She talks about her journey, brainstorming over SHIVER AND LINGER. Lastly, Maggie is doing a live chat, Monday July 19th at 1:00 pm EST. Feel free to join in @mstiefvater.

Enjoy your weekend, Alleywalkers, and don't forget to update your goals for next week in the IMPETUS ROOM. 

Treat Your Writer Like A Parent: DON'T LISTEN

Psst...

Yeah, you. Look here.

No, not literally at the word here. (I know a lot of bloggers do that, but I'm no blogger.) It's me: Ebony, lurking closer to the laptop screen, whispering in a raspy tone. Shhh...Sher~ told me no more talking to you guys, at least not yet. And no, she hasn't drawn me a set of sexy legs yet, or a smack-worthy butt either.

Relax. Don't be too hard on her. (Really, it's my fault.)

If you tell her I said that I will SO deny it! I've been messing with her.

What? * ogling my undecided teenage eyes*  It's all about HEAD GAMES in junior high and high school, don't you know. Young Adult and Middle Grade literature, isn't that what you folks write? If you're not one of those, no worries. This wisdom will apply to you too. And hey, on behalf of Sher, tanks fo dah vee-sit. (She is going to put me in some awkward, embarrassing scene for that one. *sigh*)


Did you like the opening of my story found HERE. Yeah, you can click that one. Well, there's more where that comes from only I won't let her write it. I've decided I'm regressing back to junior high. Ninth grade will not cut it for me.


Batting my overly-large emerald eyes--if you forgot those, check them out HERE. Again, Yeah. It's my life. Sure, she's writing me, but it's my story. I don't think going back one year is going to kill her. What is the big deal? She has to come up with my back story, right? Well, I'm giving her more to use, more books to write about me and my coming-of-age experiences. Granted, it's not your average coming of age. 


Did you really expect her to write something normal? She can't help herself, and for that I'm thankful. Without her quirky slant of the 'Unseen' and 'What Lies Beneath', I would not exist. 


You think I'm being too hard on her? Okay. Not really. The Powers That Be say MG is roughly from age 8-12. But YA beings around 14 or 15 through 18ish. Where does that leave my favorite and most eerie number, peeps???


For all you YA writers out there, how do you decide what age to give birth to your characters? 


And for those who write YA and MG, where do you draw the line? How do you begin with a character of MG age, let's say bordering 13, and age that character through the YA years?


Don't forget to head over to Oasis for YA. They've got a great contest going on!!

GRAFFITI WALL: Elizabeth Kolodziej, author of VAMPYRE KISSES

The GRAFFITI WALL has a treat with bite for you, today. We have Paranormal Splatter, Alleywalkers! Today's featured author is a woman with true fangs for vampires that claw the werewolf within us all. (You're curious. You know you are.) She specializes in literature, folklore, and the history of mythical creatures, and she's a believer in magic and the unexplainable.   

ELIZABETH KOLODZIEJ

Liz ^_^

You've compiled a massive database of information on vampires, werewolves, and mythical creatures in general. Tell us a little about that.

Well, I wouldn’t say that it is a database so much as a lot of books. I still have books that I read when I was ten or eleven. Truthfully it is really difficult to find books that give really good information on the history of vampires, werewolves, and witches. The most difficult being werewolves even though stories of werewolves date back further than those of vampires.

What really made it tricky was to find books that had more then just folklore stories. I loved knowing the stories but I wanted to know the, lets say, mechanics of the creature. For example I began looking into psychic vampires and a great book I found goes into things like the cycles, origins, levels of need, etc. With this type of information I find it a lot easier to get inspired and come up with characters I think are unique.

What motivated you to research?

I am not exactly sure if any one thing motivated me to do research. A big factor was that it fascinated me and when something fascinates me I want to know everything I can about the subject.

I began reading about the “super natural” when I was very little. I grew up with my mother, Linda Kolodziej, who was into vampire books, her favorite author being Anne Rice. I think it was because of this that I began my journey into reading about mythical animals and places.

It just began with reading fiction (fantasy) novels, one of my earliest selections being a series by Tamora Pierce. Soon I wanted to know the history of these beings in the world. Little by little I began reading books that would tell me where the stories of vampires, werewolves, and witches came from. It really interested me to know the difference in certain countries. Everyone seemed to have a different take on a vampire or werewolf and that really made me want to know more.

It was like studying a textbook for me. My test coming much later when I started my blog and I decided I wanted to share what information I found with whoever was interested in it.

How did you start writing?

My earliest recollection of writing was when I was I believe six or seven. I actually started by writing research papers on whales. I had a really big thing for whales when I was little. I’m not actually sure I can pin point when I started writing fantasy. I think it started from watching movies like “The Last Unicorn” or “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” (the original). I would put my self into the role of the hero and fantasize about how the story would go. From that came wanting to put it on paper to show to others.

One early recollection was when I first moved to Delaware from California. I was around 12 or 13 and it was our first house with a basement. I remember telling my mom that I had an idea for a story about a monster being hidden in the basement next door. Then I wrote it out and my mom just loved it. From there I began writing more short stories, poetry, and at when I was around 14 I began my first book. I never finished it though even though it was very close to having an ending.

You must be thrilled with the release of your debut novel, VAMPYRE KISSES. What makes this story different and unique?

In my opinion there are a lot of little things in the story that all come together to make it truly unique. However, I will name just a few since I don’t want to give away too much of the book.
What I think makes it a little different is the shift of perspective in each chapter. One chapter is from Faith’s view while the next is from Trent’s and I switch back and forth like that through the whole book. It really lets you see what the two main characters are really thinking.

Besides that, I have a real love for witches. I actually began writing more about girls with magical powers than I did about vampires. Because of this I studied lots of different types of witchcraft, shamanism being my favorite. From my love and knowledge of this I incorporated not only vampires and werewolves, but also witches into my story, witch is a little different from the typical vampire romance story.

Also, I think my main character, Faith, really makes it unique. Even though she shows signs of being self-conscious and a little naïve at times she is a really strong female. She doesn’t always need Trent to save the day and rescue her.

Finally, I think a lot of what makes this book unique is the mixture of true folklore with my own spin along with true facts. My imagination is pretty creative sometimes and I introduce a lot of new features to vampires, witches, and werewolves in my story along with letting the original stories have their place. For example, vampires cannot be out in the sun, but, for the first 10 years after being made a vampire they can walk under the sun, slowly the sunlight repelling them more and more as the years go by. Also, I have entangled true scientific facts to explain how vampires are alive but dead. Even though the mathematics of science is so confusing to me the actual scientific facts are so interesting. My favorite being astronomy.

Series? What do you have planned? Share, please....

Oh boy! Trust me when I say there is more to come! I have actually already started writing the sequel. I have decided to write the second book with a more werewolf story line in mind. There is going to be major developments with Zou Tai including an extensive back-story. But don’t worry Faith and Trent still plays the main roles. I am actually introducing a whole new type of vampire into the mix as well. There is also going to be a huge surprise ending. From that ending I already have an idea for the third book.

In VAMPYRE KISSES, you've drawn upon true folklore facts and mingled them with your fresh ideas. What folklores interested you most?

This is such a difficult question! I have studied so many different countries and types of creatures but for some reason I always go back to the Japanese culture. Folklore from Japan is so distinctive and appealing. They really have so many different kinds of demons and their love for their ancestors is so touching. It is really different from any other type of folklore I read.

Tell us a little bit about your main characters.

This is a fun question. I always say that I don’t make up the story so much as my characters tell me the story and I just write it down. Trent is not the typical brooding vampire that wishes he could be human again. Trent more misses certain aspects of being human like having strong feelings of love. He is a vampire that misses compassion and companionship. Though he has his maker, Colin, with him he wants to feel what love is again. What I think is so fun about Trent is that he has a good loving side to him but he is super protective of Faith. He even has his jealous moments in the book. Though he wants to protect Faith he realizes that he has to let her do things on her own too. This really strengthens their relationship.

When it comes to Faith I think through out the book she really comes into herself. You see her start out has a little weak minded and soon become a strong-minded decisive individual. I think Faith is also very relatable. She goes through the motions like most people do and when she is hurt she cries like a normal 23 years old woman does, but she’s not annoying about it.

So, are you a vampire girl or wolf girl?

LOL! I love this question. If I must be truthful, though, I am more of a witch girl but if I had to choose I would say I am a vampire girl. I think it is the way vampires are romanticized. I am a helpless romantic at heart.

I wanted to talk about the quiz on your blog. What a great idea and educational, too. What were your favorite questions?

I came up with this idea as a way to get people involved. I really loved all of the questions but my favorites were “who wrote the first vampire story?” and “what historical figure is the Dracula legend based on?” I think these were my favorites because of my whole love of knowing the history and origins of vampires. Sadly, the trivia contest ended a few days ago. BUT! There is another contest soon to come. I really love doing contests like these and getting people involved with the blog.

How has your life changed since the book was published?

Well I am no Stephanie Meyer yet but my life as become a little more exciting in its own way. I have people coming to me wanting to do reviews of my book, my first review being up on vampires.com right now. I began getting offers from book clubs to come and talk about my book and I even have an Internet radio station wanting to interview me. I am actually taken aback from the whole thing. Every time something comes up I get really excited and have to tell all my friends.

What is really different is people wanting my autograph and coming to me and telling me how much they love my book. I guess I knew I loved my book but I didn’t realize just how many other people would really get into the characters and the story. People contact me through my blog or on Facebook and talk to me about my writing style or how they loved this and that about the book. It is an extremely surreal experience.

If you're only allowed one, what would be the one piece of advice you'd like to pass on to your fellow writers?

The main reason I wanted to publish my book was because I wanted to inspire others. I have come across so many writers and musicians that have inspired me to write and I want to do that same thing for other writers. Because of this my main piece of advice I can give other writers is to grasp every opportunity you are given and keep going strong. If you think your story is good then keep going with it. There were so many times that I got writers block but because I surround myself with supportive friend I find that I have terrific cheerleaders in every one of them and they keep me going forward.

And just for fun, dear Alleywalkers, (Oh, how I love Thee) try this QUIZ I found online. Give me your results in the comments.

Elizabeth can be found on her site, VAMPYRE KISSES. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and purchase VAMPYRE KISSES at STRATEGIC Publishing Group, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

SPLAT ALERT!! Want to win a query critique from my agent, Gina Pannetieri!! Enter to WIN over on Oasis for YA!!

GET NAKED! SEGMENT 1

This uniformed commercial would like to announce my absence from the blogosphere for the next few days. Off to an ice hockey tournament we go in Massachusetts. Then the hubs has a two-day seminar in Boston, so we're staying. I should be able to get some work done in the hotel room, though. *winky, winky*

All right. On to bigger and badder things....

It's time for me to get naked, unclothed, shed my skin. I tend to be a private person...which I loath. I wish I could be more open and outgoing, fly by the seat of my pants.

Unless I'm on the hubs bad@$$ Victory motorcycle, 'cause that would hurt, not to mention cause a scene. 

People who know me think I'm this put-together go-getter with a scintillating personality.

They're wrong.

I had this interesting conversation with one of my high school friends the other day. We were chatting about kids, school, blah...blah. My daughter is close to her son's age, and we were talking about kids rounding the bend to that age where they start noticing each other for more than 'just friends'.

I'm not going to lie, and I'm not saying this just because she's my daughter. But my daughter is definitely beautiful. She has those high cheekbones, blonde hair naturally streaked with darker lights and even a little red, big icy blue eyes, an oval face and a tall, slender figure...uh, yeah...the boys are starting to notice. (This is when you regret praying for good-looking kids.)She's also a guy's girl, loving sports way over fashion or makeup. She's the girl in high school most of us loved to hate.

Anyway, my friend says to me, "You know where she gets it. You know you're pretty." And then she kept on with the conversation, leaving me stuck like melted chewing gum on her words. No. Really. I didn't know that. It never really occurred to me, and frankly it's something I could give three shits about. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, like, shape, form, whatev. I finally responded to her like it was nothing.

I probably should have gone into acting. Seriously. I'm really good at faking a lot of things. I came from a huge French-Canadian family--cheek squeezers and all. Any of you have any cheek-squeezers?? Good gosh did I hate that. I'd always give a wry grin, but my insides were belting, "Hey! Lady! Touch me again and I'll turn you into silly string and smear you all over the freaking wall!"

Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

So yeah, I've been faking at blogging. *Shields face with hands, dodging mushy tomatoes and mustard splatters* I attempt to compose a post with meaning, but the longer I blog the more I realize I don't know crap about writing, publishing, the business aspect of it, even grammar at times. (I just burped vomit, too. It's okay, I won't tell that grammar affects you that way,too.)

*Shoulders shrug and actually lighten.* I feel a little better. I have way more to say, but I'll leave that for segment 2.

So, anyone willing to get NAKED with me?? Pray Tell, my friends. What have you been hiding?

Don't forget to pay your weekly visit to the IMPETUS ROOM. You can also click on the tab above. Can't wait to find out the progress we all made during the past week.

Revealing Works Wednesday

I heard a voice. It whispered, but not loud enough for me to understand. I ignored it. Went about my business of writing and blogging, laundry and dishes, thinking and creating. 


A gentle breeze floated through my backyard. The voice whispered again, louder this time. I was stunned, shocked, and slightly appalled. It was Ebony. You know Ebony Jade; I introduced you to her last week. 


She wanted a face. A. Real. Live. Face. Hmm... So I got my sketch pad out and started to doodle. Before I knew it, I had doodled large eyes, a heart-shaped face, and hair streaming in black, blue, and tinges of raspberry. A purple and black stripped tie hung from her neck and a dainty heart necklace snuggled close to her nape. Her shirt remained white.


I gather my subconscious was the talker...or, I wonder.... 


Psst. It's me. Ebony. Sheri freaked when she realized she'd only drawn my head. Ugg. She's been working on a smaller image, body attached; but alas, I remain legless. When she sketches me all up, I'll make sure she shares. I may have to pry myself from her. She's a tad possessive. Geez...


Want to see me??






Scroll down....








Just a little more....








Almost there.....

Voila!! ME: Ebony Jade

Have any of the characters you've created ever communed with you like I do with Sher?? Tell me. Tell me, I'm not alone.




Wowzz-ah!! & to all our new Alleywalkers: WELCOME!! Stay Tuned! I've got a cool contest coming up mid-July!!
And if you'd like to read a cool post on the inevitable FIRST IMPRESSION a main character must have with his/her main squeeze check out my post on Oasis, today!! I'd love your support.

I CHEATED

Yup. I'm a cheater. Scoundrel, loser, and sinister whistler. Scratch that last one. Can't whistle to save my soul. 

I wanted to honor our country with a post, but I didn't want to repeat myself. So I decided to eh...rewind...fast forward...rewind...fast forward...

I've reposted my Oasis for YA post from last week. If you follow Oasis, I apologize for the repeat episode. If you don't follow Oasis (Uh...why the heck aren't you???), then I hope you enjoy my pondering over our nation's independence. 

In honor of America’s greatest holiday, the Fourth of July, I thought it’d be fun to compile a group of songs fit to celebrate our independence. I also wanted to keep with the theme of summertime, BBQ’s, and the beach. Or in my case, the back fields. I grew up in the puck-a-brush.

We did have The Cove, where we’d stupidly leap off a 10, 30, or 60 foot cliff. Eh…yeah, I never made it past the 10 footer. But that really can’t compare to the warmth of a sandy beach or the salty breeze wafting off the ocean water.

Stupid human info: Is the Pacific Ocean warmer than the Atlantic Ocean? Any answer gets a round of applause by the Oasis ladies. Maybe we’ll even to a happy dance.

When I began combing the catacombs of my brain for related songs, the first one that hit me was “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen. It reminds me of grit and grime, and what it truly took to make this country work.

Neil Diamond’s “America” was next. This is one of my ultimate favorite songs. I can picture myself guitar in hand, hips gyrating, and the crowd going wild. Oh, sorry. That was my dream last night. Erase visual please.

And how could we celebrate the Fourth without Don McLean’s “American Pie”? Can’t be done.

Bye, bye miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry

And good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye

Singing this will be the day that I die

this will be the day that I die

You can hear it as you read it, huh?? Love that.

One of my personal faves is from Phil Vassar, “American Child”. I think we all can relate to this song. It captures the true essence of growing up in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

(Supporting a wonderful artist.)

And here are a few great songs to upload onto the iPod and jam to while barbecuing this weekend.

“American Woman” The Guess Who

“Back in the U.S.A.” Chuck Berry

“Born to be Wild” Steppenwolf

“Blowin’ in the Wind” Bob Dylan

“Independence Day” Martina McBride

Of course there are songs like “America the Beautiful”, “God Bless America”, and even “Take me out to the ballgame”. Yeah that one is different but it’s all American.

May we be thankful to those who have come before us and ensured our way of life. May we also celebrate the wonderful culture we have in our music, how it carries us and inspires us.

I hope everyone enjoyed a safe and happy Fourth of July.