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Showing posts from December, 2011

10 Questions with Writer Dan Kind (@DanHKind)

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This Author Spotlight features Dan H. Kind, writer of  fantasy and speculative fiction, and author of the hilarious and irreverent novel THE FOUNTAIN OF EDEN . 1) How did you get into writing? I read a lot, I have an overactive imagination, and I'd always wanted to write fiction. But after school I set this ambition aside, except for jotting down the occasional line of bad (and I mean horrible) poetry. Three years later, summer 2001, I attended a Phish show, a habit I retain to this day. During an insanely long Slave to the Traffic Light jam, it was as if the music opened up some unused part of my brain. Right then an idea hit me for a novel. A year later that idea was still stuck in my head and I thought, “It's now or never,” and began writing. Since then I've been hooked. Creating universes is highly addictive. 2) What do you like best (or least) about writing? Least: that I have so little time to do it. Most: world-building, and when that little plot pr

My review of Daniel H. Wilson's ROBOPOCALYPSE

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Daniel H. Wilson This is what a top-notch roboticist looks like. ROBOPOCALYPSE has been on my to-read list for some time. When I stumbled across it at the library, I grabbed it.  I'm glad I did.  For starters, it's got one of the best covers I've seen lately. Very professional and high quality.  Without giving anything away, the book is what you expect: the story of a robot uprising against humanity. In this it delivers. The story unfolds as a series of vignettes, almost like short stories, which are all connected. The chapters introduce the various characters and then weave through the story going back and forth and here and there, catching us up with what each character has been doing, how they've been struggling in the New War, as it is called.  The writing is smooth and not overdone, so no need for a dictionary. The story reigns supreme and is not diminished by any fancy attempts at wordplay. There are a few downright awesome one-liners, too. But I'l

10 Questions with Romantic Comedy Novelist Elle Lothlorien (@ElleLothlorien)

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This week's Author Spotlight features Romantic Comedy novelist Elle Lothlorien. 1.      How did you get into writing? I had professors in college who urged me to become a writer, but the desire just wasn't there.  About ten years ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with a story idea.  I sat on the floor of my bedroom with my laptop and began my first book, a literary novel.  It turned out that writing an entire book was much harder than writing a college paper!  I finished about 25% of it before abandoning it.  My second attempt was a suspense novel. I finished about 50% of it before the same thing happened.  My third attempt, the thriller VIRGIN ,  was the first book I ever completed; however, it was my romantic comedy THE FROG PRINCE (fourth attempted novel and second completed for anyone keeping score) that was published first. 2.      What do you like best (or least) about writing? Best: When the characters are transm

10 Questions with Writer Patricia Russo

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This Author Spotlight features Patricia Russo author of SHINY THING 1. How did you get into writing? Through reading.  I was a constant reader.  Since I have very poor eyesight, I also tended to skip the pictures in the books.  I focused on the text.  The words were what was real.  Words made worlds.  I was quite young when I decided I wanted to do that, too. 2. What do you like best (or least) about writing? The best part is the initial flash, brain-spark, heart-lift, of an idea or theme or image, or, best case scenario, when several elements come together and form a complete, or almost complete, story, in my head.  Second best part is the actual writing of it.  Worst part is thinking what I’ve written sucks.  And I always think that what I’ve written sucks.  Sometimes it sucks eggs, and sometimes it sucks big hairy donkey dick, but it always sucks. 3. What is your writing process? IE do you outline? Do you stick to a daily word or page count

Why Your Novel is a Tall, 6-Pump Vanilla, Breve Latte Grande, Extra Hot, Heavy Whipping Cream, Extra Dry Cappuccino (Or It Should Be) by Elle Lothlorien

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The Resident Self-Publishing Guru of the Blogosphere, aka Joe Konrath, had a great guest blog by novelist Elle Lothlorien. I'm mentioning it and linking to it because the self-publishing business is still The Wild, Wild West of the publishing world. In short, no one truly knows for certain what works, how to garner sales, how to get into the Kindle 1 Million Club, nor how exactly (or when, exactly) one can quit the dreaded day-job and be a full-time Writer. Nevertheless, Elle Lothlorien has written an insightful article. The comments on her article (90 as of this writing) are equally as fascinating and illuminating. Here's the link: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2011_12_06_archive.html And take a moment to explore Elle's novels as well. Visit her website at  http://www.ellelothlorien.com/Home.html