Just got back from a wonderful conference in Park City. Well, at least I heard it was wonderful. I had the distinct pleasure of running the Pitch Appointments with the agents from NY. Yes, the big wigs is who I spent the weekend waiting on, making sure they had enough chocolate and plenty of writers to talk to. It's a thankless job, but someone has to do it. I did get to hear a couple of great keynote speakers, and well that's what draws people into a conference, isn't it?
All that aside. I did learn some really interesting things. I told one agent that I really don't enjoy blogging, tweeting, FBing, or any of the social stuff. I prefer to meet people face to face at book signings, out on the road, etc. However, when I'm at home and have a few minutes to spare, I'd rather write than do all the social media.
She laughed and said actually she liked to hear that, it meant I'm a writer first and the rest is secondary to me. However, I needed to try a bit harder to be out there. So here is my New Year's Resolution. I know, I know, it's not New Years, but I can start early, can't I?
I vow to spend some time making my presence know. FB is really giving me a headache, as my poor computer is really having a time, but my phone on the other hand is sort of handy that way. I also vow to try to be more out there on my blog.
I know it's paranormal, but that pretty much discribes me. Not really normal. So, besides my boring life, kids, horses, dogs etc. I've decided to share a bit more of myself here. So stay tuned for the weirdness that is me.
I love to watch Paranomal Witness and the Dead Files, not really the norm, but I've had experiences that I hope someone else has had, so I don't feel alone. What sort of strange stuff have you seen? Let's compare notes.
So, homework for me. I will post once a week, and I'm going to be asking for things that go along with my experiences and what I see on the off-beat shows on TV.
Let me know if you've ever considered there might be something behind the monster stories. In Paranormal Witness, two men tracked a creature that walked on two legs, had claws on the end of the toes, and lived in a cabin in the woods. The man had yellow eyes, and kept to himself. When he died, they went to the cabin and found absolutely no personal items there. Just a steel room with Chains and Locks. Sounds like The Vampire Diaries to me. How about you? Ever seen wierd tracks? TELL ME ABOUT IT!!!!!
Friday, October 12, 2012
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tawny's Ghost
Okay, so ghost stories are something everyone enjoys now, thanks to Ghost Hunters, Haunted Collector, Ghost Adventures and the likes. But how many ghost stories do you read, and how many hold your interest. I just read a cool review by Scott R. on Amazon and wanted to share it with ya'll, just to show even a guy can get into more than just the ghost part of a story.
Tawny's Ghost is my newest novel out, just went live July 4th, and I haven't even had time to "bomb" it yet. But if it continues to get reviews like Scott's, again from a man not a woman, then maybe there is something ahead for me.
Tawny's Ghost is my newest novel out, just went live July 4th, and I haven't even had time to "bomb" it yet. But if it continues to get reviews like Scott's, again from a man not a woman, then maybe there is something ahead for me.
5.0 out of 5 stars Love Beyond Life, July 26, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Tawny's Ghost (Kindle Edition)
What can I say about this book, except that it's really great?
I picked it up expecting a light ghost story, which I was in the mood for. Instead, I read a profoundly beautiful book that that makes me ponder everlasting love, self-sacrifice, and just how much would we be willing to give up to save the ones we love. It's an ideal I would like to believe I could live up to, if needed, after reading Tawny's story.
Tawny is not a typical teen - how many typical teens see ghosts, and have extraordinarily powerful psychic friends? Yet her life is far from typical, as she is haunted by secrets she has yet to discover. Through the course of this book, she uncovers all those secrets, and they make her the powerful woman she becomes.
Ms. Spraycar has created three dimensional characters, not only in her male and female leads, but from the supporting cast. We care for these people, we root for them, we love them.
It's by no means a short book, and I read it in one sitting. My eyes now hurt. But I wanted to write this review while the book was fresh on my mind.
There are ghosts in this book, but not all ghosts are what they seem. And we do realize three quarters of the way through that we will get that HEA. But what is so awesome is finding out just how long forever after can be. I really pray that when my time is us, there's a special house waiting for me, with all the people I love gathered there. This book can inspire that hope.
Note to readers: I am not a sappy kind of guy. This book made me that way, and it's all Ms. Spraycar's fault. And I thank her for that - sometimes we need to be reminded that sappy can be a good thing, a real good thing. I also bought this book, and it was worth every cent.
I picked it up expecting a light ghost story, which I was in the mood for. Instead, I read a profoundly beautiful book that that makes me ponder everlasting love, self-sacrifice, and just how much would we be willing to give up to save the ones we love. It's an ideal I would like to believe I could live up to, if needed, after reading Tawny's story.
Tawny is not a typical teen - how many typical teens see ghosts, and have extraordinarily powerful psychic friends? Yet her life is far from typical, as she is haunted by secrets she has yet to discover. Through the course of this book, she uncovers all those secrets, and they make her the powerful woman she becomes.
Ms. Spraycar has created three dimensional characters, not only in her male and female leads, but from the supporting cast. We care for these people, we root for them, we love them.
It's by no means a short book, and I read it in one sitting. My eyes now hurt. But I wanted to write this review while the book was fresh on my mind.
There are ghosts in this book, but not all ghosts are what they seem. And we do realize three quarters of the way through that we will get that HEA. But what is so awesome is finding out just how long forever after can be. I really pray that when my time is us, there's a special house waiting for me, with all the people I love gathered there. This book can inspire that hope.
Note to readers: I am not a sappy kind of guy. This book made me that way, and it's all Ms. Spraycar's fault. And I thank her for that - sometimes we need to be reminded that sappy can be a good thing, a real good thing. I also bought this book, and it was worth every cent.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Birth
You've waited almost a year. Waited for the delivery, expecting it any day now. Finally it's time. You rush out the door, expectant, tired of waiting, and hoping the delivery is actually today. Then it happens. You are handed the precious bundle and you sigh, before carefully folding back the covering to reveal your precious little bundle. Pride fills your heart, and you can't wait to show it to those closest to you. That's right!!!! It's here, the galley of my newest book.
Do we ever grow tired of getting those new bundles of joy? I doubt it. As authors we put blood, sweat, and tears into each novel. We shape and mold our stories, cry with the characters and feel each pain they suffer. We sigh with relief when the victory is won, then cry all over again with each word we cut, each scene we lose, and each rewrite, or edit cuts to the bone. But in the end it is all worth it.
Pride in a job well done is worth the year or more of hard work. A year of growing that precious bundle, until at last you're holding it in your hands. Your baby, your little piece of you put out there for the entire world to see. If you think the pains are over at this point, you're wrong.
Now your precious baby is in other people's hands. Not everyone thinks your baby is as wonderful as you do. Some even don't like it, think you should have never tried. Some oohhh, and aaaahhh over your bundle. Some even think it is as wonderful as you do.
Now you're a full fledged author. A book under your belt and the proof in your hands.
I can't tell you how exciting it feels. You just have to try it yourself and see the pride and joy that comes along with the printed copy in your hands.
When you look at it, you see all the little imperfections. The "Oh, I could have described that better." The "I wish I'd have changed that." But all in all there is something deep inside that tells you, "You've done the best you could at the time you wrote this book." I think every author grows as a writer with each book, and you look back on those first ones with a blush, wondering why people like it so when it was so bad. But still the pride in it never goes away. It is a piece of you. A bit of your soul put out there to be judged.
So just like your baby, be proud of what you've accomplished. Rush out and show your new bundle to all of your friends, your neighbors, and even the girl at the bank. Be proud of yourself. You've actually delivered when so many miscarry.
Be proud. Show the world what you're made of. Be confident in what you've produced. Love the experience and be confident in yourself.
Getting that delivery is worth all the pains you went through to get it here. Then pat yourself on the back and sleep with it for a few days.
That's right. Enjoy your success. I know I am. I now hold in my hand the long awaited second book, and it feels grand.
Do we ever grow tired of getting those new bundles of joy? I doubt it. As authors we put blood, sweat, and tears into each novel. We shape and mold our stories, cry with the characters and feel each pain they suffer. We sigh with relief when the victory is won, then cry all over again with each word we cut, each scene we lose, and each rewrite, or edit cuts to the bone. But in the end it is all worth it.
Pride in a job well done is worth the year or more of hard work. A year of growing that precious bundle, until at last you're holding it in your hands. Your baby, your little piece of you put out there for the entire world to see. If you think the pains are over at this point, you're wrong.
Now your precious baby is in other people's hands. Not everyone thinks your baby is as wonderful as you do. Some even don't like it, think you should have never tried. Some oohhh, and aaaahhh over your bundle. Some even think it is as wonderful as you do.
Now you're a full fledged author. A book under your belt and the proof in your hands.
I can't tell you how exciting it feels. You just have to try it yourself and see the pride and joy that comes along with the printed copy in your hands.
When you look at it, you see all the little imperfections. The "Oh, I could have described that better." The "I wish I'd have changed that." But all in all there is something deep inside that tells you, "You've done the best you could at the time you wrote this book." I think every author grows as a writer with each book, and you look back on those first ones with a blush, wondering why people like it so when it was so bad. But still the pride in it never goes away. It is a piece of you. A bit of your soul put out there to be judged.
So just like your baby, be proud of what you've accomplished. Rush out and show your new bundle to all of your friends, your neighbors, and even the girl at the bank. Be proud of yourself. You've actually delivered when so many miscarry.
Be proud. Show the world what you're made of. Be confident in what you've produced. Love the experience and be confident in yourself.
Getting that delivery is worth all the pains you went through to get it here. Then pat yourself on the back and sleep with it for a few days.
That's right. Enjoy your success. I know I am. I now hold in my hand the long awaited second book, and it feels grand.
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Self Pub Formatting Nightmare
You said it. Formatting is a dirty word, is, was and probably always will be. I stole my book back from my latest publisher due to irreconcilable differences. I wanted to sell it, printed version, and obviously they did not. I digress. Anyway I've worked really hard to get a new cover, format the thing and get it back out there.
A joke!!!! It's easy they say, just plug your book into our already formatted template. "Great," says I.
I feverishly work to make sure everything is as I want it in this wonderful template, (which by the way only has 60 pages) and viola! I'm ready to go. Right? WRONG.
I realize that the rest of the 300 pages of the manuscript have no page numbers, no headers and I have no idea how to fix it. I go back and read everything I can, and eventually figure out how to get the page numbers on, minus the Title page, Acknowledgements, etc. Again, VIOLA!!!!
Not so fast. I upload my hard worked manuscript, and to my dismay all the chapter headings are off, on the end of the page before. In the middle of a page somewhere, or run into the chapter preceding it. I groan.
In the end, I uploaded it at least ten time before calling support.
Now isn't technical support supposed to fix all your problems? Silly me, that's what I thought. I talked to one guy, who couldn't help me. Said he had no idea how to fix the problem and I would have to talk to a supervisor, (all of whom had left for the day) so please call back tomorrow.
I spent a sleepless night wondering what exactly I had done wrong. Aren't you supposed to be able to plug something into a template and then not worry about it? That's what I thought. At least it worked building a website. I digress again.
Next day I call tech support again, get the famed supervisor and ask my questions. She says they have templates to help format it right. I tell her it is in a template. She asks what format I saved it in. I tell her RTF. (Sigh) She has no idea what that is!!!! You've got to be kidding right? She asks what program I'm using and I say WORD. She responds that there are just too many programs for them to know all about all of them. (Isn't WORD one of the most widely used programs for writers? Am I wrong?) I sigh again. Wondering if this is every going to be a book out there, published by me for my fans.(Yes, I do have them. And all five of them have been waiting for Phantom Wolves for almost a year now)
The supervisor advises me to download the template again and start all over. GRRRRRR!!!!. However my dogged determination wins out and I do as she asks.
Now for those of you who are about to embark on this process, let me save you some time and aggravation. First, download the blank template, not the one with words so you can see what it looks like. Before transferring anything, embed your text. In word, go to file, his the options, hit save, then check the embed font box, and uncheck the two boxes below it. Now you're ready to start. Copy your entire book and past it into the template. Now your margins and gutters should be right. Make sure your headers and footer(page numbers) appear on each page. I'm telling you right now that they won't. Go to the last page that contains the header and or footer, and double click on it. It will open up the header box in word. Then you need to link the header and footer to the previous section. Then you should be good. Now go back and take off the header on the title page, because you can bet it is there now. Also if you're including a bio picture, make sure that the DPI is 300 before inserting it in your book.
No Sweat, you say. Just keep thinking that. Your not done yet. Now go back in and embed your font again, because if you don't you'll be sorry. Now save it in a PDF format and try uploading it. Hopefully it works this time. If not start all over, don't think you can fix the one you've already spent so much time on, it never works.
Okay, so there you have the two-hundred fifty steps to formatting. My friend, Leslie, paid someone fifty bucks to save herself the headache, smart and rolling in the dough girl. For those of us without that luxury, here's a toast to our living nightmare. Any questions?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Contest Overload
After running two contests in a row, I'm finally back on track with writing, bloggging (sort of) and doing all the other stuff that needs to be done.
First of all I ran the Absolutely Write First Page Contest. Fun to read all the entries and then argue with myself about some of the scores and the judges. So not only to the entrants sometimes feel they got shorted, so does the contest coordinator. Laying all that aside, it was easy to see what people did right and what others did wrong. A great way of seeing what works on a first page.
Second, I coordinated the YA Category of the UtahRWA HOW contest. Again, getting to read all the entries was enlightening. I didn't agree with all the judges, but could again see why the winners took the high scores. This one wasn't as easy. Finding judges to help out was a wild ride, but I finally got the finalists off the the final judge, only a day or two late.
If you're wondering why I put myself through running contests, along with entering them. Well, I'll tell you. You learn alot by seeing how the contests run, how the judges evaluate things, and more than that why the winners are the winners. Where else could you get all this information without paying for it. It makes you a better writer to see how the winners of other contests do what they do. It's also great to judge, because often times you can compare how you rated things by seeing those same entries in other contests. I love it when I pick the best on of the entries sent me to judge, and it actually end up winning the category.
I learn so much by helping with contest. I advise you do the same. And then take the time to read the entries as they come in, evaluate them yourself, and then see what the judges say and how things turn out. Lots of fun without putting anything on the line.
Now back to work and the real process of writing. Hope to see you all in a contest in the future, either coordinating, judging or at least entering. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Have a great writing day.
First of all I ran the Absolutely Write First Page Contest. Fun to read all the entries and then argue with myself about some of the scores and the judges. So not only to the entrants sometimes feel they got shorted, so does the contest coordinator. Laying all that aside, it was easy to see what people did right and what others did wrong. A great way of seeing what works on a first page.
Second, I coordinated the YA Category of the UtahRWA HOW contest. Again, getting to read all the entries was enlightening. I didn't agree with all the judges, but could again see why the winners took the high scores. This one wasn't as easy. Finding judges to help out was a wild ride, but I finally got the finalists off the the final judge, only a day or two late.
If you're wondering why I put myself through running contests, along with entering them. Well, I'll tell you. You learn alot by seeing how the contests run, how the judges evaluate things, and more than that why the winners are the winners. Where else could you get all this information without paying for it. It makes you a better writer to see how the winners of other contests do what they do. It's also great to judge, because often times you can compare how you rated things by seeing those same entries in other contests. I love it when I pick the best on of the entries sent me to judge, and it actually end up winning the category.
I learn so much by helping with contest. I advise you do the same. And then take the time to read the entries as they come in, evaluate them yourself, and then see what the judges say and how things turn out. Lots of fun without putting anything on the line.
Now back to work and the real process of writing. Hope to see you all in a contest in the future, either coordinating, judging or at least entering. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Have a great writing day.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Five R's to make Creation Easy
There are so many wonderful tips out there. This one is again from Trent's Smart Writer Newsletter. He really does some great stuff. Coming up with blogging ideas is what stumps me, but writing novels never has me running out of ideas. But doing these five R's might help some of you readers out there, so here are some great ideas.
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Friday, June 10, 2011
Guest Post by Benjamin Sobieck
Flawed P.I.s, Gotta Love 'em: A Guest Post by Crime Author Benjamin Sobieck
I've been lucky with my invented PI characters.
First there's Jack "Keeper" Marconi, former prison warden turned private dick who specializes in chasing down escaped convicts, especially the ones who like to murder cops in cold blood, like in THE INNOCENT, or the bad guys who murdered his wife in GODCHILD.
Then there's MOONLIGHT FALLS and the forthcoming MOONLIGHT RISES from StoneGate Ink. Richard "Dick" Moonlight is a former cop and suicide survivor who has a little piece of bullet lodged inside his brain, right smack up against the cerebral cortex causing him at best the occasional blackout or memory loss (especially during times of stress...in other words, all the time), but at worst, the very serious possibility of coma and/or death should the bullet shift. He also always seems to be making the wrong decisions, more often than not, when it comes to women. In a word, he's an easy lay.
What's my point?
When it comes to the PI thriller market, you can't dish up the same old/same old anymore. You've got to give the reading audience a character who will stick out from the crowd and at the same time be believable in all his or her, unbelievableness...if that makes even an ounce of sense.
Up and coming crime fiction star and CLEANSING EDEN author, Benjamin Sobieck, follows the line of the fallible PI pretty closely in the form of Maynard Solomon in a short he did with famous blogger and blog talk radio host Giovanni Gelati for Gelati's ever growing Trestle Press. "Who Whacked the Blogger" is fun, violent, warped, and just plain funny. It's also crafted by two dudes who love their work and make it show. Check out the story anywhere where E-Books are sold.
Mr. Ben...It's time to give us the low-down on Maynard...
11 reasons to enjoy Maynard Soloman
Now before you roll your eyes and say, "Another serialized PI? Puh-leez," I want to tell you why Maynard Soloman is different. I, too, had read a million incarnations of Sam Spade. Maynard Soloman might've worn a fedora, but that's where the similarities end.
Here are 11 reasons Maynard Soloman is worth a look.
1) He was forced into retirement from his career as an investigator for the Obscenities Division of a local police force. He got stiffed on some medical bills, so he has to keep working. Which is why he...
2) Bought a Winnebago. Not only can he see the country (a staple of any retiree's dreams), he uses it as a...
3) Mobile office. He bought a police scanner and spray painted the words "Maynard Soloman Investigation Services" on the side. He's not too worried about the 'bago looking junky because...
4) The Winnebago takes a beating in every story. In "Who Whacked the Blogger?" he had to outrun a competitor when chasing an ambulance containing a potential client. In "Maynard Soloman Solves the War on Drugs," some punks break windows and spray paint graffiti on the side panels. That had Maynard...
5) Cursing in his own special way. A typical Maynard line would be, "Some punk-ass fruit bats spray painted the 'bago with a gal-damn penis." He's got a potty mouth rooted in a mix of early 20th Century cuss words and his own inventions. "Fruit bat" is someone who is both fruity and bat-shit insane. He also invented...
6) The 'nard Bag. As he can't afford an extra large sleeping bag, he invented the 'nard Bag. Simply pick out a pair of the largest sweatpants you can find. Cut the legs and sew them together so there is only one leg. Says Maynard, "It's pure mollycoddling." He enjoys stretching out, especially when...
7) He has health problems. It's an overarching theme across the stories. It's not clear yet what they are, but Maynard knows he can't outrun time. Speaking of time...
8) Maynard is clueless about technology. It's always baffled him. In "Who Whacked the Blogger?" his client runs a blog. Maynard spends most of the time trying to figure out what that means. He's also behind on...
9) Crime trends. In "Maynard Soloman Solves the War on Drugs," he is solicited by a teen to buy some cold medicine for him. Maynard becomes suspicious when he hears the medicine must contain pseudoephedrine. "Sounds like a fake drug to me. Are you trying to play a prank on me?" Maynard says. Of course, readers know pseudoephedrine is kept behind the counter because it's used to make meth. But the clueless Maynard Soloman thinks he...
10) Knows everything. He's absolutely convinced the world is much stupider than he. It's the big dumb world's fault he can't walk up to a drive-through and place an order. He can see the obvious answers when no one else can. That's why he can be so bold as to proclaim he's solved the War on Drugs in, "Maynard Soloman Solves the War on Drugs." But he's not so bold as to...
11) Use weapons of any kind. He was denied a concealed carry permit, probably related to the messy forced retirement situation. But he says the real reason is, "I cross too many state lines in the 'bago. Don't want one of my old police buddies to throw me in the slammer."
I hope you'll check out Maynard Soloman. I had a ton of fun writing him. More adventures are on their way. In the meantime, check out "Who Whacked the Blogger?" and "Maynard Soloman Solves the War on Drugs."
For more on Benjamin Sobieck: http://www.crimefictionbook.com/WWW.VINCENTZANDRI.COM
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