Authorial, agently and personal ramblings

Moving to WordPress

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:00:10 GMT

I've been here at LiveJournal ever since I started blogging several years ago, so it's with some sadness that I move my blog over to WordPress, but also with excitement, since hopefully I'll be leaving behind the problems that have driven me away. For the future, you can find me over at my new blog,Lucienne Diver's Drivel.

Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit interview with Melissa Walker

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:29:42 GMT

I'm pleased to congratulate Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit sister Melissa Walker on her new release, Small Town Sinners (See all Teen Love & Romance Books), and her great write-up in the New York Times Book Review. Melissa has the kind of bio my Vamped heroine, Gina, would envy. She's worked as an ELLEgirl Features Editor and Seventeen Prom editor. She's also written the Violet on the Runway series and Lovestruck Summer. She manages I Heart Daily, an e-newsletter and blogs for ReaderGirlz, an online community for teens.

And her quotes!

“A non-judgmental, nuanced, fascinating look at the teenage religious right… Walker writes an outstanding contemporary novel with a cast of characters who, far from being portrayed as hateful zealots, are relatable for readers of all faiths. The extremism of Hell House is tempered by the perfectly understandable attitudes and intentions of Lacey Anne, who struggles with what it means to grow up, to question and to think for herself.” –Romantic Times

“Both tender and provocative… Walker creates an astutely balanced portrait of a conservative congregation’s in-your-face response to perennial issues of domestic abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide, as well as of those who struggle to fit the prescribed Christian mold.” –Publishers Weekly

“This secular story about religious people could easily devolve into camp mockery, but because Walker takes her character’s crisis of faith seriously and sensitively, readers will, too.” –Kirkus Reviews

Definitely check her out.

Interview with Melissa Walker

What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you schedule time to write each day or are you a spree writer?

I try to write 1000 words each day when I'm on a deadline, preferably before lunch... that's the "plan" anyway, and it's awesome when it works, about 60% of the time.

What is the hardest part about the publishing process for you and how do you get through it? (For me, it’s copyediting and sour cream and onion chips.)

First draft is the roughest. I withhold lunch until I have my daily wordcount. Hunger is a huge motivator.

We drop your hero or heroine on a deserted island. Quick, what are the three things he or she can’t live without?

Lacey Anne would need her two best friends (Starla Joy and Dean--are people cheating?), plus her Bible.

If your story were a film, who would you cast?

I’m a huge fan of unknowns, and I’d probably like to see fresh faces playing Lacey Anne and her friends, but that’s avoiding the question, right? If I had to cast, I’d go with Taylor Swift as Lacey Anne, Ashley Green as Starla Joy and maybe David Archuleta as Dean (does he act?). If not him, maybe a Jonas brother—probably Nick, with some weight gain. For Ty, I have a picture in my head that I can’t replace with a real actor. Book guys are better. I will say that I’d love to see Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton (Coach and Mrs. Taylor on Friday Night Lights) as Lacey Anne’s parents. Love them!

Are there any contests or upcoming appearances/interviews/etc. you’d like to plug?

Bloomsbury is giving away copies of the book on Facebook. Just "like" them to enter!

Congratulations on your fabulous new release!

Happy Book Birthday to Janet Mullany

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:06:15 GMT

You might know Janet Mullany from such great novels as The Rules of Gentility (See all Comic Literature), Jane and the Damned (See all Historical Fantasy Books), the anthology Bespelling Jane Austen (See all Literature & Fiction Books) and others. Today her erotic novel Tell Me More hits the bookstores.

Blurb:
Jo Hutchinson is obsessed with a man she's never seen—only heard. Her late–night calls from the office to the mysterious "Mr. D." grow increasingly intimate, until they finally become full–blown phone sex. Still, Jo doesn't dare meet him. Instead, she embarks on a series of sizzling sexual escapades with other guys, sharing every sweaty moment with Mr. D. afterward, a passion–by–proxy arrangement they both get off on. But even as she's charting brave new naughty worlds, Jo knows that it's all really for Mr. D. Every pleasure she experiences—eagerly, athletically, vocally—is to please him.

Immersed in fantasy, reality just slips away—even the chance at that elusive combination of love and lust. Her new tenant, Patrick, an Irish hunk in geek's clothing, is totally into her. And in her lucid moments, Jo knows she feels the same. Can she tear herself away from her kinky dreamworld long enough to appreciate what's right in front of her? Or has Mr. D. ruined her for real life?

Quotes:
“I loved this book! It was steamy. It was romantic. It had lots of drama. And a wonderful ending to it.”—Books to the Sky

"a deliciously naugthy novel with an intense steamy narrative... a hot, spicy adventure you shouldn't miss!" -Romantic Times Book Reviews

“This novel is erotica at its best. A good, strong story driven by interesting characters, and steamy scenes that will leave you smiling secretly to yourself.” —The Raunch Dilettante

Magical Words blogs

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:50:55 GMT

May 1, 2009 Got To Keep ‘Em Separated

February 25, 2010 The Economics of Word Count

March 25, 2010 Young Adult Fiction – Taboos

April 21, 2010 Three Things Every Writer Should Know (to Maintain What’s Left of Their Sanity

June 23, 2010 The Next Big Thing

July 22, 2010 Beginning

August 26, 2010 It Takes a Village

September 23, 2010 What Agents are (and Aren’t)

October 21, 2010 Things Every Author Should Know About Promotion

November 25, 2010 Querying

January 27, 2011 Querying Blog

February 24, 2011 Querying Blog

March 24, 2011 Identifying Your Theme

April 28, 2011 Subrights (reprinted from the SFWA Bulletin)

May 2011 Beginnings 2

June 23, 2011 Of Quirks and Characters

July 2011 Piracy on the High Cs

August 2011 Work For Hire

September 2011 Bandwagons

October 2011 Cyberbullying

November 2011 Tension

December 2011 The Writer's Journey

January 2012 Authors' Checklist of Dos and Don'ts

February 2012 Reader Respect

March 2012 Characters

April 2012 Finding an Agent

May 2012 Cheerleaders

June 2012 Authenticity of Voice

July 2012 Mantra

August 2012 The Self-Contained Narrator

September 2012 Con-etiquette

October 2012 Motivation

November 2012 Giving up on Perfect

December 2012 Renewal

January 2013 Settings

April 2013 Thinking Positive

May 2013 How Not to Write Like a Psychopath

Recent Guest Blog Round-up

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:13:21 GMT

In case anyone is is interested, I've done a flurry of guest blogs recently in support of my latest release, Bad Blood from Samhain. Please feel free to check out all or none. (Or cry out in self-defense, "I've got it already; I'll buy the darned book if you'll just *shut*up*!" Cough. I'm easy.)

Turning Myth into Magic for Kalayna Price’s blog

Of Quirks and Characters for Magical Words

Publication Panic for Doranna Durgin’s blog

Action Distraction for Babes in Bookland (scroll down to July 13^th)

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Creative for Petit Fours and Hot Tamales

Ideas vs. Execution for Deborah Blake’s blog

Myth: It’s Bendy for my own blog

No (Wo)man is an Island for Janice Hardy’s blog

Love Triangles for PJ Schnyder’s blog

How Novels are like Children for Jon Sprunk’s blog

Paperback Writer for Cate Peace

Apollo for Wynter Daniels

Truth is Stranger than Fiction for Faith Hunter’s blog

My Can’t Write a Blog Blog for Cats, Books, And…More Cats!

My heroine interviewed:

Gina (from Vamped) interviews Tori (from Bad Blood)

Tori Karacis (from Bad Blood) interviewed by her grandmother for the Goddities gossip site for Romance Magicians

Congratulations to Kalayna Price

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:37:05 GMT

Ah ha! I promised something cute for Fun Friday today if I came across it and found it over on my awesome author David Mack's blog. Go see.

And what's more fun than welcoming a brand new author to bestsellerdom? Yesterday evening, I learned that Kalayna Price had hit the USA Today bestseller list for the second novel in her Alex Craft urban fantasy series, Grave Dance!

See what people are saying!

“Wow I have to say I just say love this series and I'm simply in love with this world, these characters and where they seem to be headed. Alex is a strong heroine who can kick ass and take names, where Falin is sneaky and totally in love with Alex. The combo lets you know that while he may not be completely honest with her, he will do anything for her. Now Death, has me interested. You never know if he is coming for coffee or your soul, and don't forget he is drop dead sexy! Ms. Price has created an urban fantasy world that is filled with Fae, Dark Fae, and Reapers that will reach out and grab you and keep you hooked till the very end!” —Night Owl Reviews, Five Stars

“Grave Dance is another exquisite example of Kalayna Price's enticing storytelling abilities. Her vivid descriptions and unique characters combined with her gripping storylines will keep your turning pages and wanting more.” —Fang-tastic Books

“Grave Dance has got to be one of the ten best urban fantasies I've read. Since I am a voracious reader, that means they have beaten at least seventy others to hit my top ten list. Alex is funky, funny, and far from invulnerable.” —Fresh Fiction

“Alex seems to be on the path for some more pulse-pounding adventures to intrigue readers.” -Parkersburg News & Sentinel

“Grave Dance was an exciting and thrilling read and when it ended I threw a fit because I didn't want this book to end. Grave Dance exceeded my expectations on so many levels.” —Mystifying Paranormal Reviews

“I really enjoyed Grave Dance. I think Ms. Price has established this series as a must read with this installment.” —Michelle’s Book Blog

“Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.” —All Things Urban Fantasy

And check out the first in the series, Grave Witch!

Doings

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:10:02 GMT

I'm over talking with Cate Peace today on her blog "Going from Nobody to Somebody" about the voices in my head. Won't you come talk to me and drown them out?

Speaking of Vicky Dreiling (see yesterday's blog), she's answering questions today over at the Forever Romance Facebook page.

Rosemary Clement-Moore is talking to Get Lost in a Story today and giving away a copy of her latest, Texas Gothic! Check her out.

New York Times bestselling author Rob Thurman's got information on new contests, signings and releases over on her blog. If you haven't read Chimera yet, you're going to want to run out and grab it in preparation for the sequel, Basilisk, which releases August 2nd. Really, seriously awesome series. (For you Cal Leandros fans out there...just as awesome, I swear!)

August 2nd will, in fact, be an AWESOME day, because it will also see the publication of the first book in a brand new series by Rachel Caine (Working Stiff), Book One of the Revivalist series), a debut mystery by Tammy Kaehler (Dead Man's Switch) and the omnibus edition of Chloe Neill's first two Firespell novels (Firespell and Hexbound).

Can't wait!

Happy belated book birthday to Vicky Dreiling

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:43:30 GMT

I'm guest-blogging today at Babes in Bookland, talking about action (and my flight or fight response to writing it).

But over here, I want to celebrate that Vicky Dreiling's fabulous second novel How to Seduce a Scoundrel is #39 this week on the Bookscan Romance bestseller list! Because I was away at the Romance Writers of America National Conference when this came out on July 1st, I missed having a happy release day blog for Vicky. I'm making up for lost time!

Vicky's first novel, How to Marry a Duke has been one of the most talked-about debuts of the year. Just check out these fabulous quotes:

"What a terrific romp of a read! Vicky is a bright new voice in romance."
--Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author of NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE

"An enchanting debut, full of humor and heart!" —New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter

"Dreiling's delightful debut combines the rituals of Regency courtship with TV's The Bachelor.... Dreiling is definitely a newcomer to watch." —Romantic Times

“Vicky Dreiling has set a high standard for hopefully many more books to come! She has woven a fabulous and fascinating Regency Romance focused on the tensions and trepidations surrounding making a good marriage, both in terms of love and traditional aspirations for wealth and title.… This novel is a treat to enjoy and now I can hardly wait to read how the wild hawk gets tethered in the second book.” —Fresh Fiction

“Vicky Dreiling’s debut novel recreates a familiar tale, and molds it into a witty, nourishing romp of a romance – one impossible to put down. How To Marry A Duke is the perfect blend of historical romance and chick lit. Dreiling’s imagery, vernacular and landscape paint a tasty portrait of love and its many splendors….Dreiling mesmerizes as she brings an era to life. She fills the pages with laughter, sensuality and charm. How to Marry a Duke is an irresistible ride readers will return to again and again.” —Examiner.com

"In her lively debut novel, Vicky Dreiling has penned a fresh, engaging take on Regency matchmaking that brims with clever wit and repartee. I found myself smiling and laughing out loud on numerous occasions. Here's hoping for more of this promising new author's historical romances!" -Nicole Jordan, New York Times best-selling author

"Vicky Dreiling delivers a tale chock full of warmth, wit and tenderness. She's sure to please readers everywhere!" -Samantha James, New York Times bestselling author

"A delicious read! Better than chocolate! Sexy, fresh and witty, Vicky Dreiling is an author to watch!" -Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author

Her new novel is similarly and deservedly lighting up the sky. Go, Vicky, and happy belated book birthday!

Happy Release Day to Rosemary Clement-Moore

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:33:00 GMT

It's not only Teaser Tuesday, it's the release day for the awesome Texas Gothic by the incredible Rosemary Clement-Moore. (I know, I know, too many adjectives, but I showed all kinds of restraint leaving out stupendous, quirky, fun, dark, perfect and all kinds of other comments.) Brainstorm! I'll just let the opening speak for itself:

The goat was in the tree again

I hadn't even known goats could climb trees. I had been livestock-sitting for three days before I'd figured out how the darned things kept getting out of their pen. Then one day I'd glanced out an upstairs window and seen Taco and Gordita, the ringleaders of the herd, trip-trip-tripping onto one of the low branches extending over the fence that separated their encloseure from the yard around Aunt Hyacinth's century-old farmhouse.

Let me tell you, the mystery of the incredible escape goats is a =lot= easier to solve than everything that comes next. Kirkus even gave her a starred review and said, "This engaging mystery has plenty of both paranormal and romance, spiced with loving families and satisfyingly packed with self-sufficient, competent girls." The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books writes, "A deeply affectionate rendering of Texas landscapes and legends combines with an appealing cast of well-developed characters to give texture to this well-plotted mystery; truly scary moments are balanced by the humorous bumbles of the awkwardly developing romance between Amy and Ben, as well as Phin's sublime cluelessness about the way her eccentricities appear to other people. The mystery itself is a richly imagined interpolation on documented history and lore of the area; readers who've outgrown the silliness but not the adventure of Scooby-Doo will thoroughly enjoy this." As if all that wasn't enough, check out this awesome open letter to Rosemary Clement-Moore posted by Jenny Martin on Book Binge.

I couldn't agree more.

__________________________________________

Other works by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil series
Prom Dates from Hell
Hell Week
Highway to Hell

Stand-alone
The Splendor Falls

Myth: How Far is Too Far?

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:12:12 GMT

An interesting question arose in the comments section of Rob Thurman’s guest blog a few weeks ago about how far a writer can take something from mythology away from its roots and still call it by its name of origin. In other words, are vampires still vampires if they can walk about in the sunshine and don’t need to drink blood to survive.

I gave this a lot of thought, and I realized that there are certain things that readers identify with various mythical beings that will lead to certain expectations no matter what you call them. In other words, a rose by any other name would still bear thorns. The flipside of that brings immediately to mind Lynn Flewelling’s Aurenfaie—the beautiful, long-lived magical race that claims her hero Seregil—think a fusion of the Scarlet Pimpernel and Sherlock Holmes—from the Nightrunner series. (Okay, they don’t so much claim him as send into exile, but you get the picture.) Something about the Aurenfaie leads readers to identify them with elves or The Fair Folk, liley the second half of the name.) And that leads them to the impression that the Aurenfaie have pointy ears, even though they don’t. In other words, faie=fairy, fairy= elf, elf=pointy ears.

Interesting that.

I wondered what other preconceived notions writers might be confronted with when they create new worlds. Do fangs without fur automatically mean vampires? Do fangs with fur equal shifter (mammalian, of course)? Are there other expectations, like with vampires and blood that without which are non-starters for the reader? I’ve seen books with vegetarian vampires and energy vampires which would lead me to think that this is not necessarily the case. Sure, as you get away from the source material, you may lose some readers, but you may pick up others intrigued by the novelty.

As I mentioned in my Myth is Bendy blog, even source materials can’t seem to agree on definitive versions of any myth or creature. For example, in Chinese mythology, vampires are more comical than frightening and can only move by jumping up and down and with arms outstretched. Even within the same culture, attributes of gods and other beings may vary. Myths largely developed before written language, and thus were often recorded after centuries of oral tradition had played telephone with them. Not to mention, contact with other cultures through invasions, interbreeding or proselytizing changed various stories as history marched along its petty pace.

I’m not sure it’s possible to go too far with something when nothing about that thing is or ever was set in stone. No matter what you do, some will love it. Some will hate it. Worse, some will be completely indifferent.

But that’s my two cents. I want to hear yours. How far is too far?

Nephele Tempest's blog to new home

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:43:17 GMT

One of The Knight Agency's super-agents, Nephele Tempest, has moved her blog over to Wordpress. I may soon follow. The spam comments I have to continually delete and other LJ issues are chasing me away. (It amazes me that legitimate commenters have had difficulty, and yet spammers seem to have none at all.) Anyway, just wanted to help spread the word about her new blog home.

Last of the RWA pictures

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:47:57 GMT

The last of the pics from RWA...

1- This one deserved full-screen, I thought. From L to R: Julie Butcher, someone whose name I didn't catch (can anyone supply?), me, Deidre Knight, Leigh Evans, Louisa Edwards, Kristen Painter and Jennifer Jackson in front of the Flatiron Building for the St. Martin's party.

2- This one came out a little dark, because we were backlit, but I love it nonetheless: Nephele Tempest, me and Elaine Spencer, all from The Knight Agency
3- Me and agency-mate Tiffany Reisz (website not PG-13) at the Harlequin Party

4- great gals Christine Merrill, Victoria Janssen, Laura Anne Gilman and Diana Fox at the Harlequin Black & White Ball
5- the elegant Elaine Spencer all dressed up for the RITA Awards

RWA cont'd

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:58:33 GMT

More RWA pics:

1- Tor editors Marco Palmieri and Stacy Hague-Hill at the Nelson Literary Agency cocktail party
2- Me, Tera Kleinfelter from Samhain Publishing and Debra Mullins at the Samhain breakfast

3- Pamela Harty and me from The Knight Agency, Diana Fox from Fox Literary at the Avon party
4- The view from the Avon party (Central Park Boathouse)
5- Whitney Ross and Kristin Sevick of Tor Books, Heather Osborn of Samhain Publishing

RWA, etc.

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:02:38 GMT

I'm guest blogging today over at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales on ways to convince yourself to apply butt to chair.

I'm here to present some pics from last week's wonderful Romance Writers of America National Conference. These are from the literacy signing. More later.

1- Debra Mullins and Janet Mullany - historical writers of various stripes (romance, paranormal, etc.)
2- Michele Lang, holding up her WWII fantasy Lady Lazarus

3- Jade Lee, one of Pamela Harty's authors with her hot historical
4- My fab friend Gennita Low and the awesome Marjorie M. Liu

5- Kira Sinclair with her blazing hot romance
6- Vicky Dreiling, showing off her fab How to Seduce a Scoundrel

7- Me and Rosemary Clement-Moore, whose incredible Texas Gothic releases on Tuesday, July 12th!
8- Joy from Joyfully Reviewed with her matching phone case!

More pics to come!

New Guest Blogs, New Releases

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:16:05 GMT

I'm currently guest blogging over at:
Romance Magicians: an interview between my new heroine, Tori Karacis, and her Yiayia
PJ Schnyder's blog: "Love Triangles"

I'm off at the crack of dawn tomorrow for RWA National, but never fear, I will not be silent. You can find me on the following dates and sites:

June 28:
Janice Hardy's Blog: "No (Wo)man is and Island"
Cats, Books And...More Cats!: "My Can't Write a Blog Blog"
June 29:
Doranna Durgin's Blog: "Publication Panic"

This is all in honor of my urban fantasy, Bad Blood, which releases digitally tomorrow from Samhain Publishing (print out in 2012). Have I flashed you all my exciting new reviews? (Yeah, yeah, I know, but they bear repeating!)

"Bad Blood is a delightful urban fantasy, a clever mix of Janet Evanovich and Rick Riordan, and a true Lucienne Diver original." —Long and Short Reviews

“Tori Karacis in Bad Blood is sharp, sexy, and wickedly funny. I adored this book!” —Faith Hunter, author of the NYT bestselling Jane Yellowrock series

“BAD BLOOD is a wonderful read. The mystery keeps the reader engaged, the action makes the reader want to roll with the punches, and the romance makes the senses tingle. This is a great book to coil up with on a lazy Sunday afternoon.” —Fresh Fiction

Also releasing tomorrow is the reissue of Marjorie M. Liu's The Wild Road, seventh novel in her bestselling Dirk & Steele series. Check out her reviews!

"Liu's surefooted guiding of the plot of her latest Dirk & Steele novel keeps the tension high and ensures that secrets are revealed judiciously. Characters and events from previous stories provide continuity and dramatic "aha" moments. Here's another surefire winner from an author who never disappoints!" — Romantic Times, 4 ½ Stars

"Marjorie M. Liu has an amazing imagination. She comes up with one original idea after another. It's exciting to start a book by her and know that the story you're going to read isn't something that reminds you of something else. She's had three new stories this summer; THE WILD ROAD, THE IRON HUNT and a short story called Minotaur in Stone in the anthology HOTTER THAN HELL. Three stories in two months and every single one is brilliant!" — Fresh Fiction

“Marjorie M. Liu is one of my favorite authors. Her style is sort of like the love child of a poem and a novel. Seriously! Her novels are full of rich characters and twisting, engaging plots, but told with such poetic imagery that I often find myself stopping to consider a particularly beautiful turn of phrase or an aching metaphor that makes me not only see, but feel how the characters are reacting.” – Wicked Little Pixie

So much to report

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 12:03:10 GMT

Wow, two days in a row preempting my own blog. I'm going for a record. Seriously, though, I just have to share a quote from the most fabulous review EVAR, especially since I get compared to two of my very favorite authors!

"Bad Blood is a delightful urban fantasy, a clever mix of Janet Evanovich and Rick Riordan, and a true Lucienne Diver original." - Long and Short Reviews

Life just doesn't get much better than that. Each week, LASR has a poll to see which book sounds most intriguing based on their reviews. If you're so inclined to vote for Bad Blood, the link is here. (For more about the book itself, an excerpt, etc. can be found on Samhain Publishing's page.)

In equally exciting news, Literary Rambles has done a lovely and comprehensive spotlight on agent-me. They've collected lots of great information, links and quotes all in one place.

Today, Heather Osborn and I get to do a presentation on the state of publishing and a query workshop for Seton Hill University's wonderful commercial fiction program. Looking forward to it! Met some of the folks last night, and they seem like a great bunch.

Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal week, Lucienne Diver bringing it home

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:03:10 GMT

It didn't occur to me when I decided to hold my post for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal week until the end that I'd have to follow such tough acts. My only thought was that Friday is generally a slower day, and I'd give everyone else the benefit of the higher traffic. Well now, best intentions and all that. Anyway, I hereby, humbly, offer my post:

Myth…It’s Bendy

I didn’t set out to use my (mostly) Greek mythology in Bad Blood to justify years spent in Latin class painfully declining verbs. I didn’t really set out to use it at all. I began with a character in my head. I didn’t know much about her at first, just that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time to see something very bad go down. I knew that she was pretty hard-boiled because of her voice, which started out originally in the very noir and self-consciously literary technique of talking to the audience, in this case about the properties of blood—particularly the scent, and the way her hind brain reacted to it.

My novels always seem to start with voice, and the first draft always begins with the character waxing all expository, talking to the audience…or, really, to me. I quickly do away with all that in subsequent drafts, but this is how I always come to know my characters. I knew that Tori Karacis, my heroine in Bad Blood, had to be something special, not because of marketing concerns, but because of the way she responded to the really bad thing—a little too calmly, a little too analytically and a little too credibly. She’d seen weird before, and it didn’t phase her.

I don’t know when I realized about the gorgon blood. Probably about the same time the heroine realized it herself. As soon as I knew, though, it all made perfect sense. Who wouldn’t like a heroine who could literally stop men in their tracks? I knew I totally wanted to be her. That’s the great thing about writing, I could be someone else for awhile and call it writing rather than insanity.

But my blog title says that I’m here to talk about myth, and really I am. I was an anthropology and English/writing double major in college. Now, as any English major knows, any ten people (or more) can look at the same piece of writing, whether it be poetry or prose, and read entirely different things into it. In anthropology there are endless theories about human evolution and no definitive family trees because every scientist wants his or her own find to be the conclusive “missing link.” We’ve created entirely new and subsequently debunked species on the basis of a single molar or lone skull cap.

Let me tell you, nothing, is more bendy than mythology. If you read any five books on the subject, I can almost guarantee you that every one will have a different take on the origins of the god Apollo, for example, or whether Medusa was turned into a monster by Athena in revenge for committing sacrilege in her temple with Poseidon (I’ll leave it to your imagination the form of sacrilege) or whether she and her sisters were already all gorgonic. The thing is that myths and legends were passed along orally for ages…and anyone who ever played telephone as a kid knows just how twisty a tale can get going from point A to point B. Beyond that, myths and worship would spread as places traded and invaded. Local tales and deities would get all tangled up with the outside influences until one would transplant another or become nearly indistinguishable.

Why is this good for readers and writers? Well, for one, chances are that my Greek mythology won’t be just like someone else’s. I can choose the version of the stories that fit best with what it is that I want to do. Someone else’s mileage may vary. It doesn’t mean that mine is right or that someone else’s is wrong. If Zeus or Poseidon came down from Olympus tomorrow to set the records straight—I know, I know, but just ride my crazy train for a moment—I doubt even they’d agree on how everything went down. So, it’s fun and it’s different and ever-changing. I can write-off my mythology books, read about all sorts of ancient scandals and call it work. Best of all, I can twist it all up like a bendy straw, stick it into a nice, modern setting and let you drink a taste-bud tingling concoction through it. Plot, action, hot gods and heavenly heroines.

That’s my hope anyway. You’ll have to let me know how the nice bendy straw works out for you.

____________________________________________

View through the bendy straw:
Bad Blood, first novel of the Latter-Day Olympians
Available digitally June 28, 2011, print in 2012
Vamped young adult series (Vamped and ReVamped) available now
www.luciennediver.com
Facebook fan page
Twitter

Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal week continues with Marjorie M. Liu

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:28:35 GMT

Continuing science fiction, fantasy and paranormal week on the blog, I have the tremendous Marjorie M. Liu, whose Dirk & Steele and Hunter Kiss series are some of the absolute best paranormal romance and urban fantasies around. Avon has been re-releasing her Dirk & Steele books at the rate of one a month, which means that THE WILD ROAD is on the schedule for June 28th...just a few days away! In addition to her wonderful novels and novellas, she writes comics for Marvel and has a game out based on her very first Dirk & Steele, TIGER EYE.

Also continuing the trend, while I have a guest blogger here, I'm over at Magical Words today talking about "Of Quirks and Characters." However, I will be here tomorrow, so tune in.

THERE'S TRUTH, AND THEN THERE'S REALITY...by Marjorie M. Liu

Look, there was this time in high school when my class went sea kayaking, and on the second day or so, after we'd been battling a hurricane and sharks and each other, we ended up on this island where each of us had to help out cooking dinner on these awful little stoves that only made enough to serve each of us starving kids a mouthful of burned macaroni and cheese (which we were grateful for, crazy kids), and then afterward we had to sit around and listen to our wilderness instructor tell stories about dog poop and freezers, and Halloween costumes that looked like penises (because that was the way he rolled), which was bad enough except that night it rained and we were cold and smelled -- but at least we didn't get eaten by the werewolves who lived on a neighboring island, so I guess it was okay.

Until the next morning.

***

And that's how I approach writing paranormal fiction. Truth mixed with the crazy.

***

Let's put it another way: I like to keep stuff real. Real, in the sense that the magic, the paranormal aspect, is accepted and normal (to someone, not necessarily everyone). I mean, think about airplanes. We take them for granted. We climb inside, fly up into the air to travel huge distances around the world. To us, it's normal. We might not know exactly how it works, but it does, and it's nothing to get excited about (unless TSA is about to pat you down).

In another age, however...flying in an aircraft would seem like magic. Heck, sometimes it still does.

It seems like magic when you read how some snails can sleep for three years -- or that the light of the stars takes millions of years to reach us -- or that a little bit of water, sun, and air can nourish a plant that will make fruits and vegetables that feed people. It's not magic, but it feels like magic. Life *is* magic, in its own way.

Point is, though, it's *real*. It feels real -- easy and accepted, like it belongs -- and that's so important to helping readers accept the paranormal in your fiction.

How do you get there? How do you make it real? I wish I had an easy answer, but the truth is that you just need to feel it. Try to put yourself into the shoes of the characters, breathe the air of that world, imagine all the ramifications of the paranormal, strange, and magical. What's the cause and effect? How do people adapt, in the same way that we adapt to planes and television, or some act of nature, like a tornado? How do people recover from contact with the paranormal? What are the precautions, the laws, the stereotypes?

These are just a handful of the questions you could ask yourself, and there are a million others. Do what it takes, though. Follow your instincts.

Keep it real. Mix your truth with the crazy, and make some magic.

_______________________

Where else can you find Marjorie?
Her website
Her blog
Twitter

Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal week continues with Jon Sprunk

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:38:08 GMT

While I'm guest blogging for Kalayna Price on Turning Myth to Magic and for Wynter Daniels on one myth/god in particular, I'm pleased to present here talented fantasist Jon Sprunk, who's latest novel, Shadow's Lure (sequel to Shadow's Son) has just been released by Pyr Books. He's talking today about the television adaptation of George R.R. Martin's famous series. All that stuff I've been talking about -- worldbuilding, characterization, etc. -- it's in there!

Thoughts on HBO’s A Game of Thrones, Season One by Jon Sprunk

HBO just concluded the first season of its new fantasy series, A Game of Thrones (adapted from George R.R. Martin’s mega-bestselling books). Like many viewers, I had read the books first and initially I was leery of this series. HBO generally does a fantastic job with its productions, but I always approach book adaptations with a healthy dose of skepticism. After all, novels offer so much more depth and verisimilitude. That being said, I’ve really enjoyed this first season. Here are a few reasons why:

Setting: HBO nailed it. The Twins, the Vale, the Wall, King’s Landing, and the Dothraki plains—they were just like I pictured while reading the books. It’s evident that HBO put a lot of time and money into set design, including the costumes. My wife commented early in the series how the people wore such shabby clothing compared to other fantasy shows and movies, and that jives completely with Martin’s world. It’s not pretty all the time, and the show got it right.

Characters: The casting is fantastic. My favorites so far have been Peter Dinklage (who just became a father – congrats, sir!) as Tyrion Lannister and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as his more-knightly brother Jaime. These two make being bad look fun. Peter portrays Tyrion’s keen wit with just the right amount of bitterness. Nikolaj somehow remains noble (-ish) while being a prick all the time. I’m eager to see how both—and all the characters—change as the series continues.

Story: Whenever a book is converted into film or TV, some sacrifices must be made. A Game of Thrones has done intelligent cuts, but even more impressive have been the addition of small scenes where characters can discuss issues, such as the books’ grand history or Tyrion’s sad experiences with prostitutes, rather than rely on a dreary voice-over narration. So overall, I give the series high marks for holding to the story that the readers already love. I liked how it included the story of Daenerys without breaking the flow of the other plots. I would have liked to have seen more of Ayra Stark, but as I said, some things had to be sacrificed.

Atmosphere: This is probably the most difficult aspect of a novel to convey on-screen because of its intangibility. The choice of words, their texture and rhythm, the details described—these are all difficult things to show on TV, but I give A Game of Thrones credit for its excellent pacing, which mimics the style of G.R.R. Martin’s prose.

As you can no doubt tell, I’m a big fan of the first season. It goes to show what quality television production can do with a great fantasy story, staying true to the genre while also making it enticing to a general audience. I hope it’s a trend that continues, perhaps someday with a little book called Shadow’s Son . . .

________________________________________________

Jon Sprunk is the author of Shadow's Son, a nominee for the David Gemmell Award, and the newly-released Shadow's Lure. He lives with his family in central Pennsylvania where he is devising further tortures for his characters.

Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal week continues with Rob Thurman

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:43:29 GMT

Continuing Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal week, I'm pleased to present New York Times-bestselling author Rob Thurman, who likes to take mythology and turn it completely on its flea-bitten ear. I offered her Cal Leandros series up in the webinar as an example of how you can take something established and completely make it your own.

Myth-information by Rob Thurman

I’m often asked where I get my particular take on mythology. The majority of my readers recognize that I’m intentionally twisting existing myths and a few enjoy pointing out my ‘errors.’

Yeahhh, they’re not errors.

While I do love shoving myths into a wood-chipper to see what comes out the other side, enjoy putting my own stamp on tradition, what I’m actually doing is bringing mythology up-to-date. If you’re old enough to remember the trash rag, the National Enquirer, then you remember if two celebrities passed in the street, they were instantly emblazoned on the front page as having a torrid (hey, that is the only time I’ve used the word torrid) affair, cheating on their spouses, and destroying their children’s lives. It wasn’t true of course, but that’s what gossip is all about and if your ‘prey’ won’t talk to you, gossip is all you have to go on. Now we have TV trash shows for that, but the practice is the same.

Mythology is the gossip of the ancient world.

Think of the mermaid. One day a horny sailor saw his first manatee. And you’d have to be an extremely horny sailor to envision a gorgeous mermaid out of a wallowing sea cow. But apparently he was and that was the seed of the mermaid legend.

And it wouldn’t stop with mermaids. Every myth, mythological creature, mythological god would be far different than the humans of those times managed to put down on paper or pass along. If your world is inhabited by vamps, weres, fey, and a thousand monsters, do you think that, say, a lycanthrope sat down about 25,000 BC to tell their furry story to any human who came along? That’s not in their best interest to survive. If your vampires existed (as mine did), before the time of Christ, why would they fear a cross, be burned by holy water, sleep in coffins before there were coffins? They probably sat around at the weekly vamp meeting and concocted all sorts of crazy fake legendary weapons to pretend to cower from right before they ate you. Good joke for them, eh? No doubt they’d swill blood from their cups and snort blood out of their nose when the Italian vamp added garlic to the list. Hell, he probably drank his blood with ground garlic around the edge of his chalice of blood—like salt on a margarita glass.

In my universe of the Cal Leandros Novels and Trickster Novels, Puck, Pan, Robin Goodfellow is now a used car salesman (what better job for a charismatic, arrogant, slick and slippery con artist of a trickster?) And he never had goat legs. They were fur chaps long before they came into fashion. Goodfellow didn't follow the trends, he set them.

Elves are worse monsters than demons from the deepest depths of Hell. They are the bogeymen even to other monsters. Their ‘seed’ to elven legend is long white hair and pointed ears—history left out the hundreds of metallic teeth, lava-red eyes, and the insatiable desire to kill. They were the first predators—the first murderers to walk the earth.

Werewolves aren’t werewolves at all. They were once in the same evolutionary line of prehistoric wolf and split off into a species that could turn human if they wished—all the better to infiltrate their prey and gobble them up with those great big teeth, Grandma. They didn’t start out as people who can turn into wolves, they started out as wolves that can turn into people—they are were-people.

And it goes on and on. It’s your world, your universe, your rules….different, strange, mythology turned upside down is good. No, hell, it’s great. Your only limits are the ones you set on yourself.

Me? I never liked rules.

___________________

Wanna hear more? You can visit Rob Thurman on her blog or listen to her at Binwalla Radio right here (her portion starts at about 33.45).

You can also check out her very cool book videos and get her Cal Leandros widget here.

SF/Fantasy/Paranormal Week begins with Carol Berg

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:20:44 GMT

Following up on my June 9th webinar for Writers Digest Books about Writing Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal, I thought I'd bring in some guest-bloggers to talk a bit about how they handle various aspects of the writing, worldbuilding, etc. With that in mind, I'm pleased to present Carol Berg, here to kick things off. Carol is a tremendously talented epic fantasy author, as evidenced by her awards (The Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and Colorado Book Award for her Lighthouse Duet -- Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone-- and for her stand-along Song of the Beast, the Prism Award for Daughter of Ancients and the Geffen Award for Translated Fiction for Transformation). In the webinar, I used her work as an example, particularly, of creating multi-faceted characters.

Writing Evil by Carol Berg

I've never been a brooding person, neither depressed nor sociopathic. Not even a pessimist! Thus it surprised me a bit when people started labeling my work as dark fantasy. Yes, I can be pretty tough on my heroes, heroines, and their friends. Mine are big stories, touching on world-changing events with all the accompanying dangers and hard consequences But, honestly, I never do a Hamlet on my worlds. In fact, for the most part, I leave them considerably better off than they were at the beginning of the story (even if everyone doesn't realize it right away.) And the great events are really just a setup for tales about human beings. What makes this particular person step out to be a hero? What makes that particular person into a murderer or embezzler or the mastermind at the center of a web of nefarious deeds?

The attraction of the real

One of my goals for my stories is realism. Yes, I know that sounds pretty funny when one considers that I have gods who show up walking down the street, dragons as weapons of war, or a race who can dance the earth into health. But I'm talking about realism in the human sense. I want readers to experience my worlds through the senses - to feel the bitter cold or the sloppy mud, the arid desert or the congested city. I also want them to recognize my characters as real human beings dealing with real human conflict, even if the circumstances have to do with magical murders or the veil between the living world and the world of the dead.

As writers we all know that we should avoid cliché both in characterization - no white knights with sparkly teeth, no wilting maidens who faint at spiders and lust for muscled rescuers, no dark lords in black towers - and in plot - no elf, dwarf, human road trips where stew or elfbread are the meals of choice. Avoiding cliche when it comes to good and evil is critical as well, and makes a story take on another dimension.

What do we name good and what do we name evil?

Something that bothers me about our real world is our tendency to toss people, issues, and even food groups into binary bins - liberal or conservative, north or south, coke or pepsi, good or evil. It is very easy to fall into the trap of instant judgment. But as we mature, we know life is just not that simple - and it certainly isn’t for those who populate my books.

We all grow up with certain belief structures. And somewhere along the line our perceptions shift. Eventually we learn that our parents aren't infallible. (Certainly when we turn 13!) Eventually we question the articles of faith passed down from parents, teachers, or mentors. Eventually we have to admit that a person we called friend is someone else entirely.

Certainly Valen, my hero of Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone, learned to despise his parents. He called them evil and ran away, leaving behind their highly structured, restrictive world. He believed he could drift along through life, staying out of sight while having a good time and not hurting anyone. Instead, circumstances within him and outside of him drew him into addiction, thievery, selfishness, desertion - not at all heroic. Eventually he ended up lying his way into a monastery for his own selfish ends. At this point it would have been easy to portray the monks as the cold, wicked, hierarchical religious establishment or the warm, friendly brotherhood who taught Valen life lessons. In fact, he found a society of human beings, each of whom had reasons for being there and reasons for his actions, some of which were worthy and some of which were Most Definitely Not. Sorting out which was which, while getting drawn into their plots and the devastation of the wider world, caused conflict and tension – which as Lucienne pointed out in her webinar are the very things that keep readers turning pages.

Certainly Seyonne, the hero of my Rai-kirah books, came to question the religious underpinnings for the demon war his people - and he - had waged with unquestioning bravery and sacrifice for centuries. The structure of belief, custom, and dedication that he fervently believed noble and necessary looked very different after he had been away from it for sixteen years. Where was the evil? Not at all in the place he was used to finding it. And that changed everything. Real human conflict - internal and external. And tension - will the next choice be right, when right and wrong are so confused?

Sociopaths or maniacs are scary. But how much more intriguing the man who loves our heroine, who has every opportunity to choose the right and knows that turning his back on a dying man will damn him forever, but goes ahead and does it? (Purposely not mentioning any names here!) He is human. He has reasons. How much more frightening is a villain who exemplifies the highest ideals of a burgeoning civilization, or a villainess who sincerely believes that razing civilization will solve society’s problems, than someone who gets out of bed for another day of working evil? After all, maybe she's right. How much more fun for the reader when one cannot identify these antagonists right away, because they have these very human sides to their character. And how much more devastating for your hero when he watches a person he’s come to rely on choose up with the other side as happens in The Spirit Lens.

This is the kind of tension I find much more engrossing than that of dark lords with fangs versus heroines with golden tresses. And this is the kind of human conflict we can recognize as real, even while we enjoy an adventure of the fantastic.

Around the Blogosphere

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:03:28 GMT

You can probably tell just how busy this month has been by the scarcity of my blog posts, so today's is a wrap up of various news from around the blogosphere that maybe I've tweeted or retweeted (you can find me here on Twitter), but not posted on the blog.

First, the new Knight Agency newsletter is out! It's complete with an interview with the wonderful RITA-Award winning Rosemary Clement-Moore whose latest young adult novel, Texas Gothic, releases July 12th from Delacorte. You're also all cordially invited to chat with Rosemary on Thursday, June 23rd at 9 pm ET. We promise you pub talk, book giveaways and good times!

Details:
WHAT: Chat with Rosemary Clement-Moore
WHEN: Thursday, June 23rd at 9pm ET
WHERE: The Knight Agency Chat Room
HOW TO CHAT: Enter any combination of username and password. Login. Your computer must be Java enabled to chat.

You don't have to wait until next week to hear Rob Thurman in her Binwalla ("Epic Geeks Epic Radio) webinterview. It's up now (at about 33 minutes and 45 seconds). She talks on her blog about what to expect.

In other news, Diana Orgain has been over at Romantic Times Book Reviews recently about "Finding Time to Write." She's the author of the Maternal Instincts mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime and mother of three, so she knows whereof she speaks!

Diana Pharaoh Francis, meanwhile, was interviewing over at Deviant Divas, taking about her Horngate Witches urban fantasy series.

I was over at Deborah Blake's blog talking about novel writing. I'm also terribly excited to post a link here to the very first review I've seen my my urban fantasy novel Bad Blood, forthcoming in just eleven days from Samhain Publishing. Fresh Fiction says, “BAD BLOOD is a wonderful read. The mystery keeps the reader engaged, the action makes the reader want to roll with the punches, and the romance makes the senses tingle. This is a great book to coil up with on a lazy Sunday afternoon.”

Last, but certainly not least, Janet Mullany gets a one-two punch of promotion for Jane and the Damned (as a Fresh Pick from Fresh Fiction) and for Mr. Bishop and the Actress from Unabridged Chick with a wonderful review ("A perfect summertime read for anyone who wants to giggle a great deal and sigh happily and escape the humdrum for a few hours.")

Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit interview with Amanda Ashby

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:59:12 GMT

I'm pleased to present today another great Cyber Sister, Amanda Ashby, author of the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award-nominated You Had Me at Halo and Zombie Queen of Newbury High, which was listed as a YALSA popular paperback of 2011. She's here today to talk about her latest young adult novel, Fairy Bad Day.

Book Blurb:

It’s going to be a fairy bad day

First, my rightful designation of dragon slayer is STOLEN right out from under me by Curtis Green. Sure, he’s really cute, but that doesn’t give him an excuse.

On top of that, I am assigned to slay fairies. I know what you’re thinking—how hard could it be, right? Wrong! These menacing beasts with their tiny hipster clothes and mocking sarcasm love taunting me. And they won’t STOP!

But the thing that tops my list of stuff to ruin my day? That would be the GIANT KILLER FAIRY that I have to hunt down and slay because I am the only one who can see it. There is someone who can help me. Unfortunately…it’s Curtis.

Reviews/Quotes:

"Teens with a taste for the paranormal school story and a tolerance for raucous humor will be involved with and amused by this romantic fantasy. The exciting plot, humor throughout—often provided by the little fairies—and relatively innocent romance between characters will grab readers and keep them involved. " Kirkus Reviews

"In a fun mashup of the modern and the magical, Ashby (Zombie Queen of Newbury High) creates nicely developed characters and supports them with strong plotting and zippy writing. Laced with humor, danger, and romance, this book will have readers smiling all the way to the last page." Publisher's Weekly

Interview with Amanda Ashby:

What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you schedule time to write each day or are you a spree writer?

I hate my writing process. I'm a panster who wishes she was a plotter, which means that I spend most of the time in a constant battle with myself!

I get an idea I plot it extensively and then when I start writing, I immediately change everything. About ten times. And that's just on the first draft so that by the time I finish revisions, the book resembles a patchwork quilt and I often find ghosts of drafts past floating around in places that they shouldn't be. Because I only work weekends at the library I have week days to write while my kids are at school and then at night I do editing and internet stuff (okay, I also sit on the couch and watch a LOT of TV while pretending to write, but tell my husband because I SO have him fooled!)

What is the hardest part about the publishing process for you and how do you get through it? (For me, it’s copyediting and sour cream and onion chips.)

THE WAITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've had such long waits between books and as everyone knows, writers have very active imaginations so when we are left to our own devices for long periods of time, crazy thoughts race through our heads and it can get quite exhausting! I deal with it with grace, dignity and bucket loads of Diet Coke!!!!!!!! (oh, and I'm totally lying about the grace and dignity bit!)

We drop your hero or heroine on a deserted island. Quick, what are the three things he or she can’t live without?

My heroine Emma couldn't live without something to do. She really sucks at sitting still so she would need some weapons and tools and perhaps she could make a shelter or a cool training ring where she could practice slaying coconut shaped monsters. She would also need her friends Loni and Tyler because life is no fun without them and finally she would need her math homework (hahaha, just kidding. Mind you, if she did have her math homework she could use it to give the coconut-shaped monsters some more padding . . . )

If your story were a film, who would you cast?

My secret addiction is iCarly so I think an actress who is somewhere between Sam and Carly would be perfect for Emma and for Curtis, there is an English actor called Joseph Morgan who was in a short-lived but awesome show, Hex. Oh and he's also about to turn up in The Vampire Dairies (squeal!)

Are there any contests or upcoming appearances/interviews/etc. you’d like to plug?

I've got a blog tour/scavenger hunt going on over at:
http://theteenbookscene.weebly.com/fairy-bad-day-tour-details.html

Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit interview with Jessica Brody

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:52:32 GMT

I'm pleased to introduce today a new Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit interview with Jessica Brody in honor of her new release MY LIFE UNDECIDED. It sounds like a lot of fun!

Book Summary:

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I’m gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

Trailer:

Reviews:

"Brooklyn is a sympathetic protagonist with whom teens will identify. Her journey is fun to read, and decision-challenged readers will learn an important lesson about self-acceptance along the way."
--School Library Journal

"Brody taps into a universal human desire...An amusing coming-of-age story with many funny moments...[Brooklyn's] flustered, off-the-cuff narration should keep readers as invested in her actions as her blog followers are."
--Publisher's Weekly

Interview with Jessica Brody:

Your novel in 140 characters (Twitter-version):

A 15 year old girl, notorious for making terrible choices, enlists the help of her blog readers to decide how she should live her life.

If you could be any kind of dairy product, what would you be?

I would be buttermilk. Then I could be made into pancakes and red velvet cake and biscuits and bring joy to all the land!

What about your main character(s) and why?

She would be curdled milk. She can get a little bitter sometimes. Haha…just kidding. I would say she’d be mozzarella cheese and be sprinkled on a pizza.

Do you think in themes? If so, what's the theme of your new novel?

I do. I really love themes. If a theme is well hidden in a book or movie it becomes like a scavenger hunt for me. I become the Thematic Sherlock Holmes! The theme of My Life Undecided is choices and free will. We all have them. Now the question is…what will we choose to do with them?

What piece of fiction or non-fiction did you not write but wish you had?

Anything by Gabrielle Zevin. I love the way her mind works. She’s a brilliant storyteller. I just read an ARC of her latest, ALL THESE THINGS I’VE DONE. It was fantastic. I couldn’t put it down.

Do you want to pimp any contest or other guest appearances here?

Well, I almost always have a contest going on at some point, so check my website: www.jessicabrody.com. But I’d like to pimp my new website, www.MyLifeUndecided.com. It’s a direct tie-in to the book. In the story, Brooklyn starts a site (this very one!) and posts all her decisions on the site as online polls, asking people to vote on what she should do. So now, “Brooklyn” has decided to share the love. She’s opened up the site to everyone. You can post the questions and decisions you’re most struggling with and get advice from other people. I hope you’ll check it out and post a question. Or just browse around and vote on others!

Webinar, New Releases and Magical Words

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:09:04 GMT

I'm putting the final touches on my upcoming webinar for Writer's Digest on writing Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal. I've put a ton of work into it, and I think it's going to be great. If you're interested and haven't already signed up, there's still time. Some of the details are below. Full information is available here.

Session date: Thursday, June 9, 2011
Starting time: 1:00 pm Eastern
Duration: 90 minutes

Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for 1 year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation or ask the presenter questions. In all WD webinars, no question goes unanswered. Attendees have the ability to chat the instructor during the live event and ask questions. You will receive a copy of the webinar presentation in an email thank you message that goes out one week after the live event. The answers to questions not covered in the live presentation will be included in this email as well.

About the Webinar Critique
Following the event, all registrants are invited to submit their story pitch to instructor Lucienne Diver for a critique. Pitches should be 50-200 words, like pitches found in query letters. Lucienne may ask to see pages from any pitches she enjoys.

Description
This webinar, taught by a literary agent who also writes paranormal, will discuss building rich and resonant worlds and cultures using an anthropological systems approach; developing protagonists and antagonists; and unique magic systems, complete with rules and restrictions. We'll also go over plot building, both in terms of stand-alone novels and series development.

The discussion will also cover idea generation and how to take the rocky road to originality rather than the easy path to ideas that have gone before and what makes a concept or creation truly unique.

What you will learn:

Building worlds that are unique and believable, whether they be in far off space, other earths or our own world at a slant
Creating viewpoint characters who are as real as you and I.
Developing magic systems with inherent logic and consistency
Working with internal and external conflict to drive the story
How to professionally present your ideas when your writing is ready for submission to agents and editors

I'm also very excited to announce two new releases today:

Chicks Kick Butt edited by Kerrie Hughes and Rachel Caine
Anthology featuring original stories from thirteen authors, eleven of whom are New York Times bestsellers:

Rachel Caine

L.A. Banks

Rachel Vincent

Karen Chance

Lilith Saintcrow

Cheyenne McCray

Jeanne Stein

Jenna Black

Susan Krinard

Jeanne Stein

Jenna Black

Elizabeth Vaughan

Carole Nelson Douglas

P.N. Elrod

Nancy Holder

The Morganville Vampires, Volume 4 by Rachel Caine

Two of New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire novels in one volume.

Fade Out
Without the evil Bishop ruling over Morganville, the vampires have made major concessions to the human population. But when a filmmaker goes missing after starting work on a documentary about vampires, Claire Danvers and her friends feel anything but safe...

Kiss of Death
Vampire Michael Glass's music has attracted the attention of a music producer-giving Michael the opportunity to leave Morganville. But between a horde of hateful humans and a savage party of feral vampires, Michael may not make it to the show on time...or ever.

______________________

Last but not least, here's a link to a very interesting interview by some of the authors behind the wonderful Magical Words blog, including three of my clients: David B. Coe, Faith Hunter and Kalayna Price.

While we're on the subject of Faith Hunter, she was also kind enough to host me today on her site, talking about my wonderfully loony family, inspiration and my upcoming release Bad Blood.