Month: September 2016

Wednesday Words–Alien Prompt

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I am SO excited for this prompt. If you write a book based on this prompt, please tell me about it–but I LOVE THIS PROMPT!!

It is another science fiction prompt (next week I’ll do something different, scout’s honor!)

“Scientists recover alien DNA from a meteorite, and bring an alien species to life”

 

Dr. Diane Morals hunched over the microscope, brown eyes wide as dinner plates as she watched what everyone told her was impossible happen. Mitosis. But not just any simple earth bound organism–she was witnessing mitosis of an alien being.

“Ren,” she yells without moving an inch. “Ren, you have to see this.” It was only then she pressed the buttons that loaded the images onto the labs screen. 

Ren, a forty-something Japanese-American with salt and peppered hair inched to Dr. Morals side. He reached out, gently squeezing her shoulder. His fingers pinning down her wavy black hair she normally kept twisted on her head. 

“Is that the specimen?” His voice wavered like a think strip of paper on a breeze. 

Diane shrugged free of his hold, not liking how the heat from his palm bleed through the fabric of her clothing or having her hair touched at all. She moved to the side of the microscope, a silent gesture to invite him to look through the tube.

“Yes, Dr. Ando,” she said, as formally as she could manage without sounding like the cold snob most of those working in the laboratory thought she was. “Unlike all the other experiments, the introduction of chimpanzee DNA seems to be the right fit.”

All thoughts of how much they disliked each other were forgotten as the ramifications of what they were witnessing sunk in. 

They just completed the first ever alien, earth animal hybrid. 

 

Oh! Whatever will they do??

Happy writing! xxoo-A

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Monologue Monday–creating a path

 

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I’ve been writing for years–more than I care to share on days, because my ego takes hold and I feel like a failure.. I know how bad that sounds, but if you write, than I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.

Will I quit? I’ve tried and failed at that as well–so I suppose I’ll keep going until I succeed.

You’re probably wondering what this has to do with an astronaut playing the guitar in the international space station–but it is because of this astronaut (Commander Chris Hadfield) that I decided to write this post.

Back on September 14th I took my seven-year-old son to see Commander Hadfield talk about his new children’s book, THE DARKEST DARK.

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This is his first children’s book and is about when he decided to become an astronaut. Intended for small children–the picture book speaks about overcoming your fears to reach your goals.

I saw next to my child in an over stuffed hall of a catholic church as Chris Hadfield paced up and down the center row–a lot of the times stopping next to my son’s chair.

Mr. Hadfield read his book, spoke about growing up in rural Canada. A country that, at the time, didn’t have a space program. He spoke about deciding that he would figure out a way to get into space–and he did.

When I’m in the thick of writing–thinking about how many years I’ve been at this–it’s easy to forget how much progress I’ve made. It’s easy to forget that the trick to overcoming ones fears is an endless process.  You have to keep moving one foot in front of the other. You have to keep taking deep breaths and continue on that slow climb.

You have to read more, write more, ask more questions, endure more rejection, but attempt to continue that journey.

At the end of the night, after Mr. Hadfield shared his life and book with us, the floor was opened to questions and answers. A father of two little girls asked what advice Mr. Hadfield could give the children in the room about finding the path to success. Hadfield said this, (I’m paraphrasing), “Go to your local library (or book store) and see what sections you gravitate to. Chances are you end up in the same sections each time. These topics are the things we find passion in when no one else is telling us what to do. Now, pick the one you’re most passionate about and make the conscious decision to go after it.

Pick an end goal, and then work to it. You’re end goal may take years, but say, ‘this weekend I’m going to do [this] to work toward that goal.”

I decided a long time ago that I wanted to be a published author, but hearing those words reminded me of all the things I’ve done to work towards  that goal thus far. Yes, my end goal is still in the future–but giving up really isn’t an option. It’s not, because quiting the only true way to fail–and I’m not a failure.

Neither are you.

So, in closing–inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes it’s on twitter talking to other inspiring authors, or on facebook in the form of a writing group, and sometimes it’s in the hall of a catholic church listening to the first ever Canadian Commander of the International Space Station say, “Remember, my goal was to walk on the moon. I’m a failure, I’ve never done that. I’ve only been in space 3 times and lived in the space station for six months.”

Keep on writing. And as a little bit of fun, enjoy this video of Commander Hadfield singing and playing David Bowie’s, SPACE ODDITY.

xxoo-A

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Friday in Review–Toby’s Room

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“Toby’s Room” by: Pat Barker

TOBY’S ROOM isn’t my normal read. Yes, I like a good historic fiction from time to time, but in my experience a good story is hard to find.

I picked up TOBY’S ROOM for an online course I was taking on World War I heroism and art. There was a list, and this was the first one my library had a digital copy of–so it won out over all the rest. This may not sound like the most compelling reason to read a novel, but it turned out to be luck of fate.

I very much like the sadness that encompassed Toby’s Room.

Toby’s Room is the story of the civilians during WWI. More specifically, artists. Before this war–the war to ‘end’ all wars–the world was a much different place. Imperialism was just coming to an end, and how we–the public–viewed war was filled with chivalry and grand gestures. World War I put men in trenches and was anything but whimsical and heroic.

The story was twisted, much as life often is. There are a lot of gray areas in the real world. Moments that complicate life, making it anything but cut and dry. That is what I enjoyed the most about this tormented tale.

There are so many moments you should look away. Too many broken people who deserve your charity rather than your gawking–but gawking I did. From the first chapter to the last.

No, this is not an every persons book. If you don’t like history, or war, or gray patches–you may want to pass. But I feel the complexity of the character and Ms Barker’s ability to force you to feel compassion, even for those who don’t deserve it, will leave you turning pages.

Happy reading! xxoo-A

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Wednesday Words–Writing Prompt

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I’m going simple this week. Science Fiction prompt:

There’s a spy trapped in your computer.

He or she needs your help to survive.

What do you do?

Maybe it’s not that simple, but it’s direct. What do you do if you learn the conscienceless of a spy has been downloaded into your computer?

My take:

My eyes were glued to the cursor. Suddenly it’s repetitive blinking felt more like old Morse Code than a reminder as to where I left off in my writing.

I read the text again–“I’ve been downloaded into your computer. Please help.”

What are you really supposed to say to something like that? Well, beside–haha! Funny joke! I wanted to believe that was the end of it. That somehow someone from Twitter or Facebook hacked my account to mess with me–but I ran the diagnostics. I checked, re-checked, took my computer to a shop and had them check–but when I booted up for the umpteenth time, with no real reason, the messages started again.

“Why wont you answer me?” they said.

“You  know I can see you through the camera, right? And may I add, pants would be a nice touch?”

“Why would I be asking you for help if I didn’t actually need it.” This was a good point, but still… You’re trapped in my computer?

The comments and questions wore at my psyche until I couldn’t ignore them any longer. That’s when I finally typed, “What do you need me to do?”

And they wrote back, “Finding my body would be a nice start.”

What would you do?

Happy writing! xxoo-A

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Monologue Monday — “They took my idea!”

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I recently found this amazing writing group on Facebook called–Ninja Writers. I wasn’t out looking for a group, to be honest, I gave up hope of finding a group of writers to work, learn, play, and grow with a long time ago . Not that they don’t exist, but I’ve never had much luck online or in the really real word setting down roots. (I do have some amazing people in my life, though, who encourage the hell out of me. For them, I am grateful.)

So, I find this group run by Shaunta Grimes accidentally while I’m looking up info on using a tri-fold to created a plot board. I sign up and immediately like what I see. People interacting, helping, encouraging, etc.–It’s fantastic!

I really do feel that it’s important to have a safe harbor when you’re writing because if you don’t–if you start to feeling alone. Suddenly when people ask what you’re working on, they’re spies waiting to steal your ideas–you’ll never succeed as a writer with this mindset. It will destroy you.

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Last week I was scanning the feed of the group and a spotted a post from a member stating that they felt their idea was lifted off a different website years ago. As they read a book they watched their ideas play out in this popular series, their heart sank–years of hard work down the drain.

That’s what the post said.

That is the wrong way of thinking about it, and here is why:

There are over 7 BILLION  people on this planet. I’m throwing that out there to dispel the belief we are some how alone in all our thoughts. Yes, if we don’t say them out loud they’ll remain hidden in the dark recesses of our brain–but 7 billion is a large number. Chances are someone has already had the same thought you’re having right now. And now. And now…

You say, “I’m ruined! They published my idea!!” and I say, “You’re on to something.”

If you see something that resembles the ideas you’re working on–guess what? Your idea has merit. It’s marketable. You just found a comp. Finish your story.

To quote Ben Yoskovits, “If no one else is already working on the idea you have, there’s a good chance it’s a  bad one.”

This isn’t a bad thing–it’s a little mark on the treasure map of traveling from Point “A” (concept) to Point “Z” (finding and agent and your idea published.)

Failure is part of the process. Set backs happen. If giving up is still an option, maybe you don’t want it bad enough. If you just read that sentence and replied “But I DO want it bad!!” Then get back to writing. You, my friend, found a good idea–and I can’t wait to read it when you’re done. But I can’t do that if you quit, now can I?

Never give up! Never surrender!

xxoo-A

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Friday in Review–Already Dead

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ALREADY DEAD–(A Joe Pitt Novel)–by Charlie Huston.

I’m branching out. Well, sorta. As a writer, I prefer to read in the genre I’m currently writing it. It helps me stay focused and–just how music enhances a writers emotional state while writing certain scenes–reading in the same genre keeps me from floating my characters off to Never, Never Land when they should be lying in the dirt.

Upon doing multiple searches on noir-esk urban fantasies–after bypassing Sandman Slim (one of my Books with Friends choices for my reading buddy) I discovered Joe Pitt and his vampyre underworld in good old New York City.

If I was to do a pros and cons list, my cons would be short. Honestly, I just wasn’t a fan of it being in New York. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE New York. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. Hell, it’s on the same list as Paris and London–but everything is set in New York (or Los Angeles–the birth place of Noir Fiction. Thank you Raymond Chandler.) Regardless of my jaded opinion, Charlie Huston does a wonderful job of using his New York backdrop to pull you right into the story.

On to things I liked! Before I do that I must explain that I haven’t read any vampire novels in an extremely long time. I didn’t set out to read ALREADY DEAD because there were ‘vampyres’ in it. That said–I enjoyed this world immensely. It is cleverly constructed, putting a new spin on what a vampyre is. (That is how it is spelled in the book, by the way.)

It’s a perfect example of a modern noir with it’s down and out PI who has a drinking problem–in Joe’s case, his drink of choice is blood. The ‘damsels in distress’ have been (thankfully) updated. All of them prove to be very much in control of their own lives and bodies. <- This is something I loved. I’m more willing to accept a story in a ‘sexy’ location than I ever will be of accepting a woman who can’t save herself. There was havoc, destruction, and suspense. All the ‘will he or won’t he’ moments kept me turning the pages. Over all, ALREADY DEAD was a fantastic read, which makes me excited to dive into the other four books in the series.

Check your local library for a copy–I read it on Overdrive as an kindle ebook–or head over to Amazon. And you can learn more about Charlie Huston’s other series on his website.

Happy reading!! xxx-Aryn

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Wednesday Words–What comes next?

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I wanted to think outside the box today, to present a prompt in a different way. Back when I worked in an office I was bored a lot of the time. Not that job was boring, but I did have down time. When that happened I would email my friends. A couple of them and I would create fantastic stories that were much more amusing than we felt reality ever could be.

My favorite ‘made up lives’ still comes up to this day–well over a decade after it was created. We are cowboys. I am Whiskey–because I’m a feller who likes his drink, and my girl friend was Bone–because she had buried her far share. Including the beloved Carl who was accidentally shot one night, because Bones had a penchant for shooting first and asking questions later.

Each time we created a story it always started the same. One of us would write a sentence and it was up to the other person to say what came next.

For this Wednesday’s Words, I give you this sentence. Tell me, what comes next:

She stood out from the crowd, because…

This is what I think should happen:

“She stood out from the crowd, because she was the only person who didn’t have identical coats, and hair, and shoes, and leggings. She stood out because she didn’t belong. I knew she must belong somewhere–we all belong somewhere–but it wasn’t here, not with this group of homogenized conformist.

I glanced around to see who else noticed her sleek black hair, oval face, and nearly extra foot in height–but when I looked back, she was gone.” –A

But what do you think happens next? Share with me in the comments or blog about it and tag me!

 

happy writing!! xxoo-A

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What do you do for a living? (and other loaded questions)

I’ve been writing for a long time, but its only recently I’ve called myself a writer. When meeting new people, and they ask what I do, I tend to say, “I’m a stay-at-home mom.” This isn’t a lie. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for nearly five years now. (It will be five years next month. Let’s have a party. You can bring the chips.) As I was saying–I’m a stay-at-home mom, but I’m also a writer.

Why is it so hard for me to answer, “What do you do?” with, “Well, I’m a writer!”

It shouldn’t be hard, but it always is.

Somehow this last book I wrote–the one currently on submissions–helpped me bridge this gap in the personal assessment of myself. Now, I’m a, “stay-at-home mom, who writes when my child is in school.” So, I have yet to cross the entire bridge, but I’m a lot closer than before.

Now, instead of hearing about how much fun I must have ‘playing’ all the time, I get a new reply:

“Oh! That’s so interesting! What to do you write?”

“I wrote a novel. It’s science fiction.”

“Oh…” Quick subject change. (You know…because science fiction has a bad rap of being boring. It’s not. Read better books.)

But back to the issue at hand. The conundrum of “am I a writer” falls in the same vein as “if a tree falls in the forest and no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?”

Yes, it makes a sound, and yes, I’m a writer. No, I’m not on the New York Times Bestseller list–but neither have been many other writers. Maybe I will be one day. I’m not sure of that, but I am sure I’ll be published.

No, I’m not being egotistical. It’s just what needs to be done. But until that day is cemented in stone, I here by announced that I’m a writer. So if you meet me at a party (or more likely on a play ground) to answer your, “What do you do?” question is, I write.

And soon I hope to be sharing some of that writing on here for your pleasure! Do you write? Do you post it online? Leave me a link in the comments section so I can check you out!

Happy writing!! xxoo-A

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Friday in Review–The Peculiar Miracles of Antoinette Martin

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THE PECULIAR MIRACLES OF ANTOINETTE MARTIAN, is the story of sisters Rose and Lily Martin. As children they were the best of friends. Raised on a flower farm in Tennessee–they were the sisters we all wish we had. Finishing each other sentences and dreaming of flowers and a life together–life was perfect until one day Rose had a daughter named Antoinette.

Antoinette is special. She is autistic to such a degree she needs constant care and supervision, but Antoinette is special beyond her diagnosis. She can heal with her touch and bring peace to places and situation where there once wasn’t any.

The birth of Antoinette, and her condition, drove the sisters apart–but can it bring them back together?

I very much enjoyed this book–heart wrenching, beautiful, and well written, PECULIAR MIRACLES is wonderful book that I’m so very glad I took the time to read. Very much like the author, Stephanie Knipper, PECULIAR MIRACLES has this way of drawing you in. Warm and caring, this world surrounds you with magic and and new beginnings.

Check it out here, and check out Stephanie Knipper on her blog.

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Wednesday Words–Writing Prompt

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The Prompt:  Write a scene that starts with, “I haven’t told this to anyone before, but I’m going to tell you.”

— — — — — — — — —

Psst! You. Yeah, you–right there. This is for you. So… I ain’t told this to no-one before, but I’m tellin’ you. I’m sure you’re thinking, why? Why me? Why now?

It’s just time. Sometimes life works like that. Those secrets you bury so far down they make the soles of your feet it work their way back up your legs, torso, and throat until you have no other choice but to sing Dixie to the nearest standing person.

That’s you. Let me warm my vocals before the big guy ferrets me out.

I’m sorry if you don’t want it to be you. Actually,  I’m not sorry. I’m not, because I ain’t never asked for this . Never wanted the damn thing–but I’ve toted it around anyway.

Shit. Wait.

You hear that?

There! That was a foot step. You know I’m right. It was clearly the sound of a footstep–

It’s outside, so sit down. I’m almost outta time. If I don’t tell you now, no one will know the truth.

Crap. That door won’t hold if they keep kickin’ it like that!

If I could grab your shoulders I would, but know this–IT WASN’T ME! Now you gotta go, but know it wasn’t me!! Just let me get out of this and I’ll tell you the rest. Meet me at…

Shh… go. 

Hey, Minnow. What’cha doing here? This is Terrence’s hole. Aw, man! You don’t gotta be like that! Just put down the gun, man!! Put it down!

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