Here’s the final look of the card, front and back! Lori Michelle, editor of Dark Moon Digest, did it for me. Isn’t she fab?! I can’t wait to pass these babies out!
Monthly Archives: January 2014
Sleepless ramblings
It’s 3 a.m., and I’m rolling around in bed, allowing my sleep-deprived brain to wander through a myriad of lists, scenarios, and topics of nothing. Through all of the mindless mess, I’m thinking of my writing. I’m not happy with it. There’s something missing. And then it hits me. I’m not content with my style. My recent story Leftovers has too much dialogue and not enough emotion. Yep. That’s it. There’s my problem. I’m so glad that I figured out how to fix it now instead of writing story after crappy story. So, I’ve come up with a few things:
1. No more posting excerpts until I’m fully satisfied with the end result. No sense in teasing you if you’re not going to be interested in crap. 🙂
2. I’m going to make a serious effort to write every day. Definitely something I’ve been lacking lately. No more excuses.
3. I have to keep my online time to a minimum. I won’t be able to blog but maybe 2 times a week, which I think is adequate enough anyway.
4. On a happier note, coming in February violetvandoren.wordpress.com will officially become violetvandoren.com! I’m so excited to have my own domain!
5. I have got to get a sleep aid so I can stop waking up so early in the morning for no reason.
With that, I’m probably going to only blog on Mondays and Thursdays for now. Once school is over, I’ll have the summer to B.S. as much as I want. However, writing and school come first.
Now, please excuse me while I drag my tired butt into work.
Excerpt from Leftovers
As he finished his wine, she reached out her hand for his glass.
“Want some more?” she asked coyly.
“I don’t think so. I’m starting….to feel a little….dizzy.” Stephen’s head began to shift side to side, and his eyes began to droop.
“One more wouldn’t hurt.” She studied his expression. He tried looking around, but his head rocked back and forth.
“No. I sh-sh-shouldn’t.” She watched him moving in and out of reality. Stephen’s eyesight went from dark to light to dark again. He couldn’t fixate his gaze.
“What…is going…on?”
Melissa sat up straight and let out a sigh.
“It’s the rohypnol, darling. I can’t have you awake. Not for what I’m about to do to you.” She brushed his dangling hair from his eyes and then gazed out into the living room with a dreamy-eyed smile.
“You were perfect. No friends, just moved here, slowly moving up in the world. A real catch. I would’ve been crazy to let you get away from me.” She looked over and noticed he was trying to say something. She leaned in closer to his mouth, and he only had the strength to utter one word.
“Bitch.”
Stephen dropped the glass on the floor, and his grasp on reality was forever gone. She leaned in and observed him to make sure he was completely out.
“Helloooo? Anybody home?” She snapped her fingers in front of his face. Nothing.
She closed in and whispered in his ear. “And I believe you…are…out.”
She gave him a small kiss on the cheek, picked up his glass, and went to the kitchen to clean up the leftovers. Even through his unconsciousness, she carried on her conversation.
“I was really hesitant to invite you over so quickly, but you just had a humble air about you. You had all the characteristics I look for. Young, naïve, eager. I knew you wouldn’t say no to me. Most guys like you don’t.”
Idea for writers
I’m a fan of going to conventions, meeting new people and such, so instead of just verbally passing my name around I came up with the idea of making networking cards. This way, people will remember me and, hopefully, get hooked up with my writing via social media. Maybe this is a good idea for you fellow writers, too. I’m getting them printed at Vista Print. It’s super cheap, and they have really cool designs. Even though I’m not published yet, I believe it’s never too early to network. 🙂
Feedback on the card would be great if you have any ideas.
What a friend I have!
As you know, Terry M. West is one of my major author influences, and he was so gracious to put a blurb of mine on the back of his newest horror creation, What Price Gory? If you haven’t read Terry M. West, you’re seriously missing out on some brilliant horror. His print edition just came out a few days ago on Amazon, so pick up a copy today!!!
Writer’s block
I have a really cool story idea for an anthology submission. I’m one of those kinds of writers that likes to have the plot already laid out and then fill it in as I go along. Right now, the idea is kickass, but the ending not so much. I’ve read so many stories that are completely implausible; however, the writing is done with such finesse that you easily forgive whatever unlikely scenarios the author throws at you. How I would love to get to that point! I know, I know….it will take time. Thankfully, the cut off date for submissions are May 1, so at least I have that going for me. 🙂
Authors Supporting Our Troops
Hey, fellow authors!! Let’s support our troops! Please read!
When you meet your idols sometimes they don’t live up to the hype. Sometimes they are grumpy and ornery and couldn’t care less about you. Such is definitely not the case when it comes to Joe McKinney. I met the man at World Horror Convention in New Orleans last year and he was even better in person than in my mind. Yes, I did the Fanboy thing at first but he ended up being a great guy with a genuine love of what he was doing and everything around him.
Why am I telling you this? Because when he asked me (and many other authors) to help him as he collected books from us to ship overseas to some of our troops, I jumped at the chance. And so did so many others. He was able to put quite a few books into the hands of our military overseas. I…
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What intimidates you in writing?
I honestly don’t think I have what it takes to write mysteries or sci-fi. I’ve read some crazy stories in my past and think, “How did they come up with THAT?” Some of the stories are so intertwined and confusing, yet make so much sense. And I’m not talking about Nancy Drew here. It makes me wonder if mystery writers have a streak of criminal in them. Or that sci-fi writers are from another planet to come up with some of the stuff I’ve read/seen. Well, I tip my hat to you, mystery and sci-fi folks. You’ve officially blown my mind.
Little epiphanies in writing
I know a myriad of issues will arise when you’re writing stories, and I’ve come up with one just last night that hit me like a lightning bolt. My idea of description and setting totally sucks. I’m not ashamed to say this at all. I think as someone who is trying to “perfect” a craft that will be sent out into the masses one day, it is vital for me to admit my faults up front and be honest. So, that’s it. My little epiphany today is that I need to learn how to write better description and setting. I figured this out last night when I was editing my newest short story called “Leftovers.” (It’s a nasty little tale. I think you’ll like it when it’s done.)
One of my goals for 2014 was to get published with my first anthology, but maybe that should be put on the back burner for now. I’m beginning to believe that I need to study my own style and work on my weaknesses. Definitely not a bad goal. As much as I had hoped that 2014 would be the year, I can still hope for 2015. However, it is only January, and my skill could sky rocket just within a few months. I just won’t press myself for a deadline and see where this year takes me.
The Author Extension Community
Great information for us writers! Take a look!
It’s a new year and so much has changed already. My publisher – AEC Stellar Publishing, Inc. – has cranked its gears and remodeled itself for the future. Instead of being a simple publisher, we are now an open and growing community of writers, cover artists, and editors supporting one another. You don’t have to be published by AEC or spend money to participate. The website is designed for everyone to connect in one place. This website is for you, and hopefully, by the end of this piece, you’ll want to check out The Author Extension Community and/or join it. It’s a great place for authors to support one another as well as readers to come and meet them. We simply need people to help us spread the word, and I’ll give you three, great reasons to do it:
1. The website has many places where you and your work…
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Violet VanDoren 