Reviews from the Backseat: Bewitching Mysteries

Being a fantasy writer, sometimes I get wrapped up in making sure the magic in my stories is blatantly obvious, and occasionally clouting the reader over the head with it. Imagine my surprise when I wrote a short story the other day, and upon going through it for editing purposes I realized I hadn't made one mention of the main character's powers. It is still a fairly decent fantasy story, (if I do say so myself), but I was completely gobsmacked.

That being said, there are some stories which build their entire premise on the use of magic, see Harry Potter for example. Because admit it; we cherished the characters, but those of us who grew up with the books would occasionally find ourselves reciting spells from the book after checking multiple times to make sure no one would catch us. I loved reading about the magical aspects of the world almost as much as I loved the characters.

Not too long ago I came across a series taking a more subtle approach to the use of magic, and it plays second fiddle to the mysteries in the books. The Bewitching Mysteries by Madelyn Alt.

The magic in the books tends more toward modern Wicca/Paganism, with just enough of an extra flair on the supernatural side of things that a person could almost believe this place is in a dimension next door.

Maggie O'Neill, the main character, is likable, normal, and levelheaded; which in my mind makes her reactions to all 'witchy' situations far more believable. She approaches them with trepidation and edging toward fear in the beginning. This is something I'd expect from a normal person who grew up little town, Indiana when confronted with witchcraft. She doesn't just jump into it all with both feet, and presto! Insta-witch!

Does the main character being normal detract from the story? Not at all. She is someone most could identify with, and root for. Her boss, Felicity Dow, plays the charming mentor to Maggie, who seems stuck in the doorway between what she feels is right for her, and what her family expects. Not to mention Marcus, the hunk in leather with a motorcycle, 'cause who doesn't love those?

The mysteries, while not groundbreaking and difficult to puzzle out, make for a delightful read.

When looking for an easy and enjoyable series to bury yourself in, this one hits the spot. It's not epic or painfully long, it's not glaringly magical, but the characters and mysteries are entertaining. As the tagline proclaims, they are:

"Mysteries....with hex appeal."

-link

It's a Sexy and Smooth kind of Day

 "His expression danced with laughter at Davis' mood - until our gazes met. Changing just as quickly as the weather in Florida, the amusement was darkening with desire and wicked thoughts slid behind his stormy grey eyes."

- Nyx, and her new partner.

Finally! I'm almost done introducing the focal character, and I think things will move a little more smoothly once I get their initial meeting over with. I just want it to be as close to perfect as possible, you know? He is right behind Nyx in his importance, and if I don't do it just right I feel like everything beyond that point will be a flop.

Now that I've gotten a few pages in, reworking everything is coming to me a little quicker. It's not full speed ahead, rarin' to go; but definitely much improved.

So how does Nyx feel about her new partner? Curious, anxious, but not displeased. Seems she's not the only one with an oddity or two where her powers are concerned, though. But all in good time.

I've had an idea brewing in my mind about potentially reviewing some of my favorite authors, and subsequently some of their books and what I enjoyed about them. Right now I'm trying to brainstorm a witty name for it, which is never as easy as it should be.

-Alexiuss

What song would I use to describe Nyx's new partner right now? Well, I'd have to say he has two:

Internally I'd say "Bullet in my Hand" - Redlight King

Externally he's closer to "La Isla Bonita", smooth and sexy. This song just makes me want to get up and move my hips, which is exactly what he inspires in women ;). And yes I am linking the Glee version because I like that they do it as a duet:

Well, that is all for tonight, I'm off to go write some more.

Tell me what's the word, the word count:

**Note** Keep in mind any of the quotes from my writing I put up are subject to change during my countless editing sessions. ;)

Slow and Steady Wins the Race - But Could it be More Frustrating?

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."

-Norman Vincent Peale 

As I said in a previous post, there are aspects of my writing completely incompatible with being published. I got stuck in a rut with my writing style, and after spinning my wheels I'm having to dig my way out. The problem I'm running across is the new way of writing I'm learning feels unnatural; like I'm a kid playing dress-up trying to pass myself off as an adult. It's awkward, the going has been slow, and I'm worried that someone is going to come along and say, 'Aha! You are not a real writer, you poser!"

Having spent almost three hours on my writing this afternoon, I produced only a measly two or three paragraphs. I'll write something out, realize it is written wrong, then I have to go back through and restructure everything. I'm like the little pig who is building their house out of bricks, when the other portions of my mind (brother pigs) are chortling at my effort when I could take the easy route.

Right now I'm just beginning my house, and trying to keep the big bad wolf (editors/literary agents) in mind while I toil away. Change is not something that comes easy for humans, and it often involves a lot of baby steps, when what I really want to do is leap headlong into this. As someone who has always thumbed their nose at drafts, especially in academia, I am finding that this new method is close to being painful. I'm used to having the wonderful ability at writing something out and have it be amazing the first time, but this isn't the case here.

While it is frustrating, I know that it is best.

How is Nyx doing this evening? She is frustrated with me, and I can't blame her. I have everything planned out, but I am taking so long to get it down. We're almost to the point where she meets a focal character in the book, and Nyx wants to get it over with. Not that she doesn't like him, but the suspense is killing her; and almost me. I'd give more details, but what fun would that be? If I told you guys everything, you wouldn't need to buy my book when it finally comes out. ;)

Tell me what's the word, the word count:

Also, because who doesn't like Darth Vader as a bunny rabbit?

Till next time, see you later alligators!

Finding Harmony among Responsibilities

"When the imagination and will power are in conflict, are antagonistic, it is always the imagination which wins, without any exception."

- Emile Coue

Sitting down tonight and doing my college was a struggle. As my mind is being pulled in a completely different direction, I am beginning to realize how difficult it can be to balance out my responsibility to being realistic, and my dreams. 

On the one hand, I want more than anything to have my writing published one day. On the other, I have the logical portion of my brain telling me it might never happen, and doing well in college is what an adult would choose. The chances of me being published versus my chances of getting a career through my degree are similar to the odds of beating the house in a Las Vegas casino. Sure, some people beat the house and go on to be published, but mostly they walk away from the table lighter in the wallet. 

Then of course I have the responsibility to my health in maintaining a fitness routine - which eats up more time. This one gets pushed to the back burner more often than my writing does. Of course when I fall behind on this area I physically feel like garbage, which in turn effects my state of mind.

With a constant war between mind, body, and soul, (since conflicts may change, but the battles are ongoing), is it hard for me to believe I have taken this long to get serious about my writing? When worded that way, no. But I think many of us run into these problems as we get older, and we forget to dance.

Who won the battle tonight? Since there is no word count update, I'm sure you can guess. Though there is something to be said about having deadlines, like my college courses. I'm sure that some of you can sympathize with me; even if I have time to get things done early, I'm definitely a, 'do it at the last minute', type. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, especially since I have been able to pull it off for almost two and a half years. 

I could throw in taking care of my daughter, but honestly that is a given. When it comes down to it, daughter trumps all; no competition there.

So, the rankings for tonight were:

Mind - the reluctant leader outstripping all.

Body - the sulking runner-up.

Soul - the woebegone loser.

I did my college, (halfheartedly), followed by my workout, (you are a sadistic bastard, Shaun T.), and after I post this I'll be heading toward my cozy bed to slug it out on my laptop with Nyx. 

All I can do is hope tomorrow's odds are stacked more in my Soul's favor. 

Stuck in the Middle With You

"It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things."

- Leonardo da Vinci

 I did it, I got over the first chapter hurdle! I know, I know - it's a relatively small hurdle in the grand scheme of things. Most self-proclaimed writers out there have at least their first chapter floating around. The hard parts, for me, never seem to be writing the beginning or the end; the hard part is what a favorite writer of mine calls: 'The Great Swampy Middle'.


It's not as if I don't know how the story plays out, especially since I've had it going through my head for a while now. The issue comes about when I actually sit down to write beyond the first four or five chapters. Right now I'm still in the honeymoon stage of my newly found motivation for writing. Everything is peaches and cream; until you're flying back home from said trip, realizing your partner snores and hogs the covers. That's when you're beginning to reconsider this whole marriage (writing) thing. The same can be said for many writers who hit the GSM like a NASCAR driver hitting the wall - myself included. 

I'm going to enjoy the honeymoon stage while it lasts, but batten down the hatches before I hit the wall o' swamp. "Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."

 All of that being said, I really am celebrating; my husband read my new chapter one. While he thinks it needs some polish, there aren't any glaring overhauls that he can see. I'm sure we'll find something that needs to be thrown out, and another thing begging to be re-worded. For right now, I'm happy, tired, (yay, work out!), and in need of a shower and some sleep. Tomorrow I've got college, my daughter's gymnastics, and a shopping trip with a friend. I'm going to try my damnedest to make sure I get another half (maybe whole) chapter done, but I guarantee nothing. 


What is going on with Nyx? The Inciting Incident. I have the next few chapters planned out in my head, and I can't wait to get into everything. The key is pacing myself, and not burning out my motivation.


Word count for today:

2,308 - "Go, baby, go!"

 

Breaking the Overly Confident Barrier

"I fed my ego, but not my soul."

- Yakov Smirnoff

 

Have you ever had a knack or talent for something? Something that people look at and go, 'wow, you're really good at this!' Well, that is how some people react to my creative writing. Some even go as far to say I should be published based on what they have read of my work.

One of the things I came to realize is, while I absolutely love positive feedback from friends and family, (thanks! <3), their opinions on my writing will only get me so far. My writing might seem out of this world to them, but to a literary agent or publisher it is probably average- for the time being. Even keeping this in mind, my friends and family have shamelessly boosted my ego to laughable levels, however confidence will only get me so far without true skills.

Recently, I subscribed to access tutorials on the Writer's Digest website. After watching my first three, any notions of having a natural talent that needed only minor work crumbled like a real vampire at dawn. I discovered my manuscript was doomed to fail even before hitting the print button. Apparently all I had accomplished in sending it out was screaming to the rafters that I am laughably uninformed in matters of writing publishable material. In fact, almost everything about my old manuscript instantly turns literary agents off.

What were these blunders I wasted forty or so pages, postage, and the time of some poor person at the publishing company? Not to get too detailed, but my big one is data dumping.

My husband has pointed this glaring problem out to me in the past, and I argued with him, vehemently - my data dumping was the only option I entertained for getting all the information to the reader. Tonight, I bowed my head in shame and apologized to him. He might not have known exactly how to correct my problem, but the fact that he pointed it out and all I did was stick my fingers in my ears, close my eyes, and yell, 'la la la, I can't hear you!', was the first of many problems I have begun to correct.

One day, with a lot of work on my part, I am sure I could write something worthy of the paper it is printed on. I'm making changes, and doing my best to correct my bad habits. That is the problem though; they are bad habits, which are notoriously difficult to kill. I'd be happy with just a little mangling at the moment.

So I started writing a little of my first chapter last night, and I actually woke up two hours earlier than usual this morning because I was so motivated to make these changes. For those of you who know me and how much I love my sleep, I won't be surprised if you fell out of your chair in shock at that declaration.

While I am sure I'll need to work on my work in progress, it feels damn good to get those first few pages down.

In the meantime, feel free to continue the ego stroking, and I'll do my best to not let it go to my head again.

Getting My Toes Wet

"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure."

- Bill Cosby

Contemplating the letter with an address written in my own hand, my stomach was in my throat and my heart was pounding. 

"Weird, no return address," my husband said, looking down at it. 

He wouldn't have known what it was. I submitted the manuscript while he had been away training, and for the life of me I couldn't imagine why I had done it that way. Doing so was like a football player waiting for their coach to look away so they could start the play and throw a Hail Mary on the first down, instead of taking full advantage of having a coach who wanted the player to succeed; almost more than the player did. It made no sense. 

"It's the letter about the manuscript I sent in," I replied, hesitating before reaching out to take it.

After sending it off I told him what I had done, so he knew I had been waiting for it and it didn't catch him off guard.

Before I even opened it, I knew what it would say. The envelope was far too thin to consist of more than a, "No, thank you". It would have to be thicker, right? If they wanted to publish me, the envelope would have to be thicker. So while the word 'scrawny' was running around my mind like a greyhound on a dog track, I ripped it open. 

The usual words you read when being rejected showed up: thanks, we're sorry, it's not right for us, best of luck! I had been expecting it, but even then the words didn't exactly glance off the armor I had been building up since sending off the manuscript. 

After a moment though, I realized something: I wasn't precisely upset. Not that being rejected is ever easy, but I had known when I sent the manuscript off it wasn't publishing-grade material. So why had I done it?

It was the kick in the ass I needed to get my writing started again. I've been mulling over Nyx's story in my head, in one form or another, for at least a decade. I have started and stopped her story more times than the illustrious Zsa Zsa Gabor has been married, and changed it even more than that. 

So while the letter didn't exactly bring me joy, it brought me something even better. Determination. 

Recently I submitted a short story about Nyx on the Writer's Digest website for their annual contest. I'm not expecting to win the grand prize, (though I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to), but I would be over the moon if I at least placed in my category: Genre Fiction - Fantasy. 

It's a start, and I intend to make more of it than just a beginning. 

Looking down at the letter now, it makes me smile. For some, getting the first rejection letter when you're an author is like having your first real taste of battle after months of training, and it has only made me hungrier for success.