Writing

Playlists & Short Stories

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If you follow me on Facebook you saw I was working on playlists for upcoming short stories or novellas centering around characters–other than Keely–in the Fey Creations Series. Short stories are not my forte, so if you’re into placing bets, I’d lean toward novella length stories. The plan is to release them as separate stories in ebook format, eventually releasing an omnibus in paperback.

Alric, Teiran and Dara’s stories will be the first grouping. Some may ask, ‘Why not Alric, Teiran and Vereinen?’ Simple, or not so simple with how my twisted brain works, I was toying with variations of the titles of the other books and Misenchanted kept popping up.  Those three are truly misenchanted, each was something else, until circumstances changed them.

Here’s the playlist I put together for Alric’s story, tentatively titled, The Sword.

Crazy Bitch–Buckcherry
Just Get Through This Night–Styx
A Thousand Words–Savage Garden
I’ve Done Everything For You–Rick Springfield
Cruel To Be Kind–Nick Lowe
(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone–The Monkees
My Friend Of Misery–Metallica
So Spricht Das Leben–The Mediaeval Baebes   
Are　You　Gonna　Go　My　Way–Lenny Kravitz
Scheiße–Lady Gaga
Judas–Lady Gaga
Marry The Night–Lady Gaga
Devil Inside–INXS
The Night–Heart
Welcome To The Jungle–Guns N’ Roses
Rock Me Amadeus Club Remix–Falco
Thorn In My Side–Eurythmics
(You’re The) Devil In Disguise–Elvis Presley
Evil Woman–Electric Light Orchestra
Tempted–Duran Duran
Starting To Remember–Duran Duran
Wild Boys–Duran Duran
I Don’t Want Your Love–Duran Duran
Still Breathing–Duran Duran
Chains–Duran Duran
Taste The Summer–Duran Duran
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)–David Bowie
Heroes–David Bowie
Grenade–Bruno Mars
The Other Side–Bruno Mars
You Don’t Own Me–The Blow Monkeys
New Future Weapon–Billy Idol
Poison–Alice Cooper
Welcome To My Nightmare–Alice Cooper
No More Mr. Nice Guy–Alice Cooper
Der Kommissar–After The Fire

Not all the songs are representative of Alric, some are evocative of other characters, or the  setting. Suggestions are always welcome. I often use them because what you guys see, hear and feel when reading inspires me.

And no, I haven’t abandoned Re-enchanted, I’m working on both projects simultaneously.

Readin’, Writin’ and Reviewin’

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The following ramble is my opinion, hopefully we can agree to disagree.

There’s been a bit of chatter on the interwebs about writers and reviewing.

There are those out there who don’t trust reviews by writers. I can understand. There’s the whole peer pressure thing, If I give so and so a bad review, will they trash me just because I ripped on their baby? I don’t think of my stories as babies. I’ve always thought that was a silly correlation. I write my fluff and put it out there hoping someone will enjoy it, if they don’t, no biggie. I don’t have the need to protect them, they stand on their own, or they fall. That’s life. Not everyone is going to like every book.

There are those who think every shinning review done by an author is because we are friends. Nope, not always the case. Sure, I’ve written reviews for friends and acquaintances, but I’ve also written them for people who don’t know I exist.

There are those who have a problem with traded reviews. For those that don’t know what that is, it’s when two authors send each other their work in exchange for a review. Yes, I’ve done this and probably will continue to do so, if and when I have time. I always make it clear I don’t give five star ratings, and I will be honest with my thoughts on the work. I expect the other author to do the same, the honest part at least; they can rate books however they see fit. Personally, I don’t trust five stars, in my mind that means it’s perfect, and I don’t believe anything is perfect. I also try and remember to mention the book was given to me in the review. If I forget, I’m sorry. I’m nowhere near five stars.

There are those who believe in what’s been labeled professional courtesy. From what I’ve seen, it’s a fancy way of saying, I won’t trash your book, because I’m a fellow author. To me professional courtesy is I won’t trash YOU, but I will be honest about what I think of your book.

I believe writers are readers. They have as much right to review a book as other readers as long as the review is fair. By fair, I mean, don’t sugar coat it because you’re afraid of backlash, or trash it just because you can. Be honest, tell readers what you liked and didn’t like.

I’m trying to keep the posts short and sweet, but feel the need to say, there is no room for personal attacks by readers, reviewers, or authors. I know some people live for drama, but I get enough in my make believe worlds, I don’t need it in real life. There’s always the possibility this topic may come up in a future post.

Writing Is A Lot Like Being A Home Owner

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It may not be new, but it’s new to you. It may not be shiny, but you see potential. You’ve made the investmentand now the fun begins. You reinforce and stabilize, until you have a sound structure. Plumbing, wiring and other essentials are repaired or replaced. The outside gets a new coat of paint, the lawn shaped, seeds sown and bulbs planted. The inside is scrubbed and decorated. Everything about it screams, ‘You own this!’

Can you see the resemblance between owning a home and writing?

You have an idea, it may not be new, but you have the potential to make it feel new. Slapping on a new coat of paint isn’t enough. You need to reinforce the idea by giving it structure. Reroute the essentials until they fit your vision. Shape the landscape to fit your rules. If so-and-so had molehills, you make mountains, but make sure they can withstand a rainstorm.

Take that idea and twist it, until it screams, ‘You own this.’

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