I MADE ROUND 1!!!!!

If you don't follow me on Twitter, you've missed my screaming for the past half hour or so, but I MADE ROUND 1 OF QUERY KOMBAT!!!!

I'm on Team SC!

Because you follow me here, you know the struggle I've had with The Crystal Bearer, formerly known as Save the Queen (a title I will always treasure), especially with querying and submitting to publishers. The changes I've made this year to the story, and the changes I've made in myself to boost my confidence this year...I didn't start this sentence right, but all I wanted was to MAKE THE CONTEST. Even if I don't make Round 2, I made it to Round 1, and that lets me know I am on the right track. I'm finally doing something right and getting somewhere with Ghuli. 10 years. 10 years. We're getting there, Ghuli.

I have to do something else for a while, because I keep trying to get misty.

Have a good weekend, guys! :-D

Friday Freeday: Free Day

Hello! Happy Friday.

Today is the reveal of the Query Kombatants, and I'm stalling to open the blog posts to see if I made it or not. lol But I'm stalling in a good way, because I'm reading the blogs I forgot to check throughout this maddening week.

And today, I came upon my writer forum's blog with an entry from Matt Sinclair, President and "Chief Elephant Officer" of Elephant's Bookshelf Press, about a Free Day the company is doing for a debut author. So, click the following phrase to check it out. The Power of Free.

A rant on TYPOS.

Typos are the bane of my existence!

I thought I'd share this because I saw a typo in a blog post I did last week. Yes, last week. I will look at an old blog post from yesterday or last year and hit Edit because of a typo. I will delete a Tweet or a Facebook post and send a follow-up text with the correct spelling followed by an asterisk because of a typo. I'm an English major. I will send YOU (well, at least people I know like that) an IM or Tweet or comment with the correct spelling if you have a typo. I HATE TYPOS!

And yet, because I type and think at 98 WPM but my reflexes move at about 70 WPM, they're always there! Because often times I get a bout of dyslexia, I will mess up an entire sentence!

I know it's because I'm only human, but...I HATE TYPOS!

That is all.

Friday Freeday

A very happy Friday to you all!

If you're a Twitter and a blogger, you're probably aware that Query Kombat is back. I haven't been on my writing-Twitter this much since...EVER! But I'm meeting and following new people and being social, which is always a step in the human direction.

I've thrown my baby into the ring yet again, and while it's hard to be completely confident when you're up against so many people, I have a good feeling about this year. :)

I also opened up a few of my WIPs to see what they were up to (as if they could write themselves), and I hope to touch at least one of them within the week. It's hard when the scenes aren't coming to me in order, but I've been doing well with making myself write those. The next step will be writing the scenes that make me uncomfortable, not because they don't belong, but because of strong emotions or moments that need to get put down on the...word document (I was going to say paper).

So I will keep you all posted on those, and I hope you have a great holiday weekend!

Thereafter Discussion Questions Part 4

Hi all! Here is the final part of the discussion questions for Terri Bruce's awesome book Thereafter, now available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble!

20. Which was more important to the story, the characters or the plot? Was the plot moved forward by decisions of the characters, or were the characters at the mercy of the plot? Was the action believable?

I felt that the characters drove the story. Irene faced a lot of obstacles throughout the plot, but every person, place, and thing she came in contact with were what stuck out the most for me. The story wouldn't have been the same without, for examples, Andras or Elvira or the Guide. If the plot were different and the same characters were still there, I think the story would still hold its essence.

21. What events in the story stand out for you as memorable? Was there any foreshadowing and suspense or did the author give things away at the beginning of the book? Was this effective? How did it affect your enjoyment of the book? Has the author foreshadowed things to come in the remaining books of the series?

The people decaying into sand! *wail* That imagery will haunt me for LIFE. The plot between Andras and Ian to destroy Irene's shrine affected me more than it probably would a normal human being, but I think it was because I, like Irene, feared taking apart the shrine would cut off her connection with Jonah before she was ready. I almost cried!

22. Have you read anything else written by this author? How does Thereafter compare in terms of voice, tone, and style to the author’s other works?

...Terri, do you have more books?? lol As part of a set, it holds the same voice, tone, and style to Hereafter, but having so much more to work with this time in the realm of the afterlife, there was a definite growth overall in Terri's style.

23. The Afterlife Series is planned to be six books total. What do you think will happen to the characters next? What do you wish would happen to the characters? How would you like to see the series progress? What, for you, would be a “happy” ending, given that Irene is dead?

SIX?! lol I had a feeling Irene won't run back into Ian, but with 4 books to go, she just might. I want to see if she and Andras grow closer. I'd like that for her. He will help her grow up. I can't say what I'm wishing for or how I'd like to see the series progress so early in it, but I'm so excited to see how it does. A "happy" ending for Irene to me would be, her contentment and acceptance of that cyclical life process the Guide was explaining to her no matter what happens right before The End.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I need to give a huge THANK YOU to Terri Bruce. I am an eternal fan, and now that I know there are plans for 4 more books, I will be watching and waiting!

Nothing in life is free. Turns out, nothing in the afterlife is, either.

When recently-deceased Irene Dunphy decided to “follow the light,” she thought she’d end up in Heaven or Hell and her journey would be over.

Boy, was she wrong.

She soon finds that “the other side” isn't a final destination but a kind of purgatory where billions of spirits are stuck, with no way to move forward or back. Even worse, deranged phantoms known as “Hungry Ghosts” stalk the dead, intent on destroying them. The only way out is for Irene to forget her life on Earth—including the boy who risked everything to help her cross over—which she’s not about to do.

As Irene desperately searches for an alternative, help unexpectedly comes in the unlikeliest of forms: a twelfth-century Spanish knight and a nineteenth-century American cowboy. Even more surprising, one offers a chance for redemption; the other, love. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to have either if she can’t find a way to escape the hellish limbo where they’re all trapped.

Add it on Goodreads | Buy it on Amazon | Buy it at Barnes & Noble

Express Yourself - I Dated A Celebrity

No, I didn't. lol

Good morning.

Welcome back to Express Yourself, hosted by Jackie @ Bouquet of Books and Dani @ Entertaining Interests. They ask their followers a question each week to get to know them better. This week they ask: Have you ever known someone or dated someone who could be a celebrity twin?

Do you remember the Dell commercials with the surfer guy who said, "Dude, you're getting a Dell!"? My first boyfriend looked like him but with brown hair. lol He hated when we told him that.

My second boyfriend, before he put on weight, actually looked like Orlando Bloom, which was very scary. lol

So stop by the ladies' websites to see what others have to say, and if we could make a Look-A-Like Oscars. lol

Thereafter Discussion Questions Part 3

Two more parts to goo! I've been answering the discussion questions for Terri Bruce's Thereafter, the second book in her Afterlife Series. It's a great book, and if you haven't picked it up yet, you need to.

WARNING: Spoilers.

14. Which afterlife myths did you recognize in Thereafter? How were the myths similar or different from the way you knew the story(ies)? Which myths were new or unexpected? What was your favorite part of the afterlife, as depicted in Thereafter?

Being a lover of plays, I noticed the chorus, which made me smile. The new take on the angels was interesting, especially being called nephilim. In the Bible, the nephilim are the giants, the children of angels and humans. The Lilith myth is a popular one I've heard, and the way Terri uses her (Easter Egg!) reminded me of Supernatural's take on her, Satan's favorite demon. The brownies reminded me of the langoliers in the awful TV movie, Stephen King's The Langoliers. I'll never see them as cute elves in brown clothing ever again. OH, and the hippos! I now have a mild fear of hippos.

My favorite part of the afterlife would have to be the creation of the animals from the origami. And being able to get things to the dead with, like, spiritual mailboxes.

15. Some readers felt that the version of the afterlife presented in Hereafter was depressing or bleak. How did you feel about the version presented in Thereafter—was it hopeful or bleak? Was it more or less hopeful than the afterlife of Hereafter? Which parts of the afterlife as depicted in Thereafter do you hope are true? Which parts do you hope are not? What would your ideal version of the afterlife look like?

If readers thought the afterlife in Hereafter was depressing, then I don't know what they're going to think about it in Thereafter. The people turning to sand at the riverbank? The Hungry Ghosts?? All people who gave up on moving. That's the most depressing existence during life, let alone after. I like the idea of having my own house in the afterlife. lol And I love Greek mythology, so I can't help but love the boat on the river.

16. What are some of themes in Thereafter, and how did these compare to the themes of Hereafter? Did any of these themes resonate more strongly with you than the others? Why or why not?

(Ah, compare and contrast. lol) The strongest theme is holding on to your old life when something else is in front of you. The difference in Thereafter, is that there's now also WHAT that something is, and for Irene, it's a greater purpose and responsibility. So it's almost a coming of age story.

17. Overall, did you feel that Thereafter was a hopeful or a bleak story? Did it have a “happy” ending? Why or why not?

I don't think I've ever read a more bittersweet ending. I cried when Irene had to leave not only Jonah, but everything she'd come to love in this stage of the afterlife behind. But then, she was finally getting on the boat, and she was doing it with Andras?! I cheered.

18. Did you have any favorite quotes or scenes from the story? What made that quote or passage stand out to you?

"He was not worthy of you."

"I know, but it hurts anyway."
The story of life.

19. Was the author fairly descriptive? Was she better at describing the concrete or the abstract? Was she clear about what she was trying to say, or were you confused by some of what you read? How did this affect your reading of the book?

I think I said this in my review, but Terri writes so clearly that you see everything like it's playing out in front of you. It made me feel like I was an active character in the book, seeing and feeling everything Irene did.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alrighty, the final 4 questions are coming to you Friday! Or maybe Wednesday. lol This week!

Thereafter Discussion Questions Part 2

I'm a day late; I apologize. lol Friday got a little busier than I anticipated. Here is Part 2 to the discussion questions for Terri Bruce's Thereafter.

7. Andras and Ian have very different outlooks on life and the afterlife. How much of their views do you think is influenced by their personalities and how much by the time period in which they grew up?

I feel like their personalities are what spearhead their decisions in the afterlife. Andras is still chasing his Christian knightly duties because he was a stern, devout person before he was killed. Ian, I feel, had that devil-may-care attitude, live-in-the-moment attitude before he died, so he goes with the flow after.

8. Did you like Ian and Irene as a couple? Why or why not? Do you think Irene should have gone with Ian? If she had, do you think they would have stayed together as a couple?

I actually didn't. I felt like it was throwing her off of what she was supposed to be doing. She was letting her living emotions get in the way of trying to get to the afterlife and acting like a lovesick teenager. It was gross. lol

9. How would you describe Andras’s and Irene’s relationship throughout the story? Would you describe it as a romantic relationship or as something else?

I felt like Andras was attracted to her and drawn to her because of their opposing natures. Every time he stormed off when she and Ian got close, I always thought it was because of jealousy, and he was masking it by always trying to get them to keep moving on.

10. Why is Irene so afraid of Andras and the Guide believing in destiny and pre-ordination? Do you believe in pre-ordination? Why or why not?

Irene doesn't like the idea of her life being planned for her already, which a lot of people don't like. I'm a Baptist Christian. I do believe that we all have a purpose we're supposed to carry out, but how and if we get there is up to us.

11. The mystery of who or what Samyel is was finally revealed—were you surprised? Why or why not? Samyel’s purpose in the land of the living and in traveling to the land of the dead with Irene, however, was not revealed. Why do you think he was on Earth? What do you think he is doing in the land of the dead? Do you have any theories about what lies ahead for this character?

I can't remember if I thought Samyel might be an angel in the first book, but I liked the reveal of his being one. I need to know what he was doing on Earth! lol With the way the others were behaving, I'm very curious to know why they are in the in-between realm, IF they're actually there, maybe I should say. The layers. ;)

12. In Thereafter, Irene believes she is in the Buddhist state of Bardo, an indeterminate/intermediate state in which the spirit wrestles with temptations and demons that are a manifestation of the person’s subconscious. Do you believe this is where Irene is? What are some other explanations for where she might be or the things she sees and experiences during Thereafter?

Irene certainly made it seem like that's where she was. She was constantly struggling with the bad parts of her personality while she was traversing the forest, city, and village. She wanted to go back to her old life, I'm assuming because it was familiar, because her old life was what got her killed in the first place. There was a battle in herself between going back (a huge temptation for many) and moving forward into something new and uncertain.

13. Who or what did you think the Guide was—was he God? A buddhu? Something else?

I feel like the Guide was a manifestation of a type of conscience, possibly sent by God, to help people in this realm get to the next, or to help them into a revelation of sorts so that they can move on and not stay and go crazy.

Thanks again for stopping my. The last parts will be posted next week!

Thereafter Discussion Questions Part 1

Hello!

As you should know by now, Terri Bruce released the second book in her Afterlife Series, Thereafter, and I LOVED IT. :)  At the end, she provides for us some discussion questions, so I thought it would be fun to answer them. If you don't care about spoilers, feel free to continue reading!

1. Hereafter was set in the real world. Thereafter is set in a fantasy world. Does the fantasy setting make the story any more or less believable? Does this change the story or your perceptions of the story in any way? If so, how?

Because Irene was traveling to a new plane of existence away from the real world, I found the purgatory-like realm of Thereafter to be very believable. I knew to expect something different from reality, so my perception of the story didn't change.

2. In some ways, Thereafter is much easier to classify than Hereafter—Thereafter is much more clearly fantasy. Do you agree? In what ways does it adhere to genre conventions and in which way does it deviate from them? Does Thereafter cover any new ground or add anything unique to the genre? What are some other books that Thereafter reminds you of? In what way is it similar to those books? In what way is it different?

I could see how people would be able to classify Thereafter as fantasy much easier than Hereafter. The first book has a much realer setting. I haven't read much more paranormal fantasy or read any recently to say if it adheres to the conventions of paranormal fiction. The last paranormal series I read was Christopher Pike's Remember Me series, which didn't tackle the afterlife. The ghost actually possessed another person to keep living and determine who killed her.

3. How does Irene in Thereafter compare with Irene in Hereafter—is she more or less sympathetic than in Hereafter? Has she grown/evolved since the first book, and if so, how?
4. How would you describe Irene’s character at the beginning of the book? At the end of the book? Does she grow or change during the story?

In the beginning, Thereafter Irene is still Hereafter Irene, and I have zero sympathy for her. She wants her way no matter what is happening, and no one will change her mind. Throughout Thereafter, though, we get to see her grow up. She realizes the things she misses about her life weren't as glorious as she thought they were (they're what got her killed, after all), and that she needs to stop holding on to her life.

5. How would you describe Irene and Jonah’s relationship in this book compared to in Hereafter? Do you think this relationship, as presented in Thereafter, is good for each of them or bad? Why? Do you agree with Irene’s decision at the end of the book to cut off all contact with Jonah?

Irene and Jonah's relationship is a comforting constant in Thereafter. Whereas in Hereafter, Irene kept trying to push Jonah away, in this one, she needs and misses him. When she starts receiving his letters and gifts, and she forces herself to not make the afterlife seem so glorious so he won't try to follow her, the love between the two is very apparent. Unfortunately, it's not good for either of them. Jonah needs to live in the living world, and Irene needs to move on from it, and they're causing more grief than good ultimately. I agree with Irene's decision to cut off contact with Jonah, but it certainly hurt.

6. Irene continues to struggle with her alcoholism in Thereafter—did this seem realistic? Why or why not? Were you frustrated by her inability to overcome her addiction or did you sympathize? Why?

Irene's need for alcohol was very realistic. She was thrown into a world she didn't understand with no one to help her get through it. I'd need a vodka after looking around, too.

---------------------------
Friday, I answer 7-12!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Okay, so I think I've gotten my blog looking a little more exciting (visually anyway lol). I had to find something that said "This is Deb!" So I think this does. Still very pink (I can't help it) but with a dark and quirky edge, I think. Hurray. :)

Express Yourself: Fictional Characters

Good morning!

Welcome back to Express Yourself, the weekly meme created by Jackie @ Bouquet of Books and Dani @ Entertaining Interests. This week, they ask us to pick a fictional character who we think reflects our personality.

This past year, I was directed to a Youtube series by a comedienne named Issa Rae called The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. Obviously, it's about an awkward black girl, lol, but she's in a horrible dead-end job with the craziest amalgamation of co-workers. I definitely could sympathize with her quirkiness and how she strove ( <--- so that's the past tense of strive. Who knew?) for a job that she would love. We both have definitely come out victorious in that respect. :)

Book Review: Terri Bruce Thereafter

WARNING: Possible Spoiler Alerts (I'll try to only mention teasers already given out.)

Unless you're a writer who lives under the rock under the rock the rest of us live under, you have heard of the struggle of Terri Bruce and her Afterlife series. So I'm so proud and excited that she has come out victorious on the other end and recently released the 2nd book in the series, Thereafter, and that I was offered an e-Arc to review it!

First off, here is the GORGEOUS cover and blurb:

Nothing in life is free. Turns out, nothing in the afterlife is, either.

When recently-deceased Irene Dunphy decided to “follow the light,” she thought she’d end up in Heaven or Hell and her journey would be over.

Boy, was she wrong.

She soon finds that “the other side” isn’t a final destination but a kind of purgatory where billions of spirits are stuck, with no way to move forward or back. Even worse, deranged phantoms known as “Hungry Ghosts” stalk the dead, intent on destroying them. The only way out is for Irene to forget her life on Earth—including the boy who risked everything to help her cross over—which she’s not about to do.

As Irene desperately searches for an alternative, help unexpectedly comes in the unlikeliest of forms: a twelfth-century Spanish knight and a nineteenth-century American cowboy. Even more surprising, one offers a chance for redemption; the other, love. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to have either if she can’t find a way to escape the hellish limbo where they’re all trapped.

Add it on Goodreads | Buy it on Amazon | Buy it on Barnes & Noble

-----------------

I came into this book almost with a fresh pair of eyes because it had been so long since I read the first book, Hereafter. But that's also not really a bad thing. Terri wrote the books in a way that they both have what can be a definitive ending, and coming into Thereafter, you won't be confused as to what happened prior.

One thing I never forgot, though: I had to deal with a main character I had to learn to love (I told Terri while reading Hereafter that Irene needed a house dropped on her. lol). Irene is such a strong, hard-headed character with the world's most asked question, "Where are we going after we die?" hanging over her head, and we certainly go with Irene through a LOT. Some of the realms she visits are the stuff out of my craziest dreams and nightmares. Terri paints each scene with such clarity that you feel you're watching Irene instead of reading her. From an elite lady in a fur coat walking into a picturesque scene of a beach sitting inside/outside of a hotel to a black stallion rising from a fire, you see and feel everything Irene sees and feels. By the end of the book, I teared up twice and outright cried once, to Terri's delight. >.>

Irene stumbles across two other ghosts, a Spanish knight from the 11th Century and a 19th Century cowboy, both with such polarized personalities, they fuel that stubborn, pick-up-my-ball-and-go-home Irene Dunphy that annoyed me in Hereafter. The interactions between the three are so real and intense, you can't help but wonder every time they bicker how they will make it without killing each other.

And, (big heart) with that need to hold onto her old life, we get to read more from Irene's pre-afterlife journey guide, Jonah. I loved their relationship in the first book, and to see from him again made MY journey through this book comforting. Yes, I'm speaking as though I'm the one getting his letters in the afterlife.

Terri did a LOT of research, putting together a very cool and sensible world from many myths and theories of the afterlife from around the world. This is a great read for anyone who loves mythology, paranormal fantasy, and a believable female main character.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT HER WEBSITE AND BOOK TOUR!

If you haven't read Hereafter yet, the e-book is currently $1.99!

Why let a little thing like dying get in the way of a good time?

Thirty-six-year-old Irene Dunphy didn't plan on dying any time soon, but that’s exactly what happens when she makes the mistake of getting behind the wheel after a night bar-hopping with friends. She finds herself stranded on earth as a ghost, where the food has no taste, the alcohol doesn’t get you drunk, and the sex...well, let’s just say “don’t bother.” To make matters worse, the only person who can see her—courtesy of a book he found in his school library—is a fourteen-year-old boy genius obsessed with the afterlife.

Unfortunately, what waits in the Great Beyond isn’t much better. Stuck between the boring life of a ghost in this world and the terrifying prospect of three-headed hell hounds, final judgment, and eternal torment in the next, Irene sets out to find a third option—preferably one that involves not being dead anymore. Can she wipe the slate clean and get a second chance before it’s too late?

Add it on Goodreads | Buy it on Amazon | Buy it on Barnes & Noble

Changing My Look

Hi guys.

So I think I'd finally like to venture into a better looking blog. lol Everyone else is doing it, and as the system I need to use to actually do my job is down for the day, I figure now's as good a time as any. How do I go about that? Is there a website or something? You all have very nice looking blogs.

Thanks in advance! lol

Friday Freeday & Express Yourself Meme

Happy Friday, everyone!

So, as I said before, I'm seeking Beta readers on Deviantart. Based on my first two interactions with Betas, a few people probably don't know the difference between a Beta reader and a proofreader. My first one asked if I could put my MS in an editable format, and the second asked if I wanted her to go chapter by chapter or not. I won't worry too much about it, just let them know the difference. I also need to double check on the first, because I haven't heard from him in a while, partially my fault. Remember to tell your betas when you're going on vacation. lol

The site to my main work task is locked today, so I guess I'll be reading blogs. lol

Express Yourself is back! This weekly bloghop helps Jackie @ Bouquet of Books and Dani @ Entertaining Interests get to know their followers with interesting and insightful questions. This week, they asked us to look at Page 89 of one of our favorite books and say what the 8th and 9th lines or sentences are.

Naturally, I chose Octavia Butler's Fledgling, as I'm currently in beta-mode for the tribute sequel I wrote to it. Here are the 8th and 9th sentence, awkward dialogue between Shori and her first bonded Wright:

"...But I haven't...I mean none of the others..."
"None of the others are bound to you yet."

Have a great weekend, and before you go, stop by the ladies's blogs and visit the other EYM participants!

IWSG: How to Make Time?

It's that time again! I feel like it's been ages!

Welcome back to the Insecure Writer's Support Group, created by the fabulous Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosted by awesome gurus every month. Visit Alex and The Insecure Writer's Support Group for the co-hosts and tens of tens of participants!

I'm in a weird place at the moment. A month or so ago, I couldn't really find the motivation to do any writing type things, and now, in a good way, I'm too busy during the day and tired by the time I get home! New job feeling. lol

So I think I need to make myself a schedule. I want to get back into blogging, and I need to write more. AND I need to read faster. lol I might not be able to control that one, but the other two I can do, I think.

Mother, MAY I?

See what I did there? hehe

Hello, everyone! Happy May! Who survived the A to Z Challenge? How did it go?

As I said, my April was busy. I somehow got cast as Mary Magdalene in my church's Easter play, so I had rehearsal every Thursday night. My Pastor is also getting elevated to an Apostle, so we've had rehearsals for that Tuesday nights. Then, I had to get ready for my choir's anniversary cruise to Key West & Cozumel! So that entailed cleaning and packing. Phew!

I went to Key West & Cozumel two cruises ago, so I didn't take too many pictures, but I had fun with most of the people I went with. lol Mexico stole my driver's license. How did that happen, you say?

Well, it started when I was swimming in the water, enjoying myself and the fish that were swimming around. We decided to step on this rock, which actually looked like a petrified turtle when I stared down at it, when a gust of wind burst through, carrying what also felt like burning debris. (In hindsight, I'm pretty sure the sea shack on the shore had set the grill on fire and turned on the emergency fan.) As this happened, our pianist's towel went flying through the air, followed by what we realized were my pants. Later, I would replay in my mind that my ID and Carnival Sail & Sign card had been the tiny objects I saw falling out of them. But in the moment, someone got my pants and laid them back out where they were.

I didn't realize my cards were gone until we were preparing to get back on the boat, where I almost had a nervous breakdown because I had no idea how I was going to get home. One of our tenors helped me get back onto the ship, where I got a new Sail & Sign card, and Guest Services printed me a photo ID so I could get home. I got frisked in the airport, but all was well.

Key West had the best weather, being not too hot and overcast, so I didn't burn up. You miss it dearly when you come home to 50-degree rainy weather. But as we say, April showers bring May flowers. So, let's get to it!

This is longer than I meant. But anyway, I did acquire one beta reader for RUBY before I left. There was a mix-up in communication, though, so hopefully I hear back from him soon. I'm currently working on getting another, so I'm excited and ready to get back into the swing of things.

See you guys next week! :)