Takeaway Truth
Our country may have its faults, but I've lived in other parts of the world and traveled enough that I recognize its greatness and its positive contribution to the world.
Patriots Day
Takeaway Truth
Our country may have its faults, but I've lived in other parts of the world and traveled enough that I recognize its greatness and its positive contribution to the world.
Thursday3Some: Captive of Friendly Cove by Rebecca Goldfield
Graphic novels debuted in 1964. Made of comics content--graphics and text--they were a hit with comics communities, but they didn't hit big until the publication of A Contract with God in 1978. Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns in 1986 made the general public aware of them.Today,I have as my guests Rebecca Goldfield, author of Captive of Friendly Cove, a newly released graphic novel, and Mike Short, the artist for Captive of Friendly Cove.
About Author and Artist
Rebecca Goldfield is an award-winning writer/producer of both documentary films and graphic novels, with a focus on history and science. Her work has aired on NPR, PBS, the Discovery Channel, and National Geographic TV, among others. She was a contributor to the Harvey-nominated graphic novel District Comics, and is presently working on a television series about institutional corruption. Goldfield splits her time between Washington, DC; rural Pennsylvania; and New York City.
Mike Short lives in Lorton, Virginia, where he watches DVDs with his wife, plays with his kids, chases his runaway dog, or burns the midnight oil drawing comics. He was a contributor to the Eisner-nominated graphic anthology Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection.
About Captive of Friendly Cove
From the creators of the award-winning Trickster and District Comics comes another graphic novel about adventure and tribal life. After his ship is burned and his shipmates killed, British sailor John Jewitt lived for nearly three years as a captive of the Mowachaht people, a Native American tribe on the west coast of Vancouver Island. During his captivity, Jewitt kept journals of his experiences and of tribal life. Follow his adventures as he plies his skills as a blacksmith, saves the life of his only remaining crew member, and comes up with a strategy to free them both.
1. What inspired you to tell John Jewitt’s story in a graphic novel?
In reading both the journal and the narrative, there was tremendous time spent describing John’s world; what a house looked like; and how the people fished, made a canoe, or built a house. I thought we could convey much of that descriptive material through the art, which freed me up to focus on the action, drama, characters, and actual story as I envisioned it.
I was also interested in trying to write a young adult graphic novel, and had been keeping an eye out for a sympathetic young protagonist who faced tremendous odds and had to overcome them in order to survive. John Jewitt was the perfect candidate for just such a story.
2. Why were you so keen on telling this story for young adults?
There seems to have been a surge of stories for young adults of late, which is exciting for me because I think it’s an amazing and rich period for learning and growth. Many great writers have spoken about not writing down for kids of any age. J.R.R. Tolkien said that there is no such thing as writing for children. E.B. White and Maurice Sendak both echoed the need to write up for children and to not shield them from the complicated aspects of life — specifically, the difficult and trying aspects we will all encounter. Neil Gaiman, another magnificent storyteller, once said, “I think if you are protected from dark things then you have no protection of,knowledge of, or understanding of dark things when they show up. I think it is really important to show dark things to kids — and, in the showing, to also show that dark things can be beaten, that you have power.” (Toon Books interview)
When I discovered the story of John Jewitt, I saw a compelling adventure story but also a way to tackle the issues of home, identity, and ethnicity. Although John’s story takes place centuries ago, these issues remain relevant to young adults. Children should be encouraged to read difficult stories — not merely to foster future literacy but also to teach them how to overcome the difficulties in their own lives.
3. What are the benefits of telling stories through pictures?
I think graphic novels and nonfiction comics can reach reluctant readers in a way no other can, by captivating the visual imagination. They can be an amazing tool for learning and engagement that cannot be found in any other medium. When we connect ideas and lessons to a visual picture, we reach the brain on two separate levels. In our increasingly visual culture, I think the graphic novel will be a great way to connect to students efficiently and effectively.
Add Captive of Friendly Cove by Rebecca Goldfield to Your Library
This new graphic novel is available at:
Fulcrum Publishing * Indie Bound * Amazon Paperback or Kindle Edition * Barnes & Noble Paperback or Nook Edition * Books A Million.
Takeaway Truth
Have you read a graphic novel? If not, why not try this one or get it for a young adult reader you may know.
The Serious Writer by G. E. Taylor, Author of Desperate Decision
Please welcome G. E. Taylor, author of Desperate Decision, to SlingWords. G.E. makes her home in New Jersey. She's my Guest Blogger today so let's get to know her better.About G.E. Taylor: In Her Own Words
I became hooked on reading romance novels during my teen years, and my attempt at writing began in high school. All of my manuscripts were "mailed" under my bed. Eventually, I threw out most of them. That was painful especially since I’d hand written them first, then typed them on my old typewriter.
In college I majored in English but ended up with a Master in Social Work and a Master in Education. Though I had different career paths, I never gave up my passion for writing. Now I’m writing full time. I’ve drawn on my years of practicing social work to give my work authenticity and realism.
Find G.E. Taylor Online
Website
Goodreads
After her guest post, you can find out more about her book.
And now, here's G.E. with...
The Serious Writer: Turning Passion into Craft
by G. E. Taylor
"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot."
― Stephen King
I couldn’t agree more with this quote by Stephen King. I like to read, and have always enjoyed reading. Even when I was growing up I read everything in the “Hardy Boys” series, “Nancy Drew” and any Mills and Boon romance book I could find. Naturally, I’ve read other books, but those mentioned, I’d enjoyed and had read sometimes twice.
In my moments of reflection though, I do regret not pursuing my writing as ardently back then as I’m doing now. Yes, I did some writing but nothing worthy to meet publishing standards, and I think I was pretty scared too. Still, that feeling was not strong enough to deter me from continuing to write and strive for the goal of completing and publishing that work.
I attacked my first novel like I was writing and preparing for one of my most critical professors. The rewrites were many and at times downright discouraging but since I was upholding a standard there was no way I could back down. So, casting aside any feeling of discouragement I continued to work and focus on the goal of producing a novel I was satisfied with and readers could enjoy. With my second novel I used almost the same demanding work discipline to achieve my goal. But somehow I found I was more relaxed, maybe because I’d faced the fire before and was now aware of the pitfalls and avoided them.
Someone said, you should toot your horn or no one will do it for you. So, I’m pleased with myself and happy to announce that I am the proud owner of two published contemporary romance books and I am working on the third one. My first book ─The Lady Mentor was published September, 2014 and Desperate Decision on July, 2015.
“The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible.” Vladimir Nabokov.
I am excited that once again I get to use my imagination to bring the invisible to life. Surrender My Heart is my next project and it is also a contemporary romance. This is the genre I’m most comfortable writing. Once this novel is complete, then my goal is to continue creating and writing stories, that hopefully readers will want to read.
For now, I’m pleased that I was able to meet the challenge of writing three novels as I am a member of Romance Writers of America and want to be seen as a serious writer.
Desperate Decision by G.E. Taylor
Allison North’s flight to freedom is dangerous and desperate. As she scrambles into the stranger’s car crying “drive,” she prays to God this is not her last day on earth. Usually not a gambler, this move is high-stake gambling. Bruised, battered, and with no money, she needs a place to hide and heal until she finds work as a pastry chef. When the stranger offers her shelter, she takes it even as fear rushes up her throat and threatens to choke her. Would she live to regret her decision?
Mason Franklin cannot believe his eyes but, with her urgent cry ringing in his ears, he presses the gas and the car leaps forward. What had possessed her to do such a dangerous act? He intends to find out. But no amount of probing loosened her tongue. Just when he decides to let her go, he accidentally sees her bruised body. Angry that someone did that to her made him want to meet the coward. He offers her shelter. Under his roof, he discovers she is the pastry chef who could not only lift his business to the top, but who built up a need in him that only she can satisfy. The wild passion they share can only lead to one conclusion.
Desperate Decision is available at:
After her guest post, you can find out more about her book.
And now, here's G.E. with...
The Serious Writer: Turning Passion into Craft
by G. E. Taylor
"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot."
― Stephen King
I couldn’t agree more with this quote by Stephen King. I like to read, and have always enjoyed reading. Even when I was growing up I read everything in the “Hardy Boys” series, “Nancy Drew” and any Mills and Boon romance book I could find. Naturally, I’ve read other books, but those mentioned, I’d enjoyed and had read sometimes twice.
In my moments of reflection though, I do regret not pursuing my writing as ardently back then as I’m doing now. Yes, I did some writing but nothing worthy to meet publishing standards, and I think I was pretty scared too. Still, that feeling was not strong enough to deter me from continuing to write and strive for the goal of completing and publishing that work.
I attacked my first novel like I was writing and preparing for one of my most critical professors. The rewrites were many and at times downright discouraging but since I was upholding a standard there was no way I could back down. So, casting aside any feeling of discouragement I continued to work and focus on the goal of producing a novel I was satisfied with and readers could enjoy. With my second novel I used almost the same demanding work discipline to achieve my goal. But somehow I found I was more relaxed, maybe because I’d faced the fire before and was now aware of the pitfalls and avoided them.
Someone said, you should toot your horn or no one will do it for you. So, I’m pleased with myself and happy to announce that I am the proud owner of two published contemporary romance books and I am working on the third one. My first book ─The Lady Mentor was published September, 2014 and Desperate Decision on July, 2015.
“The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible.” Vladimir Nabokov.
I am excited that once again I get to use my imagination to bring the invisible to life. Surrender My Heart is my next project and it is also a contemporary romance. This is the genre I’m most comfortable writing. Once this novel is complete, then my goal is to continue creating and writing stories, that hopefully readers will want to read.
For now, I’m pleased that I was able to meet the challenge of writing three novels as I am a member of Romance Writers of America and want to be seen as a serious writer.
Desperate Decision by G.E. Taylor
Allison North’s flight to freedom is dangerous and desperate. As she scrambles into the stranger’s car crying “drive,” she prays to God this is not her last day on earth. Usually not a gambler, this move is high-stake gambling. Bruised, battered, and with no money, she needs a place to hide and heal until she finds work as a pastry chef. When the stranger offers her shelter, she takes it even as fear rushes up her throat and threatens to choke her. Would she live to regret her decision?
Mason Franklin cannot believe his eyes but, with her urgent cry ringing in his ears, he presses the gas and the car leaps forward. What had possessed her to do such a dangerous act? He intends to find out. But no amount of probing loosened her tongue. Just when he decides to let her go, he accidentally sees her bruised body. Angry that someone did that to her made him want to meet the coward. He offers her shelter. Under his roof, he discovers she is the pastry chef who could not only lift his business to the top, but who built up a need in him that only she can satisfy. The wild passion they share can only lead to one conclusion.
Desperate Decision is available at:
FALL In Love
Ah, September. The first day of fall. Cooler temperatures. Leaves changing colors. Soup bubbling on the stove. Romance novel waiting in your ebook reader.Is there anything more relaxing than snuggling under a fuzzy blanket and reading? I think not.
Starting this week, I'm putting one of my romance novels on sale. This week it's The Trouble With Love. Book 2 of Texas One-Night Stands. The price is reduced from $3.99 to only 99cents. (I've reduced the price at all vendors so if it's not 99cents when you click on the link, check back in a couple of hours.)
This book is on my mind because I'm writing Book 3 of that series: Forever Starts Tonight.
The Trouble With Love, Book 2 of Texas One-Night Stands
There's one rule for a one night stand: NEVER see your part-time lover again. EVER. So what's a girl to do if the tall, dark, and too-darn-yummy guy shows up at her office?
Can Susannah and Hogan, two mismatched lovers doing everything in their power to avoid falling in love, catch a thief and recover stolen jewels? The clock is ticking. They have only seven days--and nights--to complete their assignment and resist the sweet siren call of desire.
Now Writing Forever Starts Tonight, Book 3 of Texas One-Night Stands
In The Trouble With Love, Hogan's step-cousin, Allison Platt arrives and threatens to throw a monkey wrench into Hogan's plans. Allison was once married, as she says, "It's a typical story of being young and stupid. I was young. He was stupid."
By the end of The Trouble With Love, Susannah has learned that Allison isn't the globe-trotting airhead she first thought.
Fast forward a couple of years, and Allison, always looking for a new challenge, has become involved in bringing clean water to remote villages. What starts out as a routine trip to a Mexican village to drill a water well turns into a nightmare when Allison is abducted.
Add The Trouble With Love to Your Library
All Romance Ebooks * Amazon Kindle * iBooks * Kobo * Nook * Smashwords
Get The Trouble With Love in Audio
Save on Audible narration and get a reduced price when you buy it together with the Kindle book.
Switch between reading the Kindle book and listening to the Audible narration without losing your place with Whispersync for Voice.
Sync your book across different devices and always pick up where you left off.
Listen on the Kindle App (iOS/Android), Fire Phone, Fire tablets, Kindle Touch, Kindle Keyboard, Audible App (iOS/Android/Windows).
Audiobook Edition from Audible
Takeaway Truth
Ebooks are always a bargain. When you can find them on sale for 99cents, it's really your lucky day.
Movie Review: Time Lapse
Ooh! Have I got a doozy of a movie for you! Time Lapse, which I saw on Netflix, is the kind of film that word of mouth might push into cult status. If you don't have Netflix, Amazon has it also.The Film's Origins
Premiering in 2014, the sci-fi thriller was the feature film directorial debut of Bradley King. The story, also written by King, draws from an old Twilight Zone episode, "A Most Unusual Camera." That episode aired on December 16, 1960, and was about a husband and wife theft team who stole a camera, which they discovered produced photographs 5 minutes into the future.
In Time Lapse, the relationship dynamics of the 3 main characters and the use of only 1 location are drawn from Shallow Grave, a 1994 film by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting).
Compelling Time Travel Flick
Hubby and I started watching it and ended up glued to the end. Not because the characters were so charismatic and likable--they weren't. Like so many movies peopled with young drug-using characters who seem disenfranchised--probably due to their own unwise decisions--this film was like a slow-motion car crash. Yet, like a terrible car crash, one finds it impossible to not look.
Time Lapse is about a machine that is capable of taking pictures 24 hours into the future. When 3 slacker friends--Finn (Matt O'Leary), Jasper (George Finn), and Callie (Danielle Panabaker)--discover the machine in their neighbor's apartment and learn what it can do, they concoct a scheme to use it for personal gain.
Like everything that is too good to be true, they revel in their new-found wealth and ignore the escalating weirdness in the photographs the machine spits out even though each glimpse of the near future is more disturbing than the previous day.
Up The Ante
Throw in a seriously scary thug and his enforcer, greed, the roommates' slide into paranoia, and escalating violence, and your sense of foreboding grows until you're on the edge of the seat just waiting for the explosive ending. When it comes, it's a surprise.
No, Time Lapse isn't a flawless film, and you may not particularly like the characters, except perhaps Finn who seems to have a conscience, but it is an original thriller that will keep you guessing.
Takeaway Truth
This little sleeper of a film is definitely worth a look--especially if you appreciate the fine art of irony.
Emily Contest Now Open
Sponsored by the West Houston Chapter of Romance Writers of America, the Emily is one of the best writing contests around. Someone will win, and it might be you.
Details
Entry Fee: $25 for West Houston RWA members; $35 all others.
Deadline: October 4, 2015
Eligibility: unpublished in the category entered.
Entry: First 5600 words, no synopsis.
Judges: Published or PRO authors who give positive, helpful feedback.
Categories & Final Judges:
Contemporary (Long) – Agent Stephany Evans, FinePrint Literary
Management, and Editor Tara Gavin, Executive Editor, Kensington Books
Contemporary (Short) – Agent Jess Dallow, New Leaf Literary & Media,
Inc., and Editor Elle Keck, Editorial Assistant, HarperCollins/Avon;
Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal – Agent Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill
Associates, and Editor Allison Carroll, Associate Editor, HQN, Harlequin
Enterprises;
Historical Romance – Agent Marisa Corvisiero, Corvisiero Literary
Agency, and Editor Tara Gelsomino, Executive Editor, Crimson Romance;
Romantic Suspense – Agent Shira Hoffman, McIntosh & Otis, Inc., and
Editor Kristin Sevick, Senior Editor, Tor/Forge (Macmillan);
Young Adult – Agent Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency, and Editor
Alex Sehulster, Editorial Assistant, St. Martin's Press.
Top Prize: The Custom-designed Emily Pin and a Certificate for winner, $100 Best of the Best Prize.
For More Information
Email: Emily.contest@whrwa.com
Visit the WH RWA Emily website.
Takeaway Truth
Don't miss an opportunity to get your work noticed.
5 Articles You Dare Not Miss
I'm catching up on some posts and articles that I archived. There's such great information online that it's hard to keep up with it on a daily basis so I save most of it to Pocket for reading later. Later was today.If you also missed reading these articles, take a few minutes to do it now.
1. Avoid Cyber Trolls by Where Writers Win
Defines cyber trolls and online bullies. Tells how to a handle the situation and also tells how to report cyber bullies to the proper federal agency. Cyber bullying is now a misdemeanor, but that may change to a stiffer classification.
2. Computer Security and Privacy by Bill Dietrich
Great article that gives 23 practical things you can do to improve your privacy protection. Also gives more aggressive steps you can take. The article gives links to some websites that can help.
3. Little Known Punctuation Marks by GalleyCat
I think a lot of these punctuation marks make sense. I particularly like the Snark Mark used to indicate a sentence that should be understood beyond the literal meaning. It's written using a period followed by a tilde, as shown below:
.~
4. A graphic tool to check if your writing is historically wrong! by Inspiration from Paintings
N gram from Google is a great tool for those who write historical fiction. (Try to ignore the grammatical errors in the post.) The app software resulted from Google's mass scanning and digitization of millions of books.
5. Indie Authors: Get One Link To Your Book In All International Amazon Stores by Self Publishing Advice
This is a post about Authl.it, a website where you can enter your Amazon buy link and have it converted to a link that directs someone who clicks it to the specific Amazon store that serves his or her country. I've blogged about Authl.it before. I use it for most Amazon links I post online.
Takeaway Truth
Take advantage of the wealth of great information online.
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