Hello all!
Now, that my ‘creating hat’ is off my tossed locks it’s time to put on my marketing/Hype Man hat and attract some attention from you glorious readers: the true holy grail. And since I am not very big on the social media scene (as others are), and I don’t take many pics scantily dressed, I guess its the old fashion way for me. Crap. It’s all about selling yourself, your brand and your writing skillz to anyone who will listen. Oh, sure, I’m blessed to have my Perfect trilogy in many libraries across the Midwest region, but it’s going to take a hell of a lot more than that to breakthrough the stratosphere, which separates me from being world renowned. Still, I have to tell you, I get majorly stoked each time I see my works being displayed in the hall/lobby next to some of my favorite writers, and one of my books are checked out to a reader! That is so awesome!! I get misty-eyed because I poured out my heart and soul into every word, sentence, paragraph and chapter and at this very moment a reader might be receiving what I have to offer to the world. That’s one reason I write, one reason I persevere and battle though until I finally scribble those two magic words: The End, and close out the file. It’s why I’ll never stop writing or loving to write… well, after I take off my Hype Man hat of course. Until next time. Hug a writer.
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Hello Happy Readers,
I hope you’re bringing in spring better than the rest of us: cold weather, snow showers and the occasional tornado. Good thing I have my mind on more exciting things than biblical signs my elders continually recite to me as an explanation. Even still, I can’t stop smiling because I finally got the third book of my trilogy: Perfect The Fray, published and available online (Amazon.com) and even in many libraries and bookstores (Not many left) here in the Midwest. It’s been a journey, but we made it, and I’m looking forward to getting the four script series I’ve already adapted into the hands of a producer or two, who has given me a nibble of curiosity. I’m curious to see what becomes of it. But first, let me enjoy this stage a little while longer. Yay, me!! Once UPS delivered my box of complimentary issues, I took a deep deep DEEP exhale, lifted my hands to God (hallelujah!), and of course shed a tear, while listening to Mariah Carey’s Always Be My Baby, then I did the Cabbage Patch around my living room (Nutmeg is a damn good dancer), celebrating my great feat of writing a book series. Now, its time to put on my marketing hat and morphed from a anti-social writer into a sociable fast-talking go getter who can draw up interest with an imaginative pitch and flattering words that vaguely resemble a cross between an action movie trailer and a one-night stand. Weird huh? You have no idea, but the world’s movers and shakers want to be wooed, thrilled and visibly undressed by my sexy pitch. So everything else from my other works in the works to any personal life (sorry Nutmeg, the bed is all yours) gets put on hold, while I hit the road, send emails, facetime… pitch. Pitch. Pitch. Pitch! Before the world falls in love with your book series you have to be in love with it first. It’s like the perfect boyfriend, two years before he stopped being a player. But the good news is I love my series (I’ve even developed new material for another book some day), and I hope that execs in Hollywood and the Publishing arena will one day, too. But even before that I must offer it to the true hearts of the world. You know, the real gatekeepers, the special ones like you who read fiction for the love of it, in search of that ultimate payoff, that makes them glad they are story readers. And if awesome readers like you fall for my fiction tale, then the others will surely come. So. Here we go.... Happy New Years Goodreads! What, it’s February you say? I was hoping you wouldn’t catch that. Okay. I confess the truth. Some of January is pretty much a blur to me. It’s amazing how one last shot of Tequila to toast the end of 2017 can quickly get away from you, and turn into a lingering rant of gibberish, overlapped with unfounded truths and sprinkled with a dash of philosophized undertone.
At the time I swore I sounded like a genius. After all, I am a writer! But atlas, the warmth of sobriety only exposed me to be just your above-average putz with a MacBook Air laptop and a flare for the literary tantrums. Needless to say, I managed to wake up with only slight recollections of my god awful antics, that lasted about an hour past the point of being pathetic… now, if I can just get my so-called ‘friends’ to delete any imagery posted on their Finsta accounts I can finally keep a straight face when I deny it isn’t me. Anyhoo, several cups of hot Vanilla French Cappuccino to wash down the 5-Hour serum I swigged and I’m good as new and ready to work! The true reason why my profile has went post-less for the first thirty-one days of 2018. I’ve been reading, or at least I was, and now I’ve submitted the third book of my Perfect series for publication. I’m really stoked about it. I hope you will be too. It is definitely a good read in my opinion. I needed that extra time to assess my work and its place in the universe. The last book (Perfect: The Revolt) was much faster than the first (Perfect: The Call) and the pace of this one is even faster than both. I introduced the readers to the other Perfects on the earth hiding in plain sight and made sure the journey is entertaining. By the way, I must give a shot out to my editor who not only helped me on this journey, but kept my works going forward (Thank you Calee Allen// Calee_Allen@yahoo.com ). With Spring right around the corner and Winter taking its toll on most of the United States, I figured my release should be more of a warm weather event. So although I will be ready to go around Valentines Day, I'm going to hold off those extra two weeks. If you haven’t had a chance to read book one or two, now might be a good time to dive in. Go ahead, I’ll wait for you… This has been an awesome ride, I actually have a trilogy under my Prada belt! Cool beans!! And I’m only getting started. I have several works on the movie and television front being reviewed for potential production, so this year is going to be pretty fun no matter what comes of it. There is always a maverick indie producer looking for that certain project to elevate his or her game within the movie industry. If nothing else, I’ll have nice sunny weather to enjoy. Until next time, hug a writer! Happy Turkey Month you joyous readers! Wahoo!! Can you believe we are actually nearing the end of 2017? So much to be thankful for during this festive time. Like the mighty whirlwind that takes a full 365 days just too fully enjoy. Take me for instance, I get to spend all of my free time (and some of my un-free time as well), butt naked, sitting at my Macbook Air, or sometimes my old school typewriter, with Staind blasting out my house speakers, as I create a fascinating oddball tale with new characters, their deviant flaws and addictive traits. Sometimes not knowing which rabbit hole those flaws will lead me in to. Hot damn the thought of it just makes my aching loins quiver...
Aaahhh (heavy long sigh. No, much longer …). But back to the safe territory of NC – 17. As you know, I’ve been reassessing my opus; my Perfect series, book three to a trilogy and I must say, I like what I have done with this series (today at least), I am amazed at no matter how many times you puddle through a page-one rewrite on a labor of love, that one unique idea never fails to pop into your cranium when you least expect it. That cool idea that makes you pause in awe a second, and giggle it was able to evade your creativity to begin with. It makes my job that much more fun each time Mr. Hyde decides to take the steering wheel from me. When I wake up in the morning naked and with someone else’s fresh blood on my face and hands, the consequences are often … liberating. Although sometimes ditzy, I am thankful that being ‘brain-dead’ has never been an issue for me (no offense to all the brain-dead comatose people out there trolling Instagram). I simply love to write: the good, the bad and the ugly. They all have the potential to be transformed into the best thing I’ve ever written and transform me right along with it. And that there is enough for all the Mark Twain and J.K Awesome’s in the universe could ever hope for. I’m thankful we all made it. Some of us anyway. So pour out a little liquor on the concrete for your dead homies, then lift your shot glass to the sky for the future. 2018 is right on our door steps and it’s going to be one for the record books. And if it’s not… well… we always have Paris. Until our next randevu, hug a writer. Scarlet D. Hello All!
It has been a while since our last talk, but I trust you’ve had an exciting summer. Me, myself? I have been busy writing and promoting my book series, playing tag with a couple Hollywood execs who have shown slight interest in my works, and even visiting several libraries in the Midwest (me and Nutmeg) who have my first two books on their shelves and asked if I’d make an appearance for a reading. It’s been fun answering questions from curious minds, and extremely entertaining all at the same time. I’ve learned a lot about myself not only as a writer, but as a invisible character in my own ‘Perfect World’. Which brings me to my topic of the day: heartbreak… You see, as I sat typing this love letter to you with my third book in front of me, face up on the dining room table… Perfect: The Fray I am brought to sadness because of my next career move. I’ve have read it multiple rounds and by the time I’ve reach 'The End' I am elated and cheerful by the ride, then when the massive high descends I slowly find my self wallowing in unexpected self-doubt and a hint of sheer fear. Is my baby ready to escape the nest to fend on its own? Did I leave it all on the field, so to speak? (i.e. blood, sweat, tears and raw imagination) Oh sure, I have been blessed to have thousands of copies placed into thirsty readers hands since the release of book one, but what does that really mean? Exhausted, while trying to find some clarity of it all I have come to the conclusion that I can’t just leave it to chance. I must re-evaluate my efforts and dissect my writing to ensure I can look myself in the mirror and be pleased with this body of work. 95% on point is just not close enough to perfect. So… I have decided to scratch my September release of book three and do a page-1 rewrite, as well as take in consideration my fleshed-out ideas for a fourth book. For any readers looking forward to book three I apologize for the wait, please don’t give up on the Perfects of the world, who are depending on you to save them from those evil Fearians. As my Sorority girlfriends tell me: If you’re going to come, come correct or don’t come at all. And I like coming (pun intended), it just this time its going to take some extra time to get me there. Until then, hug a writer. Scarlet D. Hello All!
Happy New Years! It’s February already and like Punxsutawney Phil I’ve once again emerged from my extended stay inside my dim burrow only to be surprised by my own creepy-looking shadow and a mob of white people cheering, while wearing weird goofy black hats. I’m not sure about you, but the cold winter months make me want to work and that’s what I’ve been doing, hence the lack of new entries. I’ve written, read through, rewritten, tweaked, considered my editor’s awesome input, and written some more on both the third installment of my YA series ‘Perfect’ and my new drama novel, ‘Unpregnant’ (see my previous entry for details). You’ll be happy to know that it’s looking good from where I’m sitting, but I think I’m going to wait until near summer to drop the next installment on Amazon. I’m also doing some online promoting to give a few more readers the chance to get turned on to the series, and maybe even catch up. Go ahead I’ll wait… Springtime has started to show signs of life here in Arkansas. I think Mother Nature is a bit confused by the smiling faces. First it is 70 degrees and sunny, only to turn bitter cold the next day with an eerie overcast. But, that hasn’t stopped me from writing my a$$ off though, and wearing my favorite pair of short pink shorts when I can. I can’t wait for summer to arrive and my tan from this southern blast of heat. Anyhoo, I’m excited about the padded body of work I’ve acquired and I hope someday you will be too. P.S. To my viewer, thank you so much for the cool question asked the other day. If you or anyone else care to query me about anything from my written works to my best friend Nutmeg please feel free. I’m an open book! Until next time … hug a writer. Hello All!
Sorry for the delay. I’ve been working hard making sure the next book in my series is the best thing since slice bread … or at least stale wheat bread … or just better than the first book. I think with the help of my editor (Calee Allen) I’ve achieved my goal. Quick note – The Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) was awesome this year! Walmart and Geena Davis brought in some hot stars and some hot new films to view. Good time had by all. Anyhoo, I plan on dropping book 2 later on this month, but as promised, I wanted to offer a taste of what’s to come. If you do give it a read feel free to tell me what you think. With that said, here’s chapter one of Perfect: The Revolt. 1. ELISABETH I CAN’T LET THEM catch me! I won’t let them win! Our Perfect lives depend upon their complete failure. My heart punched my insides as if it needed to break free from my chest in order to survive, like a fierce alien organism deathly allergic to my DNA. My arms pumped back and forth, slicing the air, and my uneven breaths failed to lasso the sick wails of hyperventilation trying to disrupt my pace. The dizziness attacked my senses, strangling my lungs like a battered lioness on a fierce rampage. My skin tightened, but I kept moving—dodging Fearians and their laser-tipped projectiles. One flew so close to my ear, I swore I heard it whisper ‘die now,’ yet each one missed its mark and exploded on the ground beside me. Stem cells taken from Nolum’s rage bubbled from the chilled vapors like acid, melting tree limbs and cobalt leaves, and my eyes watered from the piercing smell. My panting propelled me forward with what felt like supernatural speed. Lethal droplets of Fearian essence sprinkled down on my shirtsleeve, burning through the plush fabric and searing my skin. I grimaced in pain as the drops tattooed my flesh, but never once did I think of surrendering to the enemy, who chased after me with green eyes of vengeance lighting their hot pursuit. The explosions transformed the wooded sanctuary into a smoking battlefield reminiscent of the savage war currently covering our realm. Damn it! Go away! The Shadow dagger clutched in my hand made my palm moist, and the spine of the gothic handle pricked my rigid fingers. I ducked under broken trees that were one gust of wind from collapsing to the ground, while low-hanging limbs swayed sapphire leaves in my face. Sharp twigs scraped against my skin, the scratches stinging from my brackish sweat. Jagged beams of bright light flashed overhead, and I found myself cornered, surrounded by trees and thick undergrowth. Seconds from panic, a narrow exit unfolded before my eyes, and I swerved toward it. Thank the Gods! I jumped over a Bayon shrub, clearing its starburst of thorns and colorful, venomous flowers. My bare feet landed on the soft dirt beyond without slowing pace, and my calves burned like lava. My head ached, my mind frazzled. There was no doubt I was going to pay for this later, but first I would have to survive the fray. My daring escape remained a trapped stallion, bucking wildly and refusing to be tamed. The ireful Fearians giving chase were hell-bent on punishing me for my audacity, and I felt their fury slithering up my spine, striking my skull like an irritated rattlesnake being force to strike. An explosion rocked to my left, then another erupted on my right, while fiery flare-ups and blasts filled my eardrums with a deafening noise. Stinging sweat and blood from a cut over my eyebrow streamed into my eyes, but there was no time to wipe it free. Trying to clear my mind and distract myself from the pain, I thought back to the act of heartlessness that not even a lifetime of repentance could help me find peace with ... “How did I not see you were a Mother Perfect?” Kaiden’s disgruntled voice skipped through my subconscious. “How could I’ve been betrayed by such filth?” “I had no choice but to trick you,” my memory answered, as if my words were justifiable. “The mothers needed the dagger, and I needed to stop your Counsel from exterminating my kind. This is not your realm alone to possess.” The anger on his face was so bitter it sent a frosted nip down my backbone. “I’m going to kill you and every other Perfect before I’m done! You will pay, Elisabeth! You will pay for making me fall in love with such a vile monstrosity!” I knew my actions had been an abomination in their wicked eyes, and equally the same in my own—but it was a horrid act that had to be done. I was the one who had used perfection to manipulate a Fearian’s blackened heart, to treat it like a worthless piece of nothing. And I had done it. Perfectly. A Fury Beast let out a loud roar, slamming my daydream back into reality. I heard hooves slap the ground, and I picked up my tempo, knowing the herd was locked in on my scent. I jumped onto a rotten tree trunk tilted a foot off the dirt and sprung into the air before landing in full stride. My eyes narrowed in determination once I saw my escape, and I let out a sigh of relief. A crowd of family and friends stood protected on the other side of the force field, rooting their champion to victory. The transparent shield reached to the sky and was as wide in both directions, successfully separating the land of Perfects from the territory possessed by our mortal enemies. I peered at the contraption lifting the bottom of the force field a foot off the ground. I’m almost there! I’m almost free! I had seconds before my window closed and my life belonged to the Fearians. My eyes stopped on my sister, and the love radiating from her eyes heated my spirit—but I was too engaged with the Fearians to savor its sweet support. KABOOM! A missile collided with the force field, forcing Geneve and the others to cringe. The pinpoint accuracy made me shuffle to a pause, as flames and debris rained down on top of me like a hailstorm. I’m not going to make it! I used my arms to shield my head and backtracked as the force from the blast made the foliage sway. The Fearians gained ground, and I saw Kaiden headed right for me, with the rest of his kind close behind. I watched my one exit vanish within the fiery rubbish. I’m too late. I now belong to my enemies, and they will dissect my soul slowly. “Run, Elisabeth!” Victoria and Harlen shouted from the other side of the force field. Their voices were muffled, but the tone of their cries was loud and clear. “Run!” But I stood frozen, with nowhere to run. I was caught, and my foes would have their dagger back. And after my death they would use The Seal to unleash hell. I cannot allow it, I just can’t! Geneve slapped the force field with her hands. “Wake up, girl! Wake up!” “I want your soul, Izzy!” Kaiden yelled as he closed in. I glanced to the dagger still held tight in my grip. Isabelle pointed. “There’s a Basket Tree!” She hopped excitedly as she spotted it unearth within the brush. “You can make it, sis! Hurry!” Geneve shouted. Their words hit me in the face like a cold shower, and I spotted my escape partially hidden within the shrubbery. I darted for the tree, which had a thick trunk and a basket-shaped bottom. Dim holes dotted the basket portion of the tree, just as had been described by the elders. I tightened my grip on the dagger. Kaiden and the others were just a few steps behind. The Counsel stood on top of a nearby hill, the glare of the sun making them a vision of beauty, but no less lethal. “Do not let her make off with the dagger!” Serene ordered. Oplous snarled. “Stop her from getting to that tree!” “Destroy her now!” Nolum shouted. I narrowed my eyes as a ball of fire soared near, moments from destroying the Basket Tree and me, and dove headfirst into a dark hole inside the shadowy bottom. The tree trunk rocked with the blast, and a surge of heat flashed against the bottom of my feet, destroying the tree with me inside of it. Yet, instead of dying a scorching death, I was surrounded by a star-filled darkness and I felt my body being pulled toward a dim light in the distance. It was true; the Basket Tree was a portal into another realm. WOOSH! Suddenly, I was spit out of a hole at the base of a tree. The light of day caused my eyes to tear, but as I stared at the sky above me, I knew instantly something was off. There were no sounds of war, no stench of destruction—just peacefulness and strange, small flying animals with the power to chirp melodies. Nothing was like I’d ever witnessed before. The sky was a majestic, soothing blue, and the equivalent of our heavenly orb was a strangely bright orange. The trees were smaller versions of what I was accustomed to, and in a less vibrant shade. This realm is strange to me. Even the smell is off. Not bad. Not better, but different. Still, it seems I’m safe for the moment. “I command thee as your new god!” a young male ordered as he stepped into view with a skinny stick in his hand. “Come to me now!” His demand made my heart drop and I turned antsy, not knowing what to expect. My first inclination was to destroy him, but then I noticed his expression was nonaggressive. I allowed my alert to simmer. It appeared he was playing a childish game, and I was just an unexpected intrusion. It was said Mother Perfects have always known of human beings, from back in the days when Basket Trees were bountiful, but our paths had never crossed. Curiosity caused some elders to watch the humans from a distance for a time, but the simplicity of their species led them to believe the value of their realm was insignificant. Still, I couldn’t help myself from becoming intrigued as the human slapped the tree trunk with his stick, wielding it like a Loafer King and his Tolomon saber, before the Fearians had all but wiped them out. The human finally noticed me lying on the ground at the base of the tree, and our eyes connected. He turned silent, and I heard voices speaking in the distance. Then he grinned at me, and the sincerity on his face caught me off guard. “Glenn, where are you?” a female’s voice called out in the distance. He didn’t take his eyes off me, and although I was lost in confusion myself, I knew what I did next would either give me the advantage or get me killed. I was trapped in a new realm with no allies to speak of and no way known of getting home, so it was a chance I had to take. I morphed my body into a younger version of myself, near to his age. The magical transformation caused his face to turn blank, and his mouth dropped open and his eyes widened. Finally, his expression loosened. “Wow! Mom, you got to see this, she …” I covered my lips with a finger, and it brought him to silence. Then, with no signs of fear, he reached out his hand and offered it to me. His actions calmed my rattled nerves some, and set my mind at ease. I lay the palm of my hand onto his, and the warmth of our touch was heartwarming, causing my eyes to turn glossy. “Thank you,” I said, standing to my feet with his help. I hid the dagger underneath my shirt without him noticing. My stance became steadier as I felt my injuries heal themselves, but the dark smudges of battle stayed painted on my forehead, cheekbones and lip. “Where did you come from?” he asked me. The curiosity in his voice made me think of Geneve. It was consoling, but I didn’t have an answer that wouldn’t lead to more questions, so I just shrugged. “Will you be my friend? I don’t have any,” I said with every bit of charm I could conjure. “I beg of you.” He firmed his grip on my hand and squeezed. “What is your name?” “You may address me as Elisabeth.” “Hi, Elisabeth. We’re having a picnic. Are you hungry?” “I am if you are,” I said. “My dad always makes extra hamburgers. My mom can make you a plate.” His kindness rushed my heart and my eyes flickered pink. I stopped breathing, not sure if I had unconsciously revealed too much of my Perfect world. Glenn’s eyes sparkled, and I sensed he was enamored by what he had witnessed. “Whoa. I’m going to marry you someday, Elisabeth.” The honesty of his words made me blush. “Okay,” slipped from my lips. He walked me toward his family, sitting together at a table at the edge of the thicket. Another young male sat at the end of the table, tinkering with a handheld device, while his father flipped meat circles over a box of flames. His beautiful mother had long red hair and pale skin, with ruby red gloss covering her lips. She noticed us nearing, her son’s hand holding mine, and stopped what she was doing. Her eyes looked amused. “Glenn, who is your cute girlfriend?” “You may address her as Elisabeth, mom. She’s going to eat with us, okay?” he politely asked. His mother’s expression stayed baffled. “That’s fine, but maybe we should ask her parents first, to make sure it’s okay with them.” “Your mother’s right, son.” His father scanned the area and his brow lowered. “Um. Where are her parents?” “I don’t think she has parents,” Glenn said. “I found her sticking out of that tree trunk over—” I cleared my throat. Glenn paused his explanation long enough to glance my way, and the silent words hidden in my eyes caused him to change his course. “I mean, standing over by that tree.” “Uh-huh,” his mother replied. She shot a look to her mate, and I watched the silent communication going on between the pair before she turned to me. “Hello, sweetie. My name is Tina.” “Hello, Tina,” I greeted, then bowed with one leg bent behind the other. “I see you’ve met our son, Glenn.” I caressed my heart as if it was my honor. “I have.” I tried to sound less noble than what was running through my veins, but my pedigree made it difficult for me to be anything but regal. “Where are your parents?” she continued. “Do you need to call them?” “They are no more,” I said, lowering my face in false humility. “As to say, they are considered ‘deceased’ in your realm.” Tina’s expression turned somber, but remained oddly shaped. “Oh.” I sensed certain words I spoke perplexed them, coming from who they believed to be a child. “Now I’m alone,” I said, sincerely. “Will you be my kin?” Tina shot another look to her mate. “Honey?” He pulled out a device from his pants pocket and placed it to his ear. “I’m calling the authorities now.” “Why don’t you stay here with us until we can find some help?” Tina suggested, looking at me. I gripped Glenn’s forearm. “Will I be harmed? Please do not allow this to occur, Glenn. I’m scared.” “No one is going to hurt you, sweetheart. We promise,” the father assured, raising his hands before him to calm my fears. “But mom, can’t she come with us?” Glenn pleaded. “She doesn’t have a family anymore. You said we should always help others.” His eyes filled with tears. “I want us to help Elisabeth.” “It wouldn’t be right, son. Plus, someone is probably worried sick and looking for her right now,” she replied. “Please!” Glenn begged. “I’m her only friend in this realm!” His request accompanied by my distraught expression struck a chord with his parental guardian. “I have a friend name Margaret who happens to be an excellent social worker. Why don’t I give her a call and see if this is something she can handle for us, okay?” Glenn’s face turned long. “But, mom—” Tina cut off his words. “And of course, your father and I will stay involved so we can make sure she will be okay.” “And if she has no place to go, after that then can she live with us?” he persisted. Tina sighed. “If it comes to that, we will make the decision together as a family. Fair enough?” Glenn looked to me with sympathy. “Is that okay with you, Elisabeth?” I looked into his eyes, and in that moment I knew I had a friend forever. “That is sufficient,” I said, mesmerized by this species called ‘human beings.’ “Make them both a plate of food?” Tina took the device from her mate and tapped her fingertip against the shiny surface. She put the device to her ear and walked off, but I eyed her intently as she spoke with a low tone into the device. I couldn’t hear her entire conversation, but could make out the words ‘personal favor’ and ‘grateful,’ and I felt comforted. “Who wants hamburgers and who likes hot dogs?” Glenn’s father asked. “Two cheeseburgers please, and make both a double,” Glenn said. His father nodded while Glenn ushered me to the picnic table and offered a seat before he sat beside me. I didn’t say a word as he prepared the table, placing napkins, plastic utensils and two shiny pouch-like containers of liquid before us. I never knew the kindness of human beings was so great, otherwise this would not have been our first encounter. Their love matched that of the Loafers, who were famous for their benevolence, but the humans were far more attractive physically. Glenn’s affection toward me made me feel special and valuable, and I felt like a Mother Perfect again, a true princess of my kind. It became easy to release my fears with each passing breath, and I felt as if I’d found a new home. And yet, the knowledge of the events going on in my own realm stayed at the forefront of my thinking. I hoped beyond hope the ones I held dearest were able to withstand the wrath of the most malevolent species in existence: Fearians. Anyhoo - I hope it is to your liking. I plan on offering free ebooks on Goodreads, LibararyThings and Amazon, so be on the look out for that. I’m excited, because I really like the finish work. I hope you will too. Scarlet - I hope everything is well with y’all … with me? Oh, I’m still here, still chugging along,
living the dream … enjoying the last toasty (sometimes rainy) days of the pretty month of April. Wow! Can you believe it? It’s almost May and yet 2016 just started it feels like. Just goes to show that you literally have no time in life to waste when following your dreams … so do follow them time is short. Speaking of which, I can’t tell you the ultimate thrill it has been to view book one of my YA series on bookshelves at several libraries both in Arkansas and Michigan (about fifty libraries or so to date), and even on the shelves of the very high school portrayed in my story in Grand Blanc (that’s totally awesome!) By the way, Bentonville, Rogers, Elkins, Lincoln and Farmington Arkansas were the first in the state to show me major love in that retrospect so shouts out!! (I’ll be hand delivering book two to you five when I drop it this summer). Many dedicated Librarians have given their valuable time, vetted my written work and deemed it noteworthy enough to be placed on their bookshelves next to some of my favorite authors for public consumption. I’ve even had a few book reviewers and readers drop me a kind note and follow me on Twitter (@ScarletDvore) so that’s been real fun to see too. I’m very stoked about it. I don’t invest a huge amount of time tweeting as of late, but I am very appreciative just the same and I do check in on a regular basis. I’ll drop a short note or a cute pic here and there, but I’m not really sure if what I have to say daily warrants an abundance of tweets … I can be real ditzy without even trying to be honest, and who really wants that? So my talented editor (Hi, Calee!) has received my third installment to the Perfect Series and I have read book two a few times to make sure its my very best work. I even gave it to a couple of trusted college girlfriends (University of Arkansas) because … well, they’re pretty smart, most of the time, even though they make being ‘pre-med & pretentious’ a glorified art form far beyond the comprehension of us ‘normal’ folks with regular I.Q’s and far less Greek letters on our back car windows. Now, some of you might say, ‘damn, did Scarlet just put her own people on blast with a burn?’ Naa. Not really, they all know they’re pretentious and are pretty damn proud of it in fact, and they have no ulterior motives and absolutely no qualms keeping it 100, so why shouldn’t I benefit from their ‘BIG FAT… BRAINS?!’ I win. You win. Everyone wins And the verdict… Think I got it straight. The consensus is that book two (Perfect: The Revolt) is both much faster than book one (as it should be) and more engaging for the reader. I totally concur with their assessment and once I begged them all for forgiveness for my crude ‘pretentious’ remark and my ‘lapse in judgment’ (regrettably), and cleaned a bathroom or two (yuk!) at their sorority house I was good to go. FYI. If you plan to use Chilis restaurant as some form of restitution, please remember to make everyone order meals from the 2 for $20 menu. If you don’t, then I suggest you either learn to wash dishes, or wear a damn good pushup bra. You’ll thank me later. ANYHOO… The story gets darker in tone in both book 2 and book 3, but that’s just where the story took itself as I wrote it down on my typewriter (yes, I do actually write a draft with the one on my twitter profile picture). I’m still selling a few units on Amazon.com and that’s pretty damn cool, as well as I’m still reworking the screenplays, so if and when the ‘Hollywood thing’ finally pans out someday, I’ll be ready. With a published book anything is possible. Hey, it took ten years to bring Forrest Gump to the screen, and that’s with Tom Hanks’ name on board. Oh, yeah! I got fantastic news! I’m giving away free ebook copies of Perfect: The Call (that’s right, free!!) On Amazon from April 26th until April 29th and I encourage anyone within earshot to grab a copy if you happen to be on the site buying a new pair of extra long tube socks or that plump bag of genuine dirt from the Roswell UFO crash site of 1947 (only $9.75 for authentic soil??? That’s a steal.) So far, the biggest obstacle on this literary journey is promotion. Good promotion … in a world where everyone and sometimes their mother, is promoting something to the public: their name, clothing, makeup, food, a new hot book series, their own body, or what have you, all for a taste of fame and fortune. It can be difficult to stand out in a world of gorgeous Kardashians (not throwing shade to Mrs. K, do your thing girl). Anyhow, I just take a deep breath and keep plugging. I want to be like Eminem: give me the success of having a cool following, who dig my works - you can keep all the fame and craziness. Still, promotion can be a bitch to figure out, like trying to match all the right colors on a twisted Rubik’s Cube on day one (say what now?) I decided to price my book at .99 cents (Amazon.com) because it’s so much stuff out there already and I just want people to be able to read it … and like it too, but as you know, that part are the equation is always a toss up, with so many different opinions and elevated creative taste to be had. You can’t please everyone all the time, don’t be hurt if you don’t, just do your damn best to be you (as I try), and like a little birdie leaving the bird’s nest for the very first time – let her fly (take flight little birdie). The upside to all of this is I never stop learning from the good and the bad, and I NEVER stop writing from my heart, often incorporating what I’ve learned that makes me more open to life. I think we all should be so lucky. There’s so much to learn from … “forgive you must,” my Yoda moment. A friend of mine and I blu ray binged on Star Wars: The Force Awakens with shots of Tequila recently and I’m still buzzing—slightly. SO… When I’m finally done polishing the rest of my Perfect Series I will be devoting much more of my time rewriting my next passion fruit: Unpregnant. Unpregnant is a court drama that takes place in… well, a courtroom arena. I spent some time with a successful attorney in Detroit who allowed me to pick her brain so that helped out a lot. My story is about a hot civil attorney named Meredith Cain, ‘The Tiger’ who is talented at her job of winning big cases for monetary gain for her male-run law firm. In a competitive world where name is everything, and most of those names belong to men, Meredith has found away to outshine the club … without being one of the boys. Then… Meredith’s loving husband (an author) knocks her up at the pinnacle of her law career (I know, writers right? Huh. We are fertile.) Although her husband (Ryan) has always wanted to be a father, she has always wanted to be the king … at the office, even at the large expense of becoming a child barrier. Some tragic things happen and both emotions and wills are tested to the brink. Will Meredith being able to survive? Let’s just say the Boys Club will never be the same. Anyway, this story is about discovery … I know I discovered some important things about myself when I wrote it. I plan to drop it once I’ve completed this series and to be honest with you I can’t wait until that time. I still got a lot of work to do on it before it’s finished to my liking, but I’m excited still. I’ll keep you posted if you’d care to know. I actually wrote this novel and screenplay before I started my Perfect Series, but I was so emotionally spent by the time I typed ‘The End’ (and ‘Fade Out’) I needed to take some time away from the heaviness of it all just to clear my head and gain some perspective on my story, but enough about that for now. So… Like I said earlier I gained a follower or two on Twitter after they read Perfect: The Call, and one of the questions I got messaged to me from a teenager who lives in Michigan was… Why was my story in Grand Blanc when I reside in NW Arkansas? Well, my young eager inquirer, I actually used to live in Michigan for a spell, a long spell. In fact, the series was conceived and a lot of book one was written at the McDonalds across from Grand Blanc High School, where most of the students overcrowd the lobby at lunchtime and after school. I tell you, I’ve never been so enlightened by the way teenager nowadays communicate with one another. At times I wasn’t sure if some sayings were offensive, distasteful or just commonplace. Guess I should be thanking God my editor knows how to tone down ‘some’ of my words to keep my trilogy Rated-PG, but I had fun writing it as is anyway. Not to mention the fries at that particular McDonald’s are freakin’ superb! Keep those questions coming, Twitter, Goodreads, or email (Scarlet_Dvore@yahoo.com) I will always be honest and answer them truthfully, so long as they aren’t request for nude pics with nothing but an Xbox controller in my hand … you know who you are … pervert ;) I got some book readings coming up soon at a couple of public libraries that carry my book, and I’ve even been asked to do a book signing at an indie bookstore. It’s amazing the difference a library presence can make in an author’s life. Again, shouts out! I’ll definitely let you know how it goes in a later post. I’m really looking forward to it. So my next blog will be a little different than the first ones. I decided to offer up a free chapter of book two for anyone who liked book one and was curious about the next installment, which I will be dropping here in a few months. I also decided to drop this letter BEFORE my Goodreads book contest ends today, to say thank you to all who requested a free copy of the book (634 request so far??? You gals and guys really rock!!) To the ones who won a free copy I hope you enjoy it once you get your book in the mail. I had fun writing it. I will definitely do it again with book 2 and book 3. As always, thank you for giving me a venue to speak from. Until next time, hug an author today … the written word is beautiful and hopefully inspiring to many. Hello All!
Life is indeed good! As you all know by now (then again you wouldn’t be here reading this if you didn’t – duh!) I have set out on a self-publishing quest to discover the literary world, and of course, my humble place in it. The year: 1492, and I’m Christopher Columbus, sailing across the ocean on the Santa Maria, out to discover a brave new world (Americas), only I don’t have wooden dentures, I’m not wearing a white wig that covers my frilly bangs, no leggings and there aren’t any West Indies inhabitants enslaved below deck on my voyage. Okay, maybe my journey isn’t so similar … but the choppy waters I’m enduring have made me want to vomit a time or two. But like I’m sure Chris did during his reign, I’m choosing to stay positive and keep my eye on the prize … without enslaving anyone. Anyhoo… Can you believe it’s already the middle of MARCH??? OMG! It was just Black History Month and then New Years before that. I can actually layout some days in my backyard … well, if I didn’t have so much to do like getting my book out to the readers of the world. Not an easy feat for a self-published author, but not totally impossible either. Still… (A mini rant coming) I am so thankful to be alive and even better doing something I love to do: write novels and screenplays, teleplays, lyrics and poems… you get the picture. Some people, some I know personally, haven’t been able to take this New Year for granted like a lot of us have. You never know when something bad hits your life out of nowhere and you lose a leg or something … all I’m saying is I feel blessed to be alive. Now, back to our regular scheduled programming: discovering being discovered! So, the joy I’ve been basking in seeing my book (ebook & paperback) on Amazon and Createspace has been tremendously fulfilling, and I’ve even sold some books (Wahoo!) that means somebody out there in the world is walking around with my ebook on their Kindle Fire or ipad Pro or perhaps my cute paperback tucked underneath an armpit or school backpack or designer handbag, on there way to Starbucks to get a Mocca Swiss Latte and a bit of light reading in on their day off … wow, I like days off. Look mom! I made it! If I was in Hollywood this would be the equivalent to booking my first TV gig (An actual speaking role on Saving Hope), but I’m still busting tables at Spargo’s, hoping to bump into Mr. Spielberg on his way to the toilet to pinch off a loaf and nothing to read … or wipe with. So anyway, I gassed up the hooptie, loaded a few boxes filled with “Perfect: The Call” (Now on sale at Amazon.com for a low price of $0.99 – go ahead, I’ll wait…), scooped up Nut Meg and his rubber ducky chew toy and set out on a road trip all over Arkansas and even parts of Oklahoma, hitting every library with a new copy of my book. And why not…? It was a beautiful sunny morning, I love how my hair feels blowing in the wind, Xzibit and Snoop Dogg blasting out my car speakers and my lead foot zipping along Highway 49, plus a cool cop detector App on my iphone 6 to keep the good vibes flowing (hey, don’t judge me, speeding tickets nowadays are stupid-crazy expensive). I got to tell you. I was both humbled and excited—or maybe it was relief that my book efforts were well received all across the land. My smile was on point, and my pitch was perfect (pardon the pun) … of course I did have on my favorite boob shirt (guarantee to make you look 2 cup sizes larger) so I don’t know, maybe I was just … lucky ;-) Either way it was a damn good day! A close friend asked me why didn’t I just mail them out like I did with my first giveaway on LibraryThing? Simple. I want to get out and greet as many librarians (true book lovers) as I could. They’re good people, and they know what readers like. Plus, any city and state beyond my 150-mile radius I just slipped a note and dropped a fresh copy at USPS (also good people). So I finally made it home near evening time and another close friend of mind (not quite a boyfriend but more than a booty call and Call To Duty teammate) treated me to a cordial dinner at Applebee’s across from the mall in Fayetteville (what can I say, I’m a low maintenance gal) then I called it a night with someone special licking my toes for dessert … I mean Nut meg, silly, get your dirty mind out of the gutter! This isn’t a Playboy blog. Anyway, I told you last time about my very first giveaway over at LibraryThing.com and it was a major success. I even had one recipient from Florida give me uplifting words with a good review both on the site, a personal message and then on Amazon.com (of course another one trashed it so I’m somewhat conflicted … not really. Forty-eight to go.) So, I had over 250 requests for one of fifty paperbacks. Talk about making ones day. Most of the request selected where from the good ole U.S of A (good looking out), but a few where from Canada (good day, eh!), and the UK (ello gov’ner), but remarkably I had some requests from Pakistan, Singapore, Spain, Algeria, Denmark, and Indonesia! Wahoo!!! I sent them all out. Some of the addresses where a little out of the ordinary (American ordinary that is:-O) but I think I got it right. So please be looking out for those packages. I didn’t autograph the books but I wrote a nice little ‘thank you’ note to show my appreciation :) I hope the others who won a book from me were true book lovers and not just some ‘wannabe critic’ looking to make a name for themselves by proving they can be a hardass who can trash a new book and not write one better ;) ANYHOO… Oh yeah, Umroh from Indonesia, I’ve never seen a street with 15 words in the address before, but I wrote it as it appeared. And Naseer from Pakistan, I was curious if your address was ‘Near Universitry Road’ or if that was apart of the actual address. Cool address anyway. As long as you get the package I sent then it’s all good. Plus… With the first book of my series being read by some book lovers I decided to do it again on Goodreads, only I’m just doing 10 this time and it’ll only be for the US and Canada. I wish I could send them around the world, that would be awesome but overseas postage gets expensive pretty damn quick, so… maybe book two (which is freakin’ good if you ask me!). Seriously, if you’re feeling book one I think you’re going to like book two. So get ready for it. Not to mention the movie adaptations are pretty hot too. But back to Goodreads… (wow! 154 request so far… I’m humbled.) I feel a little more timid this go around being the crowd tends to be younger and a bit more volatile with regards to their reviews in some retrospect. But, hey, if you want to play with the big dogs, I guess you have to kill your fears of being bitten by pissy fleas, right? ;) I’ll keep you posted as my journey progresses. Stay with me. Oh, yeah, follow me on twitter. @ScarletDvore (if you want to talk, hit me up. Thank you!) |
AuthorI love writing fiction, screenplays and playing Call of Duty online at 4am in the morning! Archives
July 2018
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