tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20741770511683498332024-03-14T01:58:41.083-06:00Crystal's Lemonade StandWhen life gives you lemons - make lemonade.Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.comBlogger371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-33426073611886106972023-03-27T13:09:00.004-06:002023-03-28T11:10:03.085-06:00Poodles and Cosmic Horror? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X0AQO8hRBnuvm4bFQYH1QUMg9mHlMCemEJmiu52GOBJdedjJOW0fUSscW2IVx49lPM3yYkTLnyZaXmQuDKy_Oy-2IXlaCbHbkRF5ULha80sq0VtEo5VnsnpPElOUhF7DMsyjTey26W131Flw4Gi4bDngA_MjrxWftt5u_Tp3mqkkL4HA0IpVrG3k/s960/304775769_10166482466945527_2256999272653060130_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="953" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X0AQO8hRBnuvm4bFQYH1QUMg9mHlMCemEJmiu52GOBJdedjJOW0fUSscW2IVx49lPM3yYkTLnyZaXmQuDKy_Oy-2IXlaCbHbkRF5ULha80sq0VtEo5VnsnpPElOUhF7DMsyjTey26W131Flw4Gi4bDngA_MjrxWftt5u_Tp3mqkkL4HA0IpVrG3k/w199-h200/304775769_10166482466945527_2256999272653060130_n.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>You may wonder what in the world poodles and cosmic horror have in common. It's certainly not the most typical combination. Unless, of course, you're some who loves their poodles as much (if not more) than you love writing. <p></p><p>Hi, that's me. I'm sure if you follow me on any social media you know that my dogs are my life beyond writing. I show them, I groom them, and they are my everything. A fan favourite is Fred, my youngest standard poodle. </p>She's got a lot of personality that comes through with nearly every picture and certainly every video I make of her. <p></p><p>So, when I was struggling for an idea to write a short story influenced by the work of H.P. Lovecraft, I searched for inspiration where I could find it. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTY8-6CIcJxyqZo2pBOtgRur6JpLM3aCA2UnQekSxC8uEtgXVXCo5rxOoxhGNf6LIwnRvH51K45xaSPoR0NZu0qlTn1z8u0PwbRVCkdaspymDg4abOzyRKbYtZ5XprNbzPfh2AaL0pnhuVrVCm-ueUO6nHWn2G1U-COhT2a5cciEVCl940wvRKPx4D/s500/5199UNwmuZL.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTY8-6CIcJxyqZo2pBOtgRur6JpLM3aCA2UnQekSxC8uEtgXVXCo5rxOoxhGNf6LIwnRvH51K45xaSPoR0NZu0qlTn1z8u0PwbRVCkdaspymDg4abOzyRKbYtZ5XprNbzPfh2AaL0pnhuVrVCm-ueUO6nHWn2G1U-COhT2a5cciEVCl940wvRKPx4D/w150-h200/5199UNwmuZL.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>And I found it in Fred. <p></p><p>Now, I won't ruin the surprise of the story because I am happy to announce that it has been published in an anthology by <a href="http://www.jayhenge.com" target="_blank">JayHenge Publishing</a>!</p><p>The story is titled 'Dog Gone God'. It features Fred in all her wonderful, sassy and sweet glory, and a<br /> creative groomer who got in way over her head. If you want to find out how a standard poodle, a creative grooming competition, and cosmic horror go together then you'll have to pick up the anthology: <a href="https://books2read.com/zadokallen" target="_blank">The Nameless Songs of Zadok Allen: & Other Things that Should Not Be </a></p>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-25682715521893949752023-03-16T10:33:00.004-06:002023-03-16T10:33:32.777-06:00Burnout is a Bitch<p> If you had read my last post at all, you probably had a good guess at what was coming. Heck, I knew what was coming and I ran head first into it anyway.</p><p>Everything came to a full stop and I was simply doing my best to make it through each day as it came. I was exhausted and, even when I tried to create, little to nothing came out. It was terrible, it was frustrating and... was is past tense. If I am being honest with myself, I am still sitting the tip of the tail from that flaming crash. </p><p>I'm trying hard to find my way back to everything. To my podcast, my writing, my editing. It's hard. And, in the fashion of being me, I added new things to my life still. Including playing D&D and trying my hand at digital art.</p><p>Last night, actually, was my first attempt at really using my new drawing tablet. I have a very sketchy style of drawing because I tend to have a habit of drawing with ballpoint pens on scrap paper most of the time. </p><p>I'm sure, with practice, I will improve and find a way that works for me, but for your amusement here is my first less than an hour of trying. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfjK2Ze3QI77bULYBH3RKNdNMRhMXHTvC9Igmwbmdp0gyLw-QtD0-AjwGkfoqOOrnWHXrCUYG9TRQvtjIc4r9qUDSk2RFGsX89dpXyAlb0ml6-AMDmttGuqp0yeCJWnejMdmUdGkm8hE95KNZSLH9KJbFxLxYHdAuhQwtuQHCcRFtx8ThZOuUdUYb/s506/fredsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="506" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfjK2Ze3QI77bULYBH3RKNdNMRhMXHTvC9Igmwbmdp0gyLw-QtD0-AjwGkfoqOOrnWHXrCUYG9TRQvtjIc4r9qUDSk2RFGsX89dpXyAlb0ml6-AMDmttGuqp0yeCJWnejMdmUdGkm8hE95KNZSLH9KJbFxLxYHdAuhQwtuQHCcRFtx8ThZOuUdUYb/s320/fredsketch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This was the very first thing that I attempted to draw by myself. <p></p><p>It's supposed to be Fred and, those that have seen a lot of pictures of her actually realized it was her. So, all-in-all, not a complete failure, but it could have been better. </p><p>I also tried a side profile of her head, but I didn't really like that at all which is why I am not sharing it here. </p><p>One thing I noticed was that this style of drawing on the tablet would make a pretty feather, so that was what I did next.</p><p>I liked how the feather turned out well enough to then see what colouring a drawing would be like with the new tablet and art program. I liked how that turned out, but I wanted it better blended. With a little bit of a look around, I figured out how to blend well enough. </p><p>And below the progress of my feather:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFXEQP8jf9rziq1NJIOgcUlarcrZvuCzRBfU9VxFU_AEuZYmyMR3bDn4N0L22vWHrudEM_jNLMtJiNrGXfm4lKc2oYy2MRwXtjD8xj3-xPb-gzteSeJxE0ljM7mjBY4ZpoK7xjG5RO2YdVt7aYLFmSGiXRZHRxbaFQ8bA6e4O1-cqXQPvyQZHBAFW/s662/feather1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFXEQP8jf9rziq1NJIOgcUlarcrZvuCzRBfU9VxFU_AEuZYmyMR3bDn4N0L22vWHrudEM_jNLMtJiNrGXfm4lKc2oYy2MRwXtjD8xj3-xPb-gzteSeJxE0ljM7mjBY4ZpoK7xjG5RO2YdVt7aYLFmSGiXRZHRxbaFQ8bA6e4O1-cqXQPvyQZHBAFW/s320/feather1.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxDYcM7dQdGX6BpSntLKzHk-MOYv8AmhgEBYdBtsvNwirw5E9Y9uLhNMmUNrHNiAFzzdzbeoXwG07rIYLNgvbJB6LDS_NsAmzvvNAuLycLK5Y2INrsaRpHDbzCr85OnQs2kGx6kkYiEJq6lKKbkHMBjXlyPfwoiVjdjut1VgOzD9XALGaOlCZiLuY/s688/feather2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxDYcM7dQdGX6BpSntLKzHk-MOYv8AmhgEBYdBtsvNwirw5E9Y9uLhNMmUNrHNiAFzzdzbeoXwG07rIYLNgvbJB6LDS_NsAmzvvNAuLycLK5Y2INrsaRpHDbzCr85OnQs2kGx6kkYiEJq6lKKbkHMBjXlyPfwoiVjdjut1VgOzD9XALGaOlCZiLuY/s320/feather2.jpg" width="144" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6bawtXOFAAQAWUyLgf7FMnwRsE7i4sux36Hun9A4En14w2enyAoXhug6CSA1fGqRz81PcX0lM4tTes39R1w-_E6NeAhOe_RLtaEg4TXSg-HYkdA_O6Ess6MRNNLHis-V064xMnOZaTaZXFmsTjQlyHeyCE8TXD2MSb3RhpiKacZGxkmj6d5wUDw8/s644/feather%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6bawtXOFAAQAWUyLgf7FMnwRsE7i4sux36Hun9A4En14w2enyAoXhug6CSA1fGqRz81PcX0lM4tTes39R1w-_E6NeAhOe_RLtaEg4TXSg-HYkdA_O6Ess6MRNNLHis-V064xMnOZaTaZXFmsTjQlyHeyCE8TXD2MSb3RhpiKacZGxkmj6d5wUDw8/s320/feather%203.jpg" width="161" /></a></div></div><br />Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-49397352979331607482022-09-15T13:22:00.006-06:002022-09-15T13:45:37.524-06:00Where Have I Been? Well...<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm8f2WNrM2qySTQ_wgQFDBMLfTMOHM73UDW3bvntk2F-qGvfxudfw-SSdELUIszUnHgBXB9pCAxAu2wuBGs3ZNTK_AJDn5BdnTfoi68iCWsXNHwG7APHh6VTBpwqV1FBF4X6ODUa1LlPSRYXOcmmWsbLXA15LwGmy6Z87r5Wkzqvw0BEqsip5Ld3o/s2048/treblerecent.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm8f2WNrM2qySTQ_wgQFDBMLfTMOHM73UDW3bvntk2F-qGvfxudfw-SSdELUIszUnHgBXB9pCAxAu2wuBGs3ZNTK_AJDn5BdnTfoi68iCWsXNHwG7APHh6VTBpwqV1FBF4X6ODUa1LlPSRYXOcmmWsbLXA15LwGmy6Z87r5Wkzqvw0BEqsip5Ld3o/w150-h200/treblerecent.jpg" title="Treble" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Treble turned 8 years old<br />during the chaotic events</i></span><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I am only posting this because I took the time to break down the events of the last three weeks. Well, not even quite three weeks because that would be 21 days worth of events and all of this happened in only 18 days.<br />Sadly, this has been a good example of life for the last few months more or less. Though the last almost three weeks took things to an extreme. However, there has ALWAYS been something going on, some sort of demand on my time almost constantly.<br /><p></p><p> </p><p><b>Day 1 </b>- Drive 6 hrs to Saskatoon because I can't get the time off to leave for the dog show early because my supervisor has time booked off. My friend needs to groom our other friend's dog for the show. I <i>can </i>groom my own dog for show, but our other friend does not. <br /><br /><b>Day 2</b> - Help groom or get ready to be groomed 4 show dogs. Drive 6 hrs back home, arrive a little late and slightly wired so I need to calm down.</p><p><b>Day 3 - 5</b> - Back to work! Extra long hours because my boss has booked days off! Day 5 is Wednesday and despite everyone knowing I had to drive 6 hrs after work that day and that I needed to be in Saskatoon before midnight or I would need to sleep in my car on the side of the road, one of my coworkers threw a fit and walked out before the work was done. <br />Somehow, I still make it Saskatoon before midnight.<br /><br /><b>Day 6 - 11</b> - I get up the next morning nice and early to drive to the dog show at a city over an hour <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkeA7IThB5wtPzWTWxkLpJlNYVI2-KroQTaOba9Eq7RrB7uPjdkmslu2UQ8kYeb2wovwtvyaYShe7WgzEP9PL5onc63_iCXb9iiFMk4anSVyuhxQOqRuK1rdjmvj_uz7kSj_cw3H62RTChFRui5tiXjgRYlvW4N0S_o1fqmpWv0nXyeNQLhLTVoOz/s960/304775769_10166482466945527_2256999272653060130_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="953" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkeA7IThB5wtPzWTWxkLpJlNYVI2-KroQTaOba9Eq7RrB7uPjdkmslu2UQ8kYeb2wovwtvyaYShe7WgzEP9PL5onc63_iCXb9iiFMk4anSVyuhxQOqRuK1rdjmvj_uz7kSj_cw3H62RTChFRui5tiXjgRYlvW4N0S_o1fqmpWv0nXyeNQLhLTVoOz/w199-h200/304775769_10166482466945527_2256999272653060130_n.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fred and I at the dog show</span><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />north. That day and the next four days are all dog show days. While not extremely busy, and somewhat enjoyable, I am sleeping on a couch, they are long days and a bit hard on the body. Day 11 should now be Tuesday, where I drive home, but not straight home. <br />You see, I am getting good enough at grooming my own dogs that I am finally getting a new pair of scissors. My first new pair that I've ever bought for myself. It's very exciting, but it also means a stop well off my normal route and, therefore, a much later time to get home. I do get home at a half decent time, but still rather late. I also come home to find that something is not right with my fridge.<br /></p><p><b>Day 12 - 14</b> - My boss has called in sick (and she was, in fact, quite sick). Though there is an option to work from home, she didn't exercise this option. It was very busy at work. I get home Wednesday night and attempt to fix my fridge. No luck. I'm going to need to buy a new one. Thursday after work, I go to the store and find a new fridge. In the end, I don't get home until 10 pm that night. I get myself packed and ready to leave for Saskatoon all over again. I have something far more than a dog show to attend to this time<br />Friday they deliver my fridge, thankfully my friend and part-time roomie was there to get it all set up for me since I wasn't going to be going home. Instead, she met me at my office, we drop my dogs off at a friends place and away to Saskatoon we went. This time, I booked a hotel so when we got at midnight, I didn't have the concerns that I would wake someone up by arriving too late. <br /><br /><b>Day 15 - 16</b> - I wake up at 530 am thanks to wonderful internal alarm clock. <i>I hate this about me some days.</i> I cannot get back to sleep. Thankfully, this day isn't packed or overly hard. I take my nephew to his football game. It's the first time I've ever been able to attend. Seriously, guys, I almost cried I was so happy to just BE there. <br />Then comes the reason we are really there. To move my bestie out of her wife's house. It was very sad. There was no anger or stress that way, but when she was off of work, away we went to take one load before heading out to dinner with some friends. We spend the night in the new room my friend is renting until she finds a place.<br />I can't get comfortable. I don't fall asleep. I'm exhausted. <br />It's Sunday, Day 16, that we do the rest of the moving. I was unaware that "bring tools" was meant to include a drill. So, I ended up strong arm screwing a TV support into the wooden wall stud. Guys, this is NOT an easy task, but I got those screws most of the way in. It's late and time for another 6 hr drive home. <br />Let me be clear, I do NOT begrudge my friend needing my help in this way. This was important. I wanted to help her, but I was so exhausted that my roomie who came with me took one look at me and said "You are not driving half of this, you look like death." So, we grabbed some food and she drove the 6 hrs back home. She wanted me to rest, but I want to make one thing very clear. I struggle to fall asleep in moving vehicles. This was no exception. We get home at 12:30am and I shuffle my ass straight to bed.</p><p><b>Day 17</b> - Hello, 530 am. It's time for work. I am exhausted. I grab food from my fridge and head off to work. I am beyond exhausted. My core body temperature is dropping and as the day progresses I get colder and colder. I wrap myself up in four blankets, I take a break a lunch and try to have a nap. It's a late night. By the time I get home, my stomach is a bit crampy and I attribute it to possibly eating something wrong on the weekend. Some gluten contamination. <br />It's a late night at work, but my boss left at 530 because she had to pick her daughter up from the after-school program. I am beyond tired. It's 730 pm by the time I get home with my dogs. I picked them up after work, because I wasn't waking my friend up at midnight to get them. Home I go and feed my puppers and I go straight to bed with no supper. </p><p><b>Day 18 - </b>I realize on waking that it wasn't gluten hurting my insides. It was a mild case of food poisoning. It was not a kind morning, but I still go to work. I work another late one. Once again, the boss left at 530 to pick her daughter up. I don't want to begrudge her that, but I seriously still need some rest. My insides, by the end of the day, are feeling better. Finally, I get to actually LOOK at my new fridge. My roomie hadn't returned to check on her dad yet and had made me some dinner. It was great. I was still tried and went to bed early, but not too early. It was my first chance to just really sit and snuggle my dogs.</p><p><b>I am not officially including Day 19</b> - because this is Wednesday. Yesterday, as of writing this. Things have finally slowed a bit. Well, maybe by my standards, but perhaps not by anyone else's. My boss had to take her daughter to swimming and left at 5pm. I worked until 630 pm before rushing home for the poodle club meeting. My roommate had left for her other residence (where she helps to keep an eye on her father) and the house was mine. After the meeting, I prepped my meals for the next day. Made some grilled cheese and called myself done for the night. <br /><br />So, where have I been? Well..<br /><br />you just got a snapshot of some the craziest days of the last while. <br /></p>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-27263490485365589332022-01-12T09:50:00.001-07:002022-01-12T09:50:20.112-07:00Review: Never Say You Can't Survive by Charlie Jane Anders<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF0y3epo6NrbIFOgkpd9B9p3-0G97MvZomWhEjD3hjuo5BqcA0RTAqWbFum4-EefA1Uk4xt6bd5PINUeq6tOfRuxXMITTXaZNgGdjBdhKwC7bhnvDet0F9cl7R_D022Hx8Ek0dd6lP4ecXuCuqENGYTPr8q-MXmCPrnbBZhHqCxcvPNsr4Y6jCWYV_=s600" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF0y3epo6NrbIFOgkpd9B9p3-0G97MvZomWhEjD3hjuo5BqcA0RTAqWbFum4-EefA1Uk4xt6bd5PINUeq6tOfRuxXMITTXaZNgGdjBdhKwC7bhnvDet0F9cl7R_D022Hx8Ek0dd6lP4ecXuCuqENGYTPr8q-MXmCPrnbBZhHqCxcvPNsr4Y6jCWYV_=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></div>Have you ever felt a little insecure about your writing? Life beating you down a bit and it's impacting your writing life? Having trouble focusing on the story that you think you need to write? <br /><p></p><p>Then this book is for you. Seriously. </p><p>This next post was supposed be about my recent struggles with mental health and imposter syndrome, but when I finally got my copy of this book from the library, I knew that this would be a far better post than my own ramblings. </p><p>I don't know about you, but when life is hard my writing tends to
suffer. That was the reason this book got recommended to me in the first
place. In fact, I am still struggling, but this post isn't about me. This is about Never Say You Can't Survive by Charlie Jane Anders and why I honestly think every writer who has ever struggled at any point should read or listen to this book. </p><p>This book gave me the lift that I so seriously needed at this moment. Charlie Jane Anders interjects her own personal anecdotes and writing journey that really made me feel as though I am not alone in my journey or struggle. It's these anecdotes that really will draw you into this book in a way that many other writing advice books often lack. </p><p>That are many incredible nuggets of extreme wisdom that any writer at any stage of their writing career can cling to before we even get to the nuts and bolts portion of this book.</p><p>So, about the nuts and bolts section? Well, the author has some wonderful insights on how to make things work and she gives new ways to look at things in the most common sense language. She gives wonderful and entertaining examples as well that work for both pantsers or plotters. (And if I am being honest, a lot of writing advice isn't always targeted for pantsers).</p><p>Her personal anecdotes continue along the way as well from throughout her life and experience. She's not only talking about how she did it in her books. Every story she tells really helps to give a lot of relatable content to lend context to the writing advice.</p><p>To be honest, I could go on about why this book is great, but mostly if you write—whether your goal is to publish or not—this is a book I think you need to read or listen to (bonus: audio is narrated by the author herself). This is a book where, no matter whatever you on your writing journey or where you want to go with it, you will find things here that help and resonate with you and make you feel a bit better about your writing journey. <br /></p><p>As an addendum, this book is super 2SLGBTQIA positive. I would be remiss in my duties as a reviewer if I didn't mention this wonderful bonus and there is writing advice in relation to this topic as well as in regards to being a part of any marginalized community. Trust me when I said it made my little heart soar to have these things included.</p><p>Overall, when it comes to writing advice in these troubled times, I say this is the book to read.<br /></p>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-69825956235471545822021-12-01T08:41:00.004-07:002021-12-01T08:41:37.505-07:00Christmas Cancer Cut Fundraiser<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY8Vg2-s_j7RhiDmC4bWSjFvlCD_FDCcWRKxhvi_O8YrWD8zQRw52bdRPhk7J016_liuzKyHEhSyV6Qwnms0YIfLKTWwRXzuBbTFwvjViHuCk7BZ2gziWinq0DW8dTfQx25OwJoaoWKs/s1200/FFAVCRUVgAIpyOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY8Vg2-s_j7RhiDmC4bWSjFvlCD_FDCcWRKxhvi_O8YrWD8zQRw52bdRPhk7J016_liuzKyHEhSyV6Qwnms0YIfLKTWwRXzuBbTFwvjViHuCk7BZ2gziWinq0DW8dTfQx25OwJoaoWKs/s320/FFAVCRUVgAIpyOP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <b>Guys, I am shaving my head for cancer.</b><p></p><p>That's the most important thing you need to know besides the link to donate. Which is right here: <a href="https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/christmas-cancer-cut/" target="_blank">https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/christmas-cancer-cut/</a></p><p>So, why am I shaving my head? Well, it takes a lot of hair and $2000 to make one wig for a child with cancer. I have a lot of hair, not enough to make a whole wig, but enough to make a good dent in the process. So, I am shaving it as a part of donating it to <a href="https://www.acvf.ca/angel-hair-for-kids" target="_blank">Angel Hair for Kids</a>. An organization here in Canada that makes these wigs. </p><p>If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok, you'll get to see the before and after photos from all those luxurious locks in that image to shaved to bald. </p><p>If you can donate for this cause, please do. If you can't, please share so that I can make or exceed my goal. </p><p>Thank you. <br /></p>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-73479205147960891492021-09-08T13:44:00.007-06:002021-09-08T13:48:52.562-06:00Review: Lucid Book 1: REM World Trilogy by L.R. Evans<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zs5LR1yE4E6pDQEKpG0F1IoW6zVVUEIkAIXg5MpFElBpEfuiUUz65vfkVFSt3jF-571op4f9BkXx-_bD67lP0lqGmeYsBuY5HKT0_OGWQE-IOFdG0HIWOGs63_hd7vCqml2PzhO6RPI/s2000/58212682.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1323" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zs5LR1yE4E6pDQEKpG0F1IoW6zVVUEIkAIXg5MpFElBpEfuiUUz65vfkVFSt3jF-571op4f9BkXx-_bD67lP0lqGmeYsBuY5HKT0_OGWQE-IOFdG0HIWOGs63_hd7vCqml2PzhO6RPI/w213-h320/58212682.png" width="213" /></a></div>When I read the author's logline for this book on Twitter, '<i>An angsty gay funeral director must stop a bubbly male escort from joining an immortal tyrant</i>', I expected something completely different than what I got. I am thoroughly NOT disappointed, and what I read matches well with the tagline on the cover of the book, '<i>Dreams are real and they can kill you</i>'. With the logline, I had expected a more humorous tale than the story that delivered more in line with the tagline. I tried my best to not go into this book with too many expectations when the author approached me for a review. My only hesitation at the time is one that might cause hesitation for others: it's a big book.<br /><br />And, of course, if you follow me on Twitter, you already know that I am a very busy person.<br /><br />Lucid gives you an intriguing and often action-packed first half. It flows smoothly and strongly, slowly revealing the mysteries and intrigue of this new world we find ourselves in called REM World. It's a fascinating place and Evans does an incredible job of laying the groundwork of the world-building without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details. It flows beautifully.<br /><br />The character development is wonderful, bolstered by glimpses into our contemporary world which often adds to the intrigue of the story that is being delivered to us in REM World. It's a beautiful jigsaw puzzle that, in certain instances, gives us wonderful insight in retrospect.<br /><br />One thing about this story that gave me a small issue is that about the midpoint of the story, I found myself expecting that we were wrapping up already for the next book. It felt like a setup for what should have been book two. However, what came in the second half of the book would have been lacking if separated from the first half. So, I understand why this was one larger book instead of two slightly smaller books. To be honest, I wouldn't have minded the chance to spend MORE time in this world. It really is a good story.<br /> <br />In my opinion, the mid-point lull in action which serves the purpose of building up to the second half of Lucid dragged on a bit too long. It was a necessary setup, but a part of me wishes it could have been a bit shorter. I also wonder if Evans had treated the book a bit like two books combined as I have sometimes seen. Lucid Part 1 and Lucid Part 2 (subtitles optional) to make the transition in the story easier for readers to adjust to. Other than one or two clichéd phrases, this is probably one of my two biggest critiques.<br /><br />In the second half of Lucid, the mysteries have become less about the world and more focused on the relationships between the characters. While the first part of the book was significantly more plot-driven—this is what I mean about a shift between the first and second halves of the book. It provided plenty of tense moments and the revelations provided really gave a new perspective to the first half. In this second half of the book, we are also given the chance to see more of the contemporary—well historical to us—waking world of our main character.<br /><br />This second part really dragged me into love the our MC, Julian. It was also so incredibly heartbreaking and hard. Evans didn't shy away from dealing with some major LGBTQ+ issues and, not to give anything away, also presents an honest trans and poly positive narrative in this second bit. It made my heart sing. There is nothing I love more than to see representation.<br /><br />As the story culminates toward the final battle, we still have a few surprises left to discover. I won't spoil the ending for you. I hate spoilers in reviews. I try to never do them, however, the end of the book did leave me with a few mixed feelings. Do not get me wrong, I really liked Lucid and I am excited to find out what happens in the next book, but I am also a bit worried. How it ended left me wondering about a few major plot issues--including a certain critical plot point that isn't generally something that bothers me, but that one is too big of a plot point to even mention here.<br /><br />As per usual, I read the back-cover blurb after the fact and I will say that Evans summed a huge part of the second half in one sentence "A harrowing journey of self-destruction, addiction, grief, trauma, and healing." This is what made it a hard, but worthy read because everything was handled so well.<br /><br />If you love honest LGBTQ stories that give you a new way of looking at things and if you aren't tied rigidly to the expected story structures and genre conventions, you will like this story. You might even love it because there is so much to love. This was such a close call to being a five-star review for me and I really wish I could so with integrity, however, the two major issues I had did bring it down to a four-star which means this is still a good novel and worthy of your time and attention.<br /><br />I cannot wait to see what Evans does in the next book. <br /><p></p>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-19987676062119383842021-08-23T09:48:00.006-06:002021-08-23T09:48:57.213-06:00Review: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvK-UVMu_LBSg542C0UezUX-FnDpmIPXWfzqnoYWaT4iKKkd6LpK90grJZG5yvRkjJ08gv2fgB1b1V3CXGbq9aghny2LcTX4rsV_4dRcbG53EicUkYGamZ4JReE6eRz_Jb20Q38DO1yQ/s475/32805475._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvK-UVMu_LBSg542C0UezUX-FnDpmIPXWfzqnoYWaT4iKKkd6LpK90grJZG5yvRkjJ08gv2fgB1b1V3CXGbq9aghny2LcTX4rsV_4dRcbG53EicUkYGamZ4JReE6eRz_Jb20Q38DO1yQ/s320/32805475._SY475_.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /> Do you ever hear a book get recommended to people so often that you just had to pick it up? Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is that book. I've been hearing about for a long time and I finally got around to buying only to not have time to actually read it. Thank god for libraries loaning audiobooks because, although, I own a paperback copy of this book (which I recommend), I listened to the audiobook due to my time restraints.<br /><br />The reason I recommend getting the paperback is not simply because of the worksheets, those are provided as a PDF with the audiobook (when purchased), but because this is something you will want to refer back to. There is a lot of information to unpack in these pages and one readthrough will not be enough for most of us to take it all in. <br /><br />So, what makes this a five-star rating from me for a writing book? <br /><br />Well, this book didn't just go into to detail about the structure ideas that they are setting before you, but gives you well broken-down and explained examples of what they are talking about. They are also upfront and clear about any book spoilers that are going to happen in every chapter. And, for the record, they give examples from a lot of books, some of which you may be familiar with and some you may not be. There was at least one book a chapter that I already knew the vague plot of and this was great for me to be able to understand even better what they were trying to teach me. <br /><br />Another thing to hold up high is the very fact that they say these are not hard and fast rules. There is wiggle room. This, at the beginning of the book, when they were going over the 15 beats in a standard structure, made me happy because one thing I've learned well in my years as a writer and editor is that there is NO one true way. Nothing in this industry is a one-size-fits-all solution and that *is* acknowledged in this book. <br /><br />Okay, getting down to the specifics: does the 15 beat structure and the 3 must-haves per (their) genre type make sense and are they usable for most writers? <br /><br />I believe the answer to this question is, yes. I think there is enough inherent flexibility within this layout to make the suggestions and advice offered within this book useful for the vast majority of writers out there. Whether you plot in detail or make it up as you go (or somewhere in-between), there is a lot in here that will really help you structure your novel better. Even if you have been writing for a long time and don't really struggle with structure, you might find this book a bit eye-opening. <br /><br />And as a bonus? It even helps with the difficult one-sentence pitch lines that so many still struggle with.<br /><br />So who should read this book? Anyone with a vested interest in the writing industry and not just the writer themselves. I think editors and reviewers will also benefit from giving this book their time. <br /><p></p>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-54816705658134052332021-07-20T08:42:00.001-06:002021-07-20T08:42:07.474-06:00Cover Wars and MORE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Xzp_iiYg-4WbYkQnW5PTb_nB4RXAdw0qua5nN2eSjIHE61Pcfqv2tqQepfryDltwoRAuESCMNXuBsymGU_De4JIRkse6t1H34AzKsbofYPF6U-98CAg740t7BeQHhdldR3ZP-hYCK9Q/s2048/ebook-Falling+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Xzp_iiYg-4WbYkQnW5PTb_nB4RXAdw0qua5nN2eSjIHE61Pcfqv2tqQepfryDltwoRAuESCMNXuBsymGU_De4JIRkse6t1H34AzKsbofYPF6U-98CAg740t7BeQHhdldR3ZP-hYCK9Q/w133-h200/ebook-Falling+Light.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br /> So, for the first time ever I have entered one of my covers into cover wars. Falling Light. I know I might be biased, but I think it's the best of the choices available.Of course, we also know that most people vote for their friend's book which means it's not always a fair contest in that way. <p></p><p>I would love it if you could vote in cover wars and, if you agree that mine is the best cover there, please vote for me. </p><p> Here is the link: <a href="https://authorshout.com/cover-wars/ " target="_blank">https://authorshout.com/cover-wars/ </a><br /></p><p>Other than that, just a quick update. Summer has seen me stretching myself thin with social demands and the garden. I have a lot on my plate and a lot to do which is why I've been mostly silent in blog posts because that would be one more thing to have to do. <br /></p><p>I've been loving working on my new press and have discovered a new love of formatting books. I think it's by far my favourite behind-the-scenes work when it comes to publishing. To the point that I am now offering freelance formatting for those who need it. Just drop me a line to get a quote.</p><p>Okay, back to the one million things I am working on, but one last reminder: I also now have a newsletter so if you are curious as to what I am up to, about my life, my garden and new things... then sign up by going to my website, <a href="http://crystallkirkham.com">crystallkirkham.com</a><br /></p>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-23733684355799941032021-04-21T19:36:00.000-06:002021-04-21T19:36:35.060-06:00Writing Outside the Lines <p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">When I first started writing, all
I wrote was science fiction. Year after year, I wrote science fiction until I
wrote my first mainstream novel and then found a groove in urban fantasy. Like
most creative endeavours, writing is an art. One that takes practice to
perfect. So how did a science fiction writer end up publishing various types of fantasy novels? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">Simple. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">I learned to write outside the
lines of the type of writer I thought I wanted to be. I practiced writing in
other genres and styles. I expanded my writerly horizons. I learned how to
deepen the emotional impact of my scenes by practicing romance and erotica.
Neither are genres that I want to spend a lot of time in, but they are
different style of writing than what one typically sees in most speculative
fiction genres. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">The more I dive into the world of
writing, the more I learn about what other genres can offer each other and
every genre has something to offer to writers. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">From contemporary fiction, I
learned the impact of character driven stories, from fantasy and science
fiction I’ve learned the importance of world building and overarching
storylines. Mysteries, thrillers and suspense can teach you a lot about pacing
and the importance of the little details. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">There is so much to learn that
sometimes I wonder why so many authors rigidly write and practice only a single
genre. I do know that this can work well for some people and can make them an
expert in their chosen genre, but I also believe that learning other
genres—even without the intent to write and publish in that genre—can expand
your abilities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">When I started on the journey of
learning genres, mostly it was so I could better understand what makes a genre
what it is. I didn’t go into it with the intention of actually writing these things.
I simply wanted to a better understanding. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">While I am still learning, I have
had the good fortune to help guide other writers on their journey into learning
new styles of writing, even as I learned from them about their genre. Even
something as small as writing microfiction can teach you a lot about editing
and conciseness. How to make an impact with few words. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">Writing outside the lines you have
drawn in the sand can you teach you a lot. I highly recommend giving it a try.
You never know what you might learn. </p>
Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-36966022490242767262021-01-07T15:37:00.002-07:002021-01-07T15:49:46.662-07:00Review: Sophie's Key by Jodi Jensen<div class="separator"><br /><p style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="fancybox-image" height="200" src="http://champagnebooks.com/store/1018-thickbox_default/sophie-s-key-print.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover of Sophie's Key<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>This is a novel by Jodi Jensen and published by <a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/" target="_blank">Champagne Books</a><span class="MsoHyperlink">.<br /><br /> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">It's been a while since I've done a book review. For those of you in the know, this is because of a few factors that led to me being so busy I wasn't able to find the time to read anything other than the work I was editing. Unfortunately, Sophie's Key by Jodi Jensen was a book that arrived right before all this started so it has been sitting on my bedside table waiting for me to say hello to the story contained within. <br /><br />I finally had a chance when I was stuck with a friend at the hospital while she had day surgery. It was a good book to have with me even though it is not the type of tale I would normally read. While I do write and read some romance, I am rather particular about it. I am not a fan of the insta-love trope. If you've ever read my work (any of it), you would know that I prefer stories with a dark edge to them. <br /><br />This is not that kind of story.<br /><br />Which also means that I am definitely not the target audience of this book, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't give it a fair review. A part of being a good reviewer is knowing that and still be able to review a book without the bias of that preference. So, let me tell you about this novel.<br /><br />Sophie's Key is a brilliantly written time-travel romance. There is no denying the talent with which the author crafted the book and the scenes within. Every character you encounter is well-developed, intriguing, and delightfully written. I fell in love with a couple of the side characters that were so dynamic that they almost stole the scenes!<br /><br /></span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">There is also ample evidence that Jodi did her research into the historical accuracy of the era in which our heroine, Sophie, finds herself. There is nothing that can ruin a time travel book quicker than a blatant inaccuracy. Or even a minor inaccuracy, if you're a history buff.<br /><br />And of course, this is a true blue romance. That means there are several scenes that do get rather "spicy". Once again, the talent of the writing shines in that the author does a great job of balancing the sensual prose with the physical descriptions. These scenes were neither too technical nor too flowery.<br /><br />Even though I was not the target audience, I can say that there are plenty of scenes in this story that made me laugh, wonder what was next, or simply kept me engaged. So there is no denying that this is a good book. <br /><br />My biggest critique that I do have is that I wish I had a better feel for Sophie prior to her ending up in the past. I didn't really feel like I knew her before things got turned upside down, but the facts that are relevant later in the novel are established well enough that it doesn't affect the plot line at all. So my biggest critique is rather minor in the long run. <br /><br />So, if I am not the ideal audience for this book, who is? Well, I would say this book is for readers who adore a more traditional style romance with only slight fantastical elements, or anyone who can't get enough of those good, old-fashioned, hunky cowboy heroes.</span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink"> </span></span></span><p></p><p><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">Find out more about this story and where to
purchase it here: </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://champagnebooks.com/store/blanc-de-blanc-paranormal/837-sophie-s-key-print-9781771553421.html"><span class="MsoHyperlink">http://champagnebooks.com/store/blanc-de-blanc-paranormal/837-sophie-s-key-print-9781771553421.html</span></a></span></span></span></p></div>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-80571129523054982062020-10-25T18:19:00.001-06:002020-10-25T18:19:34.640-06:00Dark Brew Press<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwozVhnjlRJV1b9KTmd4lTS1E0FwPeMLisDf_wLuwP_QTtkB5aniYtuapbOY2igdT_NLyXyAaMUjxVveNOhyPKNG1v-4Y0a0AYaIAurtIshpAxBpCDhgoZCcfs5X0cVWVTsIr7E9b0fA/s500/round-blackbg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwozVhnjlRJV1b9KTmd4lTS1E0FwPeMLisDf_wLuwP_QTtkB5aniYtuapbOY2igdT_NLyXyAaMUjxVveNOhyPKNG1v-4Y0a0AYaIAurtIshpAxBpCDhgoZCcfs5X0cVWVTsIr7E9b0fA/w200-h200/round-blackbg.png" width="200" /></a></div>For awhile now, I've been thinking about doing something more with my self-published work. However, because I was working for another publisher, I had no time to really work out my idea. <p></p><p>Until a few days ago. </p><p>I'd like to introduce you to my own publishing label, Dark Brew Press.</p><p>The name is a reflection of both me and my work. Dark fiction is my signature and dark coffee is my go to fuel for working. </p><p>For now, I will be focusing on using this label to further improve my abilities within the publishing world using my own work as the guinea pig. Once I believe I can make other people's work as profitable as mine, I will consider taking on a few select clients who write dark fiction. </p><p>I love writing, I love being able to help other authors succeed and I think this is a perfect use of my knowledge and expertise. </p><p>I am excited for all of you to join me on this exciting journey as I slowly grow and develop my own publishing imprint for dark fiction. <br /></p>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-76602340368821933132020-10-03T12:22:00.000-06:002020-10-03T12:22:33.454-06:00Not Safe For Words<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbiV3cuGfEDOUmwfUGOW27SKGU5ZckEHaK481Ay-kGcBPpgWI7z9O02pCQUXpCHwLo0HcykBMQMcAdiAoG6eBoXDAc6_ToyTiQaX7_8bbJqL61jnVEeJyMaVLl-z5p8YX9tG6YJI9zC0/s1024/nsfw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1024" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbiV3cuGfEDOUmwfUGOW27SKGU5ZckEHaK481Ay-kGcBPpgWI7z9O02pCQUXpCHwLo0HcykBMQMcAdiAoG6eBoXDAc6_ToyTiQaX7_8bbJqL61jnVEeJyMaVLl-z5p8YX9tG6YJI9zC0/w200-h131/nsfw.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>A long time ago, I had an urge to do a podcast about writing, for writers that didn't put on airs about being a fountain of knowledge or used fancy words. I wanted something that was fun, informative, and honest. Not a lot of fancy language, and something where I could be myself (as in, I swear a lot). <p></p><p>I kept putting the idea off, but it never left. I always thought I had nothing to really offer other writers and I had no clue how to do a podcast. It was a great, big scary mystery area.</p><p>As I became more known in writing circles, I started getting to do the occasional interview or podcast with others. I loved it so much, being able to talk about myself, my books, or topics I was comfortably knowledgeable about. Eventually, that devolved into the co-creation of "SQUIRREL! A Writer's Podcast" with Sam Hendricks. This was a chat style informative podcast for writers that was coupled with author interviews. (<a href="https://anchor.fm/squirrel-writers" target="_blank">You can listen here if you're curious</a>.)</p><p>It was what cemented in me two important things: I had a lot more knowledge about writing and how to be a writer than I thought I did and I actually could figure out how to do a podcast on my own.</p><p>And Not Safe For Words was born.</p><p>Throughout my years of involvement in the writing community and in publishing (both traditional and self), I have seen so many people making mistakes that might actually sabotage the career they were pursuing. None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes—myself included—but I figured that it was time to share the things I've seen and learned over the years so that others could avoid these same mistakes.</p><p>I hope those of you reading this are looking for the kind of honest and, sometimes blunt advice that I am going to be imparting on my podcast, Not Safe For Words. It will be launching in January 2021 and you'll be able to find it on most platforms where podcasts can be found and at the home of the podcast on Anchor.fm: <a href="https://anchor.fm/not-safe-for-words">https://anchor.fm/not-safe-for-words</a>.</p><p><br /></p>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-23632774231063063292020-07-03T10:53:00.004-06:002020-07-03T10:53:57.011-06:00In Memory of My Princess<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirPp_tTBPOwyZT4wWyZbhsx2OxOYhXEM-2qB3MLr9WF6nQsbq77tu0gXY-LZbcw_SN1ahm4o86frXn16smJZmsc8K0UoKcGcGYbhHaJORJ-iKlt9Ed-p3_MAKRMXg4ulS0FTXvL16sHc/s1600/IMG_20190209_093445_773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirPp_tTBPOwyZT4wWyZbhsx2OxOYhXEM-2qB3MLr9WF6nQsbq77tu0gXY-LZbcw_SN1ahm4o86frXn16smJZmsc8K0UoKcGcGYbhHaJORJ-iKlt9Ed-p3_MAKRMXg4ulS0FTXvL16sHc/s200/IMG_20190209_093445_773.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Today I had to do one of the hardest things a pet owner can do—I had to make the decision that it was time to say goodbye.<br />
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Missy was more commonly known as Princess because she ruled over the house was grace and dignity. Even the dogs feared and respected her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm203NBKdA-zzOacrsRZNZrCPrkn4F11Ry53Z5GQBWJ9OySe6o8iI7QzHTjRe7EGZYb8WaKaYR_cIKkx2N9GHYy6XfWnFAxeN6b0_Gsq5cUpKu9wjpKhf2R9PPtSTb8HbKBf2bfxQ5tOY/s1600/IMG_20180922_172831_381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm203NBKdA-zzOacrsRZNZrCPrkn4F11Ry53Z5GQBWJ9OySe6o8iI7QzHTjRe7EGZYb8WaKaYR_cIKkx2N9GHYy6XfWnFAxeN6b0_Gsq5cUpKu9wjpKhf2R9PPtSTb8HbKBf2bfxQ5tOY/s200/IMG_20180922_172831_381.jpg" width="200" /></a>I had the honour of serving this darling for pretty much my entire adult life. She was found in a dumpster in 1999. At 6 weeks old, the vet told my best friend (her original servant) that she wasn't going to make it. To put her down then.<br />
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Today, July 3, 2020, that first vet has now long been proven wrong. At 21 years old, she's lived a long time for a cat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF57ct8yuyUlfyCJ5Yf6oYjUylrE3tDx3Qk1w7JofHqSwSbS5q-HwWmc71UEnoEEELRIPF-i_GzXr7NCGdSpljY61oE0LhhA7dVkCobtmMf084SdnTwQrrm9kifrb0EVbkaR3d0G3-IOs/s1600/20191222_092444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF57ct8yuyUlfyCJ5Yf6oYjUylrE3tDx3Qk1w7JofHqSwSbS5q-HwWmc71UEnoEEELRIPF-i_GzXr7NCGdSpljY61oE0LhhA7dVkCobtmMf084SdnTwQrrm9kifrb0EVbkaR3d0G3-IOs/s320/20191222_092444.jpg" width="320" /></a>When she was still rather young, my best friend and I lived together and she chose me to be her servant for the rest of her life. Most of my adult life, she has been with me. Moving provinces, every short story or novel, she was there. Judging my words, sometimes getting the way... or occasionally just blessing my work with her mere presence.<br />
<br />
She wasn't your typical cat. She loved belly rubs, she hated other cats, but tolerated the dogs. She came when I called her, meowed at me when I sneezed. She talked to me when I came home from work—often being the first one to greet me at the door. <br />
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I know my life will never be the same without her. I hope, wherever she is, she will still bless my writing and judge my editing.<br />
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21 years was a long time... And yet, I still wish it could have been longer.<br />
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<br />Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-54486122101473961812020-06-11T10:20:00.001-06:002020-09-01T09:28:25.705-06:00The Damage of JKR's StatementOkay, before I post what is a very long post, I want to say something to those that are reading. This was written as a way to explain in basic terms why JK Rowling's statements regarding trans people and the trans community are so harmful and misleading.<br />
<br />
I did not go overly deep in detail as I could have, nor did I respond to every single statement she said. For anything I did get wrong, I apologize profusely. I also don't normally weigh in on topics like this in my blog, but this is something that is very important to me. It's why I cannot remain silent.<br />
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This entire post stemmed from one person saying that they didn't see what the fuss was about, that JKR's statement seemed rather reasonable. So, I offered to break it down. Enough people have told me that what I wrote helped them to really understand why JKR's words are such an issue and why it has the LGBTQIA+ community so angry.<br />
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There will be no pictures to break up the words this time. And to all my friends, no matter what anyone else says — I love you, I see you, I accept you.<br />
<br />
Now follows my breakdown of much of what JKR posted and my responses to it. For the full text of what was posted by JKR you can read that by <a href="https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/j-k-rowling-writes-about-her-reasons-for-speaking-out-on-sex-and-gender-issues/" target="_blank">clicking on this link</a>.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>For people who don’t know: last December I tweeted my support for Maya Forstater, a tax specialist who’d lost her job for what were deemed ‘transphobic’ tweets. She took her case to an employment tribunal, asking the judge to rule on whether a philosophical belief that sex is determined by biology is protected in law. Judge Tayler ruled that it wasn’t.</i></blockquote>
<br />
The Maya Forstater scandal began with a statement regarding the construct of gender and that, no matter how you feel, you can only be the sex you are determined to be at birth. She also infamously made the statement that trans women are only “men in dresses”.<br />
<br />
These are messages that are central to the struggle of acceptance for trans people. It is a rhetoric often used to dismiss who they are and not only comes from outside the LGBTQIA+ community, but far too often from inside the community as well. It has been a long battle for many trans people to get their identities recognized not only by those who should love them, but from those within a community where they should feel safe and free to be themselves.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>All the time I’ve been researching and learning, accusations and threats from trans activists have been bubbling in my Twitter timeline. This was initially triggered by a ‘like’.</i></blockquote>
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The ‘like’ that she is referring to is liking the comment by Maya Forstater regarding trans women being “men in dresses”. Her vocal support for Maya with the #IStandWithMaya hashtag as well as her like on that comment was the tipping point in the JKR saga. <br />
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She tweeted at the time “Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill”<br />
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A statement such as this once again, denies that trans women are women. That they are still nothing more than men in dresses. Despite her denial that she liked that men in dresses tweet by accident. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Months later, I compounded my accidental ‘like’ crime by following Magdalen Burns on Twitter. Magdalen was an immensely brave young feminist and lesbian who was dying of an aggressive brain tumour. I followed her because I wanted to contact her directly, which I succeeded in doing. However, as Magdalen was a great believer in the importance of biological sex, and didn’t believe lesbians should be called bigots for not dating trans women with penises, dots were joined in the heads of twitter trans activists, and the level of social media abuse increased.</i></blockquote>
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Okay, here the narrative leaves from the truth because her following Magdalen Berns (NOT BURNS) happened BEFORE the I stand with Maya Fiasco. As it stands though, Magdalen Burns was extremely vocal in her belief that trans women are not women. While many claimed this alone cemented her position as a TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist), others also claimed that she had not yet firmly declared her stance. <br />
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However, the question remains — why did JKR want to get in touch with her? Someone so opposed to a community (LGBTQIA+) that she claimed to support<br />
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What did cement her position as being a TERF was the tweet I quoted above that negated the identity of trans people everywhere. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I mention all this only to explain that I knew perfectly well what was going to happen when I supported Maya. I must have been on my fourth or fifth cancellation by then. I expected the threats of violence, to be told I was literally killing trans people with my hate, to be called cunt and bitch and, of course, for my books to be burned, although one particularly abusive man told me he’d composted them.</i></blockquote>
Okay, anecdotal statements aside, people were angry after her statement. This was someone who had previously claimed support for a community where part of them were now being told by someone they admired that their identity wasn’t valid. So, yes, her statement was literally killing trans people. A huge celebrity someone so many looked up to suddenly telling you and others that your identity is lie hurts to the point that there would be those on the edge of suicide who will be pushed over the edge by things like this. <br />
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Nothing like finding out your personal hero doesn’t think you are, who you are. To have their voice lent to the many voices that are already slinging hate in your direction and telling you that you are not worthy.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>What I didn’t expect in the aftermath of my cancellation was the avalanche of emails and letters that came showering down upon me, the overwhelming majority of which were positive, grateful and supportive. They came from a cross-section of kind, empathetic and intelligent people, some of them working in fields dealing with gender dysphoria and trans people, who’re all deeply concerned about the way a socio-political concept is influencing politics, medical practice and safeguarding. They’re worried about the dangers to young people, gay people and about the erosion of women’s and girl’s rights. Above all, they’re worried about a climate of fear that serves nobody – least of all trans youth – well.</i></blockquote>
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Now, here’s the thing, there are people from all walks of life who are very anti-trans — both inside and outside of the LGBTQIA+ community. Though trans people have often been in the forefront of fighting for the rights of the entire community, they haven’t and still do not consistently have community support. <br />
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In terms of “socio-political concept”, what she is referring to is the difference between gender and sex. Once again, she is placing the idea of binary sex (which is not actually a binary, but I will talk about that later) being more important than gender. She is saying once again, gender doesn’t matter as it is not important. That the bits in pieces you are born with that are used to identify your sex at birth are absolute. <br />
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Okay, going to skip a bit as it doesn’t really need to be overly address or that I have already covered and go to this interesting statement of hers…<br />
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<i>The fourth is where things start to get truly personal. I’m concerned about the huge explosion in young women wishing to transition and also about the increasing numbers who seem to be detransitioning (returning to their original sex), because they regret taking steps that have, in some cases, altered their bodies irrevocably, and taken away their fertility. Some say they decided to transition after realising they were same-sex attracted, and that transitioning was partly driven by homophobia, either in society or in their families.</i></blockquote>
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A statement like this makes her stance against transpeople seem that much more reasonable. For many people who are not trans or do not know a lot of people who are trans, this seems like a legitimate. Does it happen? Yes. Does it happen that often? Not really. <br />
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In most places to be able to transition is takes a lot of work and can be prohibitively expensive. This is not an easy process to start, and it is not the snap of the fingers change. This statement exclusively plays on the worries of the fears of those who might be on the fence regarding the legitimacy of trans people.<br />
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A lot of the stuff that follows that paragraph to support and further sway people comes from studies that take correlations as causation. A great example of correlation equals causation lines of the debunked study on vaccines causing autism. Something people still believe, but has been scientifically debunked and even retracted by the scientist who published that study. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The more of their accounts of gender dysphoria I’ve read, with their insightful descriptions of anxiety, dissociation, eating disorders, self-harm and self-hatred, the more I’ve wondered whether, if I’d been born 30 years later, I too might have tried to transition. The allure of escaping womanhood would have been huge. I struggled with severe OCD as a teenager. If I’d found community and sympathy online that I couldn’t find in my immediate environment, I believe I could have been persuaded to turn myself into the son my father had openly said he’d have preferred.</i></blockquote>
Holy cow. Yes, transgendered people have a lot of issues with dysphoria (duh, they are in a body that doesn’t align with their gender) and are often told that feeling this way is wrong, being told that they are not valid, having their identity being negated at every turn is going to lead to a lot of issues — more so if they grow up in a homophobic household. <br />
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Most people who are not dysphoric about their body are not going to go through everything just to be what someone else wanted them to be. If that were the case, a lot of trans people would not transition and just be the son or daughter that their parents want instead of being thrown out on the street. <br />
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Once again, she saying that trans people are not valid, that it is only a whim. This is something that she doubles down, relating the struggles of many women to finding their own voice and the disconnect of strong feminine voices (mentally sexless) to being the same thing as being dysphoric. <br />
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The important thing to remember here is that the dysphoria of trans people isn’t that they simply feel like another sex for a period time or, as JKR put it mentally sexless, but their entire identity is at such odds with their physical and assigned identity at birth, that they are unable feel comfortable within their own bodies. (See above comments for the mental health issues that can stem for these things, especially in repressive or homophobic environments).<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>As I didn’t have a realistic possibility of becoming a man back in the 1980s, it had to be books and music that got me through both my mental health issues and the sexualised scrutiny and judgement that sets so many girls to war against their bodies in their teens. Fortunately for me, I found my own sense of otherness, and my ambivalence about being a woman, reflected in the work of female writers and musicians who reassured me that, in spite of everything a sexist world tries to throw at the female-bodied, it’s fine not to feel pink, frilly and compliant inside your own head; it’s OK to feel confused, dark, both sexual and non-sexual, unsure of what or who you are.</i></blockquote>
This statement sums up to the fact that she is comparing the societal message fo what a woman should be as the same thing as dysphoria. These are not the same. A lot of women do struggle with the societal ideal of what a woman should be compared to who they are and how they present themselves. Being a trans person, having that dysphoria has nothing to do with “feeling like you are more feminine or masculine” compared to a societal belief of how men and women should behave, believe and look like. Yet again, here she treats sex/sexuality and gender as the same thing. They are NOT the same thing. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I want to be very clear here: I know transition will be a solution for some gender dysphoric people, although I’m also aware through extensive research that studies have consistently shown that between 60-90% of gender dysphoric teens will grow out of their dysphoria.</i></blockquote>
Breaking up this next bit because there is a lot to unpack in this paragraph. First off, if dysphoria persists past puberty (ie - TEENS) then it is likely permanent. You can find stats to support anything and a lot of people aren’t going to question numbers that authority figures throw out, especially if they are in agreeance with what is being talked about. <br />
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There are two different classifications for gender dysphoria as per the DSM and ICD, one for children and one for teens and adults, which would apply after puberty. Not all children have dysphoria that continues into puberty, this may be where the stats she pulled are based on, but I am unable to find any reliable, unbiased sources to support her claims. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Again and again I’ve been told to ‘just meet some trans people.’ I have: in addition to a few younger people, who were all adorable, I happen to know a self-described transsexual woman who’s older than I am and wonderful. Although she’s open about her past as a gay man, I’ve always found it hard to think of her as anything other than a woman, and I believe (and certainly hope) she’s completely happy to have transitioned. Being older, though, she went through a long and rigorous process of evaluation, psychotherapy and staged transformation. The current explosion of trans activism is urging a removal of almost all the robust systems through which candidates for sex reassignment were once required to pass.</i></blockquote>
Okay, next part, she is throwing the fact that she isn’t anti-trans since she has trans friends. Much in the way someone cannot be racist because they have black friends. However, notice she puts in qualifiers for why this person counts, but other people with dysphoria and who are working transitioning are not valid in her mind. Their identity must not be real by those qualifications. It’s fine for some, but most people are totally not dysphoric. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A man who intends to have no surgery and take no hormones may now secure himself a Gender Recognition Certificate and be a woman in the sight of the law. Many people aren’t aware of this</i>.</blockquote>
This is a UK thing. You can find more about the qualifications for it here (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-gender-recognition-certificate">https://www.gov.uk/apply-gender-recognition-certificate</a>), but it is not a “fill out the paperwork and you can walk around pretending you are another sex” simply as pie thing. It’s a lot more complicated and that statement is HIGHLY misleading. <br />
<br />
Okay, not copy the next few paragraphs, but the intention of these are to bring the reader who might be teetering on the edge whether or not she is being reasonable or not back into the belief that she is being perfectly reasonable. Yes, this is still a rather misogynistic world, more so in some countries than others. Not many can disagree with that. <br />
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Then she follows that up with a statement, not for pity she says, but so that you understand how terrible things have been and why she must believe as she does. Despite her words, this is designed to gain sympathy for her, if not pity. Feeling sympathetic towards someone makes you more receptive to their message — whether or not you fully agree with them. <br />
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What follows is more claiming of support for trans people and a plea of “see how reasonable I am?” a simple thing to bring the entire article to a soft and gentle close. It’s honestly a great tactic because ending anything like this on a soft note also leaves the reader feeling more sympathetic to what is being asked of them. <br />
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However, the biggest thing to note is she NEVER once takes back her statements regarding sex being the ultimate decider of who you are. She doubles down in multiple ways on gender being a mostly fake construct and that dysphoria is not a real thing for the majority of people. There is no apology, no sympathy or understanding from her on the pain she caused to those are hurt by being told that they are not who they are. <br />
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In fact, everything is focused on making you agree with her and feel sympathy for her. As an author she should know, and most likely does, the power of words and how to use them. This also means that if a community says, “Whoa there, that is really a horrible thing to say or do for those who are still actively fighting for recognition in their own community”, and she refuses to listen or apologize knowing the power of her words, but instead only focuses on herself and making an argument for her POV — then you know that her heart and sympathies are likely not with the community. <br />
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Also, she did not address her most recent controversial tweet in response to the comment “people who menstruate” in which she appeared to mock it by responding “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” <br />
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This statement really reduces being a women as only a biological process. So trans men who have not had a hysterectomy are still women, trans women cannot be women because they cannot menstruate, and of course a statement like this excludes those with genetic issues that prevent them from menstruating as well. <br />
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Okay, final comment. I mentioned early I would address the binary sex that has been a long-held opinion of people when it comes to humans. We have two sexes. Male and female. This is not true and never has been true even if you only at phenotype instead of the genetic classifications. <br />
<br />
Sex is actually a sliding scale. While there are extreme outliers that are wholly male or wholly female, and those who fall directly in the middle (known as intersex), most of us appear as a part of the sex binary but carry the genetic aspects of the opposite sex to varying degrees as well. It’s something that really shows up strongly when looking at reactions to medications that tend to affect women and men differently.<br />
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Anyway, the result is the same. Sex is not a binary, gender is not a binary and is not the same as sex. <br />
<br />
Hopefully, this makes sense and helps you understand why JKR is facing the sort of backlash regarding her comments that she is and why those in the community are still hurt and angry about her comments and opinion. Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-44084542275915846002020-05-11T15:39:00.000-06:002020-05-11T15:39:04.387-06:00Magic #13
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Recently, I hit the mark of having 13 titles in which I been listed as a
contributing or sole author and I'm rather proud of this. It's been a lot of work to get to this point, but I don't always
have time to promote all my work.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">So, here it goes, a little self-promo for
this indie author.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I’m going to start with my latest novel. </span><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Feathers and Fae</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoRX3sYRROaR8MBgx8JSsU51cc1wMubVk0jWucuGIMFipAOXeTX2HuN_6yeUExuVEm6bvMfSPA4wb4wg4z9X38IltBU7y4Icbr9pULWM4gOUBUArluFbOHrflTGCm982AuwcSqYPr5As/s1600/Feathers-and-Fae-nxez4cadz4v780y3ck63a1r314gy45i2ec4w0j881k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoRX3sYRROaR8MBgx8JSsU51cc1wMubVk0jWucuGIMFipAOXeTX2HuN_6yeUExuVEm6bvMfSPA4wb4wg4z9X38IltBU7y4Icbr9pULWM4gOUBUArluFbOHrflTGCm982AuwcSqYPr5As/s200/Feathers-and-Fae-nxez4cadz4v780y3ck63a1r314gy45i2ec4w0j881k.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">This is a <span style="text-decoration: none;">fantasy</span>
<span style="text-decoration: none;">adventure</span>
about friendship, trust, and the lies we think we need to tell. This story is
one that came as a surprise for me. I think one of my favourite things is the
landscapes that my characters get to go through. Of course, if you ask my
readers, their favourite thing is Bob the Yeti.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Read this for Bob the Yeti, if nothing else. Everyone loves Bob.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Being my first (and not last) traditionally published novel, I am exceptionally proud of this book which was picked up by <a href="http://kyanitepublishing.com/" target="_blank">Kyanite Publishing</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="https://twitter.com/canuckclick/status/1259890285124874240/photo/1"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span><i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">(<a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1949645851">https://amazon.com/dp/1949645851</a>)</span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="https://twitter.com/canuckclick"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-dc5l-HyvLhO8D2aHG8DaQTtngvcEkgxtaYA9kdAInHLR9XAccoOZ9SG0make-7TN6iMB4NwrT5RJKxyBaGSXMOx3F8w2IghRpiejT3zsVp-yjLM0cTq7B45h1tkT-TfoEyF2E2ljaE/s1600/DoDCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1007" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-dc5l-HyvLhO8D2aHG8DaQTtngvcEkgxtaYA9kdAInHLR9XAccoOZ9SG0make-7TN6iMB4NwrT5RJKxyBaGSXMOx3F8w2IghRpiejT3zsVp-yjLM0cTq7B45h1tkT-TfoEyF2E2ljaE/s200/DoDCover.jpg" width="125" /></a><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Going back in time now, the first books I ever published were self-published.
In retrospect, it may have been a mistake, but I tend to roll with my mistakes
and make the best of things. For now, this series will remain a self-published
series from the previous books to the future books that are planned. <br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BslhGrmuhn4xs1fs258FL2r9QhgEWms-guTMc_y2mygZnejCUihOZbpAlrDyYOS_ewHKqfVgVM3uM_NutGyqvW2uin0OCZ-R5DfTLazfuIwalV1VXNrsILViDRwjzsnkGdyqgaFufsQ/s1600/R2R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BslhGrmuhn4xs1fs258FL2r9QhgEWms-guTMc_y2mygZnejCUihOZbpAlrDyYOS_ewHKqfVgVM3uM_NutGyqvW2uin0OCZ-R5DfTLazfuIwalV1VXNrsILViDRwjzsnkGdyqgaFufsQ/s200/R2R.jpg" width="125" /></a><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The Saints and Sinners Series is an urban paranormal fantasy series that touches on other genres with the first book, <b>Road to Redemption</b>,
leaning towards paranormal romance and the second book, <b>Depths of Darkness</b>,
being strongly in the category of horror. </span></span></div>
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This series and these characters are dear to me since they are what started me down the road with the determination to become an author.<br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="https://twitter.com/canuckclick/status/1259890290145419264/photo/1"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Road to Redemption </span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span lang="EN" style="text-decoration: none;">(<a href="https://amazon.com/dp/152015626X"><span style="mso-field-code: " HYPERLINK \0022https\:\/\/amazon\.com\/dp\/152015626X\0022 ";">https://amazon.com/dp/152015626X</span></a>)</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Depths of Darkness </span></span><i><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">(<span style="mso-field-code: " HYPERLINK \0022https\:\/\/amazon\.com\/dp\/1726830608\0022 ";"><a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1726830608">https://amazon.com/dp/1726830608</a> </span>)</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="https://twitter.com/canuckclick"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM8FUqTb3wRvfOcAMXZfPPLLfRDFo-fjOC70hA8fG5nk37Mni0ZDxtb4ZkWaapQdBjpn5ooSdJcJCYB_zIAOAEYCkhFrZy_tnlZT7ZcSQRsI9C9EffPVwBc7LuDPtMvD6tZuMcx1nSkM/s1600/little+stories+in+a+big+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM8FUqTb3wRvfOcAMXZfPPLLfRDFo-fjOC70hA8fG5nk37Mni0ZDxtb4ZkWaapQdBjpn5ooSdJcJCYB_zIAOAEYCkhFrZy_tnlZT7ZcSQRsI9C9EffPVwBc7LuDPtMvD6tZuMcx1nSkM/s200/little+stories+in+a+big+world.jpg" width="125" /></a><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">When it comes to the next book that I want to talk about, it began when I woke up one day and decided to spend the year writing very short
stories using the #vss365 tag on Twitter for prompts. This type of story is
also known as <span style="text-decoration: none;">microfiction</span>.
Then I took my best and made a book of them titled, <b>Little Stories in a Big Universe</b>.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></i><span style="text-decoration: none;">I haven't promoted this adorable little book near as much as I should have, but if you want a little bathroom reader or something that is easy to put down and pick up, this is an ideal and reasonably priced little book.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;">(<a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1093384069/">https://amazon.com/dp/1093384069/</a>)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPk4ocAOq0sWPxGQeTq1ufyTiX8jgoffJQzV-emcfxDWugvatKrLh_mSlJpRmRlwjJNnkaFd7H-UuQFjpW0FazgmzFm6tHtcn3GCSro5NBBv87mRHONLaufWezIzzqCWqpPhPrkFDOnw/s1600/Remnants_created-by_Stephen-Coghlan_edited-by_BK-Bass-scaled-400x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPk4ocAOq0sWPxGQeTq1ufyTiX8jgoffJQzV-emcfxDWugvatKrLh_mSlJpRmRlwjJNnkaFd7H-UuQFjpW0FazgmzFm6tHtcn3GCSro5NBBv87mRHONLaufWezIzzqCWqpPhPrkFDOnw/s200/Remnants_created-by_Stephen-Coghlan_edited-by_BK-Bass-scaled-400x600.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Now, for the longest time, I was terrified of writing short stories. I didn't think I had the capacity for the brevity necessary. After working with the microfiction, I decided I needed to conquer this as well.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Thankfully, I found myself inspired by a shared-world anthology created by a fellow Canadian Author, <a href="http://scoghlan.com/" target="_blank">Stephen Coghlan</a>. This also helped me attack my fear of working in someone else's world. So, enter the <b>Remnants Anthology</b>. Published by</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="http://kyanitepublishing.com/" target="_blank">Kyanite Publishing</a></span>, this post-apocalyptic collection of stories is unique and amazing. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I can honestly say that it's an honour to be able to count myself among the authors of this anthology. </span></span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="https://twitter.com/canuckclick/status/1259890298886303744/photo/1"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></a></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;">(</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1952152062"><i>https://amazon.com/dp/1952152062</i></a>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnSja6tTs3By_Cd9B3n2cGfgE4ClRckQSF0ALH8P6baCZQ5fVoZ4rEGVGOjAS9JtOm4NHpsCcQ6s8IfX5XznMq1R2mSGSACuSw_qRn9EH9FVUiU7ccmw0aOGNd7F47rEJaf0laicRaa4/s1600/BHP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="463" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnSja6tTs3By_Cd9B3n2cGfgE4ClRckQSF0ALH8P6baCZQ5fVoZ4rEGVGOjAS9JtOm4NHpsCcQ6s8IfX5XznMq1R2mSGSACuSw_qRn9EH9FVUiU7ccmw0aOGNd7F47rEJaf0laicRaa4/s320/BHP1.jpg" width="205" /></a><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Throughout all of this, I was writing other things. The aforementioned Stephen Coghlan convinced me to
try my hand at drabbles, 100-word stories. Having never heard of such a thing before, I was eager to give it a try. These drabbles are all published with <a href="http://blackharepress.com/" target="_blank">Black Hare Press.</a></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">They are fun to write and just as much fun to read. I managed to get 5 stories in all but three books in this series of drabbles. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">It would have been nice to have been able to be in all of them, but I was in the middle of edits and launching Feathers and Fae during much of this time and I am only one person. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">You can find those published in these anthologies:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">ANGELS <a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1925809145">https://amazon.com/dp/1925809145</a> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">APOCALYPSE <a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1925809331">https://amazon.com/dp/1925809331</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTLi893nCPFDztp6WgfCJdgrs_WkWYS8qLzq1G-xp7o0xYaCcSshGOCTPxmPLRFmReSpRy2K1oTR2LYjuU3P3lxHqwTRa3PYw3w9CEzeVkAJSipssdflht6YjHUHFynVDoDqOtbraxMQ/s1600/BHP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="708" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTLi893nCPFDztp6WgfCJdgrs_WkWYS8qLzq1G-xp7o0xYaCcSshGOCTPxmPLRFmReSpRy2K1oTR2LYjuU3P3lxHqwTRa3PYw3w9CEzeVkAJSipssdflht6YjHUHFynVDoDqOtbraxMQ/s320/BHP2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">BEYOND h<a href="ttps://amazon.com/dp/1925809242">ttps://amazon.com/dp/1925809242</a></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">MONSTERS <a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1925809188">https://amazon.com/dp/1925809188</a> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">OCEANS <a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1925809625">https://amazon.com/dp/1925809625</a> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">UNRAVEL <a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1925809269">https://amazon.com/dp/1925809269</a> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">WORLDS <a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1925809366">https://amazon.com/dp/1925809366</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh712c-pZLT5u_588ot3ybf8NbFxkXuY9-vfeYATI6EowtPJM2ANOodZfWDZujtvMpgjbH4LXAcbUJYDViM7Fp2Ph2GNAwo2Jk4KzHSNQ11N4LFipQ0l3efZsTbXFo67PyutOFzfhfRlpQ/s1600/year+one.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="312" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh712c-pZLT5u_588ot3ybf8NbFxkXuY9-vfeYATI6EowtPJM2ANOodZfWDZujtvMpgjbH4LXAcbUJYDViM7Fp2Ph2GNAwo2Jk4KzHSNQ11N4LFipQ0l3efZsTbXFo67PyutOFzfhfRlpQ/s200/year+one.png" width="124" /></a></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">And outside of the drabbles
collection, there is one other book in which I have three drabbles with </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="http://blackharepress.com/" target="_blank">Black Hare Press</a></span> that
you can read along with many other incredible authors. <br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">YEAR ONE <a href="https://amazon.com/dp/1925809439">https://amazon.com/dp/1925809439</a></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://twitter.com/canuckclick/status/1259890309187567625/photo/1"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: none;">Of course, we aren't stopping at 13, nor is this where my list will stop this year. We are only halfway through and I have a few other things that I am eager to share with you as well as several stories out on submission. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJ9Kyo9Bi9ykvSls-RDKKAny18HgkUs4ClUvpO5xhMi_NJvB0LnZik25FOCVrWjkeMDOLPL32qlMQigJ4kKoFUx7I94cN3naGTDkZTDXwESTjLSVC9Vp1HutQYOI2h7cEVadoiZ0wqo/s1600/Kpress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="525" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qJ9Kyo9Bi9ykvSls-RDKKAny18HgkUs4ClUvpO5xhMi_NJvB0LnZik25FOCVrWjkeMDOLPL32qlMQigJ4kKoFUx7I94cN3naGTDkZTDXwESTjLSVC9Vp1HutQYOI2h7cEVadoiZ0wqo/s200/Kpress.jpg" width="154" /></a><span style="text-decoration: none;">Expect to see a lot more from me over the next few months. And, well, the foreseeable future as well. I love what I do. Writing, to me, is as essential as breathing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: none;">Oh, I do have one more cover that I can show you. Another short story in one of the quarterly issues of the <a href="https://kyanitepublishing.com/kyanitepress/" target="_blank">Kyanite Press</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I wrote a story that was accepted for the apocalyptic themed issue coming out in late May 2020 (yes, this month). <b>Shattered Worlds</b>. (</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="https://kyanitepublishing.com/home/catalog/kyanite-press-v2i3"><i>https://kyanitepublishing.com/home/catalog/kyanite-press-v2i3</i></a>)</span>
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<span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span><span style="text-decoration: none;">And I would love to share with you the cover for my upcoming novel, <b>Falling Light</b> which will be on preorder later this month, but it that cover hasn't been released yet.</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: none;">So, any questions? </span></div>
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<![endif]-->Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-10203333003663260612019-10-30T08:07:00.000-06:002019-10-30T08:07:16.716-06:00Review: Forgotten Storm by A.R. Vagnetti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl9V9ibWtjVv4Rt_bzRMeucyaAG-ePyqN9frWQF19WKaWMjQTpCP0_psu385Nkh977GTSuVCv8nlKv5EwC5V6HpTqrRJo3s74qH2e6Cvsuhq4dL7j3k86rxoDeDr6nJbzYhvU425kdUo/s1600/forgotten-storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl9V9ibWtjVv4Rt_bzRMeucyaAG-ePyqN9frWQF19WKaWMjQTpCP0_psu385Nkh977GTSuVCv8nlKv5EwC5V6HpTqrRJo3s74qH2e6Cvsuhq4dL7j3k86rxoDeDr6nJbzYhvU425kdUo/s200/forgotten-storm.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
This is a novel by A. R. Vagnetti and published by <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.kyanitepublishing.com/">Kyanite Publishing</a>.
I had the privilege of being able to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy)
of this entertaining novel. Find out more about this story and where to
purchase it here: <a href="https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/forgotten-storm/"><span class="MsoHyperlink">https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/forgotten-storm/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><br /> </span><br />So, as usual, I didn't do more than a quick scan of the back cover blurb before reading. One day I should learn to do that so I am not surprised by anything. Right on the Kyanite page for this novel, it says "This title contains graphic sexual content." </span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink">Oh boy, does it ever. For now, we are going to put that aside and I will get to talking about it further down. This is your one warning that I will be talking about some of the sex and related scenes later on. </span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink">Overall, this is a well-written novel with strong characters and good world-building. Nicole, our heroine, is a hell of a woman. She may be falling apart, but she's still ready to kick-ass and take names. I loved her. I was rooting for her. All the characters in this story were dynamic and strong. I had no problem getting a sense of the vast supporting cast in this novel. </span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink">You will not find much to disappoint you in the action-packed fantasy portion of the plotline. It flows beautifully and is well supported by the romantic elements. Speaking of which, I want to address that part next. If honest talk about sex or the BDSM community offends you, skip the next two paragraphs. </span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink">One of the things that always annoys me when authors touch on anything to do with BDSM is that they get it wrong. One of the most important things within this community is consent, a close second to that is open communication. </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">I was relieved to see that A.R. did make mention of this fact and is </span>represented in this novel. <br /><br />As for the sex scenes, well damn. They were high on the steam side and low on the usage of purple prose. It was also nice to see something a little different from what I'm used to seeing when I do venture into erotic romance (as it is not my typical read). So, once again, kudos to A.R. for not keeping it the straightest of vanilla. That was slightly refreshing to read.</span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink">While I went into this novel not expecting this amount of sexual content, it was appropriate for the world and society that A.R. created for the paranormal portion of the world. I definitely enjoyed reading this story and I think you might too. She did a great job and I am happy that I got a chance to read this novel. </span>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-42609875291948139182019-10-26T09:45:00.000-06:002019-10-26T09:45:20.840-06:00Guest Post: Bridging the Literary Gap - B.K. Bass<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3xX7gRBSjIO6i8ULy5PxBUCGqlnmD4vkAZ-_7_E5g-X-t2pev6GLxtaD9M1QhTQz9hMx8roJEOHOtrsSUOIjjACPKZ6H3Ew7AXhLq8FRT2S6W6N4ETh7xfyltwdyZjim0n4VFAZtVCM/s1600/b-k-bass-author.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3xX7gRBSjIO6i8ULy5PxBUCGqlnmD4vkAZ-_7_E5g-X-t2pev6GLxtaD9M1QhTQz9hMx8roJEOHOtrsSUOIjjACPKZ6H3Ew7AXhLq8FRT2S6W6N4ETh7xfyltwdyZjim0n4VFAZtVCM/s200/b-k-bass-author.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>B.K. Bass</b><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>I am honoured to be able to share my blog with this incredible author. I have always enjoyed reading his insights about being a writer, an editor, and about the art of our shared craft. <br /><br />I hope you all enjoy this incredible guest post as much as I do.</i></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">In the world of literature, there is a line drawn in the sand. Those on either side stare across this no man’s land, eyes filled with anything ranging from curiosity to contempt. Some dare to step across. Some are bold enough to straddle the line. Some of us, probably more than we think, are ready to kick the sand over the line and end the feud once and for all.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So, who are these two divided camps? Genre fiction and literary fiction. But, what’s the difference?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Genre fiction can be defined in several ways, but most sources agree that it is focused on plot and written to appeal to a wide selection of readers. It also follows certain formulas and features certain elements known as <i>tropes</i> so that it falls into one of many categories; such as historical fiction, mystery, romance, science fiction, or fantasy.<sup>1</sup> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Literary fiction is harder to put such a clear definition on, but the NY Book Editors propose a set of defining characteristics. They posit that literary fiction “doesn’t follow a formula, uses creative storytelling, explores the human condition, may be difficult to read, is character-focused, [and] has an ambiguous ending.”<sup>2</sup></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If you’re a genre author, you’re probably spitting out your coffee right now and screaming at the screen, “But, <i>my book</i> is genre fiction, and it does everything on that list for literary fiction!”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Congratulations, you’re straddling the line. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If the only thing that defines genre fiction is its formulas and tropes, and these books can readily incorporate the elements of literary fiction, wouldn’t literary fiction simply be non-genre fiction? Why do proponents of literary fiction feel they have a monopoly on character-driven stories, creative storytelling, and deeper themes? Who drew this line in the sand, and why is it there?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Many believe that the only purpose of genre fiction is to entertain, amuse, and provide an escape from reality. They may or may not look down upon literary fiction as trivial or childish; but in all likelihood, they do not pay it the same respect as its counterpart. Those who hold to this belief also view literary fiction as the only avenue to tell compelling stories that delve into the human condition, analyze our world and our place in it, and invoke an emotional reaction in the reader through a “symphony of words.”<sup>3</sup></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrg9TuZZWk3Ie2r5g-oGTfah09S5RH8EK5mKzNwnFAjvoceaV8kQL9zDu9CB8R_gu1RCZ30mMxGI_J_ZQ7llNMatHp2HuIvwPZrVyyv-6L5XbED_klwqpHse9aTQgfFJv7FklfANPonrA/s1600/A_Journey_to_the_Centre_of_the_Earth-1874.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="410" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrg9TuZZWk3Ie2r5g-oGTfah09S5RH8EK5mKzNwnFAjvoceaV8kQL9zDu9CB8R_gu1RCZ30mMxGI_J_ZQ7llNMatHp2HuIvwPZrVyyv-6L5XbED_klwqpHse9aTQgfFJv7FklfANPonrA/s200/A_Journey_to_the_Centre_of_the_Earth-1874.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="mw-mmv-title">1874 Edition Book Cover </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Some disparagingly call these people the literati, a term created by combining literary and illuminati to invoke the image of a clandestine inner circle of the literary elite. The term makes me think of a group of bearded old white men in smoking jackets, sitting in a proper English parlour, groaning over their snifters of brandy as the latest young adult paranormal romance novel climbs to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The question remains: why is there a distinction? There are many books that have crossed the line and can be considered both genre fiction and literary fiction, not the least among them being <i>Jane Eyre</i>, <i>Crime and Punishment</i>, <i>Dracula</i>, <i>Gulliver’s Travels</i>, and <i>Journey to the Center of the Earth</i>.<sup>4</sup> So, if all these great classics—and many more, including contemporary works—are considered both literary and genre fiction, why should there be a difference between the two?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I’m one of those kicking the sand. I don’t think there should be a line at all. I’ll be the first to agree that there’s hacks out there just following the formulas to create marketable genre fiction, but isn’t entertainment itself a noble pursuit? Is not the betterment of another person’s life, if even for a handful of hours escaping our reality, something that should be applauded? And are there not authors writing “literary fiction” whose quality of work and purity of intention equally as questionable? Are there no “hacks” trying to break into the world of literary fiction? You know what I say? Good for them for putting some effort into it. I know people whom I couldn’t get to read a <i>greeting card</i>, so anybody who dedicates themselves to writing a <i>book</i> deserves some praise simply for giving it a go.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I say it’s all simply <i>fiction</i>. Perhaps some of it defies being slotted into a genre definition. What if I told you there was a genre for that? “Contemporary Fiction” or “General Fiction” are genre tags used by book distributors. Guess what, literati: your fiction has a genre too.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Choosing to write in a genre—or discovering your work falls into one—shouldn’t automatically exclude an author from delving into deeper themes, exploring the human soul, and provoking their readers to consider new ideas. In fact, I say many forms of genre fiction are <i>better</i> at this. People are more likely to be receptive to new ideas if they are enjoying the context in which they are presented. If you want to convince somebody to consider a different viewpoint on an issue, lace that into something they will find entertaining. They may or may not change their minds, but at least they’re more likely to read the whole thing. Looking back to the characteristics of literary fiction defined above, I say there’s nothing on that list which genre fiction can’t incorporate. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Releases October 25, 2019</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">I’d like to stand up and say I straddle the line. I’d love nothing more than to proclaim that I write genre fiction that is also literary fiction. Would that be pretentious? Maybe. So, I’ll let Crystal Kirkham speak for me in an excerpt from her review of my newest book:</span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">“What Once Was Home stunningly combined the incredible speculative elements that I love about science fiction with the engaging personal stories and moving internal struggle that continues to draw me back to contemporary </span></i><span lang="EN-US">[literary]<i> fiction.” <a href="https://aka-click.blogspot.com/2019/09/arc-review-what-once-was-home-by-bk-bass.html">[read full review here]</a></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So, how does one mix the conventions of genre fiction with the characteristics of literary fiction? It’s much simpler than it appears. When you’re developing your story, whether this involves extensive outlining or simply sitting down and seeing what happens, remember that your genre conventions are simply setting the stage for your story. In What Once Was Home, the alien invasion and post-apocalyptic scenarios explored are simply the <i>setting</i> of the story. The plot, from surviving the first wave to the rebuilding of a community, is simply the <i>vehicle</i> that carries the story forward. The real story is in how the characters react to these circumstances. The real question is how one can retain their moral compass in the face of impossible decisions. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Your story and your question will be different, as will your setting and plot. Create a world in which to explore deeper ideas, and develop a situation that propels your characters into facing them. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Or, just write something fun. Fun, for it’s own sake, is a worthwhile endeavor. When I started writing What Once Was Home, that was my primary goal. The book itself surprised me. You may be surprised along the way to find your own “escapists drivel”֫—as those surly old men in that English parlour would call it—evolves into something more.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">About the Author</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">B.K. Bass is an author of science fiction, fantasy, and horror inspired by the pulp fiction magazines of the early 20th century and classic speculative fiction. He is a student of history with a particular focus on the ancient, classical, and medieval eras. He has a lifetime of experience with a specialization in business management and human relations and served in the U.S. Army. B.K. is also the Acquisitions Director for Kyanite Publishing, the Editor-in-Chief of the Kyanite Press journal of speculative fiction, and the Writing Department Chair for Worldbuilding Magazine. You can find out more about B.K. at <a href="https://bkbass.com/">https://bkbass.com</a>. </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Works Cited</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">1. French, Christy Tillery. “Literary Fiction Vs. Genre Fiction.” <i>Author’s Den</i>. <a href="http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id=18884">http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id=18884</a>. July 22, 2005. Accessed October 22, 2019.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">2. “What is Literary Fiction?” <i>NY Book Editors</i>. <a href="https://nybookeditors.com/2018/07/what-is-literary-fiction/">https://nybookeditors.com/2018/07/what-is-literary-fiction/</a>. Accessed October 22, 2019.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">3. Petite, Steven. “Literary Fiction Vs. Genre Fiction.” <i>HuffPost</i>. <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/literary-fiction-vs-genre-fiction_b_4859609">https://www.huffpost.com/entry/literary-fiction-vs-genre-fiction_b_4859609</a>. February 26, 2014. Accessed October 22, 2019. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">4. Rothman, Joshua. “A Better Way to Think About the Genre Debate.” The New Yorker. <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/books/joshua-rothman/better-way-think-genre-debate">https://www.newyorker.com/books/joshua-rothman/better-way-think-genre-debate</a>. November 6, 2014. Accessed October 22, 2019.</span></div>
Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-23101010422206514952019-10-20T17:10:00.001-06:002019-10-20T17:14:53.995-06:00The Brutally Honest Author - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFY1yHZp9wckzLkz6RnmIMRMl2dZzAuK4k36ezqgaysIrp37fBnLBafPExnIcyHQLw3-RmgrRzDD32-dD6ibI6Uk5deIUydZqWrW2rRri11_4Q_cRv1v_TxV486PaYNmcTGCBI9Xe2-k/s1600/Brutally+Honest+Author.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFY1yHZp9wckzLkz6RnmIMRMl2dZzAuK4k36ezqgaysIrp37fBnLBafPExnIcyHQLw3-RmgrRzDD32-dD6ibI6Uk5deIUydZqWrW2rRri11_4Q_cRv1v_TxV486PaYNmcTGCBI9Xe2-k/s200/Brutally+Honest+Author.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Ready for another session with my foul-mouthed self? God, I hope so because I have some questions that demand to be answered.<br />
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Want to know more about where "The Brutally Honest Author" started? <a href="https://aka-click.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-brutally-honest-author-part-1.html">Read this post. </a></div>
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Once again, remember, these are my experiences and opinions only. Others may think or feel differently than me because they've experienced things differently. I'd love to hear your opinions as well, so please do respond in the comments! And if you got questions, ask away and I will try to get to them in the next “Brutally Honest Author” post!</div>
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<b><a aria-haspopup="false" class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-1dbjc4n r-1loqt21 r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l" data-focusable="true" href="https://twitter.com/NicoleDCarver" role="link"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">@NicoleDCarver</span></a></b><b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> asked me a bunch of questions! This post is all for you, Nicole. </span></b><br />
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<b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> 1a. "What did you unexpectedly learn about traditional pub?" & </span></b><b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"What surprised you?"</span></b></span></b><br />
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Man, where do I even start? I had done a lot of research into traditional publishing before attempting to go that route. I wanted to be prepared so there wasn't a whole lot that surprised me or that I learned unexpectedly.<br />
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I did learn a few things second hand in my experience. Some have inspired blog posts like '<a href="https://aka-click.blogspot.com/2019/07/critical-critique-conduct-handling.html" target="_blank">Critical Critique Conduct: Handling Feedback like a Pro</a>'. There is a bit in there about arguing over edits with a publisher. Had I written that post the way I really wanted to then it would have been the true first post in the Brutally Honest Author series.<br />
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Things that surprised me but should have were the amount of fucking authors that fight over every little error (like, seriously, who the fuck fights over fixing a damned spelling error???). </blockquote>
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<b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">2. "Do you have an agent and if so how did you decide they were a good fit?"</span></b></div>
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<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">I do not have an agent and I'm not 100% sure I will go that route since I am rather content with my current situations and contracts, but I did ask a good friend to answer this who does have an agent. When I have an answer from her I will tag you in a revisit of this question!<br /><br />However, I do have an opinion on one thing. Don't be so desperate for an agent that you say yes to someone that you are not comfortable. Remember you fucking have to work with this person, they are representing you and your novel. Also, do your research, talk to agents when you see the #AskAgent tag pop up. <br /><br />Hell, be a stalker and learn all about the ones you're interested. Do not be afraid to make sure you like this person. </span></blockquote>
<b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">3. "Why did you do trad pup after self-pub?"</span></b></div>
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<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Before I ever did self-publishing, I'd had a dream of being traditionally published.Not going to lie self-publishing is a hard row to hoe, but traditional is no walk through the garden either.</span><br />
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I knew this before I wanted to try and see if I was good enough to find someone who believed in my work too. I want to learn more about the industry as well. I do not regret doing self-publishing first, I regret not doing my research before I did it and being so quick to give up a dream of mine. </blockquote>
<b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">4. "How did NaNo help you write?"</span></b></div>
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<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">NaNo (aka NaNoWriMo -- National Novel Writing Month for the unindoctrinated) first taught me to finish a draft. It taught me the art of fast drafting. It gave friends that understand writing to lean on. It allowed me understand the value in a shitastic first draft.</span><br />
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Seriously, so many look down on NaNo because "all you do is produce crap". Well, yeah, that's the fucking point of it. Not to be good, not to worry about if it makes sense but to just write. That seems to be where so many aspiring authors struggle. Not only writing, but writing to completion. <br />
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NaNo gives you the freedom to totally suck...and in sucking at writing that first draft, you end up learning HOW to write a first draft. And then after that you learn to edit those drafts. <br />
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Everyone who reads this, though, do me a fucking favour. Do NOT think you wrote the great <insert country of origin here> novel in 30 damned days. You didn't. Editing is a thing for a reason. </div>
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Join me next time for questions from <b><a href="http://www.twitter.com/BBMorgan_W">@BBMorgan_W</a> </b>and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jlperidot" target="_blank"><b>@jlperidot</b></a> </div>
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Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-72716302861357818952019-10-09T07:00:00.000-06:002019-10-09T08:00:14.504-06:00Feathers and Fae - The World of Mythos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Feathers and Fae is an intrusion fantasy. It's a term I didn't know about until long after writing this story. All I knew was that I'd never written a fantasy at this level before where I had to create a whole new world outside of Earth instead of based on Earth.<br />
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Once I had written the first chapter of Feathers and Fae and got my characters to Mythos, I had to decide 'what next?'. I drew my inspiration on what to do from Lord of the Rings and I sent them on a journey.<br />
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While the idea came from a well known epic fantasy, I knew that the only way to write this was to draw from my own experiences. I've spent many years hiking, exploring and travelling so I had plenty to draw from. It's these memorable moments and landscapes that I used to paint the descriptive word pictures of the many landscapes of Mythos.<br />
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I would like to think this brought a sense of realism to the experiences of my characters and the places that they visited.<br />
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With no further ado, I will tell you where the inspiration for each of these incredible landscapes came from.<br />
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<b>Tithoriea's forest near Abernath</b><br />
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<a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/11/29/07/12/forest-1868028_960_720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Forest, Nature, Outdoors, Path, Trees, Woods" border="0" height="133" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/11/29/07/12/forest-1868028_960_720.jpg" width="200" /></a>In the town where I grew up, there were "forests" that my friends and I played in. These areas weren't heavily forested, but small patches of treed areas. They were large enough that there were multiple paths running through them. Here the dirt trails were worn down to show the roots of the trees. It felt like another world to us kids. Maybe it was.<br />
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Small those these patches of forest were, they were full of life. Wild berries, bird song... and a laughing group of teenagers who may or may not have been up to no good.<br />
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I am sad to say that those stands of woods where I spent much of my youth are gone now in all but memory.<br />
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As a side note, the baseball field described while in Blakely Grove on Earth is an only slightly altered version of one I knew well as a kid. I fell out of a tree there and hit my head pretty hard. I think that may have been the moment I decided to become a writer.<br />
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<b>Strophia's Hidden Valley</b><br />
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<a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/01/16/22/15/waterfalls-1144130_960_720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Waterfalls, Waterfall, Water, Cascade, Nature, River" border="0" height="133" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/01/16/22/15/waterfalls-1144130_960_720.jpg" width="200" /></a>This is one of the few places that is based mostly on imagination. Although I drew inspiration from multiple hiking and sightseeing trips throughout North America as well as a bit of tropical flavour thrown in. I figure a water nymph could coax the water in her home a little more towards the brilliant side.<br />
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Waterfalls and the small pools that form along some areas is something I have seen more than once. Beautiful secret valleys that are a little off the beaten path, I've been there too. These are the places that sometimes you only get to see once, but they stick with you forever.<br />
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<b>Álfheimr (The elven woods)</b><br />
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<a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/09/09/16/05/forest-931706_960_720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Forest, Mist, Nature, Trees, Mystic, Atmosperic, Fog" border="0" height="112" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/09/09/16/05/forest-931706_960_720.jpg" width="200" /></a>I know I mentioned that I grew up in a temperate rainforest area. If you've ever been out hiking in those forests you may understand just how dark they can get when you're not on a well-travelled path. Deep and dark, I took this feeling and intensified it until I get the thick protected woods that make up the land of Álfheimr.<br />
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A place where the trees lean towards each other to whisper secrets. Where a squirrel sounds like a bear crashing through the underbrush, but the deer you're hunting moves by without a sound. A place that feels both dangerous and welcoming at the same time. If this is what you imagine when you read it, then I guess I did a good job of describing this place.<br />
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<b>Baksüz Bog</b><br />
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Near where I grew up there is a bog called, Burns Bog. I've driven by it. In fact, I've seen and been to numerous bogs, but for some reason, this big bog that was turned into a protected park was one of those places that I've never actually spent time in. What makes it stand out in my mind (besides that fact that EVERYONE back home knows about Burns Bog) is the summer that Burns Bog was burning.<br />
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This, of course, is nothing more than an aside to say that because it is such a well-known area where I grew up, we were taught a lot about peat bogs and other types of wetlands. Growing up in a rainy area, we are pretty familiar with marshes and bogs of various types.<br />
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When I was asked to add a bit more adventure to the middle of the story by my good friend and freelance editor, Naomi, it seemed only natural for me want to want to add something that I was familiar with, but with a twist of the fantastical. I made this bog a bit easier to travel through in some ways, if not in others.<br />
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I think this may have ended up as one of my favourite places that my poor characters were forced to traverse through.<br />
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<b>Verilindore Mountains (hiking through them)</b><br />
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<a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/11/23/15/51/alpine-1853678_960_720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/11/23/15/51/alpine-1853678_960_720.jpg" border="0" height="133" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/11/23/15/51/alpine-1853678_960_720.jpg" width="200" /></a>If you haven't figured this out yet, I spent a lot of life communing with nature. Summer road trips where we camped and discovered. My parents were always willing to randomly take a detour because it sounded interesting. It was an attitude I took with me into my own travels. It has been the root of many incredible memories.<br />
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Living in a place surrounded by mountains led to a natural interesting in hiking. Although hiking is something I can't do with the same passion I once pursued it, I still love being out in nature and up in the mountains. The Verilinidore Mountains are loosely based on the Rocky Mountain Range that separates British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. If you've been to them, you'll understand. If you haven't then you should see them when you get a chance. Go to Banff and Jasper, drive along the highways. Go through Rogers Pass. You'll understand.<br />
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The views and experiences along the way are many of the things I've seen or experienced myself as I've hiked through the mountains. Until you get to the part about the snow and the sundogs, those experiences come from my current locale.<br />
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<a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2010/12/02/high-mountains-957_960_720.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="High Mountains, Forward, Blizzard, Snow, Snow Flurry" border="0" height="150" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2010/12/02/high-mountains-957_960_720.jpg" width="200" /></a>Where I grew up, it rarely ever snowed then I moved to the Canadian Prairies. My first winter was a learning experience where I had to trudge through knee-deep snow in -40C, fearing frostbite because I didn't own long underwear and I had missed the last bus. Thankfully, my friend rescued me after 10 minutes of walking, but I will never forget what those 10 minutes felt like.<br />
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And I can tell you about the time my buddy and I went ice fishing and it was snowing so hard we lost sight of the landmark we needed to navigate off the lake and we couldn't stop or slow down for fear we'd get stuck in a drift out on the ice.<br />
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These are the things I've based some of the experiences my characters go through while hiking through the mountains. I do fear that I may not have done sundogs on a bitterly cold morning proper justice in my description, but some things are too awesomely beautiful for words to do them justice.<br />
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<b>Gigan Moreus Ridge</b><br />
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<a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/09/02/12/37/mountains-918569_960_720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/09/02/12/37/mountains-918569_960_720.jpg" border="0" height="128" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/09/02/12/37/mountains-918569_960_720.jpg" width="200" /></a>There is this one hike that is on my bucket list, but I never did get to it. I fear now that I might never get to go there. I'm supposed to limit my weight-bearing exercise due to an injury. It meant not being to run long distances anymore or go on long hikes. I miss hiking and I still want to do this hike even if it means I will be eating painkillers like candy.<br />
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This is Akamina Ridge. I have maps, plans, equipment. I figured if I couldn't traverse this scenic mountain ridge than I can at least have my characters do so for me. And thus, this part, the beautiful panoramic view from here is based on years of research for a hike that I may never get to do.<br />
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Okay, this isn't an exhaustive list of every incredible landscape that you'll discover in Feathers and Fae, but I sure don't want to bore anyone! I mean I could describe every time I've gone spelunking or exploring the lava tubes in Idaho or visiting ice caves that played into the dwarven caverns. I could describe my trip up to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories of Canada, how I fell in love with that rocky landscape.<br />
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Maybe I will another time but for now, this is probably enough. I do hope you've enjoyed this bit of insight into what went into these landscapes and things that I described in Feathers and Fae.Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-1725631175125451632019-10-02T07:00:00.000-06:002019-10-02T09:08:17.893-06:00Feathers and Fae - Twisted Myths<br />
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Before I even knew what I was writing, I knew that I wanted to create this world that was very much like ours but based entirely on the myths of so many cultures throughout the world.<br />
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Though I do focus more on the European myths, I give my head a nod to myths from multiple other cultures as well. This is something that is important to me since I grew up in a highly multicultural area and I want people to know that cultures all across the world have their mythologies that are just as valid as the ones we read about.<br />
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However, if you <a href="https://aka-click.blogspot.com/2019/08/feathers-and-fae-where-it-all-began.html">read my last post</a> about how I got started writing Feathers and Fae, then you might have an inkling why I would focus more on the European myths. Familiarity was key to writing a full novel in 30 days and I only had time for the quickest research. As much as I would have loved to add even more from other cultures, I didn't want to do any of them an injustice.<br />
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One of the things that I was thinking about was how stories can change over a short amount of time, imagine how much these myths and stories may have been changed and been misinterpreted or mistranslated over centuries. Not to mention the fact that people may not have always understood what they were looking at when they created the stories about these myths.<br />
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I approached these myths that we know today with this thought in mind about how could they have become the myths we know, but stem from something that differed from what most of us are used to seeing in stories. I didn't want to write the same elves and dwarves and dragons we were all used to seeing. I wanted something new.<br />
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And thus, the slightly skewed world of Mythos, a world of magic and wonder where the myths of our world stemmed from, was born. You'll read about a lot of creatures, perhaps some that you may have never heard of before, as well as those you're used to, but perhaps not how I've written them.<br />
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And I hope you enjoy my unique perspective in this world.Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-86949237850835488902019-09-30T08:00:00.000-06:002019-09-30T10:21:10.623-06:00The Brutally Honest Author - Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFY1yHZp9wckzLkz6RnmIMRMl2dZzAuK4k36ezqgaysIrp37fBnLBafPExnIcyHQLw3-RmgrRzDD32-dD6ibI6Uk5deIUydZqWrW2rRri11_4Q_cRv1v_TxV486PaYNmcTGCBI9Xe2-k/s1600/Brutally+Honest+Author.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFY1yHZp9wckzLkz6RnmIMRMl2dZzAuK4k36ezqgaysIrp37fBnLBafPExnIcyHQLw3-RmgrRzDD32-dD6ibI6Uk5deIUydZqWrW2rRri11_4Q_cRv1v_TxV486PaYNmcTGCBI9Xe2-k/s200/Brutally+Honest+Author.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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One afternoon I was sitting at the office on my break. I should have been editing, but instead, I was on Twitter. I was scrolling through some writing community questions and it got me thinking—which is always a dangerous thing.</div>
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So many questions. So many people wanting answers. Twitter is a bit restrictive and most people try to be nice about their answers. In fact, unless I know someone well, I tend to be rather nice about my answers.</div>
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But sometimes nice doesn’t really cut it. And I thought, what can I do differently? How about some no-holds-barred, brutally honest answers to your questions?</div>
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So, I put the question out to the writing community on Twitter. Are there questions that you want to ask a writer or author and get a brutally honest answer for?<br />
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Thankfully, the community did not disappoint. The questions rolled in. To the point that this may just become a regular series for me. Just keep in mind that when I say “no-holds-barred, brutally honest answers to your questions”, I mean I will more than likely be cursing.</div>
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Now, do remember, these are my experiences and opinions only. Others may think or feel differently than me because they've experienced things differently. I'd love to hear your opinions as well, so please do respond in the comments! And if you got questions, ask away and I will try to get to them in the next “Brutally Honest Author” post!</div>
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<b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><a aria-haspopup="false" class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-1dbjc4n r-1loqt21 r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l" data-focusable="true" href="https://twitter.com/CJPDouglas" role="link"></a></span></b><br />
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<b><a aria-haspopup="false" class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-1dbjc4n r-1loqt21 r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l" data-focusable="true" href="https://twitter.com/CJPDouglas" role="link"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">@CJPDouglas</span></a></b><b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> asked "How do you make yourself edit? It's such a slog for me..."</span></b></div>
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<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">I often tell people that I love the editing stage but as much as I love it, I also hate it.</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> It's tough to tear your own work apart and, somedays, it can be hard to convince myself to sit down and do it.<br /><br />In fact, that's the hardest fucking part, actually sitting down to do it. I moan and groan and bitch about it, until I start the process. As I read through I find myself falling in love with the story, if not my flawed and typo-laden writing. </span> <br />
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As soon as I start actually getting into the editing I find myself eager to see how well I can polish my words. How I can take the block of granite and turn it into an artistic masterpiece. When I rediscover the love for my story I realize how much I want to make this better, make it something that I would want to buy if I were wandering through a bookstore. <br />
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One thing I have noticed, when I find editing the hardest is those spots in my manuscript where I really screwed the pooch. Not just clunky writing, but terrible bouts of crappy exposition. I find if I make it through a chapter and I am still hestitating moving on to the next then I have to go back and take a harder look at my work<br />
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And after all of this—rinse, lather and repeat. I know I have something good when I find myself getting consumed by the story every time I go into edit. Although I always have that "Oh, dear god, do I have to do this AGAIN?" feeling before every edit session. </div>
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<a aria-haspopup="false" class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-1dbjc4n r-1loqt21 r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l" data-focusable="true" href="https://twitter.com/_WARoberts" role="link"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-4qtqp9 r-ip8ujx r-sjv1od r-zw8f10 r-bnwqim r-h9hxbl" dir="auto"><br /></span></span></a></div>
<a aria-haspopup="false" class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-1dbjc4n r-1loqt21 r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l" data-focusable="true" href="https://twitter.com/_WARoberts" role="link"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-4qtqp9 r-ip8ujx r-sjv1od r-zw8f10 r-bnwqim r-h9hxbl" dir="auto"> </span></span></a></div>
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<b><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><a href="https://twitter.com/_WARoberts">@_WARoberts</a> asked "</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Which do you find better, self-pub or the traditional pub? Or are they both about the same?"</span></span></b></div>
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<div class="css-901oao css-bfa6kz r-1re7ezh r-18u37iz r-1qd0xha r-1b43r93 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr">
<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">This is such a hard question to answer. Each of them have their benefits and downfalls. I love having full control in self-pub, but it can be such a maze to navigate, especially for first timers. I had no fucking clue what I was doing when I first self-published my novel. How it turned out decently is still a mystery to me. </span></span><br />
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What I enjoy about traditional pub is that I have a support network built into my experience. I have someone to do that cover design. I mean, I have a background in graphic design, but I am sometimes at a loss as to what I want to do with the cover for one of my own stories. I am too close to it. And, covers are the first thing people see. It needs to be good. <br />
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I think what it comes down to is if you know what you're doing, have access to good editors, designers and formatters—have at it with self-publishing. It's going to be a tough go for most people. Getting reviews, getting noticed, marketing. It's hard. <br />
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However, traditional publishing only takes some of this pressure and expense off your shoulders. As an author, be prepared to sell not only yourself, but your books as well. Both are tough, you need to be prepared for tough. <br />
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Unless you're one of those rare, lucky bastards who manages to knock out an international best seller for their first novel. In that case, I both hate and admire you. </div>
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<b><a href="https://twitter.com/JoshMGillingham"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">@JoshMGillingham</span></a><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> asked, "</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Where do your ideas come from?"</span></b><br />
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Oh man, this fucking questions. First off, as an author, have two answers for this question at all times. Your socially acceptable, tell at interviews answer that is pithy and quoteable. Then have the real answer that you only tell to a few people. <br />
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Today we explore the real answer. For me, it starts with a sentence, a couple of words, a random comment, something I see. It marinates in my brain and starts bumping uglies with other thoughts. Before I know it, story ideas start falling out of my ears. <br />
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Seriously, I don't often go looking for ideas. They find me. If you keep your brain air conditioned enough (aka - open), they'll come looking for you too. My first novel was inspired by a Santana song and an image it provoked in my mind (Road to Redemption). Another was me thinking about a what if - what if an elder god got trapped in the body of a girl. <br />
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Often the end product looks nothing like the inspiration, but all I need is that first domino in a string of thoughts to end up with a story that makes people go "What inspired this story?" By the time it's written the answer is usually "I don't fucking know. It just happened."</div>
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Thanks for tuning in for Part 1 of the Brutally Honest Author. In the next Brutally Honest Author post, I will be addressing questions from <b><a aria-haspopup="false" class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-1dbjc4n r-1loqt21 r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l" data-focusable="true" href="https://twitter.com/NicoleDCarver" role="link"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">@NicoleDCarver</span></a>. <br /><br />If you asked me a question on Twitter, don't worry. You are on the list. Each question that I have responded to has been added to the queue. I will get to it! </b><b><b> </b></b></div>
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Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-35558729710458228692019-09-25T07:00:00.000-06:002019-09-25T09:00:10.557-06:00Feathers and Fae - Where it all began<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF9_-GwU-2GFtwNx6w5LoJnRBOaV9rh4yPcxWnqbcvSt_qnTk4diSXKk4J7nadSnKlkSAlyt03JyHeQosn1ZruKWilSi97e1I-pro8r4JvDYtbI0LyFl9rqXFXAnAnZiWo5j08w_uroo/s1600/Image+10+October+2018+09_41+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF9_-GwU-2GFtwNx6w5LoJnRBOaV9rh4yPcxWnqbcvSt_qnTk4diSXKk4J7nadSnKlkSAlyt03JyHeQosn1ZruKWilSi97e1I-pro8r4JvDYtbI0LyFl9rqXFXAnAnZiWo5j08w_uroo/s200/Image+10+October+2018+09_41+PM.png" width="142" /></a>This was not a novel I had ever planned to write. Heading into November 2016 I had no idea what I was going to write for NaNoWriMo. I had a lot I could write, but nothing I wanted to write. A joke about having someone give me random prompts turned into a challenge between friends.</div>
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Three random, unrelated prompts were given to a few of us by another friend. Our story had to incorporate all three prompts.</div>
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I received my prompts on noon of October 31st. I had twelve hours to think up a way to combine these three unrelated prompts into a story that made sense. I wasn't sure I could do it, but I sure as heck was going to try my hardest to make it work.</div>
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These are the three prompts we were given:</div>
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And, yes, all these elements made it into the story. I finished the month of November by hitting 'The End' on this novel at a bit over 60K words. And, even after umpteen million edits, they are all a part of the story still.<br />
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I had no idea what I was writing until I wrote it. I put one word in front of the other with no plan and somehow I got a novel out of it. I did add several chapters after the first draft on the recommendation of a good friend and freelance editor, but that was about all I did besides the normal editing processes and a few slight changes to chapter one.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So what is it about?</b></div>
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Our story focuses on the close friendship between Emmett and Kami, starting in our own world in the town of Blakely Grove. However, the story quickly takes you on a journey into the realm of Mythos. A place where all the creatures of myth and legend live.<br />
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While the focus is on Emmett and Kami, the story expands to include Jewel, a seer, and Bob, a yeti. It’s a fun cast of diverse personalities and a very handsome villain who will stop at nothing to reach his goal – destroying Emmett and Kami. Oh, and ruling over all the five realms – Mundialis, Mythos, Immortui, Anabasa, and Castus.</div>
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If that wasn't hard enough, there is a web of secrets and lies that is slowly unravelling and it has the potential to tear Kami and Emmett's friendship apart. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What makes this novel special?</b></div>
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For me, it’s the characters and how their relationship changes and develops over the course of the journey that takes you from forest to peat bog to the frozen mountaintops. It’s a slow and deliberate reveal of the secrets that Emmett is hiding and the lies he tells to protect those around him. Although, you can be the judge of whether the lies did more harm or good in the end.</div>
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<b>Why should I read it?</b></div>
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I honestly believe that not every story is for every person. However, if you love a bit of sword and sorcery, wild adventures, incredible landscapes, mysterious secrets, and end-of-the-world thrill rides then you will probably love this story.</div>
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Or just read it for Bob the Yeti. Everyone loves Bob.</div>
Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-6501511061988606452019-09-11T07:00:00.000-06:002019-09-16T14:34:14.287-06:00Feathers and Fae - An Adventure in Pantsing<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H59m3NFa4SMJep4ouRanFdQ6j9pBOQ_Q19w7kQvN3xIZy_JXuakpljTvyzSPyDprWPhPE5E1R7TVWCVOfKIQNS7QBV_z5QpXHQxYiGF4A14DXCMTnrlD-r3QbmeZjNTwWYDqbWs6uq0/s1600/Image+10+October+2018+09_41+PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H59m3NFa4SMJep4ouRanFdQ6j9pBOQ_Q19w7kQvN3xIZy_JXuakpljTvyzSPyDprWPhPE5E1R7TVWCVOfKIQNS7QBV_z5QpXHQxYiGF4A14DXCMTnrlD-r3QbmeZjNTwWYDqbWs6uq0/s200/Image+10+October+2018+09_41+PM.png" width="142" /></a>Next month, on October 11, my first traditionally published novel will be released. One thing I wanted to do was share a few things about this book and my adventure in writing this story.<br />
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<i>Starting in two weeks, every Wednesday leading up to my release date there will be a post about how this novel came to be, about the myths I used to create the world of Mythos and about the incredible landscapes I write about and the inspiration for them.</i><br />
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However, this first one will be about the fact that this was an entirely unplanned novel. As I describe in more detail in my next post, this started as a dare/challenge between friends for NaNoWriMo. I had three unrelated prompts and 12 hrs to come up with a story. For those not familiar with writing terminology, this is what is known as 'pantsing'.<br />
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I started doing NaNoWriMo back in 2008. This novel was written in 2016. In the years between I have pants many novels and I've also planned novels to the extent of having written 10K word outlines and 11-page spreadsheets. And of course, I've done everything in between.<br />
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This also isn't the first time I'd taken on a challenge like this. I did something similar once before so going into this adventure I had some practice with learning how to let a plot flow and follow the narrative.<br />
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<b>Things I decided to do as I wrote...</b><br />
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I planned my two main characters, Kami and Emmett, around the prompts. While Kami's name did change in the first set of revisions, Emmett has always been Emmett. Because I planned the prompts around these characters I had a basic idea of who they were and what I wanted to reveal about them right from the beginning.<b><br /></b><br />
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Once I decided on who my characters were (mostly), then I had to decide what sort of world that I wanted to create. Once again, like many fantasy writers, I leaned on the myths of our world and naturally decided that this world, Mythos, would be the place where those stories originated, from a time when their world and ours moved more closely together. This would allow me to draw from many sources and bend a few myths as necessary to fit the story.<br />
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As I'll mention in one of the upcoming posts, when I finished writing the first chapter I knew I wanted to write a journey that was reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings. I wanted incredible landscapes and danger at every turn. Each adventure more dangerous than the last.<br />
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I also knew that my characters were going to need help, what was so that is where Jewel came into existence. Someone to tell them what to do and how to do it. I knew I wanted her to be a bit out there, but knowledgeable.<br />
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<b>Things that surprised me...</b><br />
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<a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/04/01/11/10/boy-1300226_960_720.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Boy, Business, Cartoon, Comic, Comic Characters" border="0" class="" height="167" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/04/01/11/10/boy-1300226_960_720.png" width="200" /></a>Tithoriea and Malawli were not supposed to be nearly as interesting as they turned out to be. Maybe one day I will write their story, but those characters that appear for all of one scene ended up having a wonderfully complex history.<br />
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I had<b> </b>no idea that Jewel would join them on the journey. I wrote it and then I rolled with it. Why not, a third person to give an outside perspective on the relationship between Kami and Emmett didn't seem like a bad idea.<br />
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Kami's character arc developed naturally. I hadn't planned it and as I realized what I was doing with the character I made sure to keep an eye on it as I wrote. Like her name, a lot of her interactions required significant rewriting and alteration after the fact because of this. I do think that rewriting this part made for a better novel (and a more likeable character).<br />
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Bob the Yeti. He just showed up, pushed his way into this story, and left me wondering what the hell happened. What was supposed to be a throwaway innkeeper who would give my three weary travellers a small hand in their journey turned into what is most people's favourite character in the entire novel. I would also like to credit my friend Ashe for naming him. Bob's name was originally be more exotic, but he got named Bob and it stuck.<br />
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THAT CHAPTER. You'll know what I mean when you read the book, but there is that one chapter when it seems all hope is lost. Every good story like this needs to have that moment when we all doubt that our heroes will win. But how that happened in this story? Man, it still breaks my heart a little.<br />
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<b>About the creative process of pantsing...</b><b><br /></b> <a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/04/19/05/51/plank-729441_960_720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Plank, Choice, Home Or Lost, Home, Lost, Road" border="0" height="133" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/04/19/05/51/plank-729441_960_720.jpg" width="200" /></a>Planning is necessary for many types of novel, but a straight-up fantasy adventure works nicely for a pantsed story. A lot of this kind of tale involves a point A to point B to point C thinking style. While I still had to develop an ending and antagonist on the fly, I found that I was still able to work in plenty of groundwork for all the things that had to be added later<br />
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One of the things I did was using a decision-maker to decide on a path if I couldn't decide which way to take my story. Like the flipping of a coin trick, if I really hated the option that was chosen then I went with the one I really wanted, but this rarely happened. I sometimes even used this method for deciding what my characters would say some instances.<br />
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I could go on and on about how I made this novel happen, but I won't too much. To be honest, it's a lot like driving down a strange road at night. I got there a little at the time without knowing what the road would look like, but I followed where my characters took me. Thankfully, they were strong enough characters to carry me along.Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-21064788476946941672019-09-09T09:00:00.000-06:002019-09-09T09:00:04.069-06:00ARC Review: What Once Was Home - by B.K. Bass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTh9JLjM6VSnY5XEZxLxTWJcEkKsAPaqedHPtuN9tFNjrZRNGXHGjSBrCARNswqrb7sQ-pZtu1uWgJMBK2NOLCSGMbmrp4lTB2gFuQRIg6koRMbdk1VrtQ36oDiDcdEqHhvTXBggaa2UA/s1600/what-once-was-home-bk-bass.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1073" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTh9JLjM6VSnY5XEZxLxTWJcEkKsAPaqedHPtuN9tFNjrZRNGXHGjSBrCARNswqrb7sQ-pZtu1uWgJMBK2NOLCSGMbmrp4lTB2gFuQRIg6koRMbdk1VrtQ36oDiDcdEqHhvTXBggaa2UA/s200/what-once-was-home-bk-bass.png" width="133" /></a></div>
This novel is published by <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.kyanitepublishing.com/">Kyanite Publishing</a>. I, once again, had the privilege of being able to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this compelling story. Release date is October 25, 2019. Find out more about this story and where to purchase it here: <a href="https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/what-once-was-home/"><span class="MsoHyperlink">https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/what-once-was-home/</span></a></span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">When this novel first came up as an ARC, I knew I wanted to read it. However, I was on vacation and didn't have time to respond to the message. Shortly after returning home, I had a message from B.K. asking if I wanted to read this even though I had <a href="https://aka-click.blogspot.com/2019/08/review-parting-veil-by-bk-bass.html">recently reviewed another novel of his</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">I didn't hesitate to assure him that I was eager to read this novel after hearing about it and seeing the back-cover blurb. It sounded right up my alley and I've enjoyed all his work immensely so far. </span></span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">Before I get into the writing, look at that freaking cover. Gorgeous right? It may not seem much to people, but the interior formatting on this story was wonderfully done. I don't often notice interior formatting unless it stands out as exceptionally beautiful or it's so bad it annoys me (and as a result affects my opinion of the story). So, yeah, I couldn't NOT mention this little tidbit. </span></span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">This book is nothing like I've ever read from B.K. before. I knew I was in for something special when I read the 'Introduction' that he wrote. By the time I finished reading the first chapter my thoughts on this subject were confirmed. </span></span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">I thought I had been excited to read this before, but now there was no doubt in my mind that I was about to go on one hell of a journey that would spare no emotions. This story lived up to all my expectations and then some. B.K.'s talent at world-building is apparent from the start and you can tell that this is a novel that he poured a lot of emotion into writing.</span></span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">Every step of the way, I was enthralled by Jace's story. Every word drew me so deep into this world, that it became real to me. It's what I want when I read a book, a movie in my head. An incredibly engaging and heart-wrenching journey. With an ending that made me sit back and repeat the word "Damn" to myself several times. Because, <i>damn</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">What Once Was Home stunningly combined the incredible speculative elements that I love about science fiction with the engaging personal stories and moving internal struggle that continues to draw me back to contemporary fiction. </span></span><br />
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">Compelling characters, fast-moving plot, and a world you can sink into</span></span><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="e24Kjd">—you really cannot ask for more from any story. </span></span><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="e24Kjd"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">Even if science fiction and alien invasions aren't your things, this is a book you do NOT want to miss out on. Jace's journey is one that I think will touch many readers and bring them back again and again. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><br /></span></span> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">Until this moment, my favourite book by B.K. was <a href="https://aka-click.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-warriors-of-understone-by-bk-bass.html">Warriors of Understone</a>, but this story far surpasses it. </span></span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><br /></span></span> Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074177051168349833.post-45858563220579451512019-09-04T09:00:00.000-06:002019-09-04T14:19:59.821-06:00ARC Review: It Starts With a Kiss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a novella by J.L. Peridot and published by <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.kyanitepublishing.com/">Kyanite Publishing</a>. I had the privilege of being able to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this novel. Release date is September 13, 2019. Find out more about this story and where to purchase it here: <a href="https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/it-starts-with-a-kiss/"><span class="MsoHyperlink">https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/it-starts-with-a-kiss/</span></a></span><br />
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Romance has never been one of my favourite genres. I still have hangups from the days where a romance novel meant one of those Harlequin cheese-fests with a half-naked guy on the cover that were so annoyingly formulaic they made my head ache. <br /><br />While I do read romance and erotica, it never ranks high on my list of things I read unless there is a primary plotline to engage me. With a title like "It Starts With A Kiss", I wasn't too sure what to expect in the way of a strong and engaging plotline. However, knowing the standards of Kyanite Publishing is the reason I wanted to see what this story was about. <br /><br />Once again, this is a case of 'I'm glad I got to read this'. As with many of the titles that this publisher has invested in, it was a great story—even if romance or erotic romance are not your things. If you are worried about the word "erotic", don't be. Seriously, it's not heavy on any sort of erotic content and the few parts that are there are done very tastefully. Don't let that word be a reason to avoid this wonderful story.<br /><br />Right from the word go I can sympathise with Celeste Cho, our delightfully sweet protagonist working in some crap conditions. I swear J.L. describes Celeste's terrible boss so well that I had flashbacks to some of the terrible bosses I've had my life. In fact, I'm sure her situation is one we can all relate to.<br /><br />J.L. does a wonderful job of setting the scene right from the first page. This is, first and foremost, science fiction. Though the romance element is strongly present, the science fiction plot is equally as strong. This is a well-developed futuristic world with enough tidbits of techno-babble to make most science fiction fans happy.<br /><br />For those that live for the dynamics between characters than you will not be disappointed with the wide variety of personalities in the main cast. I love how they work together, or sometimes don't work together. JL didn't create characters, she wrote real people. That's how they read on the page and I loved it. <br /><br />Even if romance isn't your thing, this is a great science fiction story. It just happens that the romance paired well with it. I found almost all the romantic or even slightly sexual stuff, very well done, no purple prose or awkward wording. It was incredibly well-done, you'll see when you read it.<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><br /></span></span> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span class="MsoHyperlink">So, what are you waiting for? Go, preorder your copy now. </span></span>Crystal L. Kirkhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281056232891451017noreply@blogger.com2