Michael - Illustrating Author

After fifteen years of modeling in New York, I spent the past six years as an interior designer in Chicago. I decided to take my creative talents and write/illustrate my first y/a novel, AMBER AND THE WHISPERING WILLOWS. I've been editing for the past year and have started the second in the series. I never knew how wonderful it could be to write a novel ... I'm addicted.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

In my first novel I did make up an entire fairy world inside a willow tree grove which so happened to be on the outskirts of a NYC suburb.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?


Yes. After I finished AMBER AND THE WHISPERING WILLOWS, which is the first in a series, I decided to write something else. I wrote an edgy Y/A contemporary.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I don't sit generally. I stretch out on a bed or sofa, with my laptop on a computer table that adjusts. So I work between the bedroom (usually at night) and the living room during the day. The only time I jot things down is when there are many characters so I'm able to keep them straight.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh, that's a tough one. I have several I really love. Critique Sister Corner... they give excellent advice on writing and the publishing industry. Nathan Branford for the same reasons, erica and christy, because they are funny and good friends. There are so many more. I hit at least fifty a day.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

I would have to say fairies.

Meredith - Client of Rubin Pfeffer

I was born on a cold spring night in Michigan. Well, never mind, I won’t go back that far, but I will say that I was definitely born a creative spirit. If I wasn’t dancing, acting or drawing (even though I was pretty much crap at all of those things), I was thinking up stories in my head and writing down the good ones. I majored in magazine journalism at the University of Florida (Go Gators!) but decided my senior year that journalism wasn’t my passion and that I wanted to pursue something a tad more creative.
 
So naturally I went to law school. I chose Boston University and then chose to move back to Florida after I graduated because Boston is very, very cold. I embarked on a career as a commercial litigator, a career which I discovered involves a lot less making impassioned pleas before a jury while wearing designer Italian stilettos, and a lot more sitting in an office for months at a time reviewing tens of thousands of documents. True story.

I took a hiatus from my legal career in late 2009 when my daughter was born. I’m very grateful to be able to stay at home with her full-time and squeeze in as much writing as I can when she naps. I’ve always been something of a history buff, and my favorite books are those that take place at some point in the past but have a twist, be it a supernatural element or a dash of fantasy. I eat those up! Not surprisingly, those are my favorite kinds of stories to write too.

I live in South Florida with my amazingly supportive husband, my lovely daughter, and my hyperactive wheaten terrier. I’m represented by Rubin Pfeffer of East/West Literary Agency.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

Nope! Everything I write is firmly entrenched in the real world. I love playing with the idea that magic could happen all around us and at any given point in history.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

I have several contemporary ideas floating around in my brain, but everything I've written so far has been historical fantasy.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

Computer. I tend to think in rapid fire, and I can type a lot faster than I can write by hand

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh, man, there are too many to name. I have a whole list if my favorite blogs and websites on my site.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Hmmm...I must admit I've never written about standard fantasy characters. So I'll just pick one I like. Unicorns!

Show Don't Tell -Crash, Boom, Lightning-

                The air deposits salt on my tongue but it is not nearly enough. I glance longingly at the sky, cradling my elbows, my feet never stopping. The moon behind the thin clouds reminds me of its view beneath the water, a distorted shimmer that could be anything.

                Another gust of sea-scented air washes over me, bringing the slap-slap sound of uneven footsteps. I force my screaming legs to move faster, keeping my head down. The noise takes my ears captive, growing louder, closer. I peek over my shoulder, the saccadic movements of a drunkard meeting my eyes.

                I veered to cross the street, taking enough care to avoid the puddles of slimy unidentified substances settled in the chipped asphalt. A greasy finger trailed down my arm and a soundless scream built up in my throat at his sudden closeness.

                Adrenaline loaned my feet wings and I flew automatically to the place that had always been my safe haven. My body launched into the air, snapping into position. It cut through the water perfectly and I propelled myself deeper; my porcelain legs replaced by a scaled tail.

Misha - A Mixture

I'm a lot of things.
 
I'm a writer.

I'm a fencer.
 
Sometimes I'm a poet.

Other times I'm a philosopher.

I'm a mixture of very nice and deeply evil. (Insert maniacal laughter here.) But mostly I'm nice.

I'm also a lost little girl in a twenty-two year old body.
 
I'm my mother's daughter.
 
But above all:

I. Am. Me...

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

DOORWAYS is set in a separate world, although it is quite close to this world.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

Yes, I do. I write historical romance and what might become either a YA dystopian or a YA paranormal... But I've postponed them until my rewrite is finished.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use a computer or regular old pen and paper?

I don't really have a specific place to write. I wrote the entire first draft of DOORWAYS pen and paper. Now I'm rewriting it on my laptop. So my preferred spots have some sort of power outlet nearby. My mood music takes a lot of battery power.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh no. I can't pick a single one. Everyone has something special to offer.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Elves, werewolves and a nation of badasses that I created for my fantasy series.

Ciara Knight - Mother of Four (And That's Just Counting the Books!)

I'm happily married to my husband, Chris. We have three amazing boys aged 4, 6, and 13. Life is never boring with three sons.

I write Paranormal and Fantasy fiction for Adult, Young Adult, and Middle Grade. I’m actively involved in Romance Writers of America (RWA), my local chapter Georgia Romance Writers (GRW), and a specialty group of RWA, Futuristic, Fantasy, & Paranormal (FF&P).

For more information on what I write go to the Books section of my blog.

1.  In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

My young adult paranormal, RISE FROM DARKNESS who I just sold to Turquoise Morning Press, is set in our world, but altered with paranormal elements. Most of the stories I write I create all new worlds.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

Yes, I write adult fantasy, YA paranormal/fantasy/Steampunk, and MG.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I write in carpool line, at sports practices, and music lessons. :) Anywhere I can take my laptop. I’ll take notes on paper, but I always write manuscripts on my computer.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh, so many of them. That is difficult. :) McQueen Knights, Lynn Rush, Laura Diamond, Julia Rachel Barrett, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Hart Johnson.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

I love them all! :)

Sari Webb - WriterBelle

My name is Sari and my dream is to work with books, whether it be to publish one of my own or to help others publish theirs. I am currently doing a post-graduate diploma in publishing and editing, and have completed the first draft of my first novel, a YA fantasy.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

I've done both. The story I'm currently revising starts off in the real world, although I never name where, and then moves into a fantasy world. The majority of the story is set in the fantasy world. The story I've just started writing is paranormal and is based in the real world. It's been fun researching places I've never been to create the setting.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

Nope. Unless you count paranormal. But that's a sub-genre of fantasy. I've always read mostly fantasy, and now it's what I write.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I sit in our home office. My partner built me a nice big table to work at, great for the sprawl that is my mess. It's less distracting in the office than anywhere else in the house, although I still have access to the interwebs . I write on the laptop, but when I'm coming up with new ideas or plotting I like to write with pen and paper.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

I have two awesome critique partners: Maggie at Words, Wine & Wanderlust, and Barbara at Scribbles & Jots. I also love Nathan Bransford, BookEnds, Miss Snark's First Victim and Query Shark.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

I loved Solembum in Eragon, and werecats in general I guess. I'm a cat person. And dragons. Gotta love the dragons!

Bess Weatherby - Closet Novelist

I'm a New York nanny and closet-novelist. No seriously. I live in a closet. My life is extremely fancy.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

I won’t set something in our current world because it’s just far too complicated with all the mass communication. I don’t know how Gossip Girl does it. But I also don’t know how Tolkien did the opposite, creating an entire world of his own. That would take a lifetime. Oh wait, it did. My third book was historical fiction...ish. Let's just say I like to embellish. Now I’m somewhere in-between; my characters have cars and crossbows. They ride horses and bomb people with fireworks. Let's just say the Fourth of July is going to be a whole different holiday.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

Yes. I’m writing a book about my grandparent’s life. Muz – she’s fabulous. And Art – he’s hilarious. Especially when we call him Fart. Which I think he likes . . .

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I used to strictly compose on my computer, but that's difficult to lug around the city. I keep imagining writing a blog post to tell everyone that my computer has been stolen and I've lost everything. So I have gone back to straight old moleskin notebook and sharpie. This is especially difficult on the subway. I got yelled at the other day by this old lady who said my pen smelled bad. Harsh?

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Oh boy. Here we go.

• Meredith at “Fairy Tales and Cappuccino”
• Linda at “Visiting Reality”
• Elena Solodow at "You're Write. Except When You're Rong"
  
• Sari Webb at "Confessions of An Aspiring Author"
• And, of course, Rachel Harrie!

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Elves. No question. I still want to be one when I grow up.

Theresa Milstein - Substitute Teacher

I have a BA and MA in History and am an extended term substitute, teaching 7th and 8th-grade Social Studies. I write children's books. My current pieces are YA fantasy/paranormal romance. If you want to read about my teaching and writing sagas, go to Substitute Teacher's Saga. If you want to read excerpts of queries and beginnings of manuscripts (especially if you're an agent or editor), visit Earnest Writer's Excerpts. My short story is going to be in 100 Stories for Queensland coming out soon.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

My first manuscript, which was Harry Potter inspired, did create a new world, though it did exist hidden alongside the real world.  Since then, my stories are all our world with magical elements

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

My first two buried manuscripts were middle grade fantasy.  And my short story “Daisy” about to be published in 100 Stories for Queensland is an adult realistic story.  Though it does have an interesting twist.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

Have a laptop, will travel.  Most of my writing takes place with my laptop propped up on the wooden arm of my love seat in my living room.  If I’m alone, with my cat on my lap and the sun streaming through the bay window through the plants onto me, then I’m at my happiest. (Especially if a cup of coffee is by my side.) But sometimes my son is on the couch playing video games so I write while listening to death grunts.  And I’ll take my laptop to school and the children’s lessons.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

Missed Periods and Other Grammar Scares has me laughing while I learn about grammar.  And I do love Query Shark, which also makes me laugh while I learn how to write better queries.  I have many favorite blogs that I visit regularly, and I have made many blogging friends.

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Because I usually write stories about people who perform magic in realistic situations, I often shy away from stories with creatures.  I did write a vampire short story and a novel-length YA, so I get their appeal.  As far as reading about creatures, it depends on how it’s written.  Paranormalcy by Kiersten White created an interesting world full of magical creatures. And since Harry Potter is my favorite series, I’m partial to house elves and phoenixes.

Alexis - Maiden of the Underworld

I like to think of myself as creative and spontaneous but more than likely come off as crazy and boring. I have my hand in many different pots including writing, hair design, photography, wedding planning, and home decorating. Currently I have a book I am working on while saving money to be able to afford to go to cosmetology school and then a real ‘adult’ job. I’m recently engaged and moved into my first real apartment with Boyfriend. Mostly, when I am not working, I am sitting at home getting lost in the internet, drinking massive amounts of RedBull and ruining my hair with massive amounts of chemicals while watching unnecessary amounts of TV.

1. In your fantasy works, do you often make up completely new worlds or interweave your ideas into the existing world?

My worlds are a definite blend; my world is a future Earth but it is a world where gods exist and with them, magic. It’s a defiant balancing act trying to mix them properly. Sometimes I think it would be easier to just invent my own world but ultimately I need earth and I need my magic/fantasy to be real. That’s just how I roll.

2. Do you have any projects outside YA fantasy?

I sure do, with a friend of mine. We are working (very slowly, both being in school all the time and working on our own WIPs, and also being 2000 miles apart) together on a project that is basically a historical fiction blend of Tudor England and Greek Mythology. What can I say, they are both passions of ours and actually bled together amazingly well. Oh… and we are crazy, but that seems besides the point lol.

3. Where do you sit when writing? Do you use the computer or regular old pen and paper?

I usually sit on my couch, and I use both pen and paper and computer. A system that has worked really well for me so far is to write everything down on paper first, that way when I put it into the computer I can edit and fix things a bit so it is not so much word vomit as it usually tends to be when I put it out on paper. I also like writing on paper first because I’m very bad at grammar and spelling and on paper there are no little evil red or green lines derailing my train of thought and calling me to fix them. On paper I can just write, get everything out in a better flow and then go back and fix it once I’ve had a little distance from it.

4. What is/are your favorite blog(s) outside of the group?

• http://lindzpagel.blogspot.com -  Lindz is my IRL BFF but her blog is just great and full of wonderful writing tips
• http://stickynotestories.wordpress.com/ Rebecca’s blog is great but also she is just awesome ^.^ so has such great insight
• http://writerbelle.blogspot.com/ - I just love Sari’s blog, she has a great voice and is just a joy to read, not to mention that she is also an aspiring author so her blog tends to be very relevant to me
• http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/ - Hilarious and not to far from my truth
• http://www.insertliteraryblognamehere.com/ - informative and helpful
• http://dirtysexybooks.com/ - one of the best book reviewer blogs I have ever read, it also doesn’t hurt that she seems to have the same taste as me.
• http://tattoolit.com/  - fun and interesting to see what books people have chosen to immortalize on their bodies

5. What is your favorite fantasy creature (elf, dwarf, werewolf, etc.)?

Hummm do Tieflings count? Or do they not count  because they are from DnD? (Yes I AM that sort of geek, don’t judge.) I do love me some Tieflings. But for a more mainstream answer I would have to say a Phoenix. I’ve always found the imagery of the Phoenix to be beautiful and stunning. Also I cannot help but love the idea of being reborn from the ashes.

Alexis's current WIP is a NA/Dystopian/Fantasy/Elemental novel temporarily entitled BORN FOR THIS. She is co-hosting the Now Starring Blogfest on April 25th. Visit her at her blog, Kore Averna.

Introducing Crusade Group 7B

Recently, I sent this email to all of my fellow group members:

Hello group members. -waves-

Recently, I had an idea. It involves us getting to know one another better. Through the month of April, I would like to post interviews with each of you. Of course, you do not have to participate but if you would like to, please respond with the following questions answered.

Thank you,
Brooke R. Busse

[questions hidden for mystique]

The responses came pouring in and almost everyone replied, allowing me to continue on with my idea.

I decided to do this activity because I feel that I haven't really been an active part of the Crusade. Sure, I've completed both challenges and participated in my first blogfests hosted by fellow Crusade members, but, due to my OCD at having to read every single blog post a person has written, I have not managed to follow everyone. So, I concluded for me to get the fullest Crusade experience possible, I would focus on the people in my group for the duration of the Crusade and follow everyone else at a much more leisurely pace.

Here is the schedule for the interviews:

1. Alexis - April 6th
2. Theresa Milstein - April 9th
3. Bess Weatherby - April 12th
4. Sari Webb - April 15th
5. Ciara Knight - April 18th
6. Misha - April 21st
7. Meredith - April 25th 
8. Michael - April 28th

NaPoWriMo

You're all probably scratching your heads, and not just because of that funny word up there (or maybe you are). Today is Thursday, and such being so, I should have Poetry Peak, yes? But today, and every Thursday until May, there will be no Poetry Peak. You see, for April, I have another poetry venture in mind.

NaPoWriMo stands for National Poetry Writing Month. It is a challenge, inspired by NaNoWriMo, to write a poem a day for a month. So, instead of getting a poem a week, you're going to be seeing a poem here everyday. How does that sound? I thought so too.

This doesn't mean that I won't be posting any other posts. Reviews, short stories, and all etcetera posts will still be posted for your viewing pleasure. I also have something special planned; it's still in the works. Hint: It has to do with the Crusade. But you didn't hear that from me, mkay?

Question: What subjects do you like in poetry?

A 92 Word Story - Second Crusader Challenge

The goldfish bowl teetered back and forth as its occupants raced around in panic. The Giant watched them through the glass, giggling at their piteous cries for help, their attempts at escape.

“How many times have I told you not to bring humans into the house?” A shriek and a sharp slap to the head for the Giant. “Take them outside, now! And quit your sniveling.”

The Giant trudged outside with his prize, pouting. Then he unceremoniously flipped the fishbowl upside down and watched as the figures fell, screaming, to the ground.

Two Birds, One Stone (Or Post)

Trisha at W O R D + S T U FF has been kind enough to give me another award, The Stylish Blogger Award. You may remember that I have already received this award, but who's to say that I can't fulfill the requirements all over again? What are those requirements? Here's a refresher.

Requirements:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 or so recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.



Sounds easy enough. As a matter of fact, I've already completed number one. XD So on to number two. For this requirement, I'm actually going to kill two birds with one stone. The seven things I'm going to list are going to be things from my Crusader Challenge post. Afterward, I'll reveal the lie.

1. Yes, I eat my apples upside down (and to clarify, the apple is upside down, not me).
2. Yes, I have a problem with staring off into space. Sometimes people get in the way.
3. Yes, I do have eyes that look crazy (they're each a different color).
4. Yes, I love the feel of paper.
5. Yes, I cannot stand to see anyone stabbed.
6. Yes, I really am afraid sometimes that I have no feelings.
7. Yes, I am OCD (I'm certain that I do).

So what's the lie? I DO NOT speak quietly. At all. I'm actually very loud. Lizzie swears she's going deaf because of it. A lot of you picked that. Do I seem like the loud kind of person?

OMG! We're to number three already? Well, we're just moving right along now, aren't we? I don't know if I'll have fifteen blogs I want to award (that haven't already received it) but all the blogs I do pick have certainly earned it.

1. Teralyn at A Writer's Journey
2. Michael Offut at SLC Kismet
3. Charity Bradford at My Writing Journey
4. Stephanie Skeem at The Writing Garden 
5. Angela Scott at Whimsy, Writing, and Reading

Now, I'm off to perform duty/requirement number four. Here's to hoping we all have a wonderful day.

A Girl Who... (AKA My First Crusader Challenge)

Have you ever met a girl who:

• Ate her apples upside down
• Looked like she was staring at you (but laughed as she promised she wasn’t)
• Had eyes that should have belonged to the March Hare and his floppy rabbit ears
• Happened to bloviate occasionally but never really meant it (it came of frustration and shock)
• Loved her family (and not just because she had to) and all her friends (seriously, who wouldn’t?)
• Spoke quietly to where you almost couldn’t hear her
• Had a fetish for paper (always rubbing it between her fingers)
• Couldn’t stand to see someone stabbed (the blood dripping off the blade is fine though)
• Feared she had no feelings (even though fear is a feeling)
• Had an endless supply of answers until someone asked what the hell fuliguline meant
• Was extremely OCD (her friends say it’s really just being very organized but she doesn’t believe them for a second)
• Sent out this massive text because she couldn’t think of any character traits (and didn’t want to brag)

To: [various friends]
From: [Brooke R. Busse]

What is one of my best character traits?

From: [various friends]
To: [Brooke R. Busse]

You always strive to do your best -L

All of the above. (more seriously) Brooklynn is kind, because she just is. -R

You’re imaginative -C

Ur smart…FREAKY smart -K

Your smart but still really fun to be with and ur a great friend -H

I don’t either because one of those bullet points is a lie. Wanna take a stab at which one?

Imagine the Potential

When an idea first starts out, it is tiny, maybe even microscopical. But, no matter the size, every idea has potential. And that potential can only be reached by implementing your idea. Which is exactly what Rachel at Rach Writes did with the Second Writers' Platform-Building Crusade. It is a prime example of how your imagination can help the people around you.

The purpose of the Crusade is for writers to help to build the Internet platform of other writers. Just imagine the things we could do if we all banded together like that! Why, we could even take over the world. -evil laughter- I'm sure that's not what Rachel had in mind, but right now, we're talking about the potential of her idea. And it is in large portion and growing larger all the time.

Now imagine what would happen if you joined in this Crusade. I won't paint you a pretty picture; I'm pretty sure there's no need. (The deadline is midnight tonight so don't spend too much time imagining!)