Random thoughts that forms my blog.
Vampire Haiku: A Quick Bite of Dracula
Inspired by my recent Working Title podcast with poet Hope Whitby and in honor of National Poetry Month, I thought I’d challenge myself to write some haikus this month.
But I need focus. What can I base these brief poems on? Vampires, certainly. Hmm. Guess I should start with Dracula. Warmer. Ah-ha! How about a haiku summarizing each chapter of the eponymous novel?
So that’s what I will be posted below. Each day I will add a haiku for the next chapter. Let’s see how it goes.
Continue reading “Vampire Haiku: A Quick Bite of Dracula”Attending the 2019 James River Writers Conference
Thoroughly enjoying the conference this year, which is no surprise. It’s my favorite time of year on my literary calendar. The best part is meeting wonderful, creative, supportive fellow writers.
Looks like Shadows Within is in good company!
The Etymologicon
The longest grammatically correct English sentence using the same word is:
“Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.”*
This, according to Mark Forsyth in his book, The Etymologicon, which I have read with delight.
Continue reading “The Etymologicon”Happy New Year 2019
How are we already in the final year of the decade? Well here’s to a great 2019.
I’ve re-read my 2018 New Year post and the goals therein. How’d I do? Continue reading “Happy New Year 2019”
ASMR Vampire
I recently searched “vampire” on YouTube and found this video. I quite enjoyed it and wanted to share. Lots of candles. Hope she has a fireproof lair.
My First Author Signing October 20
Perfect for the Halloween season, Book People has graciously offered to host my first book signing for Shadows Within. It will take place on Saturday, October 20, 1-3 p.m. More details on Book People’s website.
In Shadows Within, Reed Williams and his bride honeymoon in Paris where they are attacked. She’s killed while he survives to deal with his grief and confront the vampires who want his soul.
I will be speaking on vampires and how Shadows Within both honors the traditional genre tropes while establishing its own conventions.
I hope to see you there!
My First Writers Panel Appearance
How could I do this? What did I get myself into? I’m going to either not having anything to say, or I’m going to sound like an idiot.
Those are some of my thoughts leading up to my first appearance as a panelist last month. (By the way, I don’t know why it’s taken so long to write about that evening. Thanks to my friend Mark for prompting me to do so.) It took place at Firehouse Theatre on the evening of Wednesday, May 30. The James River Writers talk was titled, “What I Wish I Knew Before My First Book.”
Shadows Within Now Lurks in Fountain Bookstore
Last night I came upon an unexpected surprise while attending a JABBIES event at Fountain Bookstore, downtown Richmond. Browsing the books on offer I saw a familiar cover–mine! Continue reading “Shadows Within Now Lurks in Fountain Bookstore”
Shadows Within Listed on The Book Designer
I’m forever playing catch up on my blog, so this is quite late, but I wanted to mention that the cover for my vampire novel Shadows Within is listed on The Book Designer website. Each month they publish ebook cover award winners and non-winners. My cover was in the latter category for the month of November 2017 (search the page for Shadows), but it did get the favorable comment, “The creepiness element has been carefully controlled, and creates a compelling image.”
New Year’s 2018
In my writing life, this past year, 2017, was phenomenal. The release of my debut vampire novel, Shadows Within, is a dream come true. I’m thrilled to hold it in my hands, and it’s even more gratifying to me that others are reading and enjoying it.
I looked at my New Year’s post from last year and I want to review it here as well as state some goals for this year. Continue reading “New Year’s 2018”