Ninja News, Show & Tell in a Nutshell, 2013 Movies, Movie Remakes, and More Critique Comments!

Today I have the honor of a guest spot on Ellie Garrett’s site! I’m discussing critique partners, so if the thought of others reading your work scares you, visit Ellie today. Or if you just want to read more great critique comments from Cassie and Rusty!

Ninja News

Today’s Special Challenge Participant Feature at the A to Z Blog is Nick Wilford. His Challenge theme was “26 Things that Made Me a Writer,” so visit the A to Z Blog for some inspiration.

Christine Rains revealed the cover for her upcoming book, 1301 - The Marquis, which will be out December 13. Congratulations, Christine!

Sean McLachlan has a new article series, Destination: Iraq, about his 17-day trip through Iraq. It’s over at Gadling and the first article is Going on Vacation in Iraq

Julie Luek at A Thought Grows called for revision tips from blog visitors. She compiled them into one post on Monday, and there were some good ones. You’d be amused by her favorite…

 Don’t forget the I Miss You Blogfest is this Friday! Show appreciate for the bloggers you miss and those you would miss.

And my co-hosts for the December 5 posting for the IWSG are Livia and Tasha Seegmiller. Thank you, ladies! I know you will rock.

Show & Tell in a Nutshell

Have you been told there's a little too much telling in your novel? Want to remedy it? Then this is the book for you!

In Show & Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing you will find sixteen real scenes depicting a variety of situations, emotions, and characteristics which clearly demonstrate how to turn telling into showing. Dispersed throughout, and at the back of the book, are blank pages to take notes as you read. A few short writing prompts are also provided.

Not only is this pocket guide an excellent learning tool for aspiring writers, but it is a light, convenient, and easy solution to honing your craft no matter how broad your writing experience. Keep it in the side pocket of your school bag, throw it in your purse, or even carry it around in the pocket of your jeans or jacket, to enhance your skills, keep notes, and jot down story ideas, anywhere, anytime.

If you purchase the e-book, you will be armed with the convenient hyper-linked Contents Page, where you can toggle backward and forward from different scenes with ease. Use your e-reader's highlighting and note-taking tools to keep notes instead.

Purchase the paperback:
$4.40 on Amazon US or £3.99 on Amazon UK
Purchase the e-book:
$1.99 on Amazon US, £1.99 on Amazon UK, or $1.99 on Kobo

For more information about Jessica Bell, please visit: Website, Blog, Twitter, or Facebook

Movies in 2013

It’s not 2013 yet, but there are some amazing movies coming out next year! Just a few to whet your appetite:

May 3 – Iron Man 3 – Guy Pearce is in the cast. Been a while since he’s been in a movie that didn’t suck.
May 24 - The Fast and the Furious 6 – After the awesomeness of the fifth movie, I’m ready!
July 12 – Pacific Rim – Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Need I say more?
November 8 – Thor: The Dark World – Thor battles an ancient race of Dark Elves. Yes, it’s a year away, but get excited, people!

Movie Remakes

Since Hollywood is determined to remake every film, thought we’d have some fun with it. What’s one of the worst remakes you’ve ever seen? What’s one of the best? What film would you like to see remade? And what film do you pray no one ever remakes?

Worst remake – Clash of the Titans
Yes, the original is campy, but it had heart and Ray Harryhausen creatures. The remake was a soulless piece of special effects.

Best remake – The Thomas Crown Affair
The original was good, but with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo, it’s perfect.

Please remake – The Relic
Including the main character, Agent Pendergast, would be a big plus!

Never remake – Aliens
Cameron’s masterpiece is the ultimate roller coaster ride. Remake my favorite movie and I WILL go all Ninja on you!
(And while I’m at it, don’t remake Raiders of the Lost Ark, either.)

See some things you’d like to read? Ready for the blogfest this Friday? Did you pick up Jessica’s book? Excited for the 2013 movie season? And what movies were the best/worst remakes and what do you want/not want remade?

Be sure to visit Nick at the A to Z Blog and Ellie Garrett for more Cassie and Rusty comments!

A Modest Internet Star Visits, Ninja News Overload, Award, and Movie Trivia

Juliana Haygert interviewed me and it's up now!

Modest Internet Star

Today I have a treat for you – a doggie treat! Yes, Penny the Jack Russell dog and Modest Internet Star is visiting today, with a little help from her owner, Gary.

Greetings and lucky you, yes it's me, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest Internet star. First of all, I wish to thank that very kind human, Alex, for allowing me the opportunity to amaze you with my guest 'pawsting', sorry, posting.

I submit the occasional posting over at my human Gary's site aka "klahanie". By example, my ongoing mission is to help make Gary a better writer. Alas, he's struggling. However, I've managed to teach him a few simple tricks like, roll over, beg and shake a hand.

I was recently interviewed by Gary. One of his questions was, "Do you have any writing suggestions for aspiring authors?" To which I replied, "Write from the heart. Make your writing intimate. Write in such a way that your reader really feels like you're talking directly to them. Make your reader care about the story. Most importantly, grab and hold onto the reader's attention from the very first sentence. Never give up and pursue your dream. Do your best to make your dream a reality.

Yes, I'm flattered to be famous. Although the pesky 'puparazzi' are forever hounding me. And I tried to add some "snark", whatever that is, to this posting. I figure it must be a mixture of snore and bark!

The vital ingredient of my writing is that I demonstrate the unconditional, non-judgemental love that we animals give to humanity. We have lessons to teach. If only mankind would listen.

If you have never visited the site I 'pawblish' on, here it is, Klahanie.

Once again, thank you Alex, my human friend.

Thank YOU, Penny! You are now a Modest Internet Superstar.

Ninja News Overload!

Katherine is holding a giveaway at her blog, Katherine’s Corner– lots of books to win, including a copy of CassaStar!

Tara and Viklit are hosting the I’m Thankful for my Readers Blogfest in November!

Tasha Seegmiller is celebrating her one year blog anniversary with a giveaway!

If you want to know what’s going on in the world of contests and submissions, visit Kimberly’s site, The Art of Infiltration. Every Monday she posts links and the list is impressive!

Black Gate has just published Sean McLachlan’s historical fantasy novella The Quintessence of Absence. And he is on assignment in Iraq for the next three weeks! So congratulations and prayers for safe travels.

My awesome co-hosts for the November 7 posting of the IWSG will be LG Keltner and CM Brown!

The Angry Lurker is holding a two year giveaway of custom dice! And they are very cool…

David Powers King announced that Ink Pageant is celebrating its first birthday with a Kindle Fire giveaway!

Lynn Kelly’s new book, Curse of the Double Digits, is out now! And she’s holding a big giveaway to celebrate. Congratulations, Lynn! Purchase it on Amazon.

Cally Jackson is hosting The Year I Turned 18 Blogfest – visit her site for details!

Nick Wilford at Scattergun Scribbles is celebrating one year of blogging with a three book giveaway!

Cat Lavoie’s new book, Breaking the Rules, is now available – congratulations, Cat!

Award

Patsy Collins gave me the Super Sweet Blogger Award – thank you, Patsy!

1. Cookies or cake? Cookies because you can eat more of them.
2. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate – with peanut butter, of course.
3. What is your favourite sweet treat? Hot Tamales! (Bet you didn’t see that one coming.)
4. When do you crave sweet things most? After popcorn. Must be the salt.
5. If you had a sweet nickname what would it be? Does Stud Muffin sound sweet?

Passing this one on to Livia, because she is indeed a real sweetheart.

Horror Movie Trivia

Name the director! (All well-known directors.)

1 – The Frighteners
2 – Mimic
3 – Bram Stoker’s Dracula
4 – The Serpent and the Rainbow
5 – The Keep


Any questions for Penny the Modest Internet Superstar? See any good giveaways? Good blogfests and new releases? (I know – a lot today! That’s what I get for skipping Wednesday.) Know the movie trivia? And seeing a movie this weekend? I still might see Sinister, but first I’m hitting Argo. 91% on Rotten Tomatoes…

Remember my interview with Juliana Haygert - it's live now!

Marketing Tips, Ninja News, Shannara TV Series, Help with Goodreads List, Ninja Answers, and Movie Trivia Answers

The wonderful Misha Gericke at My First Book invited me to do a post on marketing. Actually, she offered several topics and for some bizarre reason, I chose marketing. Is there a secret to marketing a book? If you are an author, I invite you to visit Misha for my best guess as to how to market a book.

Ninja News!

Juliana Haygert’s novelette, Her Heart’s Secret Wish, will be published by Decadent Publishing in December. Congratulations, Juliana!!

Julie at What Else is Possible just signed a contract with a publisher for her book, Polar Night. Way to go, Julie!

Cherie Reich revealed the cover art for her Gravity Trilogy – and it is awesome!


Joylene Nowell Butler’s novel, Dead Witness, is free today at her publisher’s site! Click HERE to get your copy.

Shannara TV Series!

From Variety:
“Sonar Entertainment has acquired the rights to author Terry Brooks' bestselling fantasy series "Shannara" and is partnering with Farah Films to produce a television series based on the books.
Set hundreds of years after the destruction of our civilization, series follows the Shannara family, who are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world. The plan is to base the show's first season on "The Elfstones of Shannara," the second book in the series.
The 20th bestselling book in the 25-year-old series has just premiered at No. 2 on the New York Times Bestsellers list. Two more books in the series are set to be published in 2013.”

Starting with Elfstones instead of Sword makes sense, as the second book predates the first one. Warner had purchased the movie rights, but based on the success of Game of Thrones, Sonar and Farah are working together to make it a TV series. Brooks has already voiced his approval of this move.

For me, this is awesome! Sword of Shannara was the first fantasy novel I ever read, and I fell in love with the genre. I’ve had the honor of meeting Terry Brooks as well. To see the series that meant so much to me, and spurred my desire to write, come to life will be pure Heaven!

Goodreads List Help

Yes, I’ve been on Goodreads over two years now and had no idea they had lists! (I guess this Ninja needs to prowl better.) CassaStar and CassaFire are both on the list for Best Science Fiction Space Opera – if you get a chance, please vote for either one. (Or both!) Click HERE to open a new window to vote.
Really appreciate it! Be nice to see both books higher on the list.

Getting to Know Your Ninja!

Still working my way through the questions…

From Lynda Young - How long did it take for you to train to become a Ninja Captain? When will you name your heir?
November 9 will mark three years of blogging for me, so I guess that’s how long it has taken. As for an heir… I’m not through yet!

From Michelle - If you had the opportunity to work on a collaborative music project with just ONE great artist, who would that be? Have you written any songs for the guitar? Instrumental or with lyrics?
One great artist? John Petrucci of Dream Theater. The man is beyond talented. I haven’t written any songs, but I have crafted several melodies. No lyrics. I can sing but prefer not to…

From Zoltán: Does the Ninja have to sleep? How many hours per a day do you spent with sleep?
I revel in my sleep! I usually get between six and seven hours a night during the week. (More on the weekends.) Bedtime for me is 10:00pm. Note I didn’t say that’s when I go to sleep though. (I am married to a hot wife!)

Tasha Seegmiller posted about Building the Support System on Wednesday. She liked my answer so much, she emailed me and said I should share it. Said it was romantic or something like that. So here’s the comment:

”I was fortunate my wife was supportive from day one when I began rewriting that old manuscript.
I made a pact with her that I would keep our private life private and never allow any insanity to invade our home. (Outside of me writing for hours of course.) That's why I'm such a secretive Ninja - for her.”

Movie Trivia Answers

1 – “Go that way really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.” – Better Off Dead
2 – “Maybe you’re the plucky comic relief.” – Galaxy Quest
3 – “Ray, next time someone asks you if you’re a god, say yes!” - Ghostbusters
4 – “Take this quarter, go downtown, and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face!” – Uncle Buck
5 – “You idiot! These are not them. You’ve captured their stunt doubles!” - Spaceballs

Excited for Juliana and Julie? Excited about Shannara finally coming to life? (I’m stoked!) Can you help with the Goodreads list? (I can grovel if necessary…) Surprised by my answers? Get the quotes right? And who is catching Resident Evil: Retribution this weekend?

Don’t forget to visit Misha!