Writing and Reading

Long time, no read, I know. It’s been a number of days since I hit the blog. But I’m back . And I’m back to deliver a great deal of praise for all those other authors out there who have achieved the dream.

Namely one who I’m proud to have known as an esteemed colleague and a prestigious member of an elite group of aspiring authors (me included) who have been knee-deep in the whole journey of agent-searching, agent-finding and publication.

It’s high time I shed some light on some kick-ass killer names with the big titles, big buzz. And with a big-time, hot, hot genre–Young Adult.

Meet…

JESSICA VERDAY

And this is her debut novel….

Look for it September, 2009. Visit her web site at http://www.jessicaverday.com.

Let me tell you, it occurred to me how strangely bizarre and coincidental it is to know that most every classic dance scene you can think of in movies is held high by the one, the only, JOHN TRAVOLTA. The King of Swing. The Mad Hatter of Magic Hips. Some smooth, cult classic dancing that somehow grabs you in a very indie, hip, comical, cultured sort of way. So this edition is about the man. The myth. The legend. Mr. Travolta. Enjoy.

AND WE’RE BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!! CACA.

A little too much sugar, man! WHOO! Crazy, crazy. Bumblebee Tuna. Bzz, bzz, bzz. HA HA!

So when W.W. gets a little crazy and wants to let loose and blow off a little stress, relax the mind with a little insanity (as you know he does SO well), he likes to listen to mindless, crazy, ingenious crud that makes him laugh maniacally! MWUUUHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Check this, kiddies!

I was a big fan of the old Batman series, because the writers were masters of anticipation. Every time the episode was going to end, they asked these rhetorical questions that made you go, “OH!”, “UH!”, (GASP!), “CAN’T WAIT!” And then you hear that diddle-de-diddle-de-dooooo thingy with the brass instrument thingies or whatever they are, and then you start dancing in anticipation for the next episode that answers those questions they asked.

A “series” has that effect on you. You end up being so invested in the characters.

Which brings me to this topic splendidly discussed on “Pop Culture Divas”. Which is better? A standalone or a series?

Let’s look at this from both sides.

First off, take a look at Stephen King and all the books he’s written. Most are standalone. And the man owns fifty countries and owns his own private jet. The man can have 50 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches delivered to him from Africa if he wanted.

He’s also written book series before with reoccurring characters. So you begin to believe that King’s popularity not only stems from the stories he writes, but also mainly by the fact that his name is so recognizable now.

So then we’re back to the same question: which is better, a standalone or a series?

The answer is–it depends on–

YOU.

Standalone books aren’t necessarily inferior. Not by a longshot. But an author has a better shot in the writing career skyrocketing into outer space with a series. We invest a lot in characters. It’s like watching Adam West as Batman with Robin in tights.

It takes a lot of investment, though, not just for a reader–but for an author. As much as a reader loves a series, the author has to put that much effort into it as well.

That’s where a standalone comes in.

Sometimes we have a particular idea we want to write a story about. So we write it. And then we have another idea that we want to brainstorm and develop. So we write about that.

Think of standalones as bits of wood fueling the fire.

Then when we’ve stoked that fire, we have the time and strength to really develop a series. We’ve worked our craft and stimulated ideas enough to harbor enough strength for a lengthy epic book series. Holy mad metaphors, Batman!

I’ve been meaning to post an homage to one of my favorite music artists ever since I was a little kid. Now is the time, definitely. For he was a titan in the music industry. This is a special “Eloquence of Words” for the one and only King of Pop. Remember the Time, friends.

What do I mean by ‘literary echo’, you ask? Another one of my funny expressions, right? You’re absolutely right. It is a funny expression. But one I make with sincerity, for it holds special meaning for me.

First, let’s define ‘echo’. So I’m looking at the Merriam Webster, defining echo, looking at all the different definitions. And I find that not only does it mean a ‘repetition’, but it’s also directly related to…. reflection.

So I look up reflection, and wouldn’t you know it–one of the definitions listed under this sub-word of the original word ‘echo’ is a “consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose.”

So we have echo, a ‘repetition’ of something involving a “subject matter, idea, or purpose”. And then we have ‘literary’. So now we have a repetition of something regarding a situation of literary means–such as a book.

A book that ‘echoes’.

See my logic? (No, you don’t, but that’s okay, ’cause I know I’m mental ).

Anyway, the reason why I bring up this philosophy of the legendary literary echo is to utterly dissolve the common paradigm that a literary agent really doesn’t remember certain manuscripts after a whole year or two.

It makes sense, you know? How many queries does a literary agent receive on a daily basis? Lots. So naturally one would deduce that it’s so hard for an agent to keep track of certain rejections. Our reasoning is that we can easily requery.

I have FIRM PROOF NOW…that the concept of requerying is DANGEROUS!

DANGEROUS, people. DANGEROUS! The literary echo hath spoken.

Here is the reason why:

I was having a conversation with my editor about the edits for the book when she mentioned that she was having a talk with a fellow colleague within the industry: a literary agent. Who shall remain nameless.

What made my ears perk was this particular agent actually had my submission about a year ago! The agent had rejected me, too. Agent shall remain nameless to protect the innocent. Sorry.

But here’s my point: my editor went on to specifically state how important it was to keep in mind that the story behind the submission, the premise, was what interested the agent aaaaaaaaaaaaaand…. WHAT MADE IT EASY TO REMEMBER after a whole year. The agent even remembered the name of my book.

I’ve heard the story time and time again about how a literary agent had to turn down a manuscript not because it wasn’t strong, but because it wasn’t time-effective. Simply put: “too much editing and too little time.” For an agent, it’s different. There’s not a whole lot of time to edit a manuscript to shop it to editors so that an editor can also edit it. It’s almost like beating a dead horse!

BUT…the agent liked my book. That was the key right there. That’s validation for me.

So next time you badger an agent with constant queries or write off an agent as being a brigant or a beast, unwilling to give you time to devote to your manuscript, give you a shot, give you a chance, think again.

That agent might’ve been banging his or her head on the desk, wishing he or she had all the time in the world to develop your wonderful idea into the masterpiece it’s meant to be.

“You listen to me, mister….

I’ve been in a real bad mood for a couple years,

so why don’t you just leave me alone….”

Kevin Coster - “Wyatt Earp”

It’s about time I shine in thine eyes, readers, welcoming you to yet another edition of the Taco Supreme Station 55.5. It’s been awhile buuuuuuuuut….

WE’RE BAAAAAAAAAACK!!!

And so given some of the mindsets the Wretched Writer employs to get himself in the mood, I give you this song, emphasizing the word ‘wretched’.

You see, W.W. does tend to look in the mirror with that seething look of self-loathing sometimes, stirring a sort of violent passion and drama. Let’s face it. It’s dramatic. Facing your own sins, your dark half, is a powerful thing. So listen up and feel the darkness, bebbies…. Feel the darkness….

It’s time for me to bring it, put it in high gear. Spread another layer of nacho cheese and sprinkle in some jalapenos. Time for me to rub on an extra coat of sunscreen and work the sand castles. Yeah, baby (I’m layin’ down the metaphors pretty heavy, I know).

I am referring to information about the book. Particularly groundwork.

I understand that most of my readers (unless you’ve perused the other blogs that have interviewed me) don’t have much of a structured idea as to what THE CAIN LETTERS is actually about. Mostly, you’ve seen rough excerpts here, character sketches and even my query letter . You, however, have not seen things like a ’synopsis’. The ‘basic idea’. SUMMARY.

And so here it is. Without further ado:

ALEXANDRA GLADE (POV), a vengeful and bloodthirsty vampire hunter, discovers a terrifying secret: the origin of vampirism, the biblical figure, CAIN. She’s faced with her deadliest mission, tracking two vampires, MASON and NIKOLAS, who uncover that true source of evil. They plot to kill Cain to gain his power. She deals with a terrible decision knowing that mankind’s existence actually hangs on Cain’s survival thanks to God’s covenant with Cain as written in the book of Genesis.

With the help of a young college student, MARCUS, Alexandra and her comrade KYAN discover a secret book revealing the truth about Cain and then realize the danger in keeping the book in their hands, knowing vampires stalk them for it. Mason and Nikolas apprehend Marcus along with the book, leaving Alexandra and her team of hunters alone to face the evil.

Mason and Nikolas find Cain and free him from an eternal sleep, leaving Alexandra with her horrible choice: save Cain, allowing a true child of Satan to possibly damn the world to agony; or allow Cain’s death, ending mankind. Alexandra slaughters Mason and Nikolas, saving Cain’s life, but at the greatest risk: the antichrist’s reign over the world. Deep within the ancient words of the book, Marcus realizes what he must do to save mankind from the likes of Cain.

He validates Cain, understanding him. According to the book of Genesis, Cain looked for God’s favor. He never received it. Marcus gives it. Marcus offers the earth to Cain in the same way Cain offered the work of the earth to God. That one act shatters all of Cain’s fury. That one selfless, trusting act—stops Cain from raging against the world.

As it stands, Cain lives. He vanishes without any knowledge of his whereabouts, but Alexandra knows he walks the earth. Whether or not Cain chooses to return to his eternal sleep—that itself is a mystery begging to be solved. She is faced with the decision to go on with her life as a vampire hunter. Holding onto the book that nearly ended all life on earth, naming it the “Cain Letters”, she lives on to face another set of fangs in her life as a hunter. Only this time not a hunter born of rage or blood. But of faith.

Quick update–like Bisquick Pancakes. Fire up the griddle–

First off, I’m going to get edits 26 to the end of the book back to me soon, which means the end is near to polishing off THE CAIN LETTERS completely. Still slated for a December release.

On a much larger update, CHIMERA FALLS, the explosive sequel, shall be released on June, if not April or May by my choice. Time for the flip!

Sizzle………. ZE PANCAKES ARE DONE! BON APPETTIT!