"Jimmy" Short Story Review/ Interview

Hello World.

I finally have some free time. It has been a crazy week and it is shaping up to be a busy weekend as well. Before I have zero time, I wanted to post this funny as heck Interview I did with Edward Owen. Please read below for the review of his short story "Jimmy" and the interview below it.

The Short Story “Jimmy” by Edward Owen is set in the late 2070’s. “The desire to stay young and beautiful had pushed medical science to keep up with the demand. When plastic surgery was no longer enough, bio and genetic engineering had stepped in to fill the need.” Here is where Jimmy comes in, a human hired to exterminate Beverly Hills of all these mutated zombies. Little does Jimmy know that the creatures running through the sewers and old abandoned buildings may not be what they seem. Edward has written a great story that captures the reader’s attention at once. Jimmy has a great inner monologue that keeps you laughing and wanting more. It has action and a very unexpected ending, so if you are into futuristic and sometimes gory stories, then this is the one for you. You can read it at http://storiesbyedwardowen.com/shortstories.aspx


INTERVIEW

Hi Edward! (@storiesbyedward) Glad you could come chat with me shortly. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?


I'm still working a day job, so I'm a writer, not an author (authors get paid, writers struggle). I started writing when I was a kid, probably because my mom read to me all the time. I had an imaginary friend when I was a kid (we're having coffee together this weekend!) so there was a lot going on in my brain, all the time. I probably got the writing bug in college. I had to write some fiction pieces for one of my English classes. One assignment was the chapter of a novel. I ended up with about four or five chapters. I still have the notes and may go back to finish it eventually. Two years ago I finished a 150K word horror novel and decided to make a serious effort at getting published. As you can imagine, well, did I tell you I'm still working a day job? I keep learning and writing and editing.

I have three or four projects going all the time (ADD strikes again) but I am making some progress. My wife and I live with our three sons in Southern California and I work in Los Angeles. I have a very offbeat sense of humor and literally no filter between my brain and my mouth (fingers). I constantly tell people to read the warning label. If I offend someone, I just give them a coupon for a 10% discount on their own sense of humor. I figure it's the least I can do.


2. What got you into writing?

I have always loved to read and I think that transferred over to writing. I would go to the library and check out four or five paperbacks and have them all read before they were due. I read a lot of science fiction and horror. Sort of explains a lot, doesn't it?


3. What is your favorite genre to write?

Horror is definitely my favorite. It is a great escape and allows me to take out any frustrations from the day on my characters. I'm not talking Edgar Allen Poe "Telltale Heart", I'm talking Stephen King with a migraine, on hold with the phone company (No, I'm not that good, yet, but you have to have goals). Really graphic, really scary and really sexual. The kind of stuff that makes you want to rinse your eyeballs with bleach. My current WIP is YA sci-fi, my second great love. My favorite authors are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, J.R.R. Tolkein, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clark and Isaac Asimov (pure genius, that one).


4. Have you had anything published and if not, are you trying to get published at the moment?

I have two eBooks on Amazon Kindle. One is a sort of analytical/philosophical discussion about wisdom and intelligence and the other is a book of inspirational sayings that I wrote myself. Very off genre for me, but they each served a purpose. I will be doing the indie pub thing this fall. I have two novels that will be the start of two different series. That's just how my brain works, all over the place, all the time.


5. What else, other than stalk me on Twitter, do you do during the day? Do you have a routine?

I am up at 2:30 am during the week as I start work at 5:30 and have an hour commute. If I get moving early, I try to write or catch up on email, Twitter, etc. before I leave. I write on my lunch break and in the evenings, if I have time. Most of my writing is done early in the morning on weekends when the house is quiet. I can knock out 5-6k words between Saturday and Sunday(if I stay off Twitter, yes I'm addicted and there is no 12 step program to help me.)

My youngest son is a senior in high school, so much of my evening time is spent helping him with homework. He has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. He needs help with writing, so I just type his homework. He is an awesome kid and designs all my book covers. Next year he will be attending a design school to become a professional graphic artist.

On Saturday afternoon I attend a writers' critique group. This has, without a doubt, been the best thing I have done to improve my writing. We give each other honest and constructive criticism about our work. Everyone is very nice and no one gets their feelings hurt (mine are bullet proof anyway).


6. What kind of advice would you share with someone just starting in the writing business?

Find a good day job that pays the bills and doesn't require too much of your brain power. Then, write in your spare time, join a writing group, take classes and READ A LOT! If you didn't read as a kid, you have a lot of catching up to do. Writing is a learned skill, like anything else. The creative part is more difficult to learn, just like sports or anything else, some people are born with a certain talent. If you don't have that part, the struggle will be greater. It doesn't mean you can't write, but maybe fiction won't be your niche. Write about what you know. If you grow flowers, write a blog about flower gardening. I think about the horrible things that I would like to happen to people who annoy me, so I write horror. (Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me to write about you when I'm angry.)


7. Let us know where we can find your work, so we can stalk you as well.

First, I have two books on Amazon Kindle: The Pocket Philosopher (inspirational quotes) and Tomatoes in the Fruit Salad (wisdom, knowledge and how to tell the difference). I have some short stories and excerpts on my website, www.storiesbyedwardowen.com and several articles on Helium.com. The piece, "Adventures in Home Improvement: The Kitchen" has been rated #1 for four years in a row. I wrote a serialized short story called "The Game" (about poker) It is on www.edwardowen.wordpress.com. You have to look for it in the archives. The blog title is Nightmares and Body Parts... yes because I write horror, but my last entry was about my 3 boys, "Please Don't Feed the Bears". I told you, I have ADD...SQUIRREL! now what was I talking about?

Hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did!
Thank you Edward for stopping by and for ALWAYS making me laugh! You are the best :)

Xoxo

Stuck - Short Story Review / Interview

Happy Weekend everyone!

How is your Saturday going so far? I have some family from Argentina over for just the day, so we have been running around for lunch and other fun endeavors. Now, the men find themselves like every Argentine, watching soccer.
A week ago I was asked by my good Twitter friend Lissette (@xLizzieBethx) to review her new forthcoming short story, STUCK. Find my review here and an interview below it:

““Stuck” by Lissette E. Manning captured me from the very beginning; spiraling me into her post-apocalyptic world. In this heart wrenching short story, we follow Annie as she leaves the safety of her home in search of means to provide for her family. As a mother myself, I felt the utter pain Annie went through leaving her children behind and the need to go out into the unknowing to ease her family’s hunger.
A few tears were shed, I will not lie. Prepare to become one with the main character as she takes you for a ride you will not soon forget. A must read!”

INTERVIEW:



1. Hi Lissette! Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to me. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Welcome, Lucy. It's a pleasure. It really is.
My real name is Nancy Medina and I write under the penname of Lissette E. Manning. I live in Waterbury, CT and have a long-haired domestic cat named Mikey who likes to bite people's ankles whenever he has the chance to. I also enjoy reading a lot, listening to music, and playing video games whenever I have the time to.

2. How did you get into writing and how long have you been doing it?

I've been writing since I was six-years-old. Would write on whatever I could find - napkins, candy wrappers, copy paper, you name it and I quite possibly would jot down whatever train of thought would grasp me at that current moment. Mind you, Mom never understood my thirst for writing and she'd throw out my stories whenever she'd find them.

3. Do you write your stories with a pre-organized plot?

Occasionally, I do, yes.
More often than not, though, I just let my muse guide me in whatever he decides to give me to write. He's an impatient little bugger and enjoys bestowing me with ideas at the most inopportune moment.

4. What was the first thing you ever wrote and how did it feel to finally finish it?

That's a tough one, since the first thing I actually wrote didn't really make sense when I was a kid. I know that I finished it, though.
First actual story that I've finished and got out there was Closure. Took me about a year to actually get it right. I remember sitting here, after receiving all the suggestions from the beta-readers/editors came in and revising the manuscript so many times. When I finally got the final version that is now on the market, it felt great and so accomplished.

5. How many stories, books, novels did you write? Anything published that we might have seen?

I'm writing constantly. I've about six different projects in the works, at the moment. Actually, make that seven, as I recently revived a story that I abandoned years ago after someone told me that it wouldn't be worth continuing if I wasn't going to use French language/mannerisms in the books.
I currently have two short stories published with a third one coming onto the market within the next few days.
The first one is called Closure, which is a romance drama that centers around a man who's left to deal with heartache after his wife walks out on him.
The second one is titled Compromise of the Soul and is a paranormal romance. This one is an introduction/prequel to a novel that I'm working on titled Haunted. It centers around vampires and immortals.

6. Do you ever suffer from ‘writer’s block’? If so, how did you get around it?

Yes, I do on occasion. To get around it, I set aside whatever I'm trying to write and work on writing something that is not related to the subject at hand. If that doesn't work, I'll sit down and read for a while to the creative juices start flowing again.

7. What made you write “Struck”?

I started writing this short story during a writing course that I was taking online taught by Jeremy C. Shipp. I'd been trying to work on an assignment and I'd had a bit of a writer's block. I remember watching a moment, not exactly sure what it was, but it cut to some commercials and I saw something with a broken road and some fire on the screen. My muse 'woke up' so to speak and next thing I know, I started writing this story.
Mind you, the original version is nothing like the finished story that you've now read. It took me quite a few tries, and countless revisions, until I was able to make it into what you see now. I also had great suggestions from my beta-readers - they know who they are, who were patient with me throughout all of the edits and revisions.

8. When I read the story I had a million different emotions running wild and I even cried. What were your feelings through it all?

As I was writing this, I felt an injustice at the pain and sorrow that she and her family have had to go through in trying to survive. When I wrote the part of the child, I actually envisioned that and felt like crying.
Although this story is a work of fiction, it's a story about survival amidst overcoming the odds that are stacked against Annie because of the circumstances, and the choices, that are not quite of her making. Well, to some extent, anyway. As what happens near the end was in fact because of her own folly. I think everyone can relate to her and her current plight.

9. Where can we find your Published stories?

Closure and Compromise of the Soul can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.
Closure is also available as a printed edition.

10. Are you working on something new already?

Yes, indeed, I am. Quite a few projects, actually.
I recently pulled a novel titled One For All, And All For One out of the closet, so to speak, which centers around Louis XIV.
I also have a paranornal romance novel in the works called Haunted. Vampires and Immortals play a vital role in it. Compromise of the Soul is an introduction/prequel to this novel.
There's also a science-fiction series in the works called Tales of Velosia. The first book in this series is called The Prophecy which centers around a prophecy set in motion by the Gods in regards to a messiah who must save their world. The second book is titled Tyale and takes up from where The Prophecy ends. There's also an untitled story that I'm also working that is not exactly a part of the series, but it does center around this world that I've created. One of the characters, Marius Pendragon, is the one who tells this story.

Last but not least, I'm also working on a Young Adult novel titled Careless which tells the story of a group of girls on spring break and an accident that ensues because of their actions during one of their outings. This one, though, is on the back burner for a bit, since my muse is eager to see One For All, And All For One and Haunted finished soon.

11. What was the best piece of advice you've received in regard to your writing career?

To just write what you know. Although, I tend to get ideas for things that I literally know nothing about, but I blame my muse for that. He likes to mess with my head. A lot. I should name him, some day. But then he'd probably get way too full of himself, so his being known as just my muse is fine for now, I think.

12. Okay, to finish this off- tell us ten random things about yourself.

Hmmm . . . let me see.
* I procrastinate a lot.
* I like to write late at night and usually in the dark.
* I've an eclectic music taste.
* I'm a bit of a computer geek.
* I kind of suck at returning messages once I start writing.
* My favorite movies is The Man In The Iron Mask.
* My favorite book/series is Rhapsody by Elizabeth Haydon.
* I like acquiring video games. Literally.
* I'm a readaholic, as I've book scattered all over the house.
* I like to sleep during the day.

To Order her Story "Stuck" or any other, please visit the following link.

http://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning/

Scene Writing Tips

Hi guys,

I just checked out my newest blog follower's own blog and I have to say, I am in love! She has some excellent tips for any aspiring Author. She is currently working on a Romantic Suspense Novel and is also a manuscript editor, writing coach, copyeditor and proofreader.

Check out the link below and I am sure you will follow her blog. I am certain you will all love it!

*Lynnette Labelle* @Chatterbox Chitchat: Scene Writing Tips - Part 2

Xoxo

Life goes on- Thank God!

Hi Guys!

I am so happy to be feeling better and being able to, once again, take my life back into my own hands. It has been the second time, as I previously said on the “Sick of being Sick” blog (http://bit.ly/oEIaBi ), that I get these incredible and nasty migraines. I have NEVER and I do mean NEVER been one to get sick, so it has been really challenging when you are left with nothing to do but agonize in bed for days on end. However, I seem to be better now – although the computer screen does make my eyes hurt a bit (dizzy), which means my 20/20 sight may not be so perfect anymore.. Vision appointment to be made soon along with a new Neurologist appt. I have heard marvelous things about him so I am crossing my fingers!

When I began feeling sick I was overcome, literally, by a new idea for a story. The waking minutes and hours I spent every day I plotted this story until I had it pretty much all set up, waiting for it to be written. Since the computer screen would make me sick, I started taking notes.

First, I made an outline with the chapters. I gave them all names so I will later on know what I was supposed to write.

Then, I assigned three pages to every chapter and wrote ideas, phrases the MC would say, feelings that needed to be expressed, etc.

And now, I am ready to write it all more in depth. This little system seems to work quite well I will say. I obviously haven’t started writing yet, but I already KNOW all that I need to know.. all there is left to write it neatly and for it to actually make sense.

I am pretty sure I will go back and do this for my already WIP (Work in Progress- for all you non writers) and even though I only have one chapter left to write, I will go back and most likely re-write some of it. It is the first full book I have written, EVER, so it is bound to have mistakes. I am excited to see what else I can uncover and add to “Feathermore” and make it even better than I believe it to already be.

What system do you use to write? Do you just get an idea and go from there? Do you outline? How do you outline? I have zero education in Literature and anything related to writing. I am solely basing it all on my imagination and love for books. All of your help will be greatly appreciated!
If you haven’t already, check out the Prologue, or may end up being Chapter 1 for “Feathermore” here: http://bit.ly/oRYakw

Thank you guys for your continuous support with my blog, through Twitter(@luceduceswing) and with my #amwriting :)

Luvs you all!

XOXO

My worst enemy

Hi Guys!

Daughter started school and luckily she loved the new school, hope this keeps up! I met with the teacher this morning, as I had never met her before, and I left feeling like I needed to take some etiquette class or something. Everyone is so proper and Catholic.. and there I walk in donning black skinny jeans, a black TWILIGHT t-shirt and my black Adidas..Totally not their style.
Ms. Fox did seem nice and hopefully all will go great!

I gotta say, I started writing my book the last week of June and ever since i have been staying until the wee hours of the night writing and then, whenever possible sleeping in. Going to bed now at 1am and waking up at 6 is no fun. Yesterday i took it in stride and was a ball of energy, today not so much. I am a grouch. After dropping of the kid in school we went to the gym, by we i mean hubby and 3yo son (who LOVES to go play at the daycare there as he gets to play basketball). I passed out as soon as i got back in the truck from talking to the teacher and at the gym i was a zombie. I had Dubstep station on Pandora at full blast but my energy was like my phone battery, in the low 30s. Now i am finally home and ready to tackle some writing.. although the bed is calling my name quite loudly.

This brings me to my actual post, geez, i can really get sidetracked. If you follow me on twitter (@luceduceswing) you might have read last night about chapter 26. Shy of 6,000 words and i had to delete it all. I didnt though, delete it that is. I simply copied it and saved it in a new doc. It is very frustrating when you change a MINIMAL detail and BAM! you have to re write everything! I am sure with time i will get used to it and it wont be so much work to fix it, but for now.. the Delete button is my worst enemy.

Have you had any stories like this one? What have you had to erase and why?

Well kiddos, i am really debating if it is writing time or sleepy time. Decisions, decisions, decisions..

Muah!

Improve your writing

I, for starter, am doing everything I will talk about below. That I am succeeding? Well, that may be a different story. I have no training in writing, nor have I taken any classes other than ENC1101 (Composition I) in college about six years ago and it has all since then been forgotten.
When I began writing my book it was incredibly hard. Sure one thinks "It's only writing! How hard could it be?" Well, very hard, let me tell you!
You may have an idea in your head and you will start writing it, but it doesn't come through the way you expected it and you are not happy with it. You will probably re-write it a good amount of times before you are mildly satisfied and can move on.
Other times you will stare at the page or blank word document and will wonder where the heck to start. What are you trying to bring across? It has happened to me where NOTHING I write pleases me. But I did read from one of the Authors I like to not think about it too much, and just... write. Whatever comes to your head just type it, even if it looks something like this: "Don't want to get up and cook, Poop what to do? Kids stop fighting let’s all be nice I need to clean." Yup, it's a mixture of my thoughts and no grammar correction, JUST WRITE. Once you start implementing this, it will slowly but surely become easier to let go and let it flow out of your mind. When I began writing I was so concerned on my spelling and my grammar. Was that comma in the right place (most of the times it wasn't). Now, I am not a pro at all of this, but I am just passing down some of the tips that have helped me writing the 65,389 words I already have for my book.

Let me just write a list of things that have helped me, how is that? Ok, here we go:

1. WRITE EVERY SINGLE DAY! (I cannot stress this enough. Even if it is a shopping list, what you have done during the day, what caught your eye if you were out and about? Anything, it will help to make it easier later on)

2. Don't go crazy over grammar and spelling. Once you are all done with what you wanted to write, THEN go back and edit and re check everything.

3. Read, and read widely. You have to read as much as you possibly can in your genre as well as those you may not like so much. It will open your mind to new ideas and different styles of writing.

4. B.I.C - If you haven't seen my first post ever, it means Butt In Chair. Sit down and write, it is the only way to get it done. Minimize your distractions (trust me I haven’t mastered this one yet. Its summer break and I have my kids with me 24/7, so i attempt to write during the day at times and other times, i stay until 4am trying to get it done)

5. Find a comfortable spot where you can write. I sometimes seat in the couch and my butt goes numb in less than an hour, my back hurts... yes, comfortable spot a must! Right now I am happily typing from bed.. ahhhhh!

6. Keep pen and paper next to your bed. A lot of times you will wake up with an idea or a dream that was nothing short of amazing and tell yourself you will write it in the morning. Well don't. You will most likely not remember it or won't remember those all important details about it. So keep that pen and paper handy and just scribble it down. I am not saying write a whole page, but just what it was, how it made you feel, any details of the setting you may remember, etc.

Well guys, I sure hope this is helpful! Please add to the list if you have other tips :) You are always welcome to leave comments!

Have a wonderful day!

XOXO