Friday, December 27, 2013

The 2013 "Merry Gathering": An Adventurous LEGO Recap of This Year's "Knights of the Cosmic Table!"


It's been a truly awesome year in the writing world. Lots of great books have made their debut and a few hot series have come to a close. We can expect a repeat of this awesomeness in the coming year, but before we sign off, I'd like to celebrate the wonderful authors that I've interviewed this past year.

And you're invited!

To celebrate this "Merry Gathering," I've reserved the entire lot of The Prancing Pony, the establishment that's much better than that Restaurant at the End of the Universe (I tried to acquire some reservations there, but some planet's having their "end-of-the-world-...-but-it's-not" party there. Better to have a cozy gathering than compete with paper bag-headed folks, right?

Okay! The turkey is roasted. The bread is baked. The mead is flowing.  We may be short a chair or two. There! That's better. Now we just need our guests to arrive. Any time... *knock, knock, knock*

Oh, good! It's looks like our Cosmic Knights have arrived! While the dwarfs are finishing the table and decorations (thanks, Al!), allow me to reintroduce you to our writing knights of 2013 with a reminder of what we did to help jog your memory (or in case you missed it):

*click on the picture to see the full image and text*

First, we introduced J.A. Bennett to crullers ...

 

Then we wrote an anthology with Nick Wilford ...


Morgan Shamy showed us her mad ballet skills ...


We went troll hunting with Michael Di Gesu ...


We ran into Shallee McArthur at a book signing ...


We caught some righteous waves with Mark Koopmans ...


Amber Argyle revealed her "true" evil-dragon-queen self ...


We took flight on Al (Father Dragon) Diaz's back ...


We went on a spacewalk with Ellie Garratt ...


And we fought the undead with Michael Offutt ...


Looks like the table's all set! Apparently we had to take down a wall so Father Dragon could get in here, but that's okay. We'll blame it on Sauron. The Prancing Pony has wonderful insurance for damages against orcs and dark lords. Thanks for coming, you guys, and a very special thank you to Boy 1 for allowing me the use of his Legos!

As your host, I'm offering a final gift to three lucky commenters. Say anything you'd like on this post and I'll pick three random winners for a $15 Amazon Gift Card, so you can start your year off with a free book (or a few free e-books). I'll announce winners on the 8th!

Thank you for making this year an epic adventure worthy of being written in the stars! Be on the lookout, because we're still in need of more knights as 2014 rolls along. Take up your pen and let your valor shine forth like the noonday sun! Keep writing - and never give up!

To you, from all of us, here at The Cosmic Table:

 
Happy New Year! 

I'm David, and The Laire will launch again on January 8th!

Monday, December 23, 2013

2013 Sign Off, Highlights, An Unexpected Surprise, and a Knight of the Cosmic Table "Merry Gathering" Event!


Well, friends ... 2013 is nearly at its end. And with the holidays fast approaching, I've decided to dock ship for the next couple of weeks and call it a year - and what a year it has been! It started with hope, ran into doubt and heartache in the middle, and it ends now with an even brighter flame of hope. And here are my highlights of 2013:

Although Woven wasn't released as planned, I still managed to win my goal of getting something published this year through The Spirit of Christmas (and the feedback has been great, guys - thank you!).

I'm now represented by Meredith Bernstein, a fantastic, if not THE most fantastic agent under the stars! She's amazing to work with. I couldn't be happier, and I look forward to the adventure, Meredith!

It's been a huge year for firsts: first podcast interview with Author's Think Tank, first Comic Con, first radio interview with KCPW, and first TV appearance on Fox 13 News, including countless mentions in news articles on an international scale. I'm still dizzy. But I am grateful and back on my feet. I couldn't have done it without the outreach and support of family, friends, and fellow authors. I forever thank you.

I have a feeling 2014 is going to be amazing!

Also, an unexpected surprise happened in my state; the gay marriage ban has been lifted. You can imagine how surprised I was when my good friend and co-author Michael Jensen called me up; he's married now! And I couldn't be happier for him. Congratulations, my friend!

There's not much else to say except there will be one last post before the year is over, on Friday the 27th. Would you like to see some of the most famous author-bloggers as LEGO Mini figs? It's happening! My Cosmic Knights from this year are getting together for a "Merry Gathering," and I hope you'll stop by for the excitement and laughs (and crullers)! You can tell I'm ready for The LEGO Movie, right?

Thank you for making 2013 a great year for blogging, my friends. Thank you for the hits, the clicks, the shares, and the comments. I haven't said this, but I came very close to quitting this writing thing altogether this year. If not for this blog - and you - I may have.

I'm here to stay. Lets make 2014 a year to remember! I wish the greatest of holidays to you and yours - and I'll see you next year.

I'm David, and be sure to stay warm out there!

Friday, December 20, 2013

If How To Train Your Dragon 2 Isn't On Your 2014 Must-See List, This Amazing Trailer Should Fix That!


Something tells me the bar is about to rise for animation in 2014, and the latest trailer for How to Train Your Dragon 2 has everything that fantasy and dragon enthusiasts are starving see. Check it out!


Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

I'm David, and "The world just got a whole lot bigger!"

Monday, December 16, 2013

Two New Fantasy Reads: Twisted and Shadows of Valor, Interstellar, and A Possible Change Of Pace!


Hey, guys! I know it's been a week since my last update, but I had to bow out to take care of some ear-clogging, throat-soreing nastiness. The good news is, I got better! And now that I'm back in half-swing, I've got two new books that need to be shouted from the bridge!

Up first is Tayla Durham's debut "wraith" novel, Twisted!

Locked up in the Nansterdome crown castle prison, Aster the Terrible has little to look forward to, except his execution. All this changes when a wraith steals and important relic from the castle. Aster is pulled out of prison to steal for the king to combat the wraith. Things get twisted when Aster and his newfound rival, Allie Taylor learn that the wraith of isn't the enemy, but the one protecting them from the actual threat.

(From Goodreads)
 

And now I'm pleased to present Shadows of Valor by Elsie Park!

On the surface, Graywall is content and booming. Lord Shaufton, who presides over the city, is a fine ruler. The poor are well-cared for, the area is popular, and morale is high—but within Graywall’s roots, something dark is stirring. This darkness threatens to overpower the once-peaceful town, until a mysterious figure appears: The Shadow.


As much a figure of fear to the unruly as legend to the innocent, The Shadow is an enforcer of justice and aid to the King. Due to an outrageous export tax set by King Edward, smuggling has tainted the kingdom, so The Shadow is sent to hunt the smugglers down. Contrary to legend, The Shadow is simply a man known as Sir Calan who, although talented and just, struggles to keep his dark thoughts of revenge from becoming ruthless action.
 
Due to sheer coincidence, The Shadow learns of a deadly plot against Lord Shaufton on a journey to Graywall. Now, he must enter a pseudo courtship with Lord Shaufton’s daughter under his original guise of Sir Calan, all while old emotions are stirred by the lovely Elsbeth, Lord Shaufton’s niece. Elsbeth, it seems, is the only woman who can heal his troubled soul, but she has a story of her own. What transpires is a glorious tale full of deceit, greed, inner struggles, betrayal, and most of all—love.
 (From Goodreads)
 
Congratulations on your releases! Count them on my to-read list! 
 
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We've had our first look at Interstellar over the weekend, which if you haven't heard is the latest film by Christopher (Batman) Nolan. But this time, it's about space travel, and Matthew McConaughey is making his return to his first thought-provoking sci-fi movie since Contact. Needless to say, I'm excited, and the dialogue in this trailer really resonated with how I've been feeling lately. Check it out!
 
 
 
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Update: edits on Undead are going smoothly, but I think the biggest update I have to share with you this week is that this blog may have to undergo a change of pace. Lately, my time has never been in more demand, and that means I need to pull back and reflect on where and how to apply my time. This also means I may have to cut back on the number of posts I publish. This doesn't mean I'm leaving this blog - far from it - but if I am to complete my writing goals, provide for my family and give them the attention they deserve, I have to cut back. I haven't figured it out yet, so my posts will be random until I do.
 
I thank my lucky stars each and every day for the wonderful friends I have in the Blogosphere and for my many readers who continue to visit. Your hand in my journey has made a significant difference.
 
I sincerely thank you, everyone, for your continual support.
 
How goes the middle of your December? Did you get buried in snow like I did? What books should I read, in case I get snowed in?
 
I'm David, and I saw a dragon (and a small dude with big feet)!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Cheersfest 2.0: Arlee Bird "Roast" On An Open Fire!


Welcome bloggers, young and old! Today we celebrate the "roasting" of a special someone, a man who has influenced the Blogosphere in above and beyond astronomical ways! And your hosts, Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King, Stephen Tremp and Alex J. Cavanaugh, The Ninja Captain himself, are pleased to "toss it out" and "serve up" this year's CheersFest 2.0 recipient: our "condolences" to Mr. Arlee Bird!

And now, I'd like to honor Arlee with a little song I wrote. The music sounds familiar, but I assure you the lyrics are not! Sit back, relax, and click on this before you read. Bonus points if you sing along!

*To see the official rules for today's "roast", please click here:

The "Arlee" Song: as made famous by Dave "King" Pow:

This one's for you, Mr. Arlee ...
Thanks for being an inspiration to us ...

Arlee's "roasting" on an open flame
Bloggers chuckling at this post
Many jokes being told for his fame
All day, cracked up from coast to coast
Everybody knows, the challenge from AtoZ
He hoped to make bloggers use their head
Typing fingers, faster than busy bees
Have found it hard to go to bed

They know that Arlee's on his way
He's a juggler of balls and bowling pins on this day
And every blogger here is gonna spy
To see if juggling dreams really do make him fly!

So I've noticed his simple taste
His brown jacket is really trim!
Although it's been said, many times, with mush haste
Alan Arkin should play him!

And I'm tossing out this simple phrase
"A post from Arlee is worth two in the bush!"
Although it's been sung, only once, on this day
Arlee Bird is ...
Arlee Bird is ...
Arlee Bird is the man!

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Thanks for stopping by! To check out how others are roasting ... err, "honoring" Arlee Bird today, click on this Linky list below. See ya!

I'm David, and I can't wait to see Smaug this weekend!


Friday, December 6, 2013

Frozen: A Winter Wonderland Of Music and Laughter Amidst A Conveniently Executed - But Fun - Story!


"Oh look, I've been impaled." - Olaf
 
My all-time favorite tale from the works of Hans Christian Anderson (surprisingly enough) is The Snow Queen - a story about the strength of friendship and a boy and girl who overcome the evil mischief and cold that is set upon them. It has its own quirky charm, so it's no surprise that creative license would come into play for a big screen adaptation of the majestic ice monger. In fact, it's expected. Tangled had a similar dilemma, but the new Disney retelling of the stolen girl locked away in a tower was so masterfully done, I couldn't help but anticipate what this team would do with this chilly tale. In the place of a troubled friendship comes a seemingly untouched dynamic and theme in all of animated films: sisterhood - a great focus for a story, even if the events leading up to the end are a tad too easy. It's funny, stunning, and whimsical enough to melt the most Frozen of hearts, but it's a little too safe and seems content on settling its conflicts with convenience.

Anna and Elsa used to be the closest of sisters, the best of friends, until a layer of frost covered their royal relationship. It's not until Elsa's coronation as Queen of Arendelle that she unveils her "Frozen" secret. Fearful of bringing harm to Anna and her people, Elsa banishes herself to an icy wasteland. In the meantime, an eternal winter has fallen upon the land. If something isn't done soon, everybody will freeze to death. It's up to Anna (with the help of an ice cutter and a talking snowman) to restore her sister's love and bring warmth back to the world and into their hearts.

Previous Disney adventures are famous for their melodic melodies, an aspect of Frozen that did not disappoint. The songs are fun, a bit popish, but belted with gusto and a fair number of well-executed duets. The winter effects are visually brilliant, from blizzards to snowy enchantments, right down to the formation of the queen's majestic palace of ice. Keeping to its original Danish setting, the film pays a worthy tribute to its cultural look and appeal. There's no doubt that the cast is well-placed. Kristen Bell's voice entertains, complimented by the talents of Idina Menzel. There's also plenty of humor; witty one-liners are sure to be quoted around the Thanksgiving table. Frozen is loaded with surprises and fun for the whole family.

What ultimately fumbles this fable is the overall execution of story. It starts great. The potential is there for dynamic character arcs, but the few conflicts that spring up along the journey do little to build up or encourage the characters to learn and grow. You're cursed by a spell? No problem! I just happened to be raised by magical friends. Need to quickly wrap things up? There's a big storm outside, but hey, let's all convene on the frozen bay - protagonists, antagonists, sidekicks ... Who needs to go to Disney on Ice after seeing this movie? Aside from the sisters, there's scant chemistry, making it a chore to get behind the supporting characters. The cold and calculated wisdom that the snow queen is famous for has been reduced to a fearful young girl who could've discovered the answer to her problem long ago.

To say Frozen is a worthy holiday adventure that the whole family can enjoy is a given, but is it the best animated film since Beauty and the Beast, as some have claimed? I'm going to disagree, but that doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable addition to the volumes of Disneyfied fairy tales. If the themes were deeper, and character morals went a step further, than I'd want to build a snowman.

Cosmic Crullers:
 

Have you seen this chilly rendition of The Snow Queen? What's your take on it? What's your favorite story by Hans Christian Anderson?

I'm David, and "Let's ... Bring ... Back ... Summer!"

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

IWSG: New Genre, New Style, and New POV, Oh My!


Need A Little Support?Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer's Support Group gives bloggers a monthly chance to express their concerns, worries, and insecurities without fear of reprisal. It's a seriously big group now, and with well over 300 participants, it shows no signs of slowing down! I'd like to thank Alex for keeping this group going for so long, as it has proved wonderful in the supporting of fellow authors and the revealing of needed and sound advice.

Without further ado, here's what's been on my mind lately ...

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In all my sixteen years of writing (not that I'm counting), the one compliment I've received most from readers goes something along the lines of, "It's so descriptive" and "It felt like I was watching a movie." The only explanation I have for this is my exposure to many movies in my young. Seriously, while my peers were watching Sesame St., I was watching Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and anything ubber-cool I could get my hands on. So when it comes to storytelling, scenes are playing in my head with different camera angles and chapter breaks. Writing in 3rd person was a natural fit for this.

But when I started The Undead Road, I wanted to try something different. Not only was it a sub-genre that I never thought I'd write (zombies), but try as I may, it just wouldn't work in the 3rd person perspective. A good deal of 1st person POV novels rubbed me the wrong way when I really got into reading, since the protagonist often came off as self-centered and I wanted to get into the story more than their rambling narrative (not saying all 1st person is this way, just in what I found back then). I couldn't imagine writing like that.

Call it an exercise, but I decided to give 1st person POV a shot. And you know something? It felt really natural to me! I've heard that it's easier to write than 3rd person, but with my filmatic mind, it's not so easy. I didn't have the freedom to move about the scene or swap to another character - I was stuck with one person, seeing the world through their eyes, telling a story in a tight and linear fashion. I've yet to read through it all since I finished it, and all I have to go on is feedback from my critique partners who like my "unreliable narrative" and think that this is the best thing I've written yet (on my own).

Am I insecure about this? A little - I hope the feedback rings true as I go over it again, but it just goes to show that trying news genres, styles, and POVs can lead you into a niche that you'd never thought you'd try or may actually be good at. Having said that, time to edit!

Have you found venturing into different genres, styles and POVs to be refreshing for your writing? What was your experience?

I'm David, and you have GOT to check out these wedding photos!

Monday, December 2, 2013

An "Alien" Has Invaded The Bridge With "Dark One's Mistress" Origins, and The Undead Road Is Done!


Someone set their blasters to "Deju Vue!" Dark One's Mistress is back! And this time, by way of book tour fame, the author has come to tell us more about this new fantasy novel and how it came to be. Let's hand the controls over to Aldrea Alien! And welcome aboard!

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Firstly, I'd like to first thank David for letting me ramble on his blog about how Dark One's Mistress came to be.

From conception to contract, it has taken me roughly two years. The idea for it all started when I was fooling about on my game console, playing some evil, soul-stealing overlord who takes over the fantasy realm. It was the second in the series and the MC was the original overlord's son.

So there I was, relaxing and killing pixel people when, out of nowhere, I find myself thinking "What if this bad guy isn't a villain? Maybe he has a perfectly good reason for taking those souls, like they belonged to evil men and is actually part of their judicial system."

Everything sort of snowballed from there. The idea wouldn't leave me alone and somewhere along the line the plot to Beauty and the Beast wove its way into it the story. Honestly, I didn't get that reference until halfway through writing it. I thought it was just me until one of my CPs mentioned it.

While I'd written romance in my previous stories, I wouldn't call them straight romance novels. But this does have one thing none of my other stories have: a lack of sex. It was originally going to at least imply it and yet, as I drew closer to the chapter I now refer to as my "no-sex, sex scene", I realised that it wouldn't be true to the story. And that decision changed the ending.

So having the story go through all the critiquing, editing and then the general fluff of finding a decent query (about ten tries there), I sent it off to my list of prospective publishers. Five emails were sent. They all replied, only one wanted to keep the story the way I wrote it.

After a few days to get the general squeeing and random glomping of various family members (my daughter multiple times) under control, I signed with Astraea Press.


About the Author:

Born and raised in New Zealand, Aldrea Alien lives on a small farm with her family, including a menagerie of animals. Since discovering a love of writing at the age of twelve, she hasn't found an ounce of peace from the characters plaguing her mind.

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Aldrea is offering a chance to win a free voucher! Feeling lucky? Sign up below!



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*takes the controls back* Thank you, Aldrea! And congrats on your release. Let me know when Book 2 comes out - we'll do this again!

Update: The Undead Road, my first horror novel (although it's more science fiction-like) is done! That makes it my 9th work, my first attempt at first person POV, and at 80K words, my shortest novel. I will start edits soon and hopefully have a beta ready by January.

This month, I'll be editing nonstop. If I'm lucky, I'll have three MSs edited/touched up and then I'll shop them in 2014. Here we go!

Excited for Aldrea's book? Who else is celebrating their NaNoWriMo victories? What's your secret to plugging those words in nonstop?

I'm David, and this is what I was listening to when I finished ...