Wednesday, February 26, 2014

How To Solve A Cosmic Murder Mystery with Jessie "B-Word" Humphries: Knight of the Cosmic Table!


May I have your attention? Thanks! I wanted to make sure our guests in the back of this "well-lit" room can hear this announcement.

Some of you know her as a B-Word (no, the other B-Word...), and it's no secret that she has a blogger crush on your's truly (yes, I'm blushing), but I know her as a dependable friend and an expert in all things Las Vegas. Lending your ear to her advice is a safe bet. And no one will kill you when she's near, as her sleuthing skills are unmatched (sorry, Sherlock). Now, if you will raise your glasses, let us toast Jessie "B-Word" Humphries as we dub her a Knight of the Cosmic Table!

*Everyone drinks*

JH: Thank you, Lord DPK (is that how Knights talk? ;). It's true, I've long since been crushething on thee (okay, no more of my Game of Thrones dialect which is all wrong for so many reasons). You've always been a great friend and I am deeply grateful to be given this honor.

*raises glass and pounds it like a dude*

DPK: Hmm. No one's called me "Lord" before ... I've been given so many titles already. I'd better check with the scribes in the Chamber of Records to see if I'm allowed to have another one ...

You're quite welcome! It's truly an honor to have you join us. After a few questions, we'll make it all official. First I'd like to ask—

*the lights go out*

Uh ... did we forget to pay the torchlight bill?

JH: *takes cover under the Cosmic Table and grips the first manly arm that I can find*

DPK: This is awkward. Is this a bad time to ask a little about you and your debut novel that's coming out in a few months?

JH: Unlike Ruby Rose (the kick-A main character in my book), I am no weapons' specialist or hand-to-hand combat expert. I am an attorney and prefer fighting with words. I am also a big fat chicken when it comes to real-life scary things (Mr. Humphries knows its grounds for divorce to walk into a room without making tons of noise so as not to scare me).

*the lights come back and the arm I thought would save me is limp and lifeless*

DPK: What's the meaning of this?

*examines the server with a knife in his back*

Well ... This complicates things. We've never had a murder happen during a knighting before. Lock the doors! No one leaves this room until we figure out who axed the bread basket chap.

*eyes everyone, including the Cosmic Knights*

Maybe your detective skills will come in handy here, Jessie. What inspired you to write Ruby Rose?

JH: All those years of Law & Order binge-watch-training (and law school) have helped hone my mystery solving skills. Was that a dagger you just hid behind your back, Lord DPK? 

DPK: Oh, this? Tis' but a butter knife ... for buttering bread ...

*tugs spacesuit collar*

JH: I'm not big on people getting away with murder! That's one of the reasons I wrote KILLING RUBY ROSE. I have long since been drawn to stories that highlight good people going after bad guys (or gals). I especially love the stories when the moral issues of doing the wrong thing for the right reasons gets involved.

DPK: I've noticed that the "doing the bad to do good" has been a popular angle in storytelling lately. Even whole TV shows are based around this premise. That's one more reason to be excited about your release. Who do you suspect is the killer behind this caper?

JH: Now that you mention it, I thought I saw Walter White from Breaking Bad walking around here, though it was hard to tell through his "space suit." Is there some kind of overground cosmic meth lab going on here?

DPK: I'll see to it that Walter isn't "mething" around with us. I mean, his show ends and now he has to come here? I'm glad you didn't accuse Sir Diaz (he doesn't kill so much as he eats) or Evil Queen Argyle (... well, we won't go there - she'll do something evil).

*drapes a cloth over the poor breadbasket boy*

When is your book coming out?

JH: KILLING RUBY ROSE debuts on May 1, 2014. I am planning a huge launch party in my hometown of Las Vegas, a few visits up your way in the Provo & Salt Lake areas, and a regional tour with my pub sisters at Amazon Children's Publishing/Skyscape.

2014 is going to be the best year eva!

DPK: Fantastic news about the tour (and release date - calendar marked!)! I was thinking of going to Vegas for your launch, but if you're coming MY way ... well, we'll see. I understand you have a plan to convince "The Killers" to play at your launch party. While you're collecting forensic evidence, tell us the 411 on that?

JH: Yes, since I love writing about killing ... naturally, The Killers. ;)

Actually, I've long-since adored the band and actually went to high school with lead singer Brandon Flowers and guitarist Mark Stoermer. And since I have a habit of setting crazy-stupid goals, I thought why not ask the band to appear at my book launch?

DPK: That's totally awesome. I'm not aware of any famous bands that sprang from my class. Anyway, please tell us more!

JH: Turns out the getting the whole band for the gig is not going to be a possibility for my May launch date, but there's a chance that Brandon Flowers will be available and a few other amazing Las Vegas based bands. Still crossing all my crossables on that one (including the twin daggers I have hiding in my bra strap).

DPK: Hold on a second, Jessie. If you have a pair of "twin" daggers, how come you have only one? ... Not that I looked in any way, shape, or form at said area where said daggers are located ...

*clears throat* 

JH: *reaches under shirt to check the dagger situation*

Who could have taken it off me without me knowing? Come to think of it ... Lady Peggy Eddleman's request to switch shirts because silver isn't my color seems awfully strange now ...

DPK: Peggy Eddleman ... Now where have I heard that name before? That's right, you two are good friends! She's not one of our knights (as of yet) so she's not in this room ... or is she? She is pretty mean to the kids in her books so I wouldn't put it past her ...

JH: I seriously doubt it was Peggy. Her M.O. is more like poisoning people with toxic chocolate chip cookies, not stabbing them!

DPK: We may have to compare it with the murder weapon, just to be sure. While you discreetly hand it over, tell me when you started to blog, how important is a blog to you as a writer/in general, and what super-ales are you drinking to manage six blog posts in a week?

JH: Um, blogging. Yeah, blogging is super important in my mind. Not only has it helped me build a community of like-minded writing friends and taught me invaluable publishing knowledge, it has also helped me hone my writing skills. They say, "write everyday." Well, blogging is writing too! It takes the same skill set most of the time.

DPK: Indeed it does. Wait ... where did the body go?

*looks at all the knights*

While I look for it, would you text Peggy to make sure she didn't kill the kid? Also, tell us, now that you are a knight of the cosmic table, what does being a knight mean to you as a writer and a person?

JH: Aye-aye, milord!

As for the honor that you have seen fit to bestow upon me as the newest Knight, I'm feeling a little cocky actually. Like the sky is the limit. Or more like the sky is only the beginning of my cosmic adventure. Together, we are going to rule the world, Lord DPK!

Mwahahahaha!

DPK: *hopes Mr. Humphries didn't hear that*

Ruling the world has it's drawbacks, but I can't imagine any drawbacks *thinks of the dead body* with you around. I seriously feel like someone is messing with us.

*a dummy falls from the chandelier--Sir Mark Koopmans laughs*

Why you clever knight, Sir Mark!

Looks like he pulled a royal prank on us. Good one, Mark. Don't try and blame the Leprechauns. You gave them the year off.

JH: Glad we solved that murder. I was worried for a second!

DPK: Me too, Jessie. Me too. You're about to make great strides in the publishing world, Lady Jessie, and I'm excited to see what the world has in store for you. But for now, I have in store for you this badge, still warm from the smithies, that you may use however you see fit to prove yourself a member of the Cosmic Knights. Congratulations, and thank you for letting us host a murder mystery party in your honor.

JH: Thanks again for the visit. And the shiny badge! I'm one lucky cosmic chick ... er, Knight!

DPK: Oh, one last thing. When do we get to see the cover for your book?

JH: I can't reveal the cover yet, but it's coming soon. Very soon. It may drop from the chandeliers when you're not expecting it. ;)

*     *     *

Be sure to visit Jessie's blog. You won't regret it. Watch out, because another knight will make their mark on this blog next month. I'm already excited to get another interview on! See you in March.

Has anyone ever done one of those murder mystery dinner things? I'm seriously thinking about one. Any tips in hosting one?

I'm David, and in case you don't know "The Killers," here you go!


Monday, February 24, 2014

LTUE 32 Recap: Friends Made, Lessons Learned, and the Awesomeness of My Most Pivotal Conference Yet!


I can't stress enough the value of attending writing conferences. Seriously, if you're a writer and haven't done more than show your work to family and friends, a gathering of writers for writers is an important step in learning more about and harnessing your craft.

This was my 5th year at Life, the Universe, and Everything (LTUE), and imagine my surprise when I received an email saying I was in their panel schedule. I didn't think I was ready for the task. Thankfully I shared panels with several fantastic authors, including Paul Genesse, who lead by example and showed me the ropes. It was a new step in offering insights and help to others on various topics of writing (like Description in Writing and Naming Your Characters), and I had a blast doing it. I won't be so nervous next time.

The panel I enjoyed most was Prologues and Epilogues, as it is a touchy subject, and having the one and only Brandon Sanderson join the team was an honor (with Ann Sowards, Michael Young and Marianne Carter, I was absolutely the smallest fry up there). For the record, I'd join a panel with these guys again in a heartbeat (and what's more epic than a Brandon signing with the likes of Jackson Porter, Jared Peterson, and Matt Hayes? Remember these names, you guys. They're going to make waves in the writing world someday).


Conferences can be an investment of time and money, but it's worth it. My favorite thing of all is meeting new writers and running into old friends (like Elana Johnson and Shallee McArthur). Also My co-writer Michael Jensen came to party (we may or may not have hidden in the gaming room to collaborate ideas on a new story ... Yes we did!).


Having the chance to mingle with mentors is also worth it, mentors such as Chad Morris, Shelly Brown Morris, and J. Scott Savage.


What cemented this LTUE as my most pivotal conference experience yet is the unexpected twist at the end. You see, there was a little mix up that resulted in me getting a last minute Saturday night banquet ticket. I joined someone I knew in a very uncrowded table that was later made crowded by Brandon Sanderson, his wife, assistant, and his wife. Imagine my surprise when I saw Orson Scott Card five feet behind me. Love him or not, I hold him responsible for inspiring me to start this writing journey. How few authors get the chance to meet the author who inspired them and then thank them personally for doing so? I'd imagine rare, so that moment was priceless for me.

If you're struggling with doubt, keep writing. If you feel life would be easier to quit, keep writing. It may take a year. It may take fifteen. It might take thirty. No matter how long it takes, never give up. Go to conferences. Pick up tips you may have missed. They exist to assist you, mold you, and polish you into a better writer. Until next time!

What's your favorite writer's conference moment to date? Which author do you credit as inspiring you to start your writing journey?

I'm David, and this is my next conference (Go Badgers!).

http://writehereinephraim.com/

Friday, February 21, 2014

The First Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer Looks Like A Random Collage of Sci Fi and Fantasy, and I Love It!


I'll be the first to admit that I know next to nothing about Guardians of the Galaxy, only that it looks promising and is based on a Marvel property. That alone makes me excited. It has this similar, quirky charm akin to films like The Fifth Element and Hellboy--combined. Methinks a little investigation is in order, now that I want to know more. Check out the trailer below and tell me what you think!


On Monday I'll post a recap of LTUE 32. Have a great weekend!

I'm David, and I could use a personal houseplant/muscle ...

Friday, February 14, 2014

The Lego Movie: A Colorful, Noisy, and Perfect Collage of Animation That's Nothing Short of a Master"Piece!"


"Come with me if you want to not die." - Wyldestyle

Since 1949, people of all ages have enjoyed one of the most innovative toys in modern history. 560 billion bricks later, The Lego Group has become a global presence. It was a matter of time before someone assembled a feature-length movie based on them, which youtubers have made short films of for years. The question was who? And how? To outsiders, this looks like a movie about a toy, a long commercial, and something only young boys will like. Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) has deconstruction these notions to the last plastic stud for an unforgettable experience (and song) that audiences of all ages will enjoy, with a story that's true to what Lego is all about. Colorful, noisy, and outrageous in all the right ways, The Lego Movie is a perfect collage of animation techniques - nothing short of a master"piece!"

Emmet is an average, everyday construction worker. Nothing really special about him, until he mistakenly gets the "piece of resistance" stuck to his back. Now President Business is after him, fearing the prophecy of "the special" who threatens his plans for a world of conformity. Only by teaming up with Master Builders can Emmet stand a chance of avoiding the melting chamber. But to defeat Lord Business, Emmet must reach inside and find the special within.

The technical aspect of this movie is the selling point for me. Instead of going fully computer animated (which I half-expected since every direct to video Lego production has gone that way), the creators decided to go with the more slightly clunky look of stop motion animation - while still using computers! Real set pieces combined with realistically rendered plastic pieces made the overall production a substantially tangible one. With seemingly never ending movement like a dizzying circus ride you never want to end, it will require multiple viewings to see every detail.

The star"stud"ded cast is simply icing on an already delicious cake. Chris Pratt's perky hero is sure to set your smile in stone like Krazy Glue, while Elizabeth Banks packs a punch as a rebel without a brick. Morgan Freeman and Will Ferrel - need I say more? - completely stole the show in more ways than one, and it's become official that The Lego Movie has gone down in history as the first time we've ever seen Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Green Lantern together in the same big-screen adventure (well played, Warner Bros., well played!).

What knocks this movie out of the park for me is the story. Is this movie just about a toy? By the film's end, not entirely. There's a deeper message here, a fable of conformity vs. creativity that's applicable to every one of every age. Few films are able to reach out to me on a personal level. This is one of them. Ole Kirk Christiansen, the founder of Lego, was said to believe in providing only the best, because children deserve the best. As I watched this unfolding adventure with my son, I was reminded of what goes on in the mind of a young boy, and my role as a father now. This movie is about more than building with bricks; it's about building relationships.

And if a movie is capable of humbling its viewer while simultaneously encouraging them, it's perfect.

The Lego Movie is the first "must see" film of 2014. Critics are raving. I'm raving. The crowd in the first Saturday showing exploded in applause afterwards, and if the little girl who sat behind me saying, "that was better than Frozen!" isn't a powerful enough endorsement for you, I don't know what is. This Valentines Day, skip the drama and head for the laughs!

Have you seen The Lego Movie yet? Plan to? If you've ever touched, handled, or played with Legos before, what's your story?

I'm David, and, you guessed it ... "Everything Is Awesome!"


Monday, February 10, 2014

Releases From Mars: Red Rising and The Martian, Moonless, My 2014 LTUE Schedule, and Updates!


If a book comes out saying it's Ender's Game meets The Hunger Games, you can consider my attention grabbed. And with the buzz and great reviews flowing in, my curiosity is piqued even more. Watch out, bookshelf. I'm adding Pierce Brown's Red Rising!

*Darrow is a Helldiver, one of a thousand men and women who live in the vast caves beneath the surface of Mars. Generations of Helldivers have spent their lives toiling to mine the precious elements that will allow the planet to be terraformed. Just knowing that one day people will be able to walk the surface of the planet is enough to justify their sacrifice. The Earth is dying, and Darrow and his people are the only hope humanity has left.

Until the day Darrow learns that it is all a lie. Mars is habitable - and indeed has been inhabited for generations by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. The Golds regard Darrow and his fellows as slave labour, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought.

With the help of a mysterious group of rebels, Darrow disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside.


*     *     *

Doesn't that sound sweet? Also releasing is Andy Weir's The Martian, which has a plot that would give Gravity a run for its money. I have a feeling that Mars is a hot ticket so far this year in books!

*Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first men to walk on the surface of Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first man to die there.

It started with the dust storm that holed his suit and nearly killed him-and that forced his crew to leave him behind, sure he was already dead. Now he's stranded millions of miles from the nearest human being, with no way to even signal Earth that he's alive-and even if he could get word out, his food would be gone years before a rescue mission could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to get him first.

(*From Goodreads)
*     *     *

Today's a special day for Crystal Collier, whose book Moonless has just gone to paper! Now THAT'S what I call exciting! If you haven't had a chance to check out this wonder novel, now you can - with that wonderful paper smell be book lovers can't live without. Bring it on!

*     *     *

This is it, folks! The Life, The Universe, and Everything Symposium is going down this week. In its 32 years, this may be the biggest one yet, and I'm a little star struck since I'm going to be on panels for the first time, sharing tables with authors I've admired for a long time. If you're going to this, let's hang out!

And if you want to see me on a panel, here be the schedule!

DPK's LTUE Panel Schedule:

Thursday, 13th

12:00 - Writing Natural Dialogue, with Candace J Thomas, D.T. Read, Derrick Duncan, Karen C. Evans, and Heather Moore!

2:00 - Naming Your Characters, with Julia H. West, Marinne Carter, Paul Genesse, and Teri Harman!

6:00 - Planet Building, with Brook West, Eric James Stone, Jaleta Clegg, Joe Vasicek, and David Farland!

Friday, 14th

12:00 - Prologues and Epilogues, with Brandon Sanderson, Anne Sowards, Marinne Carter, Michael Young, and Paul Genesse!

Saturday, 15th

5:00 - Description in Writing, with D. T. Read, Mikki Kells, Sarah E. Seeley, J.R. Johansson, and Karen E. Hoover!

*     *     *

Updates: The zombie novel edit is further along than it was last week, but still not done (thanks, life). I'll do what I can before LTUE starts. That means I should wrap up this post and get to work, huh? But I can say that, so far, I've dropped 10K words, bring the total to 70K! It'll be a slow week on the blog, but there will be a review later.

That's all, folks! Bridge signing off. Have a great week!

Who's excited about The Martian and Red Rising? Will I see you at LTUE this year? Where do you like to writer's conference?

I'm David, and "they've got the whole world in their hands!"


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

IWSG: Never Take What You Learn For Granted, or How I Got to be Superman (Or Aquaman) For A Day


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 supporting fellow authors and the revealing of sound advice.

*     *     * 

Each year, we buckle the kids in the van and drive back east to visit family. It's been the annual summer getaway ever since my wife and I went all googly-eyes for each other. There's this magic about the open road; the change of scenery perhaps, or the subtle changes in the way people are farther down the road. It's also an opportunity to be somewhere, and be needed, when the unexpected happens.

Before I went to college, I knew I'd need a job when I got there. Got to pay the tuition and all that biz. Being a California kid, Lifeguarding was a natural fit. So I trained in the art of "saving distressed people in the water." Luckily I was hired and I was able to pay the bills for the next three years. In all that time, I never jumped in to save anyone. Not because I didn't want to. I just didn't need to. After I changed jobs, I was all, "I'm a trained, certified, life-saving machine." Going Superman to save a kid or rescuing a passed-out potential Lois Lane after an accidental high-dive belly flop - never happened.

I sat in my new office thinking, "I never did what I trained for."

Fast forward to last summer. We caravaned back to Utah with my sis and her fam, and stayed at a Best Western -- which had a pool. No lifeguard on duty, lots of people, and a son and two nephews who wanted to play Cannonball! So we're having a good time splashing when I turn slightly and see this kid with his head under water, his arms spread out like a 747. That's when the clerks inside my memory bank pulled up a file and told me, "that kid's drowning!" If I hadn't trained in recognizing the signs of a drowning victim, I would've pointed at the kid and been like, "Does this belong to anyone?" but I turned my arm into a hook and yoinked that kid out of the water instead. A very grateful grandmother came for him shortly after.

While I technically wasn't a lifeguard anymore, and was six years since my last certification, I saw the signs and was Superman for a minute. Or was I Aquaman, since I was already in the water?

The point is, we learn stuff. We may think it's useless afterwards, but you never know when that knowledge will be needed. It may forever help someone else or even save a life -- farther down the road. So the short moral of this story is: keep learning - you might need it.

Ever been at a place at the right time to help? What have you done that you never thought you would? Who's up for hot tubbing? 

I'm David, and I'm in the mood for salmon for some reason ...

Monday, February 3, 2014

Release and Reveals: Witch Fall, Reborn, Sky Jumpers: The Forbidden Flats, and Lord of the Clones Musical!


I've fallen behind on announcing some awesome reveals and a new book I'm itching to get my hands on. So here goes! I'm proud to announce the release of Amber Argyle's latest fantasy, Witch Fall!

With the magic of their songs, the Witches control the seasons, the storms, even the sea. Secure in their supremacy, they have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind. For the world has begun to covet their power, seeing them as weapons to be controlled instead of rulers worthy of obeisance.

Born of witches but raised among their enemy, Lilette searches for a way to heal the rift between mankind and the witches. But it may be too late to save either. For if there is one thing Lilette has come to know for certain, it’s that all things fall.

(From Goodreads)

If you haven't seen these gorgeous covers, have a look! Cherie Reich has my curiosity on fire with Reborn, and Peggy Eddleman's followup to her debut MG novel, Sky Jumpers: The Forbidden Flats, is making me impatient for an adventure! I look forward to these releases.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17900718-rebornhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17612347-the-forbidden-flats?from_search=true
              Coming May, 2014               Coming September, 2014

*     *     *

Sir Al Diaz is hosting something out of this world! If you know Alex J. Cavanaugh and Mark Koopmans, you have to check this out! Please head over to the dragon cave (and tip the dwarfs for a good seat!).


*     *     *

Updates: The secret's out about Woven, so I can talk about it a little. The first round edits are done, which is why edits on The Undead Road have been slower than frozen walkers. On that front, I'm well past the middle and should be finished by the end of the week. Here's hoping this is the month when it's good enough for beta readers! My writing's also gone through something of a crucible these days. I've learned invaluable tips that I'll blog about when time permits.

Michael and I have already started a new story in the Woven world. Until we figure out the right title, we're aptly calling it Woven 2.

I think that covers our business on the bridge today. Thanks for coming. Have a fantastic first week of February. Keep writing!

What do you think of these covers and Amber's release? Excited about Alex and Mark doing a musical? Any Woven 2 title ideas?

I'm David, and I bet Pacific Rim was a warmup for this ...