QueendSheena

Friday, 6 February 2015

Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month and this is a time to celebrate the achievements and strides made by our black brothers and sisters and fellow man/woman. Also to remember our history to see where our ancestors came from and has been achieved from the past right up to today.

On the Jamaicans.com Website there is an article that touches the heart of what makes this month so special. Here is an excerpt of this article:

Black History Month...Its Significance.

By Kharl Daley

Published Jan 24, 2007

Marcus Garvey...“Up! Up! You Mighty Race you can accomplish what you will!”

Black History!
I and I have research my History
Now armed with knowledge and the truth, I know much about my roots.
Marcus Garvey, Claude McKay, Peter Tosh... I have to big up
Their recordings and their writings can never be too much
Since I and I start research my History.

Black History Month (BHM) is like the relationship a mother has with her children. It teaches who we are, where we must go and what we must be. It concepts are based upon traditional, cultural and moral values, centered on the family and society while reaffirming the conventions of dignity, pride, honor and race.
The brainchild of Dr. Carter Woodson, BHM is a time used to present to people all over the world the blue print of the architectural and intellectual design of Africa and Africans, long before Europeans even knew the world was round.

It is also the time to proclaim to the world our modern day achievements in the fields of medicine, science, technology, sports and all other facets of human endeavours as it is likewise the preservation of our culture, heritage and artifacts.

Some “Johnny come lately” may want us to the think that Black History Month is when Negroes go digging up their past in North America, but alas, Peter Tosh counteracted that a long time ago by letting us know that, “It doesn’t matter where we come from, as long as we are a Blackman, we are an African.” Jamaicans though scattered all over the globe join hearts and minds with our bothers and sisters in the words of Bob Marley, “arm in arms with arms” in the celebrations and acknowledgment of Black History Month... until the last bounded African is freed...then none of us considers ourself free.

So celebrate however you decide to and if you don't that's okay too. Happy Black History Month everyone and have a great weekend.

Wednesday, 4 February 2015

IWSG: An Official Update from Yours Truly

Another IWSG is upon us and we all have the chance to share our insecurities with understanding fellow members. Today I will be sharing with you my updates from the writing front. Attention!

The Missing Girls Series

I am excited to say that I have moved Where is Sarah? release date from March to June 15, 2015. Most of you are like....how is that exciting? Delays are often awful things for a writer and disappoint fans who anticipated the original date. But this is different and let me tell you all the reason why. I could release the novella in March. But you know what? I won't. Recently I have had an upsurge in sales for my freelance and ghostwriting work. One so great that I have decided it will allow me time to create a much better release with giveaways, better promotion, and an all round amazing time for everyone. What I do need to do so however is time. Time to create awesome swag, banners and to even radjust certain things now that I have the cash to do so. I don't plan to go overboard and drown myself in debt but right now I'm in a position to create a much better release party and promotion for my work and dog gone it I'm going to do it. Wish me luck. Also the website for the series is coming soon.

The Sacrifice Series

Yeah...this has no official release date and I won't give one until I'm sure everything is bright shiny and ready to show itself to the world. Moving on.

Fairy Tales are Stupid Series

I am still very excited about this series. I hope for a 2016 release date and like the previous two mentioned above will be available in ebook format only.

Snow

My stand alone that I have so much love for. All I will say is that when I can afford to do a paperback and ebook release properly then it will get an official release date.

Ghostwriting and Freelance Work

Is booming crazy big time. I am so busy and happy and stressed. Having a wonderful crazy time. Too bad I can't tell you too much since ghostwriting work is anonymous work.

Everything Else

All other works are either still in progress or on break. Right now I'm focused on self-publishing. When the time feels right I will send one of my works to publishers or get an agent. Either way I'm excited about this year and keep an eye out for more to come. Have a great day and see you guys on Friday.

Monday, 2 February 2015

EYM Round up and Stripping Mermaids?

Today I will be doing all of January's Express Yourself Meme's question in one go.

Jan 5-9: My resolution is pretty much to accomplish what I can actually do and surprise myself.

Jan 12-16: Saw Into The Woods at the cinema in December and it was wonderful.

Jan 19-23: Guardians of The Galaxy was mind blowingly awesome. Also there was the dark Nightcrawler and the crazy pants plot twist Gone Girl.

Jan 26-30: Write everyday, know your audience, write what you love.

Stripping Mermaids?

Yes my first 2015 manuscript will have stripping mermaids. Also it will be an adult novel and I am excited about finding different ways to show life under the sea from my perspectives. So far I seem to think pearls make better lighting for a strip show than floating electric eels. Imagine that? Enjoy your week everyone and remember IWSG is this Wednesday.

Friday, 30 January 2015

Goal Hop and Celebrating Woven Release

Honestly I'm in between goals right now. I plan to update to a new goal for 2015. But I will say that I'm still working on my AYA genre goal from last year.

Celebrating Woven Release

Due to issues with my internet provider early in the week I couldn't really get online beyond a blip on my facebook app on my tablet so I'm kind of late to the party. I had to copy the information from another blog since I couldn't get the packet to download in my email but I still have my own words to say about Woven. This book went through quite a journey to get published. But both David and Michael stuck to their guns and here we are celebrating the release of this magnificent book. While I have known David as a blogger for a while, I barely know Michael. Yet the way David has described him through his posts I'm sure he is a swell guy and both have written a marvelous novel that both children and adults can curl up with and enjoy. My own copy is still in the mail but based off the crazy sales and top notch reviews this book has received. I have no problem telling everyone in advance that this is a must read. Now keep on reading to find out more about this magical book and the wonderful authors who wrote it.

WOVEN by Michael Jensen and David Powers King, published by Scholastic

Two unlikely allies must journey across a kingdom in the hopes of thwarting death itself.

All his life, Nels has wanted to be a knight of the kingdom of Avërand. Tall and strong, and with a knack for helping those in need, the people of his sleepy little village have even taken to calling him the Knight of Cobblestown.

But that was before Nels died, murdered outside his home by a mysterious figure.

Now the young hero has awoken as a ghost, invisible to all around him save one person—his only hope for understanding what happened to him—the kingdom’s heir, Princess Tyra. At first the spoiled royal wants nothing to do with Nels, but as the mystery of his death unravels, the two find themselves linked by a secret, and an enemy who could be hiding behind any face.

Nels and Tyra have no choice but to abscond from the castle, charting a hidden world of tangled magic and forlorn phantoms. They must seek out an ancient needle with the power to mend what has been torn, and they have to move fast. Because soon Nels will disappear forever.

Available now wherever books are sold

iTunes

About the Authors:

Michael Jensen is a graduate of Brigham Young University’s prestigious music, dance, and theater program. Michael taught voice at BYU before establishing his own vocal instruction studio. In addition to being an imaginative storyteller, Michael is an accomplished composer and vocalist. He lives in Salt Lake City with his husband and their four dogs.

Photo credit: Michael Schoenfeld

Links:

David Powers King was born in beautiful downtown Burbank, California where his love for film inspired him to become a writer. An avid fan of science fiction and fantasy, David also has a soft spot for zombies and the paranormal. He now lives in the mountain West with his wife and three children.

Photo credit: Katie Pyne Rasmussen

Links:

Praise for Woven:

"It’s not often that you read a fantasy that feels as epic and original as Woven by King and Jensen. Clever, well-paced, and full of intrigue, it’s a superb read. Highly recommended."

— James Dashner, author of The Maze Runner

"WOVEN reads like a lost classic that was somehow just rediscovered. It has the feel of a comfortable, familiar blanket that's somehow been newly-made of the brightest, most original material possible, and it is pure pleasure to read."

— James A. Owen, author & illustrator of Here, There Be Dragons

"The worldbuilding is dynamic, original and intriguing … and the characters, appealing. A sure bet for high-fantasy fans." — Kirkus Reviews

"This brisk adventure from first-time authors Jensen and King is a charming quest tale in classic fantasy tradition." — Publisher’s Weekly

Rafflecopper Giveaway Link (One of 5 copies of Woven – signed by both authors):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, 29 January 2015

Getting Personal: Diversity

I have decided to try and diversify characters in my manuscripts. In my Missing Girls Series there are two white teens, one black and a mixed race. The fifth book will involve one returning and that will be kept a mystery until release day. All teens are female and each go missing in a different way. I'm someone who isn't interested in the whole race war business like the Academy Awards insanity that not enough diversity was among the nominees. Sorry but a black actress won best supporting actress last year and does anyone remember a certain movie titled 12 Years A Slave. The Academy Awards nominates the best and most of whom can afford to make the movies of that quality are white. When people of other races make a movie starring their own it is progress but when white people do it that's racism. I'm sorry but that is prejudiced and unfair. Yes diversity is needed but that needs to be done in co-operation not shouting and finger pointing. Also there is a need to get actors of all races to be bankable overseas to attract foreign investors. Seriously in a competition between Scarlett Johansen or Octavia Spencer as most bankable actress who do you think would win? Exactly, I don't even need to say it. When all races are equally bankable then we will see a real change. The colour that matters most is green and right now that mostly falls with white actors and actresses. Plus I think many people need to remember that blacks are not the only race aside from white people in existence. What about Asians and other races and nationalities that have few or zero Academy Awards to their name? Why isn't there such a large outcry from their camp? Maybe because they know that there just wasn't a movie of that caliber out for them? Or maybe they know movies and awards are about more than race? Whatever the reason I think this outcry is unfair because the only movie starring a black cast to even be up for consideration was Selma. When there is only one known black starring movie up for potential nomination it is lucky to get nominations in the first place. Lots of white starring movies didn't make the cut. Remember Jennifer Anniston being predicted to get nomiated for Cake? Didn't happen. The Lego Movie and Gone Girl were robbed in the Animated and Adapted Screen Play nominations in my opinion. But guess what? Everyone can't be nominated! But that's just this one lady's opinion so moving on.

Still I do see where almost all my characters in starting manuscripts are white. It just seems easier and part of the reason is because writers don't have to worry about most white people calling them out on the character not fitting the culture they feel the writer must represent. If I had a dollar for every time a writer has been criticized for a non-white character not fitting into a certain mold I would have a lot of money. It is especially ridiculous when the character is in a fantasy setting where race is of little relevance. You want the black princess on a wartorn planet to have black instead instead of green hair or for it to be in braids? Seriously? You don't think the author had other priorities? This is not a real life example but there are similar scenarios and things like this make authors worry about diversifying their characters. There is no fictional race code. Opinions are important but when it is just...just keep the really silly ones that give authors unnecessary headaches and fears to yourselves. Really, it would be a great help.

Back to the main topic at hand. I do see a need to widen the race net in my manuscripts. Every race, nationality and gender deserves to have a fictional character who they can look at and see some of themselves in whether on the outside or what is within. Right now I am making changes to a few. Not all characters are going to be changed though. Only those which I truly feel are only that race or nationality for convenience. It's Complicated from my 2014 Nano will be among those getting a race evaluation. Those not getting any though include Escaping Wonderland and Monster City. There is just no need and I'm not going to go around doing the token race character. Hated it in horror movies and will not do it in my own writing. Anyway I hope my thoughts today have got your mind whirring and would love to read about your feelings and thoughts in the comment section. Thanks for popping by and see you on Friday to celebrate the release of Woven.

Friday, 23 January 2015

Celebrating Hard Work

Yes I'm going back in time. On a Saturday I'm posting on a Friday. But I'm excited, do you know why? I had to spend Friday working and hardly had time to do anything else. What is exciting about that? A year ago in 2014 my freelance and ghostwriting just started to be successful. Now a year later and I can pay for my own book covers, food, books... Hell I even gave my mother money towards the cable bill. I feel so productive and pumped!

Best of all it is doing something I love to do. So many people are stuck in jobs they hate and I am working hard to help others create stories and yes it takes up a lot of time but that is hard work and I love it. Thank you Lord for answering my prayer for making my talent not only profitable but so very fulfilling.

This will mean less blogging but those are the breaks. Besides IWSG or promotions I will no longer post on Wednesday. Getting Personal will be done two Thursdays a month and otherwise I will post Monday and Friday. Mondays/Tuesday if I post book reviews. Let's see how this new schedule goes and have a great weekend everyone.

Thursday, 22 January 2015

Getting Personal: Hi, Long Time No See

So you must be like...yay she's back. Yeah...as you can see this is a bit awkward. Here is the quick story. When I got my new tablet I was excited. I mean how different would an Android be? Well it is plenty different. For starters a lot of web pages won't come up because of dark or too light backgrounds. Second the keyboard keeps disappearing making quite annoying to write. I can get online and I keep up on Facebook better than ever but blogging...yeah...not on that thing.

I have been also busy with my freelance work which right now is almost exclusively writing novel drafts for people. Trust me, there are people who want a novel just to start with and my brain is on fire. But I have gotten a bit of a rhythm now and recently access to a laptop I can actually blog on. As you know I hate blogging when I can't comment back and my comment status after my last January post was a disaster. Now I hope to slowly get back on track with blogging and being around you fine people outside Facebook Nation.

I posted this yesterday on Facebook because it made me think of my next book in The Missing Girls Series.

Yes, even fat people need to look out for kidnappers. Have a great day everyone and thank you for supporting my blog over the years. Also a special thank you to those who have written/chatted about and shared the cover for Where is Sarah? Love you all and see you Friday.