Amanda Hocking's Blog: Yay! More Things!!!

Amanda Hocking's Blog: Yay! More Things!!!: Okay, first of all I have some pretty awesome news. On January 5th, I get the pleasure of being on Anderson Cooper's new daytime talk show...

Rachael Becoming Red Excerpt

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming ebook YA novel Rachael Becoming Red. It's a pre-novel to the Red Series. You can comment here and/or send feedback on twitter: #RachaelBecomingRed

Quick Summary: Rachael Wood loses her family in a brutal animal attack. Years later she finds out from Terry that werewolves exist and that knowledge eventually leads not only to the killers but a confrontation with her own village and their secrets.

Rachael Becoming Red

Chapter One

......

"Rachael..."

"How do you know my name?" I asked stepping back.

"Your family was mentioned at the meeting. I'm sure you were there." He pointed out. "Rachael, the man you ran from smelled you. He had your scent and could follow it to anywhere you've been over the past few days."

"I don't understand," I said, "how do I smell?"

The man sighed. "He killed your family while he waited for you. He must've become impatient. The council said Amanda kept you late because of the man you saw."

My legs gave way and I fell in the dirt. My family died because of me? Mom, dad, the twins, my big brother. How could they all be killed by a rampaging werewolf? Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. My brother would've tried to get the twins out and anyone who wanted to harm my family had to kill my dad first. He worked with lumber and was huge. There had to be a distraction because my father was killed behind our house and the rest quickly exterminated before anyone would take notice of the screaming. "How many were there sir? Why did it take Amanda and I to find them dead? Wasn't there someone else around? People still move around when they have the prayer vigil at church."

"Call me Terry," he said. "My theory is there were at least three werewolves. The strongest must've led your dad around back. Then he went about exterminating witnesses while the others dealt with the rest of your family." He walked up to me and kneeled. "It's not an easy thing to hear Red. You led that thing to your house by mistake. It wanted to turn you. Must've thought someone your age would've made a good daughter for his mate or something. Most children don't survive the change anyway. A few months at best. Terrible thing to do to a child. Be glad it didn't happen to you."

"He wanted a kid? Why didn't he just have one?"

Terry chuckled. "Werewolf D.N.A. is different from human D.N.A. It's hard for a werewolf male to impregnate anybody. It takes several attempts and even then some babies are born deformed. One even had a werewolf head in my records. Never went away, he was shot days later."

I was horrified. Monster or not it was a baby. I promised myself I'd never harm children. No matter where my quest to find my family's killers took me. I was no child killer. "Did they at least bury him?"

"Yeah, a shame." Terry looked up at the night sky. I looked at his hands and saw them in his pockets. So nonchalant about the death of a baby. A baby that never chose to have a monster head in the first place. It made me angry.

"You bully!" I cried and started hitting his legs. "A baby is precious and defenseless! How dare you ok one being shot just because he had a wolfhead. You're just a big meanie," i declared hitting him harder.

Suddenly I was in the air. Terry had grabbed me by the collar and lifted me to his face. His glasses were gone and his eyes were furious. He shook me twice then flung me on the ground. "No one hits me, not even stupid little girls!" he raged and kicked me.

I screamed. I knew immediately he had broken something. I felt around and got shooting pain by my ribs. This would take a long time to heal here. I slowly propped myself up and took out my whistle. It would bring someone to my aid in minutes. I'll tell them everything this mean man said. That he's just as bad as the monsters.

"Wait," Terry said suddenly. "Don't blow that."

"Why not, I'm injured. And you kicked me, what if I can't have babies?"

"Huh? No, no," Terry said coming closer. "You can still have beautiful babies. As many as you want. Just don't blow that whistle. It will only bring trouble." He was beside me now and I realized how far I had flown.

"You hurt me," I said tearfully, "why did you do it? I'm just a little girl." I broke into tears. My tummy hurt a lot and I knew I couldn't stand up. My fist grabbed a handful of grass and tore it out.

"Rachael look at me," Terry said stroking my face, "I can help you fight these creatures. Make you strong enough that noven I can harm you without injury. You'll be able to find out who killed your family and maybe one day return to protect your village." He took me in his arms and lifted me off the ground. I leaned into him but still held unto my whistle.

Dreaming in Black and White: x-2 (1)

Dreaming in Black and White: x-2 (1): I decided to share with everyone pictures of the characters from Raison D'etre, the novel I'm currently working on. I must warn you that Mol...

Crazy Twit Pic: Ron says something to Hermione

Ron Offers Hermione a Different Kind of Present

I laughed after reading this. How awful!

Another Day with the Living

Cruelty comes in many forms-ignorance is one of them. - Olivia Winefield Foxworth from Garden of Shadows (a novel by V.C. Andrews)

I should have already started writing for today but haven't. I plan to though, even if it kills me. But that right is currently held mainly by this horrid flu I'm having. I swear just moving makes me feel like an old woman and all the flegm, ugh! Also I yet again missed a chance to see the Breaking Dawn Movie. Jamaica's ruling political party (JLP) had a rally and circumstances just didn't mesh with movie going. And people I knew practically screamed "no way! stay home!," and well...I did.

Also I finally bought the only V.C Andrews book in The Dollangangers series that I haven't read (unfamiliar? Remember Flowers in the Attic - book or movie - I've done both), Garden of Shadows. I promise it will make you see Olivia in a new light. If you don't know who she is do a google search people, no major spoilers. But the book really shows how she changed into who she was in Flowers in the Attic. The woman in this book is a complete 180 to the woman who intimidated the children in Flowers in the Attic. It's sad really, I don't excuse her actions but all sorts of things screw people up. She got a world of it. So much for a practical woman finding happiness. She left her secure home for a beautiful madhouse. Read the book if you doubt me. And trust me it's a great read, but sad story.

Today most mainly another day at home with the flu, doing chores and getting my lazy sick ass writing. Oh and a little TV, yes I don't engorge myself until my two evening talk shows and nighttime series- new Law and Order: SVU tonight!

Howling Turtle: Review: Don't Fear the Reaper

Howling Turtle: Review: Don't Fear the Reaper: Title: Don’t Fear the Reaper: Book 1 of the Netherworld Series Author: Michelle Muto Rating: 4.5 TURTLES: A really great read, I highly rec...

My First Bit of Exposure!

I am excited to say that the excerpt of my Lyric World novel posted yesterday made it on an online Journal today. I mean, I posted this last night! No one expects their work to be noticed that quickly. I was under the Arts and entertainment section and there were photos of others including J.K. Rowling. What more could I ask for right now!

I'm just bouncing. It's nice to have your work acknowledged! Thanks AnneNikolaus for posting it and tweeting me!

Lyric World Excerpt

The following is an excerpt from my Nanowrimo Novel Lyric World. It's about a world where all the countries are music genres and a war is brewing.

Chapter One

“But I’m telling you the truth! A war is coming!” Viola tried to convince the light skinned teenager in front of her. Being seven never gave Viola the best chance of convincing people she was serious. But at her home it didn’t matter. Home she was a Princess. Princess Viola Rose of Symphony and she lived in a glorious castle called Castle Symphonia.

However right now she was far from there. A spell the great wizard’s son performed had sent her to Hip-Hop Nation, a completely different part of Lyric World. Music blared from houses; people sang random phrases in street. Some even looked just half dressed in clothes that had either shrunk in the wash or were made purposely too small to cover their bodies. In Symphony females wore dresses at all times that either started from under their chins or the base of their necks straight to their feet. In Hip-Hop Nation she had no idea what these females were wearing and the few in dresses were old women and the cloth of bottom quality.

The men, while she could tell in some cases wore mainly banned material in her country. Denim was thought obscene but it was plentiful has pants and what she considered long shorts. The shirts were nothing like home and came in crazy colours and it worried her the gender identity crisis where some of the men wore more jewelry than the women. She didn’t know what else to think besides the place being vulgar and insane.

“You expect me to believe your mom wants to start a war with the world? Lyric World has so many countries, cities, islands…how… I aint buying it V,” Colette dismissed her yet again. Her attitude showed how incredulous Viola’s words seemed. War with Lyric World started by one country was an automatic loss. No one place had that much man power, technological marvels or magic or special abilities. Plus magic was limited to the territory it was born. Once beyond its borders, it couldn’t work.

Lyric World was a planet of music, beauty, pain and violence. All made up a world where lyrics was the soul and music its vessel. Once it was called Musicana and most of the music played was of a classical nature and everything was ruled by a royal upper class.

But rumblings and secret gatherings gave rise to new music, lyrics and melodies of a more wild, rebellious and even softer nature. People rose up, music expanded and the world became a law unto itself. Over the centuries things calmed enough for each musical genre to get their piece of paradise. From large land masses to tiny islands, everyone found a home. Some genres had to fight to keep or expand their area but at least there was a balance keeping music’s many chambered heart alive. Its beat present in every instrument played and any sounds remixed through scratching and other methods.

Hip-Hop Nation and Symphony were different as night and day. One had many expressions allowed to flow freely by a don who only cared about his bottom line and his people not being taken for fools. The other ran by the royal family and a group of trusted advisors. In recent years however the queen had taken over since nearly all her husbands met tragic ends. With the exception of the advisors who still had the power to delay or overrule some of her decisions, she was unopposed. Before the King and advisors were the all mighty super power. Queen Samantha Rose ruled with a loving smile but hard hand. Cross her and pay the price.

Viola sighed. Things were going worse than she had expected. First she had made Duncan cast a spell to send her to Lettie in Hip-Hop Nation. The spell only worked half-way, she got to the place but Lettie was nowhere to be found and she landed in an alley with her pet fairy Lily. Her coat was soiled with garbage was left behind and Lily – now almost powerless – hid in her book bag and tinkled about their spot being smelly.

Second she’d followed her exiled Aunt Amelia’s notes only to find out through asking that Lettie had died almost a decade ago. But she had a daughter Colette who worked on the Hip Strip. Turned out that strip was full of bars and brothels – Hip Hop Nation called them Play Houses. Ignoring strange looks Viola found out where Colette worked and entered a play house called Ride My Pistol. She was greeted by a vigilant bouncer but a man in a yellow suit and purple shirt and tie stopped him. Introducing himself as Paulie Deal, he asked her who she was looking for. She told him and offered her ring like she’d seen a woman offer cash to a male on the corner looking for someone named Coke.

He accepted with a shocked look on her face and turned the ring covered in diamonds. “Real silver?” he asked and she nodded. Paulie called a female in a tiny shirt that barely covered her busty chest and shorts that favoured underwear. Calling her Daisy he instructed her to take ‘Creamy Sugar’ to Chocolate Wonder. A confused Viola was told that was a nickname and Daisy led her by the hand up a winding staircase. The loud voiced female snapped at anyone in her way. Viola shushed Lily when the fairy started tinkling again. Eventually they stepped off unto a floor which had a series of locked doors.

Daisy knocked on one and told a dark skinned man who answered in a robe that Paulie wanted C.W. out to meet someone. Saying a string of words that Viola didn’t recognize but had Daisy in a fit, the man quickly apologized and told them to wait in C.W.’s dressing room.

“Tell her to come to her apartment. The kid aint waiting in no dressing room and no, don’t tell her a kid’s waiting. She'll get all huffy and I swear John #12, C.W. don't show...I'll find your wife."

Viola watched the encounter mystified by a female’s display of power that reminded her of her mother threatening a defiant lady of the court. A less fancy version but the temper was evenly matched. Daisy then escorted her down several floors then ushered her through a blue quadruple latched door had her sit on a sofa made of black leather. Viola thought leather was just for belts, harnesses and shoes.

“Now sit quietly tourist, I know where you’re really from,” Daisy’s voice suddenly sharp, “hurt Colette and I’ll cut you!” she spat and slammed the door. Viola sunk in her seat in fright. She didn’t know how Daisy could do that with a finger but she’d always been told blacks from places like Hip Hop Nation and Rap World practiced dark magic. Even Lily whimpered from inside the bag.

Colette came several minutes later with a male in a black suit and grey hat. But he looked different. He seemed more interested in looking smart, not loud and flashy. In Viola’s country he’d actually have style. Colette was the lightest person she’d seen since she’s gotten here; definitely not white but light brown enough to come close. The man seemed to have a different ‘swag’ if she remembered the term right and was a few shades darker. Daisy who’d left was dark black causing her light brown eyes to be highly pronounced.

“Why is there a Symph in my apartment?” Colette had demanded. “I’m gonna kill Paulie, the buzzard!” she said as the man laughed and headed out of sight. “What do you want? Your people bamboozled my mother into servitude then flung her out when she got screwed by some noblemen.”

There came the third thing. Telling Colette that Viola’s mother – Queen of Symphony- planned to go to war to take over Lyric World. According to what Viola heard the attack was hardly even three months away and that was two weeks ago. She pressed Colette with the urgency that everyone had to know and that her mother would back down if she lost the element of surprise.

Colette had laughed at her then. Stating that ‘white girl gone crazy’ and how her mother going to Symphony along with several girls under the guise of learning manners and better living was now the second biggest joke she’d ever heard.

She went on to tell Viola about her mother’s life in Symphony. How after it was discovered Lettie was not sent on charity but sold, she and the other girls were separated and sold. Lettie went on to the Royal Household in Castle Symphonia. At age fourteen she was made to scrub floors, clean out dungeons and prison guards’ quarters. Higher level local servants cleaned rooms royalty cohabited in.

But all wasn’t awful; Lettie had made friends with one of the royal children two years her junior. A sweet blonde girl named Amelia Rose, third in line for the next ruler of Symphony. Amelia was in no rush though. Symphony was ruled by men, her position would simply mean that she’d marry and her husband would take over after accepting the Rose name over his own.

Lettie and Amelia grew to be close as sisters. Amelia had a twin but she was forceful and headstrong. Amelia could be headstrong when she needed but mostly she was shy.

Then one day Lettie was attacked and raped by a group of nobels. She told Amelia who promised to help her. Instead guard came and dragged her to the woods.

-----

That's all for now. But I promise this novel only gets more intriguing from there.



The 90 Best Cartoons of All Time

The 90 Best Cartoons of All Time

Can I Have Your i-Pad?

Can I Have Your i-Pad?

www.MitchellSkelton.com: Repost: Seek the Old Paths (Honoring God while Remainins Culturally Relavant)

www.MitchellSkelton.com: Repost: Seek the Old Paths (Honoring God while Remainins Culturally Relavant)

FicBookReviews: 700 Followers Giveaway! $50 Amazon Gift Card

FicBookReviews: 700 Followers Giveaway! $50 Amazon Gift Card: Wow cant believe I have reached 700 after celebrating my 500 followers last month! Congrats to Felipa Munez and Stacey of Sassybooklovers....

Breaking Dawn Mania! (Not Really)

I plan to see the latest Twilight Movie: Breaking Dawn Part 1 this weekend. I also hope to see The Muppets Movie soon, I'm sure Amanda Hocking (who is a bigger fan than I am, except with Miss Piggy. I LOVE her. Sorry Kermit) does too. Just read her blog and check out where she mentions them. She's been crazy about them since childhood.

The Twilight movie series started with the novels by Stephanie Meyer. Which for her started with a dram. She wrote a book which became a series, that turned into a world phenomenon. It's ironic how what seems so simple turns into something so amazing and ground breaking.

Some critics label these kind of books/movies as 'commercial' and ignore the literary and deep insight/beauty that was put in and is therefore evoked from these works. But what I'll counter with is that many books with this label have some of the most dedicated fan base. Their fans (I proudly include myself) will go see every movie they can and buy every book and/or merchandise they can afford. I love traditional literary books and film but sometimes the stuffiness of the industry is a big turn off. A movie or writing style/technique doesn't make you better just because of the prestige you get from critics and certain 'overlords' of the business. What truly matters is making your work well done and a joy to your fans.

I'm still working on Lyric World, my Nanowrimo novel and my upcoming ebook Rachael Becoming Red. But I have to take time to go out and enjoy myself. I might be living with my parents and on a few checks from published poetry (no full-time job yet, sorry, still looking) in local literary supplements. But I haven't been to the movies all year and it's about time. Also my birthday is November 29. I'm having some out of house fun damn it!

Amanda Hocking's Blog: I want an agent

Amanda Hocking's Blog: I want an agent: This me trying to do The Secret , so my plan to do that is to let the universe know what I really want. So here it is: I want a literary age...

Lyrics: It Happens all the Time by Paul Lisak and After the Ice

London awakes bruised from its night
And points its finger at me
I turn my head towards the sky
And let the screaming pass me by

It happens all the time
It would appear that somehow
We're too far apart

Voices like horns in the night
Blew their disapproval loudly
I came to realize that our love
Could be bitter for so many

It happens all the time
It would appear that somehow
It would appear that somewhere
It would appear for someone
It happens all the time
It would appear that somehow
We're too far apart

Voices they whisper at night disapprovingly
I tell you most assuredly
I turn my head towards the sky
And let the screaming pass me by

I happen to disagree
With the opinion of so many
Love isn't just another game
To be played and then disclaimed

It happens all the time
It would appear that somehow
It would appear that somewhere
It would appear for someone
It happens all the time
It would appear that somehow
We're too far apart

It happens all the time
It happens all the time

We're too far apart

Voices they whisper at night disapprovingly
I tell you most assuredly
I turn my head towards the sky
And let the screaming pass me by

__________________________________________________

Please Note: These lyrics belong to the singer. I make no profit from this post. 

Lyrics: To the Death by Andre Rodriquez

Is this a fight to the death or to the love?

Is this a fight to the death or to the love?

  

‘Cause everyone is throwing out advice

Saying we’d be better off alone

Saying that two wills as strong as ours don’t stand a chance

But every time your lips press up to mine

Sheds a little insight on this plight

Maybe this is deeper than infatuate romance

So tell me now, tell me now

Is this a fight to the death or to the love?

Is this a fight to the death or to the love?

I can tell that you are never giving up

Is this a fight to the death or to the love? 

Even though you’ve never shown remorse

I’ll never have to say how much this hurts

‘Cause anything you have done to me I’ve done to you

But every time I try to shut you out I cannot fathom trying to move on

I cannot picture life without your hand secure in mine

So tell me now, tell me now

http://www.jamendo.com/en/player#/track//?id=740100#null#0 

Please Note: These lyrics belong to the singer. I make no profit from this post. 

Soundtrack for Red series

I was online looking for songs that could be apart of any playlists for my novels. I search for songs that I can actually use without being sued or having to pay tens of thousands of dollars just to play a few times or once. I'm using Jamendo which is perfect since you can actually buy a license to play any particular song from just a year to unlimited. And get this you can get a regional license for a year for just $60 (US) per track for starters.

What I want however is to play it on the internet for starters. Then there's the songs I want to use to actually promote my books. Actually I pick one song that I think has a true feel so it can be used in advertising. I found out that I can get unlimited advertising (internet only) for $270 (US) per track. Not cheap but very reasonable when considering the alternative.

I already mentioned the song 'It Happens all the time' by After Ice. But another song I found in my mind promotes the entire Red series at it's core. No matter which side the characters are on - Werewolf or Exterminators both want to protect those they love and themselves. How do you really convince someone that is wrong. Personally I think that's a deep and important question that will have many answers in the series. The song I found is ' To the Death by Andre Rodriquez.
Please note I'm not promoting this as my song or the song of my novels. I'm only saying I'd like it to be and that I'm saving to make it so.

Bieber Song

I have decided to have a rap song ghost written about the Justin Bieber vs. Maria Yeater baby controversy. I  want to put my opinion out against someone who I believe is trying to take advantage of a talented individual's celebrity status. I plan to write a basic page of lyrics and have the rapper rap their own version after he does his own edits.

Yeater in my opinion is a fame monger seeking to destroy a young mean's reputation just because he's popular on the music scene. It's even been reported that she claimed at least two other men were the baby's father before Justin - who has been professional throughout the ordeal and it's possible that he will soon silence the his baby or not debate by having a D.N.A. test done. This test should silence the sudden negative onslaught on his character and if it proves he's not the father. The female accusing him will be in a lot of trouble.

Beiber fans have been fired up about the 'baby daddy' accusation  and some even issued threats at Maria. While I wont do the same, I feel that as  a mother and she needs to be there for her baby. I hope she gets as much ridicule as possible. Just not so much that she can't function. Though I think that will be very hard since she's now going public on television with these same accusations.

All I have to say is this. People need to stop doing anything for fame. Yes there's luxuries but it also has a dark side. Achieving it through lies and deception only leave you tainted in the end. No matter how rich or popular you get.

So instead work hard, nurture your talent. Maybe you'll be famous, maybe you won't. But your good name should matter more.

Always

Self publishing is hard!

Yes I'm whining about self publishing my e-book. It's hard work! Getting it done, editing, picking an e-book cover, formatting everything and my personal touch of a playlist with songs I actually have the right to use.

Don't get me wrong, I'm estactic about publishing my book by February 2012. But the technical part and financial drain is time consuming. I don't want to just publish an e-book. I want to publish one of quality.

I guess I can just keep working and hope for the best with Rachael becoming Red.

Later!

Yes! I found the perfect Song!

I went looking for a song for my Rachael becoming Red novel. I did something different from many authors. Most just create a playlist of well known songs that they couldn't possible afford to play if they decided to ask permission.

I took a different tack. Going to Jamendo I looked for songs that had creative licenses that allowed you to either play it on your website cheaply with permission or free. I found a song quickly. Paul Lisak and After the Ice - It Happens all the Time . The song is in the alternative category and has the perfect angsty style for a story about a girl who lost her family. I hope to try and contact the creators tomorrow.

I also did a lot of editing for my online store. I don't have any items on sale yet but here's the website.
http://queendsheena.weebly.com/

This was a very productive day. Look out for my novel 'Rachael Becoming Red' on December 15, 2011 on the Kindle.

Queendsheena Signing In

This is my first post for my new blog. Here I'll be dealing with everything Queendsheena including my upcoming novels and my T-Shirt and accessories line which I plan to sell through an online store I'm creating.

My real name is Sheena-kay Graham and my nickname (now my blog's name) was self given and inspired in part by the movie  Sheena: Queen of the Jungle. Also my love for Africa, my skin and believing in fact that we can take hold of our destinies. My nickname symbolizes this for me and creating this blog furthers plans for professional success.

This site is to generate buzz and create fans for my upcoming novels first of all. First being Rachael Becoming Red which is a prequel to my  Red book series. It's about Rachael as a child before she's a teen werewolf exterminator in the Red series. It follows her from meeting Terry leader of T.O. to her decision to stay or leave her forestall village in order to protect others from werewolves including the ones who murdered her family.

I hope to publish my first ebook early 2012 and create a following for my novels. Wish me luck.