Red Series

Tuesday 22 November 2011

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!

Monday 14 November 2011

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...

Tuesday 8 November 2011

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
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.

Monday 7 November 2011

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

Saturday 5 November 2011

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!

Wednesday 2 November 2011

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.

Waiting on Wednesday: Reconnected

Please Note: The final WOW on this blog as I take my final bow this month. I want to thank all readers of this post and all my blogging. I r...