End of the year post

I know this is a little bit early, but I could not help but to begin thinking back on this year. I must confess that I had no idea where this year would take me. My first year at an university is under my belt. Mistakes have been made and learned from as a new career began to sprout into a fruit bearing tree someday. Two new manuscripts to TGS are completed with a fourth yet the beginning of another series underway. Next year, more exciting things are coming that are currently in the works.

The first on the list is finding a home for TGS2. I have an idea where that will go, so we'll see what happens with it.

The second is graduation. Although the plan is to be finished in December of 2013, it will give me more experience in writing while obtaining an education.

Last but not least is completing my fourth manuscript by the end of the year and preparing it for future publication.

These are just three of many goals forthcoming and are in the works. Wish me luck!

Putting the past behind me and moving onward.

I am sooooooooooooo glad that school is finished for the semester. Now I can have somewhat of a life...sure, keep dreaming, Mill. Actually, I am excited that I have opportunity to work on some well overdue writing projects. Yes, those again...editing and rewrite and all those fun things to get completed.

In other news, I've decided to go ahead and create the beginning story to The Demon-Gods War. The current novels will still be a trilogy so not to worry. This new novel will be its own stand alone novel, but it can be included in with the box-set. Haven't really come up with a solid plot but working on it. All I can say is that the novel will flip any current thoughts on TGS and its continuation. Devious, yes, but it will be worth it in the end because:

School is almost finished and then more writing!!! Bonus scene from TGS2

Have a few more weeks...just a few more, so I need to hold on and finish strong. Last couple of papers and tests til the end of the semester. One more year until I am done with school and begin life. OK, so life has already began, but it will be nice to just have my writing to focus on. Maybe there will be a fresh wave of ideas. I'm down with that; I can use a few more good ideas from the muse. Speaking of muse, mine has been on vacation...at least one of us gets to have fun...until it returns, here is another piece from the current work in progress. Enjoy!

Father walked further away from the blade. “So she wakes,” he muttered. “And here I’d thought taking her would’ve been easy.” He shrugged, but his motions showed anxiety.

He’s afraid. What caused him so much angst? What did Aurora have to do anything?

“So you don’t know...” He mused over, relaxing. He walked behind me confidently, dragging his sword. Tauntingly, he picked it up. “What makes a warrior a warrior.” He whirled around, swinging the blade. Aurora rose to meet his and pushed him away. “The sword controls you. Thus, you have no skill.” He charged, bringing his weapon in from the right. My own slashed against, rubbing sparks between them. Father halted, spat on the floor, and adjusted himself. “You’ll never be your mother. She would’ve been disappointed in her child.”

He’s right.

I thrust Aurora forward, but he knocked her to the side.

“You have no discipline in your craft,” father announced. “Pathetic.” He glanced to his injured arm with disgust. “How you managed to scythed me, I’ll never know.”

Foolish girl, Aurora chastised. Don’t listen; I’ve seen your ability.

“By the way,” he added, raising a hand. He placed his thumb and middle finger together. “You might want to see this.” His fingers snapped, summoning a cloud. It dispersed, revealing Heng-O with her arms tied behind her.

My eyes widened.

“Think of it as a going away present.” He turned his blade downward. It hovered over her side like a pendulum. “Of course, there is the other option.”

“That is?”

“Surrender the armor to me, and I’ll spare her.”

“That’s it, isn’t it?”

He wasn’t just after the armor—I saw it in his eyes. He wanted me as Saain did with his own design in mind on what I should be. “That is all,” he lowered his guard.

I lowered mine and slid the armor on the floor. Heng-O widened her eyes. Fool... I know.

TGS2 Teaser

Raylene:

The air became unsettled.

They’re here somewhere. “Maybe we should go,” I said, looking around the airport. “I don’t like it here.” I looked to Luccas who was still trapped in his thoughts. His eyes shifted to me, looking lost and confused. He puzzled me as his gaze held mine. It slowly moved to a different shade of blue. What is he thinking? I walked closer into him and laid my hand on his shoulder. Worry, lost, fear, crawled onto my fingers. “Luccas, is something wrong?”

He touched my hand and patted it gently. “No,” he said as he walked past me.

The child shifted herself in my arms while we followed after him.

“Don’t give me that,” I said in a low whisper. “There is...”

He stopped abruptly and glared at me. “We’ll take the train to Darmstadt,” he said quickly. “No questions asked. From there, we’ll formulate a plan.”

“What?” I asked, blinking my eyes and holding the child closely.

“We’ll take the train heading towards Heidelberg to Darmstadt,” he went on. “A friend of mine has already picked up our bags and is on her way there.”

“You’re avoiding the question,” I said, accusing him. “You can’t do that with me. I need to know what the plan is to find out who this little girl is.” His eyes looked around, nodding his head to a far off stranger. I turned around to see who he knew, but no one was there. I turned to him, scowling in disapproval.

“C’mon,” he said, taking my hand and led me to wherever we were going. “Before we miss our train.”

Before I knew it, we were running. Everything went by quickly; therefore, I couldn’t see details in the buildings, but I knew they were modern. After World War Two, there were many cities destroyed. The people had rebuilt them although the memories were still fresh in their minds. I recalled their faces when the bombs came down and the aftermath. That was why I didn’t want to return; no one wished me to relive those memories.

My body shivered. Who knew if there would still be someone who remembered me? What would I say to them? Sorry for my stupidity?

I felt as though the higher powers took a breath from me as we ran past several people. Coming to a stop, my eyes rose to the ceiling as we went under a prodigious time schedule board. The train station was unbelievable and massive! Along where the trains stopped were signs that told when the departure time was. In the middle, there were various food stands set up. However, something about it didn’t feel right. It held eyes, which were hidden, in every place the demons could think of. I lifted my eyes to the overhead; the beams interweave in a horizontal crisscross. I imagined Cain holding onto one of them, looking down at us and waited until he could strike.

“We’ve made it with enough time to spare,” Luccas said happily. “Well, we could’ve taken the S-Bahn with no trouble.”

“S-Bahn?”

“Yeah,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “There’s a subway that goes to here.” He pointed to several people coming out of the ground. “There’s also a food court underneath but enough of that.” He moved his gaze to the girl. “We should probably get some food in us. McDonalds?”

“No thanks,” I said.

“I was talking to the little lady.” The girl shook her head to the offer. Figured as much, she probably wasn’t hungry. “You sure? We haven’t eaten since the plane, but if you insist...” With that, he left us alone.

I turned my head to the girl who stared at me and reached for my face. She touched my cheek. My eyes widened to many images flashing through my mind. The familiar smells of blood and metal entered my nose while traveling through Saain’s headquarters. My stomach twisted as though it would lose the matter in it. The white walls that I grew to adore suddenly became a past I hated. I walked along them until I came to a closed door.

“That’s where they keep us,” a small voice said behind me.

I turned to the little girl and knelt.

Her eyes greeted mine as she spoke quieter in an adult tone. “You remember...”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “What do I remember?”

She whispered, “Them.”

“Them?”

“Is anyone there?” A male voice asked suddenly.

I rose to see who it was and found Luccas walking towards us. His eyes were red, pulling his long white coat back. He drew a magnum from its holster and pointed it at us. Luccas with a gun? It was hard to imagine him with one. His face was hard as stone unlike the Luccas I knew and loved. I checked his hands for a ring. On his right, he wore the insignia of Saain.

My jaw tightened. No, that can’t be right...

“Come out,” he said, cocking his gun. “I know you’re here.”

I ducked behind the corner and waited until he passed us. Luccas wouldn’t fight with a mortal’s weapon. He normally had his sword on him.

“You’re quiet...”

“He needs to be watched,” the girl said.

“We need to be quiet,” I said in a low growl. “Before he hears us.”

“He can’t hear us.”

“What?”

“Watch.”

Luccas continued his patrol down the hall and stopped in front of us. His eyes darted to our hiding place but went on his way. I lifted slowly from the corner enough to see if anyone else came. The last thing I wanted was to run into someone who knew me. Luccas being there though confused me. Why was he there when he never told me that he was? The idea came unexpectedly. Was he also a member of Saain?

I placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. I became alarmed for her. That whatever it was, whoever she was, wouldn’t get caught with me. I couldn’t risk her.

“You love him,” she said, pointing out. “You want to abandon the idea, but you saw it.”

True, I wanted to, honestly I did. The thought gripped me and would distort every time I was with him. Anger emerged from whence the subconscious pool laid as I restrained myself from squeezing the girl’s shoulder.

Control yourself, Raye, I took a deep breath and exhaled. “Perhaps this is a mistake,” Yes, one that would be cleared with Luccas. I didn’t have to worry.

“No mistake,” she said. I stared at her speechless and widened my eyes. “That’s right, you heard me correctly.”

***

Published Poet and update on being an Author

Hey all!

So recently I have published my very own book of poetry, and although it is small, there are some powerful words written on it's pages. I am excited that things such as my first novel and poetry have broken through. Currently, I am looking into another publisher for TGS2. Hopefully, everything will go a lot smoother than the last now that I have learned a hard lesson and matured in writing.

Wow, there is a lot of things on my mind, so I guess they should be written. The first is what is already stated in the beginning paragraph. Oh yes, that's it. I have decided that after my contract is over with this particular publisher, I am going to re-release all of the novels dealing with the Demon-Gods War Trilogy. My reason for that is to have all of them in softback. The beginning novel is only in hardback. Sadly, the company will not release it on kindle unless I pay them too. That is fine; I have no problem waiting. By then I will have a better understanding in the world of publishing and perhaps begin my own publishing company. No, none of my books will be published through it. There is another place that will do the work for me.

Something that is interesting.

Education has played a vital part in Victorian society. From early ages, boys and girls, traditionally, mothers educated them unless the family can afford a governess to teach the children the required, appropriate attire of living in a Victorian lifestyle. Soon as, the boys were old enough, their parents sent to school or a private tutor taught them. Girls were taught either by their mothers or a governess if the women were of the higher class. The parents would then seek for someone who could teach the “genteel accomplishments which were the aims of female education” to their daughters (Peterson, 9).

When George Elliot wrote Middlemarch, a college known as the Anglican Queen's College was open. Girls and women, beginning from age of twelve, could enter the doors as the college become as “a very fine public school” to teach these women how to become governesses (Web). Another college opened later in 1849. Bedford College was established through a woman named Elizabeth Jesser Reid. Mrs. Reid gathered her educated friends to provide opportunities for women’s higher education. Women came from many parts of England with a foundation of a governess’s education. As the college became successful, more degrees were given, and women had earned the privilege to attend a college strictly for them. Among the many women who attended the college, whether it was one year or many years, was George Elliot.

Before Elliot’s time, there were very few occupations a woman could enter if she were single. The first, women could employ themselves as a governess. The role of a governess was considered an honor. Interest of having went “beyond that of entertainment or economic analysis” to the Victorians (1), since the position demanded energy and many hours of spending time with children.

The second, a woman could become a school teacher. As seen in Jane Eyre, young girls were also sent from their homes to an unknown place. Jane, upon her aunt’s insistence, went to Lowood and became one of the teachers. As the novel progressed, Jane found herself as not only a teacher, but she became a governess to a gentleman named Edward Rochester.

In Middlemarch, Rosamond Vincy had been taught at Mrs. Lennon’s School. While Rosamond engaged herself into conversation with Lydgate, she spoke about knowing two men who could sing. She said that within Middlemarch, “you will find” the town to be “tuneless” (Eliot, 159). Rosamond furthered to explain she had studied under the organist at St. Peter’s. Mr. Lydgate answered, “An accomplished woman almost always knows more than we men, though her knowledge is of a different sort” (160). Having women educated, at least in Lydgate’s eyes, is seen as a good thing, and Rosamond can teach him “a thousand things” (16).

Compared to Dorothea, “Rosy,” as she is called by the family, is used for a foil against Dorothea. Dorothea’s mother is not in the novel. When introduced, the younger sister, Celia goes to Dorothea and asks her to divide the jewels their mother left them. Dorothea learned to be accomplished in horseback. Although Dorothea loves riding, she gives it up for what she thinks is a good cause. Rosamond’s education consisted of the arts whereas Dorothea enjoyed learning from books and developing plans to build cottages.

Banerjee, Jacqueline, Ph.D. Contributing Editor, The University of London and Women Students, Victorian Web, http://www.victorianweb.org/history/education/ulondon/3.html

Peterson, M. Jeanne, Victorian Studies, Indiana University Press, Vol. 14, No. 1, The Victorian Woman (Sep., 1970)

Thoughts on Poetry

I LOVE being a writer, but I also love being a poet. Granted, there are a few more rules to learn and a few more experiments using words and such to try. Poetry, though, is a different art that is, what I think, easier to grasp onto in order to put feelings, experiences, expressions, and thoughts into an art many enjoy. Through the eyes of a poet, life is a gift or a curse depending on the poet. Love, heartache, joy, fear, and doubt are weaved into a blanket full of memories both good and bad. The poet has courage to stand for things that are wrong. The poet is also a storyteller so be careful when confronted with poets. They may tell a story about you. Ta-Ta!

You want me to do what again?

Life as a college student is not always easy. We have work, homework, friends, dates, boyfriends, girlfriends, the list goes on. In my life, as an English major, I have a lot of essays to write although there are a few where they can be used as a creative writing assignment. In fact, I have written many assignments creatively for class. One of my readers will understand since we have the same class.

Uh, Shakespeare...midterm was last Tuesday and have no idea what I have on it. I will get to see what the grade is tomorrow though ^^. Hope I did well.

Go for it!

More Piece of Advise from a Friend

Tuesday Teaser

I soon found myself walking along a dirt path, in a dark forest. Fear crept into my spine as eyes popped from different corners. Where am I? I thought, looking at my wrists. Chains hung from the ceiling down my waist and neck. Blood dripped from them onto the floor, leaving a trail behind. I can hear hungry snarls from behind me. I wondered if they were the stories I was told about the Wolves of Tasudem. I shuttered, feeling sweat appear on my forehead.

All of a sudden everything started spinning. Sweat dripped onto the dirt, causing my knees to collapse underneath me. I put out my hands, so they would stop me from smacking my face. They broke the fall, but my head was still spinning, I lost focus and I could barely contain my head. My body set wildfire, burning everything it could reach. Pain shook the nerves into submission until it cut off the lungs.

Hands forced me onto my feet, claws digging into flesh and barking orders to others. Several more raced onto the scene, drawing steel out of their cases. The soil turned into crimson, crying to bury the dead in the dirt. A gentle hand ran through my hair, calling my name. Soon my eyesight became clearer looking up at the man in front of me. It was him…my mate standing in a white robe handsomely. A sword in hand, he had come for me.

“Natura…” he said, dropping his weapon and releasing the chains. He cupped his hands around my face, pressing his perfect lips on mine. The fear left me lifting my arms embracing him. I kissed him back allowing the ocean to cleanse my soul. He pulled his lips back. “My Natura…” he whispered, kissing me passionately. The pain lessened from me and on my lungs. I could breathe because the one I love gave me breath.

FACT

Inspiration

While working on a new story, I have been looking for ways of inspiration to help improve it. In Montana I had the chance to take many beautiful pictures. Some are these personal favorite:

 Wolf: What a stretch!

 Just lying around.

Black and White shot of a loner

Learning Life's Lessons

I realized now that what I have done with regarding trying to publish a book with a specific company was really ignorant on my part. I wanted something to be accomplished, and I had received negative experiences, but I am growing and learning about what to do and what not to do. Tell you what, I am never going with that particular publish again. There is another that I am looking into. I have finished my first trilogy and am working on another. This time, it is a quad---just cannot reveal the title yet so stay tuned!

TGS 2 Scene: Luccas

It never felt so good to be on the ground again. Flying was never my thing anyway. Personally, I rather use Flash Step to get to places faster. It was also safer. It angered me when trackers appeared.

Trackers . . . why did they have to use trackers to do their dirty work? I will return with Raylene.

What, Saain thought I wouldn’t keep my end of the bargain? Was I really that much of a shifty character to them? They would get what they wanted. No reason to have sent that Rilanja charisma. She would only make matters worse than what they were. Raylene definitely wouldn’t trust me if she came.

Raylene . . . she would make a perfect candidate for the Harvest.

I shook my head.

No, I promised Jane we would return with Raylene unharmed. What would she think if that wasn’t fulfilled?

I was determined to uphold that promise. They wouldn’t trust me again if something happened. I sighed. The Greysons were my best weapon, and I needed them more they’d realized. I released a sigh again.

What am I going to do? I can’t please both, but I can’t betray both either.

I concentrated on my search for Raylene. Frankfurt Airport was the second busiest international airport in Europe. It was supposed to be the safest way to travel without any interruption from Saain. Tch, how wrong that was. I knew that Saain would send their best warriors. Hell supplied them continuously without the mortal world’s knowledge. Yet, I didn’t do anything to prevent them from coming. Now there were people on the plan who died from the crash. Cheating death was easy. By using flash step, a portal opened, and I got out of the situation. However, the chances of us returning to the United States would be harder than leaving. On top if that, Saain would use their resources to keep us. Learning about it, hell would gladly help. Neither one would refuse to stop their search, so why should I?

I searched the entire runway. The fool, what in the world was she thinking pulling a stunt like that? My shoulders slumped. Disappointment turned to worry as I walked back into the airport and hoped she showed. Stay positive old boy, she’s fine. I sat in one of the chairs to wait while watching people walk to their appointed flights.

The intercom came on, revealing what happened. People stopped and complained about it. Some said they had a business meeting to attend to, but others chose to wait. Some dialed on their cells to report that they wouldn’t show or would be late.

My chin sat on folded hands, and I closed my eyes. Sadness crept into this newfound heart, struggling to overcome me.

“You’ve lost her,” someone said in German.

A sour cherry scent whiffed by my nose, recognizing it immediately who it was that wore it. Why did it have to be her? I opened my eyes to find a woman with short blonde hair and silver eyes grinning.

Rilanja.           

The last person I wanted to greet during the time here.

Competitive yet sweet if she desired. What, she thought she could do better? She was always an interesting woman. She wore a red mini shirt with red heels. On her chest laid a tight black top and a cream sweater. She took off her round glasses and snuggled them between her breasts. I shrugged my shoulder to her. Obviously, she tried too hard again but not with me. Gods, not with me. No, she wanted to impress Cain. However, he already had someone else in mind.

“Must you wear that hideous thing?” I asked. “It doesn’t cover the true you.”

Her grin faded as she sat next to me.

I lifted an eyebrow. “Did I say you could sit there?”

She looked me up and down. “Shall I tell Cain you’ve failed again?”

I bared my teeth in a grin. “You forget that I was the one who’d trained him.”

“The pupil has surpassed the master,” she said happily.

I rolled my eyes.

“You don’t think so?”

“It takes a lot to surpass me as you already know, Rilanja.”

She snorted. “Unless it’s Orpheus. . .”

The grin disappeared, and I rose to confront her. “Our things should be in,” I said, trying to calm down. “I need you to deliver them to the house.” It’ll help me to not lose this temper.

Rilanja saw the effect of her words. “Oh?” she said surprised. “Touchy subject?”

“Get out of here,” I said, threatening her. “You’ll never speak of his name again.”

“I won’t,” she said, turning around. “But you will.” She paused and turned towards me with a finger in the air. “Where are those bags, my lord?”

As she left, a sickening feeling came over me, and I sat down again. I placed my head in my palm. Orpheus’s eyes entered my mind like he knew what I thought. I widened my own, seeing his face follow like the Chester Cat.

That’s impossible. He’s dead. That blasted Kelos had killed him because he’d failed.

But was he? The idea of him alive bothered me. I wouldn’t be able to hold him back and to add to the cake, Raylene would be in danger. I couldn’t do that to her. I couldn’t risk her life for hell’s glory. I touched my lips with my fingers deep in thought.

I have to tell her about me. I have to tell her the whole truth.

Would she accept it though?

“Luccas?”

I rose, looking at Raylene with the child in her arms. Her face wore scratches and bruises. “Raye,” I rose, wrapping my arms around her. I’m relieved you’re safe. Switching to English, I said, “I thought you’d left me again.”

She pulled away from my grasp and stared. Her eyes were full of confusion.

Review of WiSpy by Rob Andrews

"A young blogger has the ultimate on-line encounter; a spirit partner who introduces him to a world he must master to save his own. A ghost in the machine? 


Adam is a 19 year old blogger who lives in his mother’s basement and who is dealing with a critically ill friend. A simple reply to a blog fan e-mail begins a relationship with Pretoria, a a beautiful and mysterious young woman. Pretoria guides him into ‘the Realm’, a spirit world where he discovers he is a powerful force for the protection and survival of human kind. As Pretoria reintroduces Adam to the Realm and his place in it, he realizes that she is not only trying to reclaim him for the sake of humanity, but also for the spirit world and herself. Facing a powerful evil , Adam re-engages with the Realm in order to save his friend and the human world while re-discovering why he had tried to escape it in the first place. As a battle within the Realm reaches its climax, Adam must finally choose between his human and his spirit form, or lose both."

Review: 4/5

I loved this book. I know I keep saying it, but I have not come across a book I have not liked in a while. This is a beautiful piece of work and has tremendous potential to be placed as one of the greats in fiction. It caught me by surprise. At first I had thought it sounded a bit like Tron, but as I kept reading, it brought another understanding. I have not read a book that has caused me to think as this one did. I must admit, it was strange. I think most readers want something that will ease their minds off of the world. I cannot speak for most, for I am one person, but I can tell how I had felt while reading this. This book is worth reading.

My Journey As An Author

Sometimes dreams come when we, writers, do not expect it. One such story that is in progress has come that way while the one that is currently published did not. Raylene Greyson actually was a RPG (role-playing game) character that started to come to life. After maybe about a year, I began to be curious about her.  I wanted to know who she was, and why things came like they did. Something about this particular character influenced my mind so much that her story had to be told. For those of you who have read The Glass Serpent know her life was not pretty. You know why she was who she was. Some of you might have empathized whereas some might have even cheered after she went through all to overcome. I thank you. That story is continuing as I finished the second and working on the final. More stories will come in the future and desire that you, my audience, will enjoy every single one. Or, you could end up loving one character but not the other. That is alright as well. I wish you all happy reading. Till next time!

Coming soon from Lee Chambers

The Sum of Random Chance by Lee Chambers-July 2012

“The Sum of Random Chance” was hard to get into at first, but as you learn who the characters are, it picks up quickly. Cole is your everyday guy who wants something better out of life. He wants to and is willing to do everything it takes to become his dream job. Unfortunately, he has a hidden part of him that does not take into consideration of other’s feelings. His girlfriend, Erin, uses him for her own gain and also belittles him when he does not succeed. His job as a reporter is as dull as it could get while he deals with a co-worker who tries to do everything within his power to diminish what ounce of hope Cole has. While on an assignment, Cole comes across another woman named Sara, with a special ability to make people around her happier, at the local market.

Then, out of the blue, robbers come, but they are stopped by the police. Cole notices something different about this woman and decides to use the robbery story as a chance to boost his career. What he did not see was he ended up losing his job as well as his girlfriend. After moving into an apartment on his own, he reconnects with Sara and discovers who she really is. After a nearly destroyed friendship, Cole comes to a realization that all he had was not worth losing Sara over and tries to make amends. What happens will be up to the reader whether or not to find out.

A story of finding what is more important in life, it will boost anyone's spirits and give them hope that life is not always bad. That there are people like Sara who make a difference in everyday situations. We all want to be around people like her and are a rare treasure. This story brings us to those people and provides hope to those who experience hardships.

Well done, Mr. Chambers!

Progression

I have been thinking a lot about progression this past week, but what does one think of when they hear this word? To some, progression is achieving their small goals and raising them the next week and/or day. Others, progression comes at a much slower pace. Sometimes it comes over a month. With school, it can come within that semester or carry over to the next. Either way, at least for me and in my life, it is hard to recognize. Some days I will sit in a quiet room to reflect on what happened over the last month and try to see where I can improve. Likewise and unfortunately, during this time, I tend to also see the negative aspects more than the positive. Up until recently, it was easy to nit-pick out all of the mistakes that were done. It was simple to point out all the errors, but there was someone else who had shown me the good things about myself. She taught me about seeing the work that had been already done. She also revealed how to pick out the areas of progress. Since then and through personal struggle, progression is slowly starting to be recognized. Through the grace of God, as He allows me to become what he knows I can be, this has been awesome to see.

Being a writer is not the most easiest line of work. There are a lot of pressures placed upon his/her shoulders. One example is when the writer becomes a best-selling author and has to live up to that part of their work. Yes, hard to do but not impossible. One way or another it will happen because of the great support team that writer has to not allow the work to fail. Although, there is still much progression to becoming an all-time greatest author, so that is something, personally, to look forward to.

Experience Part 2

Okay, so my story has been out, and reviews are coming in. Not bad, but there is always room for improvement. That is what keeps a writer (okay, me) from being too prideful about his/her work. In my case, writing does take a lot of my time, yet it also brings me joy. Yes, I do make mistakes and brings me down; however, I do like to improve. That is why trying to find ways of development into an author is important to me. Not just the sales and hoping people like the novel. Developing as a writer takes time to nourish that seed inside you. I am so glad to have people who stand beside me. Those people, my friends, love me for me. Thanks!

The Glass Serpent---now on B and N website

The Glass Serpent is now on Barnes and Noble website and can be purchased there! Check it out!

Reviews:

"Highly Recomended----its a must read! Love it. Looking forward to more books by this amazing author."

"This book was great! The story was interesting and I can't wait until the next book comes out!"

Promotion for The Pineville Heist by Lee Chambers

Hey everyone, there will be a BIG promotion for a friend and fellow author, Lee Chambers on May 20, 2012. If you have not or if your teen has not read this awesome book, please join us on that day. Why? Because it is FREE! That is right, FREE! What is it about? Check below:

The Pineville Heist
by Lee Chambers

The Pineville Heist is the debut #1 Thriller from writer/director Lee Chambers. The screenplay version attracted Booboo Stewart (Seth Clearwater) from the Twilight movies for the lead in the motion picture slated to shoot later this year.

Amazon Rankings

#1 THRILLER (APRIL 2012)
#1 CHILDREN’S MYSTERY (APRIL 2012)
#3 FOR ALL BOOKS (APRIL 2012)

Here’s the set-up:

Seventeen year old Aaron stumbles into the aftermath of a five million dollar bank heist gone wrong. Hiding under a canoe, Aaron partially catches the murder of one of the robbers. In the chaos he sneaks away with the money and heads straight for the closest place of safety, his high school. Terrified, Aaron tells his shocking tale to Amanda Becker, his drama teacher, but it doesn’t take long for one of the psychotic robbers to show up. In the locked down school the pair are relentlessly pursued in a quest to get the money back and wipe out the evidence.


SAMPLE

Aaron almost jumped out of his skin. The shudder of fast-moving air around the muzzle sent a shockwave, before the sound ever hit Aaron’s ears. That was when he knew that Jake was dead. Yet, his ears were ringing so loudly, everything seemed like it was vibrating. He hoped that he hadn’t let out a scream when it happened. If he had, he never would’ve heard it. He didn’t even hear Jake’s body hit the ground – Jake simply fell into view, pale and flaccid; his cheek slamming against the ground right outside the canoe – mere inches from Aaron’s terrified face.

            Struggling to control the roll of his dying eyes, Jake looked up and made contact with Aaron. Jake’s eyebrows rose, perhaps involuntarily, or maybe in surprise at seeing Aaron beneath the canoe. A wave of blood washed over Jake’s brow and down his nose.

Aaron shook his head, trembling, as Jake stared now unblinking at him. Aaron raised a shaky finger to his lips – shhh, for God’s sake, shhh.

Jake’s tongue fought back against the blood in his throat. He gurgled, “Help me... he’s a...” A second bullet was fired, silencing Jake, snuffing out his last words. The flash of the gunfire illuminated Aaron, as he cringed, wishing this nightmare would end and he could just wake-up in his bed at the mansion. Just get me out of here.

In that exact same instant, in a moment of madness, Steve and Mike made a run for it. They rushed out of their hiding place in the bushes, while the figure’s back was turned on them, darting across the campsite.

Their footsteps weren’t dainty or quiet. A couple of knuckleheads trampling like a herd of crazed buffalo. They might as well have screamed, “RUN!”, because the figure spun around, dropping the stick to the ground once more, and barreled after them, gun raised.

Steve and Mike hurdled the canoe with ease, but Aaron panicked, curling into a ball as the figure jumped the canoe, his foot catching on the lip. In a second, the canoe flipped right over, totally exposing Aaron in his fetal position.

Then another few seconds passed. A gunshot in the distance. Aaron opened his eyes. Nobody. They were all gone.

Aaron unfurled himself and slowly found the will to stand up. At his feet, Jake had bled out. Something then caught Aaron’s eye, right out of the corner of his peripheral vision. Stuffed under the seat of the canoe. A green backpack.

Aaron whipped through the long grass as fast as his legs would carry him. His eyes were filled with angst and adrenaline. He was still in shock. Not every day you see a dead man. Not every day you see that much money either – he glanced down at the backpack in his arms. Must – keep – running.

www.pinevilleheist.com

New Project

I started working on an old writing project that I had began when I was in high school. I have been thinking a lot about this particular project, and it has definitly been a while. Research has been done, but there is still so much to do. It is about a land that I do not have experience in yet hope through the time and effort, it will be a success. It will not be revealed anytime soon unless those who already know, then be prepared. It is interesting to see a manuscript that has not been worked on return to light. Now there is a different perspective and a different maturity added to the skeleton. True, right now it is full of kinks and unpolished edges, but with time and patience, it will be a work of art. I am looking towards next year to have it finished so wish me luck!

Experience

I have been thinking a lot about my recent experience as a published author. During the past couple weeks, with school and life going on, there has been so much worry about what people will think about my book. There are a bit of mistakes, which I am embarrased about, but that is okay. I can live with them and grow. Personally, the publisher should have provided an editing staff and now I understand why there are a few authors upset with this particular company, but not all of it is bad. Also if you want your book distributed then there is a cost. I think this experience has proven what could happen when you decide on who you want to publish your book. My book cover is done rather well, so I do not completely condamn this publisher. The format was also done really well, but I think the publisher cared more on making money than what was needed to produce something of quality. Granted, I am still thankful for this particular yet growing trial. There is also next time when used in a sense of good. I will continue forward but with different ideas. I will become the author whom I need to be in order to stand with other authors.

Demons invading Fresno?

Yes, you heard it. Demons are coming to Fresno, and they are looking for someone in particular. I am soooooooooooooooooooooooo excited to announce the release of my debut novel, The Glass Serpent, book one of the Demon-Gods War series. Book cover soon to follow.

What would happen if Heaven combind with Hell?

As if killing demons for a living wasn't enough, the dreams kept coming, haunting a past that Raylene Greyson had tried to forget. The Greysons have done all they could to help her forget. The Greysons, with no thought of reward, gave her a new life and fresh start. But then, Raylene started to remember what her life was before Saain. Along comes Luccas who says he knows who she is. Forced to work with each other, the two develop a love that could not only put them in danger of hellfire, but the Greysons as well. Then one of the Greyson children is kidnapped. Raylene must save her before it's too late, and the child is lost forever.

Along the way, Raylene discovers who she is, and how her family is connected. She will not only have to overcome her past but accept her future.

Portable Food-In-A-Pill Helps Soldiers and Civilians in Emergencies, Will Metabolize Your Own Fat

 I did a bit of research for a manuscript when I came across this and thought it was cool. If only we could have it sooner. Then again, perhaps it is already in place, and I do not know it yet. Portable Food-In-A-Pill Helps Soldiers and Civilians in Emergencies, Will Metabolize Your Own Fat

Wonderful World of Grammar

I found this article interesting that perhaps future teachers or writers would like cause we all have a voice.

Sams, Lynn, How to Teach Grammar, Analytical Thinking, and Writing: A Method That Works, The English Journal, Vol. 92, No. 3, Revitalizing Grammar (Jan., 2003), pp. 57-65, National Council of Teachers of English, http://www.jstor.org/stable/822261




Summary

Lynn Sams begins How to Teach Grammar, Analytical Thinking, and Writing . . . by coming to a conclusion herself. She stated that grammar goes in hand and hand with writing. While the desire to study one topic is there, both have to be studied together. While teaching in classroom, she explores what struggles her students had with regards to what prevented them from placing thoughts on paper. She finds they had problems with organization, coherence, and revision. Sams decided to take a step further to get into developing what she calls, “The root causes” of why her students struggled. What she sees is as she develops strategies to combat current problems is that she was teaching Grammar. It was more towards what the structure and meaning were than the usage. She talks about what happens as she continues to explore. As she and her students go further in the year, Sams comes to the same answer what twentieth researchers have already concluded. Researchers claimed that “Direct instruction in grammar had no impact on writing.” That idea, alone, of studying grammar has nothing to deal with how writing works. Grammar, in Sams’ words, “taught prescription (usage and rules)” and also “description (nouns, verbs, prepositional phrases).” She goes on to add that grammar included “the naming of parts.” But that is not all stated in the article. Another point Sams brings to the reader’s attention is the theology of what is called the “In-Context” method. This system is a more socially accepted perspective and is sponsored as a way of approaching grammar. The method means using a little bit more than an application which some teachers will pull from the hat. Unfortunately, this is also a fail. The reason this approach to grammar fails is it treats the subject as something separated from writing. That grammar is a separate force outside the written aspect. Sams claims the two are not apart, but they are as one. And with grammar and writing connected, it “becomes abundantly clear the more closely we align our methods of teaching writing with the nature of the composing process.” In simpler terms it means, writing is an art that we need to understand. As we come to this understanding of how writing works, then we can incorporate what we want to get across to the students. Our methods will fall naturally like they are supposed to.

Day with an Author---Rob Andrews, Author of WiSpy

I have a very special guest today. Meet Rob Andrews, the author of the YA novel WiSpy. Rob, thanks for coming and giving your thoughs on your experience as an Author.

Rob:
Thanks, Millicent,

Becoming an author has been a wonderful and eye-opening experience for me!
I have always liked writing and "wrote" books (illustrated pirate/monster stories) before I could actually write, so it seems to be hard-wired into my D.N.A., so actually becoming published was a real highpoint for me.
I have been learning a great deal about writing and the publishing (especially electronic publishing) world since I started into the process and I have to say that there is always more to learn!

There are many good tools and websites out there and if you stay true to keeping your participation there about the writing, they are incredibly helpful. WiSpY, my young adult paranormal romance was actually spotted by a publisher on a writer's site, which was a completely unexpected bonus.
I actually gave credit in the acknowledgements for WiSpY to the other writers on that site who gave me very helpful suggestions and a good deal of positive feedback that affirmed that I had something people liked. Had the book not been picked up, the feedback from those readers would have helped me query the book to other publishers.

The book has been out for a few months now and is working its way onto many sites and beginning to get reviews. If anyone has read Stephen King's book "On Writing", I would suggest that his 'Carrie' phone call experience will not typify the experience of most first time writers :)

It was a real rush the first time I got a positive review from someone I didn't know in virtual or plain old reality and the same was true of the first sale I couldn't trace to a friend, fellow writer or family member!
All that aside, I still have my love of writing and wordplay. In the book, the main character, Adam (who, like you, is a blogger - and who is very tall and rather uncoordinated) is thinking about his high school years when he says "I discovered the school newspaper and the annual. It was better for everyone that I was mainly sitting down for these activities, and the girls forgot how short I made them feel. I discovered that I loved words and the interplay that happened as they danced with the ideas in my head. This was my first real love. " I was speaking through Adam there (although I firmly believe that characters will sometimes speak for themselves, so no eye rolling!) because that's how I feel about it (even though I wrote neither for the school paper or yearbook!)

So as the process unfolds, I keep my optimism high, my expectations grounded and my eyes wide open to learn everything I can to improve my next effort!

New Semester-History Class

So, school has started again, and I finally finished one of the books I had planned on finishing. Now, as usual, more books come. However, not all are bad. Seriously, for history we have this book all about the banana. Yes, the banana. More so of where it originated, and how it became one of the main fruits for the global market. Should be interesting, yet I question the professor. She said she taught this particular course four times in the 20+ years of teaching. She seemes very relaxed about it, but maybe it is because she has an aid. Another thing she mentioned was her aids always received higher marks than she. But then again, she admitted to us she also was the aid whom the students gave higher marks than the professor. So she added the famous, "what comes around, goes around" at the end of that discussion. Forgot to mention at the beginning of the class she wanted to have music, so she added this. I thought it was done well. Have a listen.

And the Journey Moves Onward! Scene from TGS

What, it's already the second week in January, and not one post? Oy, have to get on that. Now to think what has been going on the past few weeks. Well, have a look!

I hung up the phone and reflected on Derek’s words. What did he mean ‘pull you from hot water’? I shook my head, and pulled the covers over my head. Five more minutes please? The image of me on hooks flashed through my mind. I threw the covers off. Might as well get up now. It was going to be an interesting day if the Colonel wanted me. I grabbed hold of random CD and threw it into player. The first song that came on was ACDC’s “Highway to Hell.” I raised an eyebrow at the irony, and shrugged my shoulders. Slipping on my fuzzy slippers, I walked by the main computer, and knocked on its surface. “Good morning Heng-O.”


Heng-O appeared stretching as if she’d been asleep. She was unique because she was also a demon, but trapped in the computer by Saain. Through her, Saain was able to control everyone trapped in that awful place. “Good morning Mistress,” she said. “Anything I could do while you are away?”

“Just the usual,” I said, and shrugged, going into the bathroom, and started the shower. “Nothing else.” I pulled opened the medicine cabinet. A small half-full bottle of medicine poked back, questioning if I would use it today or not. Shrugged my shoulders again, and closed it.

I don’t need them, I thought as I undressed, and got in. I can get by without them. I shifted the knob to make it hotter than what a mortal was able to take. Due to a chemical in my body, I was able to control the elements of fire and ice. Thus, they had proven as immunity. I closed my eyes, and concentrated on my inner fire to rise higher than the water’s. However, I was careful not to allow it to melt my skin. The hot water messaged the aching muscles left over from the day before. Someday I’ll learn to stop taking hard falls, so my muscles would be nice to me.