Mark Everett Stone Shares Some Things to Do In Denver When You're Undead

Gladiator's Pen welcomes Mark Everett Stone to the Ludus. He's here for a chat and to celebrate the release of Things to Do in Denver When You're Undead. So refill your cuppa and enjoy our visit.

What do you think makes a good story?

I don’t believe it’s just one or two things. It’s a combination of all the elements…plot, pacing, dialogue, character development, efficient use of metaphors and similes, etc, etc.  It’s like cooking a great stew, if all the ingredients are there…wow, you’ve had a memorable meal. If one or two ingredients are off, no big deal, you still have a satisfying meal, but if you screw up or miss too many of the important ingredients, well…you have a mess.

Tell us about Things to Do in Denver When You’re Undead

It’s the story of Kal Hakala, a Finnish-American agent with the Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, an ultra-secret government organization that combats Supernatural creatures. The book delves into his past, his obsessions and his hatred, things that make him a great agent, but a very damaged human being. I like damaged people, they’re more…real to me somehow.

How did this story idea come to you?

I was lying in bed trying go to sleep when I began to think about a movie I’d just seen, Things to do in Denver when you’re dead, starring Andy Garcia. Now, I do like a good zombie book, so I idly added the ‘un’ to the ‘dead’ and, viola, the seed was planted. It was all gravy after that. I added the Finnish element to the story because I’m a Finnish-American, and decided on a dark, sarcastic tale.

Tell us about three things on your writing desk

1) The remote control to the tv. I find that the background noise of semi-quality television helps me write and provides inspiration when I need it. Not that I steal from what I’m listening to, even commercials can help jog the creative processes. Well, they do for me, but I’m a little twisted, so there you go.

2) A Christmas pic of my family. I know it sounds cheesy and contrived, but they’re my real inspiration. If I’m feeling down, or blocked, all I have to do is look at my wife and kids and wham! baby, I’m back.

3) My kindle. I read when I need to decompress. I wish I could read more, but I have a very busy life with 2 kids driving me to distraction.

Do you have a writing routine? Do you think it is important to have one?

Damn skippy I have a routine. I think it helps me maintain discipline when writing and discipline is very important for me or I’d never get anything written.

What made you choose writing for a career or did it choose you?

Writing snuck up on me, clubbed me over the head, hog-tied me and has never let me go. Hmmm…there’s an S&M joke in there somewhere.

What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

Vote a straight Republican ticket. Then, after I finished the Bar, I’d shoot myself in shame.

Do you have anything new you’re working on? Can you tell us about it?

Sure, I love talking about myself, it’s my favorite subject! The sequel for Things to do in Denver when you’re undead is almost finished. It’s called What happens in Vegas, dies in Vegas. Vegas is more action-oriented than Denver because I have no need for a lot of plot exposition, I can just dive on in and have fun. That was the one thing I wanted when writing the sequel was to have as much fun as possible, really sink my teeth into creating an enjoyable book.

What is the one thing you want readers to get out of reading Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead?

Hey, if the book can make someone forget the outside world for a few hours, be entertaining and fun, then I’ve done my job. I don’t expect it to appeal to everyone, that’s foolish, but I hope there are people who put it down with a smile on their faces.

Where can we find you and your books?

Camel Press, Amazon.com, B&N.com, Smashwords, etc. Hopefully it will catch on enough that it will go mainstream and hit stores across the U.S. I know that’s kind of out there, but a man can dream, right?

Thank you so much Mark for joining us. Looking forward to reading Things to Do in Denver When You're Undead. For more about Mark Everett Stone and his books check out his blog at Mark's Blog  

To purchase you can click one of the buttons below. 

Fellow Writers Blog Hop : Writer's Flashback

   This month the Fellow Writer's Blog Hop topic is Writer's Flashback. To take a look at something written maybe several months to years ago and share how our writing has evolved since then. I know my writing has changed a great deal in some ways.

Here is a piece of a short story I had written for a contest about 7 years ago, called The Beast. The Beast is about two firefighters trapped in the middle of a forest fire. One is a full time paid firefighter, the other a volunteer. It's okay if you cringe... I did a bit when I reread the entire story. *shivers at the horrors in her writing* Okay it's not really that bad, but I'm sure like myself you shake your head a few times.

             The fire burned through the under brush. It moved as if it were alive. The two firefighters were cut off from the rest of their crew when the wind changed. Watching the orange glow pulse and breathe they tried to cut a trench around them.  The heat was intense and the air itself felt hot as it flowed in and out of their lungs.

            Jeff looked over at Gabby the young volunteer who was stuck out here with him. He was a career fireman with enough years experience to know their chances were slim to none. Still he watched her work furiously on the fire break.

            Gabby knew the flames could still jump any break they could cut. She had been on enough calls to know they were in serious trouble. The only thing she could do was remember her training. She went over and over the protocols in her head. If this was the end she would have peace of mind knowing she had done all she could to save them. 

            The break was finished a four foot wide, one foot deep trench.  The forest was filled with smoke and the roar of the orange beast coming for them. It wouldn’t be long. Sitting back to back Jeff reached into the yellow Nomax suit and pulled out the picture of his wife and daughter. “Do you have anyone at home?”

            Gabby fought back the fear as she realized he, the twenty year veteran, didn’t think they were going to get out. “Just my mom and my cat.” The smoke was getting thicker and the roar louder. Gabby thought the beast had eaten most of the forest and was still hungry. Or maybe trees and wildlife were not what it craved.

            A fire scene is noisy. Not because of the sirens, yelling, or engines running. The fire its self has a voice. It can whisper or scream.  Sucking the air around it to breathe the beast feeds on what ever gets in its path. Its pallet isn’t picky, metal, wood, glass, plastic, flesh, it’s all food. 

            The fire’s voice was all they could hear sitting in their little circle. It drowned out the shouting of the other firemen trying to find a way for a rescue. The popping of pinecones and crackle of burning tree trunks sounded like cackling laughter. The beast was joyous in its destruction.

            Gabby hugged her shovel and flapper the only weapons she had against her enemy. “What do you do when you’re not putting wet stuff on red stuff?”

            Jeff smiled but he could hear the edge of fright in her voice. “We have a houseboat on the river. We spend a couple of days fishing. The kids love to Jet Ski. What do you do in real life part-timer?”

            “I work in a flower shop but I spend a lot of time with my nose in a book. I love to read. That’s probably why I only have my mom and my cat.” They laughed not because it was funny. Laughing was the only way to dispel some of the fear with out screaming.

            Suddenly a tree fell across the break line. Without a thought or word they jumped to their feet and started to push the chard log back over the line. Gabby grabbed her flapper, a large square piece of rubber on a broom handle, and began to beat at the flames around the line.

            Jeff stood on the other side with a shovel throwing dirt to smother the little smoldering embers falling from the burning tree tops around them. The beast was giving birth to her children, making little clones of flame to join in its feast. It would come and gobble them up too and grow in size and strength. The beast was already huge. He looked back at Gabby as she slapped the flapper on the earth then rubbed kill the little beasts. For the moment they had won the battle.

*Whew... I survived how about you? How has my writing evolved since this literary masterpiece (kidding :)?  My grammar has improved is a big one. I don't use as many useless words such as very, really, and. I believe my ability to describe a scene, to pull my reader into the story has improved. At least I hope :)  

One thing that stands out for me is an issue I still have some problem with, tense switching. I drive myself and my dear Sis up a tree some days catching myself mixing past and present tense. ACK! Even though it still happens, I consider that part of my writing having grown also. Why? Because I recognize it now. I didn't to begin with. Sometimes knowing is half the battle. 

I know a year from now my writing will have evolved even more because of the knowledge I gain along the way. Every story we write we learn something. It's how we grow and become the next Stephen King or Nora Roberts. Every once in a while it's a good thing to take a look into our past. Pull out an old dusty story even if it's unfinished and see what we have learned since that point. 

Your turn! Go dig out something from your early writing days. Has your writing blossomed into something more beautiful than the ugly sapling you first planted? 

Be sure to read more great blogs sharing on this topic by clicking on the Fellow Writers Blog Hop badge at the top of this post :) Happy Scribbles! 

   

Character Chat with Christine and James from Anna James' Coming Home

Welcome to Christine and James! Very nice to have our first fictional character chat with you in the Ludus. Tell us a little bit about your book Coming Home by Anna James

Thank you for having us and for letting us share our story with your readers.

Coming Home is a story about family deception, family reunions and the kind of love that triumphs over all odds.

Christine, your heart belongs to James Buchanan. What made you fall in love with him?

James is kind and loving and sexy as hell and the way he makes me feel…. Oh!  I get all tingly inside.

What made you run away from him?

I thought that he was having an affair with my sister and that he was the father of her son.

What made you realize you still loved him enough to come home?

I’ve never stopped loving him! I only left because it hurt too much to stay. The reason I finally came back is because I learned some very interested things about my family that lead me to believe, hope really, that Andrea had lied to me about her relationship with James. I knew I had come home and do everything in my power to win James back.

Are you afraid or excited to see him again?

Both! I’m excited because I can’t wait to see him again; I’ve missed him so much. But at the same time I’m afraid. I don’t know what to expect. I know my leaving must have hurt him and I can only imagine what he thinks of me right now. I will have a tough road ahead of me.

James, when did you know Christine was the one for you?

I think I’ve always known somewhere deep inside. Even when Christine was younger there was always something about her. She’s a warm, loving person with a beautiful heart.

What is the most romantic thing you have ever done for Christine?

On our first date I packed a picnic basket and we went to Christine’s favorite place, a little meadow that is located where our families’ properties join together. We went for a long walk then sipped champagne and fed each other chocolate covered strawberries as the sun went down.   

How did you feel when Christine left? Do you still think about her?

I was devastated when Christine left. It felt like I lost a vital part of myself. And to this day I still have no idea why she did it. I’m really angry that our relationship meant so little to her, that I meant so little to her, that she could throw it all away like that.

Do I think about her? Every day! It’s hard not to when my family is so close to hers.

Did you ever think about going after her?

I did but Andrea, Christine’s sister, convinced me at it would be better not to.

Can one of you share a favorite moment or scene in your book with us?

Sure! This is how it all began…

Prologue

The night security man greeted her warmly as Christine entered the building. She felt a pang of regret for not even acknowledging the man as she rushed past him on her way toward the row of elevators located at the far end of the lobby. She stabbed the call button and waited anxiously for the elevator to arrive. I need to speak to James now. I need him to reassure me that things Andrea said today are not true. James loves you, she told herself fiercely. Andrea is lying. She has to be.

All right, so things aren’t that great between us right now, she acknowledged ruefully. They haven’t been for a while. Not since that horrible argument between us after his trip to California. There’s so much tension when we’re together and James is so distant, downright cold at times. We haven’t made love in weeks, her mind tormented further. It doesn’t mean he’s in love with Andrea, she denied furiously.

The elevator arrived and she stepped in. As it moved upward her mind drifted back to the conversation she’d had with Andrea, her sister, earlier that day. `He loves me now. You had your chance but you were too focused on your career… James is a fabulous lover. He made passionate love to me when we were at that conference in California, hecouldn’t help himself,’ she had delighted in saying. ‘James is the father of my baby’.

No! Her mind screamed again in denial. Until you hear it straight from James you can’t believe anything she says. You know she would do anything to split us up.

The elevator car stopped and the doors opened on the top floor. Christine took a deep breath and stepped out. James’s office was just down the hall to the left.

She could hear muffled sounds coming from his office as she approached and paused just before she reached the door. Who was in there with him at this time of night? It was late; well after ten o’clock.

“Its okay, Andrea. Don’t worry. Everything is going to be okay,” he said.

Christine stepped into the open doorway and froze in horror. Andrea was in James’ arms, sobbing. He was holding her—so close—she acknowledged painfully as tears welled in her eyes.

“I am not going to let you go through this alone. I’ll be there for you every step of the way. You can count on me, Andrea. I promise.”

“What about Christine?” Andrea cried.

“I will deal with Christine,” James said with chilling finality, and then lifted Andrea’s head from where it rested on his chest and gave her a gentle kiss. “I promise, Andrea. I will be there for you. I won’t let you down.”

Christine gasped. James looked up. Their eyes collided and Christine knew the truth. She turned and ran as if all the demons of hell were chasing her.

Where can readers get Coming Home so we can find out how your story unfolds?

Coming Home is available from the following places:

Melange Books

Amazon

Book Strand

  

All Romance

Omni Lit

Thank you both for sharing some of your heart-clenching story. Look for Coming Home by author Anna James and find out if Christine and James can get back the love they thought they lost. 

If you're an author and would like to be a guest in the Ludus for an Author Chat or have your Characters stop by for a visit please feel free to send me a message on Facebook, twitter or Email me at Fictionrulz@live.com with GP Interview Request in the subject line

  

A Beautifully Broken Author Chat and Giveaway with Sherry Soule

WGladiator's Pen welcomes Sherry Soule to the Ludus! We're going to talk about her newest spell binding book Beautifully Broken hitting shelves on June 30th.  Grab a cuppa and enjoy the chat. Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of Beautifully Broken! The winner will be drawn on Friday to make sure to share the link!

What made you choose Writing as a career?

It chose me. J Can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing. Honestly. It is in my blood. I have always been an avid reader too. When people tell me that they don’t like to read, I look at them sideways and blurt: “Say what?”

You write for both Adult and Young Adult fiction. What’s the difference?

Excellent question. It should seem obvious that teen novels have teenage protagonists, which sets them apart from adult fiction. It is all about VOICE. A YA protagonist(s) should centrally experience and grow by her dramatized choices, actions, and concerns, which drive the plot forward, and is narrated with relative immediacy to the teenage perspective.

You write Paranormal and Horror, what draws you to these genres?

Love scary stuff. I find it equally thrilling and terrifying. I don’t read a lot of horror anymore, but love to read UF, YA, and PR novels. But I still love scary movies (not to be confused with slasher flicks). I go to the movies a LOT in the summer. Love paranormal TV shows, too: SUPERNATURAL, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle <looks great and very witchy.

Have you ever been on or would like to go on a paranormal investigation? Where would you like to investigate?

Actually, I met some investigators online and I was supposed to go on a haunt with them last year, but it didn’t work out. But I might still do one soon. (If I do, I’ll blog about it!)

Your latest release Beautifully Broken will be released on June 30^th, tell us a bit about it.

Two years of editing, and now it’s finally ready. J

Sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf is a white witch from the Broussard family, a family both destined and cursed. When she takes a summer job at Ravenhurst and meets Trent, her new-would-be-boyfriend, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. Finally, Shiloh's met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but now it looks like Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list. And Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much?

Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.  

Do you have a favorite scene you can share?

One of my favs:

For a moment, I ignored the shadows, the fog, and the wraith. As if the moonlight and his gaze had transformed me into something brave and beautiful. Something enchanted like a wildflower in the shade of the forest. We gazed at each other with a fierce unrest. The world had gone still with a seething passion, which agitated the space between our bodies. Night contained only the two of us. Trent’s emerald eyes were half-closed, the pupils huge, and I felt myself falling into them. My body ached. My heart swelled with desire. So many words went unspoken as we lingered in the dark. But all thought and words seemed to slip away.

A car drove past and I blinked, feeling slightly dazed, under a spell.

What inspired this story?

An obsession with ghosts and haunted houses. And I love romance.

What are three little known facts about Sherry Soule?

Can type lightning fast with one finger.

Love cats.

Live on peppermint mochas.

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers or advice for fellow writers?

I have a blog devoted to helping unpublished writers at Dark Angel Writing Tools: http://www.darkangelwritingtools.com/

It has tons of writing tips, agent/author interviews, and publishing secrets to share.

Where we can find Sherry Soule or your books

My website: http://sherrysoule.com

My blog: http://sherrysoule.blogspot.com/

My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001711927128

My Twitter: http://twitter.com/writersherry


Thank you so much for chatting with us Sherry! Readers don't forget to leave your comment for a chance to win a copy of Beautifully Broken! Winner to be drawn this Friday! 

New York Can Wait

Here's another great blogfest  perfect for any writer. It seems like every time the Muse gets in gear there's an interruption so to celebrate Sash's Secrets Blog created and is hosting this great blogfest. Be sure to visit her blog and check out the other great stories on the list. Below is my entry New York Can Wait.

New York Can Wait

by Elise VanCise

Cynthea walked though the airport and sighs. He’s late, he wanted me to come to New York and he’s late.

Five more minutes she decided to give him before getting a taxi. Then she heard him call her name and wave as he hurried though the crowd. In his hand was a large bouquet of white roses. 

He rushed to her, his arms sliding around her as his lips pressed to hers in a passionate kiss. Cynthea sighed into the kiss hugged him back. Emotions and memories flooded though her.

His fingers curled into the back of her hair as the kiss deepened… and a small child plowed into them skating on his Heelys. 

The boy grabbed around their legs to keep from falling. Connor tried to keep his balance and hold onto Cynthea at the same time. The magic of the moment interrupted Connor peeled the boy from their legs.

The boy’s mother rushed over. “Bobby, Bobby honey, are you alright?”

Connor sighed a bit aggravated. He wanted the moment to be special, it had already been delayed by a traffic accident on the way. “We’re fine too, thank you for asking.” 

The mother gave him a look as though they shouldn’t have been in her son’s way. Cynthea nudged him and grinned. “You’re late.”

He laughed that wonderful staccato laugh and offered the flowers with a hand over his heart. “I’m sorry, there was an accident on the freeway and we were held up for miles.”

Cynthea took the roses inhaling their sweet scent as she watched him pick up her suitcase. She missed him, maybe they should give it another try. Maybe.

They settled in the back seat of the taxi. As they make their way though the streets Connor covered her hand with his and laced their fingers. “Have you missed something, in New York?”

She turned her from her view of the cityscape Cynthea nodded with a grin. “That pizza place on 8^th. I could really go for a slice right now.” When Connor’s head tipped forward to hide his grin, she reached over and gently pulled her hand though his hair. “I kind of missed you too.”

His dark eyes looked up at her as he leaned forward. Their lips almost touching as the cabbie slammed on the breaks. The cab skidded forward on the pavement, Cynthea slipped off the seat into the floorboard and who knows what had been there before her.  “Arrgh… gross.”

Connor helped her up back to the seat and glared up at the cabbie. Not for the rough stop. He opened his back door and handed their fare to the driver. “You’ve got a suitcase with wheels don’t you?”

Cynthea stepped out and looked at him.” I didn’t pack that much, but yes.”

When she turned to step up on the sidewalk, he saw the back of her coat. Connor looked at her softly. “Um, sweetheart… “

She looked back and then tried to see what he’s pointing at. He helped her off with her coat and she grimaced seeing the back. “I don’t even want to know just toss it in the trunk. He can have it as a bonus.”

He pulled off his coat for her, he grined softly as he helps her roll the sleeves up. “This one is cuter on you anyway.”

She grinned and kissed his cheek. “It smells like your cologne.”

They laugh it off and start down the street hand in hand. After about two blocks, Connor slid his arm around her waist and walked with her against his side. She relaxed against him and everything felt right again.

They stopped at the corner across from his building. He reached over and pressed the crosswalk button. “We’re almost there.”

She grinned and stepped forward nuzzling his neck. “Finally.”

He looked down into her eyes; they were dark shimmering pools he could get lost in for hours. His fingertips caress her cheek as his lips brush over hers before….

A car sped around the corner and splashed them with water from the earlier rains. Cynthea squeaked in surprise then looked down. They were both drenched.

Connor swore, he couldn’t even get a kiss in edgewise. The light changed and they could walk across. He took hold of her hand and case hurrying to the center of the street.

Cynthea was thoroughly aggravated now. This was an omen that this whole trip was a bad idea. When he stopped half way across the street she wasn’t in the mood for anything else. “Connor…”

He stopped her speech when he turned and pulled her close. His lips pressed to hers gently then deeper until her arms wrapped around him. They kissed passionately in the middle of the street. Their hearts racing, cars honking, people yelling and whistling.

Cynthea didn’t hear any of it only the beat of his heart the feel of his kiss. This is why she fell in love with him. He made her feel as though there were nothing else in the world.

Everyone else wanted to interrupt their moment. He was going to take it right there and the rest of New York could wait.

Defining Inspiration

inspiration  (ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən) — n

1.      stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special or unusual activity or creativity

We can’t wait around for inspiration to hit like lightening during a storm. We have to go looking for it. If we open our eyes there’s something to arouse your mind everywhere you go. (not that kind of aroused… get your mind out of the gutter)

How do we get it? Put in a favorite piece of music,  pull up a Google search of your favorite artist’s work, or pop in that movie that makes you cry. Take all of the thoughts, sensations, and emotions that string of notes, or the painting stirs in you and turn it into inspiration. Define it into a story with your voice. 

There are times in every writer’s life we get into a rut. Nothing seems to work or we have ideas that burn bright then die out quickly. Maybe we need a new definition. Try going some place you haven’t been before. Even if it’s just a new restaurant or coffee shop.

We can’t all be world travelers, but we can armchair travel on some pretty fantastic websites. Walk the halls of the Louver, see Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, or explore a haunted castle. There are so many ways to seek and define our inspiration.

All that is well and good but how do we know when we’re really inspired? According to Webster’s Dictionary inspiration is physical and mental reaction to something that stimulates our mind.

If your heart races, you can see something so vividly in your mind, you can almost feel it under your fingertips. Perhaps it brings stirrings of an emotion. If you’ve had a reaction with both mind and body then you know you’ve truly been inspired.

So get out there and find an idea that not only sounds good but also gives you chills and fills your mind with imaginings.  

This post is part of the Fellow Writers Blog Hop. Just click on the image below to visit more great blogs in the hop or add your own and join in the fun!  

  

Book Blogger Blog Hop 6/10 to 6/13

This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! This weeks Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Lori’s Reading Corner

This weeks Book Blogger Question is:

WHO IS THE ONE AUTHOR THAT YOU ARE DYING TO MEET?

 This is a good question. I have a list of them I’d like to meet. Stephen King would be at the top of my list. I’ve seen some videos of a few of his lectures and seen some interview appearances. He's always very honest about his work and the writing craft in general. 

King has written several books on writing as well. I think I’ve learned the most from his writings than any other. It would be awesome to hear him speak in person.

That’s my answer what’s yours J