Nicole Sager on Hebbros, her WIP, and more

HA: Nicole, welcome back to Homeschool Authors.
Nicole: Thank you so much for having me!

HA: What inspired Hebbros?
Nicole: The idea for this book sprouted when I read about a real-life setting in another country that included young people hiding from "death-squads." Then I read Hebrews 13:12-14, and those became the theme verses for the book's 3 parts. The setting for Hebbros was decided on when I finished writing the Arcrean Conquest series and didn't want to leave the world of Arcrea behind!

HA: What is the most encouraging review you have received so far on this book?
Nicole: Having just released in May, I haven't had much feedback for Hebbros. However, I will say that I was very encouraged when my mom read it and started crying on the first page. She knew the premise of the story and felt the emotion building immediately. I'll be sharing her review later this week, as well as one other.

HA: When you are not writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Nicole: Reading! I'm a huge fan of Historical Christian Fiction, especially those set in the late 1800s. I'm also usually drinking a cup of coffee.

HA: What do you plan to read this summer?
Nicole: I plan to catch up on some Karen Witemeyer and maybe try a few new authors. The Ladies of Sumerhill are also calling my name from the shelf, as is Maureen Lang... So many choices!

HA: What are some of your favorite books of all time?
Nicole: Every time I'm asked this question, I have to reply with MaryAnn Minatra's Alcott Legacy series. Every scene, no matter how small, connected the story in some way. Her characters are rich, and the historical setting is captivating. If I could read any series for the first time again, I would choose this one (and I'm thinking I may just need to read them again anyway, first time or no!).

HA: Can you give us a sneak peek into your work-in-progress?
Nicole: I have a series that I wrote some years ago that I'm planning to edit for publication. The stories are sound, but the books are crying for an editor's touch!  The series takes place in yet another fantasy world, but this time the stories are a bit more allegorical (and one is what I consider my first ever tragedy!). Lord willing, I'll have some or all of these ready for publication by the end of the year.


HA: What should readers expect when they read Hebbros?
Nicole: A journey. The story of Hebbros spans 15 years and follows a multitude of characters, all with different backgrounds, depths, and issues. My hope is that readers will find themselves relating with one or more characters and experience a roller-coaster of emotions as they witness the trials and triumphs that life brings.

HA: Do you have any final thoughts?
Nicole: I'm so happy to be included in the excitement with Homeschool Authors this summer! I want to encourage anyone reading this, whatever your talents may be, do all for the glory and honor of God!

Get Hebbros this week for only $0.99 cents, read it, review it, and enter for a chance to win it!

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Advice from a Character by Jessica Greyson

Hello Dear Readers,

Jessica has been trying to come up with a guest post for weeks now, and like every time she has to come up with something, she just stares at the blank page wondering what she should say. LIKE ALL OF THE TIME. I think it’s because she doesn't have us, (her characters) to rely on to come up with something. Subjects are nice and ambiguous with little personality...if they have any at all. So, since Jessica has no advice to offer, I will offer you some.

How to create characters. First off, Jessica doesn't always get this right. I mean no offense we all love her and everything but,  dear authors out there, take advice from your characters! Do you know she went through three drafts of Annabeth’s War to get that story right? You see, Characters KNOW BEST. (Get that Tangled song out of your head, it’s not the same thing.) We aren't wise and all knowing, we are human-ish (I mean we don’t have actual real live bodies outside of your imagination, but we are real...at least to you. Don’t worry, we will stop haunting you after you get us published, unless we have sequels planned, other than that, good luck.)  However, we do know things about us and our world that you won’t know unless you follow our cues and do our bidding. We don’t like being puppets on a string anymore than you do. Listen to your characters, that is the only way they become real, and have a chance to breathe, not only to you but to your reader. If you smother us, even if you don’t agree with what we are doing, you smother the story and the reader. I am not saying that there aren't lines you shouldn't cross. Some aren't meant to be touched, but don’t put us in a box. We are meant to be flawed human beings, and make those mistakes you cringe over, and want to cry at what we've done, we still have to make them because it’s what makes us...us. I guess that is point one. Don’t put us in a box, let us breathe, and do our thing.

Daydream. Come, I invited you into a world that has been created just for me. Get lost, getting to know me and my world, gather inspiration from the world that surrounds both of us, yours and mine. Take me on walks so I can talk your ear off, listen to music I’ll show you my theme songs. I’ll give you bits of my soul when you read the scriptures, there are some good laws and rules and principles that should be in everyone’s life, not just yours, include it in your story, even subtly someone will be touched.

Wear your heart on your sleeve. I am your character, it is my job to rip your heart out, wrap you around my little finger, make you smile and laugh at things...that no one else will ever understand, have you want to buy things no one else will understand because it’s just soooo _____ and everyone will think you are a weirdo. (It’s fine we know you here.) It’s okay to sob at your keyboard, laugh like a maniac at our jokes, and stay up past your usual bed time to spend time with me, you can even get up early I don’t mind.

With Love…
A Character who doesn't dare put their name to this.

Jessica Greyson on captives, summer reading, and more

HA: Jessica, welcome back to Homeschool Authors.

Jessica: Thank you so much Sarah for having me! I am super excited about this giveaway. I wish I could enter!

HA: What inspired Captive of Raven Castle?

Jessica: Captive of Raven Castle, was actually inspired by a picture of a castle, I saw it and my imagination took flight. Instantly, I saw a princess being taken up this winding pathway to a fortified castle against her will. Questions started buzzing my brain, what waited for her at the castle? What did she leave behind in the valley? Who was she? What if everything she believed that would happen to her once they reached the castle proved to be false? And if so...what did she believe? These were questions, I needed answers to. Having always wanted to try NaNoWriMo and having this inspiration in September, I thought I could use a month to fill out the details and plot out what happened to the princess with dark hair.

HA: What is the most encouraging review you have received so far on this book?

Jessica: Oh, that would be difficult to say. Sometimes short and sweet reviews where you know the writer meant every word touch the heart, and then when the writer goes on and on about it just make your day, then the completely unexpected ones that make you feel fabulous...sooo hmm…I am torn. So, I’ll list one of each and you may pick and choose at random dear reader.

Unexpected

Lovely and Long (and it talks about Taleon!)

Short and Sweet and it was really nice to know that this review came from my intended age target.

And the excellent with advisory

HA: When you are not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

Jessica: More writing? Spending time with family comes first, but hobby wise, I enjoy cooking, photography, needlework, and I pretend to dabble in art projects such as water colour painting. Obsessions would include Pinterest and daydreaming.

HA: What do you plan to read this summer?

Jessica: : Lots of text books, I’ll be learning TESOL, so that will be a fun adventure to say the least. Right now, most of my library is tucked away, but I have a few books by my side. A book about Lafayette, excerpts from diaries of girls from the revolutionary war, the Letters of Lafayette, The Abolitionist, Cato, Ember Flame and I am determined to get my hands on at least one of Rachel Heffington’s books before I leave, and make my way through at least part of a book series that by Shannon Hale that has been calling my name. Reread Mark of the Star and hopefully this list isn’t too ambitious.   

HA: What are some of your favorite books of all time?

Jessica: Oh! So many good books to mention.

Ransomed by Elizabeth Ender.

Only A Novel by Amy Dashwood (both of these books are on my take with me everywhere I go list)

All of Lois Walfrid Johnson’s books. If you haven’t met her writing, I suggest you meet as soon as possible. One of my favorite authors of all time. No reserves on recommending her.

G.A. Henty, I love too many of his books to mention them all here but this man was one of my heroes.

Princess Academy, though this is frighteningly like one of my own that I have written, but then again. What idea is original? But her writing is so beautiful and fabulous, and for someone who usually doesn’t care for detail Shannon has a stunning way of drawing out details without making it boring and bringing the world to life through her fingertips.

HA: Can you give us a sneak peek into your work-in-progress?

Jessica: My current WIP is a project I am working on solely for myself and simply for the joy of writing. It’s called King and Queen. But even though I am writing it for myself and sharing it with a few select friends, I’ll share a peek with you. It’s so hard to pick out a favorite part because I really love these characters.

Her dark almond shaped eyes looked at him, the brown depths sparked with mixed feelings; her almost babyish mind didn’t comprehend all that was going on.

Kwan’s mouth twitched to the side, their father’s words running through his mind.

“Keep her safe, keep her safe and all will be well.”

His hand tightened on hers’, her hand squeezed back, her eye watched him trustingly, he was the only firm thing in their revolving world of constant change.

“Can you keep running?” He said filling his lungs with air once again, he hadn’t realized he had been holding his breath as the angry mob passed.

She only nodded, her dark locks bouncing with the vigor of her affirmation, her small mouth pinching tightly together.

How much longer can we run like this?

Some brotherly banter

“When I told you to bring me home something, I wasn’t expecting quite this, who did you kidnap.”

“I didn’t kidnap anyone, I am just keeping a promise, now take this one.” Jae felt herself being let down onto the other man’s arms.

“A girl?” The voice held a tremor of shock.

“Don’t be so surprised Jang.”

“Out of all the things you’ve brought home, there has never been a girl.”

My two favorite characters together.

As he tied it on, he found the other string around her neck. “What is this?” He pulled it and withdrew the small bag of rice she had tucked away.

“I kept rice...”

“Are you hungry?”

“For every day you were away.”

“You what?” asked Jang in a quiet voice.

“I kept a grain of rice for every day you were gone.”

His face did some sort of strange contortion, and he drew her to his lap.

“I missed you,” she whispered.

“And I missed you,” he answered, his voice almost inaudible. He buried two kisses in her hair, and Jae stretched her arms around his neck.

“That’s why I don’t want you to go away again.”

This time he laughed. “I already told you Little Woman...”

“I know,” she broke in, “you’ll come back. You’ll always come back.”

“That is right.”

She snuggled deeper, and Jang’s arms closed tightly around her.

HA: What should readers expect when they read Captive of Raven Castle?

Jessica: I believe I will let my review from Katherine say it, for they seem to find words better than I at times.

Jessica Greyson has done it again. Set in the same fictional world as her earlier book, Annabeth's War, Miss Greyson has once more managed to write a heroine who beautifully showcases feminine strength. This time, however, you might not recognize it immediately, and the story of the Princess Alexandra is a far different one from that of the Belterran sword master's daughter. The way Alexandra grows and changes throughout the book is delightful to see, and Taleon, as one of those demanding her growth, is one of my favorite characters.

It is Alexandra who I love most, though, and her struggle to understand the truth behind the lies that surround her will catch your imagination and your heart, and hold them both long after you finish reading. This is the story of a girl every inch a princess, and what happens after rebel forces kidnap her and turn her life upside down makes a book you won't want to miss.

Torture and true love, laughter and tears, sword fights and sacrifice: all are woven beautifully together into the unforgettable story of the Captive of Raven Castle.

HA: Do you have any final thoughts?

Jessica: Thank you so much Sarah for putting this together, and dear reader for your interest in my stories!

This week, get Captive of Raven Castle for only $0.99! Read it, review it, and have a chance to win it!

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Announcement Saturday:

We were recently told that some of our links were broken. We are working on updating the list. If you find a broken link please contact us at thedestinyofone@juno.com

Books Added

Neverqueen by Scott Appleton

CinderEddy by Kendra E. Ardnek

The Merchant's Son by C. F. Barrows

Our Flag Was Still There by Tracy Leininger Craven

A Collection of Poetry by Elaine J. Dalton

Superhero of the Day (Supervillain of the Day #7) by  Katie Lynn Daniels

Jupiter Winds by C. J. Darlington

Our own Leah Good is hosting a survey on self-publishing
Here's the link. ;) https://t.co/48zc47GQ2y

Amber on Bitterness, Healing, and more

HA: Amber, welcome back to Homeschool Authors.

Amber: Thank you so much Sarah! It's an honor to be back. I have had a wonderful time getting to know some of the folks here. :)

HA: What inspired Healer's Touch?

Amber: I had originally written The Healer's Touch as a short story. It was inspired by my own struggle with bitterness and how similar it is to the disease of leprosy. Leprosy is a very strange disease. It attacks your body from within and causes the victims to lose their sense of feeling. They can hurt themselves, but never even know it. Eventually, leprosy will disfigure a person's body, their hands, arms, face. Bitterness is very similar. It eats at you from within, it hardens your heart so that you lose your sense of feeling, it harms you, but you usually don't know it. It has been medically proven that bitterness causes health problems and can even affect your facial features and appearance. I have heard it said that bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. That's so true. Bitterness turns a beautiful person ugly, much like leprosy. I later expanded the story and it's become a series. The next book should be coming out this summer.

HA: What is the most encouraging review you have received so far on this book?

Amber: This is a review from a reader on Amazon.com. 

"I loved this book from the acknowledgments to the last words. I have read a LOT of books in my time but it is rare for a book to touch me in this way. I loved how she acknowledged God first and foremost, how she chose the perfect names for the characters and how she draws you into a biblical world of a time gone by. Most Christian fiction I have read in the past feels like they are trying to shove what they believe down your throat and its usually lacking in a good plot but one of the reasons I truly loved this work is because it speaks with beautiful simplicity about our own human nature and struggles and about a true healer who can and still does grant perfect peace. A fast read ( which I can appreciate, being a mom of a 2 year old and 3 month old ) with a lot to offer. 5 stars. Bravo!"

HA: When you are not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

Amber: I love to tickle my little siblings, play the piano and sing, attend church meetings, read, and chat with friends.

HA: What do you plan to read this summer?

Amber: I'm involved in a series on the Declaration of Independence, and I'm looking forward to reading all of those stories. I'm also going to be reading the Jane Austen Encounter by Donna F. Crow.

HA: What are some of your favorite books of all time?

Amber: I love The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers, To Have and to Hold by Mary Johnston, It's (not that) Complicated by A&E Botkin and many more...

HA: Can you give us a sneak peek into your work-in-progress?

Amber: The Messiah's Sign is the sequel to The Healer's Touch and comes from her husbands perspective. 

Ever since his baby sister's tragic death, Tyrus has been over protective. Just when he thinks he has everything under control, his world is turned upside down when his wife contracts the most feared curse of all: leprosy. Believing she has been unfaithful and will not repent, Tyrus banishes her to the leper colony. Ridiculed for his decision, and suffering financially, he struggles to protect his son amidst chaos. But when Malon begins following the teacher from Nazareth, what remains of his business and reputation is at stake. Can he save his son from the beguiling lies of a false Messiah before he loses everything he has left?

For my fans that have been waiting on the edge of their seats for the release of Volume 2, I am going to be releasing in June a short story entitled The Saga Begins. 

Catch a glimpse of Tyrus as a sixteen year old boy as his family flees from Rome to Capernaum where he meets Aaliyah and her family.

HA: What should readers expect when they read Healer's Touch? 

Amber: A combination of fiction and historical scripture takes you on a journey of inspiration you will never forget. Experience the Holy Land of Jesus time with Aaliyah, a leper banished by her husband. As you walk with Aaliyah, you will discover the only true source of healing, peace and joy.

HA: Do you have any final thoughts?

Amber: Thanks so much for having me! I'll be around to chat, and I would love to hear from the readers! Have you ever struggled with bitterness? What are you planning to read this summer?

Grab your copy of  of Healer's Touch today for only $0.99, read it, review it, win it!

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A review of A Purple and Gold Afghan

Age Appropriate For:  All Ages

Best for Ages: 15 and up (reading level and mild romance)

Description: About the last thing shy and lonely Joseph wanted to do was live on campus at seminary. But when he finds a beautiful afghan on his dorm room bed and attempts to track down its maker, Joseph runs headlong into a series of events that might just lead to something called… love. Charming, whimsical, and poignantly funny, A Purple and Gold Afghan and other stories is a delightful collection that will tug at your heartstrings.

It has been ages since I have read short stories that were so good. Jordan Smith has so much talent, I hope he writes more. He was able to develop the characters well and make you feel like you know them in only a page or two.

I love how Joseph argues with himself. I do it all the time. I could really relate to his internal struggles. He made me laugh many times, as well as think. I don’ think you could ask for a better main character for a short story.

Although these stories were short, I didn’t feel like I was missing information. It was nice to read these stories in a matter of an hour, and enjoy them.

I recommend these to anyone who needs a quick, enjoyable, and well written read.

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My Favorite Books by Homeschooled Authors by Jordan Smith

 I suspect that this list will surprise you. Usually when someone does a post about homeschooled authors’ books, they leave out the ones I’m going to mention. They talk about recent books by modern indie authors. But there’s a whole other world out there of authors who were homeschooled (at least for part of their lives). Here are some of my favorites.

Narnia Series (C. S. Lewis)

 

What it is: The absolutely delightful and deep stories of a group of children in a magical land called Narnia. In a compelling story, Lewis explores theological concepts at a level that anyone can grasp, without ever becoming bogged down in outright instruction or allegory.

Why I like it: Because the world is wonderful and whimsical enough that I don’t have to understand all the history to make sense of the story, but complicated enough that I don’t feel like I’m being talked down to. Plus, Lewis has a subtle sense of humor that makes for enjoyable reading.

Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson)

 

What it is: A pirate-filled treasure hunt!

Why I like it: More swashbuckling adventure than you can shake a stick at.

Little House on the Prairie Series (Laura Ingalls Wilder)

 

What it is: The story of Laura, a pioneer girl, as she grows up during the Western expansion.

Why I like it: Heartwarming, tear-jerking at points, funny at others, and all around a story well told. The series weaves great values into the narrative without banging the reader over the head with them.

A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)

 

What it is: The story of how the most grouchy, mean old miser comes to change his attitude toward Christmas when he is visited by three spirits that show him what it really means.

Why I like it: Because it uses the concept of ghosts perfectly to serve a theme rather than just for general spookiness. And speaking of theme, I love how Dickens masterfully handles his topic without beating it into the reader. (Are you sensing a common element here?)

Did I surprise you? There are many other great homeschooled authors out there, included some from the more recent wave, but these four have stuck with me due to the authors’ mastery of the craft of writing.

Jordan Smith

HA: Jordan, Welcome back to Homeschool Authors!

Jordan: Hi! It’s great to be back!

HA: What inspired A Purple and Gold Afghan?

Jordan: It’s actually inspired by real life. While the situations in the book are all entirely from my imagination, I wrote the stories as a way to kind of “vent” some of the things I was feeling as I took the first steps into courtship and romance with my wife. There was so much to learn, and I often felt just like Joseph does in the book: utterly clueless and confused. I wanted to write romance stories that portrayed the process of courtship not as a swoon-worthy perfect story, but as the real-life uncomfortable and hilarious experience it can be.

HA: What is the most encouraging review you have received so far on this book?

Jordan: That’s a difficult question! I would probably have to say any of the reviews from people I don’t personally know that said I captured exactly what I was going for. It’s always great to hear that you did what you set out to do, especially from a complete stranger.

HA:When you are not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

Jordan: Filmmaking is my other big passion, probably more so that writing. I love making visual stories for others to enjoy. Also, while it’s kind of writing, another one of my hobbies is working on articles about marketing for self-published books.

I also like to hang out with my wife. Which I realize is a cheesy thing to say, but since my relationship with her inspired the book we’re talking about, I think I’m entitled to mention it. ;-)

HA: What do you plan to read this summer?

Jordan: I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen with my reading this year. The one book I know I’m going to read is The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw, which I have been waiting for since I read the first two books in the series last year. Other than that, my reading dance card is open.

HA: What are some of your favorite books of all time?

Jordan: This is not a fair question! But if I had to choose, I might say The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, The Bronze Bow, Half Magic, and Swallows and Amazons. To name only a few.

HA: Can you give us a sneak peek into your work-in-progress?

Jordan: Well, I have a bunch of ideas running around at the moment, but not a lot has hit paper because of my other job. However, I can tell you that my next project is probably a Kindle book marketing course. I haven’t decided if that will be a book or something else like an e-mail class, but stay tuned!

HA: What should readers expect when they read A Purple and Gold Afghan?

Jordan: Humor and heart. With a little d’aww on the side.

HA: Do you have any final thoughts?

Jordan: Thanks so much for interviewing me! It’s been a lot of fun!

This week's book is on sale for $0.99 cents! Pick it up, review it, and inter to win.

(There is also plenty of time to review the previous weeks book)

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Announcement Saturday: Lots of New faces

Authors added

Lauren K. Lotter

Bekah O'Brien 

Suzannah Rowntree

Books Added

Rustlers and the Texas Trail by Lauren K. Lotter

Martha's Fun Summer (Volume 1) by Bekah O'Brien

War Games: Classic Fiction for the Christian Life by Suzannah Rowntree

The Epic of Reformation: A Guide to the Faerie Queene by Suzannah Rowntree

Review of Supervillain of the Day

Age Appropriate For:  Ages 13 and up for mild scary situations and some violence

Best for Ages: 13 and up

Description: In a world without superheroes, who will fight against the forces of evil? The supervillain outbreak has begun. Reports are trickling in from all over the world of havoc and mayhem being wreaked by evil masterminds and villains. In the midst of this world-wide phenomena, however, London is strangely calm and peaceful. Not a single supervillain has made an appearance. For most Londoners this is very good news, but for the editor of a tabloid paper specializing in the strange and unusual it's very bad news indeed. Reporter Jeffry Floyd is assigned the task of finding a supervillain “or else.” He appeals to Scotland Yard for help, but his incessant poking at shadows gets him banned from the case, until one sergeant realizes that both Floyd and his “investigation” are more than they seem...

I had heard a lot of good things about this series from some of my good friends on Goodreads. Tired of all the very long books, I picked this up and finished in a couple of hours.

The premise is a very fascinating one. Anyone who enjoys movies like The Avengers will love this story. It has that same sci-fi/fantasy feel and is full of action and adventure.

Katie Daniels has a lot of talent. Her characters are well developed in a short space of time.  Some short stories/novellas have flat characters that you could find in any other story. This book was not the case.

The suspense was expertly done. Not only did she keep me turning pages, I really wanted to know exactly who Jeffery Floyd was. The twists and turns in this book took kept me on my toes until the very end.

Even though the series continues, the end wrapped up nicely. No cliffhanger that causes you to feel like you only got half a story, but it also does give the impression there are more adventures just around the corner.

There were some parts I didn’t particularly like about this book. Namely, the descriptions of some of the supervillains. However, there wasn’t so much detail that it was scary.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes superhero, futuristic, of just plain well-written short stories.

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I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

An Open Letter to the Evil Author Society

Dear Members of the Evil Author Society,

Most of you are probably here by choice, but I'm sure a few of you don't actually consider yourselves evil authors. Sit back down; if you've been labeled as an Evil Author then I'm sure you did something to deserve it, and denying it only makes you look like you did it accidentally and, trust me on this, you don't want to be known as the author who does things accidentally. Always accept credit, even if you didn't know what you were doing at the time.

Even those of you who are here by choice sometimes struggle with the title of “evil author.” You worry that being cruel isn't something you want to be known for. You don't exactly relish the screams of tormented readers, or you feel guilty for cherishing them. You cringe when you put your characters through torment, and wonder if this is really the best way. People tell you that you're heartless, cold, and merciless. You don't even want to know what your characters would do if they ever got a chance to speak to you.

But here's what they don't tell you. This is why you should pride yourself on your membership in this society, and strive to deserve your title even more. What they don't tell you is the best things only come through suffering.

They don't tell you that the cold, distant, glittering light of stars strung out in seeming perfection across the night sky were formed in the heart of a burning furnace an eternity ago in the creation of the universe.

They don't tell you that learning to dance requires hundreds of hours of pain, exhaustion, sweat, disappointment, strained tendons, bruised toes and twisted ankles before you reach your moment of glory.

They don't tell you that true love only happens after a thousand heartbreaks, tears, worries, doubts, questions, and sleepless nights wondering if it's going to be worth it all.

They don't tell you that it's always darkest just before the dawn.

They don't tell you that those who suffer the most will receive the greatest reward.

They don't tell you that they want to read about suffering and pain and torment because anyone who lives in a happy, peaceful bubble where the worst thing that happens is a papercut lives a boring, stale and lifeless existence, and they'll lose interest and walk away.

They don't tell you that there is beauty in pain beyond human comprehension. They don't tell you tat the reason we as readers keep coming back for more is that we secretly desire we could experience it too.

Dear Evil Authors—Spare the rod and spoil the child.

“Did you realize that she was begging for an assurance of your love? Did you know that what she needed was to know that her life hadn’t been a lie, an illusion of peace and happiness? Did you know that she wanted to suffer, because suffering proves that we are alive?”

--Katie Lynn Daniels, The Justice Project (WIP)

From a mother's first soft lullaby

We sing and we weep and we know not why

We are sons of the Earth from our first cry

We weep to show we are alive.

--Michael Card, He'll Wipe Away Your Tears

“You said you wanted to live without fear. I wish there was another way, but there wasn't.”

--V for Vendetta

So, dear Evil Authors, when your readers ask you: “Why are you so evil?” Just answer them that beauty comes from pain. And when your characters visit in their dreams ask them honestly if they would have had it any other way. And when you feel guilty over your death count remember these words:

“None of us are mad at being dead. Death happens. It happens to everyone. It’s going to happen to you. What we’re mad about is that our deaths are so completely pointless.” --John Scalzi, Redshirts

Go forth, write meaningful deaths, and be proud of your membership in the Evil Author Society.

Sincerely, 

Katie Lynn Daniels

Katie Daniels on Supervillain's, Summer reading, and More

HA: Katie, welcome back to Homeschool Authors.
Katie: Hello everybody!

HA: Your series, Supervillain of the Day, is now in its second season. How is it going?
Katie: If you asked me this last week, or even yesterday, I would have said "Absolutely terrible." And if you ask me next week, or tomorrow, you'll probably get the same answer. But you asked me to today, and today it's going remarkably well. As I said to a friend earlier, I have a logical plot, believable character interaction, an intimidating lineup of supervillains, and several ancedotal scenes that show every day life under the supervillain occupation. Not sure what it has to do with the title yet (Dragon of London) but I'm in love with it. So we'll figure that out later.

HA: What is the most encouraging review of the series you have received so far?
Katie: The most encouraging review I got was actually from a beta reader for "Silent Night" who said he had no critique whatsoever. That made me really, really happy because I about killed myself (and my characters) writing that story. Otherwise, pretty much any interview that "gets it" is really encouraging to me. I have a strange humor style, and sometimes I worry that nobody else will understand it. And then they do. This pleases me.

HA: When you are not writing or chasing supervillains, what do you enjoy doing?
Katie: Writing or chasing other things. Seriously, writing is my life, my obsession, and my coping mechanism. Some people take drugs; I write. I also read, like, tons. Reading is awesome. And I play harp and guitar and write songs. I've started writing songs about supervillains, though, so that's not in line with the original question...

HA: What do you plan to read this summer?
Katie: EVERYTHING. Ha. Actually, I gave up on reading lists a very long time ago because I never stick to them. When I'm finished with a book I reach out blindly into a giant heap and read whatever comes up. In which case I put it back and pick something else. I do, however, plan to finish the Dresden Files and the Harry Potter series, and maybe reread some old favourites.

HA: What are some of your favorite books of all time?
Katie: I'm so glad you asked this. Unlike many authors (or readers, for that matter,) I actually have an answer. I know exactly what my favourite books are, and I keep them tucked on a tiny bookshelf right over my bed where I can get to them any time I like. I actually wrote a blog post about this on my personal site complete with reviews. But for the sake of answering the original question here's a list of books I consider the epitome of fiction:

The Myst Trilogy
The Riddle of the Stars Trilogy
The Queen's Thief Series
The Lucky Starr Series

HA: Can you give us a sneak peek into your upcoming book?
Katie: Long one or short one?

Long:
Frank Riley had been fighting fires for upwards of thirty years. He'd seen electrical fires, brush fires, fires started by someone's careless child, and arson cases resulting in heavy damage. He'd testified in a dozen trials, and rescued countless cats, children, and other trapped persons. Every time he went into a burning building he knew he ran the risk of not coming back out again, but he accepted that and was comfortable with it.
And then everything changed. Instead of arson cases being few and far between, they became the number one cause of fires. Instead of rescuing the occasional trapped cat or grandmother he found himself coordinating with dozens of other rescue workers to pull hundreds of trapped people out of infernos designed to incinerate them. He arrived at fires intended only as a distraction to allow killers to escape, and he saw the mutilated bodies they left behind. He found his job was suddenly part fire-fighter, part detective and part that of a helpless, angry bystander. London had been a great city, one he was proud to call his home. But a year of fighting had torn it to shreds. The countless fires, explosions and acts of violence had destroyed years of work and legacy and left gaping wounds in the landscape.
The worst part was, he knew it was the same all over the world. Seen from orbit he had no doubt that the planet resembled one of Einstein's cats.
But that didn't mean he had to give up. Sure, the supervillains killed a lot of people. But every time he managed to save one of them he thought: “Not this one. Not today.”
And then there were days like today. Days when all things like “reason” and “sanity” became meaningless, and you wanted to revert to your primal state and go running screaming into the woods, never to emerge again.
“I got your call,” said Joseph Adams. “I decided I'd better come down myself.”
“I appreciate it,” Riley said, shaking hands. “Congratulations on the promotion, by the way. The last time we met you were taking orders from, well, just about anyone. Now you're giving them out.”
“Yes,” Adams sighed. “Well, we do what we have to, right?”
“You deserved it,” Riley said. “I heard about what you did on the Tower Bridge. Took out a lot of bad people.”
“Lost a lot of good ones,” Adams said swiftly.
“Didn't we all,” Riley said.
“So what have you got?” Adams said.
“Seeing is believing,” Riley said. “We've got some aerial footage in the van.”
“You have a van,” Adams mused. “What are you, undercover cops on some American television show?”
Riley grinned. “Something like that,” he said.
Adams sat down and watched the footage. And then he watched it again.
“This is...” he said.
“Yup,” Riley agreed.
“I mean you're sure it's not...you saw this?”
“Yup,” Riley said again.
“You were there,” Adams said flatly.
It wasn't a question, but Riley answered anyway. “Yup.”
Adams leaned back and sighed. “We're in trouble,” he said.
And Riley said: “Yup.”

Short:
Floyd slept for twelve hours, and he woke up crying.

Hey, I said short! I wrote all of this just this morning and they may or may not make it into the final version. Although they probably will because so far this draft is AWESOME.

HA: What should readers expect when they read Superhero of the Day?
Katie: Fun. Hilarity. The adventure of a lifetime. Floyd. Joseph Adams. Supervillains. Lots and lots of supervillains. And oh yes, there will also be pain. Some authors know how to write really good art. I just know how to manipulate you into /thinking/ it's art, mostly because you're too stunned to notice what's actually going on.

HA: Do you have any final thoughts?
Katie: Setting a series in England has the unintended side effect of making it hard to write in American. I as looking at one of my other novels and having trouble readjusting my brain to align with that of a typical American highschooler. I kept thinking things like: "Oh yeah, Americans drive cars." and "Americans don't use the British spellings of things. Unless they're weird, like me."

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