End of Week ReCap

Wow. I have to say, the response to my X-Men post was amazing! I had no idea so many of you were into comics. No wonder I like y'all so much :D If that's the case, I'm considering a weekly comic post. One where I spotlight a superhero and tie it into writing. Sound good? If not, speak now or forever hold your peace.

Second, I'm feeling really lousy right now because I'm a thief. The hubs bought me a gift card for a manicure for Mother's Day. Today I went to the salon to redeem the card. When I got there, I picked out a bottle of black nail polish (I always pick black - hee) and brought it to the woman. She set it down next to a bunch of other colors, later picking it up and asking, "This your color?"

I said, "Yes," because it was the color I picked out.

Later, when my nails were done drying, I was trying to get my keys out of my purse without sticking my hands in (my nails were still wet) when one of the guys asks if he can help me. I say, "sure". But before I hand over my purse, I notice that the black nail polish was inside of it. The girl must have put it in there thinking that I brought it from home when I said it was mine.

Anyway, I panicked. The right thing to do would have been to say, "Oops, looks like we had a miscommunication." But I freaked, thinking the guy would assume that I stole the polish and only fessed to it because he was going to root inside my purse. So I tilted my purse at a funky angle which buried the polish beneath all the junk I keep inside it, and miraculously, positioning my keys right on top.

Now, I'm totally going to bring the polish back later today - then they have to realize it was an accident - I'm hoping - but I can't help but feel like a jerk.

So, to make myself feel better, I finally framed and put out my James Marster's photo. Ahhhh, the swoonage is working all ready.



I'm also wondering - does this kind of thing only happen to me? Has anyone else ever committed a crime unintended?

Anyway, whether you're a hero or a super-villian, have a great Memorial Day Weekend!!!

Write Like an X-Men

If you aren't familiar with Jean Grey or the X-Men, don't fear. The following video will tell you everything you need to know.



So, without further adieu:

EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING I LEARNED FROM JEAN GREY


1. Just because you're sitting on the sidelines now, doesn't mean you can't move up to the majors.

Jean Grey was one of the original Uncanny X-Men. But in the beginning, there was nothing uncanny about her. Sure, she was telekinetic, but she had a lame-o name (Marvel Girl), had a cringe-worthy costume, and was a total novice. Whenever the big bad showed up, she had to take a backseat to the - more powerful - boys. After all, we can't risk breaking a fingernail, right girls? Wrong! Luckily, Jean Grey hung in there. Turns out she was more powerful than all of them put together, she just needed time to hone her powers. Later in the series she joined with the Phoenix Force to become an Omega-level mutant - powerful enough to destroy entire universes. Here, Cyclops, hold my purse. I have to save your ass. Again.

What we can learn from Jean: Everyone has to start somewhere. Sure, it can be intimidating browsing bookstores and seeing the shelves lined with heavy-hitting NY Times best-selling authors - but you can't let that stop you. "I don't want to get hurt!" you say. Well, then you're going to have to sit on the bench. But if you want to play the game, take your time, perfect your craft, and build yourself up. If you don't allow yourself to give up, who knows what levels you can reach?

2. You CAN overcome rejection.

Boy has Jean faced some rejection in her life. Imagine, wandering inside your arch-rival's head and finding out that your husband is in there too, half-naked, having a telepathic affair. Oh, snap! Did Jean get angry? Yeah, she ranted and raved for a bit. But in the end, the rejection allowed her to reevaluate her life, in particular, her relationships. She realized that her marriage hadn't been working for quite some time, and that Emma (Frost) - even though she a major b*%ch - really did love Scott (Cyclops). The split also allowed Jean to realize her true feelings for Logan (Wolverine). So, what could have been a horrible situation, Jean used to better herself.

What we can learn from Jean: That rejection isn't the end of all. Yes, it hurts. And yes, you're allowed to rant about it (in the privacy of your own home). Just make sure you use it for the opportunity that it is. So the agent rejected you because they didn't connect with your characters? Great! Now you have an opportunity to work on your voice and come away from the experience a stronger writer.

3. Only YOU can do what YOU do.

In the mini-series, ENDSONG, Emma Frost tries to host Jean's power - the Phoenix Force - inside her body. But, much to my amusement, this doesn't work out so well. The power is too great for Emma to handle and it almost burns her alive from the inside out.

What we can learn from Jean: So, you were browsing Publisher's Marketplace and read that someone just sold their aquatic vampire bunny novel when you just started writing an epic aquatic vampire bunny novel. Does that mean you should shelve your idea? Heck no! You're unique. Nobody is going to be able to copy your style and voice. Your power is your own.

4. When the pressure is too great, don't be afraid to lean on your FRIENDS.

Friends don't come any better than Logan. He's in love with Jean, and yet, he's killed her half a dozen times. Why?!? you ask. Because Jean asked him too. When Jean and Logan were catapulting toward the sun, while Logan was fine thanks to his healing powers, Jean was in agony. She begged him to kill her and end her suffering. After a lot of kissing, he agreed. So she died in his arms. Later, in ENDSONG, when Jean rose from the grave, the Phoenix Force turned her into Dark Phoenix, an entity that thirsted for destruction and death. Driven insane, Jean had a brief moment of clarity where she was able to beg Wolverine to kill her so she wouldn't hurt anyone. And he did. Again. And again. And again. (You see where this is going.)

What we can learn from Jean: When in doubt - seek some shreddage from a friend. If your queries are coming back with all rejections, enlist the help of a critique group or writing society. Websites and forums can also be an excellent source of information and help. Just remember, it's better to seek help from other writers rather than friends and family members. True crit-buddies aren't afraid to make you bleed.

5. There is no END, only new BEGINNINGS.


Anyone who knows anything about a Phoenix knows that they die only to emerge from the ashes anew. The same goes for Jean. Each time she dies she comes back that much stronger.

What we can learn from Jean: There is no end, only new beginnings. So, you queried every agent in the Query Tracker database and received nothing but rejections - is it the end? Of that novel, maybe. But it's not the end for you. Start again. Emerge from the ashes a stronger writer, a stronger you.





And lastly, I leave you with this picture because, not only does it makes me swoon, but it's about time they let a girl be on top. Hee :D

Meet Leland McCaslin

You want inspiration - here it is! I had the pleasure of meeting Lee over two years ago in the Query Tracker forums. This man doesn't know the meaning of giving up. Rejections, health issues, none of this was enough to keep him away from his goal: getting his story to the world.

Well, congratulations, Lee. You did it!

You can preorder Lee's book, SECRETS OF THE COLD WAR, now!

Description:
'Secrets of the Cold War' focuses on a dark period of a silent war and offers a new perspective on the struggle between the superpowers of the world told in the words of those who were there. The author, formerly an expert in counterintelligence in US Army Europe, weaves together exciting true accounts of allies collecting enemy information in the East and fighting spies and terrorist in the West.

Amassing Soviet military information by Allied agents in the East is at the forefront! Learn the bizarre method a British agent uses to obtain the muzzle size of a Russian tank as he risks his life jumping on a moving train in East Germany. A French officer drives into a Soviet tank column and escapes undiscovered by cunning methods. In West Germany, terrorist attacks and spies are rampant. Communists shoot a rocket propelled grenade into a General's occupied limo and terrorists kidnap another General. From the espionage files, an American soldier is nearly recruited in a downtown bar to be a spy and a First Sergeant is lured by sex to be an unknowing participant in spying.

Behind-the-lines images are historic and intriguing. See photographs of a French officer and a Soviet officer relaxing in the East German woods in a temporary unofficial peace; 'James Bond' type cars with their light tricks and their ability to leave their Stasi shadows 'wheel spinning' in the snow will amaze readers.
A Russian translator for the presidential hotline recounts a story about having to lock his doors in the Pentagon, separating himself and his sergeant from the Pentagon Generals when a message comes in from the Soviets. When he called the White House to relay the message to the President and stood by for a possible reply to the Soviet Chairman, he stopped working for the Generals and started working solely for the President.

In another riveting account, a US Berlin tank unit goes on red alert when the Soviets stop a US convoy on the autobahn between West Germany and Berlin. The Berlin Command orders the tanks to rescue them, "If anything gets in your way, either run over it or blow it away!" Young US Berlin train commanders recount their encounters with their Soviet counterparts aboard the Berlin Duty Train. In an unusual train incident, one male Soviet Officer places a love note in a young US female Train Commander's pocket, touching her leg. The note is in the book.

Containing a host of first-person accounts that lift the lid on previously untold clandestine activities, this is a major contribution to Cold War history, and exciting reading for all those who have an interest in the real-life world of military intelligence, counterintelligence and espionage.

Francis Gary Powers, Jr: "Well written and informative, the book is a magnificent assessment of the Cold War history."

Retired four Star General Kroesen, of US Army Europe: "Given the criticism, bad news and alleged malfeasances associated with our intelligence services during the past decade, it is most refreshing to find a book relating a far different story."

BIOGRAPHY

Leland, his brother, father and mother (nurse) were all Army Officers.

Leland graduated from Mississippi State University in 1969 where he majored in communications, studied Military Science (and received some airborne training) and obtained his Army commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Intelligence Corps. On active duty in 1969, he attended the combat arms tanker’s Armored Officers’ Basic Course; the Counterintelligence Special Agent’s Course and served at various locations in the US. Upon his ETS (estimated time of separation), he joined the US Civil Service and began working for the military in various intelligence jobs, starting as a GS-9 in 1973.

He served at our nation’s Military Headquarters, The Pentagon from 1973 to 1976. In 1979, he arrived in Heidelberg, Germany, and served 16 years at US Army Europe where he actively participated in the Cold War. To thwart espionage, he appeared on several live and recorded segments of the European Armed Forces Network TV and Radio to discuss counterespionage strategies, both past and present.

He then retired as a GM-14 in 1995. At that time, he was the most senior Security Specialist in Europe. While overseas, he acquired a M. Ed. from Boston University.

After he retired from civil service, he taught speech at several local colleges. With his background in Security and Intelligence, he worked as a contract investigator for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) with 9/11 related duties.

He is now fully retired and resides with his wife, Charlotte, and rescued greyhound, Keener, in Alabama.

Friday Funnies

Today was such a fun day. My agent, Chris Richman, was passing through town and I managed to snag two hours from him at a winery in St. Charles. It was, literally, two hours of non-stop laughing. So much fun.

Here's something to give you some laughs of your own. I totally stole this from Kristin Nelson's blog but it was just too hilarious not to repost.

Happy weekend everyone!

Blog Chain: Under the Influence

It's blog chain time again! This round was started by Christine who asked

“Which author or authors have most influenced your writing and how?”

This was such a great question for me and I think the answer surprised me as much as it might you.

Stephanie Meyer.

Okay, for those of you groaning, let me plead my case. I've always loved paranormal romance and kick ass heroines. I eagerly devoured adult titles by Laurell K. Hamilton, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, and Kim Harrison. I tried to write my own adult romance once. To say it was a disaster is giving myself too much credit. Something was definitely off in my writing.

Enter TWILIGHT. I hadn't read a YA since my days as a YA and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. After finishing it, my first thought was, You can do that!?!

You see, when I was a YA, myself, we basically had two choices in books: stories about babysitters or horror.





(The above books were actual books in my collection.)

Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with babysitters and hitchhikers with a score to settle, but I always longed for something more. This is why I stopped reading the YA genre when I entered high school, opting instead for the adult paranormal romance section at the library.

So you can imagine my surprise when I discovered there was a paranormal romance, published, on the best-seller list, for teens! From there, I devoured YA book after YA book, my excitement growing. The voices were fresh, the romances exciting, the only thing I wished I could see more of were kickass heroines, so I set out to write one.

And the rest is history :)

Check out the awesome Abby Annis who posted before me and the always regal Rebecca Knight who will post tomorrow.

So, what about you? Who influenced your writing? I'd love to hear what you have to say! (Plus, I'm always eaget for reading suggestions.)

OH EM GEE!!!

So, I've been tooling around the internet, goofing off, and by chance I discovered the greatest thing EVER!!!

You can make a pair of shoes out of your MS.

In case you didn't hear me:

YOU CAN MAKE A PAIR OF SHOES OUT OF YOUR MANUSCRIPT!!!

Here's what my WIP looks like:



They will be mine. Oh, yes. They will be mine.

How did I do it, you ask?

First, go to Wordle and enter in a paragraph/page/whatever of your favorite text. After you play with the final image hit control + function + print screen to save your image.

Next, go to Zazzle and click on create. From there you can upload your image and put it on a coffee mug, shirt, and even SHOES!!!

I'm still squeeing over this.

So what about you? Do you know any fun/funky websites you'd like to share?

I kinda feel like a Rock Star...

Because I'm guest blogging at two incredible sites today! Check em out!

Here I blog about the day I learned to take a hit.

And here I blog about how to take a rejection like a punch in the face.

Author spot light week!

My dear friend Michelle McLean is featuring me on her blog all week! Check it out if you'd like to learn more about me and read excerpts of KATANA!

A Dream Come True

Today from Publisher's Marketplace:

Cole Gibsen's debut KATANA, about what happens when the captain of the pom
squad learns she is a reincarnated samurai, meets a boy claiming to be her
soul mate from another life, and must chose between continuing as the girl
she's always been and embracing the warrior inside her, to Brian Farrey at
Flux, in a two-book deal, by Chris Richman at Upstart Crow Literary (NA).

Thank you all so much for your support. I couldn't have done it without you.
<3 Cole

Spreading the AWESOME

Hopefully, it’s Monday May 3rd, and you guys are reading this blog post.

Why, you ask?

I just moved into a new house and am currently without internet – this excludes the few snippits (glances at my email/twitter) that I get from my phone. But blogging from my phone is impossible. I don’t even respond to emails/messages (which I’m so sorry about and will respond to as soon as my internet is back!) It’s just that I hate typing on that little keyboard with my thumbs. I feel like a horse learning to cross stitch.

So I tried posting my blog at Starbucks, but of course that means this is one of the nights that their internet is on the fritz. Now, I’m sitting on my front porch (it’s nearly midnight) freezing my arse off, straining to catch my neighbors’ unsecured wifi. I know, I know, shame on me but the internet is scheduled to be turned on tomorrow and I’ll never do it again. *pinky swears*

Anyway, on to the real point of this blog.

The always fab Elana Johnson has deemed today the official day of SPREADING THE LOVE OF BOOKS COVERED IN AWESOMESAUCE. Okay, so Elana can say awesomesauce and make it sound cool. Me, not so much. The point is, though, everyone involved in the festivities of authorly love are posting blogs declaring their adoration for a particular book, and some (myself included) are giving away books. Did you hear me? I said, GIVING AWAY BOOKS!!! So make sure you follow the link at the end of my blog to the next person on the chain so you can enter everyone’s giveaways for the optimum chance of winning books. Suh-weet!

My book shout out goes to ALBATROSS written by the charming Josie Bloss. I picked it up from the book store because I dug the interesting cover. (I’m a sucker for a stellar cover.) As I climbed into bed I thought I’d read a chapter before lights out. What really happened is I devoured the entire thing in one sitting. It was that amazing.



I read on Josie’s website that she was tired of obsession being portrayed in YA literature as “romantic”. She wanted to show the dark/dangerous side, and let me tell you, she succeeded and then some.

ALBATROSS is about the dangers of obsession and psychological abuse – something that is not addressed nearly enough, nor do I think the signs are as easily recognizable as, say, physical abuse.

Everything about the book rang familiar with me. When I was a freshman I started dating a good-looking moody boy, a boy that my friends warned me about and my mom hated. But I dug the bad boy thing at the time and was convinced that everyone was wrong about him – just like the female MC in ALBATROSS. And just like her, I soon found myself cut off from my friends, my family, watching what I wore, who I talked to, and even what I ate – all of this to make HIM happy.
I’d like to think that I would have wizened up overtime and left this guy – my saving grace was the fact that my step-dad got a job transfer and we moved clear across the state. But the fact is, I’m not sure that I would have. These guys are masters at manipulation. Their every move, every word is calculated.

Personally, I think books like ALBATROSS should be required reading for all high school aged kids and their parents. If anything, so they’d be able to recognized the warning signs before it’s too late.

ALBATROSS is gripping. Literally stealing my breath away at moments and twisting my gut into knots. It’s an important novel with a powerful message, and that’s why I’m giving away a brand new copy of ALBATROSS to one lucky reader! All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog to be entered. Wednesday, May 5th, I’ll draw a random name and that person will win the book!

Also, be sure to check out Dawn Metcalf’s blog. She’ll be posting her love for A.S. King’s DUST OF 100 DOGS.