I've Just Experienced Another Time Warp...AGAIN!

Where, oh, where has the time gone? What? Christmas is almost here! Does anyone else feel that the older they get, the quicker time goes by?  I know it’s an old saying, but now in my advanced age, I believe it’s true!  Time is flying and it needs to slow down!

 

Then, I started wondering if there is scientific reasoning behind this and the answer is yes, yes there is! The article, "Why Does Time Seem to Speed Up with Age?" answers my burning question.

The brain gets used to the familiar and our way of categorizing time gets a little wonky. After reading this, I’m determined to experience more unfamiliar moments so my brain can stay active and not speed nearly so quickly to my (way in the future) eminent death. 

 

 

Looking for readers!

I am starting to compile a list of interested readers for advanced chapter copies of my newest work, which is more than halfway complete. If you are reading this, and you are interested (or might know someone interested) in a time travel to ancient Greece involving demigods, please email me at Angela@ParanormallyWeird.com

I'd like to start getting feedback on my work. The chapters will be previously read by my Southern Indiana writers group and my husband. I will send one chapter at a time, and if I get feedback from the reader, I will then send subsequent chapters. Quid pro quo and all that!

I am not looking for fixes in grammar. I am interested in if the chapter captures your interest. Do my characters make sense to you? Are their actions too wacky? (I have a tendency to go a bit overboard, once in a while!) Do you want to read further to find out what happens to everyone?

I look forward to working with my readers!

My First Author Fair Recap

I was fortunate enough to attend my very first author fair at a local library - Charlestown-Clark Public Library in Indiana last Monday. When I arrived (thirty minutes before the event start), our tables were set up and each table had the name of an author posted.

I was torn between using a table cover, but I noticed no one else utilized one, so I decided to leave it in the car. I don't doubt it would have made the table more finished, but I didn't want to go over the top. I was glad I did some research on helpful items to bring with me.

Here is a list of items:
1. Books to sell - since I am self-published, the location would have no way to obtain my work, so I decided to bring 4 copies of each book.
2. PR materials - book marks with blog/ website and list of books and business cards.
3. Stand up poster - I created a document that consisted of all 4 book covers in 8 x 10 format and set it at front of my table in a plastic holder.
4. ARC sign-up sheet - for people interested in receiving advanced reader copies of chapters. As I am getting feedback from individuals, I will send them more complimentary chapters.
5. Book stands - small stands I bought from Michaels. I used these to hold up each of my books at the front of my table.
6. Printed summaries of each book - to hand out to interested individuals if they would more info on any of my works.
7. Write up on any books not available - I made single copies of description of a book that was in transit and was redirected to Florida right before the my book signing.
8. Nice pen for book signings - quick dry, good grip needed. I used blue ink.
9. "Signed by Author" stickers - just a nice item to have. Creates a finished look and it was a big hit with all the authors that didn't have the sticker.

So, all in all, I was ready for my author signing.  The only thing I really needed was more traffic. I did lurk in the hallway to tell the people entering the library about our book signing. I did get one person to come in that had no affiliation with any author. I took that as a plus.

I am eager for the opportunity for the next book signing, as I really enjoyed sharing the room with other authors.

I Need Tough Skin... But Not Too Tough

So, you would think after writing four books and working on my fifth, I would be okay with issues that pop-up while in the process of writing. I have to admit, when I first hear I am heading the wrong way, or if what I'm trying to get on paper isn't translating correctly, my first reaction is anger.



I am angry with me for not realizing something isn't right, and possibly, angry at the person that told me. Then a minute later, their words sink in, and I am able to process their constructive criticism. I say to people I yearn for constructive criticism, but it's almost if someone is calling your baby ugly. It takes a while for the red haze to die down, and what is left is a golden egg.

My husband gave me a "crazy" look (includes a weird eye/eyebrow thing) when I told him about my trouble with part of my Greek story. I should have realized this wasn't going to go well. We were eating at Olive Garden and having a nice discussion on what part of the story I was getting wrong. If anyone doesn't know, my husband is a genius in world history, ancient history, and almost every other kind of history.

But after my hands stopped shaking from anger at having my main character's actions get shot down, common sense set in. He was right! After a level headed conversation, I find myself more excited about where this story will be going then before. This opened my mind on how important it is to talk story ideas with people.

Get their ideas or, at least, their feelings on how things are going, especially if you find yourself writing without a strong voice. If you don't know where your character is going, your writing doesn't, either. The next step in this process was to write down our ideas. When we started brain storming, too many ideas were swirling around. I can't remember everything we talked about a day later, and I know it, so I pulled my phone to take notes as we were discussing various ideas.

Mostly, just be willing to tweak (or completely overhaul) your story, if needed. It makes the manuscript better to have fully thought through ideas. Be thankful and appreciative that someone you know is willing to help you design a more cohesive storyline.

It's November!! National Novel Writing Month!

Where the heck has the time gone???!!  I can't believe it's the 10th of November, and I almost completely forgot about the nanowrimo challenge! This will be my 3rd year at attempting to write 50,000 words for the month of November.

National Novel Writing Month
November 1 - 30, 2016

I've come close to the goal, and maybe this year I will actually make it! It is a great tool to use to help get one off the proverbial "writing couch." This contest isn't judged, it is truly on word count. I do know from personal experience, that having a friend take on the challenge with you helps. It's hard to break down 50,000 words in just 30 days. Some would say it's impossible, but, for me, I've found this really helps speed up my creative juices.

Word count is everything for Nanowrimo. It's not the quality (that comes after your massive writing marathon), it's truly getting words on paper.

So, I'm hoping to see some of you join the craziness, and if you can't this year, put it on your calendars for next year. It truly is an event and how cool is it to tell people you are attempting to write 50,000 words in one month -- unheard of!

Write on, readers!

Cover for print Immortal Moonlight finally revealed!

Okay, so my huge dilemma about the cover for Immortal Moonlight wasn't such a big deal. I tend to make mountains out of mole hills. Here is the final product and it works extremely well with the 2nd book, Immortal Crusade. I must say Pixabay.com comes in so handy when trying to design my own cover - cost free! I realize having a professionally-made cover would be idea, but I have to start somewhere.


Here it is! Let me know what you think!

Event registration is now open for November 14th author signing

There is now an official registration site for the Southern Indiana Author Signing event at Charlestown-Clark Public library! This will be my first author event.  I will have all four novels available in paperback for purchase for $5 each! Three other authors from our Sellersburg writers group will also be at the signing.  Hopefully it will have a good turnout!

Author Signing

11/14/2016

5:30 PM

Join us Monday, November 14 at the Charlestown Library from 5:30-7:30 pm for a book signing event! Some books may be available for purchase at the event. Registration required. Authors: Chuck E. Ledbetter, Sr., Joanna Foreman, Scott Spoonmore, Brenda Drexler, Grace Click, and Angela McPherson.

 

 

To Panic or Not to Panic... that is the question in this cover delimma!

I've hit my first major road block that is about to be the cause of a stress ulcer!  Cover designs. I found out I cannot use my e-book cover design for my printed book. The reason being apparently e-book covers are designed differently - with bigger fonts. So that leaves me the option of contacting my cover creator, spending more money, and probably having a hard time making that money back OR venturing out to create my own cover.

Create Space (where I am getting my printed books) has a very easy to use Cover Creator tool. Granted, the cover designs are limited, but what do I expect when there is no cost involved. Beggars can't be choosers in my mind. I can utilize CS's stock photos or utilize someone else's. I have chosen to use Pixabay which has a very impressive collection of free stock photos.

E-book  cover (which rocks in my opinion)

I had thought I found the perfect cover design for Immortal Moonlight and had the proof sent. My husband took an immediate dislike to it and, for me, it is left me uninspired. So, hence my dilemma. I cannot find a design that speaks to me!  But I am on a time crunch and need to decide on something. So, stay tuned and we will see where my creative juices take me!!

Cover  design (without title/author) in question...




 

My first author fair!

Author Fair at Charlestown Public Library
Monday, November 14th
5:30 - 7:30pm

I will be at the Charlestown Library to sell and sign books on Monday, November 14th! I should have 3 novels available for sale in paperback form:  A Bequest of Blood, A Girl's Guide to Purgatory and Immortal Moonlight and a possibility of Immortal Crusade being ready. I can't really promise that, though. I will be there with other authors from our writers group in Sellersburg.

Book Research or Vacation Planning?

To catch everyone up, I am in the process of writing my fifth paranormal/fantasy novel. It is a story about a girl that is tricked by Loki and transported (not unlike Star Trek!) into ancient Greece. There she meets a very handsome demigod and, oh, the fun they have! Okay, everything isn’t all fun and games. I am still in the process of figuring out exactly what’s going to happen.



Crete and Mitsis Laguna Resort

In my early research of Greece, I came across some very nice resorts where people go to get some sun and sand. My main character gets to stay at Mitsis Laguna Resort. I truly adore at this hotel. What would it be like walking through the hallways, swimming in the massive pool, or eating in the luxurious restaurant? I won’t lie, in the back of my mind, I thought if my book made it big I would go to a place like this! Wouldn’t it be great to go somewhere all in the name of research?

But for the rest of us, that have to work, keep track of kids, etc. we can’t go to a luxury resort. So, I get to live vicariously through Holland and her adventures. If I close my eyes, I almost can image feeling the white sand between my toes and hearing the waves wash on shore.

Other News:
 I just self-published A Bequest of Blood published in paperback form. It is now available on Create Space (and Amazon) for purchase or if you happen to meet me at an event, I will have some books with me! I am also working on Immortal Moonlight and prepping it to move to paperback! Stay tuned and I will post more about my new cover designs.

Get It Down in Writing

I've been writing for more than twenty years, and I released my first book via e-book years ago. Three more followed. A month ago, I actually got to hold one of my manuscripts in printed form. I've read many articles that talked about how wonderful it felt, and I definitely agree. I also found the printed form a great way to edit further.

Granted, I could go poor if I am not careful, for every book that needed fixing, but if I have exhausted all my editing on the computer, this new format gives me another dimension to view any mistakes or areas of improvement. I have found formatting issues that didn't jump out at me on the computer and even a weird page numbering issue for 5 pages out of 245.

In other news, I am attempting to get my first beta reader for A Bequest of Blood. I have read, edited, re-read and re-edited this book a few times. My husband has vetted it and given the okay, but I haven't had any luck getting any reviews. So I am going to solicit a beta reader. I will report back on this process and hopefully get my other books reviewed in a similar format. Its very nerve racking because I feel like I am sending my child out in the world and I have no idea how she is going to fare. It's not a fun process, but I realize I need to do this if I want to comfortably sit in front of someone and entice them to buy more works.


I found this great article by Belinda Pollard on Beta Readers and thought I would share:
What makes a great beta reader.

SKELETONS AND HOWARD DEAN FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT …

(** Spoilers! I will be talking about Miss Peregrine and her peculiar children!! So don’t read on if you plan on seeing the movie and hate spoilers.)

 I went to the movies alone today. I pretty much always go alone because my husband just can’t handle most of the movies that I want to see. This is just fine with me. I don’t have to worry if he’s going to like it. He will go see the superhero movies, so at least there’s that.

 Today, I saw Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children. I am a huge fan of Tim Burton and he didn’t disappoint! I found the story thoroughly enjoyable and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I must say the horrible long-legged, long-armed characters were quite terrifying. And if you are squeamish about eyeballs, well, good luck. This movie just took it to a whole new level.

One of my favorite scenes was the fighting skeletons. Who doesn’t love a good fighting dead sea-goer? It harkened me back to the 1989 classic, Sinbad of the Seven Seas. I remember this airing each year and my brother and I being so excited to see it. Okay, maybe not as excited as V, the best summer movie- EVER, but still a close second. Oh… unless you count Watership Downs, but we’ll not talk about that sad bunny movie.

Back to Sinbad… In a single photo (see below), they look pretty similar, but how far animation has come! Peregrine’s fighters barely missed a beat, unless you count the poor fellow that lost his head on a midway game. But I do remember as a little girl the creepy sensation of watching the Legion of Darkness step up to destroy Sinbad. I can still recall watching their eerie movements on the TV screen and getting that sick feeling in my stomach which now I call fear. (I was an impressionable young thing!)




Sinbad's enemies, the Legion of Darkness

Miss Peregrine's fine fighter

So kudos to Burton for bringing back the fighting skeletons. Bravo! At one point I was so excited I almost let out a Howard Dean scream. It would have been brilliant, but then I remembered I was a single movie goer and must act accordingly, which is to not draw any attention to myself. Peregrine was a refreshing Tim Burton thriller I was hoping it would be.

Welcome!  This is my very first blog post… ever!  Hopefully I will tempt you to come back often to witness my trials and tribulations as I am writing my next novel.  My name is Angela McPherson. I grew up in Ohio, but now live in Southern Indiana with my husband, daughter, horses, dogs and barn cats. I have a weakness for writing paranormal romance. Vampires, ghosts, angels, demigods, wizards…you name it, and I’ve either written about it or am thinking about it.

 

 I have been writing for as long as I can remember. At first, I started with fan fiction involving the band, Information Society, and roller skating.  Believe it or not, I still have that gem of a story tucked away, but still in arm’s reach. Don’t even get me started on my historical piece involving my major crush, A.C. Mallet from Guiding Light. That story had horses and knights! Exciting!

Stay tuned as I learn the art of blogging. I would enjoy any comments (try to be kind, even if you totally dislike something. I have feelings, too!). We’ll see where we end up!