Category: writing

I See Me: Author-Read-Along: Chapters Six and Seven

Post author By MCD
Post date May 19, 2015
9 Comments on I See Me: Author-Read-Along: Chapters Six and Seven

*SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS*

CHAPTER SIX – important beats:

APPLE JUICE!
Eyes changing colour (magic).
Some hints to Beau’s not-so-great BG
Rochelle’s art from Beau’s POV. He sees the magic, but doesn’t know how to talk to Rochelle about it.

Favourite Quotes

He’d had the bakery heat up apple juice for me. I shouldn’t read too much into the action. There was no way he could possibly know what apple meant to me, just because I ordered apple pie last night. But still, my throat constricted, and when I tried to hold the emotion at bay, it flooded with a wave of heat through my face and neck. I gasped when the tightness moved to my chest. I couldn’t breathe. Oh, God. I think this was … happiness. Extreme, insane happiness. This didn’t happen in real life.

“It’s okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” I choked out. I looked up from the hot apple juice in my hand to lock my gaze to his. His face was blurry through my unshed tears.

“Don’t kick me out,” he said.

“I won’t.” – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 6

CHAPTER SEVEN – important beats:

Pocket of bliss (including the references to the function of the Brave in Chapter Six “a microcosm of our own design.”) and Rochelle’s disbelief in “true love” or “fate,” which is VERY important later.
Hoyt is back. Silver reflection – Rochelle getting some hints here about magic (etc) that she promptly tries to reason away.
Beau stays.

Favourite Quotes

I was broken in a way that couldn’t be repaired. I could only endure. I really, really hoped that Beau staying meant he’d endure with me. – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 7

I See Me (Oracle 1) read-a-long

Chapter One

Chapter Two & Three

Chapter Four & Five

Chapter Six & Seven (above)

Chapter Eight & Nine

What were your thoughts, comments, and/or questions on Chapter Six and Seven?

Tags I See Me, Oracle 1, Oracle Series

writing

I See Me: Author-Read-Along: Chapters Four and Five

Post author By MCD
Post date May 18, 2015
11 Comments on I See Me: Author-Read-Along: Chapters Four and Five

*SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS*

CHAPTER FOUR – thoughts/notes/quotes:

A debilitating hallucination triggers thoughts of her every first one. So we catch a rare glimpse into Rochelle’s background in foster care (etc) in this chapter. Rochelle isn’t one to dwell hence the rare notation above.
Hints into Blackwell’s background – who did he steal the amulet from? Hint: note all the golden/gold decor.

Favourite Quotes

It had been many years since I’d asked why. Since I’d questioned why and what I hallucinated. But tonight, in my drugged sleep, I hoped. I wished. – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 4

I managed to sit at the table in the dinette area, only to realize I was brushing my hands across my cheeks and through my hair as if attempting to sweep away the clinging hazy bits of the hallucination. Just like a crazy person … like the crazy person I was … No. – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 4

I was crazy – pure and simple – according to the professionals. Well, they didn’t put it quite like that, but that’s what I heard and that’s what I lived with. – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 4

No one was going to yank me out of the RV, label me, and then shove pills down my throat. Happy nineteenth birthday to me. – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 4

CHAPTER FIVE – thoughts/notes/quotes:

BEAU!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the scene that started it all. The reason this book and characters exist. This scene haunted me. There are way too many things to quote in this chapter. I’ll have to narrow down to my favs below.

Notes

Insta-love complaints: One of the biggest ‘complaints’ I get about I See Me is a perceived “insta-love” element. Obviously this works for me – otherwise I wouldn’t have written it – but it doesn’t work for everyone. I’ve already had my say on this subject – I wrote the book – but I firmly believe that the reaction that occurs between R&B – whether a reader perceives that to be simply a chemical reaction or ‘love at first sight’ – is setup and supported by their backgrounds. They come from nowhere and are heading nowhere, until they meet each other. I firmly believe that you can form a bond with a stranger within a matter of minutes, just based on your shared histories/beliefs/desire/fears.

But then, I believe in true love. I’ve felt it and I’m living it. 😀 I’m damn lucky.

Sex-too-early complaints: Again, I think I’ve covered my thoughts on this above. But I will say that Beau’s background and motivations will be exceedingly important to the plot of Oracle 2.

Favourite Quotes (TO MANY!!!)

I felt a terribly weird impulse to pull my sleeves down over my hands and dry the rain from his face – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 5

“Are you crazy?” I resisted the urge to tug the sleeves of my hoodie down over my arms for a completely different reason now. “Because I have enough crazy already going on in my head. I don’t need yours.” – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 5

No need to explain that I was cold. Cold in a way that made it seem I’d never be warm. Cold in my core, and afraid if I stayed alone, I’d sleep. – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 5

Then he reached across the table and – barely touching me – turned my left hand over until the back rested on the table. With a touch so light that I felt only the shiver of its passing, he brushed his fingers across the black butterfly I had tattooed on the inside of my wrist. – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter 5

I See Me (Oracle 1) read-a-long

Chapter One

Chapter Two & Three

Chapters Four & Five (above)

Chapters Six & Seven

What were your thoughts, comments, and/or questions on Chapter Four and Five?

Tags I See Me, Oracle 1, Oracle Series

read-a-long writing

I See Me (Oracle 1): Chapter 2 and 3 – Author-Read-Along

Post author By MCD
Post date May 17, 2015
15 Comments on I See Me (Oracle 1): Chapter 2 and 3 – Author-Read-Along

*SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS*

CHAPTER TWO – thoughts/notes/quotes:

Social worker scene – setting up how terribly alone Rochelle is, devoid of true human contact, her orphan status and ‘mental illness’ have segregated her from the world. No matter how strong she wants to be, everyone needs someone …

BTW, the scene with the jeweller is one of Michael’s favourite scenes in the book.

Notes

Necklace – broken, tarnished, and with a roughly-hewn antique-white diamond (so slightly darker/cloudier than the one pictured below). A piece of Rochelle’s past surfacing right before she begins her new chapter.

Favourite Quotes

It was nice that she cared, though. I’d just had more than enough of nice in my life. I wanted more than nice, but didn’t believe that more existed. So I’d take nothing – and no one – on my own terms every day, starting today. Nice just didn’t work for me anymore. – I See Me (Oracle 1), Chapter Two

CHAPTER THREE – thoughts/notes/quotes:

THE BRAVE!! “It was absolutely hideous. I loved every inch of it.” – Rochelle’s retreat, her ‘coccoon’. [I was going to insert a picture here – but am blogging on my iPad right now. Will come back to do so tomorrow.]

Notes

Gary/Tess -N.B. ‘dinner smells’ – make Rochelle’s stomach rumble though food means little to her in other situations.

Favourite Quotes

Keeping my mouth shut was my best defence against life. – I See Me, Oracle 1, Chapter Three

I See Me (Oracle 1) read-a-long

Chapter One

Chapter Two & Three (above)

Chapters Four and Five

What were your thoughts, comments, and/or questions on Chapter Two and Three?

Tags I See Me, Oracle 1, Oracle Series

Chocolate Tasting personal reflection writing

Two very different to-do lists

Post author By MCD
Post date May 16, 2015
2 Comments on Two very different to-do lists

Every morning Michael and I have a ‘decisive meeting’ in the garden. This gives the chickens a bit of time to free range and us a moment to chat about our upcoming day. Being foodies, we talk about meals mostly, then share our to-do lists. Usually both of these lists are filled with work related duties, but every now and then Michael does something (errands/chores/etc) to keep our life in order and I try not to feel guilty about focusing on writing while he does so.

Michael’s to-do list:

mow 8 acres of wild grass
clean chicken coop(s)
build a new compost and dig out the old one

My to-do list:

read I See Me, Oracle 1
make notes on Oracle 1 and blog for Author Read-A-Long
plant tomatoes
test taste two new chocolate bars so I can finish Dowser 5 and get it off to the editor

Michael sweetly – and not at all laughing his ass off that I had added it to my things to-do – offered to take over #4 for me, since his list only has three ‘light duty’ chores on it and it’s a terrible hardship that I have to eat TWO chocolate bars just so I can finish my work.

Kind of him, yes?

The next three chocolates in the queue for testing. Will two of them be worthy of a place in Dowser 5?

Tags I See Me, life, Oracle 1, to-do lists

cats personal reflection writing

But, in real life …

I write stories of good versus evil, epic demon-infested battles, and life threatening scenarios. My heroes are loyal and stalwart, willing to sacrifice anything and everything for duty and morality.

You know, sword and sorcery saving the world with some chocolate and true love rolled into the mix. The battered and bloody hero always triumphs to win the day, the battle, and the war, sort of thing.

But, in my real life …

The cat always wins.

Even when voices are raised and pillows are being tossed at 5 a.m., or pages desperately need to be written, or the bathroom door has to be closed because there are guests in the house or a business meeting being conducted over Skype in the living room.

The. Cat. Always. Gets. His. Way.

And there are two of them:

Leo aka Mr. Monster and Richard Parker collude at the back window underneath the grow light while the tomatoes harden-off in the garden for the day. Note how they attempt to appear innocent when the camera is turned on them. — Leo aka Mr. Monster and Richard Parker collude at the back window underneath the grow light while the tomatoes harden-off in the garden for the day. Note how they attempt to appear innocent when the camera is trained on them.

I guess that’s just the life of a writer.

Tags leo, parker, writer's life

reading writing

A head’s up: read-along-with-the-author for I See Me (Oracle 1)

Post author By MCD
Post date May 13, 2015
16 Comments on A head’s up: read-along-with-the-author for I See Me (Oracle 1)

Dowser 5 is about to head off to the editor, which means I get to seriously dig into Oracle 2 – yay! In order to really immerse myself in Rochelle’s voice, I’m going to (re)read I See Me, Oracle 1 first.

I’ve already mentioned this to a few readers, but I thought it might be fun for me to share my fav parts as I read and open up a possible discussion here. I’ll write up separate blog posts (Chapter 1 – 3, Chapter 4 – 6, etc) and try to answer any questions I can (without spoilers for Dowser 5 or Oracle 2).

*Reminder: Oracle 1 is a bit steamy, definitely deserving of its MATURE 18+ rating.*

Okay! Would you like to read-a-long with me? I’ll most likely start this Friday (so look for the first blog post this Saturday).

Tags Oracle Series, read-a-long

chickens personal reflection writing

Chocolate before 9am

I was just sucking away on some deliciously smooth Boa Sentenca (Cacao Barry) while I cleared out my inbox when it occured to me that it might be a little early in the morning for chocolate, no matter how tasty. And yep, turns out it’s 8:56am as I type this blog post.

Chocolate before 9am is early even for me.

But I figure, since the fire alarm went off to tell us the power was BACK on at 4:40am, and I – ignorant of the time – remained awake and rewrote the entire ending of Dowser 6 while lying in bed, that it’s actually way passed regular chocolate-imbibing time. You know, technically.

Seriously though, why can’t I just plug a computer into my brain? I’ve known how Dowser 6 was going to end for a year now. And, though I’ve tweaked and fleshed out the idea over the last 12 months, the core ending remains the same. The frustration is that it’s still in my head, still haunting my early morning hours … along with my late evenings. To compound that frustration, I have a novel to finish (Dowser 5) and a novel to write (Oracle 2) before I can even crack the spine on a new notebook for Dowser 6 (beyond the pages and pages of notes and scenes I already have jotted down).

All I can hope is that the end result is worth the sleepless nights. For me and Dowser Series readers.

Of course, by then I imagine something new will be haunting me … from inside my own brain.

I guess that’s just normal around here.

Okay, well then. Back to work.

4-week old Swedish Flower Hen cockerel. For you. Just because. Now stop pointing that big red-encased iPad at me and get back to work! — 4-week and two-day old Swedish Flower Hen cockerel. For you. Just because.

Tags Cacao Barry, chocolate, Haunted by my own mind, Swedish Flower Hen

giveaways writer wednesday writing

Writer Wednesday: Scott Fitzgerald Gray (Giveaway)

Post author By MCD
Post date April 8, 2015
84 Comments on Writer Wednesday: Scott Fitzgerald Gray (Giveaway)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED. WINNER JANINE from KANSAS!

If you pay close enough attention to the acknowledgments at the back of my novels, or my rantings on Facebook and Twitter, you will recognize Scott Fitzgerald Gray‘s name. He is my editor. He has edited every single screenplay I deemed worthy of rewriting from the early-2000s through to every single novel or short or novella I’ve published.

That’s a a lot of editing. I imagine SFG now knows me via my writing almost as well as Michael does. So when I met him face-to-face for the first time last Saturday, I was really excited/anxious.

We had brunch. I made my Chewy Gooey Chocolate Cookies. But best of all – and the main point of this blog post – is that Scott brought me signed paperbacks. Yes, he is a writer as well as an editor. I’d be a little lost without him, so hopefully he never stops editing but I greedily snatch up every book he writes and beg him for more as well.

So without further ado, Scott left these two insanely pretty, autographed paperbacks for a blog giveaway! Yes! Thanks SFG!

I read Sidnye (Queen of the Universe) and LOVED it. (Here’s my review). SFG is meticulous with his plotting and he makes you work as a reader, but his stories pay off big time! Book Two is awaiting me on my Kindle app.

Synopsis of Book One: Life is complicated enough when you live full-time at boarding school because your parents are dead, and when the other students around you are mostly idiots, and when you’re doomed to spend the rest of your existence in cafeteria detention because you just can’t stop annoying the people in charge of your life. But that’s when you discover the headaches you’ve been having aren’t just a part of being thirteen and feeling the weight of the world hammering down on you. That’s when you realize the dreams you’ve been having are more than dreams, and the people you thought you were closest to are less concerned with caring about you than with keeping you from knowing the things they don’t want you to know…

Intrigued?!!

Interesting in winning these two gorgeous paperbacks?

Comment below to enter: “Gimmie some SFG!” Or some such. 😀

Easy peasy, though make sure to include your email address in the comment form.

———

Scott Fitzgerald Gray is a specially constructed biogenetic simulacrum built around an array of experimental consciousness-sharing techniques — a product of the finest minds of Canadian science until the grant money ran out. Accidentally set loose during an unauthorized midnight rave at the lab, the S.F. Gray entity is currently at large amongst an unsuspecting populace, where his work as an author, screenwriter, editor, RPG designer, and story editor for feature film keeps him off the streets.

More info on Scott and his work (some of it even occasionally truthful) can be found by reading between the lines at insaneangel.com.

———

GIVEAWAY CLOSES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 at 8 a.m. PDT. OPEN INTERNATIONALLY. EACH ENTRY WILL BE ASSIGNED A NUMBER. WINNER CHOSEN BY RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR.