Why I Wrote My PitchWars Novel
People always ask, “What’s your book about?” But the question often ignored is, “Why did you write your book?” That’s where this blog hop comes in!
I think it’s fair to say every writer decides to put words on paper because the story speaks to them in some way. If you’re like me, you can hear the characters in your head and you know their tale must be told.
For my novel, The Bootlegger’s Bible, which was chosen for PitchWars by epic mentors Stephanie Garber and Stacey Lee, the nagging thoughts in my head to write this story came mostly from my childhood. My parents come from different religious backgrounds and for my entire life we’ve celebrated the holidays of each faith. I grew up immersed in both cultures, the traditions, the viewpoints and seeing how they weren’t always fond of each other. From that, my characters started to emerge until I could hear their voices and their old fashioned slang.
Now, to be fair, my youth didn’t exactly consist of an alternate version of the 1940’s, like in my novel, where the Second World War and Prohibition coexist. But I have always been fascinated by the gangster era. So when I thought about these families and when their story should be told, Prohibition seemed like an obvious setting. Especially given the warring neighborhoods and the everyday man turning on their friends and family.
Starting with those basic building blocks, my novel blossomed from (what I consider) a pretty cool idea into a fully fledged world. I loved exploring all the alternate history possibilities and watching my characters transform into people. It’s been such an incredible ride and I honestly have never loved this story more.
I know I’m not alone in having a great “behind the book” story, so be sure to check out all these other awesome PitchWars participants and learn about their journeys.
Carleen Karanovic: HOPE ON A FEATHER
Tracie Martin: WILD IS THE WIND
Rachel Sarah: RULES FOR RUNNING AWAY
Amanda Rawson Hill: GRIMM AND BEAR IT
Charlotte Gruber: CODE OF SILENCE
Kip Wilson: THE MOST DAZZLING GIRL IN BERLIN
Nikki Roberti: THE TRUTH ABOUT TWO-SHOES
K. A. Reynolds: LE CIRQUE DU LITERATI
Susan Crispell: WISHES TO NOWHERE
Ron Walters: THE GOLEM INITIATIVE
Rosalyn Eves: THE BLOOD ROSE REBELLION
Janet Walden-West: Damned If She Do
Elliah Terry: POCKET FULL OF POPPIES
Alessa Hinlo: THE HONEST THIEF
Rachel Horwitz: THE BOOTLEGGER’S BIBLE
Whitney Taylor: DEFINITIONS OF INDEFINABLE THINGS
Natalie Williamson: SET IN STONE
Robin Lemke: THE DANCE OF THE PALMS
Stephanie Herman: CLIFF WITH NO EDGE
Shannon Cooley: A FROG, A WHISTLE, AND A VIAL OF SAND
Ruth Anne Snow: THE GIRLS OF MARCH
Elizabeth Dimit: PHOEBE FRANZ’S GUIDE TO PASSPORTS, PAGEANTS, & PARENTAL DISASTERS
Gwen C. Katz: AMONG THE RED STARS
Gina Denny: SANDS OF IMMORTALITY
Natasha M. Heck: FOLLOW THE MOON
2014 Fall TV Round Up
Every Fall I get way too really excited about the new line-up of potential hit shows. Why? I’m always on the lookout for a new obsession and I tend to tune into every and any new show I might remotely be interested in. However, if the time slot is in the middle of a series I have already committed to, I likely won’t check it out. But I still try to give things a chance. With all that in mind, here is a list of the shows I caught this year and my review of them a few episodes in:
Gotham
How could I pass up a show about Jim Gordon? Oh, that’s right– I couldn’t! I was very excited to see how they handle this “prequel” of sorts and while I love the idea of seeing Gotham from Gordon’s PoV, the opening episodes felt very rushed to establish a whole slew of well known villains in their younger years. I would’ve enjoyed having this teased out more, but it’s still reasonably entertaining. I’ll keep watching but I’m not sure for how long.
How to Get Away With Murder
From the get-go, I loved the diversity and honesty in this show. It had a fun concept of introducing the kids to law as well as interestingly developed characters who are wildly different but tied together by a crime. At times I think this show is trying too hard to set itself apart by being so bold, but it caught my attention. And coming from someone who does not like crime drama, that’s saying something.
Manhattan Love Story
This show is so incredibly quirky it sets itself apart from all other finding-love-dramas. The characters are realistic, fun and being able to hear their thoughts gives this show an edge over others like it. I have a feeling it might be too unusual for audiences, but I hope it sticks around.
A to Z
Maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s just because I got so invested in The Mother character that it’s hard for me to separate the How I Met Your Mother persona from Zelda. And Andrew even looks like Ted! And there’s a voice over! If they’re going for copy-cat, they got it. But I’m not amused enough to stick around.
Scorpion
This pilot had a ton of potential when I first saw the trailer, but after viewing the show, it didn’t exactly stand up for me. The characterization and dialogue of all these genius kids was constructed in such an overt manner that I couldn’t believe they were actually super-smart. I was very aware they were acting. And that’s not good. The plot is clever and I liked the romance that was teed up, but it was like watching the man behind the curtain the entire time. I’m out.
Madam Secretary
Political thrillers are my weakness, so even though I didn’t intend to watch this, I got sucked in. Let’s be real though…it’s basically a fictionalized story about Hilary Clinton. I suspect given it’s ripped-from-the-headlines plots and the underlying mystery it will run for at least a season, but as of now I’m not convinced it has legs. But it makes for a fun show to watch nonetheless.
Did you catch any of these shows? What were your thoughts? Were there other premiers you enjoyed? Share your thoughts!
Tribute to a Master Storyteller
I’ve been struggling to write this blog post ever since the news broke. Robin Williams might not have been a writer, but he was a master storyteller. He had perfected the art of character and voice and played such an influential part in my childhood and path towards writing that I felt it was only right to pay tribute to what he meant to me.
His Characters: Robin played some of the most dazzling characters during his time with us. They stretched your imagination and helped explore parts you maybe you didn’t even know you had.
Genie- He’s lovable, hilarious and blue! The Genie showed us what it means to be not only a good friend, but a great friend.
Mr. Keating- As a word nerd, I only wished I had a teacher like Mr. Keating and some of mine came very close! This character inspired me to look further into books at all the gorgeous meanings behind simple words.
Peter Banning- A grown up Peter Pan trying to be young again? What could be better??
Alan Parish- I’m always a sucker for the kid in adult body trope, so Robin’s portrayal of long lost Alan in Jumanji was nothing short of perfection.
Sean Maguire- While the Good Will Hunting role might have been his most serious, it also showed us a mature, jaded, cathartic side to Robin that really hit home in recent days.
Mrs Doubtfire- Anyone who is anyone has seen Mrs. Doubtfire and it was a beautiful role that demonstrated what a dad’s love really means.
In stories, your characters have to grow and change, just like all of Robin’s did but most of all they need to teach you something without ever saying it.
There are many more I loved and I regret to say many more I haven’t yet experienced, but in a way that will help keep him alive for me– always discovering new characters of his 🙂
His Voice:
Just like writers hope to achieve different voices from their varied characters, Robin had a way of making each of his personas unique. Every character he played had a different way of speaking whether it was their tone, the inflection of their voice to certain questions, the cadence, or even unique phrases and words.
He put on a clinic in each of his films about how to create and execute voice. I would go so far as to say he is one of the few blessed with the ability to create the perfect voice each time and sometimes on the spot. If you ever get confused about how to differentiate your character’s voices or what makes a voice stand out, check out any of his movies. Seriously. That’ll clear it up right quick for you.
His Humor:
This one goes without saying, but I’ll talk about it a bit anyway. Robin knew how to make people laugh. Plain and simple. A lot of the foundation of his humor came from the characters and voices he created. I would list some of his best lines but then I’d have a whole new blog post on my hands. Everything he said was funny in some way or another and I try my best to include humor in fiction, but none can do it quite as well as the master.
Do you have a favorite character he acted or voiced? What’re you favorite memories of the late, great Robin Williams?
Cover Reval: CATCH ME WHEN I FALL
It’s cover reveal day for the most awesome and spectacular Vicki Leigh’s CATCH ME WHEN I FALL! Lots of greatstuff going on that you’ll want a piece of, including a giveaway! But first, here’s a special message from Vicki:
And here’s what CATCH ME WHEN I FALL is all about:
Recruited at his death to be a Protector of the Night, seventeen-year-old Daniel Graham has spent two-hundred years fighting Nightmares and guarding humans from the clawed, red-eyed creatures that feed off people’s fears. Each night, he risks his eternal life, having given up his chance at an afterlife when he chose to become a Protector. That doesn’t stop a burnt-out Daniel from risking daring maneuvers during each battle. He’s become one of the best, but he wants nothing more than to stop.
Then he’s given an assignment to watch over sixteen-year-old Kayla Bartlett, a clinically depressed patient in a psychiatric ward. Nightmares love a human with a tortured past. Yet, when they take a deep interest in her, appearing in unprecedented numbers, the job becomes more dangerous than any Daniel’s ever experienced. He fights ruthlessly to keep the Nightmares from overwhelming his team and Kayla. Soon, Daniel finds himself watching over Kayla during the day, drawn to why she’s different, and what it is about her that attracts the Nightmares. And him.
A vicious attack on Kayla forces Daniel to break the first Law and reveal his identity. Driven by his growing feelings for her, he whisks her away to Rome where others like him can keep her safe. Under their roof, the Protectors discover what Kayla is and why someone who can manipulate Nightmares has her in his sights. But before they can make a move, the Protectors are betrayed and Kayla is kidnapped. Daniel will stop at nothing to save her. Even if it means giving up his immortality.
CATCH ME WHEN I FALL will be available on October 23, 2014 in both paperback and e-book formats from Curiosity Quills Press. For more information, visit the book’s Goodreads page.
Now, there can’t be a cover reveal without a giveaway, right? Lots of authors stopped by and donated some fantastic books to help Vicki celebrate. You don’t want to miss out on these! Here’s what you can win:
- An e-copy of CATCH ME WHEN I FALL by Vicki Leigh
- A submission package critique (query+synopsis+first chap) from Vicki Leigh
- An e-copy of HEIRS OF WAR by Mara Valderran
- Two query+first chapter critiques from YA author Emily Stanford
- A full manuscript critique from YA author Emily Stanford
- An e-copy of WITHOUT BLOODSHED by Matthew Graybosch
- A paperback of DESTRUCTION by Sharon Bayliss
- An e-copy of KIYA: HOPE OF THE PHARAOH by Katie Teller
- One query+first chapter critique from YA author Katie Teller
- An e-copy of DARKNESS WATCHING by Emma Adams
- A copy of DESCENDANT by Nichole Giles
- Two signed copies of DIVIDE by Jessa Russo
- An e-copy set of EVER and EVADE by Jessa Russo
- A copy of UNHINGED by A.G. Howard
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win! All prizes will be accompanied by a Dreamcatcher swag package from Vicki Leigh.
Thanks for stopping by!
Enter the giveaway here–>>: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0de5901/
About Vicki:
Adopted at three-days-old by a construction worker and a stay-at-home mom, Vicki Leigh grew up in a small suburb of Akron, Ohio where she learned to read by the age of four and considered being sent to her room for punishment as an opportunity to dive into another book. By the sixth grade, Vicki penned her first, full-length screenplay. If she couldn’t be a writer, Vicki would be a Hunter (think Dean and Sam Winchester) or a Jedi. Her favorite place on earth is Hogwarts (she refuses to believe it doesn’t exist), and her favorite dreams include solving cases alongside Sherlock Holmes.
Vicki is an editor for Curiosity Quills Press, a co-founder of The Writer Diaries, and is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency.
You can find Vicki at her website and blog and on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube, and Goodreads.
Pitch Wars Mentee 2014
Awards
