tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20100885825967761872024-03-13T08:02:21.590-04:00The Keshkin CircleThe Defender's Burden and other Ramblings from this Crazy WriterThe Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-66716851125620139542009-09-22T01:45:00.003-04:002009-09-22T01:53:08.880-04:00Finished Palace of Illusions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQs6XHukenxvga9Kh_lSn4UvSFcqsbvn5UFJI-qGOlPeWjRt-SDGg9hSAuo2saibGTKBCL-CjXuJpjT4rNpKDx0DVsmFFyIf9GDeyk8yoIkD1mJurq7DItw_ayjh9zowk7lCs7xOkXB8/s1600-h/mahabharata2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQs6XHukenxvga9Kh_lSn4UvSFcqsbvn5UFJI-qGOlPeWjRt-SDGg9hSAuo2saibGTKBCL-CjXuJpjT4rNpKDx0DVsmFFyIf9GDeyk8yoIkD1mJurq7DItw_ayjh9zowk7lCs7xOkXB8/s320/mahabharata2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384165213391014754" border="0" /></a>Finished the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chitradivakaruni.com%2Fbooks%2Fpalace_of_illusions&ei=Gma4SruIKYKOlQec8Y3HDg&usg=AFQjCNGnV5JFSBoasGxx5Shi67kAKufF4A&sig2=PFdjvXNFPYGbeT0ugI1OWw">Palace of Illusions</a> over the weekend. It was a very satisfying story and ended wonderfully.... I would suggest it to anyone who is into historical fiction.<br /><br />Now I'm off to start The Twentieth Wife. I'll tell you more about that later!The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-43976603412717569292009-09-14T23:06:00.003-04:002009-09-14T23:11:06.807-04:00They say show your work to at least 10 people before publishing...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlslV0_JzGWKGkfHkud6bgUKegO5YrUoMRCm4HA7jd-HbYTzgURHA6alKMEDb-FKsoowYBWbLA8gG0kGH8IWDOJT-k-jLUojhlPM1aU4xhbddDOVX8quD7K08A0XKopFn9HFKwOgnii4/s1600-h/Young-Girl-Reading-Print-C10032525.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlslV0_JzGWKGkfHkud6bgUKegO5YrUoMRCm4HA7jd-HbYTzgURHA6alKMEDb-FKsoowYBWbLA8gG0kGH8IWDOJT-k-jLUojhlPM1aU4xhbddDOVX8quD7K08A0XKopFn9HFKwOgnii4/s320/Young-Girl-Reading-Print-C10032525.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381525687035077186" border="0" /></a><br />I wish I had remembered that before.<br /><br />I took yet another look at the previous chapters of TDB and realized that I needed another edit. I know, I promised I wouldn't do this and this time is really the last...<br /><br />That is, if the 10 people I find who want to beta read this doggone thing think everything is okay.<br /><br />Yes, I'm on the search for 10 folk, who like epic fantasy, and will respect the copyright, to read this and tell me what they think before I go finalfinalfinal.<br /><br />If you like epic fantasy, and are interested, go ahead and comment here, or even email me a keshkin@live.com<br /><br />I'm almost done with my re-edit of chapter 4 so I have one part ready to go.<br /><br />:DThe Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-71981330537445262262009-09-02T15:48:00.004-04:002009-09-02T15:58:29.792-04:00More commentary on "The Palace of Illusions"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyHhr8xLi0uZZ__nyx7JQ1Hj5eQ1l_zeRG8Eh9X95t4-dEbRsvXuoEbkhtWusPGM9Ib3NWPEKD4NwqvqGBzdhjsn0iaqiDAWAqkKdCrgOsVS4SJ7q2X8Et8-dp_IVmfFcsduwu79B77g/s1600-h/duryodhana+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376961396566207074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 171px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyHhr8xLi0uZZ__nyx7JQ1Hj5eQ1l_zeRG8Eh9X95t4-dEbRsvXuoEbkhtWusPGM9Ib3NWPEKD4NwqvqGBzdhjsn0iaqiDAWAqkKdCrgOsVS4SJ7q2X8Et8-dp_IVmfFcsduwu79B77g/s320/duryodhana+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Duryodhana is a poop-head</div><div>Yudhishthira needs to be smacked</div><div>Karna is a block headed dodo head</div><div> </div><div>That is all.</div>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-10815945976826095372009-08-31T14:36:00.004-04:002009-08-31T15:50:33.613-04:00"An eyeblink later,” she continued, “when you emerged from the fire, our jaws dropped. It was so quiet, you could have heard a housefly fart.”<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpEE8Jqrhl1elCqMASp04w9TA3NRx-UkQoFnPcxX0APk9j62RrKLrC0KkDkYdwMauOSFnbij7ZrBcCkW11utOqVH5jKH-IlsxeFPntxD32nWZMZJ_XEu94l2KZTC03rrcAIVFKsZi9ck/s1600-h/%7BD50A02F4-4CF2-4A7B-A3E6-244DF9B37B97%7DImg200.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376203964892519394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 163px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpEE8Jqrhl1elCqMASp04w9TA3NRx-UkQoFnPcxX0APk9j62RrKLrC0KkDkYdwMauOSFnbij7ZrBcCkW11utOqVH5jKH-IlsxeFPntxD32nWZMZJ_XEu94l2KZTC03rrcAIVFKsZi9ck/s320/%257BD50A02F4-4CF2-4A7B-A3E6-244DF9B37B97%257DImg200.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPTitMxKip2kJLzHeEfWQVooDeclFdjFTt0hCCFelAqQDn7dVCaKM10AM1U4aAqggKp94fvlO5-O_sVpC_oK-GURcGUQqpRpS_IgHLTkiFhgMRXpufRBfUv44GdPV2cctyONL9uC9BHY/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"></a>Another book that rocks my socks, and this time it is about a subject that has fascinated me for a long, long time.</div><div> </div><div>I'm in the middle of audiobooking <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780385515993">The Palace of Illusions</a>, by <a href="http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/books/palace_of_illusions">Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni</a>. It is a retelling of the wonderful legend the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata">Mahabharat</a>, this time from the point of view of<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draupadi"> Draupadi/Panchali</a>. I've read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna_Dharma">Krishna Dharma's</a> novelization of the <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=u0q-KwAACAAJ">Mahabharata</a>, and fell in love with the story from then. </div><div> </div><div>Historical, mystical, magical and legendary, this is a true epic fantasy tale. It is also the longest epic poem in the history of the world. Yes, I plan to read it in its entirety one day (probably soon, thanks to Project Gutenberg), but these two books are remarkable narratives on the subject. </div><div> </div><div>I'm drawn to all things Hindu (as you will see when you take a peek at The Defender's Burden) and the more I read the more I'm fascinated. If you are not familiar with the name pronunciations, I would suggest audiobook; the narrator is fantastic, making all of the names flow like water.<br /></div><div>In other news, I'm plugging along with Part III and outline, hopefully by Sept. 15 I'll be able to post a new part on my site. Keep your fingers crossed!<br /></div><div></div>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-65591365814040726442009-08-24T20:52:00.003-04:002009-08-24T20:59:52.808-04:00Part Three Rears its Ugly Head<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmYhaJCkBa8WlrdIkTglxn-05GtCwVQbmS60U5iupR1GtL9xRHBHZzs8fGLdSn0P51yfKiZRrWcIfWsK8vXfkOyGjrX9D87P2ks6dFXTHD0CWmSt9kKvlbwlR1kE2a9_YeSTvak2dmBk/s1600-h/funny-pictures-bored-cat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373698091656515666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmYhaJCkBa8WlrdIkTglxn-05GtCwVQbmS60U5iupR1GtL9xRHBHZzs8fGLdSn0P51yfKiZRrWcIfWsK8vXfkOyGjrX9D87P2ks6dFXTHD0CWmSt9kKvlbwlR1kE2a9_YeSTvak2dmBk/s320/funny-pictures-bored-cat.jpg" border="0" /></a>Procrastination did not win the battle this time. I pulled Part Three of TDB out of the dust and got to work on Chapter 10. Not sure whether I like it yet, but at least I have it down on paper. Transitioning from before Ascension into the First Day of Ascension in 4 chapters ain't as easy as I thought it would be. But the tale needs to get a move on. Stuff needs to hit the fan.<br /><br />People need to meet.<br /><br /><br /><br />Have I done that there outline yet? Um... well... okaysoIhaven't. But once I get a full eyeful of Part Three I will sit down and figure it all out. Things are going to get a tad bit hairy during Parts Four, so I have to make sure the jump isn't too shocking.<br /><br />So, here I go in... wish me luck!The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-30510213000040779422009-08-18T17:27:00.002-04:002009-08-18T17:47:37.267-04:00H*LL Hath No Fury...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZDC9fsfch1Hn58948TjLfDsZEFj6-Ebgb-VFaZODWj2VDfWtkR6SRrjAgHw9vm4HV7EeJk35S_K6pdlw1brhOyTFvtDHGpR4lMrFfqFiYAxei7wikgnTchNwvTsaMp-FRrI7FOQtQ8g/s1600-h/19th_Amendment_Pg1of1_AC.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371419020880855538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZDC9fsfch1Hn58948TjLfDsZEFj6-Ebgb-VFaZODWj2VDfWtkR6SRrjAgHw9vm4HV7EeJk35S_K6pdlw1brhOyTFvtDHGpR4lMrFfqFiYAxei7wikgnTchNwvTsaMp-FRrI7FOQtQ8g/s320/19th_Amendment_Pg1of1_AC.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000066;"><strong>On</strong></span> this date in 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">19th Amendment</a>, which made it a part of the Constitution of the United States. Everyone break out the noisemakers and get ready to celebrate the 89th anniversary of women gaining the ability to vote in the United States of America.</div><div> </div><div>HOWEVER, On January 10, 1918, this bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives, and the Senate refused to even debate it until October.</div><div> </div><div>So what the did the ladies do? What do you think they did?</div><div> </div><div>They probably gave a collective neck twirl, snapped their fingers in unison and urged all citizens to vote against anti-Sufferage Senators. When they were done, the Senate voted FOR the bill to the tune of 56 to 25.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Never piss a lady off. Especially a Gibson Gal, a Thoroughly Modern Millie, a New Woman. They didn't play around back then.</div><div> </div>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-26118238141218133972009-08-16T23:20:00.002-04:002009-08-16T23:47:56.468-04:00Ah, those were the days....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.84537197.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 206px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.84537197.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />When I was 13 years old, I decided to start writing the "Great American Sci-Fi Novel". Back then, there was no way that I could just sidle up to my PC and start clicking away. So, for lack of a better idea, I grabbed my mother's little Royal typewriter and started banging away.<br /><br />Unfortunately, my little Royal didn't look like <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=29169929">this little Royal</a> from PoeticHome's Etsy Shop. If I get my hands on an extra $390 plus shipping, I'm going to make this baby mine.<br /><br />There is something visceral and tangible about typing on a typewriter. Yes, the creative process can go as fast as I think on a PC (typing 100 wpm will do that), but when you use a typewriter, you can almost feel the words coming through your fingers. I'm actually thinking about a way to incorporate the typewriter back into my regular business practices (like for business correspondence, etc.).<br /><br />What brought all of this nostalgia about? I've been checking out the 2nd season of <a href="http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/">Mad Men</a> on AMC. It takes place in the early 1960's, and, although I wasn't born until 1967, I remember being a secretary (because that's what they called them) back in the day.<br /><br />Until I can get the 300 bones for the pretty pink, I'll probably have to do with this pretty blue baby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.77179623.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 230px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.77179623.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><h1 style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26977032&ref=sr_list_5&&ga_search_query=typewriter&ga_search_type=all&ga_page=85&order=price_asc&includes%5B%5D=tags_exact">Powder Blue Smith Corona Coronet Electric 10</a></span></h1><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >from <a href="http://akfaroco.etsy.com">akfaroco</a></span><br /></div>Later all!<br /><br />PS: The giveaway? No one has answered the question correctly, so it's continuing until the end of the month.The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-3199896047709023942009-08-14T09:22:00.007-04:002009-08-14T09:45:00.247-04:00One Lump or Two?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOsEhlURFM7Z00As-rjXtSDSXLLo4g9M1Hr_HhiGOIb3A7_8Df_OtuueOfvIpbmoLmNoZWSn-1IHPUoWbu_mOZp7A-hwn07YLSnLdnz5NhvCtVWSKOIthOAvofUhK243GykouDS0VHg4/s1600-h/52851137.Sugar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369810070598107634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOsEhlURFM7Z00As-rjXtSDSXLLo4g9M1Hr_HhiGOIb3A7_8Df_OtuueOfvIpbmoLmNoZWSn-1IHPUoWbu_mOZp7A-hwn07YLSnLdnz5NhvCtVWSKOIthOAvofUhK243GykouDS0VHg4/s320/52851137.Sugar.jpg" border="0" /></a> This intrepid writer needs to know.<br /><br /><br /><br />I'm think of changing the format I offer my <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=341085"><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>serial</strong></span></a> <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=335112"><span style="color:#330000;"><strong>novels.</strong></span></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Right now, I'm offering up 4-chapter servings for each part, and I'm list them when they're ready to go (read I have no writing schedule).<br /><br /><br /><br />I know how I am, and I know I read like a race car. If I had to wait months between parts I would lose my mind. So what I'm thinking of doing is offering 1-chapter or 2-chapter lumps at about a monthly click.<br /><br /><br /><br />Oh, God, yes, this means I'm putting my lazy butt on a schedule. I'm committing to issuing a part a month until this crazy ride is over; what do you think?<br /><br /><br /><br />Would you wait a month for a 2 chapter bite? Or would you like me to keep it as is with 4-chapter lumps per month? Comment below. And if you are nice and take the time to answer, I'll give you 10% off your first purchase!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In other news: <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLez_sS0y032esd6DckbfQv1mAswfqARRgHYKG4lRbXJGFhkAzh9NF1h7Rtj9ZkJwtoYfTvjnPh9GZ2G97TnBCIUylJ6IzECB86wsBWHLcKTe1HxlUmgizZzQPffF7t73sdLdqT06qLo/s1600-h/oersted5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369812323748180258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLez_sS0y032esd6DckbfQv1mAswfqARRgHYKG4lRbXJGFhkAzh9NF1h7Rtj9ZkJwtoYfTvjnPh9GZ2G97TnBCIUylJ6IzECB86wsBWHLcKTe1HxlUmgizZzQPffF7t73sdLdqT06qLo/s320/oersted5.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLez_sS0y032esd6DckbfQv1mAswfqARRgHYKG4lRbXJGFhkAzh9NF1h7Rtj9ZkJwtoYfTvjnPh9GZ2G97TnBCIUylJ6IzECB86wsBWHLcKTe1HxlUmgizZzQPffF7t73sdLdqT06qLo/s1600-h/oersted5.jpg"></a> </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLez_sS0y032esd6DckbfQv1mAswfqARRgHYKG4lRbXJGFhkAzh9NF1h7Rtj9ZkJwtoYfTvjnPh9GZ2G97TnBCIUylJ6IzECB86wsBWHLcKTe1HxlUmgizZzQPffF7t73sdLdqT06qLo/s1600-h/oersted5.jpg"></a><br />If you use <a href="http://www.google.com/">Google(tm)</a> today, you'll find out who this dude is. Today is his 232nd birthday and apparently, he's pretty important to the worlds of physics and techology. Somebody break out the<a href="http://www.champagne-roederer.com/en/harvest/flash.html"> Cristal(tm).</a>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-1012029909129262532009-08-06T13:09:00.006-04:002009-08-06T13:29:51.858-04:00August Blog Giveaway Part I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPLN0vawiFwYqLGhpd6RcICkCR1gYt5M-J85FbjL4zjN0Qo_6Y9mJbC7qvkzJOUS-QGPdxk8GisrE-cgVp-sTRzbLg4w0Z9LXr7izU-weME01D9tivDgm8oKKHXv7tdU3ZDMWiBGsaOo/s1600-h/caution_sign_w_exclamation+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPLN0vawiFwYqLGhpd6RcICkCR1gYt5M-J85FbjL4zjN0Qo_6Y9mJbC7qvkzJOUS-QGPdxk8GisrE-cgVp-sTRzbLg4w0Z9LXr7izU-weME01D9tivDgm8oKKHXv7tdU3ZDMWiBGsaOo/s200/caution_sign_w_exclamation+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366900731975597362" border="0" /></a>It's giveaway time again! I've noticed that a lot of giveaways having lots of steps to enter. I prefer to give you guys things to get your minds rolling around. Yes, I would like you to visit <a href="http://blackinkalchemy.artfire.com/">my shop</a>. Of course I would like you to follow my blog. But I can't force you to do that to win a prize. I have nothing against those who do those things in their giveaways, and I've entered a few who have those entry rules. I guess I'm just a chucklehead that way.<br /><br />So, for Part I of this August giveaway, I'm going to be giving away a Six-Part subscription to The Defender's Burden. You'll not only receive a copy of Parts I and II, but you'll also receive parts II-VI as they are released. You can choose to get the PDF download of the parts or you can get hard copy printings. The hard copy printings are printed on a digital copier on 100% recycled content paper, with a full color, laminated cover and handmade perfect binding. It will also come with a bookmark designed for the series, with a coupon for 10% off all future parts of the series.<br /><br />You have until the 15th to answer the following trivia question. Yes, I said trivia question. Like I said; work that brain!<br /><br />Q: <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen</span> is a comic book series written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Kevin O'Neill. It was adapted to film in 2003 by Stephen Norrington (director).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Why is the title of this series and film a technical misnomer?</span><br /><br />I'll pick the winner at random on the 15th. Now if you like that, wait until you see Part II!The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-27104205096318454412009-08-04T12:51:00.004-04:002009-08-04T13:01:37.538-04:00All of my RICH friends out there, check this out...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6BjQGzAQDQ97ELjCTW829ZvRbX6B23ls3TSO1K4WIhCs407uSJWZGa1NOBpxDjMBByPHKOQVXlpD-5ASZP29lVcISoZbEr9NObFWPnVvUMSNS8wc5QJO-9EqrKgYfm2kUI5LFe4_CsM/s1600-h/kindle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 82px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6BjQGzAQDQ97ELjCTW829ZvRbX6B23ls3TSO1K4WIhCs407uSJWZGa1NOBpxDjMBByPHKOQVXlpD-5ASZP29lVcISoZbEr9NObFWPnVvUMSNS8wc5QJO-9EqrKgYfm2kUI5LFe4_CsM/s320/kindle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366152648148405266" border="0" /></a> <<---- this is on the top of my holiday wish list. Can you imagine the damage I can do to several books with this thing? <br /><br />For those who don't know, it's the Amazon Kindle. It's like having an entire library in your hand, at your disposal, anytime you want. 1,500 books... can you imagine. They have a model that can store 3,500 books and in pdf format, but that will have to come another day... like when I finally get my AmEx Black Card (read: when Nsync reunites). But now I know that when people actually buy my book in PDF they can read them on their kindle! YAY!<br /><br />So, any buddies out there with any spare millions....The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-4313672046381074092009-08-01T11:56:00.005-04:002009-08-01T12:30:54.243-04:00Hello, My name is Tina and I'm a Template Addict.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNW0RrUe4fB2cNdJcDp5fptOAJnigQ-2Vu2XzENzTr6yKHPei-_MFywgq-Nr5Kb3gmY0QKiRpx8PtKx-SiOv694cpzZnpueviC-FD7Z-5UVyulSoLFL9Dk_iUsruoTigw8AmzLhfGUIs/s1600-h/addiction.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365025883921464370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 218px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNW0RrUe4fB2cNdJcDp5fptOAJnigQ-2Vu2XzENzTr6yKHPei-_MFywgq-Nr5Kb3gmY0QKiRpx8PtKx-SiOv694cpzZnpueviC-FD7Z-5UVyulSoLFL9Dk_iUsruoTigw8AmzLhfGUIs/s320/addiction.bmp" border="0" /></a> Seriously. Yet another template; though this one I actually liked long enough to stare at it for a while. Hopefully, this will be the last one.<br /><br />For those following, the word counts will be back up soon; I just have to add in the words from the new Chapter 10 (yes, there are words for Chapter 10 to count, thank you very much).<br /><br />For those who don't follow my other blogs, and in case you do and didn't get it the last two times - I'm on vaca from the "day job". So yes, I'm fitting some writing stuff into my day; somewhere between faceplant naps and haeven and gft designs stuff, and Tiny Dancer, and Crazy Teen Boy, and my husband (we'll call him Ricky Ricardo for right now, because that's how he's been acting lately).<br /><br />If you'll notice over to the right, I've put up a list of authors/writers/whatever we're calling them today that were born in August. By no means is it complete (I used Wiki, so yeah). If you know of any I've forgotten, go ahead and drop them on me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR65bOAVrLFSIXHLi-4mXA30NOgI22jjm-zMiyPLXH-8Gn6wQHkPsvuV9cbsHpTvM7PlbqZvssnJeWVevc58SUxUD1MgoPJixjZdFUasqjdPsPAkdodFIAaJIjNPRw42UXu4YhGbh4uKE/s1600-h/Grass-for-His-Pillow-M8Z799L.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365027366136578338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR65bOAVrLFSIXHLi-4mXA30NOgI22jjm-zMiyPLXH-8Gn6wQHkPsvuV9cbsHpTvM7PlbqZvssnJeWVevc58SUxUD1MgoPJixjZdFUasqjdPsPAkdodFIAaJIjNPRw42UXu4YhGbh4uKE/s320/Grass-for-His-Pillow-M8Z799L.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Speaking of addictions, I'm back to audiobooking again. Currently I'm reading <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grass_for_His_Pillow"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Grass for His Pillow</strong></span></a>, by <a href="http://www.lianhearn.com/"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Lian Hearn </strong></span></a>(who by the way is FEMALE, though my dumb arse knew this not for a while). This is a fantasy, though its culture base is heavily Japanese. Something fantastic I did learn by visiting her website is that she actually has published this work in serial format. And there is a movie or set of movies in the works. I'll find out more and post about it here.<br /><br />The serial thing is great to hear and great to see. I've been wondering if people will actually take to serial fiction the way they did back in the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7GxUU6esl0twiC8i6mCf-rHGQFjU1EgFRDrga-GGLU0Rft_W8tVJiliglMiHLwqnrodVzXX_H6lD6H5rZrRrBMcc11mrrrQsdfmYsxXSCKsUOeyzQtPa_OOujS6hVl9X_3NjvsUxY8Y/s1600-h/478px-Margaret_Mitchell_NYWTS.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365031403664266034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7GxUU6esl0twiC8i6mCf-rHGQFjU1EgFRDrga-GGLU0Rft_W8tVJiliglMiHLwqnrodVzXX_H6lD6H5rZrRrBMcc11mrrrQsdfmYsxXSCKsUOeyzQtPa_OOujS6hVl9X_3NjvsUxY8Y/s200/478px-Margaret_Mitchell_NYWTS.jpg" border="0" /></a> I must be honest that publishing TDB and WOJ in serial format is just a way for me to keep my butt on track and get these stories finally out into the open, where they belong. I've seriously been working on TDB since I was 16, and notwithstanding my FIRST writing venture (which will see the light of day someday as well), I really think I should get off the pot. It's really something when you have a tale and the corresponding characters clamoring in your mind at periodic intervals for umpteen years. I guess <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Mitchell"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Margaret Mitchell</strong></span></a> had much the same feeling while writing her masterpiece. Actually, thinking about how long it took her to write and publish Gone With the Wind (about 10 years) keeps me from giving up. Her and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JK_Rowling"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>JK Rowling</strong></span></a>, who didn't give up on her writing even though she was surviving on the Dole and raising a daughter by herself. Yeah, cool people to look up to.<br /><br />Anyhoot, I'm going home now to faceplant nap for a while, then fold some clothes then get the hell up and do it all again.<br /><br />I'm Audi 5000!The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-89153665271943501312009-07-31T18:25:00.004-04:002009-07-31T18:55:42.316-04:00You're a Real Winner!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfniwZJPe6saqrHhb0OT9AKRTFO4mv_VAdQukwD1X2VF-wR0kgae82P40ZTK8sRxAm0D4YzS6Poe6c70kpVjutRiJ3Er_fvlETiwETDjm7x-dqUUwDzZZ7wEXlwTFuQidUohIoAubLK70/s1600-h/tn2_sense_and_sensibility_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364755121210885330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfniwZJPe6saqrHhb0OT9AKRTFO4mv_VAdQukwD1X2VF-wR0kgae82P40ZTK8sRxAm0D4YzS6Poe6c70kpVjutRiJ3Er_fvlETiwETDjm7x-dqUUwDzZZ7wEXlwTFuQidUohIoAubLK70/s320/tn2_sense_and_sensibility_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>There are two reasons I use this picture for this post: one, because, secretly, I would love to take Alan Rickman home and do all kinds of yummy things to him and two, because it's part of the answer to the trivia question.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Here was the question:</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>Jane Austen started her novel Sense and Sensibility<br />sometime between 1795 and 1796. What was the "original title" of this book?</strong></div><div><br /><strong>a: Love and Friendship<br />b: Susan<br />c: Elinor and Marianne<br />d: Northanger Abbey.<br /></strong></div><div>And the answer -- given by my single commenter, "my" <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17571510610136789896">noble beeyotch</a>, </div><div> </div><div><strong>c: Elinor and Marianne</strong></div><div> </div><div>so, yeah, she wins!</div><div> </div><div>Here is her BEAUTIFUL Etsy Shop: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7637146">JewelsofIndia</a>, and since I'm fascinated by all things Indian, I will probably be hitting her up for information -- especially for The Defender's Burden, which does have some Indian culture mixed in.</div><div> </div><div>Oh, what did she win, you say?</div><div> </div><div>She one <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=335125">Parts One</a> & <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=335130">Two</a> of the Defender's Burden (hardcopy) and <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=335112">Part One of Wings of Jericho </a>(again, hardcopy)</div><div> </div><div>Look out for more babbling from me and a new giveaway next month!</div><div> </div><div> </div>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-42897670287761467862009-07-30T20:32:00.006-04:002009-07-30T22:09:49.041-04:00I really feel for Melanie Rawn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxxtwprOVb3x9u2g9hcq82Ju5CGGqbNFeGu4STTsA82Ic519jPhqAIfBSKZU8HcAKp0umAZgBOQc6Uju7UPdyPCjpToZ9Kh39S5OFj72Ccogon3bMDY2toI7u5yUCBgb_KVesrUeuc18/s1600-h/815492_computer_frustration.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxxtwprOVb3x9u2g9hcq82Ju5CGGqbNFeGu4STTsA82Ic519jPhqAIfBSKZU8HcAKp0umAZgBOQc6Uju7UPdyPCjpToZ9Kh39S5OFj72Ccogon3bMDY2toI7u5yUCBgb_KVesrUeuc18/s320/815492_computer_frustration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364440365665622786" border="0" /></a><br /><<==== See that? That's probably what girlfriend feels like. I know.<br /><br /><br /><div>She's a fantastic writer, the author of quite a few of the books on the top of my favorites' list.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/42/DragonPrinceStar.JPG/300px-DragonPrinceStar.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 453px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/42/DragonPrinceStar.JPG/300px-DragonPrinceStar.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>If you haven't read her work, I suggest you go for her Dragon Prince and Dragon Star series, or read The Exiles series. </div></div><div> </div><br /><div>Which brings me to the purpose of this post.</div><div> </div><br /><div>She started a series -- Exiles -- with two MAGNIFICENT books, <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRuins-Ambrai-Exiles-Vol%2Fdp%2F0886776686&ei=BlFyStudNYX0MdSMiLEM&usg=AFQjCNFwMO1GUHePtZT7_u0YEC3BpowL5g&sig2=1pqQUgIYPe6PMyioX3PtTQ">The Ruins of Ambrai</a> and The <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMageborn-Traitor-Exiles-Vol%2Fdp%2F0886777313&ei=HlFySvXKKZW0Nqyf7bAM&usg=AFQjCNHGCqUS0BQkyRT34QieS26bp7Sj1Q&sig2=LbDiaO0dL5Ls6R4VodKWqA">Mageborn Traitor</a>. There will be a third book, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Captal%27s_Tower">The Captal's Tower</a>. Now, the second book of this series was published about 12 or 13 years ago, and since then her fans have been CLAMORING for the 3rd book. She creates tales like that; characters that you fall in love with and want to know more about. I can't give you spoilers, but she completely left all readers of this series FLATFOOTED when she ended the second book.</div><div> </div><br />Apparently, she's gone through some tough times. Injury, depression, and probably writer's overload (which is different and much more mean than Writer's Block). She hasn't started Captal's Tower yet, and hasn't given anyone an idea when she will start it.<br /><div><br />Personally, that's fine with me.<br /><br />I mean really. I'd rather have her take 20 years to get to it and put out a good book, than to rush it (like many poor writers do) and put out what can only be called crap. And, apparently, other characters are speaking to her, wanting her to tell their story. When the Exiles crew wakes back up and starts clamoring for attention, then we know we'll get some good stuff. And not before then.<br /><br />So, whine, cry and kvetch. You're still not going to find out about Collan until Melanie and Collan get good and ready.<br /></div>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-90785502243787276062009-07-29T15:58:00.005-04:002009-07-29T16:35:51.395-04:00Laraidra Just Got Her Voice...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix_NpuHONF5NVP3bxWUu9NP7QDSidPcYNV1ijdPmH7R0McOlPnEP9Zwc9IoLCPlP0isfV9i4b1HuCgP5bYAJnNOy9wDehEifk5l6DpIMD5hH2_GhwNcmiFDSeYjI-yYoRSQRsnvQr3bk/s1600-h/diva+hat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363975421894409554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 141px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix_NpuHONF5NVP3bxWUu9NP7QDSidPcYNV1ijdPmH7R0McOlPnEP9Zwc9IoLCPlP0isfV9i4b1HuCgP5bYAJnNOy9wDehEifk5l6DpIMD5hH2_GhwNcmiFDSeYjI-yYoRSQRsnvQr3bk/s200/diva+hat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>... and she's going to sound an awful lot like her mother. I'm glad, because I've been dying to get through Chapter 10 and for <em>some</em> reason beyond me (the author, the creator, the "god" of these characters), she has decided that it is <em>she</em> who must begin the chapter. *sigh*. They're just like children.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>In other news, I just devoured a trilogy of fantasy/alternate history that actually helped Laraidra find her voice.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NkrV1WR9R3IaPTMhl-eDZMu0bAUWtg4jqkpCBgNL2e2pCxWsRv-Tvypzr5gC79XxKoh24jVCzBYvK0V8y8wY5OydAnlXEnYWnpQyVU1YRgVPqzdjlLTdPGLLY0Z8M_jIcC-_9FXs6qM/s1600-h/all+books.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363975690962546418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NkrV1WR9R3IaPTMhl-eDZMu0bAUWtg4jqkpCBgNL2e2pCxWsRv-Tvypzr5gC79XxKoh24jVCzBYvK0V8y8wY5OydAnlXEnYWnpQyVU1YRgVPqzdjlLTdPGLLY0Z8M_jIcC-_9FXs6qM/s320/all+books.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://home.att.net/~mwturner/">Megan Whelan Turner</a> has written a great set of young adult fantasy books, all based on ancient Mediterranean culture. I say young adult because that's where you'll find it in the book store, and I filched the third book from my son (who got it from his 9th grade friend), but there's just enough there to intrigue us grown folks. Just say it took me cumulatively 3 days to consume all three books, but that only because I eat books like that. The only thing that niggled at my curiosity were the ages of the characters; because Turner did allude that they were realtively young, and she placed some emphasis on the main character's age. I'm probably going to read them again anyway, so I'll let you know what I come up with after then.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAFS7q2nD5ETixd_MYLg2L6wn7RpwVXo7SpOi2T6Fchs_F8wypxZejNw4TqXV4kWGDvJqzMG0OBvLn8gQiejqmWzA5cdwKlgd8N22W7-VLTZo0vp4HeYp4jYkcVU1grFJrpYZk8nahvc/s1600-h/lords+of+the+bow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363981077901729554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAFS7q2nD5ETixd_MYLg2L6wn7RpwVXo7SpOi2T6Fchs_F8wypxZejNw4TqXV4kWGDvJqzMG0OBvLn8gQiejqmWzA5cdwKlgd8N22W7-VLTZo0vp4HeYp4jYkcVU1grFJrpYZk8nahvc/s320/lords+of+the+bow.jpg" border="0" /></a> After I do that I'm finally going to continue with the <a href="http://www.conniggulden.com/">Conn Iggulden</a> <em>Genghis</em> series; this one is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Genghis-Lords-Bow-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0385339526/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222018403&sr=8-1">"Lord of the Bows"</a></div></div><br /><p>Okay, now I'm off to let Miss Laraidra have her say; because if I don't she may pitch an ugly fit inside my brain and that always gives me headaches!</p>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-68481432298769419652009-07-27T19:16:00.007-04:002009-07-27T19:49:46.751-04:00Procrastination, thy name is Moi!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprpBQBHIPsurSd87wffiopGfRGltaXUZjefKxi6AUcHw6eEzYuoC9bUNjKyqtzjHsZkTp1QYDC9aV1ROS2Lu6Ogo-9rnsUztSZlbdhQCZDaTL_Sgv9eeL8GltpEs9fdewqKp_Ly9OaYM/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363288695486234578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprpBQBHIPsurSd87wffiopGfRGltaXUZjefKxi6AUcHw6eEzYuoC9bUNjKyqtzjHsZkTp1QYDC9aV1ROS2Lu6Ogo-9rnsUztSZlbdhQCZDaTL_Sgv9eeL8GltpEs9fdewqKp_Ly9OaYM/s200/untitled.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">So</span></strong> yeah, that's my mind over there. I know I'm supposed to be working on Chapter 10, and truly I am. Honest. I'm writing inside my head. Now the challenge is getting my lazy butt up and put what's in there down on paper.<br /><br /><br /><br />Watch me roll toward the computer...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So, yeah, my two Etsy shops are both having giveaways, and I figured why not? Why not have a giveaway over at my ArtFire shop too?<br /><br /><br /><br />So, here's the deal. You answer the trivia question correctly by August 3, and I'll choose at random a correct answer. What do you get?<br /><br /><br /><br />This is a good one... You'll get <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=272472">Part I</a> & <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=272488">Part II</a> of <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>The Defender's Burden</strong></span> AND Part I of the <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=282722"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Wings of Jericho</strong></span></a>. You heard that right. All three parts. All I ask is after you get it, that you comment somewhere (Etsy, Artfire, Plurk, Twitter, anywhere) about how you liked them. Cause I know you'll like them!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363288117146531970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsLsYFqwslpV07Cz_bQ8T-0xE13OZrWPuyvXjk0depMOuxiNTrukryA1tpY-sRQ0K2XYtkM855y4Yrn2HGOwegxRA8hb7d8k5KpbBxh55biEELFsn5sCYr5Vse45fALjDED4GH4UT4jc/s200/GIVEAWAY+PIC.jpg" border="0" /><br />So what's the trivia question? Let's see...<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Jane Austen started her novel <em>Sense and Sensibility</em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong> sometime between 1795 and 1796. </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>What was the "original title" of this book?</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>a: <em>Love and Friendship</em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>b: <em>Susan</em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>c: <em>Elinor and Marianne</em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>d: <em>Northanger Abbey.</em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Yeah. I went there. What? What?</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Have fun!</span></strong></div>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-41338994066723703602009-07-08T19:55:00.008-04:002009-07-08T20:38:23.001-04:00Whining and gushing all in one post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhIs-ReeKmDQrUQCqUzNF0u3iRrqgQbUkpkiaUw8_DEjaNi6p_hH84D6w7AiRTNIZ5Sr3LJcgqUS68NVGFfd8_RwJmXu6PI4jEWSXKF4CyTwxgmxAb-th1GllahXIUU_-wXmzUIcagAk/s1600-h/CAAWOOH8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356242451193769730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhIs-ReeKmDQrUQCqUzNF0u3iRrqgQbUkpkiaUw8_DEjaNi6p_hH84D6w7AiRTNIZ5Sr3LJcgqUS68NVGFfd8_RwJmXu6PI4jEWSXKF4CyTwxgmxAb-th1GllahXIUU_-wXmzUIcagAk/s200/CAAWOOH8.jpg" border="0" /></a> Seriously. I'm looking at chapter 10 and I'm wanting to burn it in a big ole bonfire. I don't know what I was originally thinking when I penned, not one, but TWO flashbacks in this story.<br /><br /><br /><br />I have to 'splain the "Craden Incident", and I guess my 18 year old wisdom thought it would be cool to do it in a series of flashbacks. Stupid writer say what?<br /><br /><br /><br />I know, I know, I can always change it and cut them out. I can scrap the sections and start from scratch. But that would involve staring at a blank document in Word like an ever loving moron.<br /><br /><br /><br />God, I miss the days of writing long hand.<br /><br /><br />Moving onward:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXCPD2WIBnHxE7xwP_VFq6IGMgs1BuCAruBrYp2o1_1FLijLoxnd9Y2W5lMdfKH6RJe9p627JKcpi-osHbtGh9016prF1OOP7MjWIBmZ-QUYRUFoh4diD-ohXzyU4lmKjlohcmJZ47eQ/s1600-h/conn+iggulden.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356246022781673330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXCPD2WIBnHxE7xwP_VFq6IGMgs1BuCAruBrYp2o1_1FLijLoxnd9Y2W5lMdfKH6RJe9p627JKcpi-osHbtGh9016prF1OOP7MjWIBmZ-QUYRUFoh4diD-ohXzyU4lmKjlohcmJZ47eQ/s320/conn+iggulden.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div>In other news I'm almost finished with the <a href="http://www.audible.com/adbl/entry/offers/productPromo2.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&productID=BK_BLAK_002679">audiobook version </a>of <a href="http://www.conniggulden.com/">Conn Iggulden's</a> (yes, I've said it before and I'll say it again -- I LOVE that name) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Genghis-Birth-Empire-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0440243904/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222018436&sr=8-2">Genghis: Birth of an Empire</a>. It's known as <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Plains-Conqueror-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0007201753/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222018547&sr=8-3">Wolf of the Plains </a>in the UK. I swear, I don't care if it's fictionalized; Genghis Khan (not related to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaka_Khan">Chaka Khan</a>) kicked some serious buttocks. He didn't even bother with the taking of names, or telling their mommas about it. And good lord help you if you got him pissed. I think he had special boots for that.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There are some who do not like historical fiction; they think it's a bastardization of what really happened. I adore historical fiction and actually Mr. Iggulden <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/mEAK642N1FEXV">explains the allure of historical fiction perfectly.</a> His take is a very different one on Mr. Khan (also not related to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aga_Khan">Aga Khan</a>; he tells about his youth and how the incidents that happened in his life molded him into the royal world eater that he was. I mean seriously, how would <em>you</em> survive after your dad was killed by rampaging Tartars, and the man whom your father trusted most left your butt (and the butts of your whole family) out on the plains to starve while they migrated to where the food was? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicron">Unicron</a> had nothing on this kid.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/gvpages/A1543.shtml">Stefan Rudnicki</a> does a great reading of this book. He's got this deep, gravelly voice that just screams out "Big Mongol Warrior Man". He hits the pronunciations head on and just carries you into the story like a good audiobook should. Anyway, go read it or listen to it if you're into this kind of thing. If not, oh well, you could always skip the crazy babble and move on to something more constructive.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xNvo_Z4FcU_bM4sm70PHgrecWUnGgdFzkLR1oro-XXTtwqwHW7lPzLwNp2ONPvivET2nVARbTLCNh7kVk3bfg0ZY7MHJMWsdmWTLiwE6S6y6bmFM-zmeEchnjun1x_E74FtOrMXvYSY/s1600-h/cat+hates+flashbacks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356252975333154002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xNvo_Z4FcU_bM4sm70PHgrecWUnGgdFzkLR1oro-XXTtwqwHW7lPzLwNp2ONPvivET2nVARbTLCNh7kVk3bfg0ZY7MHJMWsdmWTLiwE6S6y6bmFM-zmeEchnjun1x_E74FtOrMXvYSY/s200/cat+hates+flashbacks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Like listening to me whine again about how I hate flashbacks. *sigh* I guess I'm off to find a pad and pen and get to gittin' on Chapter 10. Feh.</div></div>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-27433809827994671042009-06-30T19:54:00.003-04:002009-06-30T20:53:18.555-04:00The dirty work of writing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9KaUMl5tqg-JNlC7D5cATd2IDmNvCmef_riFMwzhbBzuCtJz-zD5ZqO0GU21-_AoBbBWr8D4uvRHcDmtHoGfR4CyinteqblKtsrLb5bQ0Z1wYSXJ-VspG3BsBPBJPCNGUids-PNtCog/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353274103964688354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9KaUMl5tqg-JNlC7D5cATd2IDmNvCmef_riFMwzhbBzuCtJz-zD5ZqO0GU21-_AoBbBWr8D4uvRHcDmtHoGfR4CyinteqblKtsrLb5bQ0Z1wYSXJ-VspG3BsBPBJPCNGUids-PNtCog/s200/untitled.bmp" border="0" /></a> I finally succumbed to the inevitable.<br /><br />If there is one thing about writing I hate (aside from writing blurbs & synopses) is writing an outline. I never know how to do it right, I never really knew why it was necessary, and I thought it was a colossal waste of paper.<br /><br />Until now.<br /><br />I'm about hip deep into the first draft of Part Three of The Defender's Burden (Chapters 9 through 12), and I realize that, in order for this doggone thing to make any sense to anyone aside from myself, I need to write an outline.<br /><br />And that's when I realized that my timeline was about to slide into oblivion.<br /><br />Bad writer! *smacks own hand* Bad! Just because you know what's going to happen doesn't mean everyone will unless you put it down right.<br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />So now, I can edit Part Three with some authority.<br /><br />I can tell you now that Part Three is turning into quite a family affair. There is a lot of family dynamic that needs to be covered before all the things in Parts One and Two actually get to a culmination. This is going to be fun for me, because I get to re-assess some of my least favorite and most favorite characters, all of whom happen to be related. Being an only child, sibling rivarly fascinates me. I'm raising siblings, so I enjoy watching my 4 year old dominate my 15 year old, just because she's tiny and cute.<br /><br />If those of you who are reading this, care to drop a few comments my way about siblings and how they interact, I'd love to read it.<br /><br />Anyway, back to the grind stone....The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-33030081967864618072009-06-26T23:15:00.002-04:002009-06-26T23:24:05.920-04:00I just couldn't resist...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5vUQrZsFBsT_aW6Rx1gj4MzJzJg2QQ3g0HANP7emOKbzmMP1EwOOmgyrx38-EGtYq6EIswmNPGzUZWJodSPURe635DoIXUKvVzoGtiT__hFnR9Jj7KmC7S7gQKO8p1Mlz_vS7cbk_vU/s1600-h/combined_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5vUQrZsFBsT_aW6Rx1gj4MzJzJg2QQ3g0HANP7emOKbzmMP1EwOOmgyrx38-EGtYq6EIswmNPGzUZWJodSPURe635DoIXUKvVzoGtiT__hFnR9Jj7KmC7S7gQKO8p1Mlz_vS7cbk_vU/s200/combined_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351840909195865010" border="0" /></a>I went and did it. A new fiction is available for purchase.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=282722">Wings of Jericho - Part One</a><br /><br />See there are these four guys, who have to go on this mission to save the world... oh, you've heard that one before? Well, when you last looked, did those guys have wings? And did they answer to a higher power? And was that world they had to save belong to us?<br /><br />Okay, well, give it a try anyways. I think you'll like it. I already find Duncan quite a thrill to write.The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-12485100579493619902009-06-25T22:11:00.003-04:002009-06-25T23:10:28.822-04:00Tito... Pass me a Tissue<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://redriverautographs.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/farrah_fawcett_011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 297px;" src="http://redriverautographs.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/farrah_fawcett_011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1dIO8GESQey7mgvxYH31lLEmSxzEaQ3jC2Rx4zjTsJIpdgBMujIQbKzvHOnu3_1Wn5oe5HYfiQuXjDIY5tNrPGHMAqU0lSGYuCjCKI0Xn2d48pFW1ljQw8vT8HAwP2-VnDw4hlEfivvf/s400/young-michael-jackson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1dIO8GESQey7mgvxYH31lLEmSxzEaQ3jC2Rx4zjTsJIpdgBMujIQbKzvHOnu3_1Wn5oe5HYfiQuXjDIY5tNrPGHMAqU0lSGYuCjCKI0Xn2d48pFW1ljQw8vT8HAwP2-VnDw4hlEfivvf/s400/young-michael-jackson.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />No, seriously. Pass me a tissue.<br /><br />First I find out that Farrah has passed away after her long fight with cancer. That's sad enough; I remember her from Charlie's Angels and the Burning Bed and know what kind of iconic figure she had become.<br /><br />So, I'm working on Wings of Jericho, another serial fiction, and what does my boss do? Because yes, when it's quiet at work, I will actually work on my writing. He calls me up and says, "Hey, guess what! Michael Jackson died!"<br /><br />Of course, being the person I am, I didn't believe him, so I go to CNN. First they have him in the hospital, then in a coma, then about 5:30pm EST, they confirm the news. He's gone.<br /><br />So I'm writing about angels when I find out that another icon has passed away. Yes, angels.<br /><br />I remember being fascinated by Farrah when I was young; Michael Jackson was my fave from the time when I was about 5 or 6 years old. This picture is the way I will remember him. I probably had a poster like this on my wall when I was a kid. Music has always touched me in a way that nothing (except perhaps writing) has. So Michael Jackson was a HUGE thing in my young life.<br /><br />I hope now that they both get the peace and rest that they both deserve. I'm not going to cover the scandals and silliness that followed both of them -- to different degrees, surely -- nor the changes they had gone through over the years. All I know is that I will remember both of them from my youth, when things were a whole lot simpler and what they both did was ground-breaking at the time.<br /><br />Oh course, about the angels. I'll be posting a listing for Part One sometime in the next few days. More about it later!<br /><span style="visibility: visible;" id="main"><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">Requiescat in pace, both of you. </span></span>The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-64746848633149721872009-06-23T22:31:00.003-04:002009-06-23T22:38:26.339-04:00Yay!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWGHU0dNOKmnpQfDrRabwgpMk2iJkOddEAm3S6a8UosqnGxTJLXrIGWNU8_jCSg9dd8UD2R8cyM6tK7cqXY0-kdPHP6LGxpjg-h35FhTVlrWDa6bs2Wkeag97PKTY8XBiZ6PFwVXnhDY/s1600-h/HappyCat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWGHU0dNOKmnpQfDrRabwgpMk2iJkOddEAm3S6a8UosqnGxTJLXrIGWNU8_jCSg9dd8UD2R8cyM6tK7cqXY0-kdPHP6LGxpjg-h35FhTVlrWDa6bs2Wkeag97PKTY8XBiZ6PFwVXnhDY/s200/HappyCat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350716533203648690" border="0" /></a><br />Chapter 9, Draft 1 is done!<br /><br />How do I put together a chapter? Well, fortunately for me, a great deal of this book has already been in draft format for a while. The unfortunate part is that it is in the wrong order... I've changed the pace of this story about 8797934873 times since I started.<br /><br />Sometime last year, I took each scene out of drafts and saved them as separate files... about 300 in all, I think. No way I'm going to waste all that writing! Now what I do is weave new writing into some of these scene, place in the right place, edit, re-write, edit ad infinitum until I'm happy.<br /><br />Tonight I continued a bit of a storyline from Part II and got Jeskha and Alaric on their way. Now, Chapter 10 is going to be a doozy -- new stuff a return of some characters that were very patiently waiting in the wings. <br /><br />Let's see how that turns out!The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-22171057279249389772009-06-23T00:26:00.002-04:002009-06-23T00:55:44.463-04:00A beautiful book<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wrfJq6oScv6k7iJlXSp9xgPl_c06Op75B4qO9vm_Bm-MM2DsHc1sggF6o-ji64p-0MHQs328DrQYrLhB-TyC_g6L38ARQsLr9n4XNDpI6fPz6xuHwm-9-1HnegAJP9RMlWo0UjCzfDM/s1600-h/2008_0929_amazonuk_jewel_medina.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wrfJq6oScv6k7iJlXSp9xgPl_c06Op75B4qO9vm_Bm-MM2DsHc1sggF6o-ji64p-0MHQs328DrQYrLhB-TyC_g6L38ARQsLr9n4XNDpI6fPz6xuHwm-9-1HnegAJP9RMlWo0UjCzfDM/s200/2008_0929_amazonuk_jewel_medina.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350374979603381762" border="0" /></a><br />Even though I'm hooked on audiobooks, there are still times when I will read print books... especially when they aren't available on audiobook or I haven't gotten my credits from Audible yet.<br /><br />The only problem I have with reading print books is that I tend to read them very fast. For example, I just finished reading <a href="http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=CFBrtlF5ASrzpGIiKtgeT-9HeAdWexnW_guLhCdCK5qMhCAAQAigCUOah_bYFYMnugomEpOwPyAEBqgQZT9DHOCzVAM57yBaQLmP6HFCXrjUnPN04Pg&sig=AGiWqtxRux-IVqjgQZ515dvR9KuhuSx8lw&q=http://www.amazon.com/dp/0825305187/%3Ftag%3Dgooghydr-20%26hvadid%3D2530038179%26ref%3Dpd_sl_328shbd9eu_e">The Jewel of Medina</a> by <a href="http://www.authorsherryjones.com/">Sherry Jones</a>. I bought the book Friday and finished it Sunday evening. *sigh*<br /><br />Any way, this book was a very gentle tale about Aisha, the youngest wife of the Prophet Muhammed. It turns out that she is a very integral part of Islam as it is today -- she is part of the reason that there is a division between Sunnis and Shiites. Shiites apparently can't stand Aisha; Sunnis revere her as the beloved of the Prophet. What's even more fascinating is that Sherry is a non-Muslim.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n56/n284568.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 168px;" src="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n56/n284568.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Interestingly enough there is another book written about Aisha that' s just come out, by another author. I can't wait to get <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Believers-Novel-Birth-Islam/dp/1416579915">this one</a>, to see what this author has to say about this fascinating little woman.<br /><br />Yes, I'm still on audio with<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Genghis-Lords-Bow-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0440243920/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245732795&sr=1-3"> Ghengis, Birth of an Empire</a> by <a href="http://www.conniggulden.com/">Conn Iggulden</a> (God, I love that last name). I'm such a historical fiction junkie, sometimes I don't know what to do with myself. After all, I'm the fangirl that wrote Colleen McCollough and asked for her bibliography when she first published The First Man in Rome.<br /><br />Tomorrow, I think I'll tackle another few paragraphs of Chapter Nine. First I need to set in my brain what exactly Jeskha and Alaric think about Carbinia and the city of Alnyagel. Fresh eyes certainly have fresh perspectives.The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-73286444070728978482009-06-11T16:39:00.005-04:002009-06-11T17:10:26.516-04:00He's ready for his close up....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZz_lHgqZESulyP8_-kPFgKbTv7sOYXIOMGk0Jlu3qSaM7gDCVh_1l22o3jvFrh6sPgAqs25DuGQ_FknySHtY1RQZdwQTVjxhXUXUhcLBdMUkZo7sGr6TknYxYzIF25MVmkSlAaimnOU/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 159px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZz_lHgqZESulyP8_-kPFgKbTv7sOYXIOMGk0Jlu3qSaM7gDCVh_1l22o3jvFrh6sPgAqs25DuGQ_FknySHtY1RQZdwQTVjxhXUXUhcLBdMUkZo7sGr6TknYxYzIF25MVmkSlAaimnOU/s200/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346172609130981506" /></a> I've finally started Chapter Nine -- for real this time. Our boy has put his foot down in fabulous style.<br /><br />If you couldn't tell, I do have favorite characters in this book, and right this second Alaric is right up at the top. Although I haven't quite figured every little nook and cranny out about him, he's turning out to be an interesting little personality. He's got that whole "still waters" vibe about him that makes him a joy to illustrate on the page. <br /><br />I've also put together two vingnettes that I'll be putting up for sale soon. One is actually a cycle of poetry I wrote Waaaaaaaaay back in the day when I was playing with the epic poetry style. I'll give you a little sneak peak at the covers:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJik76f0X7exeaYHKaD6X0n8Ehy5GIyq2lFUzkeYgA0aynl6AvG7GNZMuD5uecPWR8xeoZjzhnxEMxzO7OmKLmIJq4xnUwzvLjW4nELjMf30sGc4dGruKtxA4FWpNjrvUJLZavvReOwg/s1600-h/grove+of+the+trees+19+front+cover+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJik76f0X7exeaYHKaD6X0n8Ehy5GIyq2lFUzkeYgA0aynl6AvG7GNZMuD5uecPWR8xeoZjzhnxEMxzO7OmKLmIJq4xnUwzvLjW4nELjMf30sGc4dGruKtxA4FWpNjrvUJLZavvReOwg/s200/grove+of+the+trees+19+front+cover+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346176793413727138" /></a><br />The Cycle of the Trees Nineteen. Started this back in 1986 when I was all fascinated with Gods and Goddesses and their tales of woe... like I still don't spend time of Wiki checking out the latest with Beowulf and the like.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TMDtZo0ijddB6shFt8An3AsM0eaYFhgT4hNDxXo1aH0lY_vDTWAvP72KMi9DGxPlZ4B6wbRNgDTFKEqWthNrJRj6gVe4Yvgan62cn_AxtGKK8-Yxt1CjIed6ng8ECSWcM8r1f_S2_08/s1600-h/Interlude+front+cover+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TMDtZo0ijddB6shFt8An3AsM0eaYFhgT4hNDxXo1aH0lY_vDTWAvP72KMi9DGxPlZ4B6wbRNgDTFKEqWthNrJRj6gVe4Yvgan62cn_AxtGKK8-Yxt1CjIed6ng8ECSWcM8r1f_S2_08/s200/Interlude+front+cover+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346178304045712930" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JiYD_pd27jXzLf1vvN1TSz9cNpjoWXi2iGq1vFPXSHvPYb-GSnDld9pptEyhqIH5tWAJlWabr7W6QY7EAjkfnSjejG1uJQQjTSu9exvgKL9UWtmfLsifN2D_ft-4eewR6JTGv5SXZVk/s1600-h/Interlude+back+cover+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JiYD_pd27jXzLf1vvN1TSz9cNpjoWXi2iGq1vFPXSHvPYb-GSnDld9pptEyhqIH5tWAJlWabr7W6QY7EAjkfnSjejG1uJQQjTSu9exvgKL9UWtmfLsifN2D_ft-4eewR6JTGv5SXZVk/s200/Interlude+back+cover+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346178822473623842" /></a><br /><br />This is a Defender's Burden related vignette that will never make it to the books. An interesting insight into some of the legends of Before, I think.<br /><br />Well, day job calls. Back to the salt mines.The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-74753591784159288972009-06-08T11:57:00.002-04:002009-06-08T12:20:35.529-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mnf-iraq.com/images/stories/features/2007/December/071219_fea3_med.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 290px;" src="http://www.mnf-iraq.com/images/stories/features/2007/December/071219_fea3_med.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />New blog look. I inally like -- for now. One of these days, I'll be able to convince someone who knows code to create something more personalized. But I love the sidebar.<br /><br />So, the Shop where it all happens is getting moved. Again. I tried to do the one shop thing, but I'm not liking the look of everything in one shop. GFTPublications will be opening come July 1. This will be another cool place to buy the book and get sucked in to the world of the Keshkin.<br /><br />I guess the question of the day would be; why serialized?<br /><br />Back in the day -- way back -- writers like Dickens, Baum & Shelley published their works in serialized format. Bringing it back in this world where everyone reads <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usatechguide.org/item_images/forerunner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 152px;" src="http://www.usatechguide.org/item_images/forerunner.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>and thinks and texts in sound bytes seemed only logical to me.<br /><br />Very few people these days have time to sit down to a whole novel -- as much as they would like to. Why not offer them small sections that they can digest when they want or need to. And, to tell the truth, this actually gets my own behind in gear to get this thing finished. If I held back until the thing was done, I would be scooting around in a HoverRound(tm) before I hit publication.<br /><br />What do you get when you buy an episode? Well, actually, you get four whole chapters per part. Printed on paper with a high recyclable content with a beautiful cover, the first editions are handbound. I'll even put my paw print on the first editions, of which there are ten in all. After those ten go, you'll still get a quality printing, on the good paper, with a color cover. <br /><br />I'm considering downloadable versions and audio versions, but I would like to sell a few of the print versions and get an idea of how you all actually like them first. And there is always finishing Chapter Nine...<br /><br />Okay, okay, I'm running along now. Later all!The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-12310122012874885902009-06-08T01:29:00.003-04:002009-06-08T01:45:49.994-04:00Bells & Whistles Ahoy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ap542Y8V3U4Sb7lH8TZzPJRP5vMry_URUlUWLKqMWSZ5Y08QZhyphenhyphen95JHGTM2jS8sHwSgE1IpdCSM6ZLKfGpYs8oiGGUFnLuqI4ReWSj9mIjZPClROsa4HAfUUCeK0YhBKVOh5dcMTLUI/s1600-h/Kitsch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ap542Y8V3U4Sb7lH8TZzPJRP5vMry_URUlUWLKqMWSZ5Y08QZhyphenhyphen95JHGTM2jS8sHwSgE1IpdCSM6ZLKfGpYs8oiGGUFnLuqI4ReWSj9mIjZPClROsa4HAfUUCeK0YhBKVOh5dcMTLUI/s200/Kitsch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344825756223589842" border="0" /></a><br />I'm going to be adding a few more decorations to this blog over the next few days while the rest of the beginning of Chapter Nine composes itself in my head.<br /><br />One of the ways I write is to allow the part I want to write about to germinate in my head for a while, like a great stew boiling on the low heat for hours, until each morsel is tender and flavorful and simply unbelievable. Other times I just start typing and see where it takes me. Since the kids have come along, I usually end up letting the first way go for a while.<br /><br />Chapter nine is having its way with poor Alaric, who is about to put his foot down in a way that his sister hasn't seen in a long time. I certainly hope the reader will end up liking Alaric as much as I do right now... it takes a while to warm up to the guy, but once he lets his little sparkle out, it's sure that you'll probably want to take him out for a drink.<br /><br />I've also got to work on tying up the loose ends from the first two parts into this third part, and that's going to be hard part. Getting everyone to the same place at roughly the same time is giving my poor head a spin -- I think I'm going to have to buckle down to get myself a corkboard and set up a time line. <br /><br />You will be seeing a list of my favorite authors and books showing up soon, as I seem to have gathered quite a collection of them. I figured if you are at all interested in this and me (and you have to be interested to read my bibble-babble) it would be great for you to find out where all these inspirations came from.<br /><br />Right now, I'm audiobooking a great one, <a href="http://www.conniggulden.com/?p=23"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ghengis, The Birth of an Empire</span>, by Conn Iggulden</a>. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a sucker for a good historical fiction, and I just love this story about the one guy (after Alexander the Great) who kicked butt, took names, and dared anyone to say anything about it. I just found out that this writer also wrote about another of my historical weaknesses, the Roman Republic, so I can't wait to get my self wrapped around those books too.<br /><br />Okay, so it's 1:45am over here and I really should be taking my big behind to bed. Good night all!The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2010088582596776187.post-54067390139300973952009-06-04T22:13:00.007-04:002009-06-04T22:40:59.426-04:00Sneak Peaks and Sad Words<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR_bMH_BPy9iGhdY6CUttvATGAPnHvLvnbbyRU6f-Y_rk7czYZaslkzHHJE00FHpeEyVsmMpn6PVeX41OwkVP2r4QOXSWy02SmLAnBB6MdY7AvMF9kAJ-zzw-DEJs5buR__xGDX_F5L4/s1600-h/eddings01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR_bMH_BPy9iGhdY6CUttvATGAPnHvLvnbbyRU6f-Y_rk7czYZaslkzHHJE00FHpeEyVsmMpn6PVeX41OwkVP2r4QOXSWy02SmLAnBB6MdY7AvMF9kAJ-zzw-DEJs5buR__xGDX_F5L4/s200/eddings01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343664706020077906" border="0" /></a><br />David Eddings, RIP. He died recently at the age of 71. This was one of the father's of epic fantasy; one of the writers that served as an inspiration to me. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Belgariad-Vol-Books-1-3-Magicians/dp/0345456327">The Belgariad</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Malloreon-Vol-Books-1-3-Guardians/dp/0345483863/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244169085&sr=1-2">The Mallorean</a> were some of my favorite books; now that I've got that membership to <a href="http://audible.com/">Audible,</a> I can relive those stories once again. Some people didn't like his writing style; said that his books simply told the same story over and over again, however, from what I do remember, his stories were always full of humor and adventure. The Fantasy world has lost a giant and I wish him a swift and happy journey.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Onward and onward.<br />Here is a sneak peak of the cover of TDB Part III:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsVw7vxNjYF3yFf-n3ODutdARpg00FxNUDgN_g_CR0DroCKQ-Tq_t0F4Y1WcOYLLCkWFlcwxhZQbbekEw5qB3XJnXP45ztfYrUxA2CRrzzk2R0AZaRhE9PpZ9EaVF_5qDhG-dL0-TRRQ/s1600-h/Part+III+Front+Cover+for+posting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsVw7vxNjYF3yFf-n3ODutdARpg00FxNUDgN_g_CR0DroCKQ-Tq_t0F4Y1WcOYLLCkWFlcwxhZQbbekEw5qB3XJnXP45ztfYrUxA2CRrzzk2R0AZaRhE9PpZ9EaVF_5qDhG-dL0-TRRQ/s200/Part+III+Front+Cover+for+posting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343663048621568402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtqkjvqlhdS8M_3vkVDEkatszytn3-W9YHvveY_3wVqMc2kEvExOeyAw965Qzv2TDl67BungF7ns0R2sAICV1PBUm-XcIvGNnxu8JPfO7x0gb3FZU0YJ94ftRxXMZy9j4j-fPV68us8M/s1600-h/Part+III+back+Cover+for+posting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtqkjvqlhdS8M_3vkVDEkatszytn3-W9YHvveY_3wVqMc2kEvExOeyAw965Qzv2TDl67BungF7ns0R2sAICV1PBUm-XcIvGNnxu8JPfO7x0gb3FZU0YJ94ftRxXMZy9j4j-fPV68us8M/s200/Part+III+back+Cover+for+posting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343663156533977730" border="0" /></a>I wanted to go for something brighter this time. I also love this picture because she looks exactly as I would picture Laraidra to look. I have this big thing for Pre-Raphaelite artists, so you will probably see a lot of them as cover art, until I can find an artist who is kind enough to do the art work for free... yes, I can dream!<br /><br />I'm also working on some ancillary pieces, little vingnettes that don't fit into the book as a whole, but give a tantalizing idea of the world these people live in, the legends they believe in, what makes the Keshkin divine.<br /><br />So if you want to see this cover and all the others in the flesh, you have to go buy Parts <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25455418">I</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22306482">II</a>.The Haeven Crewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14668557672357116055noreply@blogger.com0