As a writer.....

As a writer, I find it hard to talk about my books and to label myself as a certain type of writer. I have written science fiction (soft type) about an alien coming to earth (A stranger comes Crawling), a time travel love story called "T.T. Gristman", A mystery book called "Brandi's Nightmare" so does that make me a mystery writer? But wait, I also have a Dystopian/apocalyptic series called "Lightning in the Tunnel" so does that label me as a Dystopia writer or since I also wrote a SiFi series called "Chronicles of the Marauder" does that make me a soft SiFi writer? I am currently putting the final chapters of a western book set in 1869+. So much for labels, I never put much stock in them anyway. If anything, I would like to have the label as a writer. I write every story that comes into my head. Along with the western, I am writing a story called "IronHeart" about a teenager that suddenly by the death of his parents finds out what life is about and who his parents really were including a brother and sister he didn't know existed. Along with this story and the western, I am writing another Dystopia type story that I think you will find humorous called "Doomsday Rock".  I hope someone out there can suggest the correct label for me. Talk back, I'm listening. I still kind of like "Writer" or "Author".

What kind of Reader or Writer are you?

I am sitting here at my keyboard wondering what to blog about. I have reviews to do but I am not in the mood to do so and it would not be fair to the writer of the story for me to review in this frame of mind. I tried to get in touch with my feelings to understand the funky mood I am in. Maybe since I only half finished the cocktail I am having by the time I do finish I might be in more of a mellow mood. The thunderstorm that is rumbling outside is a reminder of my state of mind. I don't know what triggered this mood but I am trying to deal with it. My mind begged for an answer so I know that some writers write best very emotional scenes, violent and tender. When you are reading a does the writer draw you into the emotions the scene's events? I know when I am writing one of my books, if someone dies or breaks up, I shed a few tears and can't see the screen to continue to type. I am forced to stop writing and come back to that scene later to finish it. I always wonder did my reader suffer the same emotions that I did? Books are not just to be read but felt in the heart. I know that some writers easy create a detailed action scene, something that is hard for me but I am learning. My first books, I only concentrated on telling the story and left a lot out that the reader might enjoy through their senses. My first on star rating on Amazon had one comment in the positive that I enjoyed. "Great story line" even though the rater trashed the book. I realized after the three one star ratings that I left something out of the story that would have upped the ratings. I didn't connect with the reader giving them a character to love or hate, I just told the story. That was four years ago, now I think my writing has improved and will continue to improve as time goes on. I know a lot of writers take courses in college to become writers and they did not have to learn what I have learned in writing fifteen books. Each one is better than the last one so now I am asking you, what kind of reader or writer are you? Do you work the story out to the end then come back to reach the end? Or do you write and let the story take you where it will? As a reader, how much do you want to be drawn into the story?
Talk back, I'm listening. Have a great day. 

Character Interview-Lightning in the Tunnel Begins

Every once in a while I think my readers would like to hear what my main character Brad was thinking when significant events occurred in the story and how he felt when they did.

The first thing I asked Brad was, how did you feel that morning? I was slightly hung over from drinking the night before, I slept only a couple of hours. I was unnerved because I did something stupid the night before that made my wife, Vicki jealous.

What did you do? Maybe it was the alcohol, but when I started kissing Michele, my co-worker, I couldn't stop until Vicki yelled at us. I felt like Michele's emerald eyes drew me into her. Vicki was angry all the way home. 

What was the other strange occurrence that fateful morning? Walking out of the front offices after unlocking them for Michele, the hair on the back of my neck stood up and a strange sensation swept my body. I learned later this was a premonition of danger.

 What was the hardest decision you had to make that morning? I had planned on where I would survive if an nuclear bomb hit while at work. What I didn't plan on was Michele coming into the room all confused on what was going on. Knowing Vicki had been jealous of her, it was a difficult decision to make to take her along with me. I couldn't just let her die. It was mighty suspicious that the two of us were conveniently together.  

After the bomb hit, what was the next hardest thing you had to face? Making Michele understand that the world outside was not the same as it once was. Also, realizing what Michele and I did, how would I explain to Vicki that I cheated on her. Not something I ever did in my life.

When you left your survival place, what went through your mind? By the time we left, I knew I couldn't just dump Michele, she would never live very long on her own. I knew I would have to face Vicki's wrath and hopefully she would forgive me in time. If she kicked Michele out of the Tomb when we arrived, I was ready to send Michele packing if Vicki took me back.

When you found out that your wife was not in your shelter you called the "Tomb", what went through your mind.? I know Michele must have breathed a sigh of relief learning Vicki was not there. I was torn, worried that she survived and relieved that the awful confrontation did not take place. I know my daughter Cindi was upset seeing me with an another woman. 

Why didn't you stay at the "Tomb" to see if she would show up in a couple of days? There was too much hostility in the Tomb between the survivors there. I felt it was best we leave right away before someone got killed.

Why didn't your son come with you, why just your daughter? He pretended not to notice I was alive, I think Brian wished I had perished and not returned. Cindi, on the other hand was pleased to see me, she made it clear she wanted to get away from the others in the Tomb.

Having only females go with you, did you not see this as a problem? The thought never crossed my mind that any of the younger girls would want me. I knew years before that Jenny had a crush on me, Vicki set her straight on that.

What did you think when Michele decided to allow the younger girls to have sex with you? When Michele told Jenny that she could have me occasionally, I visioned my my life with Vicki,   that was why I felt so dirty making love to Michele. Vicki was my my one and only. This sharing crap went against my grain. When Angel was allowed into the rotation, I felt like a piece of meat and began questioning if Michele actually loved me, as she professed. 

Why did you go along with this sharing crap as you called it? Because I allowed myself to be weak with Michele, I was angry with her when she started it. I should have put my foot down right then and there, but didn't. I realized then the world had changed and these girls had lost everything they loved or valued. Who was I to deny them a little happiness.

 Why did you keep it up if you didn't like it? I slowly started to love them all, if Vicki had shown up, I am not sure what I would have done. Early on, I might have walked away from them but as time passed, I could not just up and walk away. Also, I drew less certain Vicki had survived.

Thanks for spending a little time with me and sharing your thoughts. One last request, where can a reader find a book?

http://amazon.com/dp/B00CGMZ064  for the ebook or at Smashwords at this link https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/268840 For a paperback  Amazon or Createspace  http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Tunnel-Begins-G-Moye/dp/1481822179/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441581960&sr=1-1&keywords=Lightning+in+the+tunnel+Begins or at Createspace https://tsw.createspace.com/title/4107463 

Have great day, talk back, I'm listening!

Gone Fishin`

Gone Fishing should have been my blog post this week since I have been doing just that for four days and not on social media. I was shocked that it was so relaxing doing nothing but holding a fishing rod in my hand. This was my first time fishing from a boat instead of on shore. It was an enlightening experience just concentrating on catching a cat fish. My mind must have felt at ease not thinking about one of my stories i am writing or editing. Or even wondering what book to read and review. What to blog about if I had nothing scheduled. I think it did my mind good not being cluttered and only one prevailing thought, catch a big one! I did and you should have seen the smile on my face. To bad there were no cameras available at the time. I did take a few snap shots or correction, my wife did showing me with my cat fish on a picnic table. Maybe later I will put one on one of my blogs for the fisherperson out there to enjoy. I know fisherperson is not a word but trying to be political correct now days I couldn't use fisherman since a fisher can be a man or woman. LOL!

Talk back, I'm listening as always. Hope you had a relaxing week as I did. I plan on going back and doing another one day thing, no camping this time.      

Saturday night blogging- a hopeless cause

I just got back from playing shuffleboard at the volunteer organization that I play in weekly. Weakly is how I play, I have one decent game then I suck the next game. Oh well, so much is life. Now, I am home working on the computer. I should be working on one of my books but I am not in the mood. Instead I searched Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and Stumbleupon looking for something to hold my attention but nothing did meaning I am now blogging. I could read one of the books on my list to review but that requires concentration, something I don't have while enjoying a cocktail or two or more.  I don't want to start something because I intend to take a few days off from the computer to do a little fishing. My wife while I was playing shuffleboard prepared meals for us for three days since she doesn't have time to cook on those days, she loves fishing more than cooking.  I have been rewriting "Lightning Rages" making changes the editor suggested to improve the story. That is why you haven't seen many posts by me in the past week or so, mainly guest posts promoting someone else's work. I am okay with that. The reader might find a good book by someone else and recall where they seen it. They then might come back and look at one of my books. That is why I support so many diverse authors and promote their work. Some I have read and I will make a recommendation that the readers check it out. Readers have such diverse tastes that once in a while they will venture out in a new genre and discover a new rising author they come to love. The hardest part is getting that reader to take the step out of their favorite genre and make sure you recommend a good book for them to enjoy. How has it been for you? Do you stick to your favorite genre or are you adventurous?

Talk back, I'm listening as always and enjoy the rest of your weekend reading a book.  

Nacreous by Sarah Elle Emm -release day blitz-guest post

~ Release Day Blitz ~

About the Book:

After two members of The Freedom Front are arrested and interrogated by the UZTA’s tyrannical President Nicks, Rain Hawkins and her friends face the alarming reality that their plans to liberate the mixed zones across the United Zones of The Authority might not come to fruition. While the resistance movement is growing outside the walls of the zones, the president’s forces are strengthening and putting citizens everywhere in more peril than ever. When Rain receives warnings that her cousin, Calista, has agreed to support plans to kill the mixed zones, and that her life could be on the line at the upcoming pure zone initiation ceremony, she must decide where her loyalties lie and if all of her allies can be trusted. As The Freedom Front use their abilities to unravel the mystery of the ceremony, The Authority captures some of their friends, forcing TFF to either go into hiding, or plan a rescue mission that could jeopardize everything they’ve been fighting for.

Buy NOW from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle

Hooray, it is finally release day for Nacreous! Thanks for stopping by the fabulous Release Day Blitz, organized by b00k r3vi3w Tours. To kick off the blitz, here are a couple of “Fun Facts” about my writing process… I hope you enjoy!

Writing Playlist:

So…Music. Some authors swear by it. They have their playlist set in the background while they pen their latest manuscript. Me? Not exactly. Music is very important to me. I believe in dance parties, and by dance parties I mean cranking up my I-pod to the music fitting my mood, be this salsa, classic rock, blues, country, classical, whatever, and dancing alone in my room or kitchen. (Yes, I said classical and country in the same list). My kids may or may not be in attendance. They like to watch and laugh. Sometimes, they join in. But as far as my writing process goes, the music is sort of my warm up. So I might turn on some music that fits my mood for parts of the story and listen to it in my car or at my desk before I write, but not while I am actually writing. I need it to be quiet in the room, so I can tell the story…(Ahem, hear what my characters are trying to tell me). ;) While I wrote Nacreous, and the other books in the Harmony Run Series, my favorite music warm-up to set the mood was Lorde. Specifically, the songs Team and A World Alone. In fact, if any of the books from my series could be made for film, I would beg producers to include one of those songs in the movies.

My Writing Process:

I can’t sit down and force myself to write everyday because it begins to feel too mechanical, but I am definitely one of those people who thinks about writing, story ideas, characters, scenarios all of the time, awake or asleep. I love using my dreams in my writing and have written a few of them into scenes in the Harmony Run Series. Back in college, the good ol’ stone ages, I had one of the most terrifying dreams of my life about a man with a triangular-shaped eye chasing me down a corridor, one door after the other, with this woman’s voice echoing all around us, telling him to kill me. When I got to the end of the corridor, I opened the last door, and he was standing there facing me. I woke up sobbing…About a year later, a psychology professor at my university asked some of us to share dreams with him so he could demonstrate dream analysis. I bravely raised my hand, (this was huge for me, since I am very shy in person), and shared my dream in vivid detail. After I finished talking, the entire class got eerily quiet and the professor told me I was dealing with issues beyond his realm of help, and went on to the next student’s dream. That student shared a dream about not being able to make a goal in a soccer match, and the professor dissected his dream in depth for fifteen minutes. Years later, I incorporated that dream, adding on some twists and turns of course, into book one from the Harmony Run Series, Prismatic. 

I also come up with ideas when I’m looking out of the kitchen window, when I’m walking, driving, cooking, gardening, taking my kids to martial arts, helping with their homework, basically, every waking moment. I take heaps of notes. I jot notes down for days. And when I’m ready, I sit down and type everything I can. I woke up the other night, and grabbed the notebook and pen beside my bed and wrote down an idea for another story. So my writing process is sort of a twenty-four hour thing. Oh, and probably the most important part of the process…How could I forget? My dog, Shorty, has to harass me to sit in my lap throughout the day. She eventually gives up and sleeps at my feet or nearby. She spares me the occasional glance or sighs every so often when I talk too much. Yes, I like to talk aloud to myself more often than not. If that dog could talk…Well, thankfully that’s not an issue. Here’s a photo of my writing pal…

Isn’t she cute? I hope you stick around to read about Nacreous. I’m going to look up that old psychology professor to see if he wants to read my latest book… ;)

Previous Books in the Series:

  

(Click on the Cover to know more)

About the Author:

Sarah Elle Emm is the author of the HARMONY RUN SERIES, a young-adult fantasy and dystopian series, released in May 2012 by Winter Goose Publishing. (PRISMATIC, May 2012, OPALESCENT, February 2013, CHATOYANT, September 2014, NACREOUS, August 2015) Her debut fiction novel, MARRYING MISSY, was published by Bird Brain Publishing in October 2011. Sarah is a graduate of The University of Evansville, she has lived and worked in Mexico, Germany, England, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has traveled extensively beyond. Sarah lives in Naples, Florida with her family. When she’s not walking the plank of her daughters’ imaginary pirate ship or snapping photos of Southwest Florida scenery, she is writing.




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Bob Mayer and other random thoughts

I just finished reading this book by Bob Mayer and with all his work it is well written with emphasis on his seven steps of catastrophe that led to the ill fated flight of the Challenger. I would give this a five star rating if I were giving one to the book. He squarely places the blame (fault) on one step of his seven steps-human error where people having the final decision to launch over rode the concerns of the knowledgeable (technical) personnel to go ahead and launch when the temperature was so low that the rubber seals were not longer flexible but brittle. 

We have all seen where those in authority make a decision that puts other people lives at risk in order to meet a schedule or because nothing has went wrong before, why should it now? Those with the technical knowledge are not listened to or their concerns address--hence a catastrophe in the making. I like Bob Mayer's seven steps of a catastrophe, he presents in this book and several others chronicling events that led up to the loss of human life, needlessly. I recalled that tragic day in January when the shuttle exploded. I was at work and one of the office workers came to my office to tell me. I held my breath and then said a little prayer they would find some of them alive especially the teacher. My son was a great fan of hers. He looked forward to her communications back to earth as did thousands of the students back here on Earth. We never spoke about but thinking back, we should have. 

Are there times when something should have been said that never was in your life? Talk back, I'm listening as always. Have a great week end.