Write Stuff: March 2016

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Picture Post: Kate the Great, destroyer of tennis balls and champion snuggler

I have a birthday coming up on Saturday, and to be honest, I'm having a bit of a freak-out about it. There have been a few birthdays before this where the number has kind of hit me hard, but this one seems to be especially so. Yeah, I know getting older is better than the alternative (as my best friend is wont to tell me), but it still has been sticking in my gullet a little worse than normal. So, what's a lady to do? Share cute pics of her dog! :) Yeah, it's a picture post about Kate, my funny little rescue pup, because she cheers me up infinitely and hopefully she'll make your hump-day a little better too!

"I will have my belly rubbed! My psychic powers of persuasion are just getting warmed up!"

Kate at her BFF, Sadie's place. "Don't mind us, we're just jumping on your bed!"

"Mom, look!! I can get the whole thing in my mouth!" Sigh. Yes, yes she could also get it out.

Nothing is safe from these jaws. NOTHING.

"I have snow on my nose. SNOW. This is glorious. Now take me inside and warm me up!"

"I don't know why my mom likes taking pictures of me on her lap. I always steal the show."

And that's Kate. Narrative included :)

Talking Science for Authors #amwriting

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Last week I was featured over on Untethered Realms. I recently joined the group of authors there, and they are all so amazing. It's been a great network for me, especially right now when I feel like writing is so out of my reach (and I'm trying oh so hard not to obsess about being on submission). My blog post was on doing book research and reaching out to experts at local colleges or universities. I have some pointers on how to approach this best, and not annoy anyone ;) Check it out. One of the other things I got was quite a few comments about blogging about some science stuff for authors. I've tried this before and it was a lot of fun, so I'm seriously debating about bringing it back for another go. Maybe a once a month thing? But here's my question:

What topics do I cover?

I mean, I've got a lot of random things in my hat that I could write a short blog post about: decomposing bodies, DNA, human evolution, Neanderthals, the origins of art/fire/cooking/warfare, eugenics, human variation, racism, apes, skeletal anatomy, archaeology, the desert southwest prehistory, peopling of the new world, etc. (why yes, I have taught college lectures on all of those...that's what happens when you are an adjunct professor for a few years, lol!) Anyone want to chime in with what they'd maybe like to see?

Until I start getting these all set up, here's a post I did a while ago :)

Today, I thought I'd touch on one of the most basic principles I teach. And what might that be? Oh, just the introduction to Darwin and Natural Selection. Yay! Some of my favorite topics :) (Avert your eyes if you don't like this kind of stuff, or read on and realize how it really works!)

Darwin. The man. The Legend.

Where to start? There's so much! Darwin wrote ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES in 1859, after sitting on his research for decades. It wasn't until Alfred Russell Wallace contacted him, noting that he had similar conclusions, that Darwin got off his butt and published. (I'll admit, I have a penchant for all the crazy personal stories that go on behind the scenes for some of these theories--they are so interesting! Wallace is a fascinating character.)

Darwin's theory of Natural Selection is based on three basic principles that all have to be functioning for it to work:

Over Reproduction.

A species will reproduce exponentially. Their resources won't (like food). Eventually a species will hit the limit for their habitat, and unless they're able to come up with another source, there will individuals who don't survive. This creates competition. Thanks to Thomas Malthus for this idea.

Individuals Must Vary.

When environmental crunch time comes, there will be some individuals who do better than other because of some trait they carry. They will be the ones who survive over those who don't carry whatever trait it is. There has to be some variation, or those who survive will just be due to chance, and then no long-term changes will occur.

Variation Must Be Inherited.

Or inheritable. Nothing that is non-heritable is going to work--so a trait that someone picks up during their lifetime will not be passed along (unless it's teachable, or epigenetic...). No Lamarkian evolution here (or the inheritance of acquired characteristics, which really doesn't work)!

So, in a lot of writings, the thing that I see messed up the most is point #3. The trait that is passed down must be genetic (unless it's behavioral, and then it's a whole other ball of wax). All three points have to come into play if Natural Selection is going to work.

One last point on this massive post: Natural Selection is NOT the same thing as Evolution. Many people mess this up, because they are totally related, but NS is a form of evolution, but they are not equivalent. Evolution is simple change over time. It can occur through NS, or through a variety of other means, like sexual selection (a very interesting concept!). But they are not the same. Good thing to keep in mind!

So, what do you think? Helpful? Other things you'd like me to elaborate on? Shout it out in the comments!

Guest Post: Humor is Subjective and Other Things People Forget, by Stuart R. West author of DEMON WITH A COMB-OVER

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Stuart is a long time writing buddy with a great deal of talent and some awesome books to read. I recommend anything he's written without hesitation. And he has a new book out: Demon with a Comb-Over. It's hilarious, people! But that's the weird thing about humor, it's so subjective. But I won't wax on about that, let's hear what Stuart has to say:

***

So, my new book, Demon with a Comb-Over, just came out. Okay, let’s get this out of the way first: I am not a comedy writer. Sure, humor leaks into all of my books. That’s something that can’t be helped. I see the absurdity of life, the strange characters I run into at the drug-store, the strangely puppet-like man at the driver’s bureau…all of it fodder for my books. Stuff happens. And then unfolds in my tales.

Demon with a Comb-Over began life as a horror tale, one about a stand-up comedian who makes a huge mistake by heckling a demon in the audience. After that, chaos ensues. So do wacky antics. It didn’t start that way. Originally, I’d envisioned a supernaturally intense thriller. But given the subject matter, I kinda had to take an amusing, irreverent turn with the writing. I mean, two obnoxious angels working at a fast food joint? Come on! (I’ll be on Meradeth’s blog all week, ladies and gentlemen! Ka-pow!)

Strangely enough, the book also found a theme by the time I finished writing it. Not what I set out to do. Again. Rising to the challenge of being a decent parent despite overwhelming obstacles. (The dang runaway monster even turned moving…dabs at tears.)

The problem is everyone’s idea of humor is different. Take Adam Sandler movies…please! I find them painfully unfunny. Sorta like how my wife sees me. Just ask her. Go on. I’ll wait…

You’re back? I know, right? Tough crowd, tough crowd.

At times I feel alone. In finding things amusing, that is. When relatives gather, we surround the TV (a better alternative than racist chats), and watch old sit-coms. See, the sit-com producers had it right. Toss on a robotic laugh-track, tell people what’s funny. More often than not, my family agrees, giggling along with the recording. About John Stamos’s hair or something even more inane. Like a fool, I put on a rictus-like death grin, forcing a laugh. Hard work. Especially after hours. Holidays go on forever at times.

Demon with a Comb-Over has been called everything from “f***ing hilarious” to “terrible humor.” Comedy’s all in the eye of the beholder. Or something like that. I guess.

Okay. Here’s my Demon with a Comb-Over challenge to you, potential readers: You buy my book, read it. See if it’s funny in your opinion. If you don’t think it’s funny, send me a joke. If it makes me laugh, I’ll reimburse your money.*

Boom! How are ya, how are ya, how are ya? Don’t forget to tip your waitresses! I’ve been Stuart R. West and you’ve been a great audience!

*Offer valid only when I’m asleep or under the use of heavy narcotics.

***

Talk about a tough crowd.

Take Charlie Broadmoor’s life. Please. Charlie sucks at stand-up comedy. He gets by, though. Things are okay. His life is decent. Until the night he makes fun of a demon’s comb-over. Big mistake. What kind of demon wears a comb-over? The sensitive kind. The kind who’s not going to let an insult slide. A demon who’s going to take Charlie down. As in down to Hell. And he intends on dragging everyone Charlie cares about along for the ride. (Goodreads)

Snag a copy on Amazon, and be sure to check out Stuart's blog!

Spring is Here!

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

So I'll make it no secret that I love the warmer months. I love the heat of the afternoon and the buzz of insects and flipflops and lazy days by the pool. Even sitting here thinking of it makes me happy. Yesterday, Sunday the 20th, was the first official day of spring and the weather is actually cooperating in Montana, with bright sunshine, long evenings, and even though it's still nippy, it's amazing out. So, while the blooms aren't out quite yet, here are a few spring photos to enjoy:

The gardens in Barcelona enjoy spring a whole lot earlier :)

Daffodils (I think this was in Spain, too?).

Wisteria in Japan.

Honestly, the most amazing spring I ever experienced was in Kyoto.

I can't remember this Temple's name, but it was beautiful.

The Philosophers Walk.

Montana blooms! This is in Glacier National Park.

Another Glacier shot.

My mom's baby ducks that are just too cute!!

Book Blitz: WITCH OF THE CARDS by Catherine Stine

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Witch of the Cards

Catherine Stine

Genre: paranormal historical suspense

Publisher: Konjur Road Press

Publication: March 2016

Cover Artist: Mae I Designs

Book Description:

Fiera was born a sea witch with no inkling of her power. And now it might be too late.

Witch of the Cards is historical, supernatural romantic suspense set in 1932 on the Jersey shore. Twenty-two year-old Fiera has recently left the Brooklyn orphanage where she was raised, and works in Manhattan as a nanny. She gets a lucky break when her boss pays for her short vacation in Asbury Park. One evening, Fiera and her new friend Dulcie wander down the boardwalk and into Peter Dune’s Tarot & Séance, where they attend a card reading.

Fiera has always had an unsettling ability to know things before they happen and sense people’s hidden agendas. She longs to either find out the origin of her powers or else banish them because as is, they make her feel crazy. When, during the reading, her energies somehow bond with Peter Dune’s and form an undeniable ethereal force, a chain of revelations and dangerous events begin to unspool. For one, Fiera finds out she is a witch from a powerful sea clan, but that someone is out to stop her blossoming power forever. And though she is falling in love with Peter, he also has a secret side. He’s no card reader, but a private detective working to expose mediums. Despite this terrible betrayal, Fiera must make the choice to save Peter from a tragic Morro Cruise boat fire, or let him perish with his fellow investigators. Told in alternating viewpoints, we hear Fiera and Peter each struggle against their deep attraction. Secrets, lies, even murder, lace this dark fantasy.

Mini excerpt:

“Oh, Ivy?” Mr. Dune implored. He grabbed a card deck from a basket on a shelf. In three long strides, he was in front of me, looking as imposing and dashing as he had when we’d entered his establishment. “I want you to have this.” He held it out.

One of his illustrated Tarot decks wrapped in cellophane! A hot flush of pleasure and embarrassment shivered up my neck. “Oh, I couldn’t, really.” I didn’t even know him. Why would he do this? “It doesn’t seem right. I can’t pay you.”

“I insist.” He held it out further, the light glinting off his silver fox-head ring.

Join the Witch of the Cards Facebook March 23 launch party: https://www.facebook.com/events/1750723695156458/

About the Author:

Catherine Stine’s novels span the range from futuristic to supernatural to contemporary. Her YA sci-fi thrillers Fireseed One and Ruby’s Fire are Amazon bestsellers and indie award winners. Her YA, Dorianna won Best Horror Book in the Kindle Hub Awards. Heart in a Box, her contemporary YA was an Amazon Hot New Release in Teen and Alternative Family for over eight weeks. She also writes romance as Kitsy Clare. Her Art of Love series includes Model Position and Private Internship. Book three, Girl and the Gamer, launches this summer. She suspects her love of dark fantasy came from her father reading Edgar Allen Poe to her as a child, and her love of contemporary fiction comes from being a jubilant realist. To unwind she loves to watch “bad” reality TV and travel to offbeat places.

Catherine’s website: Newsletter: Blog: Pinterest: Goodreads: Facebook: Twitter

Giveaway

One $30 gift card, one signed paperback of Dorianna (or eBook), one signed paperback of Witch of the Cards (or eBook), one super-swag pack of Catherine’s personally designed greeting cards.

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Blog Tour: FINDING THOR by Kai Strand

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

A little book fun today, from another author friend!

International intrigue hits small-town America.

Tragedy has left Cara Cassidy broken and the only thing keeping her from giving in completely is her guilt. Until Nik Rock.

Nik stirs up feelings in degrees she has never experienced, and causes her to do things that most assuredly give him the wrong impression – like kiss him before their first date. Somehow, he breaks down the walls around her emotions until she has no choice but to forgive herself and feel again.

But a mysterious, troubled past follows Nik, and Cara may prove to be his weakest link.

When a royal princess shows up looking for Nik, and an international gang arrives looking for missing jewels, Cara lands in mortal danger. Will she be able to save herself? What will happen to her newly repaired psyche if she loses Nik?

Romance, mystery, and high stakes – just another day in high school.

Excerpt:

He nodded a polite, though cautious, greeting before walking toward the second break in the shrubs overlooking the beginning of the rapids.

Her heart pounding as fast as the sparrows flitting though the leafless shrubs, Cara faced the river again, not completely comfortable turning her back to him. She was pretty sure he was close to her age, so why did she feel so threatened?

Power. Strength. Assurance.

Even as enthralled with superheroes as she and Arac had always been, she’d never realized those words could be felt. Yet they poured off of him in waves. She glanced over her shoulder. He’d been shrouded by the hood, and she’d barely seen anything beyond his blazing gaze. He stood with his back to her, so she studied him.

His posture was impeccable, with his back straight, feet shoulder-width apart, hands still buried in his jacket pockets. He looked entirely alert and ready. Even though it seemed he watched the water tumble and trip down the rapids, she felt his fierce gaze was directed inward. Focused on memories or thoughts she would never see, though suddenly she wanted to. Mystery teased her curiosity. She sensed this stranger had a compelling story to tell. Or maybe she just hoped for a distraction from her own horror story.

As if he’d heard her reflection, and wanted to hear more, his head shifted slightly, angling toward her. Another shiver shuddered through her body. She had to remind herself that superpowers weren’t real, and still she wondered—hero or villain?

When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Learn more about Kai and her books on her website, www.kaistrand.com.

Mailing List| Facebook| Twitter| Instagram|

Swag alert! Looking for your Thor? Look no further, Kai’s got you covered. Enter to win a custom tote bag for all of those books you like to carry with you, and a Thor baseball cap. Easy entry for those in a hurry, or many other ways to earn more entries for contest junkies. The Finding Thor swag pack can only be shipped in the United States. If winner is International, an Amazon gift card will be substituted and another winner will be chosen.

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Monday Mishmash

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Thanks to Kelly Hashway for hosting this weekly meme!!

Okay, it's the middle of March and I'm finding myself going "why is this month so utterly incredibly insane???" I don't know if it's midterms, or impending spring break (and the conference that entails), or Daylight Savings, or what, but yeesh, it's headless chicken dance time around here!

I did get a short story written, however, for an anthology. It felt great to get some words on paper, and words that were interesting and kept me going. Because I'm battle the middle-slump-of-doom in my other WIP, this was super energizing!

The weather in Montana this past month has been surreal. We're almost a month early for spring and I couldn't be happier! Bring on the sun and sandals.

I am training my students in the lab this week for the first time as a large group. Gulp. I've always been able to do this as a one-on-one thing before, but this batch needs some group training. I am having visions of crazy spills and crying students. Okay, okay, clearly that won't happen, and I think we're going to have a lot of fun, but it will be interesting!

Wednesday Funnies: Image Post

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Okay, so some hump days just need a laugh, if only because the week is only half over and there's far too much to do and too few days to do it in. So, here are a few of my favorite funnies of late:

Repost Love: Strong Female Characters #amwriting

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

I have another fun post from an old blog tour that I'm going to share today, because it's one I quite enjoyed writing :) I'll be curious to hear your thoughts in the comments!

***

So, we’re talking strong female characters, something that is near and dear to me. I will admit that I’ve put books aside when the main character comes across as too passive or weak. I don’t enjoy reading about someone who sits around waiting for someone else to save them, or who only manages to accomplish everything due to sheer dumb luck (something I sometimes call TDTSS: ‘too dumb to survive syndrome’—it’s deadly for a character!).

What makes a character, especially a female character, strong then? Well, honestly, I think that can vary a whole lot depending on the book and setting. There are some awesome examples of leading ladies who are completely capable of leading a revolution, fighting the enemy tooth and nail, and otherwise being strong physically and mentally.

But that’s not the only kind of strength.

Sometimes strength comes in the form of relying on other people, and I don’t have a problem with a character needing to do that (just maybe not all the time). Other times, strength comes in the form of kindness and forgiveness, especially when there’s been some serious harm done. And there are plenty of other ways to demonstrate strength without a gun/sword/ninja skills/fists of steel.

What I’m trying to say is that strength comes in many forms. We are rather familiar with the “kick butt and take names” form that we often see, but it’s not all that there is to strength. In order to form a really well balanced character, I think it’s important to have express strength in a variety of forms. It lends humanity and makes the character identifiable for the reader, which is definitely something that you want. This is definitely something that I worked toward with Leah, the main character in An Absence of Light: while she’s able to kill the Shadows with the best of them, and has a brain to figure out new methods, she also has the strength to be flexible when she needs to. And oh does she need to in Absence! For me, that’s one of my favorite things about Leah and what I hope my readers enjoy, too!

What about you? What makes a character strong? Ever come across TDTSS?

Book Blitz: GALACTIC EMPIRES Eight Novels of Deep Space Adventure

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

I have a fun box set to check out today. Of particular interest is M. Pax's novel, The Backworlds, which I totally recommend!

Galactic Empires

Eight Novels of Deep Space Adventure

Eight full-length novels of adventure, war, intrigue and survival in the far reaches of space.

The Backworlds by M. Pax
A man struggles to survive in the harsh world of humanity's outer settlements and prove his father wrong.
Ambassador 1: Seeing Red by Patty Jansen
To look an alien superior in the eye is a deadly offense. To accuse him of a political murder…
Alien Hunters by Daniel Arenson
A scruffy alien pest controller faces an alien threat the likes of which the universe has never seen.
Hard Duty by Mark E. Cooper
Hostile aliens nearly eradicated humanity. Will the next encounter finish the job?
Bypass Gemini by Joseph Lallo
A disgraced racer pilot gets mixed up with a mega-corporation. Now he has to stop them.
Sky Hunter by Chris Reher
Sent to a human outpost to investigate sabotage, a pilot finds more trouble than she bargained for.
The Galapagos Incident by Felix Savage
A genocidal AI attacks the solar system, and a Space Corps agent has one chance of saving a bunch of asteroid squatters she was sent to evict.
First Conquest by David VanDyke
To find a home and keep humanity safe from hostile aliens, Task Force Conquest must fight to seize a new star system.

Buy Links: Amazon / iBook / B&N / Kobo / Googleplay / AmazonUK / AmazonCA / AmazonAU / AmazonDE /AmazonFR / AmazonIT /AmazonES

After Reading: THE ISLAND by S. Usher Evans

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Prince Galian is third in line to the throne, but prefers his place as a resident at the Royal Kylaen Hospital. When his father urges him to join the military to help reclaim their colony, Galian is forced to put aside his oath to Do No Harm and fight a war he does not believe in.

Across the great Madion Sea, Captain Theo Kallistrate dreams of a day when she is no longer bound by conscription to fight for her country's independence. But when the Kylaens threaten, honor and duty call her to the front lines to fight off the oppressors.

When an air skirmish goes wrong, both Theo and Galian crash on a remote island hundreds of miles from either nation. Grievously injured, Theo must rely on Galian's medical expertise, and Galian must rely on Theo's survival skills, to live another day in a harsh and unforgiving terrain.

Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive? Or will the war that brought them to the island tear them apart? (Goodreads)

Okay, before I start this review, look at that cover, would you? I mean, it's epic, isn't it? I love the misty forest and the two little figures at the bottom. It really captures the feel of the novel and made me eager to dive in. The story itself did not disappoint. I have gushed about Evan's novels before, and for good reason: she is an amazing author and knows how to keep a reader glued to the pages. I loved getting to know Galian and Theo, their world, and watching them get to know one another. They were incredibly complex characters who grew and changed into such a strong and amazing pair by the end of the book that I was absolutely freaking out by the end, wanting the next book right NOW :) Overall, the world building was great, with lots of nuance and political intrigue (of which I'd expect no less from Evans), and the characters instantly snag you with their beliefs and interests. (Plus, hello hotness: a doctor prince who is forced into the military by his dictatorial father? Um, yeah, doesn't that just grab you?) Anyhow, this is a new trilogy not to be missed!!