KAREN ELIZABETH BROWN: 2015

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

IWSG - Mundane Thoughts

This is the Insecure Writer's Support Group which meets the first Monday of each month and hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. To visit other members at the website, click HERE.

The co-hosts for November are:

Tyrean Martinson http://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/

Karen Walker http://karenfollowingthewhispers.blogspot.com/

Denise Covey http://dencovey.blogspot.com/

Stephen Tremp http://authorstephentremp.blogspot.com/

I've been working at a slow pace this month, unable to get my mind in gear. My latest story, Gemini, The MacKenzie Chronicles, Book 2 is at a standstill. Have you ever written yourself into a corner? Well, my corner has three sides, each with its own idea about the ending. I'm going back through the story to re-evaluate the story line and to re-create the plot line. Another few weeks of work, I suppose.

When I was on Twitter yesterday I saw a great tweet that said: Make yourself work. Write while you have the time or even if you don't. It encouraged me to keep working even when I'm discouraged or depressed.

"Read, read, read. Read everything- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window."
~~William Faulkner~~

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

IWSG- Interview With Retta Stephenson

This is the Insecure Writer's Support Group post with our host Alex J. Cavanaugh. Unfortunately, I'm not able to display our badge. There seems to be a foul up with my computer.

Our co-hosts for this month are:

TB Markinson https://tbmarkinson.wordpress.com/

Tamara Narayan http://www.tamaranarayan.com/

Eva E. Solar http://lilicasplace.com/

Shannon Lawrence http://thewarriormuse.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Faris http://stephie5741.blogspot.com/

I'd like to introduce an amazing artist who has shown me how important art is to the writing world. Retta Stephenson not only has done some of my book covers, she's also established her own site HERE. Here is me interview with her.

Questions For Retta

Where did you grow up and how did this influence your art?

I’m a Southern California girl, now transplanted to Oregon! When I was growing up, my family moved every year or two from the time I can remember and I know that had a huge impact on me.

By the time I started to make new friends at the new place, we’d up and move again. I only really had one best friend in grade school; ditto for jr and senior high school. So I spent a lot of time in my room, drawing and painting.

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, allowing me quiet time needed to go inward and “see” things to draw. Back then, in the Dark Ages, we didn’t have tv’s and computers in our rooms. ;-)

What brought you into the world of cover design?

I was dragged kicking and screaming…. no no, just kidding. Actually, My-Sister-the-Writer finished a book, and needed a cover! Oh, her name is… Karen Elizabeth Brown. Her book (still available HERE) is called Medieval Muse.

I had a blast researching the different elements of the design for the cover art. Her writing is so descriptive, that I was able to “see” just the kind of cover I wanted to make. The challenge with art is to be able to translate the inner vision outward! But it was a lot of fun to do.

Do you have a certain time of day you like to work? And do you like music, TV or silence while you work?

I work when it’s quiet! When the pup and kitties and The Husband won’t bug me. I totally can’t “go elsewhere” in my imagination with others around and interrupting me, jerking me back to reality. So yes, I tend to end up painting in the middle of the night too often.

If I am in the creating phase, it’s instrumental music ONLY. No words. Something about mixing left and right brain hemisperes, I’m told. Later on, I can listen to my favorite music or even a tv show that I can listen to more than watch. Though I must say, many times it all disappears and I’m not even hearing it anymore, cuz I’m “inside” the image I’m working on. Then I look up and realize 2 hours just went by!

Pen and ink? Acrylic or oil? Are your book covers done by hand or digitally?

Usually they start with many hand draw thumbnail sketches in pencil or black ink on scratch paper, done after reading the material from the author. They are rough, and I’m usually the only one that sees anything in them but chicken scratches.

I’ll settle on one, try out a few color schemes, then run it by the author for approval. If it’s a go, then it’s my usual process: pencil, acrylics, scan it into computer, finish in Photoshop, in that order. I check with the author for any final adjustments, and voila! ha ha, makes it sound so easy.

How much time do you spend on a book cover?

Depends. I’m not a fast painter to start with, but sometimes it goes smoothly and I “see” it right from the start. So maybe a week.

Other times… like pulling teeth. Yet invariably, towards the end when I’m convinced I’m a total fraud and how dare I think I could ever do this…. it comes together and I end up being surprised and loving it!

How do you create your basic idea for a book cover?

Basic rule of thumb: if I can’t “see” it first, I can’t paint it.

So first thing is to get alone and quiet and get lost in the story. Or if I don’t have a finished story, read what the author gave me. Sometimes I ask specific questions once I get the seed of an idea, and the answers from the author can flesh it out.

But let me warn you… it’s chancy putting in too much time before the story is finished. These authors have fertile imaginations, and have been known to change their minds! Then it’s EEK time, and I scramble to change my cover concept. Note to self: be patient, let the author finish first! ;-)

7. Are certain colors more important than others in creating a book cover?

Color psychology, meaning of colors, science of color… oh my, there are SO many books on that topic! I’ve studied color for so long that it’s sort of intuitive for me now.

But I will say, there are plenty of statistics that claim warm colors combined with sparks of complementary color make a book cover that tends to attract people. So they say!

While not discounting the experts, personally, I’d rather match the cover art to the needs of The Story. If The Story needs green, then let’s make it an exciting green!

8. When you read a synopsis, or part of a book, do you draw pictures while you’re reading (like an author takes notes)?

Not usually pictures, since that takes too long and take me out of the story. But I do jot down notes, even if a word or two, to remind me of the image I saw in my minds eye. Since I don’t know yet which idea I’ll use, I save them all until the concept is finalized.

9. Besides book covers, what other wonderful projects do you have in the works? Would you care to share a few with us?

Right now I’m in the creation stage of a new series. Still making notes, drawing thumbnails to try out compositions, and bought some still life props.

Let’s just say it involves flowers, a brass candle holder, an hourglass, many little animal figurines, and a human skull. No, nothing dark and foreboding. Rather, a time honored tradition in the art world: Vanitas still lifes. Mine will be full of color and hope and light. My candle will still be lit, my flowers alive, and my colors bright!

10. Some artists have favorite subjects to work with. Do you have any favorite subjects you like to paint?

That changes often, I think. The one constant, though, is color and meaning. It has to mean something to me. To be worth exchanging my time, my LIFE, doing it. It can be serious, or light and fun. But ultimately, I would hope it adds something to someone elses life, too.

It would be like writing a book that no one read, if no one saw the finished art. We create, and send it out into the world to be a blessing to others. And that’s my passion and my purpose.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Dragon Knight Chronicles Book Spotlight: Introducing Louise Findlay

Author Name

Louise Findlay

Author Bio.

Louise Findlay writes fantasy (generally short stories) and inspirational poetry. She enjoys reading and writing about mythological creatures such as angels and demons but has a soft spot for vampires. Louise is currently in the midst of writing a vampire novella about two vampire clans whose deputy’s clash in a big way, entitled A Spy in the Sagax Vampires.

She generally writes ebooks but she’s apart of a few anthologies which are in print and plans to release a print version of a collection of poetry at Christmas time this year.

Author’s Website URL/Blog

louisefindlaybooks.com

Author’s Social Media & Additional Links

Smashwords: http://smashwords.com/profile/view/angel7090695001

Lulu: http://lulu.com/spotlight/angel7090695001

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Louise-Findlay-Books/430927340306453

Twitter: http://twitter.com/authorlouise

List your previously published works

Vicious Vines

This is the last straw. Humans have trampled over nature for the last time. Watch the plants fight back in the form of a human at one with nature. Will nature succeed in eradicating the humans or will an unexpected foe turn up in an effort to survive?

https://writingroom101.wordpress.com/guest-post-by-louise-findlay

The Rogue’s Odyssey

Heroes with an edge are always fascinating and when the metier is poetic, the romance tends to rise exponentially because, after all, everyone loves a rascal who’s only a heartbeat away from being on the wrong side of the tracks, but who somehow always battles on to win the day, whether that’s fleeing from dastardly henchmen, or fighting a terrifying dragon.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/514720

The Magic Christmas Dragon & Other Poetry Tales

There was a dragon that hated Christmas because Santa never gave him any presents. Every year he tries to ruin it for everyone in Wintaru. Read the tales about fairies, elves and goblins who try and thwart this dastardly dragon.

eBook: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/499435

Print: http://www.lulu.com/shop/louise-findlay/the-magic-christmas-dragon-other-poetry-tales/paperback/product-22112635.html

The Author’s Nightmare Story: Regina’s Curse

(A Once Upon A Time Fanfiction Piece)

Operation Mongoose 4x21 4x22 AU. For Regina the cruellest thing was to have had hope in the past and then have it ripped away from you. Regina's worst nightmare is her Mother and the Author has enacted her worst possible nightmare. Can Regina protect Henry from the Queen of Hearts? Does Emma have magic in this alternate Enchanted Forest? Who will become the new Dark One?

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11376045

Excerpt

Challenging a Demon—Idiot Number 73,854

By: Louise Findlay

Eventually the prattling mortal came.

"I am Liamus Titus, scourge of Valeria and the Dark Lands. I am sworn to defeat you, you foul beast," spat Liamus.

This would make idiot number 73,854. This was getting old, fast. I might have to go look for a real challenge someday.

I stepped forward menacingly. "Fool! For sixteen thousand years I have slain mortal men. I have annihilated empires, burned continents, and plucked the mightiest of kings from their thrones! If I could be killed, it would have been done already."

"With the might of the holy sword, Briusburn, I will defeat you," the idiot yelled, brandishing his sword.

What is it with heroes and their idiotic war cries? Insignificant mortal.

"Really. Just keep telling yourself that," I replied.

"Perhaps you did not hear me, demon scum," Liamus sneered, dragging the sword behind him. The blade flashed and sparkled in his heavy grip. With every step forward, the young man's eyes grew darker. "I hold Briusburn!"

I took my sword out of its scabbard and parried his first attack.

God he was so slow. Mortals always were compared to the speed I possessed. I parried all of his strikes with ease and looked on absent-mindedly as he tried to come up with creative ways to attack me.

"Seriously. Did you fail Sword Fighting 101?” I asked with disdain.

"Fiend! I happened to get an A+ from Voriay Du Lac's School of the Sword," he replied.

"Voriay, how is he? I spared his life once. Now he was a warrior! Name calling's not going to do much to me you know," I said smoothly. I was a demon; I'd been called every name under the sun.

"Voriay is dead. I killed him," he told me.

The Dragon Tempest offers a collection of short stories in a variety of fantasy genres, including dark, light, adventure, and epic. Creatures from all worlds abound: dragons, angels, centaurs, witches, gods and goddesses, and those lurking below the water’s surface. Whether you’re moved by tales of battle and bloodshed, suspense, humor, or enlightenment, The Dragon Tempest will leave you craving more from each author. Such a diversity of great fantasy tales to enjoy will leave no room for disappointment.

Judges:

Allison D. Reid

KJ Hawkins

D.B. Mauldin

Joshua Robertson

1^st Place Winners

Christine King

Katie Roxberry

Winter Bayne

Jane Dougherty

Wilson F. Engel, III

2^nd Place Winners