Archive for January, 2012
Writely Advice: Break the rules
Jan 30th
One of the most important people in my circle of writerly peeps (who also happens to be the most kick-ass beta reader of all time) puts in her comments for me (This isn’t technically correct, but I know how you like to break rules, so … your call.) And she’s right — I loves me some rule breaking. Why? Because that’s what they’re there for — to be broken.
How can I say that? Simple: If rules weren’t meant to be broken, they wouldn’t be so damned tempting. With that said, I thought I’d share with you some of the rules I tend to break. You can then judge for yourself if I’m a loon or quite possibly onto something so mad, it could be brilliant. 
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Fabulous Friday: George Takei
Jan 27th
I grew up with Star Trek, The Original Series (or ST:TOS). I can’t tell you how fond my memories are of that show. Well, actually I can — but that would do little more than bore you. Okay, not really. After all, we all have our own little Star Trek stories right? Right? Oh wait, this isn’t about me… it’s about one of the single most fabulous men on the planet — George Takei.
The brilliantly dark Nina D’Arcangela
Jan 25th
I recently had the eerie privilege of interviewing a very like and very dark soul who also happens to be quite the brilliant writer of things horror. Her name is Nina D’Arcangela. Get used to it — you’ll be hearing a lot about it soon.
Writely Advice: The Writer Brand
Jan 23rd
When you think of brand, what comes to mind? Any number of images, sound bites, catch phrases, etc pop up to smack you upside the mind’s eye. Why does that happen? Because marketing execs are paid large sums of money to ensure that those brand names are burned into your psyche. And it pays off. Had it not been for brand, Apple wouldn’t be where it is today. Brand has brought Volkswagon back into relevancy.
There are plenty of books, sites, lectures, and articles centered around you getting your brand out there as soon as possible — in some cases, even before you have that first book published. And they’re all true. It’s hard work that will seem like a constant flow of pimping. In the end, it pays off. But what exactly is it you need to do? Let’s take a look.
Fabulous Friday: Win a Kindle Fire
Jan 20th
Come On Baby Win My Fire! Enter for your chance to win a free Kindle Fire!
Valentine’s Day is coming up. That’s right. We love it. We hate it. But it comes around every year whether we like it or not. This year The Eclective will be giving away one Kindle Fire to one of our readers. Just because we love you!
Say “No” to SOPA
Jan 18th
I’m joining Wikipedia and many other websites in protesting against SOPA/PIPA. Read more about it here. In my opinion, the internet should not be controlled by idiots (aka politicians) who don’t even understand it or its uses. These bills will NOT work, but they WILL infringe on our rights.
Want to write Congress and tell them what you think? Do it here. (There are also links for those outside the US. This effects the ENTIRE WORLD, people, not just Americans.)
The science of zombies
Jan 18th
Science. Who doesn’t love science (besides the Creationists)? Science is our friend and it helps us to not only improve our lives, but helps to understand how things work. Of course, in some instances, science can wreak a little special flavor of havoc on our lives. One such way is the creation of zombies. That’s right, I said it… zombies.
I Zombie: The series
Jan 17th
I Zombie is the exciting post-apocalyptic zombie series by Jack Wallen surrounding the Mengele virus and a cast of survivors hell-bent on taking down the government-run collective attempting to cleanse the world of those they don’t deem worthy.
Judging a book
Jan 16th
I must preface this post by confessing I do have a vested interest in the subject since I do offer a book cover design service. And yes, I want to interest you in my wares (I dare you to look behind the curtain — you know you want to.) But ultimately my goal is to help to make the indie author movement look as professional and appealing to everyone. With that said, I want to help everyone involved understand what it is so important to spend a bit of that hard-earned coin on a professional cover for your work.
Fabulous Friday: Sammy Terry
Jan 13th
It’s well known I enjoy me some B Horror. What is not so well known is why I have such an affinity for looking through the cheese darkly. When I look back upon my short and strange life on this dark hayride, I find everything that made up who I am today began with one simple, evil pleasure. That pleasure was Sammy Terry.
Best (modern) zombie films you’ve probably never seen
Jan 11th
Nomnomnomnom — that’s the sound of me when I find a new zombie film to enjoy. Naturally I’m nomming brain-flavored popcorn, and not brain-flavored brain. How do I have such delights to enjoy? Science, my friend, science.
Speaking of big, delicious science, I’ve seen my share of zombie films over the years. I thought maybe I should share with you my short list of the best brain-nomming goodness out there.
Desperation leads to more desperation
Jan 9th
Lately I’ve been taking up some of my regular blog spots to address various issues surrounding the indie author scene. I thought I would continue this practice once again… only this time dig a bit deeper into the muck and underbelly of the beast of which I am a part of. And as I dug my fingers deep into the viscera and gore, what I discovered is a cross section of authors on the ugly side of begging and pleading. Their sales aren’t there (yet) and they have resorted to desperate measures and Hail Mary passes. The sad bit of news I have to give them is that it won’t work. Desperation will only lead to more desperation.
Fabulous Friday: The evolution of a cover
Jan 6th
Good day my dearest lovelies. I’ve been wanting to write this post for quite some time now. Why have I hesitated? Mostly I was just waiting to reach the point where my ego wouldn’t be bruised by showing my very early efforts at creating covers for my own books. Of course I recently realized just how silly that was and thought What the hell? My fans, friends, clients, and Shero-wanna-bees would certainly enjoy seeing how my process and my skills have grown over the years. And besides, it’s not where you’ve been, it’s where you’re going. Right? Right!
Humpday Horror: Douchebaggery
Jan 4th
Ladies and lovelies of the Jack-verse, it is a damn small world out there. It didn’t used to be. In fact, when I was a child the world was GINORMOUS. Actually it wasn’t, because the interwebs had yet to be born and LOL’d that word into existence. So it was just unfathomably large. Now… that size and scope of the our earthy digs has shrunk to Barbie Dream House size and we’re all dangerously close to being way too up close and personal for…wait for it…
Misfit Monday: Danielle Blanchard (Gets Jack’d)
Jan 2nd
It’s not always that you come across a writer who can give a genre a breath of fresh air for you like Danielle Blanchard has with her Vamp Saga series. So when I started reading Book 1 I knew Danielle had to Get Jack’d. So, without further adieu…let’s to the jacking!
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