RULE OF 3... RENAISSANCE. PART TWO. AND PAY IT FOWARD!

I hope I made this on time. Just barely behind the wire. This the second installment in the RULE of 3 blogfest. By now must of you know what it's all about. I do have to reveal my prompt and for this segment I used, a character lies to another on an important matter.

If you'd like to read my first segment click here.

And know Welcome to Renaissance.

A three-story ramshackle house hid behind a peeling one pump gas station on the outskirts of the small town of Renaissance. A withered sign scrolled with population 333 creaked in the blustering October wind barely holding on by a single piece of trembling barbed wire. 

Fallen dried leaves stirred and broke the silence of early dawn as a paled hand opened the front door. 

The filtered light from a nearby streetlamp highlighted the golden flame tresses of a teenage girl. An off-white chemise clung to her curves as she swept away the fallen leaves and picked up the daily newspaper.

She glanced at the headline unimpressed. “Doesn’t anything exciting ever happen here?” she huffed. “I can’t wait til I turn eighteen and I can leave this sorry ass town.”

Stepping back through the arched doorway, the faint sound of a rumbling truck piqued her interest.

She turned. Dust kicked up in the distance as the truck sped down the Villein. As it approached, bright head lights temporarily blinded her until it skidded to a complete stop. Dirt and debris collected at her bare feet.

“What the ...?”

A moment later, the rusted door squeaked open as a white bloodstained trainer hit the pavement.

After he stood, he shook his shaved head and rolled his shoulders, releasing a pinned up moan.

As quiet as a whisper, she disappeared back into the house, raced up the stairs, and entered a small, dingy bedroom. She peered at the stranger through a dew-streaked window.

He paced like a caged animal from the pump to the truck. After furrowing his brow, he kicked the tires. 

Curious, she slipped on a pair of faded jeans and a tight-fitted t-shirt bedazzled with rhinestones, accentuating her ample chest.

The bathroom door slammed, startling her. “Dad’s up. I better get down there fast.”

In a flash, she darted down the stairs and out the front door. 

Leaves crunched under her feet. His neck snapped around and hazel green eyes locked on hers. The corners of his mouth curled.

Was it a smile? She wasn’t sure. It disappeared in an instant.

“Is there something I can help you with?” The girl asked, pulling her eyes away from his.

“Ah, yeah.” He ran a trembling hand over his stubble. “I can use some gas. And maybe if you know of a place I can crash for a few days.”

“Dad should be out in a minute. He’ll unlock the pump. As for a place, we rent out rooms.”

He raised his head and glanced at the sagging roof and warped front porch. “Ah, okay. I guess it will do for a day or two.” 

“It includes breakfast, too. I was just about to make some. After you fill up, drive around to the side and come into the kitchen and I’ll fix you something.”

“Thanks.” 

“I’ll see what’s keeping Dad.” She smiled and took a step toward the house. “Oh, I’m Tanya, by the way.”

“I’m Aidan.”

Tanya padded down the drive.

“Hey, Tanya,” he called out. “Where am I?”

She giggled and then turned. “Renaissance, of course. If ever there was a place to hide a secret ... this is the place.”

Aidan’s jaw dropped.

Tanya’s eyes brightened. Finally a bit of excitement.

“So what’s your story Aidan? How come a kid like you is traveling by himself?”

Aidan’s face hardened. “Let’s just say my parents are fine and they gave me some time off for good behavior.”

“If you say so.” I know you’re hiding something Aidan. I’ll find out soon enough.

Well that is the second segment. I hope it peeked your interest. Drop by next week for Part Three.

Let me know what you thing... 




Now for other news. THE PAY IT FOWARD BLOGFEST.

A brain child of Alex J. Cavanaugh and Matthew MacNash. Drop by their blogs for the extensive list.


This is a great blogfest and easy too, just chose three blogger buddies to feature. Drop by their blogs and follow. East, right? Well, you have all weekend to discover blog love.


Here are mine... Drop by their blogs... They are all awesome!


Marcy @ Mainwords.

Laura @ The Daily Dodo.

Mood @ Moody Writing




Have a great weekend everyone!

SOUTH OF CHARM ... AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ELLIOT GRACE

Welcome friends to another author interview. Elliot Grace is visiting today. Of all the blogger author/friends I know, El is an amazing inspiration for us all.

A true artist and humanitarian, El's SOUTH OF CHARM explores hidden truths shown through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy.

Before the interview I would like to share with you an excerpt courtesy of Good Reads.

We're huddled in the far corner of my bedroom. Arms wrapped around our knees in the dark. The approaching footsteps grow louder. Ominous thuds. Our mother, but somehow not. She's standing outside my door. We listen to the creak of the hinges. My sister clenches my arm. "She's coming," she whispers. "She's broken."

Pretty powerful writing ... wouldn't you say?

I'd like for all of you to get to know the man behind the words. 

He is a special man with a big heart.

Welcome to In Time ... EL

Thank you, Michael

What intrigues me most El, is why you wrote such an intense story for middle graders. Even though I know many children fall victim to their parents's abusive behaviors, would a ten-year-old read this book? 

-Over the summer I coached a youth baseball team, a group of ten year old boys out to make a name for themselves.  Our third baseman was new to the area, a gentle giant who rarely communicated with little more than the occasional nod.  I later found out that he was a victim of child abuse, now being raised by his grandfather.  My son took a liking to him, who's since made it common practice to stop by the house just in time for dinner.  For this boy, my story is adequate.  Our starting pitcher on the team comes from a set of loving parents, high school sweethearts who are often spotted holding hands after two decades of marriage.  For this family, "South of Charm" would be better suited for his parents.  Every ten year old is unique in their own level of maturity.  For some, my story is not only acceptable, but perhaps something they can often relate to and take comfort in.  For others, well, perhaps waiting a few years would be the appropriate decision. 

I find it interesting that you played to this market. Will parents feel comfortable having their children read South of Charm?  Or, are you marketing to an older reader featuring an mc who happens to be middle grade age?

-When the book originally hit the shelves, my first reaction to finding it in the adult section was a level of angst.  Something that became an ongoing dispute with my publisher.  It was then brought to my attention that "To Kill a Mockingbird" was also an adult story with a younger mc, as was King's "Stand by Me."  Not that "Charm" is anywhere near the benchmark that those two stories eclipsed, the comparison eased my tension a bit.  I penned "Charm" without the genre curve, choosing instead to travel alone, allowing my readers to decide for themselves upon which shelf the book deserves to be placed.  My goal from the onset was to write a story capable of capturing the attention of our youth, while causing my adult readers to quietly ponder its content as well.

There are so many things that I admire about you. When had you and your wife decided to parent foster children? Giving of yourself in such a way is truly selfless and wonderful. Has the experience been more difficult than you had imagined? Has it been more rewarding?

-Fostering those in need has been a goal of my wife's since before we had children of our own.  Then, when we felt that our three kids were mature enough to handle a visitor or two, we pursued our licensing.  In all honesty, every day is an all new undertaking.  Currently we have four foster children, along with our own three, living under one roof, making for an interesting degree of dysfunction.  Every child whose entered our home, arrives with their very own bestselling memoir.  Some feel the need to share their stories, while others bottle it up.  The trick is in gaining their trust.  When that happens, regardless of what the weatherman is reporting, the sun's shining bright upon our home ;)

Do you plan to continue to foster children after the fledglings in your care fly the coop? I know these questions are rather personal, but your heart is so large, I think our community should know how special a person you are. Your novel was written to show the world the hardships of life that often start at the beginning of life. Sad, but with hope. Hope for a future where a child could have a safe and loving home.

-Thanks Michael for your kind words.  Yes, we have no plans of slowing anytime soon.  

Now that South of Charm is touching lives, what is your next project/projects? Will you continue to write about sensitive issues, or will you go in a completely different direction? Is there a genre that intrigues you that had always wanted to delve into, but for whatever reasons haven't?

-I've been playing around with two YA projects lately, both of which I'm excited about.  And while I'm not a fan of sequels, Danny Kaufman, the youngster from "Charm," may sneak into the drama as a teenager from time to time.

My last question. What is your escape? What secret place do you lose yourself in when entering the literary world?

-With a house full of kids, that can be a challenge!  I often sneak out the back door, laptop hidden under my arm, to our recently renovated shed along the farthest reaches of our property.  I sit under the porch and hammer on keys until my muse finds contentment, (or my wife needs help with the bathing of toddlers ;)

Thank you EL. It was quite the honor having you here today. I'll look forward, as we all will, to your next book. 

To purchase SOUTH OF CHARM, click here for Amazon.

Kindle edition or paperback edition. Also Amazon UK here. Kindle edition

EL is also having an amazing contest. For all the details visit his blog, So Close, but ...

For all you interested in my second entry for the Rule of 3 blogfest, I will be posting it later today.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

A GOLDEN BLAZE ... AUTUMN INSPIRATION ...

Another week is upon us friends. I hope you all enjoyed the weekend.

Chicago's unpredictable weather graced us with periwinkle blue skies, dappling sunlight through a few fluffy clouds, and soft balmy breezes. Today the temps dropped a bit but left us with a lovely autumn day.

This is one of my favorite times of year. The once bright green leaves of summer are knoq ablaze with color ... stunning golds, pumpkin oranges, and fiery reds. As I write this post, I am surrounded by blazing color framed in each one of my five living room windows. No painting could compete with nature's beauty.

Each new day brings me a new gift. How can one not feel inspired? Beauty surrounds me in my home and in my neighborhood. My lakefront power walks now trail my steps with maple, oak, and elm leaves frolicking playfully by my side. What better companion on such a fine day.

Blustering winds kick up my friends into blazing spirals, whisking them away for others to enjoy. I'm not alone for long, for in a moment more leaves will return playing tag with one another.

So my friends in the north, this time is so fleeting, don't miss one of nature's truly amazing seasons. Leave your computer's, tablets, and phones, and discover new friends waiting to play tag with you.

I hope you all get to enjoy an autumn day. Let me know how autumn inspires you. I really want to know!

Don't forget to drop by for my second segment in the Rule of # on Wednesday...

I'll leave you know with nature's glory.... Have a wonderful Monday.

MEET MARY "MONTI" SIKES ... AUTHOR AND ARTIST

Hi everyone,


If you are looking for the Rule of 3 entry, please click here.

Today it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to a talented author and artist Monti Sikes. If you have never been to visit Monti you have missed so much. She travels the globe for inspiration for her novels and art. Her latest, JUNGLE JEOPARDY takes place in Antigua and the Jungles of Nicaragua. Fascinating. 


I chose bright colored type today to coordinate with the book ... It's soooo tropical!


Here is what Monti has to say about her new book ...

For the Love of Adventure –Background for Jungle Jeopardy

"About this time last year, my publisher asked me if I’d ever been to Costa Rica and could I write a book set there? She had another author with a book set in Costa Rica that she planned to launch at the Public Safety Writers Conference in Las Vegas in July 2011. She wanted mine to come out then as well. I told her I could do it, but although I agreed I had no idea what the story line would be. I only knew that it would be the fifth book in my “Passenger to Paradise” series.

As New Year’s Day 2011 came and went, I still had not started my new book with the Costa Rica setting. I wasn’t sure what I would do or who my characters would be. Then I started thinking about how much I loved Dana and Clifton, the heroine and hero from Secrets by the Sea, my gothic paranormal story set on the Caribbean Island of Antigua. I started thinking what if Clifton were compelled to head to Costa Rica because of Dana? What if he were still looking for the Brasher Doubloon, the priceless gold coin from Secrets by the Sea? What if Costa Rica was not the final destination? What if Clifton and Dana both wound up somewhere else in an adventure story remindful in some ways of Indiana Jones? The story that I dragged my feet to write became exciting and compelling. I drew in the Maya ruins of Central America. After all, I’d created a series of huge acrylic paintings on that subject and was excited to learn more about the Maya culture. Each day I could hardly wait to dive into my story again. The characters had taken over, and I never knew from one day to the next where the story was going. I kept on writing and completed my book just in time for the late May deadline.

Jungle Jeopardy was born, and I loved it. This is an adventure story unlike anything I’ve written before. A character I brought into the story with the intention of creating a villain became a likable individual I intend to include in future books. I can see possibilities for two sequels to Jungle Jeopardy. One book I plan to set in St. Martin. The other will probably be a return to Central America."

Living in the middle of an adventure with danger looming from every side is an exciting lifestyle. I’m happy to be a part of it.

Mary Montague Sikes

http://marymontaguesikes.blogspot.com

My take on Mary's novel is one of intrigue. From the beginning the reader is catapulted into the mixd of a murder, a priceless coin, and a questionable romance. "How will it all end?" is one of the first questions I had asked. 

With tension oozing from every word, the reader is rewarded with lush locations, an exciting mystery, and a love story. Who could ask for anything more ... right? So click on the link below and order your copy. 

 http://tinyurl.com/3ufowkb

Now how would you all like to take a look at Monti's amazing art work? I was awed by the gorgeous colors and vibrancy of the works.

Here are just of few pics of her creations.

Thanks for dropping by everyone and if you haven't read my entry for the RULE OF 3 please scroll down. I'd LOVE to know what you think.

Have a great weekend everyone!

PART ONE ... RULE OF THREE ... THE ESCAPE ...

Well friends I finally finished my entry for the Rule of Three. The prompt I chose to incorporate into my post was an argument.

For all the wonderful details about the Rule of Three, scroll down to my previous post OR click on the badge in the side bar to the right. It is an amazing month long blogfest featuring the unusual town of Renaissance.

For my entry I had decided to recycle my mc from my second novel The Blinded Gardener. I also changed from first person narration to third. Why? Hmmm. I just thought it flowed better for this particular excerpt.

I hope you enjoy it and PLEASE let me know what you think. I'd really appreciate your honest feedback,

Please hop around to the other bloggers involved, It will be interesting to see how all of these incredible stories end up. You can catch the list at J.C. Martin, Fighter Writers blog. 

Without further delay...

THE ESCAPE.

A streak of moonlight illuminated Aidan’s split, swollen lip as he stuffed a pair of jeans and a few t-shirts into a beat-up old backpack.

A massive shadow inched it’s way through the open door, consuming the wood-planked floor, the worn berber rug, and a rickety metal twin bed pushed against the wall. 

Sharp angles created a isosceles triangle in the center of the room as heavy breathing hummed within its darkness.

Aidan held his breath and turned, biting his lower lip. A drop of blood splashed onto his white trainer. 

A glint of light lit the half-hidden face of his father. He sucked in a raspy breath through gritted teeth. A muscular arm swirled a tumbler. The ice clinked and the amber liquid danced inside its glass prison.

“And where do you think you’re going, sonny boy?”

The words twisted through Aidan like a jagged knife. An invisible drummer beat the inside walls of his chest.

He sucked in a much needed breath, summed up his courage, and stared into his father’s fathomless eyes.

“No more, Dad. It ends tonight.”

The light shifted revealing a set a perfect, white teeth outlined by the thinest of lips.

“It ends when I say it ends.” His voice slurred. “Remember, I own you.”

He pulled himself up to his fullest height. Muscles tensed and rippled under a Marine Captain’s uniform.

Aidan paled, but stood his ground.

The captain lunged panther-like. Thick, mitt-like fingers strangled Aidan’s throat.

Sinking to the floor, his mind clouded from the smell of scotch and sweat mixed with Old Spice. 

Aidan gasped and tried to dislodge the increasing pressure on his wind pipe.

“Good night, sonny boy,” his father said, as he tightened his grip. 

Aidan’s convulsing hands dropped from his neck and slammed against the floor.

He stretched out his right arm under the bed. Cold metal touched his fingertips. As the final seconds of his life slipped away, he focused his remaining energy on inching his arm closer. 

Shaky nails dug into the smooth ridges of a rounded object. He slid it closer, gripped the handle, and flung his arm upward, cracking the back of his father’s head with a baseball bat.

Blood splattered against wall. He howled, releasing his grip.

Aidan’s rusty 1985 Chevy pick up wheezed its way through the foothills of the Roundeli mountains. Memories of his father’s bashed in head flashed through his mind. His trembling hands had difficulty controlling the steering wheel. The truck jerked to the left barely missing a boulder.

“Get a grip, Aidan — but I’m — I’m a murderer,” escaped from his quivering lips. “It was self defense! That psycho tried to kill me,” he burst out. 

Aidan heard his words echo back to him, but he still couldn’t erase the grisly scene from his mind.

Onward and upward the truck snaked along the silent, pitch-black mountain road. On one or two rare occasions the crescent moon peeked though the dense trees, providing a glimmer of light, a glimmer of hope.

Stayed tuned for Part Two next week ...

THE INSECURE WRITERS SUPPORT GROUP ... SOMETHING WE ALL NEED ...

Today's post has two very exciting features. The first is another installment of The Insecure Writers Support Group. Alex Cavanaugh's brain child is helping so many writers through the daily dilemmas of our treasured craft.

A week or so ago a good friend and fellow writer/blogger was climbing the walls while waiting to hear from her agent about her present project. Her lack of PATIENCE was taking over. She couldn't focus and her mind spiraled in so many different directions.

I'd like to share with you what I had told her. For those of you who have difficulty waiting and are not patient, try to focus your attention on your craft, your family, you life ...

I know that sounds lame, but stressing over the "waiting game" is not healthy. Life is stressful enough, why add to it?

I learned early in life that nothing came easy for me. I had to work hard and long at whatever I wanted. I leaned to be patient. It took time, but it could be done. I also learned timing was EVERYTHING...

I even named my blog In Time ... because it takes time to achieve our goals.

So please don't lose heart if you lose your patience. Storm, rant, rage! Get it out of your system and then keep at it. Your patience WILL pay off In Time ...

Please check out the other posts here. We are all here to help each other get through the ups and downs on our long journey.

Today is also the first installment of the RULE OF 3 month long blogfest hosted by J. C. Martin Fighter Writer, Damyanti Biswas @ Amlokiblogs, Lisa Vooght @ Flash Fiction, and Stuart Nager @ Tale Spinning!


Drop by any of these blogs to find out all the details and to read the other entries. It's a fun, yet complicated Flash Fiction blogfest. It takes place in the Town of Renaissance and all who are involved will be creating a continued story with three main characters. Each week we write an entry based on a prompt given by our hosts. So PLEASE drop back each Wednesday/Thursday in October to find out what happens next.


I am still working on my entry, but I should have it up later tonight or the first thing in the morning. I do have until tomorrow to post. 


Have a great day everyone! 

CAMPAIGNER CHALLENGE TWO ... THE PLIGHT OF AN IMAGO

Well, I finally finished my entry for Rach Harrie's Campaigner challenge two. She really put us through hell for this one. She chose four very obscure words this time: Imago in the title, Miasma, Lacuna, synchronicity, and oscitate. Can you believe these?

When I looked them up and put them together and thought, How on earth can I get these words to blend in a 200 word Flash Fiction piece?

Well, let me tell you it wasn't easy. But I did manage to create an entry with all the words and exactly the requested word count. Also for an additional challenge she had asked for us to refer to a mirror in the story.

So, without further delay, here is my entry. I hope you enjoy it. And please vote/like mine on Rach's site if you do.

THE PLIGHT OF AN IMAGO

A golden leaf swept through the miasma as the buzz of wings approached a murky bog. 

A jagged piece of mirror glinted from a narrow stream of light, catching the large facetted eye of a frazzled female dragonfly.

A thought seeped into Splendora’s mind. Could this be it? Something so inconsequential.

A moment later, she zoomed down and scooped up the fragment, bringing it to her lair.

A tiny book of considerable age rested open on the rocky floor as she landed, gently placing her new found treasure along side of it.

A thread-like leg flipped through several pages stopping abruptly at the lacuna. 

A frustrated oscitate escaped from a narrow slit from under her bulging eyes. “What is missing? What is missing,” she hissed, slamming the book closed.

A new thought pressed like a vice as she stared a her reflection. The synchronicity of finding the mirror and the book is obvious, but how do I get them to work together?

A flight of fancy caused the whisper of a tiny breeze that reopened the book to an obscure page. Intrigued she buzzed back toward the book.

A glistened wing appeared in the mirror and then she knew.

Don't forget to drop by Rach's site here for the other entries. Please vote like on mine # 187, if you truly enjoyed it. Thanks.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!