R.E. Sheahan's Blog, page 3

I’ve always had this problem, but it seems worse for some reason right now. (I think I know why. That will be another story for another time.)
I’m working, writing along, the ideas are coming, the dialog flows, and the descriptions are awesome. My alert that I have received e-mail dings. Mine dings, a clear ringing tone of possibility.
Could it be one of the hundreds of agents I’ve queried responding with yet not another rejection but the coveted acceptance? “I love your style and the story you propose has me on the edge of my seat. Please send the full manuscript. I believe I have a publisher who would be thrilled to sign you.”
It could happen! It will happen!
Maybe it’s another request to review my book, or better, a glowing review. So far they have been great. This always makes my day, my week!
I’ll just go have a little look. So I check my mail with high anticipation.
Junk.
But now that I’m on the Internet, might as well check Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble for new reviews.
Nothing. Google Alerts would have e-mailed me if there was.
I wonder what's new on FaceBook and Twitter? Should check.
Maybe there’s something interesting on Pinterest, or a good blog on Indies Unlimited.
There goes an hour.
I need to get back to writing. I shut down Firefox, bring up word for Mac, and immerse myself in characters, worlds, and adventures.
My e-mail dings.

I recently read an article about Young Adult novels. The more colorful the language, (cursing), the better the review.
Ouch.
I was talking with some fellow writers over the weekend, the topic being a reader found a section in one of their books offensive and put the book down, never to pick it up again. It had to do with a love, or sex scene.
Hmmm.
I read the book and found nothing I would consider offensive. In fact, it was quite a good story.
Another writer friend is having great success with his first novel, YA Dystopian, which portrays graphic violence.
Well done and congratulations!
My point you ask?
Well, my books have minimal violence, no sex scenes, and the rare cuss word is in another language. I’ll be honest. I am a little worried. Will my books make the cut?
Then I remembered what Robert McCammon, Science Fiction Author, said during a keynote speech at a writer’s conference.
“Don’t write for the industry, or to fill the niche. Write from your heart. Write what you love.”
Not everyone is going to love or even like what I write. Some will, I hope more than don’t. But at the end of the day, if I love what I have written, then I am fulfilling my purpose.
As Author Robert Dugoni once said in his now famous opening keynote speech, “This Day We Write!!!”

My latest audio book is a repeat. I’m re-listening to the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. Getting ready for the newest in the line, Odd Apocalypse, due out later this year. Listening to books works, worked, for me. When I was busy outside, taking care of a ranch, I carried a tape player and could easily go through three books a week. Then there were the trips to town that took an hour, each way. I’m not doing that anymore, but still find time to listen.

The upside has given me the opportunity to read. To hold a book in my hands and turn the pages. Yes, I have a Nook and a Kindle reader on my laptop. But I’m a diehard. I love the feel, scent, and look of a real book. (Although I do love the convenience of the Nook and Kindle!)
Currently the book I’m reading is Sincerely Louise, By Gloria Boyd. Just started so no comment so far.

I have also been honored to read drafts of fellow writers. I just finished HitMail dot com, by Russell Turney. Pay attention to that name. Russell is an author I predict you’ll be hearing a lot about in the near future.

Another author to keep a watch on is Cynthia Rogan. Her book, Symphony of Dreams, is available as an e-book and will soon be released in hard copy. Great story. Another book I was fortunate enough to read before any one else.

So what’s your summer line up look like? Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Fantasy? Who’s your favorite author? Where’s your most comfy place to cuddle up and read? Or listen?

Hi, I’m Erynn Yager. Cadet Lieutenant Erynn Yager. I’m a recent student to Academy and the Interceptor Fighter pilot training program, a privilege I’ve worked very hard to attain. My classmates and some of my instructors believe my acceptance is due to my dad’s distinguished position. He’s Commanding General Damon Yager of Security Forces, but no one knows he’s not my real dad.
My whole life is about secrets. Not the kind of secrets other girls enjoy whispering to their friends. I can never share mine with anyone. My dad made sure I understood this. If I ever did let the truth slip, everything I’ve worked for would change forever.
The biggest secret is that I am. My birth was forbidden.
Let me explain. Most of you are from one planet. I’m from two. My mother was from Korin, where I live with my dad. My biological father, a man I have never met, is from Arranon, a cold, wild, and dangerous place I have never been.
I’m not really clear on all the details about my biological father and how he and my mom met. My mom died before I was a day old. I only know she was beautiful, smart, funny, and that my dad, Damon, loved her very much.
I’m getting to the forbidden part. The governments of both worlds warned that children of mixed Arranon and Korin heritage are born with deformities resulting in death soon after birth, and banned these unions.
You see, I shouldn’t be alive.
So why did I live, and with no visible defect? I don’t know.
There are some differences about me though. Of all my peculiar abilities, reading people’s emotions and sensing what they’re feeling gets me into the most trouble. I can bend, no slow time for brief moments. That one was a real shock for my dad. Oh, and speaking of shocks, I have the ability to manipulate the electro-magnetic field around me. Another talent of absolutely no use unless causing glass to smash to the floor could be handy. Then there’s the precognition, often knowing what’s going to happen before it does. I must admit this is helpful when flying. And I’m a good pilot. I’m going to be a great Interceptor pilot, like my dad. At least that’s the way it seemed until General Cale Athru from Arranon came to Korin with a secret of his own.

Storm of Arranon

Tattered moonlight skimmed the sand. The crashing surf roared off to her left.
Icy air driven by the rising wind whistled into the gap, a cool embrace against her hot face. To the right, the outline of trees was perhaps thirty meters away. Ahead, the beach stretched as far as she could see. Gathering clouds wrapped the moons, trying to extinguish their comforting glow. There were no rocks, cliffs, or snarling, snuffling beasts. Surf foamed and bubbled on the beach. The play of light and dark skated across a sandy illusion of ice.
Erynn licked her lips and tasted salt in the moisture collecting there. She stepped out of the fissure and glanced back. Nothing but the dark met her gaze.
“Birk is coming.”
The storm collected around her. Gusting winds chilled her. She reached up and back, unbraiding her long hair. The dark auburn color transformed to silver in the waning light. The freed length fell in crimped curls around her face and down her back.
Warmer.
“Get off the shoreline, too visible,” she said through chattering teeth, scanning the incoming storm. She ran up the gradual slope of the beach. Loose sand slid under her boots. The ground firmed inside the cover of the woods. Wind compelled the smaller branches of the trees to flutter and jump. Frantic hands of twigs and leaves grasped out for her in the broken shards of moonlight.
Erynn stayed hidden inside the shadow-filled cover of the trees and made her way back to where Birk’s ship had plunged over the cliff. The fiery remains would act as a beacon for her rescue. She needed to get back to Korin. Her dad needed her. There would be nothing she could do from Arranon to stop this invasion.

Storm of Arranon