Jonathan Rhys Meyers' Dracula Scorches the Small Screen

One of the promotional images for NBC's Dracula reboot describes it as "Old Legend. New Blood." They certainly delivered on that promise in last Friday's premiere episode. 

Dracula has been remade dozens of times since Bram Stoker first penned the novel in 1897. Each actor who played the part brought something new to the role. Every interpretation gave a new spin on the legend. This incarnation dusts off the old tropes and breathes new life into a story everyone thought they knew. 

I was aware going in that in order to create a season (hopefully multi-season) weekly drama based on a single novel, the writers would have to introduce new storylines to keep the audience tuned in. But what they created far exceeded my expectations. There are tons of surprises in store for even those who thought they knew everything there was to know about the characters. In addition, the production values are truly excellent, the costumes lavish, the acting superb, and the special effects are understated and powerful. 

The most effective special effect, however, is Meyers himself. The way his eyes glittered as he looked on Mina Murray from the shadows spoke volumes about the character of Dracula and hinted at things to come in a way that the script could never do. He has a power and charisma on screen that is incendiary, and it makes the audience root for him, even with the knowledge that he is not the hero. Or is he? I, for one, can't wait to find out. 

If you haven't seen the pilot episode, you're in for a treat. I plan to keep watching every week to see how the plot unfolds...and to see more of Jonathan Rhys Meyers. 

Eagle Radio Interview with Thomas Gilson

Yesterday, I was interviewed by Thomas Gilson from Central Methodist University’s Eagle Radio about my writing. Since Blogger, WordPress, and Facebook all lack the ability to post audio files, I created a Tumblr account in order to host the interview file in it's entirety. Tom and I had a lot of fun doing the interview together, and I think it came out pretty well. I hope you all enjoy!

• Eagle Radio Interview with Thomas Gilson

If you would like to hear more from Tom or listen to Eagle Radio, click through and just hit play.

Exciting News!

I've kept it under my hat for a month, wanting to wait till there was something definite to say, but it's time. People have been asking me about the book, and I'm ready now to talk about the reason for my delay.

In September, I made arrangements with R.J. Cavender from The Editorial Department to annotate my manuscript of Ma Chère Antoinne. Yesterday, I got them back from him, and I don't think I've ever made such a great investment in myself.

Annotation, for those of you who don't know, consists of notes that are made throughout the document. I'm notorious for annotating my books at home (though never library books, I swear), and it's the same technique I use when grading papers in my composition classes. Some of the notes are corrections or suggestions while others are reactions to the text. It's a way of interacting between reader and writer--a conversation.

I think if I hadn't had the experience of giving just these kinds of notes to others, I'd have felt very defensive and frightened at the prospect of reading through 265 pages of someone else's commentary on my work. But setting ego aside and seeing the annotations as a conversation rather than a threat makes a potentially anxiety-ridden situation into a learning experience that can be transformative.

Having the right editor makes all the difference. That sounds obvious, but it truly isn't.

I've seen "editors" who simply marked sentence level issues but who never really appeared to engage with the text. That's not editing. That's proofreading. I've also seen "editors" who try to force a writer to give up his/her own voice in order to make the content fit their own desires. That's not editing either. That's rewriting.

Good editing, just like good teaching, engages in a conversation with the writer, reacting to what is working right as well as to what isn't.

The best situation is when an editor's sensibilities match those of the writer. They just "get" it. They understand the writer's intent and help hone the text to achieve that goal.

That's exactly how I feel as I'm studying the notes. I couldn't be happier with the work R.J. did for me, and I can't thank him enough for his attention to detail. I'm only just starting Chapter 6, and I can already see how much cleaner, tighter, and better the text has become. Not only that, but I'm starting to internalize the lessons I'm gleaning from his notes, and that is a gift I will carry with me always.

All this means that Book 2 is on hold while I complete my changes. But after learning what R.J. has to say, I'm confident that Book 1 is going to be vastly improved, and the things I'm learning will carry over into the rest of the series.

By nature, I want what I want when I want it, and I have a hard time waiting patiently for the things I've set my mind on. I'm most impatient with myself. It's easy for me to become annoyed with myself for not being able to complete a project as quickly as I'd like. However, when it comes to my writing, I remind myself that the wait will be worth it, both for me and for those who will read it.

Writing a book is like deciding to run a marathon. It's not something you can just wake up one morning and do. It takes training, time, planning, dedication, and a willingness to accept that natural talent on it's own isn't going to get you to the finish line. It means getting up every morning, even on the days when you don't feel like it, all with the belief that the achievement will make any short-term hardship fade in time.

Writing a series is like running a series of marathons back to back. That is what I've taken on.

So please be patient with me. I'm running as fast as I can. And I promise to make it worth the wait.

Things You Should See, Read, Do!

With two jobs in addition to my writing (not including being Layla's dogmom, which she informs me should be a full-time career), I don't have a ton of free time to watch TV or movies or for recreational reading or shopping or whatever. Therefore, I'm pretty selective when it comes to how I spend that time. These are a few things I am glad I spend time on, and I think you will be too.

The new FOX television series Sleepy Hollow
If you're not watching this show, you're making a huge mistake. Fans of Supernatural, you should be tuning in. I guarantee you'll love it.

Nicole Beharie as Abbie Mills is a strong, smart, capable woman, and we need more of those. Also, she's beautiful and sexy without having to be sexualized, and that is refreshing as well.

Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane has great chemistry with his leading lady, and his flashes of wit and humor are the perfect balance to the weighty "save-the-world-from-the-apocalypse" drama. Plus, ladies, just look at him. Seriously, go Google and take a look. I'll wait. ...................... Mmm hmm. Like I said.

The plot is intriguing, surprising, suspenseful, and not just a little bit scary. I'm hoping this show is around a long time.

Australian Musician Matt Corby
His soulful sound is nothing short of inspiring. If you give him a listen, I think not only will you agree, but you'll go right out to buy every song just like I did. Here's a sample.

 

Warning, he could become addictive.

John Dies at the End

The book is so bizarre and hilarious, I was pretty sure there was no way a movie adaptation could do it justice. Then I saw it was made by the same folks who did Bubba Ho Tep (one of my very favorite Bruce Campbell films), and I knew all bets were off. I ignored the reviews which were done by people who don't appreciate B cult movies, and man, am I glad I did. Did they include everything in the novel? Heck no. That would be impossible. However, they did stay true to the spirit of the book, and I loved every wacky thing that happened.

The BBC Radio Dramatization Broadcast of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere
I have loved Neverwhere for years. I don't know how many. Just trust me, it's lots. I've been a fan of Neil Gaiman since 1989 and have read nearly everything he's ever written. I say "nearly" simply because he's written SO MUCH, it is of course possible that I've missed something, but I never did so on purpose. But this dramatization is truly fabulous.

With readers like Christopher Lee, James McAvoy, Natalie Dormer, David Harewood, Sophie Okonedo, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anthony Head, the tale comes alive and will remain in your thoughts long after you've finished listening.

Note: Unless you like having creepy nightmares, you might want to listen in a well-lit area in daylight since Benedict Cumberbatch's depiction of the Angel Islington is chilling. Then again, if you enjoy that kind of thing, well, then by all means go right on and ignore my warning. Just don't say I didn't tell you.

Delicate Balance

Made more progress on Book 2 today, and it's definitely going to some very dark places. This time the stakes are even higher, and you'll learn a lot more about all of the characters. Everyone has something to hide, and as events unfold, they'll all have much more to lose as well.

Today, I did a little research on Chicago and Venice in order to fill in more details on the chapters I've already written, fleshing out a few essential specifics and dropping some subtle foreshadowing of what's to come while I was at it. Then I tightened the writing and completed a first revision of the text.

I tend to do at least four revisions before I do a detailed proofreading. Those are usually not done until I'm through with an entire section, but since I made a few changes/tweaks to the plot that will follow through the rest of this half of the novel, I needed to make sure the earlier chapters adequately lead up to what happens next.

Tomorrow, I'm getting back into the swing of things after work. I've got two more weeks till the students return, so I want to make the most of my time in the evenings between now and then. I'm setting aside three hours every night after work, and then on the weekend I'm writing at least four hours. This will be my last long weekend before the summer is over.

It matters to me that as I write, I strike a delicate balance of giving just the right amount of description. I am not likely to have long descriptive passages or soliloquizing narration that doesn't move the plot forward. Having been a technical writer and having taught it for several years now, I work hard to keep the writing concise, tight, and compelling. Readers need some room for their imaginations to work, and too much detail can ruin a scene, bog down the flow of the story, and slow down the pace. Plus, I don't want to give too much away too fast and spoil the surprises. Everyone has secrets, and I intend to make sure they're not revealed until the right moment. This series should keep you on an intensely thrilling ride, and that is only achieved if I keep things moving forward. I also want each chapter to propel you into the next, driving you to keep reading to find out what happens next. That means several cliffhangers that motivate the reader to breathlessly turn the pages one after another till the end. To me, that's the ultimate sign of success--a reader who can't wait for the next chapter. Every piece of description has a purpose. Every factual detail is there for a reason.

I don't have a title yet, but it's in the works. I'm kicking around a few ideas, and once I've found one that sticks, I'll be making an announcement. In the meantime, I'm promising more thrills, more danger, and more excitement.

Self-Promotion for Introverts

So you've written a great book. You've had a good editor go through it to make the manuscript the best it can be. You've bought a fabulous cover from a graphic artist. You've uploaded the book to CreateSpace, Smashwords, Kindle, Nook, Kobo. It's there, ready to be read. Only problem is, you are afraid of the whole selling aspect of the process. Facebook and Twitter and blogging seem like distractions from what you really want to do, which is sit alone in a quiet space and write your heart out.

I know a lot of authors who are introverted people. That makes sense, really. Writing is primarily a solitary activity. That personality trait is an asset to writers in that respect. However, there are some serious downsides to being an introverted author as well.

Just the other day, I saw an author post on her Facebook page "I'm not really comfortable with self-promotion," and then she proceeded awkwardly asking people to sort of, kind of, maybe look at her book if it wasn't too much trouble.

I understand wanting to seem humble, but this sort of approach to the situation only made her seem to have no confidence in the quality of her work. No one will buy a book from a person who seems to feel that they're not offering anything of value. If you're not certain of yourself, no one else will be either. And if you're not comfortable telling people about your work, then maybe a career in writing is not for you.

Yes, being an author is about writing. But you also have to think about the business end of the process too. You're creating a product. That product won't sell if you're not willing to put yourself out there and promote it.

Even famous authors who "have people for that" still do their own promotion in addition. They go on book tours and to conferences. They make speeches. They make commercials. They blog about their projects. They tweet about their work. They are interviewed by journalists. All of that is self-promotion. And that is half of the work of being an author, if you plan on making a career out of it.

You are not just selling the book. You're selling yourself. You're selling your name as a brand. And people want confidence in the product they're buying, whether it's a novel or a pair of pants. Coke didn't become a household name without the executives being willing to promote it. The same is true for authors.

The main problem seems to me to be a matter of confidence and of not wanting to seem like you're an egomaniac. But it's important to remember that being confident does not make you a braggart. Unless you plan on just passing around a copy of your book for friends and family or are content being the next Emily Dickenson and waiting to publish after you're long dead, you're going to have to get over the fear of self-promotion.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Who else knows your story better than you do? 
• Who else understands your vision completely? 
• Who else do you trust to fully express those ideas to others? 

Even if you've got a publishing contract with a top agency, you are going to be expected to step forward and say "Hey! I wrote this thing, I'm proud of it, and I think you'll like it because of X, Y, Z." And if you're self-publishing, there is just you as a one-person show to sell others on your work. So stop selling yourself short and get busy!

Having an online presence only works if you make it work for you. That doesn't mean posting "BUY MY BOOK" over and over. It means building a rapport with people who are interested in the same things you're interested in. It means networking with other authors in your same genre. And yes, occasionally saying "MY BOOK IS AWESOME, AND YOU SHOULD BUY IT!" Your writing should make you excited. And excitement is infectious.

If you think your work isn't good enough, work harder. Make it better. It's that simple.

If you've done your best, then get busy telling people about it so they can be as energized by what you've written as you were when you sat down in that room by yourself and let your imagination go. You've got to be passionate, head-over-your-heels, bursting-at-the-seams excited about your story to carry it through to the end when you're writing. Let that passion drive you and guide you to then share your creation with the world. Because that is what is at the heart of self-promotion. It's not begging for money. It's giving readers all of the emotion and effort that you put into what you made. It's sharing your imagination with the world.

Character Interview: Claire Marie

1. What is your name? Do you have a nickname?
   

   My name is Claire Marie Hapsburg. At least, that's my name right now. I've had many nicknames. *smiles*

2. What is your hair color? Eye color?
   

   I have blonde hair and blue eyes.

3. Who are your friends and family? Who do you surround yourself with? Who are the people you are closest to?
   

   My...child is named Raul. I have other children who died, and I think about them all the time. *pauses, looking away for a moment, then smiles, looking back up* My assistant, Crystal, helps me run my antique shop. She and I are good friends. There are very few people I would say I'm close to. I have my reasons.

4. Where were you born? Where have you lived since then? Where do you call home?
   

   I was born in Austria, and I've lived many places since that time. Currently, I live in the Central West End of St. Louis, Missouri.

5. Where do you go when you're angry?
   

   *laughs* I try not to let that happen.

6. What is your biggest fear? Who have you told this to? Who would you never tell this to? Why?
   

   *shifty eyes* I can't answer that question.

7. Do you have a secret?
   

   Darling, you don't get to be my age without having secrets.

8. What makes you laugh out loud?
   

   My sweet little dog, Pom Pom.

9. When have you been in love? Had a broken heart?
   

   Oh, many times. But I try to leave the past where it is. No sense in rehashing old wounds.

10. What is in your refrigerator right now? On your bedroom floor? On your nightstand? In your garbage can?
    

    *raises an eyebrow* In my refrigerator? Well, not food. My bedroom floor has lovely antique rugs. My nightstand has an alarm clock, a lamp, and whatever book I'm reading at the time. As for my garbage can, I recycle most things, so there is very little in the garbage can. Raul insists upon it.

11. Look at your feet. Describe what you see there.
    

    I love high heels. I always have.

12. When you think of your childhood kitchen, what smell do you associate with it? Why is that smell so resonant for you?
    

    *shakes head* I never was allowed to be in the kitchen. I was scolded for being in the way. But I associate my childhood with the scent of roses. The gardens at home were full of them. *soft smile*

13. You are doing intense spring cleaning. What is easy for you to throw out? What is difficult for you to part with? Why?
    

    It is easy for me to part with most things, but I have a real attachment to items from my past, especially things that are related to my childhood or to my children.

14. It’s Saturday at noon. What are you doing? Give details.
    

    *chuckles* Sleeping, of course. I work at night, so I am never up that early.

15. What is one strong memory that has stuck with you from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?
    

    Hmm...I remember my grandmother teaching me to sew and to do decorative needlework. It was one of the few things she said I did truly well. She was a hard woman, my grandmother. It wasn't easy to please her. I was proud to earn her praise in that.

16. You are getting ready for a night out. Where are you going? What do you wear? Who will you be with?
    

    A night out? *smiles* I work nights, generally, so I wear a lot of sweater sets. I do love to dress up, but I don't have so many occasions to do so these days.

17. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
    

    *soft laugh* I can't answer that.

18. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
    

    *bites lip thoughtfully* Perfect happiness would be spending time with my family.

19. What is your current state of mind?
    

    I'm very well, thank you.

20. What is your favorite occupation?
    

    I own an antique shop. Of the various occupations I've had, it's the most relaxing.

21. What is your most treasured possession?
    

    Oh, I have several. I can't really choose one. I keep them locked away.

22. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
    

    *sighs* I am afraid it hurts too much to answer that question, my dear.

23. What is your favorite journey?
    

    *raises an eyebrow* Favorite journey? I'm a homebody, so I'd rather not travel any more than necessary.

24. What is your most marked characteristic?
    

    My sense of style. Everyone says so.

25. When and where were you the happiest?
    

    *shifts uncomfortably* Are all these questions like this?  I really don't want to answer that.

26. What is it that you most dislike?
    

    Being alone.

27. Which living person do you most despise?
    

    Is this a trick question? I honestly can't answer this either. Next!

28. What is your greatest regret?
    

    *looks away* These questions are unpleasant. I thought you said this would be a fun activity. *frowns* Losing my children.

29. Which talent would you most like to have?
    

    I am not musical.

30. Where would you like to live?
    

    I'm happy where I am.

31. What is the quality you most like in a man?
    

    Loyalty.

32. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
    

    Strength of will.

33. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
    

    I often give my trust too easily.

34. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
    

    Lying.

35. What do you most value in your friends?
    

    Loyalty and sincerity.

36. Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
    

    Hmm...Lestat de Lioncourt. I do enjoy Anne Rice's excellent novels.

37. On what occasions do you lie?
    

    *laughs* Oh darling, a lady never tells.

38. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
    

    You had probably best ask Raul that question. I never pay attention to a thing I say.

39. How would you like to die?
    

    *big laugh* Is there anyone who has an answer to that? I'd prefer it never happens.