New Website Art

I thought I'd take a moment to share some changes this summer. The major change has been to redesign my website. With that, I asked my brother (the family graphic designer) to create a new banner representing both books. I am very proud to showcase it here. Look for new book covers in the future as I republish novels and continue the Atlantis series in the next few months.

As always, I am nothing without you all!

How Much Planning is Spent on Life Lessons and Themes

This week's post comes from Cindy.

When planning a story, do you contemplate life lessons or do themes go naturally?

This week's post is a tough question for me to answer. It involves a part of writing that is still a mystery. When I write, I am focused on my characters and the story I want to tell. But, most of the time I stumble into the "bigger picture" connections. So, let me try to attack this question in two parts...since I believe the answer involves both aspects.  

To address the first, I am drawn to a certain incident in college. I loved being an English major. In fact, the moment I chose this path, I came alive with novel discussions...that is until we started predicting what the author was "trying to say." I hated this because I knew some things in writing just happen. Then, I stumbled across something that proved my point. Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is famous for repeating the last line: And miles to go before I sleep. Critics raved about the repeated stanza, debating Frost's true intentions. What was he trying to say? The common speculation was that it highlighted death, transferring the meaning of the poem to another dimension. Frost refused to answer the question for many years, but finally caved and stated he simply needed another sentence. Sometimes things just happen in novels. I need to drive the course of the plot or I simply stumble onto a parallelism, but have no idea how events lined up for me to connect in the middle, but they do. There are other aspects readers have brought to me about my stories that I never intended, but am still overjoyed to realize exist in my work. Ultimately, I write for the reader's interpretation. If they take something away from my work, whether intended or not, then I have done my job.

As I mentioned before, this question does have a second part. There are some things that I plan. This part comes from my studies on Joseph Campbell. I spend most of my effort examining the path of the Hero's Journey. In fact, I highly recommend The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler for any writer (although a reader might enjoy it as well) wanting to learn the mythical plot structure. This book gives a very thorough outline for the changes a hero must face as well as the types of individuals they can encounter along the way. I don't plan very extensively into this, although it is always in the back of my mind. Too much planning, in my opinion, stifles the story. What I ultimately outline is where I begin, where I am going, and what I want change I want to showcase. I often say when I write, I start with the ending, find a beginning and then write not knowing the full journey. I do begin an idea asking a question, which does lead to a theme. Most themes involve human strengths. In Lord of Nightmares, there was most definitely a moral question I wanted to ask. But I will also say there are vast other themes that just happened (some I recognized while writing and others readers have pointed out). But, even with this limited planning, I don't think I do as much manipulation as my English classes would like to suggest. I would also be surprised if the majority of authors do.

Toni Morrison probably mapped out her symbols, allusions and themes. But, I would venture to guess the rest of us plan about half of what readers discover, which is how it should be. If I planned too much, then there would be no room for the reader to insert themselves into the novel. After all, their experience is part of what creates a great novel.


Have a question for me? Wondering something about my novels? Have a question you always wanted to ask any writer? Click here and fill out the form. I will try to answer one every week

Mayans descendant of Atlantis

Whenever I'm writing a new Atlantis book, I always go back and conduct a little research, mainly because I like to add flavor to the plot. Sure, two characters can talk about the strange circumstances of a fellow soldier's death, but wouldn't that scene be so much better if it takes place in a bath room? Or what about adding a scene that takes place around an ancient game? Sometimes, the best cultural/governmental traits in a novel comes from real life.

The goal is to add a little truth behind the make-believe. When I wrote the first novel, I used Plato's writings only. I was fifteen at the time and therefore didn't realize how big of a topic Atlantis really was. I've discussed before the crazy theories behind the myth, but I always like to stray more toward truth...in other words no Alien assistance. On my research for the second novel, I came across one theory that the Mayans were descendants of Atlantis.

This struck me as an interesting twist. First, there's the fact that the origins of the Mayan culture is unknown. Theorists add this to the idea that "old world" architecture is very similar to the "new world"--i.e. artwork, column design, temples, and mummification. How did these designs become so similar if the two societies were completely separate? This is not the article I used for my research (I couldn't find it), but it does discuss the connections between Atlantis and the Mayans.

When I built Zeus society, therefore, I thought it was only best to add a little Mayan culture to the mix. I find fantasy literature is not about uncovering truths, but taking mythology and expanding the idea. Does it matter if I can prove a connection between the two cultures? No. But speculating and exaggerating the idea is so much more fun than proof anyway.

Monday's Quote: Steve Jobs

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." ~Steve Jobs

I think this quote is relevant for anyone, especially writers. In my 20's I found myself comparing successes. I compared myself to friends who were settling and starting families. I compared myself to colleagues who got promotions. I compared myself to writers who were living the life I "wanted." I believe the 20's are spent trying to decide what we want out of life and to start to live it.

I like the idea that we need to live the life we want. Not the life society says we should live. Not the life our parents might say we should live. And most definitely not the life we think we should live. We need to live the life we want to live. We need to strive for what we love, cherishing every moment. That is the only way to be.

Want daily quotes? Follow me on Twitter or Facebook.

Should Protagonist Age Match Reader Age?

In a conversation about the trend in books…I know, very stereotypical writer…I brought up the emergence of the New Age genre. It’s a genre between YA and adult, specifically targeting those in their 20’s. In theory, this genre can address the “coming of age” stories regarding college kids first entering the world and establishing their life. That means the industry will now have children’s books, Middle grade, YA, New Adult and then Adult. One writer mocked NA, saying now we have a genre for every age. In each genre, the protagonist should match the age group. It makes me wonder about The Curse of Atlantis, in which Pandora grows from ten years old to her twenties. Can I market it as all of the above genres….although she wasn’t the narrator, so probably not. I was once told I couldn’t possibly market as YA because my protagonists are not in their teens (typically around 16 for YA). So, when people started defining the NA genre, I became excited since mine tend to be in their 20’s. 

In theory, the age of the protagonist in each genre will be the age of the reader. I find this interesting for a simple fact. In elementary school, I only read when required. At least my teachers let me pick my own books, but I had to track so many hours per day. Being forced to read brought out my stubborn streak that asked me to rebel. I hated it for this, but also because I hadn’t found my preferred genre yet, which is what I tell non-reading teens—which is why, while classics are important, classes should focus on more modern genres as well. But that is a different post, so let me focus. I read children’s books in elementary school. My absolute favorites: Tuck Everlasting, Witch of Blackbird Pond, Sara Bishop, Shiloh, and Number the Stars. 

When I got to middle school, I completely skipped to Adult. I think part of the problem was because YA and middle grade tend to be series and the commitment frightened me. I also think that’s because they were weaker genres then. Once I became an “adult,” I began reading…and enjoying…YA. 

So, what’s my point? This industry requires authors to state their audience. I can’t simply say I write for all readers without being cast aside as an amateur without a focus. Yet, I've also heard writers criticize those who define themselves in any genre, saying they are creating limitations—selling out. While I wouldn’t go that far, I do wonder. I know many adults who read and enjoyed Harry Potter…technically a children’s book. So, should we define a market with rules of age? I know, personally, I break most of these standards. While I know I can be a little weird according to society…but am I really that far out of the norm? Maybe we should just say it’s a good book and be done. But maybe that’s too much like anarchy in the book world.

Inspiration from Mother Nature

July in Arizona is known as the Monsoon season. Typically, this is where we see the most of our rain fall in the course of five weeks. It also provides quite the entertainment of lightning, rain/hail, and flooding. And, being an Arizona native, you'd think I would have quite the selection of stormy pictures to show. But I never seem to take pictures unless on vacation. So, I thought instead I would link my local newspaper to share some awesome pics. My favorite is number 6/17. Below is an awesome lightning shot a friend of mine caught a few nights ago.

July is also the month I tend to write the most. The darkness of the storms...the unnerving roll of thunder...the rain pounding the window...it all creates quite the nerves. For me, these nerves are the perfect ingredient for a writing session. Luckily, I have a laptop, so I don't have to worry about losing anything to power outages...in fact that may even compel me to write even more!

This year is proving to be very active, and therefore productive for my writing. I love Arizona for this month especially. But also hope everyone stays safe through this crazy time.

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

This week's question comes from Martha:

Where do you derive inspiration?

I think I get asked this particular question more than any other. I admit, even though I write, I still ask this question sometimes. Typically, the mark of a good book is when I end thinking “where did they get the idea for that?” 

I see a lot of articles and tips on how to manufacture inspiration. Many involve “people watching” at the mall or coffee shop. I still contend that this will freak people out more than it will help story ideas, but who knows. I have also heard of people reading newspaper articles and watching TV shows (or just reading books for that matter). When I first began writing, I mimicked songs, so I would suggest this particular method above all others. Some people devote their time to writing prompts and others join writer’s groups. Writers have to be careful on the latter, though. There is a thin line between finding inspiration from other writers and stealing their ideas, which is frowned upon. 

I found a blog on inspiration this morning, trying to figure out how I was going to answer this question. It lists dreams for one of the methods. I found that funny because it’s not like I can control my dreams…if I even remember them when I wake. But, I must admit that I have had dreams lead me to certain scenes. For example, in the novel I just finished about a family who can manipulate fate, I came up with the idea of a sisterly feud from a dream that was so vivid I woke up in a funky mood. Stephenie Meyer often says Twilight came from a dream of Edward talking with Bella in a field, which she later wrote into the book. So, while I can’t control my dreams, I think this is the strongest source on that list.

I actually hate when people try to come up with lists for writers to try. Typically my sources tend to be out of my control. The Curse of Atlantis came from a teacher proclaiming in history class that we will find the ruins of Atlantis in seven years (he was a little wacky, but some of the best teachers are). The Lord of Nightmares came on a dark night when I was feeding my rabbit and I looked up at a full moon, envisioning blood running over it. 

No matter where my stories come from, they tend to stay stagnant until I fall onto a question. The Curse of Atlantis was “What if we did find Atlantis?” which turned into “What if they existed and had a curse?” The Lord of Nightmares was “What if supernatural beings were the reason behind horrible crimes on the news?” The sequel to the curse is “What happened to Zeus after the war?” My ideas actually don’t start to generate until the question is defined. Where the question comes from changes, but it normally doesn’t happen until I am almost done with the book I’m currently writing—I am not one of those writers who can write multiple books at a time. This, of course, leaves me with the fear that the ideas will suddenly stop coming. Then, maybe, I will go to the lists of manufactured inspiration. 

I’m not sure where inspiration comes from while a story progresses. My method of writing involves talking out the plot with my mother (because she tolerates my crazy questions and synopsis, even giving ideas of her own). Besides that, I listen to my muse and let the story run. 

In short, where does my inspiration come from? I like to think it comes from God whispering in my ear.



Have a question for me? Wondering something about my novels? Have a question you always wanted to ask any writer? Click here and fill out the form. I will try to answer one every week