Jenna Storm Paranormal Romance Author: Help! I'm frozen...wicked insecurity has the best ...

Jenna Storm Paranormal Romance Author: Help! I'm frozen...wicked insecurity has the best ...: Hello fellow writers and readers! Imagine an over-caffeinated, highly anxious author with fingers curled into claws above the keyboard. Now ...

Help! I'm frozen...wicked insecurity has the best of me!

Hello fellow writers and readers! Imagine an over-caffeinated, highly anxious author with fingers curled into claws above the keyboard. Now add sub-zero temperature, chattering teeth and ice dripping off her body. That's me!

I'm halfway through my book, my story is plotted out to the final scenes and my characters are familiar and coming together. I made some changes in the sequence of events and tweaked the conflicts both internally and externally so I'm actually in good shape as far as my liking the story. Some scenes are polished, some rough and a few not even created yet. I'm not in horrible shape. So why am I putting off another run through? I should be excited to flesh out scenes and watch the story develop.

Many thought are going through my head right now as I try to analyze myself (this could take a long time but I promise not to drag you along). One is the fear I won't be able to complete the story. I'm biting my nails thinking of the scenes I need to perfect. Hmmm. Perfect is a pretty strong word. Anyone faced with achieving such a high level of accomplishment would freeze. I can't be alone in this. My head is hurting at this point but I delve a little deeper...beyond creating the scenes, making them sound good and perfecting the plot flow I have to work quickly. Okay, this time I actually pictured a racing train grinding to a neck-snapping halt. Sparks and all. I just found the other inhibitor to writing my story. Pressure to work quickly and get the book to my publisher before anymore time lapses. It's a vicious cycle and adding stress to move faster is only making me procrastinate more. Sometimes I really hate how my mind works!

So, esteemed authors and readers what are your thoughts on these self-imposed pressures? Can you help me get out of the deep freeze I'm in and give my characters the story they deserve? I would love to hear your advice and experiences in this area.

Jenna Storm Paranormal Romance Author: Meet Reba...an intriguing character from SB Knight...

Jenna Storm Paranormal Romance Author: Meet Reba...an intriguing character from SB Knight...: The following is a character interview from SB Knight’s debut novel Born of Blood. Today we get to know Reba, one of the many interesting a...

Meet Reba...an intriguing character from SB Knight's novel Born of Blood

The following is a character interview from SB Knight’s debut novel Born of Blood. Today we get to know Reba, one of the many interesting and complex characters from the novel.

1. Welcome Reba. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I consider myself a free spirit. Unfortunately for me I have a problem keeping a job. Come to think about it that ended up getting me into a lot of trouble. I can tell you that my life has experienced many ups and downs, twist and turns but nothing compares to the time I served that jerk a drink. Funny how that led to me meeting Charles. 

2. In Born of Blood you find yourself in a very difficult ordeal but seem to handle it well. What do you attribute that to?

HA! Are you kidding me? I was scared to death. But you know, my mommy always told me if you got lemons make lemonade. But I can tell you this, I like to think I made things interesting for that jerk who tried to toy with me.

3. You spent some time Jesse. What was your impression of her?

Jesse is perhaps the strongest person I have ever had the privilege to meet. Meeting her was intense to say the least but in that time I saw so much of what I wish I could be. She is nothing short of a hero in my book.

4. Charles is an interesting individual. Can you tell us about him?

Charles is a special person. From our first meeting to now he will always be an inspiration to me. Don’t get me wrong, he was very intimidating the first time I ran into him but he saved me. The more time I spent with him the more I learned that there was a lot hidden behind all that tough exterior. 

5. Can you tell us about your friendship with Sam? 

Sam…what can be said about Sam? We share a lot but only recently learned that we have a lot in common. It is a….great friendship born out of dark, desperate times. I owe a great deal to Sam but I don’t know if he truly knows that.

Thank you, Reba for that rather interesting interview. Next we will take a look at a book excerpt.

The room was shrouded in silence; the only movement was Charles’ hand and the rise and fall of their chests. Warmth spread through his body—not the heat of passion but a sensation that radiated from his chest. Reba held him tight. Charles returned her embrace as he smoothed her red hair. He sucked in her scent.

She smells so good.

Reba pushed away from him and sat up. Her velvet-blue eyes ensnared his. His heartbeat hung on her next word, her next movement. She grabbed the sides of his head and kissed him. His hard, stiff lips became soft and supple as her passion penetrated the emotional barriers he had constructed long ago.

They parted from their enraptured moment and inhaled, her hands drifting down his chest, unbuttoning his shirt. When she slid it over his broad shoulders, she gasped. With two fingers she traced the multiple scars crisscrossing his chest.

“How did you get these, Charles?”

He moved her hand away and ran a finger down her cheek.

“They’re a part of my past that is better kept there.”

Reba placed her hand over his and rested her cheek in his palm for a moment before pulling her shirt over her head. The strawberry-red bra that peeked through matched her hair…

Where can you find Born of Blood?

You can purchase Born of Blood from the MuseItUp Bookstore , Amazon, and, Bookstrand. 

To stay up to date and find out more information about Born of Blood, SB Knight, and his upcoming projects check out his website SB Knight.com. Be sure to look him up on Facebook and Goodreads.

About SB Knight:

SB Knight has seen his poetry and short stories published in both books and magazines. Now, with the publishing of his first novel he has achieved a goal and dream set many years ago. Currently he has completed the sequel for Born of Blood and is currently working on another project.

SB Knight is the creator of ‘The New Author;’ a blog that started as a learning tool but has since grown into a community of friends and peers. He is also co-owner of Premium Promotional Services where authors can find the help they need to promote their book on the Internet.

When not writing nor generating new story ideas he can be found enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing. He resides in West Virginia with his wife and son.

Jenna Storm Paranormal Romance Author: On the road to discovery...am I psychic?

Jenna Storm Paranormal Romance Author: On the road to discovery...am I psychic?: Since I missed blogging on Friday the 13th I’ve decided to extend posting of eerie supernatural blogs for the weekend! Yay! It just gives me...

On the road to discovery...am I psychic?

Since I missed blogging on Friday the 13th I’ve decided to extend posting of eerie supernatural blogs for the weekend! Yay! It just gives me a reason to write about the weird things I find interesting. Hopefully you will too.

I have this great book that is an encyclopedia of hauntings and paranormal and while the information doesn’t explore topics in great detail it does give enough information to whet my appetite so I dig for more details. There are so many great topics I don’t know which to start with... 

The number 64 just popped into my head and because I like to pretend I have ESP like my character, Danni in The Burning Seal I’m going to turn to page 64 as if I was guided there. LOL. Yes, I have officially turned the corner and left my sanity behind. 

Flipping to page 64 now and wondering if I really am psychic and the topic will have something to do with my current work in progress (WIP) providing a revelation that will speed up my writing process thus completing the book in mere weeks rather then the projected three months. Drumroll please...

<flipping pages>

I’m not sure what this means. I could be psychic...if I really stretched my thinking. I landed in the B section with these topics. Breath. Bridge of Souls. Breathing Exercises. 

Let’s start with “Breath” and how the paragraph explains the importance of breathing (you’re probably thinking, “duh we all know that.”) but the explanation goes deeper and explains the importance of breathwork and how the techniques may help a person “attain alternate states of consciousness” (thank you wikipedia) and continued practice with breathwork techniques may have spiritual or psychological benefits. The page has a brief section on breathing exercises that some believe gives them access to different psychic states and works with altering your aura through breath and thought. I haven’t tried any of these exercises but anything that wipes away negative energies and replaces it with positive energy is worth a try. 

Finally, the last topic on the page is “Bridge of Souls”. A term used in mythology to explain the souls passage to the otherworld whether it’s a road or bridge or another way of making this mysterious voyage. The rainbow in all its unexplained beauty was regarded by some Ancient civilizations as the bridge that would take them to the otherworld. 

That’s it for page 64 and the interesting topics I’ve just glossed over. Well, this doesn’t prove if I have ESP like Danni but it is interesting how the breathing exercises are used for meditation and opening the mind to deeper levels of thinking. I think I’ll try the exercises and while it may not cause me to fly through my WIP finishing with the speed of a superhero and quality of a bestseller at least I’ll feel better replacing the negative energy with positive. I can handle that! 

Have a great day everyone...I’m pushing positive thoughts in your direction right now. 

The book I used for reference along with Wikipedia was The Element Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Hauntings by Theresa Cheung.

The Burning Seal is available! 

http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=341&category_id=157&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1

Jenna Storm Paranormal Romance Author: Inspiration

Jenna Storm Paranormal Romance Author: Inspiration: Right now, I’m promoting, going through emails and watching Stephen King’s Bag of Bones movie. It’s made for TV and I hate to admit it but i...

Inspiration

Right now, I’m promoting, going through emails and watching Stephen King’s Bag of Bones movie. It’s made for TV and I hate to admit it but it’s getting my heart rate up and making me jump as I sit here typing. Of course, getting a scare, whether little or big depending on your level of bravery which for me fluctuates daily, is one reason I watch suspense and horror movies. 

The other reason is...inspiration. 

I use not only books but television and movies to get my mind focused on a particular genre or topic. Book one in the Elements series that released two weeks ago focused on psychics, demons, the hunt for a killer loose in New Orleans and a prophecy. Needless to say I researched psychic phenomena, hauntings, angels and demonology. It sounds silly but I found myself looking over my shoulder many times and if a site freaked me out too much I quickly closed it! Yeah my blood ran coward’s yellow for a while there. Did it stop me? No way. I have a DVD library that continues to grow and includes titles, Ninth Gate with Johnny Depp, Constantine (Keneau Reeves), Underworld (Kate Beckinsale), and the Supernatural and Vampire Diaries series.

My current work in progress is book two in the Elements series and this story includes the topics from The Burning Seal and adds magic and vampires. I consider myself lucky to have so much fun writing this series!  

What the Heck????

When we come into this world, there should be a handbook rolled up in our little palm so that we have an idea of what to expect. Every milestone has been somewhat of a shock. I shall explain from the female's perspective, since I can't speak with authority for the other gender:

As a young girl, you wake up one day, get dressed, and discover that you have embarrassing bumps in your t-shirt. What fit perfectly snug against you one day, now looks like someone has glued peas to your chest. When you're cold, it's even worse. It really doesn't matter what you wear, the evidence of blooming is ever present. You try to ignore the boy's snickers.

As a teenager, you've gone from a t-shirt to at least a training bra, but now you face having a period every month. If your mother didn't tell you the facts of life, you go to the bathroom, discover blood, and think you're dying. If she did explain mother nature's calling, then you just FEEL like you're dying.

As an adult, you most likely give birth to a child. No one can describe the pain associated with that. The best I heard was a joke that said, "Take your bottom lip and try and pull it over your head." I think it's more like trying to get a school bus out of the garage using the doggie door, but that's just me.

As a middle age woman you notice lines and wrinkles beginning to appear. It happens overnight just like the t-shirt bumps. One day you have smooth skin, the next you don't.

Then it really becomes tense. Your breasts, once perky and upright, have developed magnets that seem to be attracted to the toes of your shoes. Whatever held up the skin on your neck has disappeared and someone fan-pleated your lips. Mother Nature thinks your hair needs a frost job, and the color isn't at all attractive. As a protective device, your body begins building a shelf to catch the boobs that are headed south. As if that isn't enough, your legs have more blue lines than a road map.

At fifty-five, you become eligible for a senior meal at Denny's. You order it and pray someone will card you. They don't.

Of course, this is just a 'thumbnail' of the horrors of aging, but wouldn't it have been nice to have a warning? Now I'm facing sixty-seven (gasp). The years went by so fast, I didn't even get to say I was sixty. It's scary.

I went to the doctor recently because my legs and feet had been swelling. Of course, I've put on a few pounds because I sit at the computer most of the day instead of exercising. I get up everyday and say, "Hmmm, jogging or checking my email... sit ups or writing another chapter?" Well you can imagine which I choose. So, the doc tells me I need to walk more and gives me an RX for a very strong water pill.  Great, now I can't walk around the house without wanting to pee, but that day, I was so depressed over being weighed that I resolved to start walking.

There's a little park not far from his office. I pulled in and got out of the car and decided to walk the one mile track there. Let me just say... you should not try to walk a mile on your first attempt if the most exercise you've had recently is moving your fingers over the keyboard. Halfway around I thought I was going to die. Literally. My legs turned leaden, sweat was pouring from my forehead, and every step was torture. At the half mile turn, I spied my car. I focused on it, and forced one foot in front of the other until I got there. I collapsed in the seat and had to rest a minute before driving, but once I got off my swollen feet I felt pretty satisfied that I'd actually done a half mile. I decided to go to Walmart and do some shopping, and I'm pretty sure I did another half mile there.  I barely noticed the pain from the swelling and I got some pretty good bargains.

So....at 2:00 A.M. I  woke up with leg cramps that rivaled childbirth. I have never had my big toe lift off of the floor and point at me. Try walking like that, or attempt climbing the stairs to the kitchen to get some orange juice to restore the lost potassium with Charlie horses in both legs and your big toe standing at attention. I can't actually say I walked, rather crawled to the refrigerator, but the pain passed.  I'll settle for the swelling because no one told me the water pills come with a surprise.

I had my orange juice, but then I was afraid to go back to sleep. What if it happened again? Or what if something else that holds up the few things remaining upright on my body decide to go south?  Growing old isn't for the faint of heart. I need a muscle relaxer. :) Wow...maybe relaxing anything isn't a good idea.  Actually, I need a good stiff drink, but of course, I can't imbibe with my new medication so I guess I'll check out the Guinness Book of World Records and see who holds the the honor of staring at the ceiling for the longest time.  In 'calendar speak,' my birthday isn't for a few months yet, but I'm pretty sure it'll be here tomorrow as fast as time is blazing by.  At least I can admit to having shared my real age with someone this year. 

Thanks Ginger for visiting my blog! If you'd like to read more about my fellow Muse author please visit her links below. 

http://www.gingersimpson.com

http://mizging.blogspot.com

http://cowboykisses.blogspot.com

Sunday Musings...the joy of writing a series

It's a lazy Sunday and I'm at Starbucks where I always do my writing and thinking how happy I am that my current work in progress is part of a series. Maybe it's because I'm a creature of habit and once I've found my groove I do my best to stay in it. I consider myself lucky to be able to carry on with the characters introduced in The Burning Seal, Book One of The Elements series.

I'm able to revisit my main characters and even though they are now sliding back to the role of secondary I still enjoy interacting with their personalities. At the same time the secondary characters I provided glimpses of in book one are now getting their chance to shine--at least that's my goal--as I develop their personalities, motivation and of course, conflict.  

For me creating a series gives me the chance to build my characters, deepen their relationships, add layers and twists to the plot and watch the story spread in new directions...my mind conjures the image of gnarled tree roots flexing and groping the ground as they spread. I'm sure the vision comes from my attraction to dark stormy days, the paranormal and anything that's eerie and suspenseful.

Well, that's enough musing for one day. Now I want to go home, open my Kindle and read something with vampires, demons and a happily-ever-after.