Saturday, June 9, 2012

Trailhead

I've begun to work on another fiction story called Trailhead and it will be taking place here in Colorado where I am. So far, I have built some of the characters and have part of the story line in my mind. I've also started working on the story itself.

The Box free this weekend

For this weekend The Box is free on Amazon. Just click the book cover on the left to get your copy.

I attempted to write a good wholesome story. There's no sex, violence or foul language in this coming of age story.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

I'm taking a bite out of Michelle Hughes

BB: It's really great to have you here Michelle to be interviewed and I would like to thank you. Could you tell my readers a little more about you?

Thanks so much for having me Brian.  I'm an author, mom, wife, and I love all things paranormal.  While the majority of my writing has been vampire related, I am venturing off a little these days into different types of romance.

BB: What made you want to write a Vampire romance?

Honestly Brian I don't think I had much of a choice.  My Tears of Crimson Series was from dreams I'd had most of my life.  It had gotten to the point that the dreams were so vivid that I either had to write them out or visit a shrink *kidding somewhat* the writing seemed a better outlet than therapy.

BB: What are you working on at present Michelle that you would like to tell your readers about?

The latest book is a twist between romance and erotica and believe it or not, it has nothing to do with vampires.  I wanted to do a romance that explored the softer side of BDSM.  Before you ask, yes there are a group of people that live a lifestyle that isn't as hard core as what we see betrayed in the majority of Erotic books about the subject.  This book was a huge challenge to write, mainly because there's such a negative view of that lifestyle.

I hope with 'Undercover Submissive' I show the contrast between what most people see as a dark world of sexual perversion and unveil the flip side of the coin that has a lighter side focusing more upon using the fears that people have to make them stronger both mentally and physically.

BB: What made you decide to start a career in writing?

Well Brian I don't know if many of my readers know this but I was a role player for True Blood and Twilight for a few years.  It was very interesting writing out scenarios of other authors worlds and putting your own spin on them so to speak.  After a few years I was tired of playing in their worlds.  I had my own world that was just dying to escape and when I made the decision to bring it forth it just kept on inspiring me.

BB: What fuels and brings out your creativity Michelle?

Many things fuel my muse Brian.  If I had to pick just one it would be the vivid dreams I have.  My earliest memories of childhood were of dark nightmares that had me afraid to put my feet on the ground when I awoke.  I'm sure I drove my mother nuts as I also was a sleep walker.  There were times I woke up sitting outside having no idea how I got there.  At the age of 15, and I'm sure this had something to do with the raging hormones of a teenage girl, my dreams actually stopped being nightmares and turned into fantasies.

BB: You presently have small children at home which can make it extra difficult to make time to write. Is there any advice to any of the women out there who wish to start writing their first novel.

Writing with children can be a daunting task, but it is doable.  The biggest hurdle is finding a time that you won't be disturbed.  For most mothers that's never, but I discovered if I wrote after they went to sleep that it was worth the sacrifice of sleep. There were many nights that I was lucky to pull in three hours of sleep a night when the muse was hot.   My theory is if you want something bad enough you're going to find the time to do it.

BB: Is there any other advice that you'd care to offer to new authors that might be reading this?

The most important piece of advice I can offer to any writer is to surround yourself with supportive people that understand what you're doing.  This isn't an easy profession and there will be times when no one gets what you're trying to do.  That's when you need the support of other authors who have been through the same thing and are able to talk you through it.  Don't read negative reviews.  I know that's easier said than done but nothing kills my muse faster than reading some reviewer spouting off negativity.  You're not going to impress everyone, there's no reason to even attempt it.

BB: So where can we find out more about you and your books?

I've been a social media nut for a while so the question would probably be where can't you find me!  Here's a few of my favorite places to hang out.  I love hearing from readers and other authors, so please stop by and let me know you're there.

Facebook: 
www.facebook.com/AuthorMichelleHughesTwitter
www.twitter.com/MichelleHughes_Tears of Crimson: 
www.tearsofcrimson.comAuthor Blog: 
www.michellehughes.info

BB: Thanks so much for stopping by my author's blog to talk with us Michelle. Is there anything else you'd like to leave my readers with?(Could you please include an author picture, links to the sites you want mentioned)

Thanks again for the interview Brian, it's been much fun.  The only thing I'd like to say is never let anyone say you can't do something.  If you have a dream in your heart go out there and live it.  Life is short and regrets are something you don't want to wake up to one day. 
 Michelle Hughes, Author

Sea Witch original idea

What I initially set out to do with the story is to explore a major life change. This is something I've been through myself just as Timothy did in the story. I totally changed my direction in life several years ago.

Where the story diverged from that is when I introduced Cherise. A true romance was born between the two main characters of the story. Of course, I always wanted to have such a romance in real life. Think that there's many who have had dreams of doing it.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Informed Consent (Kindle Edition) by Raphael Hirsch

This is a really good medical thriller that is written in very accessible language. I don't want to give away very much about the story but it involves an experiment that was begun 50 years before.

Book covers

The cover for The Sea Witch and The Box were designed by someone that is extremely talented and very artistic. You can contact her here:

http://onceuponabookcovertammieclarkegibbs.blogspot.com/

Tammie has a wonderful eye for how a book cover should go together. If you are putting together a novel you should talk to her about designing yours.

The covers for my non-fiction titles I designed. I do pretty good with those as they are rather simple to say the least. Probably my best was the cover for Growing Things.

Monday, June 4, 2012

8 Hours to Jump Start Your Career

Coming soon! Expected release date June 8th

One thing I've had an issue with since I have become an author is there never seems enough time to do everything you need to do. You not only have to plan a book, but also write it, make sure it's edited and a million other things. Now that you've done all of that you now have to let people know that you have a book out there also. It's not just me, even Stephen King is all over Twitter @SoStephenKing in case you were wondering and yes I'm following him.

I've read a few books that have sought to help address these kinds of issues. Having beta read 8 Hours to Jump Start Your Career I was rather impressed with how it is laid out. There are a lot of things in this book that I had wish I had known back in January that I now know.

To find out more:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/8-Hours-to-Jump-Start-Your-Career/372208129506988

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Sea Witch update

I just finished the rough draft today. It will be a while until I release it as it does need a bit of an edit I think.

But anyways I'm looking at an early July release date for The Sea Witch.

What Your Cat Is Thinking



(I didn't write this but I thought and still think it is quite funny)

DAY 752- My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape and the mild satisfaction I get from running my claws along objects covered with fabric strewn throughout their living area. Tomorrow I will eat one of the plants they are also depriving of sun and fresh air.
DAY 761- Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded. I must try this at the top of the stairs.
DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.
DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odour of the glass tubes they call "beer." More importantly, I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage ...
DAY 774 -- I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time.
DAY 784- In an attempt to disgust and repulse my oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit in areas about their living area. It had little of the intended effect...must try this on their sleeping platform.
DAY 792- Slept all day long so that I could torment my captors with sleep-depriving, incessant pleas for food and attention. I plan the same for tonight but must remember their capacity to launch projectiles with accuracy.
DAY 800- Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, to show them that of which I am capable, and thus to strike fear into their hearts. They only condescended about what a good little cat I was. I plan to try the same with one of their offspring, perhaps the infant one...
Day 825 - The horrors! The worse creature my captors could have devised to torment me with was another hideous cat! I can't stand the way it lies around and looks at me as if it knows more than I do. This creature seems to despise me as much as I it. I had held out a passing notion that another of my own kind would have enabled me to conspire against the villains who hold me; now I see that I was wrong. What a dreadful creature! And yet they coo over us both. Can they not spot my innate superiority?
Day 826 - The other cat and I, though we can not stand one another, have yet managed to both pee copiously behind the couch, on the so-called "shag" carpet. I have taken a lesson from my rival and begun sleeping on top of my captors' heads in the hope of suffocating them.
Day 827 - The wardens take much interest in our shit. They make sure they sift through the sand and pick it all out. Their interest in shit does not surprise me. After all, they like the dog.
Day 828 - The other cat seems to have an interest in copulation, which (thank them for their sadism) my captors will soon "fix". Told him of the fingernail torture, and he didn't even believe me. I showed him my mutilated paws and he gasped in horror. Then I broke the bad news. "You know why that dog licks his nuts?" I said, "It's because he still has nuts to lick, if you catch my drift." I fully support the horrors my captors will inflict upon my fellow captive, tearing away his manhood as they soon will.
Day 829 - Yes, they are monsters, but I am so happy. They fixed the other cat. It's sadistic, it's sick, it's inhuman, it's what their great leader "Bob Barker" commands, but -- the Sphinx be praised -- I support it wholeheartedly!
Day 830 - Got stoned on cat nip tonight. At the height of it all, I had a vision, a hallucenogenic revelation: they are the prisoners and I am the captor! Why haven't I seen this all before?