Another year around the block

So my birthday is Friday and I usually try to do some sort of blog post about my life over the past year. If I don't do it now, I fear I may procrastinate the time away.

There have been many small changes to my life over the last year. I didn't realize just how many changes there were until I started thinking about it. In no particular order, here's what has happened since my last birthday rolled around.

-I released my second novel, Future Past.
-I released two short story collections, Life and Life Odd.
-I graduated from one college and have started another.
-I left behind my old store job.
-I am (finally!) employed in a job that utilizes my writing skills. I am an English tutor at the local college!
-I obtained my substitute certification for the county school system.

It's been a good year, I think. I've also taken on some wonderful new clients and edited some fabulous stories. I continue to learn and grow.

I'm a far cry from that woman who seemed so beaten down and who struggled so much when I first started publishing and blogging. I can see how I've changed over the years based on what I wrote then compared to now. Sometimes I wonder why I was so charged and angry. I have certainly mellowed out some and I attribute a lot of that to my experience running for public office and it is something I've been learning and practicing since. The perspective it gave me about people and their reactions, especially to people in the public eye, has been life-altering.

As a result, my motto as of late has been, "I won't judge." In a world where it seems almost everyone scrutinizes every word, every article of clothing, and every breath, it's hard not to judge instantly and jump on a bandwagon. Of course, I'm human and won't always take that step back, but it's something to strive for.

My goals for the next year are simple: live and be happy. It's a lot easier said than done, I know. Tangible goals? Other than making it through the courses at my new college with A's, I'm not sure. I intend to continue writing, I hope that my schedule allows me to take an actual creative writing course this fall, but other than that, I am just rolling with what happens.

All I can guarantee is right now. This morning, I finished 1500 words of a new short story, completed 75% of a client edit, and am in the process of washing two loads of laundry. Exciting, huh? :) In the meantime, I'm looking forward to another year. Hopefully God will see me through it.

Peace, love, and birthday cake,

Pamela

Email Campaign #4 - Announcing a winner!

Congrats to Langley!
We have a winner!

Soon after the release of my latest book, Future Past, I held a drawing for a signed, free, print copy of the book. Langley Cornwell of South Carolina is the winner of the drawing. Congrats, and thank you, Langley, for your kind words regarding my writing.

Don't have your copy yet? Click here to go to Future Past's CreateSpace page, or if you prefer to order from Amazon, you can click here. Prefer an ebook? We have those, too! For a limited time, get Future Past for Kindle or Kindle apps for only 99 cents! This release price won't last much longer. In February/March, Future Past will be available on many other sites, including Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Kobo, Sony, and more!

To see a YouTube book trailer, click here.

What's Next?

I was a guest author in DIVA's latest serial killer themed anthology! Check out my story, "Stealing Kisses" in Silenced, now on Amazon and many other online retailers. I have also had a story, "The Wish", accepted into No Regrets, an upcoming anthology from Silly Tree.

In just a few short months, I will be releasing my first short story compilations, Life and Life Odd, so be on the lookout for those. Another Barrier story and a writing prompt book is also in the works. It's going to be an exciting year!

Thank you for your support! Peace, love, and happiness to all!

Amazon rankings, a shot in the spine, and two weeks of school already?

First thing first. I am currently running a promotion: Download Future Past for FREE on Amazon Kindle today and tomorrow. The promotion began yesterday and let me tell ya, I was not expecting what happened next. I had one download when I went for school yesterday morning. By the time I went to bed last night, my downloads were well over a thousand and my rankings had me in the top ten in two different fantasy categories. I'm also sitting in the top 200 over all (*small update: I just ranked below #200- Woot!) and let me tell you, with thousands of free ebooks from Amazon every day, THAT is something I'm very proud of.


click the image to enlarge

I don't have time to sit around today and watch my rankings. I hope I hit a #1 somewhere but I can't keep tabs on it today. I have school work to do, a client edit to work on, and somewhere in there, I have to work a shift at my store.

My Shot... Heaven help me

I had a steroid injection in my spine yesterday. Those who have been keeping up with this blog because of my back pain chronicles, you've probably had an inkling this was coming. Physical therapy is wonderful and has decreased my pain level. I'm not going currently but I'm keeping up with the exercises and walking. But the pain was still there. It's coming from my discs, making my back swell and hurt, my hips, legs and feet hurt, and it's all I can do many days (especially the days I'm pulling shifts at the store) to keep from being in tears.

I had some people tell me that I'd feel like Superwoman after the shot but I didn't. There was some immediate decreased pain in my hips and legs that I noticed but the pure pain in my back was at its worst. I think I cried a little more than normal. I had this doomsday outlook, I suppose. The doc said that it might take two shots to really make a difference in my average pain level. So I was thinking about what I would do if none of it worked. There isn't much more of this pain I can take. This morning, though, there was a noticeable difference in pain. When I woke, I wasn't in pain at all which is very unusual. After an hour or so, some pain started creeping back in but I'm trying to keep in mind that it's been less than 24 hours since the shot and I'm still having to take things one step at a time. My back is swollen and I've been battling a small fever (I'm suppose to call if it gets above 100), but I'm not certain the fever has anything to do with my shot; I've been battling a bit of congestion, which most often turns into a full-fledged sinus infection within a week. I get these infections about 4 times a year usually at the start of a new school semester. It's right on time!

It is a waiting game and it doesn't help that I have to sit and do homework most of the morning then go work a shift at the store. Guess that shot will really be put to the test.

My babies are off to school

Last week, the last of my babies took off for school for the first time. I cried some on the days leading up to the big day, but since I had school myself on his first day, I was too occupied, I guess, to dwell on days gone forever. I've managed to make it since then without overwhelming sadness.

The kids are liking school, just not liking the early days (who does, right?) and are so far doing very well. My little one has adjusted far easier than I could have hoped for. I was worried because he's been in my care since day 1 but he's doing just fine and not much missing Momma when he has, "Twenty-two new friends to play with," though he couldn't tell you a single one of their names. LOL.

Thanks for reading my update. I'm about to go pour my nose into the weirdest math I've ever seen in my life. Please don't forget to go download my book while it's free!

Peace, love, and work, work, work,

Pamela

FREE Kindle Download of "Future Past"

A quick post before I go get a shot put into my spine...

Future Past is free today, tomorrow, and Saturday in the Kindle Store on Amazon. I hope you go download your copy! Click here to get to the book page on Amazon.

Thanks and have a good weekend!

Low, low price on "Future Past" for Kindle

Did you know that you can download Future Past for your Kindle from Amazon for only 99 cents? Well, now you do. This is only for a limited time so act fast! Click here to purchase and download from Amazon.

If you want a chance to catch a free download of Future Past from Amazon for your Kindle, you'll need to keep a check on this blog over the next week (or you can enter your email address in the box on the right sidebar to subscribe to my posts) or keep up with my posts on Facebook (check the Facebook tab above).

If you're a fantasy fan at all or if you just appreciate a good, character driven story, I think you'll like everything this book has to offer. I've had such a great time writing it.

"Future Past" by Pamela Caves Excerpt

Purchase on Amazon - Print version or Kindle

Print version available on CreateSpace

From Chapter 11 -

When Nafre and Dayel boarded the ship that would sail them all the way to a port near Borsta, Dayel had to stop and catch her breath. There was something off about the ship, though she wasn't sure what it was. There was the feeling that something - or someone - was there that shouldn't be.

"Something wrong, girlie?" Nafre asked and Dayel decided to shake it off since she couldn't explain it even to herself.

Her agitation grew as they made their way to a cabin within the bowels of the ship.  It was small and windowless which reminded Dayel of her accommodations in Niraz.  And for the first time ever, Dayel began to experience a bit of sea sickness as the ship set sail.

"It helps if you go up on deck for some fresh air," Nafre commented but Dayel refused, still with the overwhelming notion that she was better off out of public sight.

The beds were lined up one after the other against the wall and, of course, wasn't very accommodating for Togwas. Dayel had to choose between spreading the blankets out on the floor or risk being pummeled by Nafre's humongous (and quite smelly) feet. It didn't take her very long to reach a decision.

Over the next several days, Dayel's daily activities consisted of reading, eating, and sleeping. After her initial agitation, Dayel decided she was just fine, and probably safer, being a recluse.  Nafre, who usually stayed out most of the day, brought food, candlesticks, and even bathwater. Nafre never spoke about where he went or what he did all day aboard the ship and Dayel didn't ask. In fact most days, Dayel didn't even know it was night until Nafre stumbled through the door and collapsed across the beds.

On the third night, one of the beds broke but Nafre continued to sleep on it anyway.

On the sixth day, he came through the door carrying a bag of coins, a silver and jeweled serpent bracelet, a wheel of cheese, and a bottle of vintage drink, all of which he’d won in a card game.  They stuffed themselves, drank until they were silly, and laughed until they cried about things that didn’t make sense the next morning.

On the twelfth day, Dayel read until she was bored, ate leftover bread slices, and finally fell to sleep wondering when Nafre would be back. When she woke, presumably hours later, he still wasn't there. That uneasy feeling came back and intensified.

Against her better judgment, Dayel made the decision to venture outside their cabin in search of him. Almost two weeks cramped inside four bare walls might've driven a normal person slightly mad but to Dayel, it was familiar and familiar held a semblance of safety. Stepping only two paces outside the door made her feel a bit apprehensive, as if she'd suddenly been exposed.

Deep breaths.  Two more steps.  Slowly now.  Her senses were only a little panicked but it was enough to distract the rational part of her brain that reached out naturally to her surroundings. Even if she'd wanted to prevent what was coming, she could've only done so by calming down.

One step at a time led Dayel down the long hallway to a set of stairs. Having only been down them once, she wasn't sure if this was the correct stairwell to take her above deck.  She had to start somewhere though.

As she climbed, she mindlessly scratched at her back, an action which was becoming all too familiar.  Something back there suddenly pierced her fingers and she hissed in pain. She stopped her ascent and blinked several times at the red liquid oozing through the skin.

What the hell?

Gingerly, she reached back again and lightly ran her fingers over her scars.  Between the lines of rough, mangled skin, sharp points had broken through.  She couldn’t believe that she’d scratched them hard enough to cause scabs.  But a scab wouldn't be hard enough to cut skin, would it?  She decided she couldn't possibly know the answer to that, as she never remembered having scabs before.  The first thing she needed to do once they docked was see a physician or apothecary.

Within the distraction of her scars, her senses had forgotten her earlier panic. A dark mass invaded her mind.  Without realizing the physical proximity of it, she turned in haste to run back to the cabin. The sconces along the wall didn't properly illuminate the doorway to the hall. Dayel could only make out a shadow before something seemed to pinch her chest.

But it wasn't a pinch at all. The back half of an arrow protruded from above her right breast. The pain wasn't immediate. In fact, it didn't much register at all. Dayel tried to take a breath but gurgled blood instead. Blackness swirled and the stairway bent over itself. Something slammed against her face, over and over.  Stairs, she thought, as she tumbled down them.

A simple arrow wouldn't have had that effect on her. Poison. The arrow had most certainly been laced with poison.

They said she couldn't be killed. Dayel thought that was funny, considering she was dying.

 

Click here to read another excerpt.

 

Purchase on Amazon - Print version or Kindle

Print version available on CreateSpace

 

"Future Past" Promo Video

Only mere days until the release of "Future Past". I'm very excited to share this story!

The Map for "Future Past"

In the book, you'll see a black and white version of the map used for Future Past. If you want a closer look, here's an online one for future reference. Click to enlarge it. Then you can take a look at how it was put together in the video below it. Enjoy! Not long now! :)

"Future Past" Cover

Coming soon!

The Making of the "Future Past" Cover

Here we are making the cover for Future Past. It was hot out but we had a good time and got the job done.

More Freebies

In keeping with the countdown to Future Past (which I am proofing the print right now, yay!), two more titles are up for free grabs.

"The Hand" continues to be one of my favorites. Inspired by a dream of a disembodied hand grabbing at me, the story started to come to life. Thanks to one of my writer friends, Theresa Wiza, providing her first-hand (no pun intended) experience in her battle with breast cancer, the story formed itself into a contemporary science fiction piece, where the main character, Cicely, is winning her war against breast cancer while also battling to save her struggling marriage. Insert a mad scientist and there is the basis for "The Hand". You can download "The Hand" from Smashwords for FREE using coupon code MR95D. Smashwords has formats that fit many different ereading devices, including reading it right online.

The Influence, while admittedly not my favorite, is still my baby. This story began its first twinkle as I was talking to a coworker one night many years ago. She was telling me about her granddaughter's tendency to talk to a rock out in her yard. I'd always wanted to write a classic "good vs evil" tale and an idea about this special little girl sent to our world finally had her basis. Inspired by my own raising with my four sisters, this book took a turn of it's own. It isn't just a contemporary sci-fi read, it is a tale of two sisters learning the right, wrong, and grays of this world and holding together in spite of it.  You can download The Influence from Smashwords for FREE using coupon code LA67F. Smashwords has formats that fit many different ereading devices, including reading it right online.

These coupons expire July 26, 2013 so go download your copies!

Peace, love, and happy reading,

Pamela

FREE Downloads and reduced pricing

As the countdown to the release of Future Past begins, we went through my titles and reduced the prices on both "The Hand" and The Influence. "The Hand" is now 99 cents and the ebook version of The Influence, my debut novel, has been reduced to $1.99. *Please note that it will probably take a few hours to a few days for Amazon to reflect this price change.

In addition, now begins the free promo for two other titles.

"Into Pieces" began as a writing prompt flash contest on a writer's forum. The contest challenged writers to create another version of a well known fairy tale or nursery rhyme. I chose "Humpty Dumpty" and the story evolved from there. I won the contest but asked the moderators to remove the actual story from the board when I realized I was on to something. I rewrote the tale, submitted it to an anthology and it was accepted. A year later, when the anthology never came to fruition, I withdrew the story and published it myself.

You can download "Into Pieces" from Smashwords for FREE using coupon code BA24D. Smashwords has formats that fit many different ereading devices, including reading it right online.

"The Crazy Ole' Bird Lady" is one of those short stories that began as a dream. Though it is an unusual story, I can safely say it isn't of the "Kubla Khan" variety. (Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a writer of the Romantic period, wrote this odd poem after he woke from an opium induced slumber, having dreamed the imagery of the poem.) In any case, in my completely normal dream-state, I dreamed about being holed up with a bunch of other people as we hid from monstrous bird creatures. (I swear I wasn't tripping on anything!) I knew when I woke that it would make a great story and my editor called it, "Classic horror."

You can download "The Crazy Ole' Bird Lady" from Smashwords for FREE using coupon code QD74B. Smashwords has formats that fit many different ereading devices, including reading it right online.

These coupons expire on July 15, 2013 so go download your copy today!

Only a few more weeks until the release of Future Past! Oh crap, I got a lot to do!

Peace, love, and FREEBIES!

Pamela

So begins the freebies

As the summer kicks off, I find myself working on a client edit and the final edits of Future Past. And as I go over my editor's suggested changes, I find myself just as excited about the story as I was when I typed the first word in March of 2010.

In a couple of weeks, I'll begin the promotions leading up to the Future Past release date. For now, I'm going to give a bit of background on the stories I already have for free in my library.

"The Jump" is a simple story yet one that holds a lot of meaning for me. It was my first published story. I was on top of the world when I received my payment of a contributor copy of the lit mag it was published in. It was 13 or 14 years ago and I can't remember what the thought process was that led to the story, but I remember thinking about how I would feel if I was near the end of my life, how I might respond if faced with such a difficult decision. This ebook is FREE on all sites. Click here to read an excerpt and find out where you can get your copy.

 



"An Unusual Cupid" has been an unusual success and is probably one of the most sappy things I've ever written and probably the most downloaded with close to 4,000 downloads since its release. Mostly good reviews lace its product pages with the biggest complaint being that it is too short. Some have even expressed a desire for me to turn it into a novel. So what led to this unusual love story? I wanted to write a short and sweet, free Valentine story for my readers. I enjoy writing paranormal tales and occasionally, I am a bit of a romantic, so this story combined the two in a way that even I didn't see coming. Click here to read an excerpt and find out where you can get your free copy.



And last but not least, "Theory of a Tramp" is one of my favorites. "Theory of a Tramp" wasn't just some epiphany that came to me in the middle of a dream. (And yes, I've had those.)  I was actively using brainstorming techniques to come up with a viable story.  I used a picture prompt.  I flipped through more than a dozen pictures until one spoke to me.  (See the pic below.) Looking at the pic, you see rust.  Apparently there was some water damage.  So my brain started churning.  What could've caused such a mess?  That led to an image of an over-flowing bathtub.  What if someone had drowned in that tub?  How did they drown and why?  One thought continued to lead to another until I had the premise of the story. One reviewer remarked that the story could have been an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" to which another reviewer agreed. Click here to read an excerpt and find out where you can get your free copy.


 

In the next couple of weeks, I'll begin lowering the prices on some of my titles as well as MAKING THEM FREE (for a limited time) at some point before the release of Future Past, so stay tuned.

 

Thank you for reading. It elates me to share my work with so many people.

Email campaign #3 - "Future Past" Announcement and Enter to Win!

Drop Content Blocks Here by: Announcement: Future Past coming in early August. Pamela Caves releases first fantasy novel. For ten years, Dayel struggled to survive inside the most infamous prison in the world with no memory of who she was before or what she did to get there.  Scars over her body and rumors of mass murder indicate that she might not want to know. She can't believe she could be such a monster, despite evidence to the contrary. All she wants upon her release is to live in quiet solitude. She soon finds that others have no intention of allowing her the normalcy she desires. On her path, she makes unlikely friends, escapes assassins, and battles unimaginable foes. Her memory begins to return and with it, magic begins to manifest. Terrified that she will hurt someone with her untamed abilities, she begins the journey to unravel her past, for doing so can only ensure her future is lined with peace. But what she finds is more horrifying than she ever thought possible and everything she thought she was comes crumbling down around her.

Drop Content Blocks Here by: Now Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. Coming soon to Kobo, Diesel, Apple, Sony, and more.   by: Sixteen year-old Lenya McKay is told that both her parents were killed when their vehicle imploded. She refuses to accept it, though, and goes off in search for them with the help of new Squad 13 weapon's officer, Corporal Zhoven Spiridon. Instead, they find something they could never have suspected; enemy infiltration. Growing up takes a sudden leap when she is Zhoven's only hope for survival against an unpredictable and brutal enemy. Meanwhile, Sabina has to adjust to her new life without the use of her legs and to a new job; it's the first time in her life she's felt less than adequate.   Drop Content Blocks Here by: Countdown to Future Past Promotions by: Did you know you can already get many Pamela Caves titles for free? Titles like "The Jump", "Theory of a Tramp", and "An Unusual Cupid" are free on all sites. But the best part? All other titles in Pamela's library will be offered for free throughout the summer! Keep an eye on Pamela's blog and her Facebook page to get coupon codes for free downloads. EVERY TITLE will be FREE at some point this summer in anticipation of the release of Future Past. Also, we will be doing a drawing for a free, signed copy of Future Past, exclusive to our mailing list subscribers. Current subscribers are already entered. If you wish to subscribe to the mailing list to have a chance to win, click here and register!                         by:   by: Read Pamela's new poetry, "The Thing About Love" on her blog.

No such thing as a lazy summer.

In February, I announced the release of two books this year; one was Future Past, my first fantasy novel, and the next would be a non-fiction writing prompt book. I'm canceling the release of the prompt book for now. I'm going to reset the release for sometime next year.

The thing is, I've been extremely busy lately. Between my regular work, work at the store, and school, the only writing I've done is editing Future Past and writing the prompt book. I still have to form the map for Future Past and the cover shoot is scheduled for the second week of June. I really want to put what I have into the release of this book. Plus, I want to get back to doing what I love, which is writing fiction. I have many ideas teetering around in my brain and I'm getting antsy because I haven't written anything new since I finished "Purpose of Pain".

Scratch that: Want isn't the right word. I need to write new fiction. It seems to be the only thing that soothes me and keeps my mind at ease.

I have many things in store for this summer. Beyond the release of my second novel, I'm putting my short stories, which have been exclusively in digital format, into print collections by genre. I don't necessarily believe that I'll have as many print sales as digital but I will be doing several signing events starting next year and it helps to have a variety of books, I think.

In the meantime, I'll be chugging along as usual. You keep chugging along with yours.

Peace, love, and happy writing,

Pamela

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them.  I hope you'll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy.  On this stop on the blog hop, you'll find a bit of information on me and one of my books and links to four other authors you can explore!

My gratitude to fellow writer Langley Cornwell for inviting me to participate in this event.  You can click the following link to learn more about her work.  Website:  http://langley-writes.blogspot.com/

In this blog hop, I and my fellow authors, in their respective blogs, have answered ten questions about our book or work-in--progress (giving you a sneak peek).  We've also included some behind-the-scenes information about how and why we write what we write--the characters, inspirations, plotting and other choices we make. I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

 1: What is the working title of your book?  

 Future Past

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

It came from a combination of things. First, was a dream I had many years ago that stuck with me. I would say something about the dream but that might give away too much of the story. Second, I was also inspired by some of the Elder Scrolls games; the character who gets released from prison at the beginning of the game... I liked that concept of someone who was released from prison with no memory of who they were before or why they were even in prison to begin with. I merged the two ideas and knew I had a story I was excited about.

3. What genre does your book come under?

Fantasy.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Sorry, but I don't really think about things like that. I tend to focus on characters and the plot. I suppose that's why I'm not a casting director. I wouldn't have that knack.

5: What is the synopsis hook of your book?

For ten years, Dayel struggled to survive inside the most infamous prison in the world with no memory of who she was before or what she did to get there.  Scars over her body and rumors of mass murder indicate that she might not want to know. She can't believe she could be such a monster, despite evidence to the contrary. All she wants upon her release is to live in quiet solitude.

She soon finds that others have no intention of allowing her the normalcy she desires. On her path, she makes unlikely friends, escapes assassins, and battles unimaginable foes. Her memory begins to return and with it, magic begins to manifest. Terrified that she will hurt someone with her untamed abilities, she begins the journey to unravel her past, for doing so can only ensure her future is lined with peace. But what she finds is more horrifying than she ever thought possible and everything she thought she was comes crumbling down around her.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

It will be self-published with the help of my editors and submission readers at Fiction Lake Publishing.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

A year, pretty much down to the day! It has taken another two years of rewrites and revisions.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Sorry, but I don't really compare my work either.  I'm sure it can compare with something, but I read such a variety of things that nothing specific comes to mind. Can I just say that it is in a class of it's own or would that be too pompous? LOL.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I pretty much think that "idea" and "inspiration" go hand in hand, which I answered above.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I'm a character-driven writer. I'm a firm believer that not all bad is really bad and not all good is really good. This ideal is presented in this story.  The main character, Dayel, is overwhelmed with the notion that she's too tainted for anything good, though it is obvious to the reader that she has a good heart despite her raw edges and checkered past. And King Neelan, who seems kind and does good things, isn't all he's cracked up to be. Overall, I think it shows that no matter what you've done or where you're from, you can be the type of person you long to be. It may be very hard, but it is possible. 

11: Why are you so much better-looking in person than in your photo?

Uhhhh... I don't like self-deprecation, but I'll disagree with that one. I don't have Photoshop for "in person" interactions.

Who’s next on the NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP?

So glad you asked!

Below you will find the author who will be joining me by blog, next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on Works in Progress and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

Alyssa Cooper:  www.alyssacooperblog.wordpress.com

Two book releases later this year!

I've hinted at this before but want to officially announce the publishing of not one, but two (2!) books near the end of this year.

First up will be a non-fiction book for writers entitled:

25 Writing Prompts for All Genres

In this book, I've compiled a list of writing prompts to kick-start the Great Idea I know is tooling around in that brain of yours. These prompts are designed to use over and over again in many different ways for many different genres, making this a great book to have on hand when you feel your creativity slamming against a brick wall. It will be great for simple writing exercises, too, for when you just want to flex those muscles or for sharing in a peer writing group.

-------

And next (this is the one I'm most excited about!), will be the publishing of my second novel, Future Past, my first fantasy.

Future Past

For ten years, Dayel struggled to survive inside the most infamous prison in the world with no memory of who she was before or what she did to get there.  Scars over her body and rumors of mass murder indicate that she might not want to know. She can't believe she could be such a monster, despite evidence to the contrary. All she wants upon her release is to live in quiet solitude.

She soon finds that others have no intention of allowing her the normalcy she desires. On her path, she makes unlikely friends, escapes assassins, and battles unimaginable foes. Her memory begins to return and with it, magic begins to manifest. Terrified that she will hurt someone with her untamed abilities, she begins the journey to unravel her past, for doing so can only ensure her future is lined with peace. But what she finds is more horrifying than she ever thought possible and everything she thought she was comes crumbling down around her.

------------

 

So stay tuned for these releases, news, and more! You may subscribe or "Like" me on Facebook. It's going to be an exciting year!

 

Peace, love, and WOOT!

 

Pamela

What's it like publishing a book?

Please allow me to talk a little about The Influence, a work that was recently my debut published novel. 

I first wrote The Influence about eight years ago. Over the years, it has gone through numerous revisions and edits. After it came in as a finalist in two different writing contests, and after a big publisher held it for two years for consideration, I thought it was finally time to put this work out there.

My Experience with KDP Select

I put it first on Amazon's Kindle Select (KDP Select). All in all, there have been almost a thousand Kindle downloads, most of them having taken place during my first free promotion. I guess for the most part, I just wanted to try the Select program to see what it was like. I can honestly say that I wasn't that impressed. The biggest issue was that there were some number problems after my term ended. My sales report was still showing free promo copies being given away when it wasn't on promotion. 

Sure, I got a good number of downloads and even broke the top 30 in the Science Fiction category but it didn't do much more than that. I don't know that I'll ever go that route again. Not sure I see the point if not for just a little more exposure.

The Major Catastrophe

And, since this was my first published novel-length book, by definition there should've been a major disaster with it, and boy, was there ever! I discovered after that first promotion, when I read a particularly disturbing report that I had some big grammatical errors in my book, that it was the wrong file that had been uploaded to KDP. When my last editor sent it back to me, I didn't notice that she'd changed the file name. I immediately uploaded the correct version and hoped that the backlash wouldn't be too bad. It is horrifying to think that I let that one slip by but I've learned my lesson and can guarantee that it won't happen again.

General Feedback

But overall, despite my faux pas, I've gotten some good feedback. Not great, but good. Most of the feedback indicated that the book was slow to start but once they got to Part II (The Pedeck Murders) or when they got to the scene where Bella Mae was beaten by the Sunday school teacher, they said then is where it really picked up and they had a hard time putting it down after that. So I'm pretty much pleased with that.

So what was it like?

The excitement I'd imagined of getting that proof in the mail and finally seeing my hard work in print was actually a bit of an anticlimax. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I really don't. But I'd built up the experience in my mind so much that when it got here, it was like I'd already lived it. I was thrilled, yes, and pleased with my work, but it wasn't "that moment" that clarified the world for me. I think that maybe published writers may understand where I'm coming from on that. But it makes things a little easier now. One you pass that threshold, the race is over and you can take your time and really work on the rest; you can make sure that the subsequent books just keep getting better and better without that feeling of doom upon your chest.

For the most part, I'm pleased with how this debut went. What's even better is that I'm not stopping there. My Barrier short fiction series is picking up a little with the announcement that Book 2, The Purpose of Pain, will be out toward the end of this year. And two and a half years after I first began penning the fantasy, Future Past, I'm still working on rewrites. I'm undecided whether I want to resubmit to a previously interested publisher in November or if I'm going to continue on the independent route. I'm leaning more toward resubmitting, despite the cut in pay. I think it could be an education for me, if I've managed to get this rewrite right. Possibilities are out there for the grabbing.

In the meantime, if you're interested in The Influence, click here to see where you can purchase it. You can also read some excerpts while you're making up your mind.

Peace, love, and keep writing,

Pamela

Where did "The Suicide of Time Hall" go?

I'm not above criticism. I think everyone (professionals included) should open themselves up to continual learning. That includes feedback.

I received a thought provoking review for "The Suicide of Time Hall" from a reader on Barnes and Noble.  The reviewer said that the concept was good and I seem to be on to something great but what I'd written was a scene, not a story. And after reexamining the story, I think the reader was right.  So I pulled the story from sale and am setting it aside to explore turning into a novel later.  So if you're looking for it and can't find it, that's why.

Bad reviews aren't always "bad reviews". It's easy to pick the mean ones out (those that give you the impression the reader has something personal against you instead of a viable criticism of the story) and it's easy to pick out the ones that really don't make sense (I've gotten bad reviews for my short stories being... well, short).

I appreciate the reviews that give me a sense of what I can do to improve, whether it be the work itself or in general.  I'm in the middle of the Future Past rewrite so it will be awhile before I have anything new out. In the meantime, you can check out The Influence.


Peace, love, and happy writing!

Pamela

Writing in 3rd person? Okay, so maybe Pamela will try it.

Now that The Influence is settling in its spot and as we work on getting everything ready for the print edition to come out, I'm left with the stiff question I always end up with when finishing a large project. What now? I always feel a little out of sorts after the euphoria of completing a big project dies. My mind seems to scramble for what I should tackle next.

Usually when I finish something so large, I start working on a few smaller projects. I had planned on starting the next Barrier story and then work on a short story I had stalled on several months ago. But that is out of my head at the moment. I'd even had part of an outline for a new historical novel started. Now even that is on hold.

I'm revisiting Future Past. The last time I spoke about this fantasy novel, I'd been debating whether or not I would take the editor's advice and rewrite the entire thing from a 3rd person point of view. After reevaluating what it would do to the story and after talking with several reliable writer friends about it, I've come to the conclusion that I am up to the challenge.

I've never been particularly skilled at writing in 3rd person. In fact, I've only written in 3rd person on some short stories. I've always had this notion that 3rd person can take a little away from how personal the characters seem. Several years ago, if I would try to write a novel in 3rd person, I always lost momentum with it within a couple of weeks. But I've decided now that I'm going to do it. I'm going to put aside my misgivings and fears and just do it and then hand it to Hadley Rille for a 3rd and final time before I shop around some more.

I guess at some point I knew there would come a day when I'd have to shove that fear aside and grow more as a writer. Writers don't have a lot of options when it comes to professional growth. You can either go for it or not. You can either learn more about your skill or hold yourself back. Is there really another choice for me?

Peace, love, and going for it,

Pamela