If It Was A Movie...

If your books were movies, who would play the characters?  Which movie star would fit the role?  

Please tell me this isn't a game that only I play.  I love watching movies and saying, "hmm, no, he's just not right." "she's too thin."  "he's too short."  Besides, if for no other reason than practicality, it makes it a lot easier to envision your characters when you have a star all picked out.  And so, without further ado, I present the list of stars I've figured out.  

Monty Renthers 

Monty is a sub-character of the novels I co-wrote with Nina Hansen, and will someday be the main character of another book we intend to co-write.  He thinks he's six foot, but he's not.  He thinks he's handsome, he is.  He thinks he's intelligent, he has his moments.  He thinks he's talented, which he is, but never has the patience to really get good.  He's funny, sarcastic, debonair, and a smashing pilot.  (literally)  All said, a fun character who would need a fun actor to play him; James Marsden.  

Peter Standish  

Peter was from the co-written novels afore mentioned, my lead character.  Big, blonde, handsome.  Tan skin, blue, blue eyes.  Spitfire pilot, rugby star, oxford student.  Full of boyish enthusiasm, but strong with the traits of a true leader.  He was the hero of the men who served under him, a good listener, soft lover, and faithful friend.  He had the heart of a lion, never one to give up or show weakness.  He was a tragic character, one who had lost everything.  And, of all the characters I've ever written I like him the best.  He is, by far, my favorite, and so, he has been the one who it has taken the longest to find an actor for.  I think that Chris Hemsworth could do it.  He's tall, muscular, blonde with blue, blue eyes.  He has a countenance that can laugh and be soft or turn to hardest iron in a moment.  He has the ability to be a tremendous leader, but also a gentle man.

Mark Kendall

About a year and a half ago I wrote a novel called "Strike In The Dark" for NaNoWriMo.  It was an action novel, set in the middle east in the 80s.  Now, at the time my arabic knowledge was kind of lousy, so without a complete overhaul, the novel will never be seen by human eyes for fear of my complete ignorance being a spectacle for all the world to see.  Unfortunate, but true.  However, the main character, one Mark Kendall, was brilliant.  He was a vietnam vet with a dark past and a heart of ice.  Now an FBI agent he was ruethless. Nothing could stop him, nothing could even phase him.  He's a piece of iron, but inside of his stony shell there's a soft interior.  Finding an actor?  Not so hard.  I present to you, Hugh Jackman.

Alicia Jefferson

This November my novel was a tale of a futeristic america, of world domination and the saving of said world. The hero, an ordinary man.  The heroine, anything but.  A new breed of human, super strong and super intelligent, bred to rule, to lead.  Rouge now, she fights against the powers that hold the world in her grasp.  She's tall, lithe, with black hair and flashing green eyes.  Sexy, but deadly.  Never a dull moment, never a stop in the action.  Passionate lover, faithful to the end.  A black haired Eva Mendes would be her to a T. 

So.  If someone was to make your books into movies, who would play your characters???

~~~

I do have more of these, if you guys are interested.

BLOG CHAIN: Swirling

I'm a day late on my post for the Christian Writer's blog chain...so sorry to all the people out there for being late TWO MONTHS IN A ROW!  Arg!  When I gave my date I didn't realize it was a Tuesday...the busiest day of my week.  And then working on schoolwork (which I'm trying desperately to finish before vacation) made me busier still!  So, the result is that I completely forgot about this post.  My bad.

Anyway, I did remember and here I am, trying to snatch a few minutes out of yet another BUSY day!  Wow.  My life right now is heeecktic.

So.  Without further ado...swirling.

~~~~

This is the blog chain of Christian Writers, and I have a writing blog, so I suppose this word, "swirling" is supposed to somehow pertain to writing.  When you say swirling I don't think of writing, I think of hot chocolate with swirls of whipped cream, those fantastic saltwater taffy things with a swirly pattern, and lollipops (which were always far too sweet for me).  If I wasn't so angry with poetry right now (far too much analysis in my lit curriculum!) I might think of that, which is somewhat writing.  Not my writing, but writing all the same.

I wonder why it is that the word 'swirling' makes me think of poetry?  Maybe because it's poetic in nature, a delicate and beautiful substitute for 'stirring', 'mixing', or any other word pertaining to a circular movement.  In other words, it is a word used to describe something.  A description word with far more beauty and imagery than some other plain words that could describe the same thing.

It's a fact I often have to remind myself of.  Just because I am [anything but] a poet, it doesn't mean that I should throw all delicate descriptive language out as 'flowery nonsense'.  I love description, don't get me wrong, but I really prefer to use descriptive words that are sharp, clean, and very to-the-point.

Those kind of words work best when describing an atomic blast or the supreme court.  But when the novel is all done and tranquility once again abides on the pages of the imagination, I should never forget the descriptive language that suits that new kind of peace...like swirling.

BOOK LAUNCH: My Mother The Man Eater by Tracy Krauss

Tracy Krauss, author of ‘edgy inspirational’ fiction, is launching her book MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER on Feb. 24 at amazon.com.  You can help Tracy achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book at amazon.com TODAY!

About the book:

Loaded with humor, action, intrigue and romance, My Mother the Man- Eater is the story of a woman whose search for meaning in life finds an unexpected outlet. Joleen Allen is on the hunt for a man. Unfortunately, every time the mother of five meets one, he falls for one of her daughters instead! At forty-four, Joleen has lived a tough life. She became a mother at 16, and her five daughters are now grown. Her ex-husband, Harold, is out of prison and back in the picture, looking for revenge. He’ll stop at nothing – even murder – to ruin Joleen’s reputation as well as her relationship with their daughters. My Mother the Man-Eater makes for some truly tempting and redemptive reading.

About the Author:

Tracy Krauss is a prolific author, playwright, director and artist. Originally from a small prairie town, she now resides in Tumbler Ridge, BC, known for its scenic mountain vistas and many waterfalls. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and currently teaches high school Art, Drama and English. .


BONUS!
Buy MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER on February 24 and receive loads of FREE e-gifts from these generous supporters:

Sample chapters, short stories, children’s books, and magazines from acclaimed, best selling and debut Christian authors, such as April Gardner, Shawna Williams, Shellie Neumeier, Sana Edoja, Delia Latham, Ray Lincoln,  Stacy Padula, Elaine Cooper, Stacy Juba, Lisa Lickel, Joann Durgin … and more!

Plus – free manuscript critiques, manuscript editing, and marketing and promotional tips from journalists, editors, authors and speakers, Lorilyn Roberts, Linda Yezak and Bonnie Way.

And – beautiful downloadable art cards courtesy of artist and author Brenda Hendricks.


All if you buy your copy of MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER at amazon.com on Feb. 24!  These free gifts are valid on Feb. 24 only. All the links will be operational on the ‘Book Launch’ site at www.tracykrauss.com/  Click HERE for more details  link: http://mytinyurl.com/d3srfsw1f1/   

DISCLAIMER: This Best Seller book launch has been coordinated with the help of the ‘John 3:16 Marketing Network’ and many other generous supporters. The free gifts are deliverable electronically over the internet or by email by individual authors and supporters. They are not in any way associated with, nor deliverable by, amazon.com  

BLOG CHAIN: When It Knocks You Off Your Feet...Then It's Love

February's blog chain...and I'm a few days late of the day I said I'd have my post up...a big apology to all the people who follow the Christian Writer's blog chain and have been wondering where my post is!!!  Oops!

Some people say that love is a rose, maybe they’ve hit it right on the nose, but other folks say that it’s like the sun.A long time ago daddy said to me, "I’ll help you clear up the mystery; I’ll give you a simple rule of thumb."If it knocks you off your feet, then it’s love.If it makes your life complete, then it’s love.If it turns you upside down, then it's love.If it makes your world go round, then it's love.The dictionary won’t tell you much if love is the word you’re looking up, I don’t believe that the definition’s right.And the encyclopaedia won’t reveal the crazy way you start to feel kissing on a moonlit summers night.If it knocks you off your feet, then it’s love.If it makes your life complete, then it’s love.If it turns you upside down, then it's love.If it makes your world go round, then it's love.Some say that love is a game, maybe compare it to a flame, or say it's a medicine that heals. But a bank of experts could fight all night and never figure out which one is right; but they'll agree on how it makes you feel.If it knocks you off your feet, then it’s love.If it makes your life complete, then it’s love.If it turns you upside down, then it's love.If it makes your world go round, then it's love.

"If it makes your world go round, then it's love."   A bit idyllic, don't you think?  In a world of easy-come easy-go the standards for love seem pretty high.  Maybe we shouldn't fall in love, instead choosing the fast lane, racing on, striving for higher goals, letting the intense dedication of love fall by the way.

After all, without love there's no chance for heartbreak.  But I tend to believe that there's no true chance for happiness either.

I'm sixteen; and yes, I believe in true love.  I believe in real love, forever love, and I'm pretty sure that I'm in love.  :)  He's a couple of years older.  Funny, kind.  And he loves me.  I think I'm in love because when we're together, it's all him.  What he thinks.  How he feels.  What he wants.  There's no me it's all us.

I see that in little places in my life; from the fact that I straighten my hair because he likes it to the clothes I wear (ones I know he likes more), and stuff like that.  I think that that's a lot of what matters in a relationship.

Natalie Wood gave her heart to James Dean, high school rebel and a beauty queen, standing together in an angry world, one boy fighting for one girl.I want to be loved like that, a promise you can't take back.  If you're gonna love me, I want to be loved like that.Daddy never gave Momma a diamond ring, Momma never worried for anything.  What he gave her came from the heart, a bond that was never torn apart I want to be loved like that, a promise you can't take back.  If you're gonna love me, I want to be loved like that.An old man kneeling all alone plants his flowers in a garden of stone.  For seven years now she's been gone and his devotion is still going strong. I want to be loved like that, a promise you can't take back.  If you're gonna love me, I want to be loved like that. 

The Heart Manifests Itself Through The Pen

Writers write primarily about what they think, feel, believe, or contemplate. This is, of course, most easily seen in nonfiction, but also plays an important role in the job of those like me...the storytellers of the world. 

I have pretty strong feelings on things, some things more than others. As a general rule I dislike hostile confrontation, and though heated conversations are often great when they're happening, I dislike debate and essays. So I find myself with the need to tell the world what I think in a different way. 

When it comes to writing, I am a storyteller by talent, practice, and desire. I've been writing for a lot of years...probably close to eight or nine (since I was eight or so). But as most people who start writing young, I've lost a good deal of the patience (and time) that it takes to write prolifically, as well as getting frustrated by work that was nothing short of rubbish. The result is that I do not write every day, nor every week, save blog posts. But in this time when writing has been pushed to the back burner of my life, I've learned something very important, and it has changed my craft...for the better. 

I've learned that I write best if I have a theory, idea, or frustration that is bothering me. That idea then transforms into a story which has more than just words; it has meaning. And while plot carries a story well, nothing carries a story like meaning.  

I don't know if the world wants stories that speak out (bluntly at times) against Global Warming, vaccines, obsession with appearance (particularly weight!), the United Nations, and 'systems'. Maybe the world around mr doesn't want that, but I honestly do not care, because in weaving my views into a story I find fulfillment, and seeing as I've pretty much given up all hope of writing professionally, fulfillment is really the ultimate gift. 

My goal is to never make myself write a story I don't feel, but at the same time never let a matter lie if it demands a story. 

Classic Literature

I know that as an author I'm supposed to have this deep affection for the classics. I should hang on every word of Shakespeare, Dickens and Verne.  I should love musty old books with the pages falling out. 

I admit; with the exception of a few modern classics I hate the classics. Shakespeare not only puts me to sleep but it also depresses me. I'm sorry, but coming from a girl in love--who wants their romance to end like "Romeo and Juliet"? I know it's a classic romance, but what a horrible ending!

Dickens is also depressing. Stories of poverty and cruelty which, honestly, seldom get THAT much better by the end!  Also Dickens rambles far too much for me. 

I also dislike Verne; I find his characters either boring or thoroughly disagreeable, which is a horrible combination and tends to distract me from his otherwise sorta interesting plots.

Now, that said, I do like old hardcovers, as long as they're not musty in the least. I hate musty/mildewy things. I like the thick paper and typeset they used to use tho. I have a good dozen books that are original printing, including "Magnificent Obsession", "The Secret Diary Of Doctor Hudson" and "The Robe" (all by Loyd C Douglas, yes, I like him) and "Enemy Brothers" by Constance Savery. I love my old books, but the pages are not falling out...I would find that maddening!

Despite this, as I mentioned before, there are a few modern 'classics' which I do enjoy. 

"Brave New World" is a scary but fascinating read. Unlike its also-famous competitor, "1984", "Brave New World" deals with a futuristic society in which the people are slaves to this perfect and thoroughly enjoyable society. It's not dark. Not full of filth and unpleasantness. It's almost bright in it's outlook, though very sarcastic in its brightness. 

I love "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" as well. I laughed through the whole book, a silly and utterly impractical sci-fi romp. The writing style is alternately ridiculous, random, witty and sarcastic. Other than being brilliantly written the book has little to no literary value, but I found it a very enjoyable read. 

And my favorite classic ever; "The Time Traveler's Wife", a romance about a time traveler who finds himself saved from his self-destructive downward spiral by a girl who fell in love with him as a child when he came back in time to visit her after they were married. The book deals with raw love and passion, and I know that lots of people are quite offended by the sexuality of the novel, but I was impressed by the love and intimacy shared by these soulmates. I dare anyone who has even a little bit of romantic in them to read this book and tell me they don't want to be that close to their partner!  Although these lovers fight, quite a lot in fact, their intimacy always proves as a way for them to forgive and forget. The book is honest, dealing with all the worst issues that arise in a marriage while still showing love and happiness. I ADORE that book! !!!

So what's your opinion on the classics? What is the reason for your love or hate of the classics?  Do you have a favorite?  Why do you love it so much?

BLOG CHAIN: A Clean Slate

Well, it's time for another blog chain from Christian Writers!  It's a sad but true fact that pretty much the only time that this blog is getting used is for blog chains!  At least I'm still getting stuff posted.  I might not be the best blogger ever but at least I can keep up the pretense, right?  

I hope, at least.

The topic of this month's blog chain is "New Beginnings".  For me, that's an awfully full topic!  Where to start--and what to write about!

New beginnings are very near and dear to my heart, as anyone who knows me will tell you.  I've written entire novels about second chances and loved every instant of it.  

My most extensive work by far was "A Fire Is Woken", written with Nina Hansen.  In that book my character was a burned fighter pilot, taken from elite war hero down to broken soul in a few flaming moments.  He looses everything and has to start over from scratch with pretty much the whole world against him.  I love the novel, and I loved the idea...  Why?  Because it was a new beginning, a second chance to become truly great. 

New beginnings usually involve overcoming great odds.  They usually involve tremendous bravery, or at the very least, willpower.  They are the beauty of the earth, the light at the end of the tunnel, the hope in our hearts.  We all hope, even when the world gets truly dark, that there will be a new beginning, a second chance.  A chance to turn it all around.

I love New Years too.  Because it is, in reality, a new year.  It's a new year to fix the wrongs of the year before.  It's a new year to be successful where we previously failed.  Aside from the big problems in our lives, it's a time to assess and work on the small issues as well!  So often we put off reform and put off new beginnings.  We say that we'll do it 'later'.

Well, it's a new year, 2011.  It's a new time.  It's later...it's time to bring those new beginnings to fulfillment.  It's time to be successful and conquer the unconquerable.  Do the undoable.  Attain the highest heights.  

Welcome to 2011, the future, the 'later' of our lives.  Let's make it a truly great year.  What are you waiting for?  Get out there and live like it's a new year.

BLOG CHAIN: Christmas

It's that time of year again!  The trees are up and the lights are strung.  People all across the United States are getting ready for an amazing time with their families; a time of love and sharing.  For some of us, Christmas is hardly as idylic.

For reasons that I don't agree with, my family does not celebrate Christmas.  Most of the time, Christmas is the single worst day of the year for me.  I spend the whole thing pretty blue because of the lack of unity in our family.  On Christmas more than ever the disunity is felt, because half of us want it and half of us don't.

This year is looking brighter; my sister and I are spending Christmas with my best friend and her husband.  We'll, for the first time in our lives, have a normal Christmas that is what Christmas should be--full of love and happiness. 

I have regrets, of course.  I can't spend the holiday with my boyfriend, which I'd love to do.  And I won't have my whole family there around me.  But I will at least have a holiday where I can spread the joy and the giving that I've always wanted to.

I love Christmas.  Despite what my family thinks, I adore the holiday.  I find it easily one of the best days of the year.  I love the Christmas spirit, and I love going out around Christmas because the whole world is full of it!  And I love giving.  Scratch that--I adore giving.  This year, out of my meager income, I dumped over $300 into gifts.  For friends that I'm really close to and even ones I'm not so close to.  I just love buying things for people, wrapping them, and either sending or giving them.  It makes me happy.  :)

I'm so happy to have Jesus this season as well.  Amidst all the maddness of the conventional Christmas, I try to never forget that He is truly the reason for the season, and that the joy in my heart comes from him.  This holiday season I'm so thankful for all the blessings He's bestowed upon me this year!

I have an amazing family who cares deeply about me.  They love me, protect me, but still give me enough freedom so that I respect them fully.  I'm thankful that they were as good about me getting a boyfriend as they were; I never dreamed they'd be like that!  If they would have been more difficult, I think I would have found myself sneaking around behind their backs and defying them.  But because they were willing to try; I'm willing to do almost anything in front of them.  They know practically everything, and they're okay with it.  I'm glad that they trusted me enough to let me do that.

I thank God for my boyfriend too.  He is AMAZING.  I've spent all my life wanting a guy who would love me and care for me...  And  he's so much more.  I would have never dreamed I'd have a guy like Cory.  The guy is perfect for me!  :)  I'm totally and completely happy in his love.

I also thank God that he has granted all of us the chance for happiness.  Whether or not we take it and make joy out of surroundings is our choice; but he gave us the chance.

In reality, I find that very much the spirit of Christmas.  If we let it be a stressful experience, then we might not find the joy in it.  Joy is in our heads and in our hearts.  God gave us the chance, we need to take it.

Merry Christmas!

NaNo ate my Novel!

Anyone who has done NaNo pretty much just has to face it.  At some point or another in our noveling process the pressure and spur-of-the-moment nature of NaNo takes over and completely murders a sentence, paragraph, chapter...or sometimes entire plot...of our novel.

Day before yesterday I had minor squabbles with my novel over NaNoish issues.  But last night my novel took a turn for the stereotypically NaNo.

First my one main character was recklessly driving down a freeway in pursuit of his true love (who has hated him since the beginning of the book), and God shows up in the back seat.  Yes, God.  Like that God.  THE God.  In the backseat of his car.  And some people think purple ninja bunnies and exploding zombies are bad!

Next my novel informed me that one huge group of villains who are ruling the world with an iron hand isn't enough.  Oh no!  There's another group of villains now too.  The villains who think they should be ruling the world, and will kill the first villains to do it.

And my two main characters in the middle of this...trying to kill off BOTH GROUPS of villains!  o.O

If that wasn't enough; my main characters also stopped fighting and admitted their undying love for each other...  Which is fine because I intended to have it happen...about another 20,000 words further in!

Oh well.

What can I do?  Nothing much, I guess.

On the bright side I'm to 30,831 words.  Yay me!  :D

A Surprising Evening

I am of the opinion that I always write better after I've talked to my boyfriend.  It might be true; it might just be my imagination.

Whatever the case; I did a mere 1000 words yesterday.  But that evening, after work and talking to the boyfriend...I managed to pull off over 7000 words in less than two and a half hours!!!  I am quite frankly shocked.  I don't think I've ever written that many words in that short of a time period before.

I'm honestly not sure how it happened.  I sat down and started typing.  A few chapters later...I checked my wordcount...and there it was!

I wanted to make it to 20,000 words last night.  I was almost completely sure I'd never make it unless I stayed up until midnight.  So I did a very NaNo-ish thing to do.  Drank a cup of coffee (cold, but still good), ate a little bit too much chocolate, and put my hands to the keyboard.  The next thing I knew I was almost to 23,000 words!

I wanted to see it all the way through to 25,000 and the halfway point...but my sister was throwing a fit that I was keeping her awake with my typing.  (this was about 10:30).  So, happy with my success, I went to bed.

Not bad, in my opinion!  Now...moving on to today.  :)