Q and A, #2

So we're back today for a Q & A. Today I'm going to answer the question I get in literally every book talk, especially with the fifth graders. ;) So, that question is this:
Q. Are they going to make it into a movie?
A. I would love if someone decided that Segolia would make a good movie. I certainly think it would make a great movie. However, its only been out for a month and half, even if it does feel like much longer than that. Point being, they don't make movies after books that have only been out for a few weeks. Time is key here. Well, that and the need for a huge fan base. We might get there someday but right now, it's just a book. Of course, if they did make a movie, I would definitely want to be somewhat involved. I'm a strong believer that the author has to be a little involved, but be willing to understand that there are limitations. Movies from books are someone's take on it so it'll never be identical. Right now, let's be content to have an awesome story to read. ;)

Segolia Saturday: What's next?

It's Segolia Saturday and today I'll be discussing what I'll be doing now that Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy is out.

So those of you who have finished book one know how it ends. I won't spoil it for those who haven't read that far yet but I know it's driving people crazy. I know because it's driving me crazy too and I know what happens next. I'm anxious for everyone to be able to read it. I have written the second one, Segolia 2: Age of the Shadow (title still in the works, by the way). But here's the problem: Because Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy has only been out for just over a month, I can't publish the second one yet (unfortunately). The other problem is with the publisher. I've sold only a few books on their website (which doesn't look very promising for a sequel). But if you really want to get that second one out, there are a few things we can do to get it moving:
1. We need to get more reviews out there! I know, I know, I nag and nag about the reviews. But I have only five and I'm going to need a lot more to get people's attention. Goodreads, Amazon, you name it. We've got to get reviews there.
2. Tell people about Segolia! Seems easy enough, right? Book success is all about word of mouth. If no one's heard of it, how can they possibly read it? So, share my fan page, my book trailer (now on YouTube), this blog, your copy of the book, anything. We need to spread the word or book 2 will never hit the shelves (my biggest fear).
3. Read the book. This one is pretty dang obvious. But the thing is a lot people haven't yet (not pointing fingers by the way). But if people don't read it, then I can't build the fan base that I need. And without fans, no sequel.
So based on these things, I hope you're not freaking out and thinking there will never be a sequel. There WILL. I'm determined to see this through, as determined as I was to write the first one, despite a truck fire and all those other problems. But we can certainly speed up the process through spreading the word and getting people interested. Every author starts where I am now but with your help, that can change. I need fans that live and breathe Segolia the same way they breathe Divergent and Harry Potter. That is the key to success. I can write well, I can do all kinds of signings, but I need the help of the people to see this through.

In the meantime, I will keep editing Segolia 2 in hopes that interest will pick up. Hopefully soon. I want to get this thing out there. It's quite the book. ;)
Thanks!

TRIED, Excerpt

She knew she was dreaming.

Tatyana was somewhere she had never expected to be again. The only explanation was that she was dreaming, possibly remembering. Tatyana was at a fashion show, not only that but everything about this one was vaguely familiar. Then, Tatyana remembered. The fashion show in Chicago, where she’d been kidnapped by Glass’s men.

No, no, no. Not this. Any memory but this. Tatyana couldn’t relive this night. But she knew she was. The show was already ending. Soon, her captor would show up.

Tatyana started running, losing the black heels in the process. She wasn’t going down easy now. She couldn’t relive this night. She just couldn’t.

But the dream wasn’t going to let her run away from the past. After a few minutes of running, Tatyana stopped cold. It was him. The man that had kidnapped her so Glass and Pelletier could turn her into Subject Two, as they’d called her. Tatyana tried to run from him, but her speed in her dream, in this memory, was not superhuman yet. He grabbed her, dragging her into an alleyway.

Tatyana screamed.

Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy book trailer

Update: August 13, 2013

Sometimes I really am amazed by how blessed I am. I know people say that all the time, but really, I have some much more than I feel I deserve most of the time.
Today someone told me they loved my book and wanted me to sign it. I was surprised. I always am when someone tells me they loved the novel. I mean, I love it too but its hard to believe I could write something people like and want more of.
And then, I learned that I'll be going to my sister's class for a reading on Friday. I've been dreaming of doing that kind of thing for a long time, long before I even started writing.
I'm just amazed by how I've affected people. I guess it just goes to show that if you're passionate and do what you love and put all your heart into it, it'll show. People notice when you love something as much as I love writing.
My suggestion to you would be this: No matter what happens, no matter what you love, do it with your whole heart.

Pop Quiz, #1 Answers

So here are the answers from the quiz earlier today. Here's a quick refresher on what the questions were:

1. Which people does Rhiannon belong to?
2. Which of the dragons partnered to the Guardians has black scales?
3. How do Alistair and Edgeshifter know each other?
4. Who is Aretha?
5. What is the name of the enchantress's eagle?


And here are the answers:

1. Naiads
2. Echosong
3. She was imprisoned in Idari the same time he was visiting at the palace.
4. The dryad who leads the Guardians to the Enchanters' Palace
5. Windrunner

So now you know. ;)

Pop Quiz! #1

This is the first of many Segolia quizzes. See if you can get it all right! I'll post answers tonight.

1. Which people does Rhiannon belong to?
2. Which of the dragons partnered to the Guardians has black scales?
3. How do Alistair and Edgeshifter know each other?
4. Who is Aretha?
5. What is the name of the enchantress's eagle?

POETRY OF THE WEEK: The Most Powerful Kind of Magic

So every Tuesday, I'm posting a poem either I wrote or someone else wrote, along with my interpretation. Today, its one of mine. I wrote this poem during English class last year. As you read it, keep in mind that it is a story, a sustained metaphor.
My question to you would be what do you think it means? Because it does mean something. Try to figure out what and comment your thoughts! :)


The Most Powerful Kind of Magic
by Brittany Oldroyd

In this land of great magic,

There was once a tower

Built to hide a beautiful princess.

She was guarded day and night by a dragon.

It is said that only one day at midnight

Can she be saved by a brave knight.

 

Day and night, our young maiden dreams of her knight,

Of the day he will come with the magic

That will set her free. She knows midnight

Will be her time. She has never stepped outside her tower,

For she knows the dangers outside with the dragon.

But how she dreams of the day he will come for his princess.

 

The hero has heard of the beautiful princess

That can only be saved by a brave and noble knight.

For her, he longs to slay the cruel and selfish dragon.

With courage to match the creature’s magic,

He wants to run into the princess’s prison: the tower

And set her free with the spell called midnight.

 

The wait comes to an end as it looms over them: midnight

And he steps up to fight for the heart of his princess.

He fights the beast watching the tower.

He falters, fearing a monster so willing to lock up a heart, but proves himself a knight.

With a giant swing, he destroys the creature’s dark magic

And there it lays a pile of dust, no longer a fearsome dragon.

 

He runs inside to greet her, no longer plagued by a dragon.

The time has come as it arrives at last: midnight.

The spell is broken with the most powerful kind of magic.

She has waited for this moment for so long. The princess

Knows she has found all she wanted when her knight

Comes. Lips touch and together they leave the tower.

 

It stands there even still as a long-forgotten memory. The tower

They left behind. He takes her hand as they pass the remains of the greedy dragon.

A dragon who tried to hide what must be. The knight

Saw the light and was willing to do anything for her when midnight

Came. It took so long, but the knight and the princess

Know their love, what the dragon hid away, was the most powerful kind of magic.

 

 

 

When Things Go Wrong...

Sometimes things don't go like you expect them too. That's life. So just shrug it off and keep going. Life has just as many plot twists as any story.

Signing and Reading tomorrow!

Hey guys!!! SO EXCITED! :) My book signing is tomorrow at Bookmans in Flagstaff at 5:30! I'll be there along with a few other authors. Also, get a great discount on Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy. I'll be selling them for HALF the publisher's price!

Reader of the week!

READER OF THE WEEK
Every Friday I'll post one review for Segolia, spotlighting the reviewer! Today's spotlighted reader...KAILAN! Thanks for the five stars! :)

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was well written and very entertaining! I could hardly put it down and I cannot wait for the second one."-Kailan

Me either, Kailan. Hopefully, the sequel will be published soon.

TAINTED excerpt (sequel to TRAPPED)

None of the trilogy are published but this is what I've been working on. Here's a small excerpt of what's going on in TAINTED:

"I glared at him. I faces were just inches apart. Anger practically radiated off my body, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he could feel it.

Then, he punched me in the gut. I doubled over in pain, coughing. He’d hit me hard. He chuckled. Then, he hit me again, this time in the throat and then the jaw. I coughed again, this time hacking up a little blood. Each punch seemed to be backed up with more and more force. Either he was getting stronger or I was getting weaker. Or maybe both.

“So how about that offer?” he asked.

I said nothing, spitting and hissing at him.

“I’m going to take that as a no,” he chuckled.

He leaned the chair back even further. Then, of course, he leaned forward and kissed me hard. I struggled against the chair, wishing I could jerk away. Ugh. I could feel the bile in my mouth. This was so wrong.

“Got anything to say?” he said, lips moving over mine. Ugh, this was so gross. I just wanted to brush my teeth. Like now. I groaned but he ignored me. I had to get out of there. Fast.

Okay, I just had to think this through. I know, hard to do when you’ve got a psychopath kissing you, but somehow I’d manage. This room was completely metal. But as I looked around him-don’t ask me how I did- I saw that he’d left the door ajar, thinking I wouldn’t escape. I smiled, despite the fact that he was still kissing me. Perfect.

I lashed out, kicking him in the gut. Surprised by the attack, he grunted, stumbling back a few steps and dropping the chair. It struck the ground hard. Unfortunately, it didn’t break like I’d hoped it would. Before he could grab me, I rolled over, wrists still tied to the chair. I was glad my legs hadn’t been tied down. Hunched over because of the chair, I stood. Then, I threw myself to the ground, landing on my side.

       The chair splintered, the arm I landed on snapping. The tie broke. Quickly, I reached over, clawing at the other tie, cutting my other arm free. Then I stood. "
Okay! Keep watching for more posts about what I'm working on! :)

Pop Quiz! Who said it?

Which character in Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy said this:
"You leave me no choice. You have felt small doses of pain from my poisons. This will be very different."

As always feel free to share. If you have no idea who said this because you haven't read the book, check it out!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1625107064/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dpd_GwW0rb11P0K52
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-62510-706-0

New Story

YAY!!!!!! Just finished writing my latest story! :) The idea behind it was what if vampires were the good guys? In this story, vampires don't drink blood. They exist purely to protect humans from the fiery emotion sucking parasites known as fireshadowers. The other idea behind it is this: vampires are forbidden to love and aren't supposed to be capable of it. But what happens when young vampiress Irina Mondragon falls for human heartbreaker Logan Sammons?
If you want to know more, comment and I'll share more info, possibly a sneak peak!

What's Up: Get a sneak peek at something new!

I think calling it "neglect" sounds bad, but that's essentially what it is. :) Essentially, I am so caught up in writing right now that I pretty much forget the important things, like eating every once in awhile or getting a decent amount of sleeps. Writers! Have you felt this? Where your brain is so caught up in the story that you don't realize you haven't eaten all day or you need to sleep? Please tell me I'm not the only one! :) It's pretty bad right now, with this new story I'm working on. Still haven't thought up a great title, for now it's called Irina's Heart. If you want to know what it's about and see a little bit of it, comment! If enough people comment, I'll post all about Irina's Heart tomorrow!

Keep Calm and...

Let's make a new keep calm meme for Segolia together!
Comment with your ideas!
KEEP CALM AND...

How To: Make your characters REAL

Making characters seem real can be really difficult, especially for new writers. But there are some things that all writers can do, new or experienced that'll make their lives easier.
The idea behind a real character is that the reader can feel for them. Readers need to sympathize with the hero, hate the villain's guts (or possibly be confused by their actions), and hope the romance lasts or ends. Readers are in for a ride, and it's your job to give it to them.
The trick behind doing that is making your characters as real to you as your best friends are. You will most likely know more about them than your readers, at least at first. Don't try to reveal everything about your characters all at once. It just overwhelms the reader and they can't remember it all.
Characters also need to be fallible. No one is perfect, not even your favorite character. Their faults only add to them, and readers love them even more as they sympathize.
Example:
Edgeshifter is a good person, and we love her. She always does the right thing, even if it hurts her. We sympathize with her as she struggles and we hope for the best for her sake.
It also helps when we add little quirks and habits that bring the characters to life and make them more memorable.
Example:
Edgeshifter is nicknamed "Edge" by friends and family. She is white-scaled and has piercing blue eyes. These are little things that don't really affect her personality but fit right in with it.
Questions on how else you can make characters come to life? Write a comment! I love feedback.

Mailing List

Wondering what happens after Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy? Want to know about the next signing? Just want to be in the know? Join my mailing list. Comment with your email and I'll add you!

Happy Independence Day!

"I didn't fight to destroy the enemy. I fought to protect my people. To protect my family." -Deepclaw, Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy.
Happy fourth of July everyone! And let's remember why we celebrate this holiday! :)

How to: Explode a Moment

BOOM!
Ha, just kidding. That's not what it means to explode a moment, although you could definitely use an explosion as a scene to explode in a moment. Exploding a moment means you take a scene and go into extreme detail and zoom in on it. Typically, these are intense or dramatic scenes. For example:

Zandra swallowed hard, nodding. “She’s still on the gurney. Follow me.” Zandra led them down the hall and into a single room.

Even though he’d known what he’d see when he stepped inside, Zane still felt so broken at seeing the limp body on the gurney. Her eyes were closed, her head lolled to one side, and her face looked almost peaceful. She’d stayed calm to the very last breath. She’d been so brave.

Zane went to the bedside, numb. He glanced back at the others, sure they were feeling the same way. Zandra was staring at the ground, tears running down her cheeks. Then, Tatyana turned away. “I’ll be outside.” She left the room, standing just outside it. Jay followed her. Zane turned his attention back to the body.

He lifted her face, cradling it to his chest. Last time, the woman he loved died, he’d never been given the chance to say goodbye. This time he could. And he wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or a curse.

This scene is dramatic and scene seems to drag on.
Thanks for reading!