This past Monday was my birthday! Yay. So in honor of that special occasion here are some things that I have learned in the time I have been on this earth.
1. Not all animals like being petted.
2. People don't change.
3. People can change, but the process is long and is not overnight.
4. Chocolate cake makes a great breakfast.
5. Always proofread before posting anything online. Maybe do so twice.
6. Mistakes happen. Accept it, move on, and do better next time.
7. Failure is not the end, it only means that you are trying.
8. Love hits when you least expect it.
9. Trust your gut, it knows more than you think.
10. Go ahead, play with your makeup a little. Try out those falsies! And rock 'em!
11. Find what you want in life, and then go after it.
12. Follow your passions.
13. Yoga pants and a sweatshirt are completely acceptable attire to run errands in.
14. Wait for love. Don't chase after it.
15. Anything worth doing won't be done easily.
16. Actions speak louder than words.
17. You can always add time/heat/seasonings to something cooking, you can't un-cook food.
18.Make lists- they keep you more organized and keep stress down.
19. Make time for you, and do something you enjoy doing. You can't pour from an empty glass.
20. Remember, your life is what you make it. For good or for ill.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
Writers Conference!
As you're reading this I am currently attending the Madison Writer's conference!! *cue cheers*
I am so excited to be a part of this event again for the second time. Even more people from my writing group have decided to join in on the fun.
This year there are tons more talks on topics that pertain to me and my writing, such as: self-publishing, writing fantasy, marketing your book series, romance novels, plot and character development, and so much more!
My romance novel set in Ireland was not in shape fast enough to pitch. So I've decided to start the querying process later this summer and through next year if it doesn't get picked up right away. If it's not picked up by next year's conference, I might just pitch it here!
Next week's posts will be all about this weekend. Things I have learned, what I liked, and my overall experience.
So if you're here, give me a shout out on Twitter! @onadragonswing2 is my handle! :)
I am so excited to be a part of this event again for the second time. Even more people from my writing group have decided to join in on the fun.
This year there are tons more talks on topics that pertain to me and my writing, such as: self-publishing, writing fantasy, marketing your book series, romance novels, plot and character development, and so much more!
My romance novel set in Ireland was not in shape fast enough to pitch. So I've decided to start the querying process later this summer and through next year if it doesn't get picked up right away. If it's not picked up by next year's conference, I might just pitch it here!
Next week's posts will be all about this weekend. Things I have learned, what I liked, and my overall experience.
So if you're here, give me a shout out on Twitter! @onadragonswing2 is my handle! :)
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Writing to Music: Yay or Nay?
Ah the question that comes along whenever two people realize they are both writers. To write with music playing, or write without it.
Some prefer absolute silence, and some require it. While others like the sounds of music coming through headphones, or even just the noise of the everyday going on around them.
I fall on the prefer music side of the fence. Now, in some instances I do not write to music, as I do most of the time when writing blogs. BUT when it comes to my novel or short story writing, I much prefer the sounds of music.
Some people listen only to score music, or songs with out words. Some I know prefer listening to lyrics, and music style varies on the piece they are working on. If your story is set in the city, some upbeat hip hop style music playing the background may help set the scene. The same goes for writing a western. As long as the music helps to immerse you in the world you are creating, use whatever works.
For my Fantasy novels I typically enjoy lyric-less music such as scores from movies. A few of my favorites are:
Doom
Pacific Rim
Assassins Creed-Black Flag
Pirates of Carribean
Some of my other novels have been written to music that contains lyrics. When I was writing my romance set in Ireland, I worked to the soundtrack for Outlander. I also wrote to a playlist titled "Modern Celtic" that contains todays songs written and sung in Gaelic. It sets the tone and gets the words flowing. When writing on fiction, I have a more difficult time getting "into" the story without music.
What about you? What do you prefer?
And don't forget! My first novel Through the Mountains is currently on sale for Kindle for only .99! And book two Across the Sea and Hills is on sale for eBook as well, 1.99 this month only!!! Keep watch though...One of them will be free the weekend of the 22nd!
Click the link below to grab a copy today!!
http://www.amazon.com/Malinda-Andrews/e/B013YY7Z42/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1460552792&sr=8-2
Some prefer absolute silence, and some require it. While others like the sounds of music coming through headphones, or even just the noise of the everyday going on around them.
I fall on the prefer music side of the fence. Now, in some instances I do not write to music, as I do most of the time when writing blogs. BUT when it comes to my novel or short story writing, I much prefer the sounds of music.
Some people listen only to score music, or songs with out words. Some I know prefer listening to lyrics, and music style varies on the piece they are working on. If your story is set in the city, some upbeat hip hop style music playing the background may help set the scene. The same goes for writing a western. As long as the music helps to immerse you in the world you are creating, use whatever works.
For my Fantasy novels I typically enjoy lyric-less music such as scores from movies. A few of my favorites are:
Doom
Pacific Rim
Assassins Creed-Black Flag
Pirates of Carribean
Some of my other novels have been written to music that contains lyrics. When I was writing my romance set in Ireland, I worked to the soundtrack for Outlander. I also wrote to a playlist titled "Modern Celtic" that contains todays songs written and sung in Gaelic. It sets the tone and gets the words flowing. When writing on fiction, I have a more difficult time getting "into" the story without music.
What about you? What do you prefer?
And don't forget! My first novel Through the Mountains is currently on sale for Kindle for only .99! And book two Across the Sea and Hills is on sale for eBook as well, 1.99 this month only!!! Keep watch though...One of them will be free the weekend of the 22nd!
Click the link below to grab a copy today!!
http://www.amazon.com/Malinda-Andrews/e/B013YY7Z42/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1460552792&sr=8-2
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Misconceptions about Horses in Books
So, you want to put a horse in the story you are writing? Congratulations! You've chosen one of the most loyal, useful, intelligent, and interesting animals to add to your story. They truly are impressive. From the large eventing bred horse, to the little backyard pony. All of them are magnificent and each has a story to tell. I have been lucky to have spent over a decade not only riding, but training, giving lessons, and caring for these wonderful animals. I even owned two of them and handled most, if not all, of their training.
When I read books with horses in them, often they are portrayed akin to a motorcycle. You pull it out, saddle it, ride around for untold hours, and when you're done it goes back. What writers often miss are the myriad of nuances that makes up horses, their care, and their uses.
The first thing I would like to address is that horses need a lot of care. They require trimming their feet, health checks, grooming, and the most time consuming of all: training. Even a good minded horse needs long rides and wet saddle blankets. They want to be around people as well. They need that connection as the rider or handler has replaced their natural herd order. Horses like to know where they stand in the herd, and need to be a part of one. Even if it's a herd of the horse and its handler.
Most often I read stories of people simply pulling the horse out for use, and not putting in an effort to care for them. In certain situations this makes sense, such as a horse that may be traded in every tavern for a fresh one. But they still, at the end of a riding day, require attention and care.
The second is that there are many different kinds of horses, and their characteristics often change based on where their breed originates from. An example? The Friesian horse from the Netherlands. These animals are large, with an impressively arched neck. They are usually jet black with a flowing mane and tail. Very athletic, built uphill, their movements are sweeping and large. These horses were bred for war, and could easily carry a knight in full armor. Opposite the Friesian horse is the Shetland pony. Shetland's hail from the very north of Scotland, standing from 28inches to 46 inches at the withers. They are small. Their feet end in tiny hooves, they have copious amounts of hair all over their body for warmth, and with short sturdy legs are built for packing or pulling heavy loads. You would not put a knight a Shetland. It just doesn't fit. Before placing a horse in your story, think about how they will be used, and then pick a breed or type that best suits those needs.
The third, and one that drives me crazy, is color. There are in fact "brown" horses. They tend to be rare, and some colors just don't show up in some breeds at all. Here are just a few of the colors a horse can be: black, bay, white, chestnut, grey, palomino, buckskin, dun, gruella, albino, blue or red roan, and brown. Within some of those "colors" there are further variations that set them apart. A horse's fur color is just like a person's hair. Color is a multi-gene controlled aspect, and as such there are large variations and distinctions. Which means that a horse breed, such as the Friesian listed above may not even be capable of being a certain color. I was reading a book that a horse was of Spanish origin and was described as a buckskin, but later was mentioned that she had a dorsal strip. This horse would actually be considered a dun because of this. Buckskins cannot have a dorsal strip.
The fourth, and last one that I am explaining today is usually the LARGEST misconception. A horse can not gallop all day. Even over grassy plains they can't let, alone galloping through a forest or mountains. In fact, if the ground is rocky and rough, the horse should go no faster than a walk or a trot to ensure the safety of horse and rider. If you ever watch a horse on uneven surfaces they pick their way carefully. It's not easy to get back up when you're over a thousand pounds, and it's worse if you have a hundred some pound rider and supplies on your back. Horses, just like people need rest. A person can't run all day, so why would a writer make a horse? They also need to stop to graze frequently. Horses do not eat three square meals a day. They are grazers, and need time to eat smaller amounts throughout the day and night. When going on a long trip to give the horse some rest and time to graze, have the characters stop for lunch. Or even walk alongside the horses on their way.
Horses are not machines, they are living breathing beings that operate in and obey our natural laws. Now, if the story takes place in some magical realm and there is a solid reason why a horse has attributes that one on our planet wouldn't, THEN EXPLAIN why. Otherwise do some research, talk to someone who knows and understands them. The extra time will be well worth it.
When I read books with horses in them, often they are portrayed akin to a motorcycle. You pull it out, saddle it, ride around for untold hours, and when you're done it goes back. What writers often miss are the myriad of nuances that makes up horses, their care, and their uses.
The first thing I would like to address is that horses need a lot of care. They require trimming their feet, health checks, grooming, and the most time consuming of all: training. Even a good minded horse needs long rides and wet saddle blankets. They want to be around people as well. They need that connection as the rider or handler has replaced their natural herd order. Horses like to know where they stand in the herd, and need to be a part of one. Even if it's a herd of the horse and its handler.
Most often I read stories of people simply pulling the horse out for use, and not putting in an effort to care for them. In certain situations this makes sense, such as a horse that may be traded in every tavern for a fresh one. But they still, at the end of a riding day, require attention and care.
The second is that there are many different kinds of horses, and their characteristics often change based on where their breed originates from. An example? The Friesian horse from the Netherlands. These animals are large, with an impressively arched neck. They are usually jet black with a flowing mane and tail. Very athletic, built uphill, their movements are sweeping and large. These horses were bred for war, and could easily carry a knight in full armor. Opposite the Friesian horse is the Shetland pony. Shetland's hail from the very north of Scotland, standing from 28inches to 46 inches at the withers. They are small. Their feet end in tiny hooves, they have copious amounts of hair all over their body for warmth, and with short sturdy legs are built for packing or pulling heavy loads. You would not put a knight a Shetland. It just doesn't fit. Before placing a horse in your story, think about how they will be used, and then pick a breed or type that best suits those needs.
The third, and one that drives me crazy, is color. There are in fact "brown" horses. They tend to be rare, and some colors just don't show up in some breeds at all. Here are just a few of the colors a horse can be: black, bay, white, chestnut, grey, palomino, buckskin, dun, gruella, albino, blue or red roan, and brown. Within some of those "colors" there are further variations that set them apart. A horse's fur color is just like a person's hair. Color is a multi-gene controlled aspect, and as such there are large variations and distinctions. Which means that a horse breed, such as the Friesian listed above may not even be capable of being a certain color. I was reading a book that a horse was of Spanish origin and was described as a buckskin, but later was mentioned that she had a dorsal strip. This horse would actually be considered a dun because of this. Buckskins cannot have a dorsal strip.
The fourth, and last one that I am explaining today is usually the LARGEST misconception. A horse can not gallop all day. Even over grassy plains they can't let, alone galloping through a forest or mountains. In fact, if the ground is rocky and rough, the horse should go no faster than a walk or a trot to ensure the safety of horse and rider. If you ever watch a horse on uneven surfaces they pick their way carefully. It's not easy to get back up when you're over a thousand pounds, and it's worse if you have a hundred some pound rider and supplies on your back. Horses, just like people need rest. A person can't run all day, so why would a writer make a horse? They also need to stop to graze frequently. Horses do not eat three square meals a day. They are grazers, and need time to eat smaller amounts throughout the day and night. When going on a long trip to give the horse some rest and time to graze, have the characters stop for lunch. Or even walk alongside the horses on their way.
Horses are not machines, they are living breathing beings that operate in and obey our natural laws. Now, if the story takes place in some magical realm and there is a solid reason why a horse has attributes that one on our planet wouldn't, THEN EXPLAIN why. Otherwise do some research, talk to someone who knows and understands them. The extra time will be well worth it.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
April Review- Self-Published Book
Once again, this is a book that I learned about at the Madison Writer's Conference this past year (2015). The author just needed a table to sit at, and he happened to choose the one that Rebekah Bryan and I were at. Of course conversation was struck up, and cards were exchanged.
When I first heard about The Heir of Olympus and the Forest Realm by Zachary Howe, I was a bit skeptical to be honest. I have read the Percy Jackson series (The Lightning Thief) and really enjoyed it. I did not want to read a knockoff, and went in to this book full of doubt.
Within the first few chapters I knew that this book was different. Zach really knows his mythology. As someone who loves mythology, and took several courses on it in college, I can attest that he knows his stuff. Using that rich history, and of course the personality of the gods themselves, Zach has created a wonderful world of adventure and intrigue that is unique.
Yes the big players are there: Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Chiron, Hercules, Hades, (etc) all of the characters one thinks of when the Greek Pantheon is mentioned. However, he has molded them into a new rendition without losing the characteristics we know and love. The action came and went in waves, and boy was that ending a doozy!
There were a few things that didn't thrill me. Zach clearly has a large vocabulary, and he likes to use it. Often it felt that the words were not that of a 16 year old boy, and it pulled me away from the story. At times the conversations between the characters came off as "cutesy" or contrived, but I also haven't been a teenage boy so I can't say for sure if this isn't just how they think and talk. I also spotted a few typos, and sometimes the sentence structure was rough. But that comes with the territory of self publishing. Most of them were easily glossed over and did not interfere with the flow of the story. The action built slowly, I really didn't get super hooked until the a little over halfway through, but near the end I couldn't stop!
I was pleasantly surprised at one of the creatures Gordie (Gordon Leonhart) has to face, I hadn't really seen one in Greek mythology much. He did not take after the Percy Jackson books in the main character's relation to the gods, but rather something unique. Gordie has all the hallmarks of an early hero, (including being impatient-which is an awesome trouble making characteristic) and I can't wait to read more of his adventures.
Now, I am waiting for something spectacular to come from his little girlfriend...like she's related to the gods as well. But I think I'll just keep hoping!
Overall I would give this book a strong 4/5 stars.
The links to Zach's webpage, and Good Reads page is below. I can't wait for the next installment, and hope maybe I can be a beta reader! ;)
http://heirofolympus.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12175485.Zachary_Howe
He is also very active on Twitter, and replies regularly to tweets! Please add him and keep up with all the hilarity that ensues!
https://twitter.com/ZackEHowe
Friday, April 1, 2016
April Fools Day!
Happy April Fools Day!
UGH It's such a tragedy that one of my favorite months, and my birthday month, starts off with this.
Ever since high school I have disliked this day tremendously. I don't have a problem with this day since the meaning started out so different. What I dislike is that people use it as an excuse to be cruel. In school there were many a times I saw kids crying and hurt over "harmless pranks". April Fools Day was not meant to be like that.
Across many cultures one day a year was often set aside to break the decorum of normal society. It was a day of fun, and frivolity. Historically these events were not pranks that would cause someone serious mental harm. In England the jokes stopped at mid day. In fact if someone did not, they were then dubbed the "april fool". In Ireland and Scotland the traditional prank is giving someone a signed and sealed letter and telling them to deliver it. When it is delivered the person receiving the letter finds instructions to not laugh or smile, but to tell the messenger that they can only help them if they then run to a different person first. In this way the person being "pranked" just runs messages around meaning nothing.
Today, or at least in the school days I had, I remember such pranks as:
If a guy found out a girl liked him, he'd ask her out. Once she said yes, he'd yell April Fools.
Hiding someone's personal property or books.
Calling each other nasty names, or saying they hated someone.
Putting putty or some other substance on the chairs of unsuspecting girls.
Girls spreading rumors about other girls.
Cracking into someone's locker and either removing items, or messing it up.
Egging someone's car. (Saran wrapping it, or other destructive ideas)
Without fail the kids in the cafeteria would try to start a food fight.
Putting a bucket of water, or confetti balanced on the top of a door.
If any of this looks familiar, it's because it's the crap that goes on everyday of the school year. Except on April Fools the kids get away with more. I always dreaded the day, and was relieved if it was on a weekend. If it happened to fall on a week day I had three options. Option one: Keep my head down, and be aware of everything and everyone around me. Option two: Pretend to be sick so I could stay home. Option three: Bargain with my mother to let me stay home. (usually option three worked since I was an honor roll student and never fell behind on work and studying).
So if you happen to be an unfortunate person like me who dislikes this holiday, good luck to you!
UGH It's such a tragedy that one of my favorite months, and my birthday month, starts off with this.
Ever since high school I have disliked this day tremendously. I don't have a problem with this day since the meaning started out so different. What I dislike is that people use it as an excuse to be cruel. In school there were many a times I saw kids crying and hurt over "harmless pranks". April Fools Day was not meant to be like that.
Across many cultures one day a year was often set aside to break the decorum of normal society. It was a day of fun, and frivolity. Historically these events were not pranks that would cause someone serious mental harm. In England the jokes stopped at mid day. In fact if someone did not, they were then dubbed the "april fool". In Ireland and Scotland the traditional prank is giving someone a signed and sealed letter and telling them to deliver it. When it is delivered the person receiving the letter finds instructions to not laugh or smile, but to tell the messenger that they can only help them if they then run to a different person first. In this way the person being "pranked" just runs messages around meaning nothing.
Today, or at least in the school days I had, I remember such pranks as:
If a guy found out a girl liked him, he'd ask her out. Once she said yes, he'd yell April Fools.
Hiding someone's personal property or books.
Calling each other nasty names, or saying they hated someone.
Putting putty or some other substance on the chairs of unsuspecting girls.
Girls spreading rumors about other girls.
Cracking into someone's locker and either removing items, or messing it up.
Egging someone's car. (Saran wrapping it, or other destructive ideas)
Without fail the kids in the cafeteria would try to start a food fight.
Putting a bucket of water, or confetti balanced on the top of a door.
If any of this looks familiar, it's because it's the crap that goes on everyday of the school year. Except on April Fools the kids get away with more. I always dreaded the day, and was relieved if it was on a weekend. If it happened to fall on a week day I had three options. Option one: Keep my head down, and be aware of everything and everyone around me. Option two: Pretend to be sick so I could stay home. Option three: Bargain with my mother to let me stay home. (usually option three worked since I was an honor roll student and never fell behind on work and studying).
So if you happen to be an unfortunate person like me who dislikes this holiday, good luck to you!
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