The Sunday Quote

Dinner & A Movie Feb. 2, 2013

Ghost Rider from Columbia Pictures. Released 2007. 

On tap for movie night is one of my favorite bad movies: Ghost Rider.
Okay, I don't think it's all that bad but others apparently do and give me so much grief for enjoying it. I totally love it, cheesiness and all.
The basic story is Johnny Blaze (yes, really!) sold his soul to the Devil but only to save his father (that's important later). Johnny goes this life as a daredevil stunt guy until the Devil's son comes knocking and demands he do his evil bidding. Cue the awesomeness of Johnny Cash and Ghost Riders in the Sky.
One of my favorite parts of this movie is Sam Elliott. Sam Elliott. 'nuff said.

So what do we eat while enjoying such fine fare? How about tacos?

This is a pretty simple recipe but the bean dip makes all the difference

1 lb lean ground beef
1 packet McCormick Taco Seasoning
1 can Frito Lay Bean Dip
1 package hard taco shells or flour tortillas. Corn also works really well.
Toppings:
Lettuce
Tomato
Cheese
Sour Cream
Guacamole
Salsa

Brown the ground beef according to the directions on the taco seasoning packet. Midway through add the bean dip. Trust me on this one.
Mix thoroughly and heat through. Spoon into shells, top with your favorite garnish and enjoy!

Happy reading,
Jennifer

Special Guest Author Alicia Dean

Today, The Naughty Ink is excited to have Alicia Dean with us. Thanks for being here, Alicia. Congratulations on your success!

Thank you so much. I’m happy to be here.

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and what got you into writing.

I live in Edmond, Oklahoma. I have been divorced for years and have three grown kids who, fortunately, still like to hang out with me. I have loved to read since I was a small child, and my mind often conjured stories of my own. When I was eleven, I wrote my first romance. I wanted to be an author from that moment on.

Q. Your tag line on your website is "Journey into the hearts of lovers and the minds of killers." What drew you to romance and suspense?

I love the thrill of a good suspense, the tension of danger and not knowing what’s going to happen, how a character will survive a particular situation. And I love the conflict of a good romance when two people who maybe shouldn’t be together are drawn to one another and, against all odds, fall in love. I guess I’m drawn to strife in general.

Q. Do you have a favorite genre that you read that's not romance?

I love suspense/thriller/police procedural type books by authors such as Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Ridley Pearson, etc, I also love horror, the master, Stephen King, being my favorite.

Q. What goes on in a typical writing day for you?

Typically, I like to have Sundays to myself to write. As far as typical, it depends on what stage I’m at in my manuscript. I have four basic draft steps and my approach is a little different for each one.

Q. What is your favorite trope to use in your writing?

I’m not sure if I have a favorite. 
My critique partners might argue with that.

Q. If you could give your pre-published self some advice, what would it be?

Stick with it and keep writing. Learn as much as you can. I took years off that I wish I hadn’t.

Q. Have you ever written something that scared you silly?

Unfortunately, no. I would love it if my writing scared me, but I have watched horror movies and read so many good, creepy stories that my own seem a little mild. Even though others tell me I’ve creeped them out.

Q. What one thing can you not write without?

Quiet.

Q. Print, e-book or both?

Definitely both. I’ll never want to give up print, but I love the convenience of e-books.

Q. What's the title and print date of your next release?

My next release is as yet untitled. It will be the sequel to Liberty Awakened. It should be out in late February, early March. It will be Isle of Fangs Book 2.

Bonus:

1. Favorite book – Can’t pick one, but the Harry Bosch series or the Patrick Kenzie series are my favorite series.

2. Favorite movie – Again, can’t pick one, but Gone With The Wind is right up there.

3. Book character you most identify with and why – I’m not sure I identify that closely with any characters in books I’ve read. That’s one thing I love about reading, is the escape, and getting in the skin of people I’d like to be. In that way, I’d have to say Angie Gennaro from Dennis Lehane’s books. She’s smart and funny, although damaged, but she makes admirable decisions that I can’t always completely agree with, but I understand why she makes them.

4. If you could inhabit any fictional world, where would it be? – Probably Derry or Castle Rock, Maine

5. Soda, Tea, Water or Alcohol? Alcohol!!!

My latest release is a YA Vampire Novella, 
Liberty Awakened, Isle of Fangs Book 1:

Blurb:

Evil lurks beneath the surface in the beauty of the tropics…

After graduation from her small, Oklahoma high school, Liberty Delacort is looking forward to a fun-filled summer before college. But when the people she trusts the most betray her, and a letter arrives claiming the father she thought was dead is still alive, she jumps at the chance to travel to an exotic island to meet him.

But her excitement is short-lived. Her father is dying, and he doesn’t want her around. In spite of its outward tranquility, the island is filled with danger and ominous secrets. Before long, the secrets begin to unravel. She learns she is a descendant of Van Helsing, the vampire hunter, and she must fulfill her destiny in order to save humans from a faction of vicious vampires. The only man who can help her learn the skills she needs is a volatile, hostile, vampire who wants her off the island.

Will her inexperience lead to her death—and the death of others—or will she rise to the challenge and realize her full potential as a Hunter?

Spread the word! This Tweet is just the right size. Help an author out by copying and tweeting for Alicia:

On a tropical island, a young woman finds love & discovers her destiny is to hunt vampires. #YA #vampires http://buff.ly/WaEWpg #MYAHA

Excerpt:

She braced her hands on the door, intending to step back. Before she could, Eli lifted his head and whipped it toward her. He couldn’t have heard her, could he? She’d barely made a sound. Maybe he just sensed— 

Her thoughts ceased when she took a closer look at Eli’s face. He stood in place, breathing heavily. She narrowed her eyes. God. No.  

His features were somehow distorted, his skin had a gray cast and looked…crumpled. His eyes glowed red. Something dark and liquid—blood?—was smeared around his mouth, dripped off his…fangs?

“No!” She let out the cry before she could stop herself, then clamped a hand over her mouth. Backing from the door, she shook her head violently from side to side. It couldn’t be. No way. She had to have imagined it. 

A sound at the door told her Eli was coming out. She turned and fled. Her tennis shoes slapped the ground, the noise reverberating in her ears along with the word—vampire…vampire…vampire. Oh my God. Vampire… Bats… Drained…

Buy Liberty Awakened at Amazon by clicking HERE!

Buy Liberty Awakened at Barnes & Noble by clicking HERE!

Visit Alicia at her website at www.AliciaDean.com

Connect with her on Twitter: @Alicia_Dean_

Alicia, thank you so much for stopping by the Naughty Ink today. We wish you continued success!!

Happy reading,
Jennifer

The "I" in Writer? We're Not So Alone, Anymore...

I write, therefore I am

Writing keeps me sane (ish)

I am a writer. It's what I do. I love it. Not to mention, it probably keeps me sane.

I know that overall writing is a solitary endeavor. Who knows your characters, stories and intentions better than you, their creator? No one.

But... these days being a writer isn't all about solitary confinement. There are so many avenues to keep a writer on the road to success that I'm sometimes overwhelmed by the opportunities.

There are professional organizations in most genres that help maintain a sense of community and keep a writer up-to-date on the ever-changing world of publishing and reader preferences. If you haven't found one, do a little research and see if there's a group in your area.

Chances are there is both a national organization and smaller, regional chapters.

Input from my multi-genre group made this book stronger.

There are also writer's groups that form in public arenas such as libraries, coffee houses, book stores, colleges and art houses. A lot of these independent groups are multi-genre. These can be supremely useful when you're looking to ensure you're hitting ALL the readers the right way. The first time I ever shared a romantic portion of my novel Knight of the Mist with my multi-genre group, I was absolutely blown away by the responses and dead-on critiques from the action writers, the poets and the ghostwriter. They didn't write in my genre but they had insight that was invaluable. Different ears hear different things.

Again, check around for these groups. Make friends with your librarians and book store owners/managers because they are often in the know about what groups are around and just waiting for you to join.
More than once I've seen a smaller critique group be born from these larger groups. It's not a bad thing, it's just a smaller and more concentrated setting with like-minded people. I would not abandon the multi-genre group for a smaller group, though. Find a way to work both into your schedule.

A lot of authors work with only one or two critique partners, too. Decreasing the number greatly increases the individual time and attention your work receives from them.The closer the partnership, the more they will know about your stories and characters and the deeper and more intuitive their critique can become.
But it's not all about having a critique group/partner. I know plenty of authors who don't work with one and put out some genius work.

Are they solitary? Nope. They're on the other end of the spectrum - the social aspect. They hang out in writer forums just to talk shop or with readers to talk the fun stuff. We can hook up with the world in ways that make us less isolated and more animated.

I enjoy being on Facebook and chatting with various people in various niche groups. I talk all the time so Twitter is pretty perfect for my random thoughts. I try to attend chats given by authors I enjoy or reader groups with whom I'm involved.

The world is out there and as writers we are no longer relegated to the status of hermit.Bury ourselves and only come out once a quarter.

It feels good.

It feels liberating.

So for me, the I in writer means Invigorated, Informational, Interesting,In-depth, Investigative... It really means I'm not alone and I'm very glad for that.

Happy Reading,
Jennifer

The Sunday Quote

Dinner & A Movie Jan 26, 2013

It's not what's under a man's kilt that matters, it's what's in his heart!

I'm in a feisty mood today so I'm thinking I'll be watching Braveheart! I love this movie. As in really, really love it. When it came out in 1995, I went to see it 27 times in the theater. I know, I know. That's certifiable, but keep in mind ticket prices back then were actually reasonable and I hit A LOT of matinees. I was drawn by the allure of Scotland, the beauty of Mel Gibson (seriously, it was a thing), the pageantry of the period piece and the haunting soundtrack. It's still one I listen to on a weekly basis. When I'm writing a medieval book such as Knight of the Mist or His Lady Thief, I have it on constant repeat.

Even though it's a movie all about Scotland, I am NOT going to have haggis. Instead, I'll do a tasty shepherd's pie and serve it with a scrumptious endive and bleu cheese salad.

This recipe is from AllRecipes.com, which is one of my absolute favorite cooking sites ever. It's incredibly rich with recipes and tips and very easy to use. Check it out!


Shepherd's Pie
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
 1 tablespoon butter
 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
 salt and pepper to taste
 5 carrots, chopped
 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
 1 onion, chopped
 1 pound lean ground beef
 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
 1 tablespoon ketchup
 3/4 cup beef broth
 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash. Mix in butter, finely chopped onion and 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.)
Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onion and cook until clear. Add ground beef and cook until well browned. Pour off excess fat, then stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add ketchup and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Next, spread a layer of mashed carrots. Top with the mashed potato mixture and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Endive & Bleu Cheese Salad

2 fresh endives, leaves peeled
2 tbs crumbled bleu cheese
3 tbs red wine vinegar
1 tbs olive oil
2 tbs shallot, minced
Salt & Pepper to taste

Mix red wine vinegar with olive oil, shallots and salt and pepper until well blended. Toss bleu cheese and endive then cover with vinaigrette.

Happy reading,
Jennifer

The Sunday Quote