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A to Z Challenge – K is for Key

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I love words that have multiple meanings and uses. Key is one of those little words that have such big meanings. It can be the key to a puzzle, key to a door. The key character, the key for a song. It’s a noun, verb and adjective. In honor of the tiny word, here are some of the key elements in my own life. Even though there are more, without these I wouldn’t be me.

My family and friends – My direct and extended family is awesome and a great support. I love that I’ve picked most of them. So says you can’t pick your family? Plus I have this enormous group of friends online that are awesome.

My dogs – The obvious, again. My little loves keep me entertained. Chloe looks out for the house and property. Tréa is my tiny companion. She sometimes helps Chloe bark.

My writing – My newest passion. Who knew it would come to mean so much and become such a large part of my life.

Music – I can’t imagine being without music. It’s part of almost everything I do.

Gaming – This is my hobby. I get to connect with people and live in a fantasy world all at the same time. I have a fabulous guild that I belong to and great friends to play with.

Teaching – While this is only part-time, it’s very fulfilling. Years ago my own mentor tasked me with passing on what I know. I’ve tried to do as he asked.

 

What will Monday’s word be? Come back for the letter “L” in the challenge.

Be sure to check out the rest of the cool blogs in the challenge!  A to Z Challenge.

 

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Book Blast – Rogue Genesis

Rogue Genesis by Ceri London

 

Rogue Genesis (Shimmer In The Dark #1)

One man. Two worlds separated by a universe. Space-time warped by black holes. In the passing of seconds on Earth, Major Niall Kearey has witnessed the birth and death of generations on Astereal. His mind shortcuts light years to visit a fantastical world of floating sky cities populated by telepaths.

Astereal is in decline, the dueling forces of black holes threaten extinction. Ancient prophecy predicts their interstellar visitor brings salvation. As Niall faces the staggering truth – that his alien dream world is real – he and his family are targeted by secret societies, scheming politicians, and the US military.

Time is running out as Astereal races towards annihilation and temporal alignment with Earth. Power brokers vie for control of his capabilities. Niall must act, balancing the needs of Earth, his family, and the alien civilization he has come to know and love. The fate of two worlds rests on Niall Kearey’s shoulders.

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Ceri London

Ceri London

Author Ceri London is married, mother to two girls, and was born and bred in England where she lives today.  After graduating from university, she worked in IT development for an international financial institution then one day started writing science-fiction stories for a hobby, often into the twilight hours. Fifteen years later, a career break to raise her children gradually evolved into a piano tutoring business after Ceri introduced a friend’s daughter to the piano. After completing a long stint of voluntary work as a school governor, Ceri re-indulged her writing muse, switched on the computer—and a few years later published her debut sci-fi/fantasy thriller Rogue Genesis in July 2013, the first of four books in a series called Shimmer in the Dark. She is currently writing the sequel.

 

 

Rogue Genesis Book Trailer

 

You can find Ceri at these links:

Ceri’s Website

Ceri on Twitter

Ceri on Facebook

Ceri on Goodreads

 

You can buy Shimmer in the Dark: Rogue Genesis at these links:

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

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A to Z Challenge: J is for Journey

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Four years ago I reinvented myself as a writer. It was to be a crazy journey that led me into becoming an author and eventually opening my own publishing house, Ellysian Press, with my editor and friend, Jen Ryan. Of course, there are a lot of personal and professional reasons that led me to venture into such craziness, but the end result is what will matter.

When I started writing I had no clue what I was doing. I sent a few chapters to the author Tim Powers, who I’d known since I was in college. He graciously told me my work was publishable and to keep going. I followed that advice. After some hard work and a very steep learning curve, I found a home for my first book, Relics. Yay! I was an author! From there I self-published the rest of my series, with Book 3 coming out this summer.

I decided to use the knowledge I’d gained from my own forays into self-publishing to expand into a small press. That just opened last week and both Jen and I are super excited. We are already going through submissions. So far, so good! Keep your fingers crossed and I’ll keep you posted on how our journey progresses.

 

What will tomorrow’s word be? Come back for the letter “J” in the challenge.

Be sure to check out the rest of the cool blogs in the challenge!  A to Z Challenge.

 

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A to Z Challlenge – I is for Imagination

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Okay, so this was an obvious one, too. But let’s face it, our imaginations are the hearts and souls of our writing. They are what takes an author from some mundane event to an epic novel of suspense and intrigue. How many times have novels been inspired by something simple that an author took to fabulous and outrageous heights? Without that ability to see the possibilities – the could-have-beens and might-bes, we would be pretty boring people. But our imaginations allow us to soar into new and fascinating lives and worlds.

Something I tell my Theatre students is that their only limits are their own imaginations. I firmly believe that. So, don’t be afraid to step into the Light of Imagination. Take that extra step away from the norm and think out of the box. Let your own imagination guide you, whether it’s as simple as making up a nighttime tale to a child or writing that book you always wanted to write or painting that picture you see behind closed lids.

Let your imagination run wild!

 

What will tomorrow’s word be? Come back for the letter “I” in the challenge.

Be sure to check out the rest of the cool blogs in the challenge!  A to Z Challenge.

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A to Z Challenge – H is for Heart

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Okay, so this is another obvious one, but for me if a work, no matter what kind, does not engage the emotions or doesn’t touch someone in some way, then it fails as art. Every book, every play, movie, performance, sculpture and painting needs to have heart. It has to touch us in order to move from just another painting or book into what I consider art. This is probably on my mind because we were discussing this today in the Theatre class that I teach.

Even if it’s a negative emotion, even if someone hates the story or characters, the artist succeeds by virtue of eliciting that emotional response. That still doesn’t make the attempt great art. There are all sorts of levels of success within the emotional parameters. But this is my first question when I look at a sculpture: does it make me feel anything? And from there I can decide if I like it, don’t like it, etc.

Of course, art is always in the eye of the beholder, along with beauty. Or as that other cliche states: one man’s treasure is another man’s trash. But even if it’s trash, if it makes you feel something, then it could also be art.

 

What will tomorrow’s word be? Come back for the letter “I” in the challenge.

Be sure to check out the rest of the cool blogs in the challenge!  A to Z Challenge.

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In the Spotlight – Paul Cude

Cude

Paul Cude

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In Paul’s Own Words

As for me………I look after my two girls, and when they’re at school I’m a teaching assistant. I love playing hockey, and help coach kids, mine included. Other interests include reading, building computers, squash, cycling, great days out with my wonderful wife and kids, as well of course as WRITING! I’ve just published my second book in the series, called  Bentwhistle The Dragon in A Chilling Revelation.

Let’s find out more about Paul!

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A to Z Challenge – G is for Genre-bending

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Because that’s what I do in my series! I love Fantasy and Sci Fi and a ton of other genres. Somehow, little bits of some of those other genres made it into my series.

I originally thought of The Thulukan Chronicles as my Urban Fantasy series.  After others read it, they mentioned some of the other genres to me. Of course, I already knew about the Paranormal aspect since I had ghosts in it. And I could understand Mystery because I had detectives, albeit paranormal ones. But Thriller? Sci Fi? Cozy?I hadn’t even realized I had those elements in there. At least not until someone pointed it out to me. Some of the things that happen in Portals, (Book 2) are very Sci Fi-ish, once I thought about it. So yeah, I can see Sci Fi and completely embrace it.

While it’s obvious to me now, I was so lost in the series when I was writing it, I didn’t realize all the different labels that could be applied to it. And I love that! It’s like getting surprise presents.

So, yay for genre-bending!

 

What will tomorrow’s word be? Come back for the letter “H” in the challenge.

Be sure to check out the rest of the cool blogs in the challenge!  A to Z Challenge.

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