Starting a New Chapter

Every writer understands the thrill of starting a new chapter, especially in a novel that’s been a huge labor of love, a struggle, something that’s required a lot of inflection, research, and pain. With the start of a new section, it’s like there’s been this small reprieve.  You’ve got the sense of completing some task, obstacle, quest, event or emotional scene, and now it’s time to move on to the next part of the saga, able to put that part behind you.  What we don’t often realize in our jubilation - starting a new chapter isn’t the same as writing a whole new book; it’s an extension of the same story.  There are still threads to be tied, characters that need to be developed and plots that need to unfold.  No matter how much we’d like to jump out of the same story and start over fresh, we have to see it to the end – just like our own lives.

I’d love to be able to jump out of my story and start a whole new one; reinvent myself and plop right into a new adventure, but I can’t.  My story has its own history, its own plot line and its own character development. The only difference, I’m not the author; I’m one of the characters.  I don’t have the power to change my story, rewrite my earlier chapters, scrap the whole manuscript and start over from scratch.  Part of me doubts I even have the power to finish the story as I’d like, because I have no control over the plot or the actions of the other characters.  The only thing I truly have any control over is how my character responds to the things around her.

Just so you know - I’m pretty damned angry at the author for writing this particular tragedy.  Why couldn’t I have been in a comedy or a fluffy romance?  No, I have to be in an epic thriller; a dark fantasy; a nightmare.  All I have to say is there better be an awesome ending.  Come on, one character can only take so much tragedy in their life.  There has to be balance.  I’m not even sure if I’m the hero or villain.  I think most of us are the heroes in our own stories, but my character isn’t feeling very heroic lately.  Where’s my great love story, when do I get to save the day instead of always being in need of rescue?  When do I reach the climax and get to start seeing everything come together and find my happily-ever-after?  Will my story end up with a tragic ending?  What will I have learned at the end of my journey?  Will anyone shed a tear for me when my story is finally over?  Or will my story be one of those that have the reader scratching their heads and saying, “What a waste!”

I don’t want that kind of ending, and I surely don’t want to be in a tragedy any longer, or to save the day; I just simply want to smile.  I want to love and be loved in return.  I want to have a purpose and give purpose to someone else’s life.  I want to be someone’s bright spot.  So, this morning, I’m pleading with the Author of my particular story, as they go to write this new chapter - please show a little mercy and change my story to a happy adventure. Tone down the drama, create a wonderful, beautiful setting, and plot a miracle or two.  Oh, and if I might just make a tiny suggestion - Henry Cavill would make a wonderful leading man.  But, if his story and mine can’t mesh, at least send someone that will flame an unquenchable fire, be someone I can look up to, who inspires me, pushes and makes me a better person just being in my life.  But they’ve got to want, love and desire me.  I refuse to settle or accept someone who won’t fully love me back with their whole heart, being and passion. I deserve to be someone’s leading lady – not only their best friend, side kick or confidant.  I deserve the knight in shining armor who will go through hell, move heaven and earth, and fight the largest dragon with ME, even though I can save myself.  I don’t need rescued. I just need someone willing to fight beside me so I don’t have to fight alone. 

What does your story say about you?  What kind of novel is your life?  How would you like your story to change?  Think on these things.

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray

http://www.tlgray.blogspot.com

http://www.authortlgray.wordpress.com

Celebrate the Little Things

A writer’s life isn’t centered on one big moment, but a collection of little moments, a series of small accomplishments, and a lifetime of gathering tiny achievements.  Sometimes in our quest to reach greatness, we squander the moment to enjoy those minor accomplishments.

Most often we are known by a particular accomplishment, be it our best-selling book, a certain interview, or a reference by a famous celebrity or celebrated peer.  Sometimes we even receive recognition through awards, nominations or branded with a title of achievement.  However, those are rare, if even incidental, occasions.  If truth be known, we often miss the moments of our greatest achievements being too focused on the next goal.

With the end of 2012 around the corner, I decided to write up a new resume in an effort to be prepared should new opportunities present themselves in the New Year.  After I added the last line, the latest achievement, my recent nomination for a GAYA (Georgia Author of the Year Award), I sat back in my office chair flabbergasted, awed and a bit over-whelmed at all I had accomplished this year.  It didn’t ‘feel’ like a great year, but it was my most productive. 

I’ve chased my dreams, first for my college education, then for my family, then for my business career, and now for my writing.  I’ve put myself through school, worked my way up the corporate ladder, raised a family, started my own company from the ground, and now I’m chasing my passion, my dream, and fulfilling what I believe I was created and called to do.  I’ve accomplished much, and I’m only just beginning.  

However, those previous accomplishments were more recognizable, and measurable, usually by a big bonus, a certificate of achievement, a milestone such as a graduation, a wedding or a funeral.  With my writing career, the achievements aren’t as noticeable.  The moments are subtle and come in tiny morsels.  Often times I’m so busy working on the next project, I miss the celebration of the achievement of the previous one, because that achievement isn’t instant, but something that grows as time passes, and are combined with other achievements – like a snowball. 

2012 has been a GREAT year for me as an author.  I can’t even imagine what’s in store for me for 2013, because my imagination is bigger than me and my snowball of success is only bound to get bigger.  While I don’t care for accolades, pats on the back, or have a desire to be recognized and remembered, I have no false humility when it comes to bragging about my hard-earned achievements.  I worked hard for each and every one of them, and plan to work even harder for the ones yet to come.  I desire the same for each and every one of you chasing your own dreams.

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray

My 2012 Writing Achievements:

·         Published Milledgeville Misfit in January with Vabella Publishing

·         Re-Released The Blood of Cain as 2^nd Edition in May with Vabella Publishing

·         Published The Arcainians in September with Vabella Publishing

·         Wrote the rough draft for Survival – Book #1 – Second Chance Series

·         Won NaNoWriMo 2012 – write 50,000+ novel in less than 30-days

·         Scheduled and attended over (30) thirty author events, book-signings, festivals & libraries

·         Had (5) five newspaper and/or magazine articles featuring me or my books (Times-Georgian, Southern Spice, Union Recorder, Douglas County Sentinel, Ghost Voices Magazine and West Georgia Living Magazine)

·         Became a Contributing Writer/Book Reviewer for West Georgia Living Magazine (already had (3) three reviews published)

·         Have had over 12,000 hits/readers of The Whimsical World of T.L. Gray since January, +100 followers, etc.

·         Hosted (3) three Goodreads.com give-a-ways, and connected with many of my favorite authors (Michael J. Sullivan, R.T. Kaelin, Mark Lawrence, Anthony Ryan, E.L. James, Julie Kagawa, Patrick Rothfuss, Frank Allan Rogers, etc)

·         Maintained (5) five blogs, (3) three websites (vabella.com, tlgray.net, thebloodofcain.com), and countless social media venues

·         Edited (6) six novels (three mine), created (2) two book trailers, created (3) three book covers and Tutored (2) two up & coming authors at T.L. Gray, LLC

·         Active member of the CCWC (Carrollton Creative Writer’s Club), facilitating, attending and participating in many of the club events, including MeccaFest ‘12

·         Written more than (50) fifty blog posts/reviews (like this one) on my various blogs, featured in (3) three blog interviews/give-a-way by bloggers, and reviewed by many more

·         Invited to be a contributing author for the Triumph Over Tragedy anthology with over 30 (many award-winning & some my favorite) authors

·         Nominated for GAYA (Georgia Author of the Year Awards) for Milledgeville Misfit and The Arcainians for 2013

·         Invited as an honored guest and panelist for the 2013 Georgia Literary Festival

The Joy of Writing

Today is the halfway mark in the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge, the fifteenth day of thirty days and nights of literary abandon to write a 50,000 word novel.  I’m excited to say that I’m well beyond the mid-point curve, facing less than 3,000 words to win the challenge, and perhaps 15,000 words to complete the novel.  My biggest testament of this contest - for the past fifteen days I have relished the true joy of writing.  It’s not only exciting, frustrating, cathartic and even a touch erotic, but truly one of the few things in which I participate that brings me complete joy.

I wake in the mornings with an excitement and an urgency to get started, and quickly jump into my writing regiment (make a thermos full of coffee, get my particular snacks out, pre-make lunch, start the background music, pull out my notes, adjust the office lighting and temperature, and then boot my computer).

I believe we are all made for a particular purpose, a specific task in this life.  I’ve done many things in my life, held many different jobs, walked in many different levels of income, success and social standing.  By the world’s standards, choosing to be an author and spending the majority of my days writing, editing and marketing my finished products, is not considered a rational, practical or  a socially accepted form of employment; where success is measured in sales, networking and social status instead of content and creativity.

I thank God I’ve discovered my purpose, because in it I’ve found my joy.  I know the world is set against me, to steal that happiness and rob me of its presence and its benefits.  I have to protect it, like a valued treasure.  I have to purge those obstacles from my life, encourage myself daily, and stand firm the course set before me.  Some days it’s a challenge, but most days, I do with a smile on my face.

I wish this sense of fulfillment and purpose for everyone.  While we are approaching the joy of the holiday seasons, I’m blessed I’ve found something that brings me joy every day.

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray

P.S. For my fellow NaNoWrimers – keep going.  You’re halfway there! You can do it!

Review - Heir of Novron - Michael J. Sullivan

Book: Heir of Novron (Riyria Revelations #3)

Author: Michael J. Sullivan

Publisher: Orbit (1^st Edition)

Genre: Fantasy

Book Description:

Publication Date: January 31, 2012

The New Empire intends to mark its victory over the Nationalists with a bloody celebration. On the high holiday of Wintertide, the Witch of Melengar will be burned and the Heir of Novron executed. On that same day the Empress faces a forced marriage, with a fatal accident soon to follow. The New Empire is confident in the totality of its triumph but there's just one problem-Royce and Hadrian have finally found the Heir of Novron and they have their own holiday plans.

And so concludes the final tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.

Review:  

I’ve tried to take a little bit of reprieve before I wrote this review, to allow my emotions time to settle, but after a full two weeks, and reading another spectacular fantasy series in between, I don’t think they’re going anywhere.  If anything, they’re solidifying, especially the feelings of sadness.  Not only for the heartache at the loss of some of my favorite characters in this last part of the saga, but because the series came to an end.  It reminds me a lot of how I felt at the end of Harry Potter.  I cried for two days, but that was after I had invested several years following that particular journey.  With Riyria Revelations, I’ve only recently discovered it, revealing how strong of an impact it made in such a short period of time. I hereby induct Michael J. Sullivan into the Evil Author’s Guild – for his love of killing off much beloved characters.

 This series has a brilliant mix of riotous comedy, wondrous character development, and heart-breaking resolutions.  Sullivan did such an excellent job of keeping the strongest elements of this story in a good balance, not allowing one component to overpower the others.  As a fellow writer, I understand the difficulty of such a task.  While reading Heir of Novron, knowing a conclusion waited on the horizon, Sullivan was able to keep me in the moment, but most all, able to keep my heart and emotions in the moment in order to break them.

While Hadrian and Royce has cemented themselves into my heart as strongly as Harry, Ron & Hermione, it’s some of the secondary characters that helped solidify my love for this series: Empress Modina (Thrace Wood), Amilia, Albert Winslow, Mince, Elbright, Brand, Kine, Gwen DeLancey, Princess Arista, the Pickerings – all of them, Myron Lananklin, Magnus, Esrahaddon, Wyatt Deminthal, and Sir Breckton Belstrad. Of course, there are all those bad guys too, but these are the characters that pilfered my heart.  With so many fantasy series filling it pages with dozens upon dozens of characters, I find many of the main characters get lost in the melee, but Sullivan did a great job keeping Hadrian and Royce front and center.

Though I figured out early in the series the identity of the Heir of Novron, I still enjoyed experiencing every step, clue and adventure that brought out the revelation.  I love the great mixture of all the elements of fantasy like:  new worlds, colorful kingdoms, gods & goddesses, elves, dwarves, wizards, magical beasts, and everyday medieval elements like inns, thieves’ guilds and armies (reminding me a lot of the video game Assassin’s Creed).  There’s a surprise at the ending, something I thought about in the first book, but then became so absorbed in the other elements of the story, I totally forgot.  When it came about in the end, it really made me smile, and it added such a soft, pleasant touch to the story, especially coming after some really heart-breaking moments. That was I think the formula that made this series great – the balance of soft, hard and hilarious moments.

I’m trying to hard not to give away any plot points, it’s difficult, because it’s those particular points I found so exciting about this series. I guess all that I’m left with is this last sentiment: I love Michael J. Sullivan’s imagination.  I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. 

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray

Get Excited

I understand the concept of being humble, but I don’t know if I’ll ever understand how writers, or any artist for that matter, can’t seem to bring themselves to get excited about their own work.  If they don’t love, believe in, and expect a great reception and good sales for their art, why on earth would they expect anyone else to do what they won’t?

Artists MUST get to the point in their lives where other people’s opinions don’t dictate their actions or attitude, which is, of course, a panacea of contradiction, because artists’ success depends wholly on other people’s opinion.   Artists must produce a product that the public will love, purchase and embrace. Success or failure depends on acceptance. 

An artists’ love for their own work is the first step toward success. Creating a marketable and saleable product is the next. Keeping a balance between modesty and drive is crucial.  So, get excited and enjoy the ride.

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray 

  

Review - Raven's Shadow - Anthony Ryan

Book: Raven’s Shadow (Blood Song Series – Book 1)

Author: Anthony Ryan (http://www.anthonystuff.wordpress.com )

Publisher: Indie

Genre: Fantasy

Book Description:

Publication Date: January 21, 2012

An epic fantasy exploring themes of conflict, loyalty and religious faith. Vaelin Al Sorna, Brother of the Sixth Order, has been trained from childhood to fight and kill in service to the Faith. He has earned many names and almost as many scars, acquiring an ugly dog and a bad-tempered horse in the process. Ensnared in an unjust war by a king possessed of either madness or genius, Vaelin seeks to answer the question that will decide the fate of the Realm: …who is the one who waits?

Blood Song is the first volume of Raven's Shadow - a new epic fantasy of war, intrigue and tested faith.

Review:  I had once again began to lose hope in the indie publishing field, having been disappointed with the last few indie books I’ve read.  A few of them started with great promise, but left me quite disappointed in the end.  But all hope was not lost, at least not since stumbling across Raven’s Shadow by Anthony Ryan. I haven’t been this excited about an indie book since Progeny by Ryan Kaelin (http://www.rtkaelin.com ).  What is it with Ryans writing exceptional stories?  Anyway …on with the review.

The story starts with our protagonist, Vaelin Al Sorna – known as a Brother of the 6^th Order, the Sword of the Realm, Young Hawk, Darkblade, Beral Shak Ur, and Hope Killer, being led as a prisoner by Lord Verniers Alshe Someren, Imperial Chronicler, First of the Learned and honored servant to the Empire, to face a judgment by a country and people whom his Battle Lord father had almost decimated when he was but a small child.  Already prejudiced against him for being the son of their most hated rival, Vaelin is also the killer of their beloved Hope, the successor to the Emperor’s throne in their latest skirmish with King Janus and the Realm. As they travel across the sea to face a trial by conquest, Vaelin tells this chronicler the story of his life and how the most hated of villains he became.

This prologue pulled me right into the story and piqued my interest to the point I just had to read on.  That’s one of the formula’s I love best – have a despicable state of being and then go back and show me how one achieved such a state.  It is the basic fundamental aspect of humanity - to understand how someone reaches a certain state in their life, either deplorable or exceptional, so we can better understand and see the path to that destruction or success and apply the principles to our own lives. 

The real story begins with Vaelin as a mere child dealing the death of his mother, along with losing that innocent childhood, as his Battle Lord father abandons him to the Brothers of the Sixth Order, a sect of the Faith that focuses primarily on the art of war.  It is his time with the Sixth Order that we fall in love with Vaelin, and his other brothers, as they are transformed from weak, innocent boys, into a close-nit team of merciless assassins.  We are carried right along with Vaelin as he develops his skills, face his trials, and nurtures the hate for the father that abandoned him.   You can’t help but root for him and his Order brothers as they transform from the fearful into the greatly feared.  Anthony Ryan does an excellent job of sewing the reader so perfectly secure into all the emotion and action that has you completely solidified and connected with the protagonist.

What is a great adventure without a little love to soften the hardness, - bring a little light into the darkness, than to have a splash of romance?  I love the way the author didn’t douse the reader in sappy syrup, but sprinkled just enough to allow the sweetness to be savored on top of the spice.  My mind went into three different directions on this aspect of the story, but I’m very pleased with how it turned it out.  I loved the twists and turns the story took, but can’t express how much I loved how the author kept the priorities in line.  This is usually where a writer plunges off an unseen cliff, especially with epic fantasies – they allow the romance to overcome and dominate the story, instead of balancing it.  It’s hard to do, because it’s so easy to get carried away with emotion, but Anthony Ryan handled it very well.  At least, I’m well pleased.  I hate seeing a great super strong character lose all his strength and integrity for a woman.  As a woman, I want a strong-willed man; not a limp-wristed, love sick puppy.  A valiant warrior, who has strength to lead and fight, must also have strength of mind, yet time and time again you find these oxymorons posed as heroes, men who can stand against all the world, but can’t say no to a woman???  Okay, time to move away from this particular rant and on with the review.

There is another twist I absolutely LOVED in this story, but I don’t want to say too much about it because it will give it away.  Let’s just say – I didn’t see it coming, and it broke my heart – literally.  THAT is hard to do.  I’ve read and written so many stories that I’m rarely surprised, but in this – I was absolutely blown away.  Not only was the foundation and story thread brilliantly laid, but exceptionally executed.  Well done, Anthony!  If I had any criticism of this entire story, it would be this: Put it through one more round of edits (especially where commas are concerned) and get this traditionally published so it can receive greater exposure. 

I don’t know Mr. Ryan, but I’ve come to admire his work, just as I know you will too if you dare to delve into the adventure of Raven’s Song. 

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray