(UPDATE) February 20, 2010 - see above post regarding temporary removal of sample chapters. So sorry, but I will put them back as soon as I get the new updates/rewrites done. However you can still Google "Kim Jones Children of the Damned" as well as see some of the feedback I received while I was on Authonomy. I miss it so much. Great diversion, great for procrastination too.
I have posted the first 5 chapters of Children of the Damned on Authonomy. So for those of you who keep asking for a "taste" you can read the sample chapters here:
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=13162
The latest news is that a talent scout from the CW Network found me on the internet and they pitched the series and the network is now considering buying the television rights for a possible series like Supernatural or the Vampire Diaries. So little sleeping, little eating is going on - pins -n- needles stuff.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
My Apologies to my Posters on this Blog
I somehow deleted all the kind comments left for me to preview before posting and I cannot find them. But to the people who posted the advice, the "hang-in-theres" and such, thank you from the bottom of my heart! It can be so discouraging. WE know, right?!
More Nice Comments from Editors, but Still NO SALE!
When other authors told me it is a huge waiting game, they weren't kidding! In keeping with my positivity outlook month, ...
If you are in a similar situation (looking for an agent/editor/publisher, etc.), stay positive, the economy is messing a lot of things up as the publishing houses are focusing on their authors they KNOW will make them money, taking less risks on the newbies.
Never give up. If you really are a writer, you can't give up anyway. Right? I want my fellow writers to know that there is hope (probably more hope once this economic crisis is over) but hope none-the-less.
If you are in a similar situation (looking for an agent/editor/publisher, etc.), stay positive, the economy is messing a lot of things up as the publishing houses are focusing on their authors they KNOW will make them money, taking less risks on the newbies.
Never give up. If you really are a writer, you can't give up anyway. Right? I want my fellow writers to know that there is hope (probably more hope once this economic crisis is over) but hope none-the-less.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Fingers Still Crossed...
This is my positive post for the week. I decided that despite the fact that the sale has not happened as quickly as I would have liked, it will happen. The hard part is the waiting, any of you out there, awaiting a response from a would-be (fingerscrossed) agent/editor or publisher know exactly what I am talking about. The best thing to do is stay busy.
It is hard to remain sane while awaiting my future...I did so much want to write books and not have to go back to a "real guy job" - but we must do what we must do, especially with little ones, and teen ones who eat a lot.
For this week, I shall focus on good things happening.
It is hard to remain sane while awaiting my future...I did so much want to write books and not have to go back to a "real guy job" - but we must do what we must do, especially with little ones, and teen ones who eat a lot.
For this week, I shall focus on good things happening.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A FEW WORDS ON DEMONS…
Unlike ghosts, demons have never been human nor have they walked on this earth. They are not beings of this reality but sometimes they are brought into our reality. This can only happen if they are invited in (e.g. Ouija Boards). FYI, Ouija Boards – they're no-nos okay? Promise me! There are other ways too, and I am just learning myself (see previous post about descending into the darkness) so I'm not the right person to provide guidance in any way, shape or form. My advice would be to leave all such things alone. Or at least educate yourself enough so that you are protected against those that would do you harm.
As for demons, their one single goal…to ruin humanity, one soul at a time.
Do not confuse them with ghosts. Ghosts were once people like me and you. That is not to say they are all nice, mean people suck in life and generally they suck in death too. But even a grouchy ghost does NOT a demon make.
Ghosts and demons are two different things altogether. Demons are always to be feared because they can do serious damage both physically and psychologically. Signs you've encountered a demon are explored in Children of the Damned, the 1st book of my Fallen Angels Saga, because unfortunately, based on my main character's genetic heritage (both of her parents were part of those randy angels that decided the humans on earth looked pretty darn good and went down to join them). See Genesis 6:4 in the Bible (it's really in there!) Needless to say, that caused a plethora of problems, but especially for my main character because the demons know her and she's a target.
In the real world outside of books, outside of my books, there are ways to tell when you've encountered an evil spirit or a demon. You'll be overwhelmed by horrible smells and the worst part, that spooky-ass, guttural growling sounds that generally occur after LIGHTSOUT! and most often emanate somewhere close enough to your bed that you're too afraid to get up and go running into mom and dad's room.
In John Michael Greer's book called Monsters, he explains that "demonic hauntings happen in places that have been used for the regular practice of evil magic. Blood sacrifice, in particular, draws demons the way a dead sheep draws flies. Once the energies of a place have been corrupted by this sort of activity, it can take a good deal of very hard work to cleanse them again. Until the link is broken, demonic entities will tend to manifest in the area, and vulnerable people who spend any amount of time there will be at risk."
A demon's job is to break down a person's free will in order to make way for possession—they want to live vicariously IN you. They are shapeshifters and can take on any form they wish to suit the situation. Problems have begun to arise and these sorts of experiences are shifting to the forefront of our modern world thanks to the influx (generated by interest) of ghost hunters and shows about hauntings. Though the majority of ghost hunters, in my opinion, are doing a great service for those in need of help, it is important that they know what they might encounter and be prepared for the fight that will most assuredly ensue should they come across entities of the negative sort. Not to mention, it's not at all uncommon for those of you who encounter a demon/s in allegedly haunted locations, to inadvertently bring them home with you. I understand that people need help, but very few people can help with demonic-type cases, and unless you have been called to work with demons, you can never work with them. Leave them alone. And as soon as you are sure you are in the presence of one of these monsters, remember the most famous line from the movie, Amityville Horror: "GET OUT!!!"
More history, more stories, more spooky adventures will be going down in Spirits of the Dead, the second book in my Fallen Angels Saga. But for now, this sort of a "teaser" must suffice as I need to get to work – this book wont write itself. As I mentioned before, I will check in now and then, but not on such a regular basis as I need to produce now. When I write a book, I tend to get completely lost in it until I reach the conclusion, but if you have any questions or anything you need to ask, if I have an answer, I will be most happy to help, share or point you in the right direction.
For me, my inspiration now turns to all of YOU. And I promise to work as hard as humanly possible to give you something great, something you will enjoy reading, and if I do my job well, something that will make you want to leave your lights on when you go to bed at night.
As for demons, their one single goal…to ruin humanity, one soul at a time.
Do not confuse them with ghosts. Ghosts were once people like me and you. That is not to say they are all nice, mean people suck in life and generally they suck in death too. But even a grouchy ghost does NOT a demon make.
Ghosts and demons are two different things altogether. Demons are always to be feared because they can do serious damage both physically and psychologically. Signs you've encountered a demon are explored in Children of the Damned, the 1st book of my Fallen Angels Saga, because unfortunately, based on my main character's genetic heritage (both of her parents were part of those randy angels that decided the humans on earth looked pretty darn good and went down to join them). See Genesis 6:4 in the Bible (it's really in there!) Needless to say, that caused a plethora of problems, but especially for my main character because the demons know her and she's a target.
In the real world outside of books, outside of my books, there are ways to tell when you've encountered an evil spirit or a demon. You'll be overwhelmed by horrible smells and the worst part, that spooky-ass, guttural growling sounds that generally occur after LIGHTSOUT! and most often emanate somewhere close enough to your bed that you're too afraid to get up and go running into mom and dad's room.
In John Michael Greer's book called Monsters, he explains that "demonic hauntings happen in places that have been used for the regular practice of evil magic. Blood sacrifice, in particular, draws demons the way a dead sheep draws flies. Once the energies of a place have been corrupted by this sort of activity, it can take a good deal of very hard work to cleanse them again. Until the link is broken, demonic entities will tend to manifest in the area, and vulnerable people who spend any amount of time there will be at risk."
A demon's job is to break down a person's free will in order to make way for possession—they want to live vicariously IN you. They are shapeshifters and can take on any form they wish to suit the situation. Problems have begun to arise and these sorts of experiences are shifting to the forefront of our modern world thanks to the influx (generated by interest) of ghost hunters and shows about hauntings. Though the majority of ghost hunters, in my opinion, are doing a great service for those in need of help, it is important that they know what they might encounter and be prepared for the fight that will most assuredly ensue should they come across entities of the negative sort. Not to mention, it's not at all uncommon for those of you who encounter a demon/s in allegedly haunted locations, to inadvertently bring them home with you. I understand that people need help, but very few people can help with demonic-type cases, and unless you have been called to work with demons, you can never work with them. Leave them alone. And as soon as you are sure you are in the presence of one of these monsters, remember the most famous line from the movie, Amityville Horror: "GET OUT!!!"
More history, more stories, more spooky adventures will be going down in Spirits of the Dead, the second book in my Fallen Angels Saga. But for now, this sort of a "teaser" must suffice as I need to get to work – this book wont write itself. As I mentioned before, I will check in now and then, but not on such a regular basis as I need to produce now. When I write a book, I tend to get completely lost in it until I reach the conclusion, but if you have any questions or anything you need to ask, if I have an answer, I will be most happy to help, share or point you in the right direction.
For me, my inspiration now turns to all of YOU. And I promise to work as hard as humanly possible to give you something great, something you will enjoy reading, and if I do my job well, something that will make you want to leave your lights on when you go to bed at night.
Book 2 has Begun but I Shall Pop in Here and There to Say "Hello" – and Status Updates of Course will be Forthcoming (I hope!)
Just like anyone else who works for a living, writers have deadlines. In fact, it did not take more than a couple weeks of writing full-time instead of going out to work that I realized "hey, this is like a real-guy job" – and it is. But as far as jobs go…ya know? I can't stop this writing thing anyway. I've always said that writing picked me, it stuck its quill into the right side of my brain at a very young age and like an addict, if I ever went too long without writing something, or thinking up a new story to write at another time, I felt uneasy. Uncomfortable, anxious and moody. I don't write because I want to write, I write because I HAVE to write. Now here's some crazy to sell ya, if I were to know without a doubt I would NEVER be paid a cent for anything that I wrote (of course that is always a real possibility in this field) still, still, I will write. Alas…Evermore…and all that crap.
But now I have to get serious, so this is a good-bye of sorts – but not for long and I will be checking back in. And of course when I get the wonderful news that keeps me from eating, sleeping, acting like a regular human (I know that's terribly subjective) but when the REAL LIVE BOOK SALE COMES, you guys will know about it ASAP.
I have put up some info about me, so that when the book comes out at least there will be a few of you out there who can say "oh…yeah…her" – and then please buy my book PLEASE!
Like I said before, I've started the second book in the Fallen Angels Saga, Spirits of the Dead. I did not realize how far into darkness the research would take me. Although you must be thinking "you are writing about demons, what did you expect?" Trust me, it's dark. In order to convey something in your writing, you need to understand as well as the people who write the books about it. So when it came to demons, which do make more of an appearance in the second book in this series, I was confronted with some truths, some wisdom and more than a truckload of warnings. I think I am going to do a separate post about DEMONS because it deserves its own space.
But now I have to get serious, so this is a good-bye of sorts – but not for long and I will be checking back in. And of course when I get the wonderful news that keeps me from eating, sleeping, acting like a regular human (I know that's terribly subjective) but when the REAL LIVE BOOK SALE COMES, you guys will know about it ASAP.
I have put up some info about me, so that when the book comes out at least there will be a few of you out there who can say "oh…yeah…her" – and then please buy my book PLEASE!
Like I said before, I've started the second book in the Fallen Angels Saga, Spirits of the Dead. I did not realize how far into darkness the research would take me. Although you must be thinking "you are writing about demons, what did you expect?" Trust me, it's dark. In order to convey something in your writing, you need to understand as well as the people who write the books about it. So when it came to demons, which do make more of an appearance in the second book in this series, I was confronted with some truths, some wisdom and more than a truckload of warnings. I think I am going to do a separate post about DEMONS because it deserves its own space.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Links - King Solomon, Sorcerer and Commander of Demons
Testament of Solomon
"1. Testament of Solomon, son of David, who was king in Jerusalem, and mastered and controlled all spirits of the air, on the earth, and under the earth. By means of them also he wrought all the transcendent works of the Temple. Telling also of the authorities they wield against men, and by what angels these demons are brought to naught."
"5. And it came about through my prayer that grace was given to me from the Lord Sabaoth by Michael his archangel. [He brought me] a little ring, having a seal consisting of an engraved stone, and said to me: "Take, O Solomon, king, son of David, the gift which the Lord God has sent thee, the highest Sabaoth. With it thou shalt lock up all demons of the earth, male and female; and with their help thou shalt build up Jerusalem. [But] thou [must] wear this seal of God."
http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/testamen.htm
"1. Testament of Solomon, son of David, who was king in Jerusalem, and mastered and controlled all spirits of the air, on the earth, and under the earth. By means of them also he wrought all the transcendent works of the Temple. Telling also of the authorities they wield against men, and by what angels these demons are brought to naught."
"5. And it came about through my prayer that grace was given to me from the Lord Sabaoth by Michael his archangel. [He brought me] a little ring, having a seal consisting of an engraved stone, and said to me: "Take, O Solomon, king, son of David, the gift which the Lord God has sent thee, the highest Sabaoth. With it thou shalt lock up all demons of the earth, male and female; and with their help thou shalt build up Jerusalem. [But] thou [must] wear this seal of God."
http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/testamen.htm
Links - Angels and Humans and Sex...Oh My!!!
The Book of Enoch (Chapter 6, Verses 1-3)
"1) And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto 2) them beautiful and comely daughters. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men 3) and beget us children." Enoch 1-3
http://www.heaven.net.nz/writings/thebookofenoch.htm
"1) And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto 2) them beautiful and comely daughters. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men 3) and beget us children." Enoch 1-3
http://www.heaven.net.nz/writings/thebookofenoch.htm
MAY I HAVE SOME CONTROVERSY PLEASE???
THE BANNED BOOKS OF THE BIBLE...(or, there just had to be an interesting story here, right?)
A long time ago, a group of religious men were assembled together to decide which ancient religious writings were acceptable for inclusion in a book intended to unite all the religious beliefs in the world, the book was to be known as the Bible. Out of hundreds of religious writings, only a small collection were considered okay for the faithful. What made it in was agreed upon by popular vote and based not just on theological discussions, but subjective (and this is a great big important word here SUBJECTIVE) social and political issues as well. The rest of the material that existed was either a repeat of other accepted accounts or it was material considered too disturbing for the eyes of the faithful - not APPROPRIATE for the flock. And, in some cases, these religious writings were banned as heresy (the stuff of the devil and his witches) -- forbidden reading, etc. by those in the know, aka The Church. Some of these banned books tell a very different version of the bible stories that are known today. What the early church fathers wanted people to understand/believe and what was actually purported to have occurred, were sometimes two VERY different things.
Of course these were just some of the MANY strange historical stuffs I snatched up for my own personal plot fodder.
One of the banned books of the Bible is the Book of Enoch which talks about a second group of angles who decided to come to earth and live among humans. The Book of Enoch details the evolution of men and angels. More specifically, that there were indeed fallen angels and, these angels embodied on earth and have continued to embody on earth without interruption for at least half a million years.
Another banned book is the Testament of Solomon (which will also play a part in the Fallen Angels Saga. Purportedly written about the great and wise King Solomon (the dude who offered to hack a baby in half so both mothers who were claiming the child was theirs could each have a portion of said baby). The Testament of Solomon deals with material that was not in the Bible as it is known today. The Testament of Solomon mostly describes particular demons that the popular king enslaved and commanded in order to assist him with the building of the temple, the questions he put to them about their deeds and their answers thereto, and how also, these demons could be thwarted. Essentially, the Testament of Solomon provides a kind of self-help manual against demonic activity. Again, whether you chose to believe these tales or not is up to the reader, the seeker of wisdom, the searcher of truths. For my readers, I want to make sure I present all the material I come across, however unusual, especially the unusual, and let them make up their own minds and in the meantime, deliver an enjoyable read.
A long time ago, a group of religious men were assembled together to decide which ancient religious writings were acceptable for inclusion in a book intended to unite all the religious beliefs in the world, the book was to be known as the Bible. Out of hundreds of religious writings, only a small collection were considered okay for the faithful. What made it in was agreed upon by popular vote and based not just on theological discussions, but subjective (and this is a great big important word here SUBJECTIVE) social and political issues as well. The rest of the material that existed was either a repeat of other accepted accounts or it was material considered too disturbing for the eyes of the faithful - not APPROPRIATE for the flock. And, in some cases, these religious writings were banned as heresy (the stuff of the devil and his witches) -- forbidden reading, etc. by those in the know, aka The Church. Some of these banned books tell a very different version of the bible stories that are known today. What the early church fathers wanted people to understand/believe and what was actually purported to have occurred, were sometimes two VERY different things.
Of course these were just some of the MANY strange historical stuffs I snatched up for my own personal plot fodder.
One of the banned books of the Bible is the Book of Enoch which talks about a second group of angles who decided to come to earth and live among humans. The Book of Enoch details the evolution of men and angels. More specifically, that there were indeed fallen angels and, these angels embodied on earth and have continued to embody on earth without interruption for at least half a million years.
Another banned book is the Testament of Solomon (which will also play a part in the Fallen Angels Saga. Purportedly written about the great and wise King Solomon (the dude who offered to hack a baby in half so both mothers who were claiming the child was theirs could each have a portion of said baby). The Testament of Solomon deals with material that was not in the Bible as it is known today. The Testament of Solomon mostly describes particular demons that the popular king enslaved and commanded in order to assist him with the building of the temple, the questions he put to them about their deeds and their answers thereto, and how also, these demons could be thwarted. Essentially, the Testament of Solomon provides a kind of self-help manual against demonic activity. Again, whether you chose to believe these tales or not is up to the reader, the seeker of wisdom, the searcher of truths. For my readers, I want to make sure I present all the material I come across, however unusual, especially the unusual, and let them make up their own minds and in the meantime, deliver an enjoyable read.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
THE IDEA FOR CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED, BOOK ONE IN THE FALLEN ANGELS SAGA
My series, The Fallen Angels Saga, was inspired by a very strange bible verse, one I suspect few people are familiar with. Check it out, Genesis 6:4.
“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” -The Holy Bible, New International Version
The "sons of God" or angels, went to the "daughters of men" or humans, and well…you get it.
This story about angels coming to earth to live as humans was documented in ancient religious texts known as the Book of Enoch, it was also decided, by popular vote, that it should NOT be included in the Bible because of the controversial statements about the nature and deeds of angels. In fact, the story of this second fall of angels was banned and proclaimed forbidden reading. What better way to spark interest? Tell us something is "forbidden" and we'll seek it out like there's no tomorrow. I do so love human nature. Of course, there will always be two or more (or millions) of sides to every story, but, what I wanted to do for the purpose of this series, was simply provide my readers with interesting historical material that they may not know ever existed. I think that everyone, including my super-smart teen readers (hey, I know you guys can handle anything) have the right to at last know what's out there, and then, make up your own minds.
My goal was to use this historical information simply as a point of origin for my characters. This series will focus on Judeo-Christian mythos not creed, so there's no preaching, no conversion, no one finding one god or another, simply ... "this is interesting, huh?" And then, a story to go along with it…
More on another "BANNED" book of the Bible later. HINT: A well-known king (the one who offered to cut a child in half so both mothers claiming the child belonged to them could each have part of the child) was also purported to be a great sorcerer who commanded demons with a magical ring.
“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” -The Holy Bible, New International Version
The "sons of God" or angels, went to the "daughters of men" or humans, and well…you get it.
This story about angels coming to earth to live as humans was documented in ancient religious texts known as the Book of Enoch, it was also decided, by popular vote, that it should NOT be included in the Bible because of the controversial statements about the nature and deeds of angels. In fact, the story of this second fall of angels was banned and proclaimed forbidden reading. What better way to spark interest? Tell us something is "forbidden" and we'll seek it out like there's no tomorrow. I do so love human nature. Of course, there will always be two or more (or millions) of sides to every story, but, what I wanted to do for the purpose of this series, was simply provide my readers with interesting historical material that they may not know ever existed. I think that everyone, including my super-smart teen readers (hey, I know you guys can handle anything) have the right to at last know what's out there, and then, make up your own minds.
My goal was to use this historical information simply as a point of origin for my characters. This series will focus on Judeo-Christian mythos not creed, so there's no preaching, no conversion, no one finding one god or another, simply ... "this is interesting, huh?" And then, a story to go along with it…
More on another "BANNED" book of the Bible later. HINT: A well-known king (the one who offered to cut a child in half so both mothers claiming the child belonged to them could each have part of the child) was also purported to be a great sorcerer who commanded demons with a magical ring.
ALL THINGS SCARY...ME AND WRITING
Even when I was little, all things scary interested me. In grade school at the library, I checked out and re-checked out these giant books of short stories presented by Alfred Hitchcock. That was about as scary as my grade school got material-wise.
In 3rd grade, I wrote a story about a demonic puppet that came to life and killed people, including the ventriloquist who spoke for him. (Like that movie Magic with Anthony Hopkins only not as good). I wrote it in the front seat of my Grandpa's '57 Chevy. I always wrote better in strange places; my Grandpa's truck, the RV he and Grandma had parked in the back yard during non-vacationing seasons, the closet in my bedroom. Grandpa discovered my demonic puppet story a week or so later (I'd forgotten about it and left it on the floorboard of his pick-up truck). He handed it to me one day and said, "Kimmy, I found one of those stories you're always writin' in my truck. Kindly scared me." Grandpa was born and raised in Texas so "kind of" always came out as "kindly". But I'd done it. I scared Grandpa! I'd found my horror calling. And it was all monsters, ghosts and scary stuff from then on.
Even thought I had a hefty collection of short stories (that weren't that great) I started my first "official" novel when I was 16. I'd decided I wanted a whole book of scary. It was about a little boy with a super-special (and DNA altered) golden retriever who could see ghosts. Nearly halfway through the book, my mom came into my room with a book in her hand, dropped it onto my bed and suggested I read it before I did anymore work on my work-in-progress. Lo and behold…Watchers by Dean Koontz. He'd gotten there first. I hated him. I cried. I crumpled up my handwritten pages and tossed them in the trash. Trust me though when I say that Koontz's story WAY better than mine anyway. Once I got over the jealousy, I enjoyed Watchers and became an avid Dean Koontz fan. I moved on to Stephen King, and John Saul, to name a few.
Over the years, I kept writing scary, continued to read everything I could get my hands on and watched all the movies I could (usually over at my friends' houses since that stuff was forbidden in our home): Amityville Horror, The Exorcist, Ghost Story, Rosemary's Baby, The Shining and Carrie, Phantasm (OMG you have to love those crazy metallic spiky balls!), and so on and so on.
But one thing I was always certain of, I wanted to be a writer. I just didn’t think it would take me over 30 years to get good enough to publish something.
ALMOST…BUT NOT QUITE
The closest I came to landing an agent was in 2001. I had written a humorous book about being a single mom in 1995, because by that time, I had already started my soon-to-be ginormous family. I had 4 boys. I did not start sending it out to agents until 2001 and got the attention of Charlotte Sheedy at Sterling Lord (Ally Sheedy's mom for those of you old enough to remember the Brat Pack). Charlotte said she "loved" my writing but ultimately did not feel that without some sort of background in syndication a la Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry (via newspaper columns), just little old nobody me would not sell many books. Imagine my surprise a few weeks ago when I saw an advertisement for In the Motherhood, a new television series airing in 2009 dealing with the same stuff I wrote about. Whatever!
I went back to what I loved, scary.
I wrote some more books, a few young adult novels and a couple adult novels. I was offered a contract for my first young adult novel, Darkness There and Nothing More, from a publishing house that as MY luck would have it, went out of business before the contact even came in the mail. I'd already had my celebratory party with my family and some close friends; so to say it was a huge let down is an understatement. It was such a letdown; I stuffed it away in a sock drawer. Yes, we writers do have drawers of "Books That Might Have Been". Perhaps I will resurrect it again one day. Then, in 2008, at least in my mind, I finally got it. The right combination. Horror-scary-organized religion and the fanatics that are sometimes encountered in that organization and VOILA! Children of the Damned was born.
This book just felt different from everything else I had toiled over in the past. It felt "right." I hope it's right because currently, there are many publishing houses checking it out. So enough about me…what about me???
Other than my 4 teenage sons and my beautiful blessing of a girl who will be 4 this month, writing is all I ever want, all I have ever wanted. I hope that I will be able to scare others the way some of the greats have scared me over the years. And…that is my (probably too-long story) and all that needs to be said about how I got to this point. From this point forward, I will share bits and pieces of what is to come --fingers crossed – a published book and multi-book deal and an advance because we're hungry : ) -- and my journey to publication. And I promise I will do my very best and to please my readers and give you all the best I have. Like Alfred Hitchcock said: "Give them pleasure ... the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare."
In 3rd grade, I wrote a story about a demonic puppet that came to life and killed people, including the ventriloquist who spoke for him. (Like that movie Magic with Anthony Hopkins only not as good). I wrote it in the front seat of my Grandpa's '57 Chevy. I always wrote better in strange places; my Grandpa's truck, the RV he and Grandma had parked in the back yard during non-vacationing seasons, the closet in my bedroom. Grandpa discovered my demonic puppet story a week or so later (I'd forgotten about it and left it on the floorboard of his pick-up truck). He handed it to me one day and said, "Kimmy, I found one of those stories you're always writin' in my truck. Kindly scared me." Grandpa was born and raised in Texas so "kind of" always came out as "kindly". But I'd done it. I scared Grandpa! I'd found my horror calling. And it was all monsters, ghosts and scary stuff from then on.
Even thought I had a hefty collection of short stories (that weren't that great) I started my first "official" novel when I was 16. I'd decided I wanted a whole book of scary. It was about a little boy with a super-special (and DNA altered) golden retriever who could see ghosts. Nearly halfway through the book, my mom came into my room with a book in her hand, dropped it onto my bed and suggested I read it before I did anymore work on my work-in-progress. Lo and behold…Watchers by Dean Koontz. He'd gotten there first. I hated him. I cried. I crumpled up my handwritten pages and tossed them in the trash. Trust me though when I say that Koontz's story WAY better than mine anyway. Once I got over the jealousy, I enjoyed Watchers and became an avid Dean Koontz fan. I moved on to Stephen King, and John Saul, to name a few.
Over the years, I kept writing scary, continued to read everything I could get my hands on and watched all the movies I could (usually over at my friends' houses since that stuff was forbidden in our home): Amityville Horror, The Exorcist, Ghost Story, Rosemary's Baby, The Shining and Carrie, Phantasm (OMG you have to love those crazy metallic spiky balls!), and so on and so on.
But one thing I was always certain of, I wanted to be a writer. I just didn’t think it would take me over 30 years to get good enough to publish something.
ALMOST…BUT NOT QUITE
The closest I came to landing an agent was in 2001. I had written a humorous book about being a single mom in 1995, because by that time, I had already started my soon-to-be ginormous family. I had 4 boys. I did not start sending it out to agents until 2001 and got the attention of Charlotte Sheedy at Sterling Lord (Ally Sheedy's mom for those of you old enough to remember the Brat Pack). Charlotte said she "loved" my writing but ultimately did not feel that without some sort of background in syndication a la Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry (via newspaper columns), just little old nobody me would not sell many books. Imagine my surprise a few weeks ago when I saw an advertisement for In the Motherhood, a new television series airing in 2009 dealing with the same stuff I wrote about. Whatever!
I went back to what I loved, scary.
I wrote some more books, a few young adult novels and a couple adult novels. I was offered a contract for my first young adult novel, Darkness There and Nothing More, from a publishing house that as MY luck would have it, went out of business before the contact even came in the mail. I'd already had my celebratory party with my family and some close friends; so to say it was a huge let down is an understatement. It was such a letdown; I stuffed it away in a sock drawer. Yes, we writers do have drawers of "Books That Might Have Been". Perhaps I will resurrect it again one day. Then, in 2008, at least in my mind, I finally got it. The right combination. Horror-scary-organized religion and the fanatics that are sometimes encountered in that organization and VOILA! Children of the Damned was born.
This book just felt different from everything else I had toiled over in the past. It felt "right." I hope it's right because currently, there are many publishing houses checking it out. So enough about me…what about me???
Other than my 4 teenage sons and my beautiful blessing of a girl who will be 4 this month, writing is all I ever want, all I have ever wanted. I hope that I will be able to scare others the way some of the greats have scared me over the years. And…that is my (probably too-long story) and all that needs to be said about how I got to this point. From this point forward, I will share bits and pieces of what is to come --fingers crossed – a published book and multi-book deal and an advance because we're hungry : ) -- and my journey to publication. And I promise I will do my very best and to please my readers and give you all the best I have. Like Alfred Hitchcock said: "Give them pleasure ... the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare."
Monday, March 9, 2009
The REAL Secret to Getting an Agent/Publisher
For a whole lot of years, I would submit my stuff to agents and publishers and my thoughts were always that I just wasn’t "lucky" enough to break into publishing. In my gut, I knew that the short story or the novel I was submitting was not in top form, but I assumed that the agent or editor at the publishing house I was querying would look past that and see me for the potentially awesome writer I could be. The publishing industry doesn’t work that way and sorry, but luck has nothing to do with it. Well, it can, but that percentage is so low it doesn’t even count for the purposes of this post today. Don't think either that getting published isn't going to happen because you don’t know the right people or you're not a celebrity. Getting an agent or a publisher is easy IF *drumroll please* YOU WRITE A GOOD BOOK. That's it. It's that simple. Agents are dying to find the next J.K. Rowling or Stephen King, they WANT your submission to be good, they live to find the next break-out writer that will make them millions. Without writers there would be no agents or publishers…is this making sense? When you write something good, and a "good" concept is matched by "good" writing, you will get an agent and the book will be sold. Change your mind set. I'll admit it took me 20 years of writing before that sunk in. I was cynical about the process. Why am I not able to secure an agent, I've been writing practically all my life? Short answer, it just wasn’t good enough writing. Thankfully I kept writing and writing and writing in the meantime, years and years and years. With everything you write, your writing gets better and better. At the same time as you are writing for the sake of becoming a better writer, read all the books and online articles you can find that teach you how to make your craft better. The How-To books – READ THEM! Learn about what they teach you regarding character development, plotting and pacing, self editing. There really is a method to this creative madness.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Welcome to my mind...and other scary places!
So … I should have got this up and running a bit sooner but between teenagers, toddlers and tired, I got a late start. I've already signed with an agent extraordinaire and the book is already in front of the publishers (thanks to my awesome agent) and fingers crossed, a sale will soon be forthcoming AND, prior to my electric being disconnected. Talk about the "starving artist"…no, let's not.
My intention for starting this blog was to share the journey from writer to published author including the mysterious world of publishing that you have to experience to really understand. It is my desire to provide hope to all my fellow writers out there, especially the under-exalted, single moms who despite the trials and tribulations of single parenting, still find or make the time to be creative. I admire you and you rock and I bet you aren’t told that nearly as much as you should be!
I think the best way for me to tackle this blog is to backtrack and start at the beginning. In the days and weeks that follow, I will share my experiences, thoughts, and any helpful information that I've learned or I discover and at the end, maybe I can wrap it all up by sharing the story of my multi-book deal from a fantastic publisher. Here's to dreaming with the lights on!
My intention for starting this blog was to share the journey from writer to published author including the mysterious world of publishing that you have to experience to really understand. It is my desire to provide hope to all my fellow writers out there, especially the under-exalted, single moms who despite the trials and tribulations of single parenting, still find or make the time to be creative. I admire you and you rock and I bet you aren’t told that nearly as much as you should be!
I think the best way for me to tackle this blog is to backtrack and start at the beginning. In the days and weeks that follow, I will share my experiences, thoughts, and any helpful information that I've learned or I discover and at the end, maybe I can wrap it all up by sharing the story of my multi-book deal from a fantastic publisher. Here's to dreaming with the lights on!
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