My Favorite Time of Year

Posted by on Oct 8, 2015 in Fun Stuff | 8 comments

October Treats and a Giveaway Fall has arrived here in southern Ohio, and though the leaves haven’t begun to change, I can feel the difference in the air.  I love this time of year.  The weather is awesome and at the end of the month, we celebrate my favorite holiday: Halloween.  (I bet you didn’t see that coming.) But Halloween isn’t the only thing I’ll be celebrating this month.  The Final Formula just turned two.  (It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since I released it.)  In celebration, I’m putting together a few fun things to share on my website this month.  I’ve got a new alternative point-of-view scene from The Final Formula.  This scene is in Rowan’s POV and immediately follows the last scene I did in his POV.  I’ll be posting it as soon as beta readers give it a look for typos.  (If you didn’t get to read the first one, it’s offered as a bonus when you sign up for my newsletter.  If you’d like to learn more about my newsletter, I did a post about it here.) I’m also putting together another character interview.  I’ll be chatting with Addie this time, so if you have a question for her, please leave it in the comments section below.  I’ve also been soliciting questions over on my Facebook page if you like to hang out there. During the final week of October, I’ll be doing a giveaway over at The Fussy Librarian.  Five winners will get their choice of a signed paperback copy of The Final Formula or an ebook copy of my bundle, The Final Formula Collection.  The giveaway goes live on October 25th and runs through October 31st.  I’ll post a reminder when it gets closer. Finally, I’m working on a Halloween themed short story.  I hesitate to even mention it because sometimes these things don’t come together like I envision, but if it does, I would love to share it as a Halloween treat for all my awesome fans.  Wish me luck! Oh, if you’re wondering about the picture…  That’s a shot of the pumpkin growing in the middle of our sidewalk.  Apparently, a stray seed from one of last year’s pumpkins made it...

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Character Interview: Rowan

Posted by on Jul 26, 2015 in FF Fans, Fun Stuff | 6 comments

Back in June, I decided to interview some of the characters from my Final Formula series. Fans voted, both here and on my Facebook page, and selected Ian, closely followed by Rowan. With the voting so close, I decided to interview both characters. I did one interview last month and today I’ll do the other.  If you missed it, you can read Ian’s interview here. Today I’ll be interviewing Rowan, Fire Element and leader of the New Magic community—though some say, he leads the whole magical community. But there are a few necromancers who would disagree with that. 😉 Now for the man of the hour: His Grace, the Lord of Flames.   Becca: Thanks for stopping in, Rowan. I know you’re a busy guy. Rowan: (straightens in his chair) It was no trouble. And I should clarify that I’m only responsible for New Magic, though I try to maintain a good working relationship with Old Magic. Lately, that’s become difficult. Becca: So we’ve seen. Perhaps things will get better. Rowan: I suspect you will ensure that it doesn’t. Becca: It’s nothing personal, but there is no story without conflict. Rowan: (sighs) Becca: (clears throat) Back to the interview. I asked the fans for questions and they came up with quite a list. (waves a sheet of paper) Unlike some I’ve interviewed, I don’t guess I need to remind you that we expect honest answers? Rowan: Naturally. I won’t deceive you. Becca: Thanks, Rowan. We’ll start with the most popular question. Several people asked if you’ve ever been tempted to use your magic for vengeance or convenience. For example, if someone cut you off in traffic, or if you wanted to roast your own marshmallows. Rowan: (laughs) The marshmallow roasting would be difficult. I don’t technically wield fire. I elevate the temperature of an object to the point of ionization, momentarily creating a plasma. Typically there is nothing left, unless the process is interrupted and ionization doesn’t occur, then the high temperature might cause a fire. As for vengeance… Yes, I’ve been tempted. So far, I haven’t acted on it. Becca: I suspect I can guess the source of your temptation, which leads to...

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Character Interview: Ian Mallory

Posted by on Jun 14, 2015 in FF Fans, Fun Stuff | 12 comments

As I mentioned in a previous post, I will be interviewing a character from my Final Formula series here on my website. I found it difficult to select a character (I love them all), so I asked fans to make the selection for me. After a  tense round of voting (here and on my Facebook page), a winner was named, and questions solicited.  Thanks to everyone who participated!  I hope you enjoy the following interview. 🙂 Now, without further ado, I give you Ian Mallory, undead necromancer, alchemist, and smartass… (silence) Perhaps he didn’t care for the introduction…   Becca: (raises voice) Whenever you’re ready, Ian. (waits) Ian? (footsteps echo in the hall, and a moment later he steps into the room) Ian: I’m here. (his cheeks dimple with a smile) Becca: You found the mirror in the foyer, didn’t you? Ian: (straightens his sleeve) Why do you ask? Becca: No reason. Please have a seat and we’ll get started. Ian: (smoothes his coat before settling into a chair) So, it’s true? Your fans selected me for your first interview? Becca: This isn’t going to go to your head, is it? Ian: Of course not. I’m humbled to be chosen. Becca: You? Humble? Ian: When it suits me. Becca: (tries not to laugh because it only encourages him) I commend you for your honesty—which is what your fans expect today. Ian: I won’t betray their trust. Becca: (studies him a moment) Okay. Let’s jump to our first question… Kendra would like to know a little more about your tailor. Ian: Naturally. Though, in this modern age, he is more a purveyor of garments rather than a creator. But the man is skilled with a needle when he can’t find what I’m looking for. I would judge him to be as talented as his ancestor. Becca: You knew his ancestor? Ian: Ironically—or not—he is the descendant of the tailor I used to frequent when I was alive. Becca: How is that not ironic? Ian: Addie suggested that there is a magical connection. Becca: You don’t think so? Ian: Addie sees magic in everything. Myself, I believe that it is simply a matter of the family...

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Upcoming Character Interview

Posted by on Jun 5, 2015 in Fun Stuff | 2 comments

As you can see from the photo, FF4 is underway.  I’ve got my notebooks labeled (my daughter designs the cute artwork for my notebook cover) and the first couple of chapters written.  But since I’m not the speediest of writers, I was searching for something fun to do in the meantime.  I hit upon the idea of doing a character interview.  Some of my writing buddies have done those and they look like fun. So… The first question is, who do you want me to interview? Addie, Rowan, James, Ian…any character in the series is available. Most votes wins and I’ll post the interview here.  You can vote in the comments below, or over on my Facebook page. If this turns out to be fun, I’ll do more, so don’t be disappointed if your guy or gal doesn’t make the cut this time.  😀   Update  – The voting is closed, and it looks like Ian is the winner.  (Rowan came in second, so perhaps I’ll do an interview with him at a later date.)  Now, what questions would you like me to ask Ian?  Please list them in the comments below, use the contact tab above to email them to me, or visit me on...

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The Series So Far Giveaway

Posted by on Oct 13, 2014 in Fun Stuff | Comments Off on The Series So Far Giveaway

Since it’s going to be a few more months before the next book releases (I’m still shooting for December), I wanted to do something to keep my name out there.  So I’m giving away an autographed set of the first four titles in the series.  This is a Goodreads Giveaway so you’ll need to enter over there.  You can find the entry page here. This giveaway is open to everyone, no matter where you live.  (Yep, I’ll even spring for international postage.)  Unfortunately, I only have one set to give away.  Don’t wait to enter.  Giveaway ends on Halloween (10/31/14). Good...

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Making My First Book Trailer

Posted by on Oct 2, 2014 in Fun Stuff, My Books | 3 comments

I’ve wanted to make a book trailer for a while now, so for The Final Formula’s first birthday (publication birthday), I decided to give it a go. I ended up having a lot of fun with this project, but there was a learning curve. When I started, I knew nothing about trailer making–or any kind of video editing. After studying some of the other trailers out there, I wrote a short script, then went in search of the imagery.  I dug through loads of stock photos and footage–what a time sink that was–and finally found some things I could work with. I wasn’t familiar with any movie making software, so I decided to use what came free with my computer. I highly recommend iMovie to anyone just starting out.  It was easy to use and gave the final product a, dare I say, professional appearance. I love visual media and wish I was more handy with such things. One of these days, I need to learn to use Photoshop. I’ve been into digital scrapbooking for years, but the software I use for that is a bit limiting. I think it would be a blast to make book covers, but that’s a project for another day. Meanwhile, I have a novel to write.  😉 So without further ado, here’s my trailer.  Hope you like it!  ...

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