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Guest Author Dina Rae: THE LAST DEGREE

2/28/2013

Brought to you by the Free Book Dude.

Today, author Dina Rae is here to discuss her recent release, The Last Degree, and the mindset surrounding apocalyptic thinking. She will be giving away five copies of her novel at the end of her blog tour through Rafflecopter (details below).

The Rise of the Preppers
by Dina Rae

Politics aside, we all can agree the world is a very dangerous place.  Some people prepare for the worst.  TV shows such as National Geographic’s Doomsday Preppers and Discovery’s Doomsday Bunkers highlight a segment of society who believes impending doom is near.  In response, they put all of their time and resources into future survival.  The “prepper” label emerges.

Preppers collect water through cisterns, stock canned food, invest in remote underground living quarters, and practice off-the-grid living.  Their reasons exceed fear, ranging from nuclear war and natural disaster all the way to prophecies of End of Days and New World Order.

Whatever the belief, they continue to unite, forming their own subculture.  This movement is similar to the ‘70s and ‘80s survivalism, but much more sophisticated in technological advances of supplies, weaponry, and social networking.  They even have their own vernacular.  Here are some of the more popular terms:

BoB: Bug-Out-Bag
Bag packed with necessities when it’s time to take off.  Depending on location, terrain, and weather, the contents vary.  Everyone should have a flashlight, water, lighter, thermal blankets, radios, compass, hard-copy of a map, knife, gun, first aid kit, and cash. (3 days worth is the minimum recommendation)  SurvivalJane.com sells them pre-packed.

Zombie Apocalypse: It’s not just a horror novel term.  When people who are infected and/or insane and become a threat.

PSS: Primary Shelter Site
A hideout.  Prepper favorites-a home or trailer in a remote area, underground bunker, a spider hole (very temporary), and a cave

WROL: Without Rule of Law
No government or law enforcement-Chaos

SHTF: Sh@t Hits the Fan
The moment when a prepper makes the decision to bug out

Those who watch prepper reality TV have seen million dollar bunkers, advanced solar technology, militia sized arsenals, and endless shelves of medical supplies.  Any attempt to prep seems overwhelming. Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to prepare.  For an interesting read about New World Order and those who prepare, check out The Last Degree.

About the Novel:

The Last Degree is a fictionalized account of how Freemasons and other secret societies set up the world for takeover. Ancient writings foretell a ‘Shining One’ who emerges as the world’s prophet. A murder of a Most Worshipful mason resembles a secret oath. A cop gets too close to solving the crime. Paranoid preppers go underground, preparing for war.

Headlines such as the Norway massacre, meltdown of the European Union, unscrupulous media, animal die-offs, Middle Eastern unrest, and U.S. shrinking power make the plot relevant to present day. The Last Degree is an ode to Christians, Birthers, 2012ers, Truthers, preppers, and/or other conspiracy junkies who enjoy Dan Brown, Jesse Ventura, Brad Meltzer, Alex Jones, Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. A sequel will soon be available.

Prologue

“I am sending you a master craftsman named Hiram-abi, who is extremely talented.  His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre.  He is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood.

2 Chronicles 2:13-14

The mystery of Hiram Abif originates from the Biblical passage above.  Secret societies have given him credit for constructing Solomon’s temple.  According to legend, Hiram used talented craftsman and secrecy, such as passwords for orchestrating its construction.

Solomon didn't like Hiram's growing power, along with the attraction the Queen of Sheba had for him.  Some scholars imply he may have had something to do with his death. Hiram remains the primary protagonist and martyr in modern day Masonic circles.

About the Author:

Dina Rae is a new author here to stay. As a former teacher, she brings an academic element to her work. Her three novels, Halo of the Damned, The Last Degree, and Bad Juju weave research and suspense throughout the plots. Her short story, Be Paranoid Be Prepared, is a prequel of sorts to The Last Degree, focusing on the James Martin character. Dina also freelances for various entertainment blogs.

Social Links:

Dina Rae’s Write Stuff
Dina Rae Site
Dina Rae’s Books on Facebook
Dina Rae on Pinterest
Dina Rae on Twitter

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway:

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Follow the entire tour:

March 1 - The Cerebral Writer
Guest Post
March 1 - Mallory Heart Reviews
Review
March 2 - This College Dropout
Review
March 2 – Free Book Dude
Guest Review
March 3 - My Cozie Corner
Review

March 4 - sylv-jenkins
Guest Post
March 5 – Huw Thomas
Guest Post
March 5 - Zombie ACRES
Guest Post
March 6 - The FlipSide of Julianne
Interview
March 7 - Mallory Heart Reviews
Excerpt
March 7 - sylv-jenkins
Review

3 Comments

Words From the Grammar Nazi

2/25/2013

7 Comments

She'll point out every little mistake. She'll scream at you for using comma splices and split infinitives. She has no tolerance for fragments and run-ons. Today, she's taken over the Cerebral Writer, and hate her if you will, she does know her grammar.

Today's lesson:
The Most Common Punctuation Errors You Probably Didn’t Know You Were Making

As writers, many of us use our intuitions to get through much of our prose. While this might be a good thing where characterization, dialog, and storyline are concerned, it can also be a huge pitfall when it comes to proper punctuation use. Before formally learning all of the rules, for example, I based my own comma use on various canonical works I’d read. After all, the authors of acclaimed classics had to have gotten it right . . . right? Unfortunately, the answer to that is not always a “yes.” Following are a few of the most common errors I see in other authors’ writing.

Inattention to the adjectival phrase: An adverbial phrase’s location in a sentence will determine whether you should use a comma between it and the main clause. An adverbial phrase is any cluster of words that modifies the main clause. It can determine how, when, why, or where the main clause is being performed.

Example [phrases and clauses labeled in brackets]: If the adverbial phrase comes before the main clause [adverbial phrase], use a comma [main clause]. Don’t use a comma [main clause] if the adverbial phrase comes after the main clause [adjectival phrase].

Failure to use the Oxford comma when it really counts: There has been much debate recently on whether the Oxford comma should remain a grammatical rule. Many people have opted to drop it altogether; however, there are some instances in which it is absolutely necessary.

Example: “I’m going out later with my parents, Anna and Paul.” The readers don’t really know this, but my parents’ names are not Anna and Paul. I’m actually going out later with four people: my parents, Anna, and Paul.

Take note that there are rare instances in which using the Oxford comma can create ambiguity, and in those circumstances, it should be eliminated.

Example: “I’m going to a movie with my mother, Carol, and Jesse.” In this case, readers might mistake Carol for my mother, when she is one of two friends who will be joining my mother and me.

Using a comma to break up a list of two: This one should be a no-brainer, but I see it far too often. Even if the list is comprised of actions, never use commas unless that list contains three or more items.

Example: After we go to the store, we’ll organize the kitchen, and make dinner [wrong]. After we go to the store, we’ll organize the kitchen and make dinner [right].

Failing to use a comma when addressing someone: This is a problem I see often in dialog. Most of us have read the comical example, “Let’s eat Grandma!” Unfortunately, far too few people actually heed the rule. Unless you’re actually planning on eating Grandma, don’t forget the comma.

Using a semicolon before a participle phrase: Far too many people have no clue how to use semicolons, being under the impression that there are places in which they can be used interchangeably with commas. This is rarely true. Never use a semicolon unless you have a complete clause on both sides; those clauses should also have a strong enough relation to one another to merit a semicolon rather than a period. (See how that works?)

Example of improper semicolon use in a participle phrase: When they got to the beach, they made a sand castle; taking great care not to knock it over [wrong]. When they got to the beach, they made a sand castle, taking great care not to knock it over [right].

Using commas in a list in which semicolons are more appropriate: Going back to the necessity of using commas in a list of at least three items (the debate over the Oxford comma aside), there are a couple of instances in which commas need to be replaced with semicolons. The first instance is when listing items that, in themselves, have commas. The second is when listing phrases that come after a colon.

Examples: We got up early yesterday, having set the alarm for five; ate a quick breakfast of eggs, toast, and juice; and got to the conference by seven. The group made the following mistakes: heavy use of grammatical errors; using numerous run-on sentences; and failure to use spell-check.

While you might have readers who also do not know the rules, there is always a chance that editors, agents, or reviewers reading your work do. If you take the time to know and understand these rules, your writing will be sharper and you will be able to present it to the world with confidence and skill.

Until next time, my pretties! (Insert evil cackle.)

7 Comments

Why I'm Unsubscribing From Writer's Digest

2/23/2013

27 Comments

Author disclaimer: This article is an opinion piece. Your mileage may vary.

There was once a time when Writer’s Digest was an excellent tool for writers of all skill levels. The magazine was brimming with articles filled with writing tips, advice from authors and editors, and fun but informative essays. When it made the jump to digital, I was happy to subscribe.

I didn’t think much of it when WD began pimping its writing contests left and right. I didn’t have much of a problem when I saw how much it was charging per entry. Most recently, however, I noticed the price had jumped to $100 per entry (for "early bird" submissions), which is a bit troubling to say the least. Still, I remained on the mailing list because of the quality of many of its articles.

The webinars became more frequent, with prices spanning from $199 to $799. No longer was all author advice a part of the subscription; for the really good advice (or at least we should hope so) one now needed to pay hundreds of dollars. Still, I remained a loyal subscriber.

Today, however, I received an ad about WD’s latest venture—a publishing “opportunity” through its new partner, Abbott press. It promises to be a better deal than Amazon and the like, claiming distribution in nearly every possible venue. It claims everything you’d find in a vanity press and more, including access to radio interviews, exposure to movie producers, book signing tours, “affordable” advertising, and full editorial support. Even more, authors receive a one-year subscription to the magazine and a free webinar of their choice. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

But wait—there’s more! For “only” $500, authors can buy Indie Kirkus reviews; that’s only $75 more than what Kirkus would charge directly for the same service (never mind the fact that most people disregard paid reviews, including Indie Kirkus reviews). So how much would you be willing to pay for this amazing “opportunity?” $10,000? $9,000? Nope—this all comes for the amazing starting price of $499 for e-books and $699 for print books (the “economy” packages, which include benefits no better than Amazon’s optional author assistance services), although to receive all the “benefits” offered, one must spend anywhere from $999 to $7,999.

As far as I’m concerned, that’s the last straw. The camel’s back has finally broken. My respect for WD has dwindled as far as it can. It’s time for this writer to unsubscribe.

27 Comments

Guest Author David Gelber: "Why the Minotaur?"

2/18/2013

25 Comments

Why the Minotaur? It started with “what if?” What if the story of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur was a fabrication? Suppose the great Greek hero Theseus was not so great? I guess it's the cynic in me that can think this way. I have always had my suspicions that conspiracy fills the great halls of our capitols, with Washington DC leading the way. I decided that human nature has not changed much over the centuries and that the Minotaur affair could have been as much a cover up as Watergate.

And, as a result, a story was born. Within the secluded walls of the Labyrinth a drunken Theseus tries to defeat the not so fearsome Minotaur. He fails in the most miserable fashion, but then strikes up a deal with Quint, which is the Minotaur’s proper name, the half bull half man hero of our story. Theseus gets the glory and the Minotaur gains his freedom.

The book began as a short story, a retelling of the Minotaur myth from this new perspective. But, I was stuck with what to do with Quint after his escape. So, I kept him alive. I created a long life, filled with our hero's interaction with some of the great characters and events of history. But, how can a writer keep such a monster hidden over thousands of years of history? Make him fit in, of course. Put him in situations where a half bovine creature appears to be perfectly natural. Sound easy? Not really, but it works remarkably well and the end result is the Minotaur’s memoir, the “Minotaur Revisited.”

What’s the point? History happens in real time. There are witnesses to actual events, yet the story changes. Politics, prejudices prevailing winds all add their own peculiar slant to an event. Each slant may alter the record of events until history becomes whatever the recorder wishes it to be. But, now there is the Minotaur, an actual eyewitness to some of the most momentous events ever reported. The response to his story will leave the reader shaking his or her head; pondering this world and our modern, “enlightened” times.

Could I have used a different myth? Of course, but the Minotaur myth unfolds in a place without any witnesses, thus lending itself perfectly to my conspiracy theory. I have taken my hatchet to a few other myths and stories over the years. On my blog, heardintheor.blogspot.com. I wrote an article, “Conversation with the Minotaur”, which sheds new light on the myths of Pandora and Hercules. Then there is “After Horton”, another article which tells what happened to the characters in Dr. Suess’ “Horton Hears a Who” after they nearly destroy an entire civilization.*

I hope that readers will take a look at my stories. They will truly be entertained and, perhaps, will stop and think about this world which surrounds us.

About the novel:

Legend states that the Minotaur was confined to the Labyrinth, slain by Theseus and then laid to rest by thousands of years of Greek mythology. But, the truth is far different. Read the Minotaur’s own words as he recounts his full life as god, king, warrior, matchmaker, midwife, monk, sage, father, mother, husband and, most of all, witness. The fierce Minotaur lived to see and be a part of the best and worst of humanity during a life spanning thousands of years. Part bull, part human, the Minotaur struggled to find his place in this world and, in the end, left his unique mark on history.

About the author:

David Gelber, a New York native, is the seventh of nine sons and one of three to pursue medicine. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1980 and went on to graduate medical school in 1984 from the University of Rochester.

He completed his residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, followed by three years as attending surgeon at Nassau County Medical Center in Long Island, N.Y. Gelber has since joined Coastal Surgical Group in Houston, Texas.

Gelber has been a surgeon for more than 20 years, but over the last few years he began to pursue his passion for writing, initially with his debut novel, "Future Hope" (Emerald Book Company, January 2010). The novel speculates about future Earth and what the world might have been like if man had not succumbed to temptation in the Garden of Eden. "Joshua and Aaron" is a sequel to "Future Hope" and follows the battle of wills that transpires between unsung hero Joshua Smith and satanic Aaron Diblonski.

Dr. Gelber has added two books about surgery, "Behind the Mask" and "Under the Drapes", both of which provide the reader with a view of the world of surgery rarely seen by those outside the medical professions.

"Last Light" is an apocalyptic short story which starts off asking the question: "What would happen if nobody ever was sick or injured?"

"Minotaur Revisited" is an entertaining romp through history seen through the eyes of Quint, the famed half bull half man monster of Greek Mythology. It was in October 2012.

Gelber was raised in reformed Judaism, but joined the Presbyterian Church 15 years ago. He is married with three teenage children, four dogs and 24 birds of various species. His interests include horse racing, mechanical Swiss watches and, of course, writing.

David will be awarding a $100 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter at the conclusion of the two tours. For more chances to win, go to Goddess Fish Promotions.

25 Comments

THE SPEED OF DARK is Available for Pre-Order

2/4/2013

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Publisher description: The Speed of Dark is a 334 page horror anthology. These short stories are strangely different and disturbing. 27 stories written by 19 talented authors from around the world, this was a by invitation only anthology. It is sure to provide the horror fan with hours of fantastic reading.

Includes stories by E.J. Ruek, Cynthia Ainsworthe, John B. Rosenman, Ken Weene, Clayton Bye, Micki Peluso, Lyn McConchie, Eduard Garcon, Marion Webb-De Sisto, Tonya Moore, Tim Fleming, Casy Wolf, James Secor, Tony Richards, Mary Firmin, Minna van der Pfaltz, Megan Johns, Gerald Rice,
and yours truly.

You can pre-order The Speed of Dark here.

0 Comments

MIRAGES Just Received a Great New Review!

2/2/2013

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Mirages: Tales from Authors of the Macabre just received a lovely new
5-star review on Amazon. Reader Dave-Brendon says,

I'm really glad that I got an opportunity to read this anthology, because it's one of the best collections of dark, unsettling tales that I've ever read. I won't say that it was a pleasurable read -I'm not sadistic or masochistic- but it was definitely an eye-opener, and supremely memorable.

And here's what he had to say about my contribution:

The Descent Upstairs by Leigh M. Lane is a tale that I'll probably remember for a long time - I certainly wouldn't want to be pushed as far as the poor woman in this story was. Sort of makes me think that the fantasies we have regarding how to deal with people who irritate us and enrage us could be dangerous fantasies to have...

You can read the full review here.

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Guest Author Marie Harbon: Does a Great Book Always Need a Happy Ending?

2/1/2013

2 Comments

We all know the proverbial scenario; girl falls in love with boy, cowboy rides off into the sunset and the bad guy is defeated, followed by much rejoicing in the land. But, is a happy ending an essential ingredient for a great book or movie?

Lindsay Doran, film producer and missionary for mood-elevating movies got to the heart of that question in a recently published article. Many of her conclusions relate to the world of books too. While she didn’t want to create a rigid formula for a great movie, she wanted to challenge the Hollywood notion that a movie is only art if it ends badly and that you’ll only win an award if you write about misery.

One of her chief findings was that what audiences care about most are relationships and the positive resolution of them, so not so much the character winning, but sharing that accomplishment with a significant other. An example of this would be ‘The King’s Speech’, in which he conquers his stammer then shares the victory with his wife, daughters and the cheering crowds.

There is value in a story with a feel good factor; it’s a quick fix, literary or visual form of Prozac. Indeed, laughter trumps any drug but personally, I think the temporary lift in mood is soon forgotten. For a story with a lasting impression, there are other elements involved. Remember, in ‘Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince’, Dumbledore dies. In ‘Titanic’, 1500 passengers go down with the ship and then Jack doesn’t make it either. As author Nike Marshall astutely puts it, ‘happy endings can be cliché and diminish the impact of the story. Less than happy is more believable’. Appropriate is a key word, concluding a story with a satisfactory, even less than ideal event or series of events. As author Emerald Barnes surmises, ‘Some stories don’t have the option of having a happy ending’.

As readers, we can engage with the lives of the characters and the conflicts, challenges and successes they encounter. We relate to other people to learn how they deal with these difficulties, as if it’s a kind of virtual reality simulation. This is one of the reasons soaps are so popular. The way a book ends is also a reflection on how we’d either like a situation to conclude, or a healthy scepticism in knowing ‘that’s life, what will be will be’.

‘Life is made up of pleasurable and horrific experiences and there’s nothing wrong with a book or movie telling a story that shines a light on our failures’.
--Denise DeSio, author of ‘Roses’s Will’

As human beings, we like closure, to be able to shut the door on something, to file it away as a success or failure. This may be one of the reasons why cliff hanger endings in serials can be risky in the book world, because we don’t like situations in our own life to be unresolved. Therefore, it’s important to strike a balance between wrapping up one phase while creating a lead to where the story will take the reader next. Season finales in TV series craft this well.

In the writing world, it’s always stated ‘show, don’t tell’ and this can tailor a beautiful conclusion where the reader is given the satisfaction of finality, yet their imagination is given the licence to create what happens next. As science fiction author, Glenn Scrimshaw puts it, ‘the legend of King Arthur works so well at that; a bitter sweet ending but the promise of Arthur’s return when needed.’

What everything is leading to is, in fact, the emotional involvement of the reader in the final moments of a story. Look back at the sadness of the death of Dumbledore, a character that readers were very attached to, or the tragedy of the huge loss of life in ‘Titanic’. As author Carlyle Labuschagne states, ‘I like drama and feeling like my heart is about to explode with sorrow’.

What we really want as readers, therefore, is a powerful climax after the build-up as opposed to a puft! The engagement of powerful emotions can leave a far greater impact on a reader than a chocolate box ending. There is something so compelling about tales of misery, because we all experience loss, even abuse in our lives or those close to us. Through a story, we can release that sadness in a positive way and observe how characters deal with their challenges. I believe there’s another factor at work too, it’s a quality called resilience’. A character who survives loss, abuse or tragedy may be far more inspiring than the traditional, commercial hero because it sends a powerful signal that infuses us to endure - ‘Whatever life throws at me, I’m still here. Bring it on!’

About Seven Point Eight:

'The Truth Will Set You Free'

In the second installment of the Seven Point Eight series, the legacy of the OOBE project weighs heavily on the conscience of Dr Paul Eldridge. Tahra Mamoun needs to muster all her courage and venture back into the alternate dimensions of reality. Through a series of challenging, surreal and frightening experiences, she comes to comprehend the destructive power she can yield and must face her own demons in the process.

Paul continues his quest to understand the ancient knowledge of the cosmos, while dark forces seek to hijack his research to further a secret agenda. With their lives in jeopardy, Paul and Tahra confront their enemies against an international backdrop featuring the pyramids of Giza and the peaks of Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Sam and Ava endeavour to uncover their past, even though it may irrevocably change their lives.

In a tale of courage and tragedy, love and betrayal, their lives are interwoven around the demons of one man, Max Richardson, who'll stop at nothing to achieve his objectives.

Written in the style of a TV series, Seven Point Eight draws together quantum physics, psychic powers, alternate dimensions, time travel, past lives, ancient wisdom and conspiracy in a soap opera for the soul.

It’s the ideal read for lovers of sci-fi, contemporary fantasy, paranormal, metaphysics, ‘Lost’, ‘Fringe’, ‘Touch’, and Dan Brown books.

About the Author

Marie Harbon has worked in both the retail and fitness industry. She has a degree in sport and fitness, and taught group exercise for several years, delivering aerobics and Pilates. For two years, she delivered BTEC sport courses and has also instructed dance and sport with children.

Marie is a member of Nottingham Writers Studio, Her future plans include not only completing the 'Seven Point Eight' series, but involve writing YA, children's and adult books, short stories, novellas and scripts.

Aside from writing, Marie is a self-confessed fabric geek and purveyor of beautiful, often ostentatious bags, bustiers and clothing. She lives in the town of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, which is in England.

Website - www.marieharbon.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/marie.harbon
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SevenPointEightChronicles
Twitter - @marieharbon

Marie will be awarding a free copy of Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle via Smashwords and a 12 ebook swagbag including, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal and YA titles to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

The more blog tour stops you comment at, the better chances you have of winning. You can check out Marie's other posts here.

2 Comments

Guest Author Dina Rae: THE LAST DEGREE

Words From the Grammar Nazi

Why I'm Unsubscribing From Writer's Digest

Guest Author David Gelber: "Why the Minotaur?"

THE SPEED OF DARK is Available for Pre-Order

MIRAGES Just Received a Great New Review!

Guest Author Marie Harbon: Does a Great Book Always Need a Happy Ending?

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