Welcome to Scribbling Ninjas! I’m going to break from my usual interviews with authors to pester Robin K (aka Intense Whisper) who is a digital artist/graphic designer/book reviewer/blogger. From this angle it doesn’t appear that she’s also a Swiss Army Knife, but I may be wrong.

 

Some general background:

Months and months ago she wondered aloud on Twitter whether it might be fun for an author to interview a reader/reviewer/digital artist/Swiss Army Knife instead of vice versa, and I thought it a wonderful idea. So I said I’d do it, then was run over by deadlines, and 8 years later… here we finally are. Not once did she write me to say how procrastination was one of the Secret Seven Deadly Sins…probably because she knew I would’ve put off writing her back.

Her sense of humor gets my 100% Stamp of Awesome Approval. I’ll be linking to a couple posts on her site, so you can click over and read ‘em because they’re good. For example, this one had me laughing hard enough that I scored “Looks” from other people in the general vicinity (and “Looks” mean more attention for me. A win-win situation).

http://intensewhisper.blogspot.com/2010/07/krap-my-kids-say.html

(And yes—that post does contain a wicked awesome drawing of a vampire princess)

Keith Melton: Until I read your blog, I had no idea wizards shared so many traits with cowboys.

http://intensewhisper.blogspot.com/2010/07/10-degrees-of-wizard-cowboy.html

However, I maintain wizards have nothing to do with Santa, who is jolly and rotund, while wizards are irascible—yet lean and mean. Also, Santa’s magic is weak. A lump of coal? That’s the worst of his North Pole Beat Down? Bring it on, SANTA!

So please discuss this highly controversial “Santa/Wizard Theory” of yours.

Robin K aka Intense Whisper: Well, first of all thank you for having me. *privately jumps up and down, fist pumping, while spinning in circles – thank goodness no one knows* So, you can affiliate wizards and cowboys too. Glad someone else can see the parallel. But you dispute Santa’s secret YEHAA!? Get your check boxes ready. He wears a belt. He rides, er… flies horses (they may have antlers though). He is scruffy. Woman love Santa (have you seen the female elves, bunch of merry sluts!?). He smokes after chimney exits. Hence, “burning biscuits”. He has long hair. Lives in a secluded place. Can be seen riding/flying off into the sunset. Feels he is above the law (don’t get me started).

Oh and magic. He squeezes his fat butt down a chimney house after house. Buttons never pop, zippers never squeal and his seams do not tear. Now that IS magic!

Keith Melton Reconsiders: Hmm. I can see some of that. However…since Santa is a night operator, I’m not sure he technically can ride/fly off into the sunset….but moving on!

How did you get involved with digital art? Was it always something you’d been interested in, or did you discover it relatively recently?

Robin K: From the first moment I printed my first tacky digital greeting card in high school I was hooked. I went to three colleges jumping from degree to degree till I found one that kept me behind a computer. After a few unremarkable-pays-the-bills jobs, I became a photography restoration and retouching artist. I have been designing ever since.

Keith Melton: Which is your favorite thing to do? Art? Web Design? Reading? Twitter? Or D)All of the Above?

Robin K, Cover Artist: *blinks to hide marketing glint* Book cover design! Any design that is freelance is the best. Designing plumber business cards is not all that flexible. They do not think digitally placed wrenches are funny. Working with authors is so much more relaxed.

Keith Melton: What? Digitally placed wrenches sound like comedy gold to me!

Next Question. You own your own design business, which is all kinds of awesome. What are some design services you can offer an interested author?

Robin K: *blinks again, more rapidly, to hide marketing glint* Book cover design! I also design and print most types of swag. I include free custom design on bookmarks and business cards. We also offer website design/management. Did I mention I love working with authors!?

Keith Melton: Honestly, who doesn’t enjoy working with authors? Except maybe accountants and mental health professionals…but I digress.

So is there a business site where interested customers can see your work?

Robin K: *gives up trying to hide marketing glint* We do have a business website. We work with customers nationwide and take most orders through email. We just added PO box shipping out of respect for author anonymity. http://www.rldprint.com/

Keith Melton: The Private I interview posts you do with authors are great. How’d you come up with that idea? Too many Noir movies? Do you also have your private investigator license in addition to all the other things you do?

Robin K Super Detective: I just love seeing things from different angles. Most reviews have the same basic info. *whispers: I think some authors cut and paste* I wanted to create something more playful, challenging and really catch reader’s interest. Besides, I get to write cute introductions. I giggle every time I type my acronym (O.F.U.C  – Office of Fictional Unaccounted for Characters). It’s all about imagination.

 

Keith Melton Nostradamus: I see you list 2012 as one of your fears. What do you fear most? Widespread earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, meteor strikes, locust infestations, your favorite restaurant Taco Villa goes out of business, OR some other as–of-yet unlisted fear?

Robin K Mayan: The end of earth. Seriously, why are we all still working? I think we should have a two year party. Are they making Arks, space ships, is there a secret plan!? Should I be buying more batteries and digging a hole in my basement!? A.K.A., Robin is a hypochondriac.

Keith Melton: You mention a phobia of dentists. Don’t your realize dentists are our friends? Didn’t you see any Happy Teeth cartoons as a kid?

Robin K: *shivers* Perhaps I should clarify to Dental Hygienists. Hygienists will probably be the only ones that survive 2012 (if you get my drift). I had kids. Two. The nurses and doctors ASK if you have pain. You can even give it a number. Hygienists do no such thing. They scrape, probe… oh, I cannot go on!

Keith Melton: You mentioned Diana Gabaldon and the Outlander series as one of your favorites. Those are some very good books. So how long after reading them did you speak with a Scottish accent? (I freely admit it took me a week and a half to stop saying “verra” and talking about haggis)

Robin K: LOL. Aye, they are phenomenally bonnie books! To this day I randomly break into accents when I get excited or angry. The accents are not always Scottish though.

Keith Melton: Here’s a link where you can see Robin build one of her Fantasy designs from the ground up: 

http://intensewhisper.blogspot.com/2009/12/artwork-process.html

Keith Melton: What book series are you currently reading? Name some of your favorite authors (any genre).

Robin K: I am reading two books right now. The Host by Stephanie Meyer. Oy, have you seen the SIZE of it!? I am also reading Whisper of a Witch by Suza Kates.

A few favorite authors are: Lara Adrian, MaryJanice Davidson, Kate Elliott, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Sharie Kohler, Kelly Meding, Cheyenne McCray, Karen Marie Moning, Denise Robbins, Lynsay Sands, J.R. Ward, Elizabeth Haydon and many more.

Keith Melton: I hear you’re attending the Authors After Dark conference? Will this be your first con? You excited?

Robin K: Not only is it my first conference, but it is my first anything. I married young and have been home ever since. With 2012 coming, I decided to live *winks*. I am incredibly excited and nervous. Think I need to get a face tattoo to match my networking avatar?

Keith Melton: Face tattoos are really in vogue right now, so my answer is YES.

You mentioned in your blog that your husband works with you in your design business. You also said this: “Will I freak out, jump across my desk and strangle him within a week?”

The week is over. Is he still okay or what? Do you work from prison, or are you on the run, blogging from an undisclosed location in Mexico?

If in fact he’s still alive, must he wear body armor to work every day? What happens if he misses a Status Meeting?

Robin K: He still breathes. It is refreshing to hear someone take his side. Most of his family was warning him to be nice. Apparently I hide my evil well. We cannot see each other over all our monitors so there is a lot of hand gesturing. We also IM each other instead of talking. Far more civil.

Keith Melton: Here are some examples of photos* Robin has worked photoshop magic upon.

The first image is of author Nicole Peeler. Quite awesome. If you look closely at the one on the left, Nicole’s eyes totally follow you around the room….almost as if she’s gonna turn into a Selkie and rip your face off.

Or maybe I’m just projecting again…

The next is a picture of Kindlevixen, who–as far as I can tell–spends all her time reading, writing book reviews, and running amok on Twitter. This is what she looks like when she’s not a zombie. (Yes, the blue is a design element, but she really does have yellow eyes.)

And finally, this is Heather aka Book Obsessed Girl, who is an extremely awesome person and reviewer.

So you can see, Robin is quite creative, and I love her designs. She has instructions on her blog for contacting her about getting your photo all pimped out like crazy.

And on with the interview questions! 

Keith Melton: You mentioned living in the upper Midwest U.S.A. Tell me how close this is to paradise for you. A heavenly winter wonderland? Snow angels and hot chocolate?

Robin K: I detest Minnesota. I really do. I am allergic to the sun. Every spring I rash. I burn in the winter too, from the snow glare. Last year I embarrassed my husband while mowing during a drought by yelling (loudly – I had head phones on), “It is like mowing in the F’in desert.” I really want to move. I would love to move to Seattle with clouds and rain. *sighs*

Keith’s Lazy Question: What did you always want to be asked about in an interview that you’ve never been asked before? Feel free to answer that question here.

Robin K’s Question: Has your life ever flashed before your eyes?

Robin K’s Answer: Yes it has. I was walking down steps into a cave in South Dakota at my husband’s request during a vacation. The steps were damp, narrow, steep, and very slippery. With metal texture for grip or perhaps sanding off flesh. As if this is not scary enough, the handrail is small, metal and also very wet. Now, horror of all horrors, add a very large woman in a too-long dress behind me on the steps. She is wearing wee little shoes and almost walking on her dress with each precarious step. All I could think was, “If she falls I am dead.” Needless to say, I will never set foot into a cave again.

Keith’s Rapid Fire Questions:

1.) Favorite musical artists and/or genres of music? 

Robin K: Eclectic

2.) Food you hate most? (If it’s not Jell-O, skip this question and/or lie.)

Robin K: Beer (is that food?)

Keith Melton: Of course beer is food! It’s really all you need for a healthy, happy diet! (Aside: It seems Robin’s Dietician Skill Set might be the only one she needs to work on…)

3.) Would you rather go to outer space or deep under the ocean?

Robin K: Ocean or either to escape 2012

4) What would be your ideal vacation?

Robin K: A quiet one with waves, reading and shade.

Keith’s Last Question: The Future of Publishing From A Reader’s POV—does it look bright, or does it come to an end alongside everything else in 2012?

Robin K: I cannot imagine a world without print. *snort* I would be out of work. Is it feasible for children to read everything on screen? Is it healthy? I know I am not buying my children eReaders. For myself, I have not yet read anything while plugged in. Not that I never will but I still prefer my paper. I do believe that magazines and newspapers may have seen their last days, but not books. Please not my books!

Keith Melton: Thanks again to Robin for joining us at Scribbling Ninjas!

What Keith Learned Section:

1. Robin K is a professional spelunker.

2. She will not be drinking beer at the Authors After Dark conference.

3. Her husband is still alive and well despite rumors to the contrary.

4. Minnesota is one short step down from Paradise on Earth. Also, a disproportionate number of people interviewed on this site hail from Minnesota (possibly because it is that great).

5. Robin has strange ideas about Santa Claus and his smoking habit. She also feels Santa is a Vigilante Menace to Society.

6. She really enjoys designing book covers.

7. Hell is packed full of Dental Hygienists. This happened when Satan outsourced all fiery torture to people with picks and scrapers, allowing him to lay off all the demons who were attempting to unionize.

Links:

BLOG: http://intensewhisper.blogspot.com/

PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE: http://www.rldprint.com/

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/intensewhisper

*images are under copyright

Keith Melton Interviews People, Keith Uses Paint Digital Designer, dragons, Intense Whisper, Interview, Keith Melton Paints, Santa is a vigilante menace to society, swiss army knife

In the past, some of you have wondered why I have no problem tangling with people of ill-repute such as Alisha Rai and Bree of Moira Rogers and yet I never say anything bad about the Donna half of the Moira Rogers writing duo.

(Aside: I should also add the pertinent fact that–according to the Internet and Bree–Donna hates lizards and cucumbers. Not poisonous snakes, rusty bear traps, the super flu, or enraged moose like the rest of us fear. Nope. Lizards and cucumbers…)

 

 

That’s a straight up Public Service Announcement. Now you know…and knowing is half the battle.

…

…

…and the other half of the battle concerns guns, artillery, rolling armor but that’s another post.

Disclaimer: Recently I mentioned I was the nicest person in the world, but that was a lie. Donna may be the nicest–she saves wild pigs from the wild, takes her kids to Cracker Barrel any time, day or night or tornadoes.

Despite the fact that I actually drew her with a knife, to my knowledge she has never stabbed or threatened to stab anyone. She’s good people.

Just don’t annoy her or she’ll kill your face off.

Keith Uses Paint, Keith's Rules, Writer Stuff Donna loves lizards, Donna of Moira Rogers, guacamole, Keith Melton Paints, kill this tag, scary

Bree of Moira Rogers is feeling under the weather–yet, like a cyborg or crazed marathon runner she continues to write. That’s dedication, my friends. So please join me, Alisha, and Donna in sending Get Well Soon wishes.

…

Because I can’t find the heart to destroy her when she’s not feeling well.

You hear me, Bree? Feel better ASAP so I can get back to mercilessly attacking you on the Internet.

Keith Uses Paint crazed marathon runner, kill this tag

I could’ve sworn I was all caught up and rolling easy, but I couldn’t shake this feeling…

So, thanks to the true randomness of random.org, Courtney S. has won an ebook copy of Darkness At Dawn by Devin Harnois! And I was only a few days late announcing it–though I was under two weeks, which means I don’t have to pay any late fees.

However, I do understand this might tarnish my aura of Steely Competence, so I’ve included a picture of a Giant Squid playing the violin to distract you from my completely and utterly insignificant failure.

These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.

Carry on.

Bad Paint, Epic Contests, Keith Uses Paint Giant Squid on the Violin, Keith Melton Paints, noobsauce

Not A Constructive Way To Deal With Criticism:

 

 

 

 

Yep. Well adjusted, that’s me.

…

 

DISCLAIMER: I assume this is obvious, but Just In Case someone actually believes I will feed other people to zombies and/or giant squids for supplying criticism, valid or not, I assure you this is not the case. I don’t have a license to own zombies and I don’t have a place big enough to store a giant squid. I’m actually a Very Nice Person who never does anything bad. Ever. And my imaginary friends are even nicer, if that’s possible. So rest easy.

Bad Paint, Keith Melton's Megalomaniacal Delusions, Keith Uses Paint, Random Junk evil face of evil, Giant attack squid, humor, joy, Keith Melton is well adjusted, Keith Melton Paints, Zombies

CONTEST INFO: Devin Harnois will give one eBook copy of Darkness At Dawn to a random commentor. Just comment to win! ENDS July 12th, 2010.

Keith Melton: Thanks for being a trooper and agreeing to the interview, Devin. I know we have a shady reputation here at the Scribbling Ninjas and we don’t get invited to the Cool People Parties (this is most likely my fault). However, as a consolation prize I drew this picture of you in MS paint:

Devin Harnois: I don’t get invited to those either. Maybe we can throw Not-Cool People Parties (make sure there is rum and Rock Band).

Keith Melton: Congrats on your release. Tell us a little about where the idea for Darkness at Dawn came from.

Devin Harnois: Too many survival horror video games and a very strange dream. The forbidden desire, the military aspect, the monsters, the importance of sunrise – all that came from my dream. I was able to build a coherent storyline around those elements and viola, Darkness at Dawn.

Keith “Doesn’t Work For Umbrella Corp” Melton: Oh, survival horror…I love thee with such vast depths of affection it may even equal the near exponential infection rate of a zombie apocalypse. But moving on…

One thing I enjoyed about Darkness at Dawnwas the incredible tension between Everson and Jennifer. There’s desire, a building connection, but still a lingering undercurrent of threat, which kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting things to work out, afraid they wouldn’t. Talk about how evil you are for pulling this off.

Devin Harnois: Terribly, horribly evil. Diabolical, even.

Keith Melton: Actually, I was hoping you’d say either Destroyed-the-Internet-Evil or Clown Evil, but perhaps you should save those goals for your next book.

So tell us a little about a few writers who’ve influenced you as a writer.

Devin Harnois: First of all, Stephen King. If you haven’t read his On Writing, you should. His style is very down to earth, and he doesn’t try to impress you with big words. Neil Gaiman is also a huge influence. Subject wise, he’s a better influence since he tends to write dark fantasy. My writing is more dark fantasy/urban fantasy than straight horror.

Keith Melton: Vampires. Should they sparkle? Should they only sparkle if they’ve fallen through a skylight into a blender filled with glitter?

Devin Harnois: Vampires should only sparkle if they’re covered in glitter so they can lure Twilight fans and eat them.

Editor’s Note: Scribbling Ninjas has No Official Stance on Sparkling in Regards to Vampires, and does not wish to offend Twilight fans at the risk of provoking angry mobs, torches, and assorted chaos and squealing.

Keith Melton: Do you have a full length novel in the works? Will it be in the same world as Darkness at Dawn or will it be something entirely new?

Devin Harnois: I have more than one novel in the works. I’m editing one and writing another that is getting too long to be a novella. Both are in entirely new worlds.

Keith Melton: You’ve recently come down on the side of werewolves in the wolves versus vampires war instigated by Bree of Moira Rogers infamy. (http://moirarogers.com/blog/archives/2261)

Do you really think the fur can take the fang, or were you just factoring in the Thompson submachine gun the werewolf bootlegger was packing?

Devin Harnois: The guns and booze certainly did help, but in most match ups I’ll pick werewolf over vampire. Vampires are still cool, just not AS cool as werewolves. (With individual exceptions like Karl Vance. I’d put money on him over just about anybody.)

Keith Melton: Karl thanks you, but he puts his money on The Count from Sesame Street, who can shoot lightning and laughs maniacally while doing so. Back to the interview…

Do you listen to music while you write, or do you need silence?

Devin Harnois: I love listening to music while I write. Most of the time it’s rock, but I mix in some variety like Motown, swing or even classical.

Keith Melton: You’ve stated you’re a plot pantser. Has this ever led to roadblocks and frustration, or do the stories always flow naturally when you write?

Devin Harnois: It has led to frustration, but I’ve learned to walk away from the story for a few minutes or even a few days while I figure out what happens next. I trust myself to push through.

Keith Melton: How did you survive knowing Bree the Lunatic Fringe on the Moira Rogers Tablecloth for so many years? She’s already threatened to kill me on three separate occasions.

Devin Harnois: She hasn’t threatened to kill me … yet. We have similar tastes and we’re both a little weird, so I think that helps. If she threatens you again, try distracting her with pictures of hot guys.

Keith Melton: Hmm. Pictures of hot guys OR giant spiders who are also samurai? I know which one I choose.

 

Moving on… Do you have any inspiring words for new authors trying to break into the market?

Devin Harnois: Keep writing. You might not sell your first story, or your second or your fifteenth. But if you keep writing and working on improving your craft, you will eventually get published.

Keith Melton: In regards to your writing, do you find plot more important to you or character development? Or some mixture/ratio of both?

Devin Harnois: They’re both essential. Plot and character feed on each other, one causing reactions in the other. I find character to be a bit more important, though. A strong main character keeps me writing even when I have doubts about where the story is going.

Keith Melton: Do you have a favorite breed of supernatural beastie?

Devin Harnois: Werewolves, for sure. I’ve always had a fascination with them.

Keith Melton: Actually, going back and re-reading my question I misread it as: “…favorite breed of supernatural BEETLE” which I suspect would’ve been the Best Question Ever. Alas, for missed opportunities.

Anyway—the first story you ever wrote…what was it about? (And you can’t say, “A murder committed with garden tools” because that’s mine.)

Devin Harnois: Ok, time for a lame admission. My first story was about a mouse who fell in love and got married during a parade. In my defense, I was in second grade. That was a cute phase that I quickly got over. The same year, I made a stop motion movie of Godzilla attacking a city, so I’m not completely lame.

Keith Melton: Werewolves of London or Werewolves of France?

Devin Harnois: London! I watch An American Werewolf in London about once a year.

Keith’s Lazy Question: What did you always want to be asked about in an interview that you’ve never been asked before? Feel free to answer that question here.

Devin Harnois: This is my first interview, so the field is wide open. Hmmm … how many skull shirts do you own? At last count, eight. If I had less self control, it would easily be twice that.

Keith’s Rapid Fire Questions:

1.) Favorite musical artists and/or genres of music?

Devin Harnois: My favorite bands are Disturbed, old Metallica, Matchbox Twenty and Three Days Grace. I love hard rock, but I also love early rock ‘n roll and swing.

2.) Food you hate most? (If it’s not Jell-O, skip this question.)

Devin Harnois: Chipotle – the pepper, not the restaurant. It taints everything it touches. Why do you hate Jell-O so much?

Keith Melton: It’s not that I hate Jello so much as I want to kill it all out of existence.

3.) Would you rather go to outer space or deep under the ocean or the local minute market?

Devin Harnois: Outer space, but only if it’s pretend outer space where I can ride around in Serenity or the Millennium Falcon.

Keith Melton: The Future of Publishing—does it look bright, or does it come to an end alongside everything else in 2012?

Devin Harnois: If the A-bomb/swine flu/zombie apocalypse doesn’t get us, I think publishing has a bright future. It will have to keep adapting to technology and the way readers read, and I think the smart publishers will not only survive, but thrive.

Keith Melton: I like the cover art for Darkness at Dawn (and not merely because there is female skin…well, okay, that always helps). I think it really captures the post-apocalyptic feel and makes it sexy. Discuss how right I am here:

Devin Harnois: You’re very right! Kanaxa is a very talented cover artist, and when I saw what she did for Darkness at Dawn I did a happy dance. The beautiful woman, the background, the color – all of it is fantastic!

Keith Melton: When are you going to give a writing credit to your co-author, Vito the Velociraptor? From this picture it’s clear he does most of the typing, which all authors know is 94% of the hard work of writing (the other 6% is dedicated boozing).

Devin Harnois: He’s only the assistant. He just does the manual labor while I do the hard work of thinking. Besides, that was Take Your Velociraptor to Work Day, and I was being nice by letting him come to my day job. He got to stare at a different screen and type on a different keyboard. Yay for variety!

Keith “I Can Quit Any Time” Melton: Should coffee be banned as an illegal mind-altering substance?

Devin Harnois: I don’t know if I should even dignify that with a response. Mountain Dew is my caffeine delivery form of choice, but I do enjoy coffee a few times a week. Without caffeine, I might be mistaken for a zombie and shot by zombie hunters. Also, I would get much less writing done.

Keith Melton: By the way, Bree says Code Red is Diet Pepsi Max’s official bitch. What’s your reply to this outrageous claim?

Devin Harnois: What? Anything with the word “diet” in it is automatically everything else’s bitch!

Keith Melton: Are villains or heroes/heroines easier for you to write?

Devin Harnois: Villains can be more fun, but the easiest thing for me to write is a hero with a streak of bad. Someone with a good heart and a bit of darkness fires my imagination.

Keith Melton: You have a cat named Buffy. How tempted were you to buy another kitten and name it Willow?

Devin Harnois: I haven’t thought of it, but it does sound terribly cute. Buffy earned her name when she was a brave hellion kitten, unafraid of my family’s older cats. Now she’s lazy and fat (still cute, though).

Keith Potborski Melton: I’ve heard you were a Hell’s Angel until about two years ago. True…or Just Wish It Were?

Devin Harnois: LOL! I’m way too lame to be a Hell’s Angel. But I will gladly use them as security for when I become a rock star.

Keith Melton: If I remember right, Hell’s Angel Security always ends badly…but moving on.

Rumor has it you live in Minnesota. I hear it’s cold. …And that’s about all I know about it, other than everybody in the state lives in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Take a moment and talk about home.

Devin Harnois: Yes, it’s cold in the winter. It also gets disgustingly hot in the summer. I might complain, but I do like having all four seasons. Minneapolis is a good city, with lots of parks and bike trails and a strong art and music community. St.Paul is a strange place with streets that make no sense.

Keith Melton: You still writin’ about demons? If not WHY NOT?

Devin Harnois: I am! I took a break to edit another book, but the demons are back, and now there’s war in Hell!

Keith Melton: Thanks again for agree to talk with us today, Devin.

Devin Harnois: Thanks for inviting me. The Scribbling Ninjas are the awesomest, funniest people.

~*~

 Darkness at Dawnis out at Samhain! Check it out for post-apocalyptic crunchy goodness.

“Darkness at Dawn” by Devin Harnois

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romantic SciFi-Futuristic

ISBN: 978-1-60928-065-9

Length: Short Story

Price: 2.50

Publication Date: June 29, 2010

Cover art by Kanaxa

Letting her live was bad enough. Wanting her is much worse.

Richard Everson has seen too many people die, killed by the nightmare creatures that have overrun the world. Every night he leaves the protection of the walled city to hunt the nasties alone. He likes his job. Maybe a little too much.

By day, Jennifer lives in her human skin. By night, the wolf takes over, a legacy forced upon her by the nasties who made her one of them. Everson is a tenuous link to what’s left of the human world. Despite the danger to them both, she hungers for his touch.

Each encounter sends the heat spiraling higher, until it burns away all control. And Richard realizes too late his heart has crossed a line punishable by death…

Warning: This book contains strong language, nightmarish creatures, a violence-loving hero, a very naked woman, werewolves, forbidden desire, and post-apocalyptic monster-killing mayhem.

BUY LINK: http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/darkness-dawn-p-5937.html

EXCERPT: http://samhainpublishing.com/excerpt/darkness-at-dawn

http://devinharnois.com/

~*~

 

Leave a Comment to Win! Ends July 12th, 2010

(Velociraptor picture is copyright Devin Harnois 2010)

Keith Melton Interviews People, Keith Uses Paint Dark Fantasy, Devin Harnois, I use many tags, Keith Interviews, Spider Samurai, Survival Horror, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves

First off, I regret things have come to this point. I really do.

 But after Bree of Moira Rogers fame posted on her blog a wildly unscientific poll: http://moirarogers.com/blog/archives/2570 and then said on Twitter that her poll was 8000X (eight THOUSAND TIMES) more scientific than Keith Melton, I had to reply.

So I release to the public this picture of Bree and a Giant Spider.

 

Now clearly the spider is harmless.  I mean, his legs aren’t even all the same length and he has a heart on his belly like a CareBear arachnid. But Bree so hates spiders she’s throwing down with a Browning Automatic Rifle in the spider’s grill when he just wants a hug. A hug.

Seems like an Epic Battle to me. (Although, in real life, Bree may be more prone to scream and run from spiders and let her husband shoot them instead).

Sorry, Bree. Had to do it. Especially after you called me out for making comments about the validity of sparkly vampires.

This stunning artwork was done in Microsoft Paint, the gutter program and laughing stock of all real digital artists. I made up Bree’s hairstyle because I couldn’t find a picture without her wearing a tiara.) I included the rifle just because I like to draw guns. And spiders. But tiaras…not so much.

Keith Melton

Bad Paint, Keith Destroys Bree Again, Keith Uses Paint, Random Junk Giant Love Spiders, M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, Revenge

All right. Gloves off. Time to lay down some facts.

Recently Alisha Rai has called me out, repeatedly, in various public forums (and I think she even rented a billboard in Illinois) to rub my face in the fact she has FOUR books out with Samhain and I have only two.

“So what?” you say. “I only come to this blog to win stuff from Bree. I don’t care about your stupid vampires and your colossal ego and your Pre-school level artwork OR your pathetic jealousy about Alisha Rai’s Book Factory.”

(It hurts when you say that, by the way, but moving on…) Let me just include a picture to illustrate my point.

 

That’s an actual quote from her, just so you know.

Now it’s not that I feel any envy at her prolific writing ways, not at all. The truth is, Alisha Rai is planning on TAKING OVER SAMHAIN PUBLISHING AND USING IT TO RULE THE WORLD.

That is journalistic fact, right there. How she will accomplish this? I’m a little fuzzy on the maniacal details of her insidious plans. However, I’m sure it will positively swarm with various degrees of Evil and Malice.

So to pay her back for all her sniping at me, for all her mocking and derision, I’m going to leak the plot of her next book here on Scribbling Ninjas.

Veiled Debauchery by Alisha Rai

Viscount Richard, a notorious rake, has traveled to New York to wallow in the frenetic nightlife when he sees Tasha, a practicing Buddhist monk and part-time Go-Go dancer at one of the city’s most popular clubs. Richard, a rogue down to his socks, immediately sets out to make her his. Tasha is unimpressed by his profligate ways and sends him packing. Richard, a scandalous knave with a noble heart, pursues her with the singular determination of the rich, famous and fabulously lazy. When Richard buys the club and gives her an ultimatum: Go on a hot date with him or be fired, Tasha must decide whether to follow the path of love or stab Richard in the face with a salad fork.

Warning: Smoking-hot blistering hide-the-sausage-shenanigans in a kitchen, in a closet, on a dance stage, references to food, and a few scenes of gratuitous tongue-wrestling and illegal use of a fire hose.

So there, Alisha. The smackdown, I’ve brought it with a bow.

(Oh, and for any rabid Alisha Rai fans out there, Veiled Debauchery is compeltely made up by me so you won’t be able to find it, alas. But you can ask her to write it anyway.)

Alisha v. Keith, Bad Paint, Keith Uses Paint Keith Melton Wins Again, vampires defeat viscounts

Reader Beware: This interview may contain Unapologetic Geek Speak. Proceed at your own risk.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Robyn Bachar to Scribbling Ninjas for one of our Special Interviews. You know the routine. I, your humble servant Keith Melton, ask insightful questions on various topics, and Robyn restrains herself from recommending I seek professional help.

Robyn Bachar’s first book with Samhain, BLOOD, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS (paranormal romance/urban fantasy) released on May 11. The excerpt, which can be found here: http://samhainpublishing.com/excerpt/blood-smoke-and-mirrors hooked me at once, and the book itself is quite excellent.

In addition to being an author, Robyn is also a Professional Hardcore Role Playing Gamer, veteran of a great many epic campaigns, and she slings dice ranging from d4 to d20.

 

According to rumor, Robyn may have a bit of an Evil God Complex when performing the duties of Dungeon Master. However, we at Scribbling Ninjas feel certain this is just vicious gossip.

BEHOLD, THE INTERVIEW

Keith: Thanks for joining us today Robyn. I don’t regret the huge bribe I had to pay your publicist at all. In fact, when we learned you were rescheduling a Today Show appearance to do an interview with us, a few of the Scribbling Ninjas might have squealed like hamsters trapped in a clothes dryer.

So anyway, tell us a little about where the idea for BLOOD, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS originated.

Robyn Bachar: In the beginning, I didn’t have an idea. I had 30 days of NaNoWriMo ahead of me and all I knew was that I wanted to write something…something with vampires and faeries, and it would be awesome. As inspiration I started by reworking an idea I’d used in a short story I’d written with college, and the rest started to fall into place from there.

Keith: Do you prefer to outline or to seat-of-the-pants it when writing?

Robyn Bachar: I was a pantser, but now I’m a plotter. Every time I’d start a story with only an idea I would hit a wall at around 30k words, without fail. Then I’d let it sit for a while, and eventually the story would join the others in the cemetery of great ideas on my hard drive. Now I’m all about outlines, GMC charts, character questionnaires, the whole 9 yards.

Keith: Do you feel your familiarity with Role Playing Games, video games, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction and movies helps or influences your writing in any way? If so, how?

Robyn Bachar: Yes. If anything it’s made me more determined to do it my way, because I’ve played too many games where I hated the ending. Also, I always put a lot of time and effort into creating backgrounds for my characters—origin stories, essentially—and it frustrated me when those characters didn’t get a satisfactory story in the game. My dice are cursed. No, seriously, they hate me. I can never make an important roll, and finally I got to a point where I decided I’d rather write my own stories instead of watching my character shoot herself in the foot with an arrow because I rolled another 1.

Keith: Do you ever write shorter fiction? Do you prefer novel length, shorter fiction, or have no preference?

Robyn Bachar: I prefer novel length, but I’m trying to work on shorter pieces that’ll be quick, fun reads. My brain is wired for epic, though, so every time I think “oh this will be short” it ends up 100k words long.

Keith: Is BLOOD, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS part of a larger series? Will there be more tales taking place in this world you’ve created?

Robyn the Hopeful: I’m planning on a series, and I’ve been working on more. My editor has the second book now. (And let me tell ya, the suspense of “OMG DOES SHE LIKE IT???!!!” is making me crazy. Crazier.)

Keith: I really like heroine Catherine Baker. She has a great character voice and I also like that she’s busting her ass as a waitress in the beginning of the story. She’s described thusly:

“…I look as threatening as a grade-school librarian. I’m on the overweight side, I wear glasses, and my mouse-brown hair is most often pulled back into a messy braid or ponytail. My wardrobe consists of T-shirts, blue jeans, and unintimidating white running shoes.”

Since some of the heroines in PNR/UF are inexplicably supermodel beautiful and perversely talented, effortlessly loved by all, did you hesitate at all to write against the grain? (And props for doing so, by the way.) Was this a conscious decision to write against the Beautiful Rich Adored People cliché, or just how you “saw” your character?

Robyn Bachar: I love Cat, she’s a lot of fun to write. Are there a lot of supermodel PNR/UF heroines? It seems like most of the ones I remember are pretty but don’t think they are, like Cinderella waiting for the ball. Though Cat does have her Cinderella moments in the book, I wanted her to be average in some ways. She may wear comfy shoes, but she can kick butt with them. Plus I wanted to emphasize the idea that anyone can secretly be a magician in my setting, even the waitress pouring your coffee.

Keith clarifies: To be fair, I was really just thinking of one Big Name heroine in particular, who has annoyed me with her antics more than once in recent history. I shall punish myself for asking hyperbolic and sloppy questions later. Moving on…

Keith the Fan: As a Red Sox fan, I feel much empathy and sympathy for you Cubs fans and the Curse. So, after learning you have some repressed antipathy toward the White Sox…feel free to use this space to get in touch with your true, deep, inner feelings about the White Sox.

Robyn Bachar: Oh, it’s not repressed. I hate the White Sox. The easiest way to spot a bad guy in my writing is if they’re a Sox fan. I was born a Cubs fan—you really have to be, because if you’re waiting for a World Series bandwagon to come by for the Cubs, you’ll be waiting until Hell freezes over. But that’s okay. Even if it’s “wait ’til next year” each Fall, when Spring comes it’s “next year is here!”

Keith: Who would win a fight between Frodo and Willow on a narrow walkway over the Sarlacc and the Great Pit of Carkoon?

Robyn Bachar: If it’s Willow from the fantasy movie of the same name, then I’d pick Frodo, provided he’s not having an emo moment of “oh noes, teh ring is attacking me!” Now, if it’s Willow from Buffy, then clearly Willow wins and Frodo is Sarlacc food.

Keith: Hmm. Honestly, I forgot about Willow from Buffy. Although Frodo packs a sword he used against a giant spider. Since Bree of the Moira Rogers team hates spiders, I think all of us on this blog are contractually obligated to cheer for people who fight giant spiders. So I’m changing your answer to Frodo, just so you can get this question right.

No worries! Chin up! All for the best, eh?

Keith (continued): Do you have any inspiring words for new writers trying to break into the market?

Robyn Bachar: First, finish your book. Second, don’t be afraid to submit it, but for the love of all that’s holy, follow the publisher’s submission guidelines. Don’t be the guy who thinks it’s a brilliant idea to call the editor and read his manuscript to the editor’s voicemail. No one wants to be that guy, because editors will mock you over Twitter and at conferences.

Keith the Rhetorical: Let’s just say, hypothetically, that a certain writer decided to write an entire novel one month before her wedding. In your opinion, would said writer be mildly crazy, genuinely insane, or completely barking mad?

Robyn Bachar: That author is brilliant! And, to be fair, to win NaNoWriMo you have to get to 50k words in a month, and that’s not an entire novel. At least it wasn’t the entirety of, hypothetically, BLOOD, SMOKE AND MIRRORS. That only gets you through Part One of the story.

Keith: Are you an English Major? If so, explain to me why people like us don’t make more money. I mean, I can talk about feminism in Alcott’s Little Women for HOURS. Is that not worth millions in salary, oh cruel world? (cue violins and uncontrolled sobbing)

Robyn Bachar, UIUC alumni: Yes, I am an English Major, and when someone asks me what an English Major does with their degree, I tell them you ask people “Doth thou want fries with that?” Literary criticism is an undervalued skill. Though it did come in handy at my former day job as an editor of college-level textbooks.

Keith: Is it true that RWA holds gladiator-style deathmatches to determine their finalists? If so, what weapons do you favor in your Battle Royale?

Robyn Bachar: What’s the first rule of RWA fight club? You do not talk about RWA fight club. What’s the second rule of RWA fight club? You do not talk about RWA fight club!

Keith: Vampires. Should they sparkle? Should they only sparkle if they’re doused with white phosphorus and impaled with fireworks conveniently known as “sparklers?”

Robyn Bachar: I have no public opinion about sparkly vampires. Because I’m scared of Twihards.

Keith: A very safe answer and well played. Next question. As a crafter of stories, is plot more important to you or character development? Or some mixture/ratio of both?

Robyn Bachar: I think I tend to concentrate on plot more, just because I like to write epic throwdowns where stuff is on fire and “Duel of the Fates” is playing in the background. Well technically I don’t like writing fight scenes, but I like having them in my stories. I suffer through writing them with the help of my friend Sam Adams. Character development is important, especially if it means making your characters suffer, because that’s always fun.

Keith: How does one become a Dungeon Master? Must one assassinate the previous DM with a +2 poisoned blade?

DM Robyn: Occasionally. Usually the former Dungeon Master says, “Dude, I don’t want to run anymore, someone else run.” And thus the mantle of responsibility is passed on to the next victim. Either that or someone says, “Dude, I have this great idea for an adventure! It has ninjas!” and the DM lets them run it.

Keith: Stupid interview questions? Love them, or hate them with the searing heat of a million supernovas?

Robyn Bachar: Well I could be all Zen about it and say, “There are no stupid interview questions. Only stupid interview answers.” Mostly I feel that wacky interview questions are more interesting than the standard “So how did you become a writer?”

Keith the Abused: Speaking of stupid questions…Bree of the writing duo Moira Rogers commanded me to ask you a gaming/RPG/dice related question. When I wrote back begging for specifics or, at least, more clarity, she shrieked, “Suck it up and figure it out, noobcake!” and flounced away.

So feel free to answer her vague gaming/RPG/dice related question here:

Robyn Bachar: Hmm. Technically there’s no question there—

Keith Interrupts: I know. How awesomely clever is that?

Robyn Bachar (continues):—so I’ll just say that I prefer playing tanks over casters, and I hate being the healer. For tabletop I’ve played D&D and the old school Star Wars d6 system. What I learned from D&D is that if you’re planning on going to Waterdeep and some mysterious stranger approaches your party and offers you a job, kill him. Immediately. Because otherwise you’ll never, ever get to Waterdeep.

Keith Momma’s Boy: Tell your readers how awesome your mother is, seeing as she forwarded your manuscript to everyone in her address book. (That’s maternal love and pride, right there.) Also, I’m writing this question on Mother’s Day. Divine Coincidence or Eternal Fate?

Robyn Bachar: Yeah, her excuse was, “I was so proud of you, I wanted to share.” With everyone on the Intarwebs. And it was only half of the first draft, which was really terrible because I hadn’t done much editing to it at that point. For months after that every time I ran into relatives and family friends they’d tell me “Oh I read your story!” Fail. Thankfully now she’s using her social powers for good. I gave her a brick o’ rack cards to hand out to promote BLOOD, SMOKE AND MIRRORS. My favorite story thus far involved my mother giving the cards to people on the L on the way home from a Cubs game. Thanks, Ma!

Anti-Elvish Keith: I recently read on your blog a post that started off quite awesome, delving into Monster Manuals and discussing development and design of various creatures for worldbuilding purposes—and then it careened off the road into chaos and wrongness when you talked about Elves. I don’t like Elves. They are arrogant. They sing too much. They are arrogant. They hate dwarves. And did I mention they’re preening arrogant bastards?

Would you like to apologize here to your adoring public for encouraging Elves to revolt and buy machine guns? Or would you prefer to apologize on your blog?

Robyn “I <3 Elves” Bachar: Dude. Elves with guns. I stand by the idea that this is awesome. Elves are only dwarf haters because the dwarves won’t share their shotguns. My night elf hunter in World of Warcraft has a shotgun, and it makes her happy—at least I assume that’s what the gratuitous bouncing is all about, maybe she just needs to pee. And they’re not all arrogant. Whiny, yes, but not arrogant. You know you want to join the revolution.

Keith the Innocent: Take a moment and tell our readers how much you hate me for running amok through your interview indulging my overweening ego and my need to constantly refer to myself when the spotlight should be on you.

Robyn Bachar: This answer was brought to you by BLOOD VICE, now available in print from Samhain Publishing. BLOOD VICE is  Samhain Duckie approved. (Did I mention that I got BLOOD VICE for Christmas from my sister-in-law? And that I almost didn’t get it because she started reading it and didn’t want to part with it?)

Keith: Ha! Your sister-in-law is my new favorite person in the world. A million thanks, and I didn’t even have to pay you to say that stuff. ::Keith quickly hides bribe money::

Keith’s Lazy Question: What did you always want to be asked about in an interview that you’ve never been asked before? Feel free to answer that question here.

Robyn Bachar: “Robyn, would you like to accompany the TAPS team on an investigation for Ghost Hunters?” OMG YES! It’s my favorite show. I own every season on DVD, and I’ve read their books, and…I’ll stop now before I geek out too much.

Keith’s Rapid Fire Questions:

1.) Favorite musical artists and/or genres of music?

 

Robyn Bachar: My playlist is so weird, you wouldn’t believe it. All time favorite is Sarah McLachlan, but I also like P!nk, Paramore, Evanescence, Lady Gaga, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Enya, Loreena McKennitt, and more weird combinations that make me wonder why iTunes thinks it’s okay to go from Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” to My Chemical Romance’s “Mama”.

2.) Food you hate most? (If it’s not Jell-O, skip this question.)

 

Robyn Bachar: It is Jell-O, how did you know that? Second would be pickles.

3.) Would you rather go to outer space or deep under the ocean OR Newark, New Jersey?

Robyn Bachar: Right now I’m going to have to go with deep under the ocean, because I just finished watching SeaQuest on Netflix. I loved that show.

Keith’s Last Question: The Future of Publishing—does it look bright, or does it come to an end alongside everything else in 2012?

Robyn Bachar: The future’s so bright, it’s gotta wear shades.

Keith Translates: Obviously, the previous statement was Robyn’s code for We’re All Gonna Die In A Nuclear Inferno That Melts Our Eyes!

My sincere thanks to Robyn Bachar for tolerating us here at Scribbling Ninjas. Now go read her book and wallow in the awesomeness of witches, guardians, the fae, and (I’m quoting this cuz it’s awesome) “gratuitous violence against vampires”! I’m including a buy link and blurb right after I list all the new things I learned today.

What Keith Learned:

1. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. A period of time so sacred to a writer he/she will ignore trivial events (such as weddings and so forth) to hit a specified word count.

2. Pansters can be rehabilitated.

3. Due to a potential curse, Robyn should never be encouraged to go to Vegas and roll the dice.

4. Robyn writes 100,000 word short stories to warm up for her “long” work.

5. In Robyn’s world, Sauron was a White Sox fan. So was Darth Vader. However, Hannibal Lecter most likely cheered for the Yankees.

6. Editors love for authors to read 100,000 word novels to them over voicemail. In fact, voicemail should be extended to 17 hours worth of recording time to accommodate this.

7. Don’t offend Twilight fans or they will chew off your kneecaps.

8. Elves should hurry up and get their emo, arrogant asses off to the Havens already.

Even a bad witch deserves a second chance.

Wrongly accused of using her magic to harm, the closest Catherine Baker comes to helping others is serving their coffee. Life as an outcast is nothing new, thanks to her father’s reputation, but the injustice stings. Especially since the man she loved turned her in.

Now the man has the gall to show up and suggest she become the next Titania? She’d rather wipe that charming grin off his face with a pot of hot java to the groin.

Alexander Duquesne has never faltered in his duties as a guardian—until now. The lingering guilt over Cat’s exile and the recent death of his best friend have shaken his dedication. With the murder of the old Titania, the faerie realm teeters on the brink of chaos. His new orders: keep Cat alive at all costs.

Hunted by a powerful stranger intent on drawing her into an evil web, Cat reluctantly accepts Lex’s protection and the resurrected desire that comes along with it. Lex faces the fight of his life to keep her safe…and win her back. If they both survive.

Warning: This book contains one tough and snarky witch, one gorgeous guardian, explicit blood drinking, magician sex, gratuitous violence against vampires and troublemaking Shakespearean faeries.

Buy Link: http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/blood-smoke-mirrors-p-5601.html

Robyn Bachar’s Website: http://robynbachar.com/

Keith Melton Interviews People, Keith Uses Paint, Wicked Awesome Blood Smoke and Mirrors, fae, mages, Robyn Bachar, vampires

In the tradition of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and the bandwagon train of Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Queen Victoria Demon Hunter, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, Mr. Darcy Vampyre, Android Karenina, The Undead World of Oz, Emma and the Werewolves, Little Women and Werewolves, Little Vampire Women, Mansfield Park and Mummies, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Zombie Jim, etc, etc, comes the newest Classic Horror Mash Up!

Moby Dick: The Vampire White Whale! by Herman Melville and Keith Melton

See a rather peeved Vampire Hunter Captain Ahab (who apprenticed under the great Van Helsing himself) chase a vampire White Whale around the world while indulging in a bit of ranting, soliloquy-style, and followed by various whaling shenanigans!

Vampire White Whale Moby Dick had bitten Captain Ahab’s leg with his massive three-foot long fangs on a previous whaling expedition. Ahab lost the limb and now sports a finely carved Mahogany wooden leg signed by the crew (Collector’s edition replicas available NOWfor only $19.99 plus $9.99 shipping and handling). Captain Ahab swears vengeance and takes his steampunk airship the Pequod to hunt down and stake the Killer Vampire White Whale who only comes out at night!

See the NEW and IMPROVED Classic Opening line: “Call me Ishmael, apprentice vampire slayer.”

Stare in awe at all the updated mayhem and violence inserted for no other reason than to increase the amount of mayhem and violence!

Marvel as everything you ever learned in school about Moby Dick is turned on its head and warped into a new American Masterpiece that would make an excellent BLOCKBUSTER HOLLYWOOD MOVIE!

(Note: This post is pure satire…unless a publisher wants to pay me a ton of money to maul Melville’s classic work. In which case, I’m so there with bells on, rockin’ my Nantucket accent)

The vibrant illustrations included in this cutting edge mangling adaption of a Great Work of Literature were done in Microsoft Paint. Critiques including, but not limited to, comments on how the water seems to disobey the laws of physics and is actually higher on the right hand side, the fact that Ahab is actually missing two feet, physiological mistakes regarding sperm whales, and/or any other disparaging comments should withheld pending the artist actually learning how to draw.

Keith Melton

Fiction, Keith Uses Paint, Random Junk, Wicked Awesome humor, Keith Melton Paints, vampires