Good Morning blessed Immortal fans. I had an exciting post about my upcoming novella, The Moorigad Dragon, planned for today. The best of plans don’t always come to fruition, thus the post had to be put on hold. It’s only temporarily―I promise. The snafu should be fixed and the post ready shortly after I return from my trip.
Speaking of my trip, tomorrow I take off on an amazing research trip that’s been planned for months. Hard to believe it’s finally here! The tromp through the bayou of the Mississippi, nightly stays in haunted plantations, long walks through the famous above ground cemeteries, exploring the voodoo culture, ghost and vampire tours, and so on…it’s all to better understand the characters in my YA novel, Nowhere Nara.
Preparing for the trip has been a long and tedious task. Being the primary in…well…everything, I had to arrange for childcare while I am to be gone. One person to watch the kids was not sufficient since no one could handle them for that length of time. So I had to schedule several people in shifts during my absence. Lunches and snacks had to be prepackaged and ready to go, special school wear set out and labeled, and a long and thorough list detailing all important things mom takes care of that others often overlook (example: retainers at night). All that before we begin novel prepping for the trip! And yes, there was some of that too. Maps of where my characters live was a big one.
Set in Baton Rouge, the story revolves around Nara, a young high school girl. It’s my first story to actually fit the “romance” guidelines. Not to say The Moorigad Dragon is not a romance, because it is, but because the bigger story, where The Moorigad Dragon is concerned, is broken into smaller novellas you have to wait till the final installment for the big payoff.
Today I thought I’d try something different. Partly because this post is so last-minute and unplanned. Secondly because it should be fun to see everyone’s suggestions. I have a work-in-progress blurb for Nowhere Nara. I’m going to share it and would love your input. So get ready to edit and share your thoughts.
Remember, I’m traveling this week and I don’t know what that means for internet access and my ability to reply to comments.
-Nowhere Nara Blub-
Nara’s father told her to kiss a lot of boys and marry the absolute best. She remembers an amazing kiss, although that really doesn’t matter much now. There will be no marriage, no tomorrow. Not for Nara. The world continues to move and Nara remains trapped in her home unseen. She watches life go on without her. From her kitchen window she has the perfect view of her ex-best friend’s house across the street. She can do nothing more than watch while her boyfriend and ex-friend grow far too close. Anger and frustration churning within her like a rapid river, she burns with the need to remember what happened to her and how she got this way.
Being dead sucks. Being dead with no memory of how you got that way sucked worse than being ten feet under in a filthy coffin.
Watching your family fall apart up close is hell. And all while watching your once-best friend living the life you should have had. Life is so unfair. But there may be hope… sometimes Nara thinks her little sister can see her.
Something keeps scratching at the inner walls of Nara’s memory, clawing to get out. Things are wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong. Nara needs to pull the pieces together before someone else gets hurt, or worse. Nara needs to figure it out so she can save her soul and move on.
………………………………….
Nowhere Nara is approximately 3/4th written and was in the process of deep edits through a few Margie Lawson courses. The novel was put on the back burner while I focused on the Carnival series stories—The Moorigad Dragon and Dark Perceptions. Tell me, what kind of stories do you look for when you go book shopping? Does young adult literature and the paranormal interest you?
Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate your support.
Until next time, immortality yours.
If you enjoyed this post , perhaps take a moment to click the Facebook Author “Like” in the sidebar. It would be much appreciated.
AND…
Never miss an update! Follow this blog and subscribe to our newsletter to receive special information and advance peeks at material on upcoming projects. The newsletter is scheduled to go out soon. Subscribers have a “for-the-newsletter” only Immortal Monday edition and a unique look at my upcoming novella The Moorigad Dragon to look forward too!
I want to read this! While there was a flood of ghost stories back in the 70s and 80s, there hasn’t been much since then. Keep us posted!
I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted through the blog, Mel. Thanks for your interest. Nara has become a labor of love and I want to do her and her story justice.
I will have a look at this after supper. Sounds like a fun, hopefully not nightmare-inducing story. Now I want to know what Nara doesn’t remember. 😀
(would have been the first to comment if I’d hit the post comment button when I first opened the page… 😀 )
I’ve done that more times than I care to admit, Kristy. *snickers* I’m notorious for leaving pages open for days with my comment half written. *sigh*
Isn’t that what everyone wants to know…what doesn’t Nara remember??? Hmm.
Oh, this sounds wonderful. And Baton Rouge is going to be a blast. I’m looking forward to lots of posts and pictures.
Have a fabulous time!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Patricia recently posted…Wouldn’t You Like To Be A Liebster Too?
Still only going to post on Mondays. 😀 I have next Monday’s post ready to go with a big spot ready to slip in pictures and a quick what, where, and What-the?!?!?! LOL. That’s assuming internet plays nice where we land. More in depth posts on all our cool activities after our return.
We’ll have a great time. Now to go pack my carry-on.
Those kids are going to have a blast!!! Oh, and you will have fun too. Wish I was going with you to visit those cemeteries. I like to buy books for my kids… one of my granddaughters is 13, and now that is considered a young adult I guess… I will get Nara for her. I’m encouraging her to be a writer and she has written some articles for my blog on her travels to Cuba.
Now I am not an editor and would not deign to offer advice… but you asked and you are my friend. And, I know what sounds good to me. Thank God I have no designs to publish and do not have to write a blurb. I hear they are harder to write than the book.
Okay… here’s my take:
First of all… churning within her like a rapid river… Really? These are young adults, not 40-60 year old housewives getting chocolate on the pages of a book.
Second… I would lead with the Being dead sucks. paragraph. No kid is going to be drawn in with Nara’s father… . Then go with that as the second paragraph (minus the bodice ripping prose).
Third… I think up close should have a hyphen. I like that paragraph especially the Life is so unfair line… the teenage anthem. And I love the last line about the little sister.
Fourth… I think I would do something like this with the last paragraph…
Something keeps scratching at the inner walls of Nara’s memory, as things are going wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong. Nara needs to pull the pieces together before someone else gets hurt, or worse. And she needs to figure it out so she can save her soul and move on.
Finally Dear Kristri… have you seen this post? I think you and your friends might just like it… http://tedstrutz.com/2014/05/10/meeting-the-wild-child/
You’re right, Ted. I think the kids are looking forward to their time with everyone but me. LOL.
First, let me thank you for being the first to take on this challenge and take it serious. I get a twitch of the right eye when I have to write blurbs. So yuck! 🙂 I love your thoughts and will be taking them all into consideration when I rework it.
I’ve seen a few of your daughter’s posts. Pretty cool that she’s gotten such a great opportunity. Also cool that you’ve gotten her to post about it on your blog. I would love to get one of my kids working with me. Not going to happen anytime soon. Thank for the link. I’ll check it out as soon as I get a breather. Can you believe I’m still getting things together for the trip? Ugh!
Don’t wait to check out that blog… you are in it. Have fun on your trip!
I love it! I’m using Margie Lawson Deep Editing as well and it’s so great. Enjoy your trip. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Splendid! Loved the Deep Editing class. I tore into this novel with that one. Moved right into Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues and starting the lecture package for Empowering Character Emotion. Great stuff!
I’m with Ted on the leading with ‘being dead sucks.”
The blurb is basically great, but it’s a little long, and you use Nara’s name a lot. Here’s my suggestion:
Being dead sucks. Being dead with no memory of how you got that way sucks worse.
Nara’s father told her to kiss a lot of boys and marry the absolute best. She remembers an amazing kiss, although that really doesn’t matter much now. There will be no marriage, no tomorrow. Not for Nara. The world continues to move but Nara remains trapped in her home unseen.
Maybe this is hell – watching your family fall apart up close and your once-best friend living the life you should have had, with the boy who was your boyfriend. Life is so unfair. But there may be hope… sometimes Nara thinks her little sister can see her.
Something keeps scratching at the inner walls of Nara’s memory, clawing to get out. Things are wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong. She needs to pull the pieces together so she can save her soul and move on. Before someone else gets hurt… or worse.
The story sounds fascinating. I’m sure it will be a big hit!
Hmm, maybe “who had been your boyfriend.”
I liked your ending line Kassandra. I agree that Nara was used too much. I think hell should be capitalized.
You are right, Ted. Hell should be capitalized here.
Awesome rewrite, Kassandra! So funny, I had…”Being dead sucks. Being dead with no memory of how you got that way sucks worse.” Then I changed it. Love that you and Ted took the challenge. I see great things happening. Actually makes me a little excited to work on the blurb. LOL.
Thanks for your fantastic input.
So glad my thoughts and Ted’s are helpful to you.
Safe travels!
So exciting–the story and your trip! I also really like your cover mock up. Hope you have a fantastic trip, Debra. 🙂
Thanks, Coleen. I know we’ll have a blast. I have the whole series of book covers planned based on the sisters craft and doodle. Of course, if I go traditional I won’t have much say in what happens. Makes me a little torn on this one for that reason alone.
+1 on start your blurb with “Being dead sucks.” Sounds like a great story! Have fun and hope you learn a lot on your trip!
Thanks Jennette. Sounds like I have a new start for the blurb. You’ve all been very helpful. Tameri and I are about halfway through our research trip and it’s been great so far. Hope all is well in your part of the world.
I hope you have a great trip Deborah. You will be missed! 🙂
Thanks, Karen. You’re the sweetest!