Filling in the Spaces

It's been a long while since Nate and I took the time for one of our "Writers' Night Out," but tonight we did. D. Nathan Hilliard (Nate to his friends) has published another book, Shades, Eight Tales of Terror and I've gotta say it is one of the scariest. If you're into old time, down-right, sit on the edge of your seat stories...this one's for you! 

We discussed the constant changing of the publishing world, the fonts that are on covers, the new way of thinking as being a writer, and our love for writing. Everything else was laughs, shared stories, and getting caught up with each other during our six-month pause. 

Ahh, what a good evening and great company. 

Happy Trails,
Cherri

Shades: Eight Tales of Terror

D. Nathan Hilliard and his "Shades: Eight Tales of Terror" is one of those books that will keep you looking over your shoulder. It gives new meaning for *things that go bump in the night*. You can find it on Kindle or if you prefer print, it's a available as well. 

 Within these pages lurks a cast of phantoms who have returned from the grave with a vengeance. You will find no friendly ghosts here, just eight deathly horrors with their own personal bones to pick with the living. These are the ghosts of our nightmares. Whether driven by madness, vengeance, pain, bloody evil, or primordial rage...they are all specters that are as dangerous as they are frightening. So get comfortable, get that night light ready, and find out who survives and who doesn't in this anthology of the baleful dead. Stories within include...

Death and White Satin - A young bride-to-be unearths the wrong wedding dress and discovers that horror and madness can echo down through the decades.

An Echo of Blood and Mirrors - A young man is surprised in the boy's bathroom by the head cheerleader. But things quickly take a turn for the worse as he discovers she's on the run from a triple murderer who has been dead for over a century.

Dance of the Ancients - Three lawmen search for a missing state trooper on a hill doomed to disappear under the rising waters of a new lake. Fearing the worst, they find something even worse than they feared.

A Memory of Me - A night spent in a forgotten graveyard lands three college boys in a situation that none of their classes have prepared them for.

Legacy of Flies - A young woman discovers she is the heir of a vast family fortune. But she also finds her inheritance comes with a ghoulish legacy that may very well be the death of her.

Storm Chase - A hurricane approaches and Bernie March's wife is standing down the hill beside the tractor he needs to bring in ahead of the storm...exactly where he buried her three years earlier.

A Singularity of Purpose - A callous young punk discovers that returning from the dead isn't just the prerogative of humans when he finds himself in one last desperate race with the dog he tormented in life.

A Long, Cold Forever of a Night - On a humid July night, a middle-aged couple find themselves alone in a deserted rural intersection...with the deadly phantom of a high school classmate who died in an ice storm decades earlier.

My very favorite story of all was created for his cover; "A Long, Cold Forever of a Night". This one will get you for sure! 

Happy Trails, happy reading--
Cherri

Writers' Night Out x's Three

Cool Beans! Diana Driver, D. Nathan Hilliard, and I spent a good portion of the night and wee hours of the morning at Denny's Restaurant doing what we do best. Discussing the world of writing and our works. 

First, let me introduce Nate's latest: SHADES: The Mushroom Man. If ever there were a story that revvs up the "creep value" on a short story--this is the one. Here's an excerpt: 

Finding a body in the backwoods of a city park, Tamara Quail is about to make the most serious mistake of her young life…and just maybe her last.

Faced with a choice between doing the right thing or following her muse, she decides on the latter. Now she discovers that something has followed her home—something that is relentless, heartless, and anticipates her every move—and that something intends to make her pay the ultimate price. Time is running out, but Tamara is trapped by the worst of all nightmares…a nightmare called the Mushroom Man.




Seems like my group of friends are quite prolific and keeping up with them is, how do I say, at times intimidating. But, I shall prevail. HA! 


Diana has released her Ninth Lord of the Night novel and has also put up one of the cutest short stories--a "cozy mystery" to die for--The End of the Tour.  


Another close friend of mine, who happens to live on the other side of the planet, is Vicki Tyley. Her novels are written mystery in the finest, with all the flavors of Australia, her home. Want to sit up all night reading a book you just CAN'T put down? Try Brittle Shadows. It's a gripper! 

I have some news of my own, and will announce it soon--it's all in the timing, ya know. lol! So stay tuned, because I'll be lighting some fireworks!! 

Let's raise our glasses high for these fine writers--
Cherri

Writing To Be Read

Last night, D. Nathan Hilliard and I made it to Denny's Restaurant, our usual hang-out. We decided this week on Saturday night instead of our usual Sunday, so we'd be free to stay home and watch the Superbowl Game. :D 

We brainstormed on his latest, The Mushroom Man, and gotta tell everyone--this is one high-creep-factored short story! I loved the ending. This is all I'm going to say on this for now until he gets it "published" on Kindle. So watch for it folks, should be going up this coming week. 

I'm almost finished with Intrigue in Italics by Gayle Wigglesworth. Her mysteries will delight you with prose, with laughs, with travels abroad, and a need to want to get your hands on her next novel. I tip my cap to you, Gayle, you've delivered another great read! "Tea is for Terror" is also by Gayle, and that's the one to start with...then read all her others. :>) 


And Diana L. Driver's Ninth Lord of the Night is so captivating, you'll swear you can hear the buzz of gnats and mosquitoes. Her elements she's included in her novel will literally sweep you away into Guatemala, losing all time being absorbed in this fantastical novel. 


If any of you haven't read, Vicki Tyley's Brittle Shadows, you are missing out! It's the 3rd in her installment of "mystery-most-deceptive" and I can't wait for her next book.  xxx 


Okay gang, finally gotta mention my own two short stories, "Halo and Holly" and "Yesterday's Chance" ;)  And for a GREAT murder mystery, read my "Impact for Murder" where once again, German shepherds rule. 


For those of you with Kindles, or Kindle for PC, head on over to Amazon and find some pretty decent reading for yourself on this Superbowl Sunday day! You won't be disappointed!


Enoy the game, the day, and some of the finest writing by some of the finest authors out there,
Cherri
 

Discombobulated Muse!

Nate (D. Nathan Hilliard) and I had a really good session for our Writers' Night Out. Much was discussed currently about our works in progress. Funny how we found out that we both literally write by the seat of our britches, stringing one scene together after another. Sort of like watching a movie streaming in your mind (with all the characters talking right-out-loud and all-lol).  

Nate told me about a scene he's working on about his "dog people" and what their emblem is--can you feel my hands tightening around your throat, Nate?????? It got to me! 

My muse has been whispering about story lines for future books constantly lately and is doing a pretty good job of distracting my train of thought on the novel I'm currently in the middle of. (the first half has already been edited--just needs another set of eyes to find the logic bombs) She keeps shooting these fantastic ideas at me for future work and, I've gotta tell you, they're pretty dang good. Now, if only I could hush her till I've finished this one! Sweet little thing is quite discombobulated--just like me! 

This flu crud has sucked just about all the energy from my body for this day, so I'm going to say good night and wish everyone --

Happy Writing,
Cherri

A few hours of sanity

This evening, D. Nathan Hilliard (Nate) and I stole a few hours at Denny's. For me, this was a godsend. I've been couped up too long in this house and getting out, being around people re-newed the ol' muse, giving her just the right amount of umph she needed. 

We brought our laptops and set up at our usual table. The waitresses, Lauren and Sarah were there to take special care of us. They're the best. Then we got down to business...real business. The side of writing writers dislike with a passion. The "business side" that drains inspiration right out and deposits it on the floor. BUT! We're both doing fairly well. Especially Nate--he's climbing the ranks and making good on his word that all of this is for FUN! And from his totals, he's having quite the good time! Way to go, Nate!!!! 


We brought to the table our thoughts on ebook pricing, the way print is disappearing without a trace, and how we're able to keep up with other authors we've met along the way in various avenues and are remaining friends. (NOT on fb--I personally feel FB is a social cesspool. {{{shivers}}} ) 


Tomorrow will be an exceptionally busy day for me, so I'm putting on my gown and headed to bed. I'll have my Kindle with me for the day tomorrow, then Tuesday it'll back to the grind. Looking forward to this coming week as rain is in the forecast. Please, let it bring in some more cool weather! 

Sending a big wave from Houston,
Cherri

Striving For Balance

Since my husband's been away in L.A., I set some goals. Split between writing like crazy and catching up on the always climbing TBR stack. Well, I've succeeded in both, making sure that the writing has priority. But the outcome on the reading front has been pretty impressive also! 

Just finished Vicki Tyley's "Sleight Malice" and must say it captivated my attention from the first sentence to the end. WAY TO GO VICKI!! Good story, really good! The ending surprised me -- which didn't follow the standard rules of formula, but did, if you think really hard about it. I loved the twists, the characters (Desley's quirks and good hearted reasoning will endear this woman to your very core)--so strong, and the elements of plot. 

D. Nathan Hilliard has done it again and recently (very recent) uploaded "Shades: Wind and Dark Waters" which I wanted to put the pic up, but for some strange reason won't let me copy it. The cover is dynamite though! I'll talk to Nate later today and find out why it won't let me grab the cover and once we figure it out, I'll post it on my blog.


In the meantime, I'm rolling in Becky McAllen's world. She's exciting, filled with life, and is going to make some really tough decisions -- especially when she finds a young woman hanging upside-down from a tree, bled out, just like fresh-shot deer. 

May your day be bright and cheery,
Cherri

 

Shades: A Memory of Me

D. Nathan Hilliard has just released another novelette titled, Shades: A Memory of Me. 

This too, is a winner. One more of his ghostly stories that'll scare the pants off of you! 

Be sure to have the lights on and make darn sure that the doors are locked. (yeah, it really is that scary!) 


And we shared another great writers' night out at Denny's. Met an interesting young man tonight who has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen. Hi Matt. And for our pleasure this evening, our waitress, Lauren, kept us adequately filled with our liquids of choice. Thank you, little lady! 


I had way too much sugar and became more silly by the minute. For a diabetic, I try to do all the right things, but sometimes you just have to cave a little and splurge. (the 'hot shot' didn't kick in soon enough! haha)  Besides, Nate and I were celebrating both our releases coming out in the same week! It was worth it! (and now everybody at Denny's knows what I'm like drunk on sugar--at least I had a good time! lol) 

Otherwise, all is good. Tomorrow, it's back to work! 

Keeping my fingers crossed for rain this weekend--

Cherri 

My Take on Publishing

From this writer's viewpoint, I'm watching an enormous treasure chest flung wide open. Gold, silver, and precious gems spilling out all across the oceans for readers. 

To me, this is like offering children free reign to the world's largest candy jar filled with every sweet imaginable. And I'm one of those kids. 

I have more books on my Kindle and Sony ereaders filled with independent writers than I do with traditionally published authors. Why? I've discovered those fine jewels and are gobbling them up. 

I've become a follower of writers like D. Nathan Hilliard, Joe Konrath, Zoe Winters, R.J. Keller, Christy Pinheiro, Amanda Hocking, April L. Hamilton, Rex Kusler, and Moses Siregar III...just to name a few. My taste for books cross almost every genre. I enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing. 

Know how I found these tasty morsels? Two ways--one, by word of mouth; and the other (which is my favorite), was perusing Amazon Kindle Books...for hours. I go to a genre, and when I see a title I like, I look closer at the cover. Then I read the synopsis. If I like the synopsis, then I buy it (if the price is right). 

If you look at the box about mid-way down on the page, there's an area marked "customers who bought this book, also bought..."  Now, that's word of mouth! And the suggestions genre-hops. I like Amazon's idea of openness. Yeah, I like Amazon, too. 

Reviews mean nothing to me. You see, I'm quite capable of forming my own opinions. And NO, I will not ever write a bad review. No matter what. If I truly didn't enjoy the book, I move on. Why waste time voicing my opinion on something I didn't particularly care for? Besides, one wo/man's trash is another wo/man's treasure. 

If you made it this far through my happy diatribe--good. I strive for compromise and harmony whenever I can. Can't help it, it's in my nature. 

What I don't tolerate is the constant disgruntle-ness, disrespect, disturbing and other dis's out there--slamming the choice a writer chooses to publish. 

A couple years ago, publishing choices were limited because of stigma placed on self-published or Indie Writers. Now, this stigma is quickly fading. It's nothing for an author to have multiple publishers. Quite a few writers have been doing just that for ages. Some use pseudonyms to keep their publishers straight, and some use pseudonyms to write in different genres. Most publishing houses want their writers to be loyal only to them as exclusives. Sheesh, who really thinks they can "own" a writer? 

Thank goodness publishing today offers a much wider spectrum for authors. Indie writers today have become more savvy than ever before and are taking full advantage of their options. 

So what brought me to write this novel of a blog? The stigma I keep hearing towards Indie Writers. I have noticed in the past month more and more traditionally published writers popping up, talking about going to Kindle boards and forums, picking up on what the Indies are doing to market and promote their work! What??? Yeah, it seems the trends have certainly changed? So why are the traditionally published backstabbing the Indie Writer? Because they are floundering. 

Publishers should be worried. The Indie writers' works are turning out to be the cream...rising to the top. They are no longer the exception, but are turning into the norm. 

Yes, I am published by a small press and I'm an Indie Writer! My whole goal as a writer is to be read.

It's a brave new world out there folks!

Cherri