Joey Nichols

September Already?

Wow, where does the time go? Well school is back in session. Not just for my little zombies, but for me as well. My first semester was a fast paced eight weeks, but Geography is done. That was one rough course. Interesting, but so not my cup of tea. With just a few weeks off, between semesters, time flew by. I went camping in Zion with the family since I last posted and also had the opportunity to go visit with my Grandfather, aunts and uncles, and a handful of cousins for the Labor Day weekend. It was hard to come home, but alas, the turtle wasn’t going to feed herself and school was breathing down mine and the aforementioned little zombies necks. Creative Writing and Applied Finite Mathematics (aka Statistics) here I come!

On a positive note, I did get some writing in. About three decent chapters on a new story. I have no idea how to describe it other than to say it is a paranormal/urban fantasy-ish mystery with a smidge of romance. Love the word usage don’t ya? Well here is a clue as to one of the characters in the book….

Yep that’s right my dearies, that is a Book of Shadows. Ever need one in real life or for your fabulously fictional characters, then Brahm’s Bookworks just might be the place you are looking for. They have some awesome work. And I am using this fantastic piece as one model for a book belonging to one of the families in my new story. So, in between writing, working, school, kids, and all other manner of responsibilities that are on my list, I will keep you all posted as to my progress, no matter how slow it might be!

One Down…

One semester of several I still must face over the course of the next two and a half years. Two classes that I will be thrilled to have moved on from. Not that the classes weren’t interesting in their own right, but Geography is not my strong suit. Especially when the discussion tend to involve geopolitics. Prior to the class, I had no idea there were so many sub-fields. And Argumentative Essays? Obviously I enjoy writing, but to all the people who swore this class should be super easy since I’m a writer, I say waging a debate on paper is no where near submersing myself in penning a piece of fiction.

What’s next? A few weeks of reading some of the books that I said were on my nightstand. Zombies vs Unicorns can be scratched off the list. Interesting stories in that one. Plan to finish Uglies this weekend while in Zion and working on edits of my adult piece. Maybe I’ll take The Betrayal of Maggie Blair with me too. (Yes I’m ambitious)

Then it will be Intro to Creative Writing and Applied Infinite Mathematics and Statistics. Um….math? Yuck! I know, get it out of the way and the Intro to Creative Writing should be interesting and hopefully fun.

Well, I’m out. Time for the grind of the 9 to 5 day job, or in my case it would be the 7 to 3 job. Have a great midweek day. It’s all down hill from here. In the meantime, how about a little Modest Mouse?

Random Nightstand Picks~

My nightstand is littered with books at the moment. So many that I think I’m now somewhere in the upper thirties. Mind you this is just the nightstand and not the countless numbers of books on my bookshelves that still need to be read. However, right now I’m just going to grab a random five picks that I hope to get through over the course of the next month. If all goes according to plan, I will read the following titles and then some come August 31st. Since I am a woman of pictures, we will go by book covers and a small cover blurb of each for your viewing pleasure.

1. Zombies vs Unicorns – by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier

In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories.  Half of the stories portray the strengths –for good and evil –of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

2. Uglies – by Scott Westerfeld

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can’t wait. Not for her license — for turning pretty. In Tally’s world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally’s new friend Shay isn’t sure she wants to be pretty. She’d rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world — and it isn’t very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

3. Dead Rules – by Randy Russell

Till death

Jana Webster and Michael Haynes were in love. They were destined to be together forever.

Do

But Jana’s destiny was fatally flawed. And now she’s in Dead School, where Mars Dreamcote lurks in the back of the classroom, with his beguiling blue eyes, mysterious smile, and irresistibly warm touch.

Us

Michael and Jana were incomplete without each other. There was no room for Mars in Jana’s life—or death—story. Jana was sure Michael would rush to her side soon.

Part

But things aren’t going according to Jana’s plan. So Jana decides to do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true—no matter what rules she has to break.

4. White Cat – by Holly Black

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers — people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they’re all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn’t got the magic touch, so he’s an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail — he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.

Ever since, Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts crumbling when he starts sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He’s noticing other disturbing things, too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him, caught up in a mysterious plot. As Cassel begins to suspect he’s part of a huge con game, he also wonders what really happened to Lila. Could she still be alive? To find that out, Cassel will have to out-con the conmen.

5. The Betrayal of Maggie Blair – by Elizabeth Laird

In seventeenth-century Scotland, saying the wrong thing can lead to banishment—or worse. Accused of being a witch, sixteen-year-old Maggie Blair is sentenced to be hanged. She escapes, but instead of finding shelter with her principled, patriotic uncle, she brings disaster to his door.

Betrayed by one of her own accusers, Maggie must try to save her uncle and his family from the king’s men, even if she has to risk her own life in the process.

Admittedly, all of these books pique either the need for the unusual or the promise-to-be-a-good-read interest meter in me. The last one mostly because of its setting in Scotland, but it still has that paranormal element in it. Plus it was a book I’d never heard of so that was a double bonus for me! Hope it doesn’t disappoint.

So, what’s on your nightstand?

Fright Night Then n Now

I saw this trailer the other day and it brought memories back to watching the original, so I thought I would pot both trailers for your viewing pleasure.

New~

Old~

There is something about the original that always makes me smile. So I am curious to know how the new version stacks up against the old, because honestly sometimes classics shouldn’t be messed with. SO for now we will wait and see…

Daelyn Cross~ Character Interview

When I arrive at the café in the street level of Verona Towers, Daelyn is already waiting for me. The first thing I notice about her, besides the pink and black hair, is the eyes. They reflect the various shades of blue one would find in the ocean. All of them. I remembered seeing her with Phoenix and thinking her otherworldly. When I stepped up to the table, she jumped and knocked over her water, spilling it onto the sketchbook beside her. I grabbed a handful of napkins and started soaking up the water, but the waiter stepped in and took over.

Daelyn~ “Damnit.”

Joey~ “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Daelyn~ “No, it was totally my fault. When I’m lost in the sketch, I tend to be oblivious to the world around me. I hope you don’t mind but I took the liberty of ordering you the strawberry salad. You said it was your favorite when I suggested meeting here. My uncle should have it out to you shortly.”

Joey~ “Your uncle owns this café?”

Daelyn~ “Among other things.”

The waiter brings my salad out and Daelyn pushes a small bowl of crumbled feta across the table towards me. As I take my first bite, I watch the girl sitting across from me. She’s playing with a silver ring on her left hand and I recognize the Gaelic writing around the band, though the meaning escapes me.

Joey~ “Nice ring. What do the words on it mean?”

Daelyn~ “It’s a protection spell.”

Joey~ “You believe in magic?”

Daelyn~ “Don’t you?”

Joey~ “I’m a skeptic. I want to believe, but I’ve never seen proof of it’s existence.”

Daelyn~ “Then you aren’t looking hard enough.”

She reaches for the glass of water and I catch a glimpse of a tattoo.

Joey~ “Do you have any more tattoos other than the flowering vine?”

Daelyn~ “No.”

Shifting uncomfortable in her chair, she pulls the sleeve of her shirt down, hiding the tattoo from view.

Joey~ “Why a vine?”

Daelyn~ “As opposed to what? The typical tribal designs or branding myself with the latest trend?”

I glance at her hair, which screams teenage fashion trend. She smiles.

Daelyn~ “Totally doesn’t count. It was done on a whim and to piss off the foster mom.”

Joey~ “You lived in a foster home?”

Daelyn~ “After my parents died and before they found my uncle, or he found me. Not really sure how that came about.”

Sensing we were treading on shaky grounds, I went back a step.

Joey~ “Speaking of trends, have you seen Twilight?”

Daelyn~ “A few times thanks to Chloe. She loves the books and the movie. And before you say anything, let me throw something out at you….Jackson Rathbone….completely hot.”

Joey~ “Wow, a girl who isn’t Team Edward or Team Jacob? You are a rare breed. So you didn’t like the books?”

Daelyn~ “Totally loved the books, but the movie fell short of meeting my expectations.”

Joey~ “How many times have you seen it?”

Daelyn~ “I’m pleading the fifth.”

Joey~” What about boys?”

Daelyn~ “What about them? If you are asking if I like them, the answer is yes. Though my life is too complicated for them right now.”

Joey~ “I saw you and Phoenix a few weeks ago. You looked close.”

Daelyn glances past me, a blush creeping into her cheeks. “I have to go. Thanks for interviewing me.”

I turn and look over my shoulder to see Phoenix leaning against the dessert counter. He stands when he sees Daelyn and smiles. The chair scrapes across the floor and I turn back to her. She shakes my hand and gathers up her sketches and puts them in her bag.

Daelyn~ “Thanks again. It was a lot of fun.”

Joey~ “He does mean something to you.”

Daelyn smiles~ “Yeah, he does.”

She reaches the halfway point between where we sat and where the boy waits for her, when she pauses. The temperature in the cafe seems to drop drastically. I let out a slow breath and a mist fors on the air. No one else seems to notice but Daelyn, Phoenix, and I. Daelyn turns to me, eyes wide, skin pale, and her hair fluttering as if a breeze is passing through the building. Phoenix moves up beside her and though I can’t hear any words, his lips are moving. He wraps his arms around her and the coldness fades away. Keeping his arms around her, they walk from the restaurant and I’m left behind, dumfounded by what has happened.   

When she passes through the doors, I watch through the large picture windows, and watch as she hops into the back of an open-topped jeep, joining another couple. As she chats with the girl, I notice her demeanor has returned to that of a young, carefree teen, with little else on her mind but having fun. She sees me and waves, as though nothing happened, and the jeep pulls away.

Noble Online Book Release Party

Hey everyone, I hope you can come join my friend Rebekah L Purdy, on Saturday July 30, 2011 from 1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (EST) for her book release party for STAKING SHADOWS on the Noble Romance Readers Loop (which you’ll need to sign up for membership here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NobleRomancePublishing/

During her time slot/release party, she’ll be sharing excerpts from Staking Shadows, answering questions, and giving away some cool prizes. Every ten minutes of her scheduled time she’ll give away a prize: An e-copy of her YA Paranormal Romance/Dystopian story Staking Shadows (along with a necklace made by her friend especially for the book release), an e-copy of her YA Paranormal Romance My Dad’s a Paranormal Investigator: Seeking Shapeshifters, and a paperback YA Contemporary book entitled: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han.

In addition to the prizes she’s giving away, Noble Romance will give away 2 $10 gift certificates each hour and all attendees will have their name entered into a drawing for a Kindle, winner to be announced on Sunday.

And if you’d like Noble Romance is also hosting several other authors for their book release parties too! So you’ll have a chance to win fabulous prizes all day long!!!

Schedule for Writers:

Erika Sorin – 1 – 1:30
Rebekah Purdy – 1:30 – 2
Billi Jean – 2 – 3
Hot New Talent, Chris Lange 3-4
Martin Delecroix – 4-5
D.B. Moon – 5-6
Elizabeth Morgan – 6-7
Margie Church – 7-9

And if that’s not enough to make you go WOOHOO then check this out:

Noble is also having a Yahoo Group Subscriber Drive to bring new readers to their Yahoo readers’ groups. Subscribers to these groups can attend online parties, where they’ll have a chance to chat with favorite authors, meet new-to-you authors, read excerpts, learn about new releases, AND WIN A BUNCH OF REALLY COOL PRIZES. To make this subscriber drive more awesome, they’re holding a contest. All you need to do is:

1) Subscribe to the NOBLE Yahoo Group of your choice. Here are the links.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NobleYoungAdult/?yguid=357764957

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NobleRomancePublishing/

2) AFTER you subscribe, send an email to Noble, at give them the following information: Your name, the email address you used to subscribe, and the name, REBEKAH PURDY so they know who sent you their way (smiles).
If you subscribed to the young adult readers’ loop, send an email to

YahooReaderNYA@nobleromance.com
If you subscribed to the NRP readers’ loop, send an email to YahooReaderNRP@nobleromance.com
At the end of the month, Noble will see which author brought in the most subscribers. The winning author’s subscribers will ALL RECEIVE A $10 GIFT CERTIFICATE to Noble Romance Publishing or Noble Young Adult – Not Just Romance!

And here’s the best part: THE WINNING AUTHOR WILL RECEIVE A BRAND NEW KINDLE – and all their new subscribers will be entered into a drawing, and ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL RECEIVE A BRAND NEW KINDLE TOO!

*Contest open to U.S. residents, only. Only new subscribers are eligible to win. Sorry – no unsubscribing then re-subscribing allowed. Subscribers must stay subscribed for a minimum of one month to be eligible. Contest ends AUGUST 3, 2011; Prizes will be awarded by SEPTEMBER 3, 2011. Don’t wait. Sign up NOW.

The Muse

Hey everyone! Are you looking for my Muse post, either click on the page tab above that says the Muses or go here:

Joey’s Muses

Hope you enjoy this Muse where I write about the Fates, and the Seelie and Unseelie Fae. I believe this particular piece has planted a seed for a longer story, but only time will tell.

Zombie Haiku

This book is on my gift list for a friend of mine. It cracks me up every time I see it and well, it being a Monday I thought we could all use a little Zombie Haiku to set off the week. Enjoy and peruse this book the next chance you get.

Better yet, go to the website. There are fun things over at Zombie Haiku, like the fake poet Zombie Haiku. The Dylan Thomas one will now be my favorite quote, thanks for that Ryan Mecum! Looking forward to the new one he has coming out called Dawn of Zombie Haiku that should be out in September. The preview pages on Amazon are hilarious. Mecum has also written the books Vampire Haiku and Werewolf Haiku. I need to give these books permanent residence next to Max Brooks on my bookshelf!

Phoenix Davenport~A Character Interview

I like doing character interviews. Sometimes it feels strange because in essence, I’m interviewing the voices in my head and it leaves me feeling a little schizophrenic but it gives a clearer picture of the characters I’m working with for a particular story. I thought I would share one of the first from one of the series I’m currently working on.

Sitting Down with Phoenix~

Phoenix strolls in to the local Starbuck’s, an air of over confidence typical of most teenage boys, surrounding him like a cloak. He stops off at the counter, orders an iced green tea, and heads over to the table. A grouping of high school girls say ‘hi’ then giggle when he winks and slides into the chair across from me. He sets his sunglasses down between us on the table and settles in.

Phoenix-“Hey, sorry I’m late. The bike gave me trouble,” he says slouching down into his chair. “It’s Joey. right? Reading my dad’s handwriting is a lot like trying to work through my French homework. So, go ahead and shoot, I’m ready whenever you are.”

Joey-“Alright Phoenix, what is your favorite band?”

Phoenix- “Three Days Grace.”

Joey- “Favorite color?”

Phoenix- “Green.”

Joey- “Sign?”

Phoenix- “Wow, interview or dating game? Scorpio.” he smiled with a hint of mischief in his eyes. “What’s yours?”

Joey- “Leo. What was your most embarrassing moment?”

Phoenix takes a drink and smiles. – “Don’t have one.”

Joey – “Everyone has at least one moment of pure embarrassment.”

Phoenix- “I’ll share mine if you share yours.”

I shake my head and he  winks. Then with a smug look on his face, says “Coward.”

Joey- “Moving right along. What do you think your greatest weakness is?”

Phoenix- “If I told you, that would give you the upper hand now wouldn’t it? My father always told me to keep your weaknesses as guarded as pirate’s treasure.”

Joey- “Pirate’s treasure? Interesting. What do you think is your greatest attribute?”

Phoenix- “I think it’s a tie really, between my good looks and love of literature.”

Joey- “A soft side underneath all of that rough and tumble exterior? I don’t believe it. What’s your favorite classic tale?”

Phoenix- “I have a few. Shakespeare wrote great tragedies, though I am torn between Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet.”

Joey- “Both great works. What about art?”

Phoenix- “My father has a print of Chagall’s La Mariee, which I find quite fascinating, but really not much into artists.”

Joey- “What is something no one knows about you and why do you keep it a secret?”

He seems to close down at this question, a darkness passing behind his eyes as he squirms in his seat. “Something else you want to ask?”

Joey-“Why won’t you answer the one I’ve already asked? What would happen if anyone found out about it?”

Phoenix stands and holds out his hand. “It was a pleasure talking with you.”

 Joey-“I am sorry. Please, don’t go. I didn’t mean to pry.”

Phoenix laughed. “Yes you did. It is the nature of being the one conducting the interview.”

He hesitates, before resuming his seat. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

Joey- “What do you like most about where you live and least?”

Phoenix- “You mean Thorne Towers? Well, they are pretty awesome. Have you seen the sheer size of them? ”

Joey – “What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?”

Phoenix- “Well since we get so many of those around here, I guess it’s not much of a concern. If we did, I guess I would listen to music or play video games.”

Joey – “True. Do you get along with your dad?”

Phoenix- “I guess I get along with him as much as any kid my age does. He’s not tough on my brother and I, not since mom left.”

Joey– “Why did she leave?”

Phoenix- “Every family has skeleton’s in their closets. Mom couldn’t handle ours.”

Joey- “So she left?”

Phoenix- “Suicide.”

Joey- “I’m sorry.”

Phoenix speaks a little softer, the previous note of arrogance in his voice gone- “Jayden remember it more than I do.  Think I was five at the time.”

I’d unearthed a painful moment in his past and was sorry for it. “Thanks Phoenix. Sorry again about being so pushy.”

Phoenix – “No worries. You are an adult and a writer. Naturally curious I guess.”

He stands, shakes my hand, grabs his sunglasses from the table’s surface, and leaves. I watch as he passes the giggling girls again, but he pays them no mind this time. As I glance up, I see why. A young girl, gorgeous beyond most human standards, waits just inside the coffee shop door for him.

 Her hair is dyed pink and black, a style I am seeing more often these days. It works on her though, and with her hair swept up in a carefree twist, it reveals her facial features. She looks otherworldly. There is something about her that seems to glow, pull you to her. She has a vine tattoo snaking around her right wrist. He greets her with a hug that shows a  closeness deeper than one would expect at his age, but as he looks over the girls shoulder to me, there is a sadness in his eyes that breaks my heart. I wonder what put such sadness in those eyes. Was it this girl? More importantly, what was her story?  

To be continued…

What is True Zombie-ism?

I will tell you. Last night, after finishing up my homework, I popped in Zombieland to watch for the billionth time. (Never forget rules 1- Cardio and 2- Double Tap) While watching, I realized that besides the whole craving for raw flesh thing and incredible speed, I had something in common with the undead creatures. My brain is not functioning.

My first two weeks of classes are done. Time flew by and yes, the excitement is still there. After a few late nights though, I think that big mass of spongy material between my ears isn’t soaking up everything like it should. Perhaps its shock setting in. The grey matter has not been challenged in this fashion for quite some time. Whatever the reason, I know this to be true- nothing makes you feel more like a zombie than pulling a few late or all nighters. Even my beloved Rockstars can’t wipe the zombie haze from my head.

On the bright side, I’m getting an education. Plus, I still want to write while all of this is going on, so gears are still turning. I think during the course of school, I will limit myself to some novella work. I like novellas for a couple of reasons. Nothing beats a nice quick read, but even more than that, writing them can present their own challenges. Conveying a story in fewer words while hitting all your key points without making the piece feel rushed is an art. Fun, challenging, and artistic? What more could a girl ask for? Well I’m off to start outlining my first novella and to also rewrite my prologue for my adult piece that needs some serious work. Perhaps I will retest the zombie theory before the weekend is through.