Research

Those who have read The Whisperer of Storms have remarked on the amount of research I've done.  Here's a list of some of my sources.

Gypsy Magic by Patrinella Cooper  http://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Magic-Romany-Spells-Fortune-Telling/dp/1578632617
Gypsy Witchcraft and Magic by Raymond Buckland  amazon
Adventures of a Psychic by Sylvia Browne  amazon
Psychic Children by Sylvia Browne  amazon
Don't Kiss Them Goodbye by Allison DuBois  amazon
Crossing Over by John Edward  amazon
ESP:  Fact or Fiction by Terry O'Neill  amazon
The Annotated Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen/David M. Shapard
The Jane Austen Handbook:  A Sensible Yet Elegant Guide to Her World by Margaret C. Sullivan:  amazon

One of the best places to look in the library is Junior non-fiction.  It's direct and gets to the point.
England (Enchantment of the World) by Carol Greene:  amazon

Online sources:
Gypsy Names  Ilona means beautiful one.  Mirela means admirable.  Zale means power of the sea.
Romani-English Glossary

Last but certainly not least was an interview with a clairvoyant.  This individual is psychic under hypnosis.  I was skeptical myself as I listened to this person's extraordinary life.  That was until I started reading the books listed above and finding common similarities.  The human spirit is truly remarkable.

Veronica

Inspiration

The Whisperer of Storms started out in my head as fan fiction. That's the reason why I chose this fall for the book release.  I debated even putting this story down in writing.  My dream was to publish a book, but how could I do it without permission?   

It was Memorial Day weekend of 2005 when I saw The Revenge of the Sith.   Many Star Wars fans hated the prequels, myself as an exception.  I think I got more involved in the story and the music.  I saw The Phantom of the Opera movie later that summer.  I realized the Phantom was very much like Darth Vader.  One line summed it up ... 

“The tears I might have shed for your dark fate…grow cold and turn to tears of hate!”

One day a few years later, I had an epiphany.  I had enough to create my own characters in my own setting.  Rather than have it be a space opera, I’d make it into a historical fiction.  I loved Regency novels, so I decided to set it in 1800s England, when it was still ruled by the British Empire.  There were many Star Wars characters with English accents.  Plus, many of the movies were shot in England.  I named my protagonist Hope.  It was unconscious on my part.  I didn’t even think of the title of Ep. 4 when I named her.  Hope needed to have the power of the Force, so I made her clairvoyant.  I have an Anakin/Darth Vader inspired character, in addition to an Obi Wan.  Of course my lead male character, Hunter, is a bit of a scoundrel.  I needed to have a little bit of Han in him.
   

I look back now and am bewildered how I came up with all of it.  Now here I am in the advent of The Force Awakens with the release of my debut novel, which started out as fan fiction.  It’s funny how you never know where inspiration will come from … or where your imagination will take you.  

Veronica      

The Day Is Here!

Finally!  October 27th is here!  The Whisperer of Storms is now available:
Amazon in Kindle and paperback
Barnes & Noble Nook
Smashwords in various eBook formats
CreateSpace in paperback

I've received positive feedback from three people who read advance copies!

The Whisperer of Storms Book Trailer

Kindle

The Whisperer of Storms is now available to pre-order on Kindle.  The release date is October 27, 2015.

This upcoming week Laura Shinn will be working on the paperback cover, so hopefully I'll have it uploaded on CreateSpace soon.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Veronica

Uploaded to Smashwords

I just got my debut novel uploaded to Smashwords and am now taking pre-orders.  I am planning an October 27th release date.  Check it out here:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/576293  You could even read the first 20% if you like.

Kindle and paperback are soon to follow.  The print cover should be done by next week.

Happy reading!

Veronica

The Whisperer of Storms Cover

My cover is finished!  Thanks to Laura Shinn. 

Cover Design by Laura Shinn Designs

Uncharted Waters

It is a book!  I sent my manuscript off for editing earlier last week.  She smoked through it over the weekend and gave me positive feedback!

I'm also on the schedule this week for cover design with Laura Shinn.  I am looking forward to seeing what she comes up with.  Laura is a wealth of information for self-publishing and I am very grateful I found her, thanks to Mark's List!  In the meantime, I'm reading the Smashwords Style Guide to prepare me for formatting, in addition to setting up my Smashwords, Createspace, and Kindle accounts.  My goal is to be published before the end of 2015.  Preferably before the holiday rush!

Veronica      

A Child's First Teacher

The other day, I assisted a handicapped gentleman in a wheelchair into a local business.  Even though I was in a hurry, I took the time to hold the door for him, and made sure his chair made it across the threshold.  I didn't even get a thank you out of him, though I wasn't expecting one, but I was certainly greeted with warmth from the staff members.  Most of all, my youngest saw that I helped the man and asked me about it.  I explained to her that we are supposed to help those in need.  There are little rewards, even if it's setting a good example for a child.

I am happy to say that I finally finished The Whisperer of Storms!  It consists of 50 chapters and an epilogue.  I am currently making arrangements to have it edited.  In the meantime, I've been working on a book trailer, reading up on eBook formatting for Smashwords, and thinking about a tentative release date.  Once the editing and formatting are completed, I'll have a better idea for a release date.  I am considering doing pre-orders,which I will set up once I set a date.

For my next book, I have two stories to choose from.  Both are contemporaries, which will be much easier to write than a historical.  I won't have to worry about when a phrase was coined, or when something was invented.  Since I now know what I'm doing, my second novel should take much less time to complete.  I have to stick to writing everyday.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Veronica

Pure Imagination

Yesterday, I had two comments from two different people that made me realize how much time writing takes.  I visited a friend whom I hadn't seen since October.  She said she didn't see me much anymore.  I always use the excuse that I've been busy.  Kids, school activities, the library, house work, and helping hubby out with farming are always good excuses.  I never mention that I've been busy writing.  I always feel a little guilty not talking about writing, but I find it's easier to talk to strangers and online acquaintances about it.  The second was a question from my eldest.  She asked me why I never bake anymore, except for school and church functions.  My answer was simple.  The time I would spend in the afternoon baking, I use for writing instead.  She proceeded to ask me if I would bake more when I get my book published.  I replied I probably wouldn't, since I'll be writing my next book!  The poor kid!

I wish I could see my time clock for the totals hours I've spent researching, plotting, writing, revising, formatting, etc.  Writing is a lonely business, and I think it's for those who don't mind being alone at times.  I remember my mother used to voice her concerns that I liked to spend a great deal of time alone.  No worries, Mom.  I'm was just exercising my brain and storytelling muscles.

  I recently saw Josh Groban and Lindsey Stirling's video for Pure Imagination.  This should be a theme song for all writers.  Josh has a beautiful, powerful voice!  Skip to 1:40 to get to the song.

As the school year comes to a close, I am busy editing and formatting my manuscript.  It's starting to look more like a novel. 

Veronica

#ForPaul

I saw The Fast and the Furious 7 today, even though I haven't seen 2 - 6.  It was the first Paul Walker movie I've seen since his death.  The theater was quiet as the end credits rolled.  Afterwards, as I was driving home, I caught a glimpse of Heaven . . .       

A picture is never as good as the real thing, but I still had to pull over to snap a few shots.  The afternoon had been sunny, until the clouds rolled in, which was shortly after the movie.

  

I have to commend the filmmakers, and the Walker family, on persevering during that difficult time.  As a writer, I have far less worries than a movie director.  I could continue to write in the case of an untimely death, and I've, in fact, done so.  Losing the lead cast member is another story.  Caleb and Cody Walker did a wonderful thing stepping up to help them complete filming.  I thought they all did a great job, and made a beautiful tribute to Paul.

I have to wonder how the original script played out.  I noticed that Paul wasn't in many scenes in the beginning; therefore, I'm assuming those were the unfinished scenes that they had to modify.  I really couldn't tell which scenes had his brothers, but I think it was those where he didn't have much or any lines.  The only time I was aware of CGI enhancement was a closeup.  He looked almost otherworldly, but I thought it was a fitting scene for it.  I'm hoping they'll reveal more about the revisions in the DVD extras.

I've heard many people complain about how people react when a celebrity dies or has an accident, but no one cares when a commercial airliner crashes, taking 150 lives.  Of course people care!  The thing that divides a celebrity from the main stream is people know who they are.  There's a recognizable face to the statistic, many times bringing with it public awareness.  What's more, a celebrity can touch many lives.  Not only by their work, but by their charitable efforts.  They not only donate to their choice charities, but they form charities, and also get their fans involved.  I've provided a link to Paul's charity Reach Out WorldWide.

In closing, I recently read someplace that the most coveted role Paul Walker auditioned for but didn't get was Anakin Skywalker.  I don't know if I could have ever seen him in that dark of a role.  For me, he was the light shining through those dark clouds.
#ForPaul


Veronica     

A Little Food for Thought

Who would you feel safer with?  An experienced pilot with a dead engine, or sharing the road with someone that drinks/texts and drives?  I vote for the one who looks out for the safety of others.

Mr. Ford has a long road to recovery.  He deserves some respect and support rather than jokes.

Veronica  

Script To Manuscript & A New Language

I got some good advice from a Writer's Digest webinar to finish my novel.  The guest speakers' advice was just get it done.  It's not going to be perfect.  Move on to the next book.  Writing improves the more a person writes.  At this stage of the game, it was the best advice for me.  I'm nearing the completion of my second draft, which is gradually morphing from a script to a manuscript.  I have far surpassed my word goal.  Now, I just have to put the finishing touches to it, in addition to writing the cover description.  This perfectionist needs to remember that it's never going to be perfect; therefore, to stop allowing that mindset to hinder it's progress.  I have to eventually "Let It Go".


What are you reading?  I'm learning a new language - sheet music!  I have never learned how to play an instrument, and I plan to remedy that.  I recently discovered YouTube violinist Taylor Davis, and came across her early video:  Taylor Davis Theme from Schindler's List   I have always been a fan of the great John Williams, whose music is frequently playing while I'm writing, and decided after watching this video that I wanted to learn to play his masterpieces.  I would like to learn both the piano and the violin, but it seems that I'm catching on to the piano faster.  Books are also a wonderful resource when learning to play an instrument.  I find I remember better what I read on paper, plus I can learn at my own pace.  I just have to remember not to get too consumed with it that I fall behind with writing.

I hope Old Man Winter is being kind to you.  Have a great weekend!

Veronica

Flight of the Butterflies

A wonderful story about completing a life-long journey.  I recommend this one.  It's playing now in IMAX.

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!  I hope 2015 will bring you joy, good health, and success.  Have you made your 2015 resolutions yet?  Last year, I resolved to finish my first novel, The Whisperer of Storms.  I'm happy to say I have finished the story, and surpassed my word goal, but I still feel that it needs improvement.  I believe I could easily accomplish those improvements over what's left of the winter.  My resolution for 2015 is to self-publish my novel on paperback and eBook formats.  If all goes as planned, it should be available on Amazon and Smashwords sometime this year.

I wish you the best in your endeavors and goals of 2015!

Veronica