The distance

I heard that song a few times yesterday- we were out and about, had my mp3 player in the car. Mainly because Breezy found it for me the other day and asked me to put Bon Jovi on it. NOTHING else. Who am I to argue with a 3 1/2 year old?

(Especially one with exceptional musical tastes...)

As you know I'm writing again - right back in the deep end - letting Ellie tell me a story I've never heard in it's entirety before. I knew a little - enough that I wrote a book after the one I'm now embroiled in. What I didn't know was the detail - I didn't know how some things came to be.

Now the song, The Distance by Bon Jovi, holds some clues to parts of the story. (The giant blue eye ball gave you a hint!)

I'm finding the journey amusing, interesting, and at times quite uncomfortable.

The worst thing about the process for me, is not being able to say much - because you all haven't read terrorbyte yet.

And between terrorbyte and this story comes exacabyte.

It's kinda weird working ahead of what everyone knows. But then I'm from the future so it shouldn't make much difference to me! lol

Today is a filming day. I'm hoping the weather will hold long enough to pour of blood over Kane's head (god I hope this blood doesn't stain -too much) and down his face while at the river.

This will amuse on-lookers.

Or, someone will call an ambulance...

Which will amuse me.

I also need some other shots from the river bed area... they all involve lots of blood. Good fun.

And Chris has to get the damn knife. How many times do I have to ask? we know where it is - the only obstacle here is -- him not wanting to climb up into the crawl space in the roof. (It's where the weapons are, so the kids can't get to them - big freaking knives, swords, throwing stars, throwing knives, nunchucks, staffs, practice swords and I think some kind of blow dart thingy-whats-it? - my husband the ninja, has it all)

Maybe I'll write a book with a Ninja as a character just so he can dress in his black jammies again? (yes, taking the piss... I'm not about to write some martial art story - not with a straight face anyway. I'm still haunted by Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris.)

What else is new? Well, it's Sunday and I've been awake since 5:30 cos Breezy woke then. I managed to stay in bed until 6.

I'm about to have a shower (yes, you NEED to know that), because if I don't do it now, I'm going to start work... and then I'll end up at the river in my jammies - because time will get away from me and so will the weather.

Milly (the cat loving rabbit) has tossed her food dish - ah a rabbit with a temper. Well she can just eat off the floor - I'm not picking that mess up. I cannot be held responsible for her lack of opposable thumbs - she threw the dish by grabbing it with her teeth... she can pick the mess up with her teeth.. if she's smart (and it's doubtful) she'd just eat her way through it. (Those lucky feet of hers may find themselves hanging from my keyring if she carries on like this!)

Try and be good (or at least careful)... and let me know how your weekend is going!

One step closer

I actually had a really cool blog idea while I was working about half an hour ago, but it fell out of my head when Ellie started telling me about being trapped in a closet when a person came home unexpectedly and quite frankly that was more entertaining than my blog idea.

Gotta say I love Word 07. I really do. It rocks.

I'm sure that was one of those important things you all needed to know. So now you know. Consider your lives enriched.

I just checked my new notebook (slightly bigger than A5), and I've written 28 pages of notes in the last 24 hours.

Not bad.

Add that to the 6k I've typed.

Even better.

I spent two hours at kindy writing - outside in the freezing freaking cold wind. TWO hours. Ignoring kids even when they came up and asked me what I was doing. The only thing I didn't ignore was my child calling me when she was stuck on a climbing frame. (I'm pretty sure I would've reacted to any child who was stuck!) I tell ya, I was glad to get home... and warm. I felt kinda bad at tidy up time, cos I kept writing. And I NEVER do that. I always help tidy up. Today I was busy. Working while pretending I was in my nice warm dining room at my pc, instead of sitting on a wooden bench seat in the fucn cold.

I thought I was working on a new story. A little surprised, but it was okay. Turns out it's not new, but it is... since January Satellite has been languishing on my flash drive. It languishes no more.

I now have stuff happening. Lot's and lots of stuff!

Not telling you what - there'd be no point writing it if I started talking about it now.

Hope you're all doing okay and having a really good week.

You think the giant eyeball can't see what you're doing?

No really... I can see you. Might be an idea to stop doing that while you're reading. (just saying)

Tomorrow is Darling Beloved's birthday - today Breezy and I hurried off to the shops and purchased a few gifts. They're wrapped and awaiting the writing in the cards.

Either tonight or tomorrow morning I need to make a birthday cake - three layers. Probably do it tonight so I can decorate it tomorrow and not have to bake (that's the worst part).

Go me!

The evil bitch of the north (or the battle barge if you prefer) sent DB a card - amazing. He's been in trouble non-stop for everything as usual. He can't win, but at least he knows that. She's an evil game playing freak of a troll and quite frankly he's proven he has a great capacity to rise above her crap.

I really should be washing Breezy's hair at the moment - not writing this. It's quite wild and needs brushing and that ain't gonna happen without it being washed and thoroughly conditioned. We have to go to kindy in a half hour. Hmmm. Running out of time.

She doesn't look too interested in kindy today. We both have colds or the beginning of colds. We'll go because Squealer is going to try and walk to kindy by herself after school. Don't want to disappoint her when she really truly thinks she can do it this time. :-)

Also have to call the carpenter back. He was supposed to call before he came over to fix the lounge door but he didn't- he turned up unannounced and I was out. He left a sticky note on the front door. Bugger.

Work.

I sent the 'edits completed' terrorbyte back to my editor yesterday - she is still away and won't get it until she returns. I think she'll be rather pleased when she sees it. Now it's gone I might be able to get some writing done. That would be nice.

Especially as there are two Conway WIP's waiting for my return -and two waiting for a final polish. I've found myself thinking about the next one - Exacabyte - quite a bit over the last few days. It needs polishing.

I also need to decide whether I want to head back down the derivative rights road or re-write to make it unnecessary. Which wouldn't be too hard to do at all... and I think I can get the same effect by using the song titles (as I do anyway, in my books) for chapter titles.

The using of interspersed and occasional lyrics was to help show Ellie's state of mind - without overstating it. It works. But, with all the writing I've done lately I know I can show exactly how she's feeling and I can do it without the lyrics... it's just whether I want to go without them really.

Maybe I'll fire off an email to the parties concerned and decide later. (once everything is in place)

Fun.

I was going to upload short movies of Breezy at kindy today - but have run out of time... bugger! I'll try and remember later. (Don't like ya chances, just quietly)

Go here buy this.

Don't ask questions just do it! You won't be sorry.

rebellious readers!

My publisher has created a yahoo group for readers... (and us writer types too) you'll find the join button on your right >>>>> over there.

We'd love you to join and come and play with us. You can ask questions about our books - our characters - tell us what you like and don't like - find out what's coming next - generally hang out and have some fun.

There is a poll running on the prices of e-books at the moment. Have your say!

It's fabulous to have somewhere where we can go to chat and learn a bit more about each other.

Admittedly when I saw "Yahoo groups" I had a horrible flash back to the bullshit that used to eminate from that site. (and still lurks in the yahoo chat rooms - well it did last time I looked and admittedly it was not a recent look, and yuck!!)

But I have the utmost faith in Joan and the Rebel gang... and know this group will be a heap of fun.

It's some ungodly hour on a frosty freezing Saturday morning over here... it's really unpleasant to be awake!

But I have work to do -so work I shall.

Y'all have a great weekend. I'll catch you on the other side...

go join the rebellious reader yahoo group. I'll see you there later.

Latest nobtastic review and a catch up

Little Miss Breezy has started afternoon kindergarten - which effectively gives me 10 1/2 less hours at my desk per week! Crazy really... this is why I put off the whole kindergarten thing until now. (Terrorbyte is almost done - and I'm no longer up to my ears in revisions/edits)

Although on Tuesday afternoon I did get to be home alone for a WHOLE hour. Not really long enough to get anything done - so it's just as easy to stay at kindy and watch Breezy play with her new friends. (and make some myself... there are other adults, imagine that? Other women with three year olds. Unbelievable!)

It's become apparent that Miss Breezy is rather advanced for her age. Not really a surprise, she's the youngest child and around very articulate big people all the time.

I promised a new review... and you shall have it.

I got an email from my publisher (I heart her so much) containing an email with a link... nothing else. For a a second there that terrified me. Then the browser opened and I got to read... and the reviewer LOVED killerbyte. Whew!

Woot!!

ebook guru

Today the I start filming the terrorbyte book trailer... oh BIG fun!!

Have a nice day

Seems that's Breezy's favorite song at the moment - she sings it every chance she gets. We walk a lot so she has lots of chances. It's not just sung -oh no... she full on performs it with wide gestures and the Jovi facials.

About a month ago the song she favored, when out in public, was Billy Ray Cyrus's Achy Breaky Heart. She entertained about fifteen people at a bus stop (on a cold rainy afternoon) with her rendition of Achy Breaky.

I've noticed this trend to singing and dancing in public isn't going away as she gets older. No doubt she'll be entertaining everyone at Kindy too.

No clue what tomorrows song will be... (Thank you for loving me -is often on her internal play list)

Monday morning and all's well

Let me tell you about our weekend. (briefly cos Monday's are busy things)

A lot of you will know the Ball was on Saturday night - and the after-party too, and that I was helping supervise the 200+ kids. From midnight to 4 am.

We had a fabulous night, the kids (sorry - young adults) had a wonderful time. When thinking about highlights of the after party... I have a few to share.

Firstly the Boy Wonder - this is the second time he's introduced me to his mates recently (this time a new batch, cos obviously the others know me). This how it goes:

"This is my Mom, Cat Connor, she's a crime thriller writer."

General chit chat. Where the recipient of the news/introduction talks about how cool that is.

"You should buy her book!"

The other highlights were pale in comparison... I met TK (the young man who won the telethon big night in singing competition) - he is undoubtedly an awesome singer who will go far. And bless him - still isn't used to signing autographs and having people ask for pics with him. (Yes I did - got his autograph for Squealer and had my pic taken with him)

And then there was the general fabulousness of the party goers. It's only parties that go wrong that make the news, but quite frankly ones that are wonderfully organised (Jenny did a freaking awesome job with the organizing of the event) and run smoothly should get press!!

Rosanne, Megan and I had a blast. This was a party full of polite nice kids - who drank, and danced, and chatted and had fun. A few kids had too much to drink - but that was only a few and even they were quite happy in their drunkenness!

I got to bed about 4:45 Sunday morning. Yay for No Doze. Was up before 10 - three hours uninterrupted sleep. Fell asleep on the couch last night but woke in time for NCIS. (oh what an awesome episode that was)

This morning I had an email form my publisher (I heart my publisher, as you all know) and when I can I shall share our super cool news. Yes that's right there's news a coming...

Now it's kindy time... damn it!

I have to go spend two hours playing in the sandpit... life is tough. :-)

The giant blue eyeball interviews Lee Pletzers.

The giant blue eye Ball and I would like to welcome New Zealand horror author Lee Pletzers to the blog.

First, Lee, you need to know basic emergency procedures should the giant blue eye suddenly flutter those lashes. (It’s akin to hurricane strength wind) In the event of a flutter please grab hold to something solid and hang on for dear life. It’s usually over fairly quickly – especially if you don’t hold on.

In case of a blink – well – it was nice knowing you.

Now that we have the emergencies covered let’s get to your writing.

1. I’m in rather a fortunate position here, having read an earlier version of your latest release, The Last Church – not everyone is so lucky. Would you be so kind as to enlighten the readers and share a bit about The Last Church and it’s setting?

Lee: First off, hello giant blue eye ball and to you too, Cat. The Last Church is an old fashioned slasher story with two timelines. The near future (2014) and the very distant future (2368), where technology has advanced, convenience is sweeter, drugs are deadlier, we’ve had a hostile encounter with aliens and the earth is governed by a single president. Not to mention, the world is on the brink of war instigated by a regime known as the German/Arabian Front. The future is not a Utopia.

In 2014 Peter is the man. Every wish of his fulfilled. Twenty years earlier he stumbled upon The Devil’s Wish Book, followed the instructions and created a ceremonial dagger from blood and an altar from the pit of Hell.

Every wish he wants can be gained by the spilling of blood and the collection of a soul. Peter has a lot of wishes. All the souls are locked inside the realm of the dagger and when it is his time to give his life, his soul also ends there also. This is his Hell. All those he destroyed are aware of his presence.

2368. A group of archeology students on a dig, enter a time slip and come into the year 2014. They find Peter’s home, are attacked by demons and one student Rachael finds Peter’s dagger and decides to keep it. Barely escaping with their lives. They enter their time frame two weeks later and WW4 has started. Attached by the German/Arabian Front, Rachael cuts herself on the dagger releasing a torrent of blood soaks Peter and fills the dagger’s realm.

An escape route appears, a tunnel of light. A tunnel for Peter to bring to the future a dagger and a powerful desire. A wish to introduce a prince from the realm of Hell into a world where Christianity is near extinct and no one has the power to stop him.

There is a lot of detail on my website: including advanced reviews.

2. As a reader: Is horror your preferred genre and who do you enjoy reading the most? As a writer: Have you always written horror? What is it about horror that captures your attention? (as both a reader, movie buff, and writer)

Lee: About 70% of books I read is horror. The love the genre. 20% would be thrillers and 10% would be fantasy/SF (although that percentage has been increasing recently). I am always asked, “Why horror” and I guess it comes down to a sense of excitement that well written horror, can give you. It is the build up to the act that I like the most. In movies, I love the gore and well played characters. In books, the gore is not needed as much -- we do not need blood flowing over the page; dripping to the edge of the page is enough.

Some writers go for the shock value, where I like the build up, the tension, the knowledge that shit is going to happen, but you don’t know where and when.

“Have I always written horror?” Yes, but they also included a mix of SF and present day. I’ve been blending genres before I knew what genres meant. When I was 9 and 10 years old, my friend and I couldn’t grasp the subject Social Studies, so our teacher sent us to the Jungle Gym in the play ground to write a short story. I usually wrote about vampires and sometimes my stories were read out in class. This cemented my need to be a writer, unfortunately there was zero support at home. My caregiver said, “You’ll never make any money being a writer.” Fuck, I had no idea she’d be right. LOL.

But I love it and I guess I’ll never stop.

3. How do you feel about chainsaw wielding maniacs, and ill-favored chicks with angle grinders? ( And are they scarier than the driving over the Akatarawa Road?)

Lee: That damn road was a nightmare. I would much prefer running from leather face than driving that road on anything other than a 4X4. Winding single lane roads are NOT made for two cars!

4. On that note – why do people always run down the middle of the god-damn road in horror movies when being chased? I’ve always wanted to know –it drives me batty – so I’m hoping you know.

Lee: Running down the centerline is good for cinematic view and gives the gives the chaser a sure target, all they have to do is follow the broken white lines.

Actually, I don’t know.

5. Describe yourself without using the word awesome. J (If you know Lee you know he is indeed AWESOME.)

Lee: It is near impossible to answer this question without using that fantastic word. LOL. I am not your average run-of-the-mill type of person. Ever since I was a kid, I liked reading and watching scary movies, King Kong (3D B&W), Godzilla, The Omen. At seven years old, I penned my first story -- no plot, no problem (as NANOWRIMO states) and when I was 14 I got a holiday job and spent the money on a typewriter. It lasted eight years and hundreds of moves. Even as a traveling salesman my typewriter came with me.

To be quite honest, I was a lazy writer (back in the day) and only wrote when the need arose. I wasn’t disciplined until I made my first short story sale back in 2001. Since then I’ve been going hell for leather trying to catch up and having a blast all the way.

I have two novels coming out this year from Black Bed Sheets Publishing, a small press in the US. I have over 40 short stories published and I review for HarperCollins and Hachette via SFFANZ (Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand), of which I am a member. I am also a member of AHWA (Australian Horror Writers Association). I have edited 4 anthologies, worked as editor and reviewer for Sinisteria horror magazine; I have translated one novel from Japanese to English and one novel for an Australian writer.

My website.

My blog.

My reviews.

6. How do you create your characters? I know myself that all sorts of things can spark a character not the least of which are people we’ve come across in life. As much as I try not to use living people as my character models, it does happen. In The Last Church you have a character called Ami, who seemed rather familiar to me… is she based on your real life wife, Ami. (That would of course explain the familiarity.)

Lee: I’ll answer the Ami question first: Being a strong supporter of my writing habit, Ami asked if I could put her in a novel. She didn’t care if I killed her off and only had one line in the story, she just wanted to be in there. So, I added her. Almost the real her. I had to adapt her character to fit the story.

“How do I create my characters?” I don’t. Not really. I think about the current project and a name pops into my head. The name matches the part the character plays in the story. The name must match the character.

I have come across a few “how to create characters” sites on the net. They say roughly the same things: Name, age, height, appearance, discerning feature, favorite things they like to do, and not do. Their habits, backgrounds (some want full details, others only want stuff that can be related to how they perform in the story). More questions asked regards family, attitude, personality, traits etc. Personally I think this is a load of shite. A lot of people get into world building and character building and that’s fine if you are working on an Epic novel (Kevin J Anderson comes to mind) or a series (Dune anyone?) , but for me, I can’t put much worth into going through all that. I like to get on with telling the story. And surprises along the way are fantastic.

7. Is The Last Church your first published novel? If not – how many others are out there for our reading pleasure/terror. What are you currently working on?

Lee: Yes and No. How do you like that answer? Actually, it is my first professionally published novel. It was originally Self Published via POD as Re-Entry of Evil and it caught the attention of Nicholas Grabowsky, who now owns a publishing business. He has two of my books: The Last Church and The Game.

My current WIP is called, Genesis 2.0

Based in New Zealand. Wellington: Earthquake 9.0 strikes. Earthquake damages instruments in a secret lab. LHC Portal explosion. Many people dead. Abdiel, exiled by God, returns. People he kills awaken as zombies with thoughts and a cunning awareness and sense of Army order.

Adam (MC) befriends two teenagers and takes them under his wing as they search for a Civil Defence area -- all are empty so far. He decides to travel into Wellington central and try to find a CD area there. Someone is following them. One night, he spots her stealing food and water. She runs. He lets her go. It is up to her if she wants to join them.

On their search, Adam starts noticing a change in the people he encounters and comes face to face with Abdiel and some very intelligent hunting zombies. An army is being built.

Once again, brother must face brother in a final confrontation where Earth will become Hell and Eden a fantasy land. But the explosion has created something else...Genesis 2.0.

I am also reediting a novel looking to cut 6000 words at least so it will fit into publishers guidelines. I would like to get it around the 95,000 word mark, but this novel has been edited several times. It was originally 132,000 words. Now it is 106.000. This title is called: The Armageddon Shadow.

8. Do you write at a set time/ for a specific amount of time etc every day, or go with the flow as the mood strikes? When you’re working in a novel – do you outline or wing it? Do you write the story from the beginning or jump about working on whatever scene you fancy and tie them up later? (I’m a winger – but I always write beginning to end.)

Lee: I like to write when alone or when the wife is asleep (she’s asleep while I write this). I need to have full concentration when I sit down at the computer and start writing. I never go with the flow or write when the mood strikes and I don’t believe in going for a walk or taking a break when the Muse is pissing about and not giving me the words. I always force my way through, knowing the Muse will pop back once I’m on the right track.

I wing it usually and have different ways of writing when it comes to short stories and novels.

With short stories, I find an anthology and theme and stat writing. I just blogged about this actually. The blog describes a way to get the words on the page, especially if your not too sure where to go. This is how I get my short stories underway. This system could be used for a novel but I don’t think it would work for 100,000 words.

With a novel, I wing it again. I start with a central idea, for example: a dude sells his soul and becomes a slasher that enters the future, and go from there. The idea for Genesis 2.0 was very simple, an earthquake, CERN, LHC explosion, portal created, add characters, go from there.

It’s not the most advanced system out there and there are a few writers (real writers with many titles under their belt) that write books on writing, and some of them are very good and I recommend all writers to read the books. If you take only one thing from that book, then it’s worth it. Writing is a life long learning passage, and hopefully we get better as time passes. I also recommend writers to watch the movie: Finding Forrester. Fucking fantastic movie.

9. How do you approach editing and do you enjoy it? Do you refer to drafts? Or versions? (Draft to me implies a sketch or summary not a fully fledged story -so I tend to have updated versions rather than first draft, second draft etc.)

Lee: My completed draft is the book. It is the core and the life of the story. I just tidy it up a bit, check spelling, reword some sentences and that’s it.

I recently stumbled upon the secret to editing well. Read the story aloud. I had heard this before but never gave it much thought. Usually I finish a story and then let it sit for a couple of weeks, then edit it and tidy up and wait another week and then read it again. If good, Ami reads it. She’s a great second pair of eyes. But the other day a few weeks ago, I was at the deadline of an anthology and the edited said if I wrote the story and got it to him in 24 hours (and if it blew him away) then the story would get in, somehow. 24 hours for a short story. Not a long time. So, I wrote the story using the words on paper system and finished in one day. I gave it a few hours rest (mainly for my fingers) and then edited it by reading aloud.

It’s an amazing way to edit (and the story was accepted) and I do that now for all editing. Novels as well.

10. When is The Last Church available and where can we purchase it?

Lee: The Last Church is due out September 1^st. It came be purchased online (Amazon / Barnes and Nobel / Fishpond and Trade Me (for NZ readers) and in several Indies stores, it can be purchased through a link on my site (click the last church cover), and I will have some signed copies to give out.

I’d like to thank you for dropping in Lee and letting me bug you with questions!

And that’s all folks!

Keep an eye out for The Last Church.

Kindergarten

Today was kindy day.

Kindy.

Oh the joy.

I'm rather hoping kindy will curb the imaginary friends who have gotten out of control.

We got home -I made coffee - turned on PC to discover PC wouldn't start up. Went into melt-down recovery mode.

I'm not impressed the fuc'n thing is only a few weeks old. AND I don't want to have to deal with Honey at Noel Lemmings EVER again. (Yes that was his name, I kid you not!)

If worse comes to worse I'll go to Noel Lemmings Lower Hutt and tell them I can't deal with morons and ask them to fix the problem. It's the same company after all.

Meanwhile I'm moving all my photos and files to the external drive again. Can't be trusting something that decided not to start for NO reason!

Now where was I?

Oh that's right, Kindy.

Breezy started slow, preferring playing with me than talking to anyone. And fair enough too. Then this child stomped on her sand castles... I told the child that doing that was mean. Breezy and I built another one. The child edged closer with the stomping feet.

Breezy looked her in the eye and said, "Don't even think about it!"

That was the point at which I realized she'd be just fine on her own at Kindy next week.

From that point on Breezy had a new friend. They played in the sandpit for ages allowing me to back away a bit and sit and watch. Then without so much as a backwards glance they charged off together to play somewhere else! Marvelous.

I dragged Breezy away before home time - while the kids were on the mat. So I could make sure Squealer was on her way to meet us. She had to walk down the road her school is on to The Boy Wonders school then turn the corner, and then turn another corner - about 5 houses along that road is the Kindy. It's in plain sight.

Good thing I did leave early. I spotted Squealer and her specialness walking the wrong way down the street. I'd said turn left on Thackeray street... she turned right. (and insisted she didn't need written instructions, yeah right!)

By the time she heard me calling her and Breezy added special instructions like, "Walk to me, Squealer. Turn around, cross the road..." The Squealer was crying.

She'd been taunted by a bee and gone the wrong way!

God help me.

The Boy wonder commented, as we walked home with him, that Squealer will never be able to go anywhere alone. I think he may be correct.

Guess I'll be walking her to Intermediate next year, even though it's just around the corner. (Yes I sighed!)

Right off to decide on dinner... bacon and eggs I think. That was a bit too easy!

copyright infringement?

I read a blog this morning that contained several pictures that by themselves are probably fine. BUT the person who created them is intending to sell them on cafepress as merchandise.

This is where things get sticky.

Using song titles on anything for any reason, just fine and dandy as they are NOT subject to copyright. (nor are book titles, movie titles, etc- a wee note here: although titles are not copyright - cover images are.)

Using a logo that does not belong to you. NO!

Using song lyrics, excerpts from novels, lines from poems, quotes from movies, on something you intend to sell - NO!!

The tricky thing is, that with books there is a certain amount of 'fair use' - available. If you pull a line or two from killerbyte I will probably let it slide - (as long as it doesn't end up somewhere without being credited back to me! But heads up people - it's polite to ask! I rarely say no to polite people!)

"FAIR USE" DOES NOT APPLY TO SONGS OR POEMS. You must have permission from the copyright holder to use lyrics.

Which means dotting your I's and crossing your T's, and finding the right lawyer to ask about licensing the right to create derivative works.

If it's song lyrics you want to use, then here is a good place to start. ACE title search.

If it's poetry or a book, contact the agent, publisher, or even author. It says in the front of most books who owns the copyright.

Consider this a public service announcement.

Copyright law is long, involved, and tricky - it's always better to err on the side of caution and ASK for permission. Don't assume it's okay - and do not SELL anything that isn't ALL your own work - unless you have the legal permission you need.

This goes for book trailers too - I would love to be able to use a certain Bon Jovi song for my up-coming trailer. But because I didn't get onto it earlier (I probably don't have enough time now to get the permission - or not!)

I'll find something else. :-)

Are New Zealanders really that stupid?

The debate in our house this morning is about stupidity.

Ya see I currently have two copies of killerbyte up for auction on www.sella.co.nz for Kids Can stand tall telethon - both have a bid on them (a whole dollar). I mentioned this to Chris.

His opinion is - "It's because NZers don't get e-books. And why would you buy something that you'd have to spend $1400 to read?" - he was talking purchasing an e-book reader here. Then he said, no one at his work got it when I sent out emails saying killerbyte had been released.

hmmm - not exactly a representative group. I happen to know there are people at his work who can't open their own attachmetns, can't remove labels from books, and need someone else to push print for them. Yep - real bright!

Now, my arguement is that people do get it - for example the mothership got it just fine and grasped that she could read killerbyte on her PC. And did.

People read on their iPods, iPhones, blackberry's, palmpilots - ya know, things they already have.

Laptops are fairly portable, hence the whole laptop thing.

So why would people think they HAD to have some special reader device?

Help me out here people -prove that kiwi's aren't stupid and do grasp the concept of e-books.

I would've thought they'd sell like hotcakes here because regular paperbacks are OVER priced. It's normal to spend upwards of $30 for a paperback. When an e-book is well under $20 (talking NZ dollars here) and its instant. There's no waiting. No driving. No malls. No trying to find a car park... given longer I could fill the page with reasons to buy an e-book. :-)

Just saying -I don't think as a group kiwi's are as dumb as they're being made out to be but some proof would be good.

(Admittedly I cannot grasp why e-book readers are so expensive, technology is cheap - and e-book readers are just that- readers - it's not like they make calls or coffee!)

2011
Because this post is being searched so often I'm going to update it.

Kindle is now available at our local stupidmarket and from Dick Smith stores here! Amazon's whispernet is fully supported in NZ.
I bought my Kindle in the USA while on a trip and bought one for Action Man for his birthday this year... NZers do get eReaders. I was right. (That's important, people!) Okay it took a few years for the technology to be fully embraced but by God it has been!!
What was wrong with Chris's argument... is what he now knows, his former place of employment was NOT a representation of New Zealanders at all. Quite the very sheltered opposite. (similar to a sheltered workshop in some respects!!)
He now works for a real company - and crikey - people who READ.

And for your entertainment.

Exacerbyte is currently number #5 on the Mobipocket suspense thriller best seller list. People get it!

Also - if you'd like... book depository is still the cheapest place to buy my paperbacks. (No shipping charges and last I looked the books were NZD$23.00 approx.)

Oh, and because Kiwi's GET IT - I released a collection of short stories in solely eFormats. (ePub included) You can get it here for a whole dollar!

Pretty?

The blurb is up over at Rebel e Publishers website.

I shall now pop the cover in here ... maybe

Oh look it worked! It's a miracle.

Now you can see what I meant a few weeks ago by the cover being awesome and even more impressive than killerbyte:

but don't they just look fan-fuc'n-tastic together?

Groovy huh?

Cover and blurb, and soon to be released... pretty cool.

As for other news. killerbyte was submitted to the Epic awards today. That was exciting... lots of rules and it all seemed rather confusing but I managed to cope with Paypal so - yay me!

While filling in competition entry form I ran into a block fairly quickly... I didn't know what GLBT was. But I had to check a box regarding it... took a bit of googling then could check no with confidence!

I can't see me ever checking yes - although I did have to think twice about the girly man cop... does he fit into the GLBT thing? But no, if he does - he kept it his little secret. :-)

If you haven't seen the new review it's here at Unbound.

Now I have to go do some work. see you all later!

Hot and heavy with the blogs at the mo!

God knows what blogger was thinking earlier this morning - but it screwed up big time and did something very odd with the text and font.

Not to worry.

Today is sunny - SUNNY. Do you know how long it's been since we've had SUN? Feels like forever (actually I think it was last week... I know it was sunny in Christchurch on Thursday - possible here too).. moving on.

Now - this made me smile, and has given me a much needed boost today. (I'll explain the need for a boost in a cotton-pickin' minute, patience!)Pop through the link (pretend you're Alice) and read the fabulous review killerbyte received. >>> Unbound

And if you haven't already go buy it! I mean, really, folks -what are you waiting for? (This is where I announce a price drop by the way - so you can pick up killerbyte for under $10 - that's a total bargain! - if you have an iPhone or iPod touch you can pick killerbyte up for $5.99 through iTunes)

Now ^ up there somewhere I said I needed a boost... yesterday the bottom fell out of my day somewhat and I realized I was losing the plot. I could not figure it out. The reason became quite clear this morning. It's August.

August! Next month is September.

Terrorbyte is in the second round of edits - and hurtling toward a release date. I have story- boarded the trailer but apart from organizing the few things that I can film without help - I'm not even close to having a completed book trailer.

(AND I saw TV advertising for Christmas - like I need that - they seem to start earlier and earlier every year! Fuc'n Christmas adverts in August - it's just ridiculous!)

I haven't been able to work(write) for what feels like weeks. With one thing and another - mainly child/family related - I can't concentrate. No matter how loud the music is!!! God know's I've tried to block it all out with a wall of noise. (Thank god for an understanding neighbor!!)

I have two WIP's both clamoring for my attention - plus terrorbyte, plus the next book - exacabyte. A friend of mine is working on a tie-in novel, which quiet frankly is very cool but I'm no where near being able to work on that with him. Basically I'm trying to keep everything else at bay and just let terrorbyte be foremost in my mind (and exacabyte - because whatever we change, tweak, etc in terrorbyte has to be reflected in exacabyte and it's easier if I make those changes and/or notes now while it's all fresh.)

So anyway - I couldn't be happier with the new review of killerbyte. It made my day much brighter!

Here's hoping terrorbyte is as well received.

The big night in telethon

That's right people it's telethon time.

I have managed to overcome sheer stupidity and list two copies of killerbyte for auction - all proceeds to The Big Night in telethon.

Now don't let me down... this is a very good cause.

The joy of killerbyte being an e-book is - well we're not limited geographically... and you get a choice between the mobipocket version or the PDF.

So get over there and start a bidding war!! Go on.. you know you want to. Yes you- no point hiding, I can see you reading this ya know.

:-)

Something has gone horribly wrong in blogger and I can't edit the broken link.

This one hopefully will work.

killerbyte - telethon

Stick to your guns.

I pulled a CD from the rack on my desk and chose the blog title at random... the CD is New Jersey. And the song couldn't be more fitting.

My last blog recieved quite a lot of attention -seems it's not only amusing (me ranting like a loon) but also not uncommon a topic.

Sad reflection on the world that so many people relate to how badly people do their jobs and how schools are run (or not run).

Moving on - for fear of being trapped forever in the bad place that causes me to down red wine like there is no tomorrow! I have attempted to turn the spell checker option on - but it's chrome and doesn't always work. I am in no frame of mind to be proof reading myself. (gotta think you'll just have to live with the dreadful screw-ups today!)

This morning (actually last night) I thought - 'hey would be cool to give away a few copies of killerbyte to the telethon this weekend?' This morning I cleverly read the note in my day planner that said 'find out how to donate some books.' I scoured the TV3 website... to no avail. But discovered I can follow them on twitter - ah ha! Follow I did -sent a tweet that they forwarded to the telethon twitter people.

Awesome I thought - here we go.

There was something about using sella.co.nz - so I went and had a quick look. I have no clue how a person is supposed to list stuff there. Confused (and suffering brain - almost wrote Brian - freeze. ) I twittered them back asking for help.

Hopefully someone will help!!

I really would like to support this telethon - Kids Can is an awesome cause. And considering the SHITE I've had to put up with from our school -I'd like to make a difference.

As for the rest of the day - went to visit Bex. Cos Caedy text this morning and said "I want to see you." - I love that he does that! He's so damn cute. So we shopped. I got the kids some treats and sent Bex into the second hand book shop to get some books. She was sadly lacking in reading material- she's read everything I've given her at least twice. (we're talking a lot of books)

I've haven't done any work - I think my mind is stalled. I want to write - I really would like to use this down time to work on Satellite. (or even Torrent) But so far I've been harassed by stupidity and it makes it tricksy. Okay so Nana dropping dead, and Squealer being sick, and now Josh being sick - isn't helping... Breezy is being - 3, which I am finding decidedly unhelpful. She's capable of turning the computer on, opening Mozilla, typing in an 'n' and choosing nicjr.com from the list that appears... she can then play all the games unaided and turn the pc off when done. The problems arose when she wouldn't turn the pc off!!! Now she tells me to turn the timer on so she knows she has to turn it off! - Which is great, it gives her MORE time to act up in other ways - refusing to get her shoes, hiding, not wanting socks on, not letting me put her jacket on... in fact, you name it she does it at the moment.

Oh how I wish she could go to morning kindergarten. Or even school. (but not THAT school) Everyone keeps asking if she's at school yet. And look at me oddly when I say she's only 3.

Did I mention I am cooking a hunk of beef so BIG that I needed to put it diagonally in the roasting pan? I am. I am cooking it tonight and it looks like I won't need to cook for the rest of the week. It's THAT big. Smart huh?

Okay so peeling and cutting veges to cook with it - with a torn cartilage in my wrist was less than a stellar idea!

This morning Kane came to my rescue with strapping tape - mine was finished. Thank god for my super cool next door neighbor. :-)

I have to get some more. I failed at that this morning, The stupidmarket we went to didn't have any! What that?? Come on people get it together.

Time to turn the veges over -you're off the hook - you may commence praising Allah. (I don't advise you to do that at the airport AFTER commenting about the lack of security on an internal flight... just saying.)

Be safe... smile - it freaks people out almost as much as the airport/Allah thing.

What the buggery bollocks is this?

Prepare yourself for a wee rant!

Once again the freaking primary school Squealer is at has pissed me off. I despair of the stupidity involved in the running of the school I really do.

I hoped (obviously foolishly) that the new principle would make a difference - umm - no.

Still the idiots in the office are hanging up on me when I call to say Squealer is sick - BEFORE they find out what is wrong with her. Wouldn't ya think with Swine flu an' all they'd be a little more interested in what's going around???

AND now this is the BIG thing. They're not passing the information (limited though it is) to the class teacher. SO - she has big gaps in the role with no explanation -despite me making damn sure I call the school when the child is sick. Which makes it look as though I don't care if she's at school or not.

Do they fuc'n think I want her at home? I mean really she's got a list as long as your arm of interesting conditions that all mean I get NOTHING done when she is here. She ain't called Squealer for nothing ya know!

Apparently there is no documentation to support her being sick so often... what the fuck does that even mean? They know she is asthmatic (among other things) - do the math people it's flu season and she's asthmatic... ohh thats a hard one, wonder why she's home sick so often???? ummmm .... oh hang on - is it because her parents do not enjoy spending time in hospital with a seriously ill child so prefer to nip things in the bud?? Could it be good parenting at fault? Do ya think?

I know. Let's blame the parents for the child being off sick (and not the disease ridden school environment) and then make it their fault no one knows what's wrong with her. Even though the office staff habitually hang up before I can say - she has a cold, or she had an asthma attack, or sore throat or whatever it is.

And to the Minister who closed the school we LOVED and left us with no choice but to use THIS crappy school - you'll get yours, because the universe will see to it.

I do not want to deal with this school ever again. I don't quite know how to get around it. It seems a shame to consider home schooling Breezy (when the time comes) because she's a social, happy out-going, normal kid - who is rarely sick. And will probably so extremely well no matter how crappy the school, office staff, principal, and teachers are.

We've had our fair share of crap teachers at this school - currently we have a good one, but it's not helping - us any. The office staff need to wake the fuck up and start listening to parents and passing messages on to teachers.

I can only imagine how great it will be next year when Squealer is at intermediate. Wish we could skip it and go straight to college at least there the school on a whole CARES. They ask questions, listen to the answers and know who you're talking about. (which is pretty impressive as there are nearly 1000 kids at the college -I think.)

Okay over it!

Well I'm not really- because I'm sick of going through this shit every winter - and NOTHING changes. Squealer still gets sick. The school still doesn't care and doesn't pass on messages. And I still hear this shite from the class teacher because of the office staffs inability to do a simple job.

Open all night

That's certainly how it feels these days.

There are not enough hours in the day - it's a frequent complaint from me. I doubt it'll change any time soon.

It's Monday tomorrow - ah the joy. I am expecting to have Squealer at school all week -that will be nice. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm not expecting any more funerals in the near future - that will also be nice.

Today I spent sometime re-vamping Ellie's Myspace page. She now has a picture not a cartoon. See pic on the right: - this is where I hope it showed up!! lol

Let me assure you all she is indeed a blonde, and always has been. Let me throw a few quotes in here from killerbyte...

Quote:

“Mobil on Gallows Road in half an hour. We’ll meet you just inside the main entrance.”

“We?”

“Me and Ellie.”

“Ellie the blonde chick you had coffee with at Borders about a month ago?”

I spoke, “Hey Davy, and yeah, that Ellie.”

And later...

Quote:

I hadn’t recognized the cloudy dead eyes I’d seen earlier. He was dangling from a tree, partially obscured by branches and I didn’t get a good look. I knew the next time I saw him he’d look fabulous. It amazed me how morticians could make the dead appear as if they’re simply sleeping.

“Lane McNab.”

“He was supposed to be me?” I knew him; he wasn’t a big guy and was a few inches shorter than me.

“Yes, he was. We had him wear a cap like yours with a long blonde wig under it.”

***

So you can see, Ellie is indeed a blonde.

What else- not a whole helluvalot actually. Been working on the story boarding of terrorbyte today. It's kinda fun in a major brain ache kinda way. I condensed 32 possible scenes down to 12. Or so. It's not final by any means. And then there are still shots - seemingly random images that are in fact very important. I made headway. Hopefully it'll all work out. Whether or not I can get hubby back on board remains to be seen. He was all gun-ho about book trailers then just stopped. I'm still waiting for the re-vamped killerbyte trailer that he was 'supposedly' going to do. (and before you ask -yes he does read my blog and none of this is news to him! lol)

I think I have a headache. I mentioned earlier to Mac that there was a possibility of my head exploding - looks like I was correct. I expect brain fluid to pour down my nose any second... better than have it dribble from my ear.

Oh and Sara announced her 2-book deal today so now I can say - woo freaking hoo!! Go Sara! You rock. (Imagine if Ellie and Troy ever met... that would be hilarious.)

Well that's about it really - apparently the Squealer is not asleep (it's 10 pm) she just came down for an antihistimine. Which she took.

Goodnight you lot - try and behave while I'm asleep... please. And make sure there are some really awesome blogs for me to read when I wake up! That would be great - thanks.