Book Review: Umineko When They Cry Episode 1

In 1986, Battler-san rejoins his extended family after six years of being apart at a reunion on a private island. Rokkenjima Island is not as it appears, however, and their trip begins with the ominous story of a witch named Beatrice that lurks in the forest. While Battler doesn’t believe in witches, he can’t shake the feeling that something is off upon their arrival. While his father and stepmother bicker with his aunts and uncles about his wealthy grandfather’s inheritance, Battler renews his familial bonds with his cousins. But there is an evil overshadowing everything. More and more evidence begins to point to the fact that Beatrice is real and that the portrait of her hanging in the mansion is not a figurative representation. That’s when the witch’s messenger delivers a letter and the real mystery, and horror, begins.

Book Review: Thief of Glory

Young Jeremiah Prins begins his life in privilege in the Dutch East Indies. His family is affluent and served by the locals. All of this changes when the Japanese begin their imperial expansion and invade what is now known as Indonesia. Separated from his father and older brothers, Jeremiah takes charge of what is left of his family — his mother and younger siblings. The Japanese eventually round them up and put them in a jappenkamp where there is little food and little medical care. Jeremiah learns to find creative ways to take care of his family while waiting out what feels like an endless war. As more and more people die from lack of nutrition and disease, Jeremiah’s life becomes increasingly dangerous.

Book Review: Black Moon

No one can sleep. This is no ordinary case of insomnia in a few people across the globe. Millions — maybe billions — are dying of a disorder that has no name and no origin. It slowly became an epidemic, spreading to others without warning or cause. In this world where only a few can sleep, violence and madness are what is left for those still able to dream.

Artist Interview: John Carenen

John Carenen
Copyright John Carenen

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L. N. Holmes: “Where is your hometown?”
John Carenen: “My home town is Clinton, Iowa, an old Mississippi River town and the birthplace of Lillian Russell, the first sex symbol in the movies.”

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L. N. Holmes: “What is your chosen artistic profession?”
John Carenen: “My artistic expression is words, fictional, novel-length.”

Back to the Daily Grind: Goals, Mail, Coffee (Not in that Order)

I would like to be a light to others in many ways. A light illuminates one’s surroundings, provides a bit of warmth, and can enable one to move forward with confidence. As I travel through the unknown territory of the literary world, I hope to create a small path for those behind me that will make their own journeys — if only for a moment — a bit easier.

Flash Fiction, Magical Realism, Sci-Fi, Lit Mags?

While researching literary magazines to submit my work to, I’ve run into a snag. As expected, most of these publications have different submission guidelines. What I didn’t expect was how few of these took anything outside of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Some of my work does qualify for this — but not the majority.

The Battle for ‘Chick Lit’: Jennifer Weiner and Exposure Equality

Jennifer Weiner at Miami Book Fair International.
Photo taken by Rodrigo Fernández.

A New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Weiner has been battling big names for quite a while now. You may know her from her books Good in Bed and In Her Shoes — as well as from many other books, short stories, and articles. She is successful and knows the industry, which is why she is speaking out.

Jeff Koterba is Drawing You In

I had the privilege to attend a reading by Jeff Koterba today. He is a political cartoonist and an independent. During the reading, he mentioned that he disliked the current squabbling in congress and carefully chose his political commentary on an issue-by-issue basis. Witty and humble, Koterba has been a political cartoonist at his local paper for the past 25 years. He dedicated his book Drawing You In to his mother because she has clipped and kept every single cartoon he has illustrated from the paper to date.

Jeff Koterba
Copyright LeeAnn (Holmes) Adams a. k. a. L. N. Holmes

Notes for a Novel

So I discovered quite a bit when researching for my NaNoWriMo novel. I learned that chicken of the woods makes a good meat substitute, hence its name. I learned that Valerian root is rumored to help with insomnia among other things. Also, I reaffirmed the difference between a lamb and a sheep.

Researching the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a Setting

Photo taken by the U.S. National Park Service (National Park Service Digital Archives)

I am conducting research on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Tennessee Wonderland for my novel. It’s been a bit depressing seeing all of the endangered or threatened animals within a protected park. Wolves and mountain lions no longer live there and, while that may or may not make hikers safer, it is bad for the environment for two major predators to completely disappear. There are also invasive species — such as rainbow trout (the native is the brook trout) — that threaten native species and/or the environment.

An Abandoned Town: Writing about Wonderland

Photo by Brian Stansberry

I have found an inspirational and creepy setting for the novel I intend to write during NaNoWriMo. Excellent job, Jordan Liles:

NaNoWriMo Prep: Here We Go

For those who are unaware of one of the writing world’s greatest writing challenges, NaNoWriMo is the abbreviated nickname for National Novel Writing Month. The nonprofit started in 1999 and has been going strong ever since. NaNoWriMo is a challenge to the industry professional and the average Joe alike. For the entire month of November, the participant must write until they reach 50,000 words — roughly novel length. Those that reach this goal are “winners.”

Famous First Lines

I saw this quiz on the Algonquin Books Facebook page. It’s from BuzzFeed Books. The quiz makes you guess which book delivers the given first line. I was horrified to see that I only knew 8/15 famous lines. I have some serious reading to do.

Challenge yourself and take the quiz!

Flash Fiction Challenge #1: Death, Cake, and Teenagers

As most of you know, I am an avid follower of Chuck Wendig’s terribleminds blog. There was a flash fiction challenge posted recently where the participants first came up with a one sentence opening and then picked someone else’s opening line to create a story. I chose coolerbs sentence:

I Met My Goal of 60K Words A Month Ahead of Schedule

It was my goal to write 60,000 words by the end of October. Instead, I met that goal yesterday. I am still trying to figure out how this happened. I took a picture of it to prove it to the world.

Yes, it happened.

I also wrote a flash fiction story, a poem, conducted research on 30+ literary agencies, and have written at least one blog post every day since beginning A Vase of Wildflowers. I am going to wrap up my story within the next couple of days and then it is on to revisions. I am hoping prayer and hard work will be my ticket into the big leagues. Wish me a blessed journey.

You’re Not Awkward Enough: Losing the Awkward Author Photo Contest

So is it an insult or a compliment when someone votes that you’re not quite awkward enough? I had the privilege to be part of the Awkward Author Photo Contest on Chuck Wendig’s blog, terribleminds and ended up in fifth place out of the 63 participants. It was so fun, reading the comments left by the voters. I really appreciated the votes I received. The competition was fierce and downright hilarious!

I wanted to give a shout out to some of my personal favorites!

Artist Interview: Taylor Hayes

Taylor Hayes/Copyright Taylor Hayes Art

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L. N. Holmes: “Where is your hometown?”
Taylor Hayes: “My hometown is Roanoke, Virginia. It is about 2 hours north of where I currently live, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It’s not too far, but just far enough.”

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L. N. Holmes: “What is your chosen artistic profession?”
Taylor Hayes: “As a visual artist (visit Taylor Hayes’s official site), I work in mixed media, which basically means whenever I create a piece I use multiple mediums in overlapping layers. Sometimes those mediums are acrylic paint, pencil, pen, marker, collage, screen printing, you name it. I stick to 2-dimensional art for the most part and sometimes I play around with design but my main focus is on printmaking and painting.

Book Review: California

In the future, California has been decimated by extreme climate change. Parts of the United States are uninhabitable and resources are scarce. The government has slowly lost control, and people do whatever it takes to survive. Some cling to the old ways of life, trying to live in ransacked and looted cities, in denial of the dangers around them. Others, like Cal and Frieda, take their chances in the wilderness.

Fantastic Flora: Ideas for Fantasy Writers

My husband and I are opportunists. So when we got a member coupon for a plant at Mulhall’s, we decided to take a trip there and explore what was available. We were not disappointed. The magical selection of plants made me want to stroll along the aisles for hours.

I’ve decided to share the spoils with all writers — but especially fantasy writers — as a way to generate ideas.

I hope you enjoy them!

Mind Tricks: Avoiding the Sticky Trap of Procrastination

in medias res

As a writer, I am naturally curious. I’ve scrolled for hours on blog feeds, killed half a day interacting with people on Facebook, and devoted a great deal of time to industry research. When inside of a bookstore, it’s like I’m sucked into a vortex or a maze and can’t find my way out because there are so many traps keeping me inside (Neil Gaiman books, Marvel comics, books by emerging authors, and interesting Christian fiction titles). When I am at festivals — especially food festivals — I get caught up in the medieval magic of live, upbeat music and merchants hawking their wares.

Awkward Author Photo Contest: Yours Truly Needs Your Vote

The OTHER photo I didn’t submit./Awkward Author Photo Contest/Copyright L. N. Holmes

So today I was featured in the Awkward Author Photo Contest on Chuck Wendig’s terribleminds blog. I can honestly say that I am honored and thrilled to be part of this nerd clown contest. I am number 62 in the flickr album. I would really appreciate your vote.

Coffee Chat: A Writing Prompt

A mug I considered buying for my husband.

Yesterday, I met a new friend for coffee to chat and catch up. We didn’t have much time, as we both had busy schedules, but it felt good to focus on the important things in life for a while. During the conversation, I kept having to force myself not to reach for my phone. It wasn’t because I wasn’t interested in what she was talking about — on the contrary, it was because I wanted to look up the topics she brought up. But out of respect for her, I kept forcing myself to stop. This gave me an idea for a writing prompt.

Artist Interview: Mark Marshall

Mark Marshall/Copyright Mark Marshall Photography

As an attempt to support other artists — of any type — I will occasionally post some interviews of people who work in a particular artistic vocation. These interviews allow for a closer look into different artists’ lives and raises awareness for their talents. The first artist in this series is Mark Marshall, a professional photographer.

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L. N. Holmes: “Where is your hometown?”

Mark Marshall: “Wherever I live. Okay, originally Wilmington, Ohio. To be even more specific, it was a wide spot in the road named New Antioch, Ohio.”

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L. N. Holmes: “What is your chosen artistic profession?”

Mark Marshall: “My chosen artistic profession is photography and I generally do landscapes/ cityscapes but I also use the images I get to blend with scripture, poems, personal writings and quotes to express my views and outlooks on life.”

The Applejack Festival: A Poem

 

Applejack

By L. N. Holmes

The Remnants of Summer: A Writing Prompt

I cannot help but feel a sense of nostalgia and sadness when summer begins to meld with autumn. I try to look to the trees as they change their leaves in dramatic fashion instead of the flowers dying in their beds. The chilly weather is not a welcome long-term guest. The only thing that pulls me through this season toward the inevitable demise of winter is the availability of apples and pumpkins.

Here is a writing prompt for those who love summer as much as I do.