Friday, November 04, 2005
Welcome! Soon enough it will be Thanksgiving and I can't wait! This is the first year in a long time I will be home the following Friday-but alas! I will still be working on my latest novel for NANOWRIMO.
I want to say CONGRATULATIONS to my October drawing winner, Sharon Jessen, for her helpful comments on Knave's Mark. She received a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate! But how did she win this, you ask? She read my monthly selection and responded with some constructive criticism and her name was drawn. That's all you have to do to be in contention is to send me an e-mail with your suggestions-but sorry. I am not going to give you a selection for this month or next. No time to worry about that with the holidays coming up. But I will resume my give-away program in January and if I forget-you remind me! Otherwise have a wonderful Turkey Day and don't eat too much!
You may e-mail me anytime by clicking here
~No more rejections received yet for "Knave's Mark". Have to send some more manuscripts and queries out!
~I continue to pound out a novel for NANOWRIMO and am currently on track for that. If you don't know what NANOWRIMO is, please scroll down and click on that link as well.
~I am beginning to look for an agent to represent my work(s). I will be working on this with a friend, but if you have any suggestions, please let me know!
As always, I am not responsible for the content you might find on other's sights. I am darn certain the only thing on them that will scare your kids is the pictures of my brothers and I from the 80's.
Check out the scary stuff going (especially the 80's pix of me and my brothers) at:
www.3bpictures.com
A snowflake saved my novel!! Check out award winner Randall Ingermanson's novel-saving snowflake process. It makes that dreaded outline fun! Sign up for his monthly e-zine-it's funnier than mine!
www.advancedfictionwriting.com
Another Panora writer:
www.bethferree.com
Panora Area Writers (PAW) (won't be updated until after this Wednesday's meeting)
panorawriters.blogspot.com
National Novel writing month
www.nanowrimo.org
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Wednesday, October 05, 2005
It's E-zine time again and October is the month for ripe apples and pumpkin pie!I only got TWO responses last month to my Knave's Mark selection, so now I have resorted to bribery!
Every one who sends an e mail here with comments/suggestions after they have read this month's selection will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate.
To find out how to get a "raise" from your Boss, click:www.gmyboss.blogspot.com
I can't imagine why you wouldn't want to be unsubscribed from this witty and charming e-zine, but if you do, click here and put "unsubscribe" in the memo line. If you have friends and relatives you would like to share this e-zine with, please do so-but they will need to click here and put "sign me up" in the memo. To go to my permanent website click www.publishedauthors.net/katebrownfisher/index.html
So scroll on, fearless readers! Send me your comments and enter yourself for a $10 amazon.com certificate. I will also give you a signed copy of "The Ruby" that you can give away or hord for yourself! Happy Critiquing!
~I got my first rejection letter on Knave's Mark! I am excited, because as Bilbo Baggins said, "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your own door.." If I didn't get rejection letters it would mean I'm not doing anything. So if you want to get rejected, start writing fiction! In all sincerity, it was the nicest rejection letter I've ever received. NEVER GIVE UP!
~One of my writer friends has convinced me to participate in NaNoWriMo. What is that, you ask? Click the link and find out for yourself! Good luck if you decide to do it! www.nanowrimo.org
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
PART 2 Critique Corner "Knave's Mark"
The spring morning was undoubtedly perfect as Jafril rode north. Blossoms sprang from nearly every tree, white and beautiful. Their very fragrance floated in the air, tickling Jafril’s nostrils as he and Winder trotted ever so carelessly through the forest onto DunMyer’s land.
“I believe we are becoming better acquainted.” Jafril patted Winder’s neck and took a long drink from his leather canteen. The old horse paid no heed to his master and slowed to a gentle walk as the underbrush grew thicker. The forest seemed to wrap them in dark arms, bringing them into the center of its ever darkening depths.
Winder cut through the fresh grown grass that gave way willingly like men subjecting to their king. The thought of the royal figure lying in his bed ailing brought to mind Mordes’ words. Royal blood. Jafril’s eyes darted to his birthmark. It would do no good to wonder anymore about it now. He had more important things to do. If DunMyer had taught the skilled Mordes how to fight, Jafril felt blessed and grateful to have the same instruction.
Jafril began to hum softly, slowly. He missed Peldrid terribly and the songs she used to sing to him. Often, he would look up at her and there would be tears streaming down her angel-white face in the deeps of night. It troubled his heart having to leave her, but she wanted him to go. She had given him the fuel for the fire of his dreams. Jafril’s mind wandered back to the birthmark. Would Peldrid hide such a secret from him?
The smell of blossoms gave way to the heavy scent of budding green leaves and new life of ferns. A twig snapped nearby. Winder startled, bucked, and sent Jafril to the ground of the forest floor with a hard thud. Jafril called to the horse, but Winder bolted away through the forest out of sight.
“Winder!” He wasn’t sure if the horse could not or would not hear him, but he was galloping through the dense foliage at break-neck speed.
Jafril stood, defeated and brushed off the dirt and twigs. His sword had come out of his scabbard during his fall. As he reached for it,he felt the cold steel of a blade pressed at his throat. The little sunlight there was in the forest glistened off of the shined and sharpened metal.
Jafril’s astonished eyes fell on a man, clad in armor, the blade of his small sword threatening to send him to heaven quicker than he had hoped. Not more then twenty paces away the knight’s white horse stood. His vision at St. Sebastian’s came immediately to his mind. He knew God had meant it as a warning. The exotic white horse was naked and he could guess no alliance from it. A horse of DunMyer or a vigilante of the woods?
He did the only thing he could think of and spoke. “Forgive me, Sir Knight. How far am I from the manor of Lord DunMyer?” The knight did not move but held the blade fast on him.
“Tell me, does the Lord of the manor always greet his guests in such a way?” Still silence.
One quick movement. Jafril grasped the blade of the knight’s sword and twisted it, sending the knight fumbling for his feet.
The tall Jafril stood, picked up his own sword as he charged forth to a battle in the woods. Just like all the legends were made of. Adrenaline coursed through him as the knight turned to face him.
Jafril laughed. “Art thou sure ye would like to proceed? I stand easily three heads taller than you.” His laughter only further angered the knight who charged at him with new ferocity. “Thou may prove a worthy opponent yet.” Their swords rang through the otherwise quiet forest. Even the birds seemed to be quiet, watching the outcome of the duel.
They clashed around the forest, exchanging blows.
“For a short man, ye fight well!” Jafril felt his breath run short. He cut the tethers of the white horse that were wrapped around the bulky trunk of a Sycamore tree. The near stroke of the sword startled the horse and she didn’t waste any time thinking about staying with her master.
The silent knight began to chase after the horse. After all, what is a knight without his horse? Jafril ran fast to catch him and pushed the knight to the ground with a fierce grunt, readied his sword in his hand.
A nearby tree stopped the roll of the metal helmet that landed with a hearty clank.
Jafril gaped, his heart thudding in his throat. “Thou art fortunate that I did not run thee through with my sword!”
Have a good month and DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE LINKS BELOW.
GOD BLESS YOU!
