MS BAND: After School Help Session

Today 3:15-4:15pm. Come in and practice and/or get some extra help from Mrs. Craig. All band students welcome.

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1l4eTQZ

TODAY - One Day Only!!! - Audition Prep for Legally Blonde.

Today: Wednesday: 3:15 to 4:00 in the Mrs. Symes Choir room. (S209) Get help practicing your audition music for the musical. (Optional)

* Reminder that sign up closes Friday for auditions next week. Online & Parent form must be in!

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1l4eSg5

MS BAND: After School Help Session

Today 3:15-4:15pm. Come in and practice and/or get some extra help from Mrs. Craig. All band students welcome.

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1l4eTQZ

TODAY - One Day Only!!! - Audition Prep for Legally Blonde.

Today: Wednesday: 3:15 to 4:00 in the Mrs. Symes Choir room. (S209) Get help practicing your audition music for the musical. (Optional)

* Reminder that sign up closes Friday for auditions next week. Online & Parent form must be in!

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1l4eSg5

Middle Sister and the Carter Ledge Trail

Middle Sister (3340′) is a sub-peak of Mt Chocorua, one of three sub-peaks known as the Three Sisters that are situated just below that famous summit. The remains of an old fire tower, in...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Middle Sister and the Carter Ledge Trail

Middle Sister (3340′) is a sub-peak of Mt Chocorua, one of three sub-peaks known as the Three Sisters that are situated just below that famous summit. The remains of an old fire tower, in...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from Sectionhiker.com http://ift.tt/1NZAGjm

#Free for your #Kindle, 11/30/2015

The author of each of these books has indicated their intent to schedule these books for a free day for the Kindle versions today on Amazon. Sometimes plans change or mistakes happen, so be sure to verify the price before hitting that “buy me” button.

 

All My Friends are in My Pocket: Horatio goes travelling with his Smartphone by K.C. Leigh

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Two Birds by Vicki Tyley

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Authors interested in having their free book featured either here on Monday or a sister site on Thursday, visit this page for details.

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/1YCVhBF

#Free for your #Kindle, 11/30/2015

The author of each of these books has indicated their intent to schedule these books for a free day for the Kindle versions today on Amazon. Sometimes plans change or mistakes happen, so be sure to verify the price before hitting that "buy me" button.

 

All My Friends are in My Pocket: Horatio goes travelling with his Smartphone by K.C. Leigh

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Two Birds by Vicki Tyley

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Authors interested in having their free book featured either here on Monday or a sister site on Thursday, visit this page for details.

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/1YCVhBF

PTA Used Books Sale

Mon-Tue(7-8 December)

9:00am-2:30pm, Riady Performing Arts Center

Prices: $0.5-$5.00

Payment with SAS card accepted

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1XCvsPY

PTA Used Books Sale

Mon-Tue(7-8 December)

9:00am-2:30pm, Riady Performing Arts Center

Prices: $0.5-$5.00

Payment with SAS card accepted

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1XCvsPY

Altra Lone Peak 2.5 Trail Runners

If you're on the fence about whether to switch to trail runners for hiking and backpacking, Altra's Lone Peak 2.5 running shoes might make a believer out of you. Although they look like...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from Sectionhiker.com http://ift.tt/1Q7AZgD

Altra Lone Peak 2.5 Trail Runners

If you’re on the fence about whether to switch to trail runners for hiking and backpacking, Altra’s Lone Peak 2.5 running shoes might make a believer out of you. Although they look like...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from Sectionhiker.com http://ift.tt/1Q7AZgD

IndieView with Greta Cribbs, author of Amelia’s Children

Naturally, when designing characters' personalities I did think about some people that I actually know. Throwing some of the quirks and eccentricities of real people into my fictional characters helps to make them more interesting and believable, but no character is entirely based on a real person. 

Greta Cribbs – 29 November 2015

The Back Flap

In 1985 Amelia Davis is brutally murdered in the woods outside of Laurel Hill. Her killer is never caught. Thirty years later, David Jenson comes to town on what he calls "personal business," though he won't tell anyone what that business is. Could he have some connection to the town's most infamous cold case?

Sarah Hathaway has just returned to her hometown in the wake of a failed acting career. When she meets David she is immediately drawn to him, but it is the mystery of what exactly brought him to Laurel Hill that keeps her up at night. Determined to find the answer, she embarks on a journey into the unknown that will change her life forever. Along the way she discovers truths about Amelia's death that prove more sinister than anyone ever could have imagined.

About the book

What is the book about?

Amelia's Children is a paranormal mystery told from the point of view of Sarah, a young woman who has just returned to her hometown in the wake of a failed acting career. Desperate for a break from the monotony of her new life, she is immediately drawn to David when he first comes into town on what he calls "personal business." Though he is not telling anyone what that business is, Sarah is determined to find out. When David finally confesses the strange circumstances that brought him to town, Sarah realizes that it is in some way connected to Amelia Davis, a local woman who was murdered in 1985 and whose killer has never been caught.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing Amelia's Children in July.

How long did it take you to write it?

The book came together surprisingly quickly. I had already thought through most of the plot twists before finally sitting down at the computer, so at that point it was just a matter of putting down on (virtual) paper what was already in my head. The entire process took about three months, with the last few weeks being devoted to proofreading, revising, and formatting.

Where did you get the idea from?

I based Sarah's character on myself. Though her backstory is completely different from mine, she shares my worldviews and my occasional feelings of not fitting in.

I am a huge fan of Twin Peaks and Supernatural. When I was writing David's character I pictured him as being a combination of Agent Cooper and Sam Winchester. The small town setting was also partly inspired by Twin Peaks, and partly based on my own hometown.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I don't really remember struggling with this book. It came together very easily in my mind. I guess I did spend a good bit of time fussing over the details of Amelia's murder, though. Because I knew that Twin Peaks was lurking in the back of my mind while I was writing it, I actually tried to avoid centering the book on a murder. I originally wanted the crime that Sarah and David investigate to be something else, but I couldn't think of any other event that would have been powerful enough to bring together all of the characters the way I needed it to, so I went with an unsolved murder. I also took quite a bit of time deciding who the killer was going to be. I wanted to make sure I didn't steal any ideas from either Twin Peaks or Supernatural when it came time for the big reveal, so I had to put some serious thought into designing the villain's character.

What came easily?

Once I knew that the mystery was going to be a murder, and I had my killer as well as the motive for committing the crime, everything else just sort of fell into place. I knew all of the events that had to happen in order for Sarah and David to eventually find the murderer so, as I said before, it was just a matter of putting (virtual) pen to (virtual) paper.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Naturally, when designing characters' personalities I did think about some people that I actually know. Throwing some of the quirks and eccentricities of real people into my fictional characters helps to make them more interesting and believable, but no character is entirely based on a real person. Even Sarah, who is based on me, has a completely different personality than I have. I may see the world in much the same way that she does, but I could not imagine myself being as bold as she is in questioning David about his past or pushing the investigation of Amelia's murder.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I can't point to any specific authors as my primary inspiration, but I think my writing was helped by the fact I have read some of the most popular books that have come out in the past few years. The main examples would be The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner, as well as the sequels that came after them. When I first started trying to write books, while I was still in school, I based my style more on the classics than on anything current. Now, we all love the classics, but they don't always make an easy read, and they aren't the kind of addictive stories that keep the reader enthralled from beginning to end. I think one of my main weaknesses was that I used to view each chapter as a self-contained story with an obvious beginning and end. Switching my focus to reading newer fiction taught me the importance of ending as many chapters as possible in the middle of the action, rather than at the conclusion. This way the reader is eager to see what happens next.

Do you have a target reader?

This is a hard question for me to answer. Who is my target audience? Well…people like me, I guess. People who like horror movies, but prefer creepy over gory. People who will sit up all night reading if a mystery, no matter how small, is introduced at the beginning but the answer is not revealed until the end. People who love Twin Peaks, Supernatural, The X-files, Lost, and all of my other favorite TV shows. The truth is, I really don't know. I'm aware that having a target audience is an important aspect of promoting my book, but it's the one I struggle with the most.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I have to have a definite plan before I start to write. Though I'm willing to let individual parts of the story "write themselves", I have to know where I'm going. I have to have the main details nailed down before I sit at that computer and start typing.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I've tried outlining in the past, but I didn't outline Amelia's Children, and I think it was easier to write because of that. I did not limit myself to having to write certain events in a certain order. I knew most of the events had to happen before I started writing, but I actually played around quite a bit with when they had to happen. I even ended up taking some of the really dramatic stuff that I had planned for the end of the book and moving it to the middle to prevent the story from slowing down too much. If I had been following an outline, I would not have allowed myself to be that flexible.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you've finished?

Some of both. If I see an obvious mistake in something I've just written, I can't move on until I've fixed it, but of course we writers have a way of not seeing mistakes while we are still in the writing process, so going back over the book once it's finished is a crucial step.

Did you hire a professional editor?

For this book I did not, but I spent a considerable amount of time proofreading and checking up on my own grammar. I also enlisted the help of others who could read my book with unbiased eyes and point out mistakes I may have missed.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No. I'm afraid that if I have too much noise around me I'll get distracted and start making mistakes.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did not submit this work to any agents or traditional publishers.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Honestly, it was the guarantee that the book would be published without the waiting period and all of the possible rejections that come along with the process of traditionally publishing. Though I believe that I wrote a good book, I'm not blind to the fact that there is a lot of competition out there, and I was ready to go ahead get Amelia's Children on the market now. The fact that ease of publishing an eBook has removed some of the stigma that used to be attached to self-publishing helped me to make the decision.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I designed the cover myself on Gimp 2.8.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I'm advertising on Twitter and on my blog, as well as doing as many author interviews as I can.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Since becoming an Indie author myself, I have decided to start reading some of the Indie books that are available on Amazon. Having seen what's out there, the biggest piece of advice I have to give is: Know the language. Bending grammar rules in your writing is fine, but you have to know the rules before you can bend them, otherwise it just looks like bad grammar. If you're unsure about sentence structure or the correct use of a certain word, do a Google search. There are countless websites out there that can help you with this.

About You

Where did you grow up?

In a small town in Georgia, very similar to the one in which Amelia's Children takes place.

Where do you live now?

About ten miles from the house where I grew up.

What would you like readers to know about you?

In addition to writing, my hobbies include playing piano, dancing, and studying Spanish. These are things that may become the inspiration for future books.

What are you working on now?

I've started on a new book that is also paranormal, but has more elements of urban fantasy than mystery. The main character is Damian, who has spent the past five years trying to forget his traumatic past, but now his friend is in trouble and his mysterious family is somehow to blame. In order to save his friend he has to step back into the dark world from which he has been trying his entire life to escape.

End of Interview:

For more from Greta, visit her website or follow her on Twitter.

Get your copy of Amelia's Children from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/1lSeukM

IndieView with Greta Cribbs, author of Amelia’s Children

Naturally, when designing characters’ personalities I did think about some people that I actually know. Throwing some of the quirks and eccentricities of real people into my fictional characters helps to make them more interesting and believable, but no character is entirely based on a real person. 

Greta Cribbs – 29 November 2015

The Back Flap

In 1985 Amelia Davis is brutally murdered in the woods outside of Laurel Hill. Her killer is never caught. Thirty years later, David Jenson comes to town on what he calls “personal business,” though he won’t tell anyone what that business is. Could he have some connection to the town’s most infamous cold case?

Sarah Hathaway has just returned to her hometown in the wake of a failed acting career. When she meets David she is immediately drawn to him, but it is the mystery of what exactly brought him to Laurel Hill that keeps her up at night. Determined to find the answer, she embarks on a journey into the unknown that will change her life forever. Along the way she discovers truths about Amelia’s death that prove more sinister than anyone ever could have imagined.

About the book

What is the book about?

Amelia’s Children is a paranormal mystery told from the point of view of Sarah, a young woman who has just returned to her hometown in the wake of a failed acting career. Desperate for a break from the monotony of her new life, she is immediately drawn to David when he first comes into town on what he calls “personal business.” Though he is not telling anyone what that business is, Sarah is determined to find out. When David finally confesses the strange circumstances that brought him to town, Sarah realizes that it is in some way connected to Amelia Davis, a local woman who was murdered in 1985 and whose killer has never been caught.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing Amelia’s Children in July.

How long did it take you to write it?

The book came together surprisingly quickly. I had already thought through most of the plot twists before finally sitting down at the computer, so at that point it was just a matter of putting down on (virtual) paper what was already in my head. The entire process took about three months, with the last few weeks being devoted to proofreading, revising, and formatting.

Where did you get the idea from?

I based Sarah’s character on myself. Though her backstory is completely different from mine, she shares my worldviews and my occasional feelings of not fitting in.

I am a huge fan of Twin Peaks and Supernatural. When I was writing David’s character I pictured him as being a combination of Agent Cooper and Sam Winchester. The small town setting was also partly inspired by Twin Peaks, and partly based on my own hometown.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I don’t really remember struggling with this book. It came together very easily in my mind. I guess I did spend a good bit of time fussing over the details of Amelia’s murder, though. Because I knew that Twin Peaks was lurking in the back of my mind while I was writing it, I actually tried to avoid centering the book on a murder. I originally wanted the crime that Sarah and David investigate to be something else, but I couldn’t think of any other event that would have been powerful enough to bring together all of the characters the way I needed it to, so I went with an unsolved murder. I also took quite a bit of time deciding who the killer was going to be. I wanted to make sure I didn’t steal any ideas from either Twin Peaks or Supernatural when it came time for the big reveal, so I had to put some serious thought into designing the villain’s character.

What came easily?

Once I knew that the mystery was going to be a murder, and I had my killer as well as the motive for committing the crime, everything else just sort of fell into place. I knew all of the events that had to happen in order for Sarah and David to eventually find the murderer so, as I said before, it was just a matter of putting (virtual) pen to (virtual) paper.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Naturally, when designing characters’ personalities I did think about some people that I actually know. Throwing some of the quirks and eccentricities of real people into my fictional characters helps to make them more interesting and believable, but no character is entirely based on a real person. Even Sarah, who is based on me, has a completely different personality than I have. I may see the world in much the same way that she does, but I could not imagine myself being as bold as she is in questioning David about his past or pushing the investigation of Amelia’s murder.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I can’t point to any specific authors as my primary inspiration, but I think my writing was helped by the fact I have read some of the most popular books that have come out in the past few years. The main examples would be The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner, as well as the sequels that came after them. When I first started trying to write books, while I was still in school, I based my style more on the classics than on anything current. Now, we all love the classics, but they don’t always make an easy read, and they aren’t the kind of addictive stories that keep the reader enthralled from beginning to end. I think one of my main weaknesses was that I used to view each chapter as a self-contained story with an obvious beginning and end. Switching my focus to reading newer fiction taught me the importance of ending as many chapters as possible in the middle of the action, rather than at the conclusion. This way the reader is eager to see what happens next.

Do you have a target reader?

This is a hard question for me to answer. Who is my target audience? Well…people like me, I guess. People who like horror movies, but prefer creepy over gory. People who will sit up all night reading if a mystery, no matter how small, is introduced at the beginning but the answer is not revealed until the end. People who love Twin Peaks, Supernatural, The X-files, Lost, and all of my other favorite TV shows. The truth is, I really don’t know. I’m aware that having a target audience is an important aspect of promoting my book, but it’s the one I struggle with the most.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I have to have a definite plan before I start to write. Though I’m willing to let individual parts of the story “write themselves”, I have to know where I’m going. I have to have the main details nailed down before I sit at that computer and start typing.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I’ve tried outlining in the past, but I didn’t outline Amelia’s Children, and I think it was easier to write because of that. I did not limit myself to having to write certain events in a certain order. I knew most of the events had to happen before I started writing, but I actually played around quite a bit with when they had to happen. I even ended up taking some of the really dramatic stuff that I had planned for the end of the book and moving it to the middle to prevent the story from slowing down too much. If I had been following an outline, I would not have allowed myself to be that flexible.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Some of both. If I see an obvious mistake in something I’ve just written, I can’t move on until I’ve fixed it, but of course we writers have a way of not seeing mistakes while we are still in the writing process, so going back over the book once it’s finished is a crucial step.

Did you hire a professional editor?

For this book I did not, but I spent a considerable amount of time proofreading and checking up on my own grammar. I also enlisted the help of others who could read my book with unbiased eyes and point out mistakes I may have missed.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No. I’m afraid that if I have too much noise around me I’ll get distracted and start making mistakes.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did not submit this work to any agents or traditional publishers.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Honestly, it was the guarantee that the book would be published without the waiting period and all of the possible rejections that come along with the process of traditionally publishing. Though I believe that I wrote a good book, I’m not blind to the fact that there is a lot of competition out there, and I was ready to go ahead get Amelia’s Children on the market now. The fact that ease of publishing an eBook has removed some of the stigma that used to be attached to self-publishing helped me to make the decision.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I designed the cover myself on Gimp 2.8.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I’m advertising on Twitter and on my blog, as well as doing as many author interviews as I can.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Since becoming an Indie author myself, I have decided to start reading some of the Indie books that are available on Amazon. Having seen what’s out there, the biggest piece of advice I have to give is: Know the language. Bending grammar rules in your writing is fine, but you have to know the rules before you can bend them, otherwise it just looks like bad grammar. If you’re unsure about sentence structure or the correct use of a certain word, do a Google search. There are countless websites out there that can help you with this.

About You

Where did you grow up?

In a small town in Georgia, very similar to the one in which Amelia’s Children takes place.

Where do you live now?

About ten miles from the house where I grew up.

What would you like readers to know about you?

In addition to writing, my hobbies include playing piano, dancing, and studying Spanish. These are things that may become the inspiration for future books.

What are you working on now?

I’ve started on a new book that is also paranormal, but has more elements of urban fantasy than mystery. The main character is Damian, who has spent the past five years trying to forget his traumatic past, but now his friend is in trouble and his mysterious family is somehow to blame. In order to save his friend he has to step back into the dark world from which he has been trying his entire life to escape.

End of Interview:

For more from Greta, visit her website or follow her on Twitter.

Get your copy of Amelia’s Children from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/1lSeukM

The Joy of Esbit

Backpacking stoves that use Esbit cubes as a fuel source are the simplest, lightest, and most reliable way to boil water or cook food on backpacking trips. There’s no extra container weight to...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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The Joy of Esbit

Backpacking stoves that use Esbit cubes as a fuel source are the simplest, lightest, and most reliable way to boil water or cook food on backpacking trips. There's no extra container weight to...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from Sectionhiker.com http://ift.tt/1R9Saz1

Dear Sexy Panty by Post lovers

I’m sorry! I’m sorry because it’s been some time since I’ve reached out to you about your lingerie and about what’s going on here at Panty By Post.

from Blog - Panty by Post http://ift.tt/1SnnKrw

Dear Sexy Panty by Post lovers

I'm sorry! I'm sorry because it's been some time since I've reached out to you about your lingerie and about what's going on here at Panty By Post.

from Blog - Panty by Post http://ift.tt/1SnnKrw

Ultralight Backpacking Gift Guide

Buying ultralight backpacking gifts is difficult if you're not an ultralight backpacker yourself. So I've assembled this list of recommended UL gifts for you because I know they'd...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from Sectionhiker.com http://ift.tt/1IirZil

Ultralight Backpacking Gift Guide

Buying ultralight backpacking gifts is difficult if you’re not an ultralight backpacker yourself. So I’ve assembled this list of recommended UL gifts for you because I know they’d...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from Sectionhiker.com http://ift.tt/1IirZil

Fun things with bobby pins

Bobby pins are not just useful, they can be beautiful too!

Here's some bobby pin hairstyle inspiration to give your everyday hairstyles a lift.

Thanks to my lovely friend Mona for helping with these styles.

(Side note about the photos – we shot at sunset so that's why Mona's hair seems to change colour!)

Which look is your favourite?

The post Fun things with bobby pins appeared first on Hair Romance.

from Hair Romance http://ift.tt/1NtQT69

Fun things with bobby pins

Bobby pins are not just useful, they can be beautiful too!

Here’s some bobby pin hairstyle inspiration to give your everyday hairstyles a lift.

Thanks to my lovely friend Mona for helping with these styles.

(Side note about the photos – we shot at sunset so that’s why Mona’s hair seems to change colour!)

Which look is your favourite?

The post Fun things with bobby pins appeared first on Hair Romance.

from Hair Romance http://ift.tt/1NtQT69

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Factory Tour

Hyperlite Mountain Gear is an ultralight backpacking gear manufacturer in Biddeford, Maine, a short drive from my favorite hiking and backpacking haunts in New Hampshire. I paid them a visit last...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from Sectionhiker.com http://ift.tt/1Sk5y1L

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Factory Tour

Hyperlite Mountain Gear is an ultralight backpacking gear manufacturer in Biddeford, Maine, a short drive from my favorite hiking and backpacking haunts in New Hampshire. I paid them a visit last...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from Sectionhiker.com http://ift.tt/1Sk5y1L

IndieView with T.C. Metivier, author of Veil of Darkness

But it would be exceedingly generous to call the random scribblings of a fifth-grader a 'book'; instead, it was some basic ideas and a few characters. Since then I've written a few versions with varying levels of completeness.

T.C. Metivier – 25 November 2015

The Back Flap

For eight hundred years, the Federation of Worlds has reigned supreme over the galaxy. Under its banner, eleven sentient races have put aside their quarrels to work towards their common prosperity. But now something stirs. A hundred worlds have broken free from the Federation fold. They have made no demands, no threats. There is no evidence that their movement is anything but benign.

And yet the whispers have already begun. Whispers that the fires of revolution have been stoked. Whispers that war is coming.

The planet Tellaria is the birthplace of the human race and the backbone of the Federation. Admiral Drogni Ortega leads the finest planetary fighting force the galaxy has ever known. But now he must confront an enemy unlike any he has faced before, a foe who wields ancient power infused with infinite malevolence…and is seemingly determined to exterminate all life from the face of the galaxy.

About the book

What is the book about?

At first, it presents like a reasonably straightforward battle of good vs. evil played out on a huge multiplanetary scale. However, my goal over the course of the series is to twist or otherwise subvert every single one of the reader's original expectations, with an ending that is more morally ambiguous but—hopefully—also much more satisfying. A few hints and clues are already in the first book, but they are deliberately subtle—just enough to be noticeable to someone re-reading who already knows the punchline, but not enough to spoil anything for a first-time reader.

When did you start writing the book?

If you're going all the way back to the very first seeds, that would be nearly fifteen years ago. But it would be exceedingly generous to call the random scribblings of a fifth-grader a 'book'; instead, it was some basic ideas and a few characters. Since then I've written a few versions with varying levels of completeness. I began the most recent draft, which eventually became the finished product, about 7 years ago.

How long did it take you to write it?

The majority of the work was completed in about two and a half years. But I did several reasonably large overhauls in the four years between when I first 'finished' and when I published. These included axing an entire storyline and replacing it with a different one that was more focused on the main conflict and didn't include so many extraneous secondary characters.

Where did you get the idea from?

I get ideas from all over the place. Mostly other books that I've read. The essential structure is based on themes from epic that are thousands of years old, but there are plenty of modern influences as well. For instance, the Mass Effect and Master of Orion video games played a key role in my decision to use a handful of well-differentiated alien species (as opposed to the chaotic mess of Muppet-like creatures from Star Wars or the unending conga-line of humanoid 'aliens' from Star Trek).

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Oh, certainly. Towards the beginning there is a scene where two of the main characters travel to a nearby world and try to talk the planetary leader out of joining the secessionist movement. I ended up writing the entire thing from scratch several times. It was very frustrating but ultimately led to a finished product that I'm pretty happy with.

What came easily?

I enjoy writing action scenes, particularly small ones with only a few participants. The last fifty or so pages comprise a raid on an enemy fortress by a small team of soldiers, which flowed fairly easily. I think the whole thing took maybe two weeks and only required a few minor revisions.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I try to keep them as completely fictitious as possible. But I'm sure that real life people whom I admire have bled into the character/personality/morality/etc. of my protagonists. I'm fairly certain the antagonists are all purely fictitious; I have no wish to demonize anyone I know by molding a fictional villain around them.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

When I was a little bit younger I was a huge fan of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Many of the first books were terrible, but eventually it found its stride. Two authors in particular had big influences on my writing. The first is Karen Traviss, whose Republic Commando series gave me a lot of insight into sci-fi combat from the perspective of the 'grunts'. The second is Matthew Stover, who wrote one of the finest novels I have ever read in Star Wars: Shatterpoint. That book in particular is full of stark metaphors and raw emotion, with a clear depiction of the interplay of the different moral systems that arise under different circumstances. More recently, Steven Erikson's Malazen Book of the Fallen series has wonderfully flowing prose that helped me indescribably (though I fear it also gave me a disposition for excessive semi-colons).

Do you have a target reader?

My target readers are probably in their late teens to early-20s. Possibly even early teens; some of the action gets a little intense and complex, which might be overwhelming to younger readers, but there's nothing sexually explicit or excessively gory. There's a good mix of action, sci-fi, and fantasy. Anyone looking for a major romantic element should search elsewhere.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I suppose I do. Unfortunately I have a hard time staying focused on anything for long periods of time, so my writing sessions often consist of furious spurts of output broken up by intervals of thinking, or playing minesweeper, or some similar activity. I also tend to jump around within a scene rather than starting from the beginning and marching methodically through it. For example, I might write a couple of paragraphs at the beginning of a new section, then two sentences in the middle reminding myself where I'm going, then back to the beginning, then a few lines of dialogue from the end. It gets a little chaotic sometimes.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I generally try to have a plan before I dive into a new chapter/section. Usually it's not much—just a couple of notes and reminders to myself. If I'm trying to introduce a new character or conflict, or if the section in question is fairly plot-heavy (as opposed to a scene that is primarily action), I'll usually plan it out more. Of course, I don't always stick with the outlines; sometimes I'll get partway in and get on a roll and realize that the scene is not going where I thought it would.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you've finished?

A little bit of both. Often if I'm stuck in the section(s) I'm currently working on, I'll go back to earlier parts and edit/proofread. But the majority of the work comes at the end.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Veil of Darkness was originally published with a small press that has since folded. They did hire an editor for the first and second books (the second was in the final stages of pre-release when the press went under). I'm not sure what I will do for the remaining books in the series. I suspect I will probably hire an editor, but that will depend on a lot of things and I can't say for sure right now.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Nope. Music is far too distracting. I have a hard enough time staying focused as it is without adding audial distractions to the mix.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No. If I could go back and do it again I would probably try to find an agent. But at the time I didn't have the energy to wade through the lists, nor the knowledge of what to look for in a good agent.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I guess it was more of a gradual process. I did submit to a few major imprints early on and got rejected. And rightfully so—the drafts that I sent in were not ready to be published at the time. By the time I had a product that I was truly satisfied with, I wasn't at a point in my life where I wanted to wait through the lengthy delays associated with submitting to most major publishers. So I went with a small publisher, and when they went out of business I self-published. Later down the road I may reconsider that decision and make another push to try and get a contract with a big publishing house, but for the time being I'm content having full control over my work.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Yes, the cover (both for this book and for the sequel) was professionally done by the excellent Dawne Dominique (dusktildawndesigns.com)

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

A little of both. I'm not by nature an extrovert, and I rarely use social media. I signed up for Twitter and I occasionally tweet promotional stuff. I have been looking into other marketing options and will likely utilize some kind of professional service, but at the moment I'm focused on getting the second book ready for publication.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Don't expect it to be easy; the moments where you want to give up and never write another word will be many and they will strike when you least expect it. Be prepared for them; often, all they mean is that you're having a rough day for other reasons, and they'll pass on their own. Also, don't go into it unless you are fully prepared to take a net loss on every book you publish. I'm not saying you can't make money as an Indie author—sure you can, especially if you're good at marketing yourself. But plenty of great books wallow in obscurity. The reason to become an Indie author is because writing is a passion and you want to share that passion with others, not because you're counting on it to turn into a viable career.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Just outside of Buffalo.

Where do you live now?

Same as above.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I love sports, both as a spectator and a participant. I particularly enjoy football, soccer, and tennis. I also ran track and field in college and currently coach at my local high school.

What are you working on now?

I'm mostly working on the final three books of this series. But I'm also doing a fair amount of worldbuilding/groundwork for two other writing projects. One is a swords-and-sorcery epic fantasy, while the other is a more free-form, character-driven science fiction saga.

End of Interview:

For more from Mr. Metivier, visit his website or follow him on Twitter.

Get your copy of Veil of Darkness from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/1POsfxx

IndieView with T.C. Metivier, author of Veil of Darkness

But it would be exceedingly generous to call the random scribblings of a fifth-grader a ‘book’; instead, it was some basic ideas and a few characters. Since then I’ve written a few versions with varying levels of completeness.

T.C. Metivier – 25 November 2015

The Back Flap

For eight hundred years, the Federation of Worlds has reigned supreme over the galaxy. Under its banner, eleven sentient races have put aside their quarrels to work towards their common prosperity. But now something stirs. A hundred worlds have broken free from the Federation fold. They have made no demands, no threats. There is no evidence that their movement is anything but benign.

And yet the whispers have already begun. Whispers that the fires of revolution have been stoked. Whispers that war is coming.

The planet Tellaria is the birthplace of the human race and the backbone of the Federation. Admiral Drogni Ortega leads the finest planetary fighting force the galaxy has ever known. But now he must confront an enemy unlike any he has faced before, a foe who wields ancient power infused with infinite malevolence…and is seemingly determined to exterminate all life from the face of the galaxy.

About the book

What is the book about?

At first, it presents like a reasonably straightforward battle of good vs. evil played out on a huge multiplanetary scale. However, my goal over the course of the series is to twist or otherwise subvert every single one of the reader’s original expectations, with an ending that is more morally ambiguous but—hopefully—also much more satisfying. A few hints and clues are already in the first book, but they are deliberately subtle—just enough to be noticeable to someone re-reading who already knows the punchline, but not enough to spoil anything for a first-time reader.

When did you start writing the book?

If you’re going all the way back to the very first seeds, that would be nearly fifteen years ago. But it would be exceedingly generous to call the random scribblings of a fifth-grader a ‘book’; instead, it was some basic ideas and a few characters. Since then I’ve written a few versions with varying levels of completeness. I began the most recent draft, which eventually became the finished product, about 7 years ago.

How long did it take you to write it?

The majority of the work was completed in about two and a half years. But I did several reasonably large overhauls in the four years between when I first ‘finished’ and when I published. These included axing an entire storyline and replacing it with a different one that was more focused on the main conflict and didn’t include so many extraneous secondary characters.

Where did you get the idea from?

I get ideas from all over the place. Mostly other books that I’ve read. The essential structure is based on themes from epic that are thousands of years old, but there are plenty of modern influences as well. For instance, the Mass Effect and Master of Orion video games played a key role in my decision to use a handful of well-differentiated alien species (as opposed to the chaotic mess of Muppet-like creatures from Star Wars or the unending conga-line of humanoid ‘aliens’ from Star Trek).

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Oh, certainly. Towards the beginning there is a scene where two of the main characters travel to a nearby world and try to talk the planetary leader out of joining the secessionist movement. I ended up writing the entire thing from scratch several times. It was very frustrating but ultimately led to a finished product that I’m pretty happy with.

What came easily?

I enjoy writing action scenes, particularly small ones with only a few participants. The last fifty or so pages comprise a raid on an enemy fortress by a small team of soldiers, which flowed fairly easily. I think the whole thing took maybe two weeks and only required a few minor revisions.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I try to keep them as completely fictitious as possible. But I’m sure that real life people whom I admire have bled into the character/personality/morality/etc. of my protagonists. I’m fairly certain the antagonists are all purely fictitious; I have no wish to demonize anyone I know by molding a fictional villain around them.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

When I was a little bit younger I was a huge fan of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Many of the first books were terrible, but eventually it found its stride. Two authors in particular had big influences on my writing. The first is Karen Traviss, whose Republic Commando series gave me a lot of insight into sci-fi combat from the perspective of the ‘grunts’. The second is Matthew Stover, who wrote one of the finest novels I have ever read in Star Wars: Shatterpoint. That book in particular is full of stark metaphors and raw emotion, with a clear depiction of the interplay of the different moral systems that arise under different circumstances. More recently, Steven Erikson’s Malazen Book of the Fallen series has wonderfully flowing prose that helped me indescribably (though I fear it also gave me a disposition for excessive semi-colons).

Do you have a target reader?

My target readers are probably in their late teens to early-20s. Possibly even early teens; some of the action gets a little intense and complex, which might be overwhelming to younger readers, but there’s nothing sexually explicit or excessively gory. There’s a good mix of action, sci-fi, and fantasy. Anyone looking for a major romantic element should search elsewhere.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I suppose I do. Unfortunately I have a hard time staying focused on anything for long periods of time, so my writing sessions often consist of furious spurts of output broken up by intervals of thinking, or playing minesweeper, or some similar activity. I also tend to jump around within a scene rather than starting from the beginning and marching methodically through it. For example, I might write a couple of paragraphs at the beginning of a new section, then two sentences in the middle reminding myself where I’m going, then back to the beginning, then a few lines of dialogue from the end. It gets a little chaotic sometimes.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I generally try to have a plan before I dive into a new chapter/section. Usually it’s not much—just a couple of notes and reminders to myself. If I’m trying to introduce a new character or conflict, or if the section in question is fairly plot-heavy (as opposed to a scene that is primarily action), I’ll usually plan it out more. Of course, I don’t always stick with the outlines; sometimes I’ll get partway in and get on a roll and realize that the scene is not going where I thought it would.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

A little bit of both. Often if I’m stuck in the section(s) I’m currently working on, I’ll go back to earlier parts and edit/proofread. But the majority of the work comes at the end.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Veil of Darkness was originally published with a small press that has since folded. They did hire an editor for the first and second books (the second was in the final stages of pre-release when the press went under). I’m not sure what I will do for the remaining books in the series. I suspect I will probably hire an editor, but that will depend on a lot of things and I can’t say for sure right now.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Nope. Music is far too distracting. I have a hard enough time staying focused as it is without adding audial distractions to the mix.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No. If I could go back and do it again I would probably try to find an agent. But at the time I didn’t have the energy to wade through the lists, nor the knowledge of what to look for in a good agent.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I guess it was more of a gradual process. I did submit to a few major imprints early on and got rejected. And rightfully so—the drafts that I sent in were not ready to be published at the time. By the time I had a product that I was truly satisfied with, I wasn’t at a point in my life where I wanted to wait through the lengthy delays associated with submitting to most major publishers. So I went with a small publisher, and when they went out of business I self-published. Later down the road I may reconsider that decision and make another push to try and get a contract with a big publishing house, but for the time being I’m content having full control over my work.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Yes, the cover (both for this book and for the sequel) was professionally done by the excellent Dawne Dominique (dusktildawndesigns.com)

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

A little of both. I’m not by nature an extrovert, and I rarely use social media. I signed up for Twitter and I occasionally tweet promotional stuff. I have been looking into other marketing options and will likely utilize some kind of professional service, but at the moment I’m focused on getting the second book ready for publication.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Don’t expect it to be easy; the moments where you want to give up and never write another word will be many and they will strike when you least expect it. Be prepared for them; often, all they mean is that you’re having a rough day for other reasons, and they’ll pass on their own. Also, don’t go into it unless you are fully prepared to take a net loss on every book you publish. I’m not saying you can’t make money as an Indie author—sure you can, especially if you’re good at marketing yourself. But plenty of great books wallow in obscurity. The reason to become an Indie author is because writing is a passion and you want to share that passion with others, not because you’re counting on it to turn into a viable career.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Just outside of Buffalo.

Where do you live now?

Same as above.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I love sports, both as a spectator and a participant. I particularly enjoy football, soccer, and tennis. I also ran track and field in college and currently coach at my local high school.

What are you working on now?

I’m mostly working on the final three books of this series. But I’m also doing a fair amount of worldbuilding/groundwork for two other writing projects. One is a swords-and-sorcery epic fantasy, while the other is a more free-form, character-driven science fiction saga.

End of Interview:

For more from Mr. Metivier, visit his website or follow him on Twitter.

Get your copy of Veil of Darkness from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).

from The IndieView http://ift.tt/1POsfxx

Hour of Code

Join us in the library next week during all lunch periods for an Hour of Code to celebrate Computer Science Education Week. We will do fun activities to introduce you to computer programming, so bring your laptop. All levels of experience, including teachers, are welcome!

Mon - Tues (7 - 8 December) - Learn basic programming with Star Wars and Minecraft

Wed - Fri (9 - 11 December) - Hour of Code Sphero Challenge

If you participate Monday and Tuesday, you can enter for a chance to participate in the Sphero Challenge where you'll program a sphero to successfully complete an obstacle course. Don't miss it!

Bring your lunch with you. Ask in the library if you have any questions.

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1PNEo5P

Hour of Code

Join us in the library next week during all lunch periods for an Hour of Code to celebrate Computer Science Education Week. We will do fun activities to introduce you to computer programming, so bring your laptop. All levels of experience, including teachers, are welcome!

Mon - Tues (7 - 8 December) - Learn basic programming with Star Wars and Minecraft

Wed - Fri (9 - 11 December) - Hour of Code Sphero Challenge

If you participate Monday and Tuesday, you can enter for a chance to participate in the Sphero Challenge where you'll program a sphero to successfully complete an obstacle course. Don't miss it!

Bring your lunch with you. Ask in the library if you have any questions.

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1PNEo5P