Blog Archives - Crossworlds

Tuesday Tips: What's Really Scary?

10/31/2017

Happy Halloween!

Now, I'm certainly not someone to go to if your genre is horror. I don't know how to write a horror book, nor am I particularly into reading horror, or even watching horror movies. Not because I'm too scared. Quite the opposite, actually. I can't get scared when I'm expecting you to try and scare me.

It's a weird genre quirk of mine. Same reason I can't get into romance novels. I can't fall in love with the relationship between two characters when you're trying to make me. I always fall for a pair of side characters, because it feels like the author didn't try to hard to make them adorable. Some things have to happen naturally or they just don't work.

Now it's easy for me to sit here and say "try to be unexpected!" if you write in either horror or romance, but I honestly don't know how to guide you in doing so. So, I'm sorry for that. It's only because I straight up don't know how to do what you do. Like I said, this is a quick of mine, so don't listen to me, listen to your audience.

This post is really for others who write outside those genres. You've got a whole new opportunity to readers by surprise, by dropping in unexpected scenes. When I see a horror scene in a place I don't expect, it's way more terrifying than an entire horror movie, because I didn't have time to prepare myself.

For a weird example, I'm a huge fan of the show "Legends of Tomorrow." I expect time travel, fun, and chaos from this delightful mess of a show, and it always delivers. Then I watched the episode "Night of the Hawk," and it scared the crap outta me! I was not ready for that horror-movie level stuff! But if that whole concept was it's own horror movie... Nope. I wouldn't find it scary.

People I've spoken to in person who have read "The Mansion's Twins" usually comment on a particular scene: the room that lulls it's victims to sleep, and then kills them. They'll say things like, "That was SOOOO creepy!" And I'm like, "Really? Awesome, I didn't know I could do that!" But what made that scene (I think) was the horror-movie nature of it, put inside a YA fantasy novel.

The only risk in dabbling in other genres is that it can be jarring for readers if you step too far outside. Don't switch genres mid-book, pull elements and inspiration while staying true to your world.

Get inspired out there, and have a Happy Halloween!

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Also, a friendly reminder:

Monday Music: This Is Halloween - The Nightmare Before Christmas

10/30/2017

Tomorrow's Halloween! Tomorrow's Halloween! Get excited!

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Wednesday Word: He Counts Their Tears, by Mary Ann D’Alto

10/25/2017

Aaron has a problem. Aaron likes to play a game, a sick game, with women's minds. Aaron is a psychopath. You would never guess as much, because he is so handsome, so captivating, and so very charming. Yes, Aaron seems too good to be true, because, of course, he is. Enter the world of Dr. Aaron Stein, and learn just how this perfect gentleman toys with women's minds, and plays with their emotions. Each woman is a new chance to play his game. Time and again he will gain a woman's trust, creating the facade of the "perfect relationship". Each woman will think she has found "heaven on earth". But it is evil that seduces her, and evil that lures her, right towards the brink of insanity. Slowly, Aaron will begin to take over her psyche, using covert hypnosis and mind games to control her. Because power and control is everything to Aaron. And the game must be played, each time, right through to its devastating end. Time and again Aaron will have his fun, making his "new love" believe she is his "one and only", his "soulmate", "his true love". It will be delightful, and deceptive, and deliciously, dangerously wonderful, until Aaron becomes bored. Then, abruptly, he will simply discard her. She will be left shocked and confused. She will feel as if she were mentally skinned alive. And Aaron? He will simply move on, to a new game, as if she had never mattered. Because, of course, she never did. Even so, she will continue to miss him, and want him back, in spite of everything. She will never forget him. Aaron knew this from the first "hello". He will smile, and count her tears.

Reviews

"Mary Ann D'Alto has penned a chilling psychological thriller that serves as a gripping analysis of classic sociopathy. Her villian, AAron Stein, in the tradition of Hanibal Lechter, is a cunning and conscious-less corrupter of everyone and everything he touches. His evil knows no bounds. What is worse, D'Alto shows how insidious the psychopathic narcissist can be, causing otherwise good people to descend to their depths of depravity. He Counts Their Tears is a Must-Read for fans of the Psychological Thriller genre. I highly recommend it." --Five star review from Amazon

"D'Alto brilliantly explores the dark, twisted mind of a psychopath. Using Aaron's romantic encounters with numerous women, D'Alto creates awareness of the damaging effects of psychological abuse, while also focusing on the intricacies of Aaron's instability. These include lack of emotions, perverted sadism, vindictive attitude, pathological lying, and superiority complex... ...This is a well-researched, intelligent thriller that also becomes a cautionary tale." --Sheelonee Banerjee The US Review of Books

Mary Ann D’Alto graduated from Barnard College with a degree in art history and a rather large box of journals filled with poetry and short stories penned in between classes. She has advanced degrees from Columbia University and a Juris Doctor from a New York law school. A former Administrative Law Judge, Mary Ann is a Vegetarian and one of the worst golfers ever to set foot on the green. Fortunately for the world of golf, she is far too busy writing to venture out of the house early on a week-end morning except to walk her dachshund, Rocco.

You can watch an interview with her here, and part two here.

Pick up HE COUNTS THEIR TEARS here!

The next book is THE SUFFERING ROOM, which picks up where HE COUNTS THEIR TEARS leaves off. Aaron runs for politic office, prompting him to return to the women he destroyed, just to see if he can prevent them from speaking out about him, and ruining his chances as a politician.

Tuesday Tips: More Reading Pet Peeves

10/24/2017

You can learn a whole lot from great books, but you can also learn from not-so-great books. Pay attention to what frustrates you when you're reading, and figure out what you should never, ever do. I've posted on this topic before, and you can read that post here.

Here are some of my personal reading pet peeves. Remember, these are just my own, and yours will probably be different. Your audience will *probably* have similar pet peeves, so pay attention to what bothers you personally. It's okay if our lists aren't the same.

Here we go...

When everyone won’t stop talking about how amazing the hero is, whether or not she’s already proven herself. For example, Candy in the Abarat books. I loved these books up until “Absolute Midnight,” which I still don’t know what to make of. It’s not that I didn’t like it, it’s just that it… confused me. Plus, all the characters shower Candy with nonstop praise, reaffirming their loyalty at every chance they get. Now, she has already done a lot for them, as this is a later book in the series. But it gets old quickly, plus it just isn’t real. It’s natural for people to have doubts, even about someone they love and want to believe in. Constant praise of the main character means losing potential for conflict. Also, it’s straight up annoying.

How to fix it: Cut all the empty dialogue that’s just empty praise. Have a few characters who doubt your main hero, who drive him/her to prove them wrong.

On a similar note, the main characters significant other constantly telling us, “God, I love him/her so much,” while watching them. This gets old so fast.

How to fix it: Things like a brief touch, locking eyes, or small smiles are much better at conveying love. Show don’t tell. Also, it's perfectly realistic for even the love of one's life to have moments of doubt. It's human. Readers like human characters.

Ancient supernatural beings who act like whiney teenagers. You know what I mean, characters with eternal youth, like Edward from Twilight who are supposed to be thousands (or whatever) of years old, but act like the age they look instead of the age they are. Eternal youth is not supposed to mean their brain stopped growing. If I’m going to believe your old, act old. Don’t throw a fit over your crush doing something that might mean something that bothers you.

How to fix it: Think about what time period your character is from, and what was normal back then. Perhaps he’s acting like an old-fashioned gentleman when he looks like a sixteen-year-old high school student, and all his friends are the not-so-nice stereotype of boys his age. This is actually a fun character quirk, so don’t lose it.

When a villain kills one of his people, or people on the same side spend too much time fighting with each other. It’s just an easy way out to have the villain destroy himself. And if people on the “good side” have some sort of ritual to test the main character’s strength, make sure there’s a good reason behind it, because it can really slow down the story.

How to fix it: I've always found romances between two villains, or family relationships between villains, to be completely adorable. Let them be evil together, and loyal to each other. It makes readers kind of like them, which adds depth to your story.

That's all for now, but I've got tons of these, and I keep acquiring more. There will definitely be more posted in the future.

Again, these are only my personal reading pet peeves, and just because you have one of these in your book doesn’t mean it’s ruined or that you need to get rid of it. Do consider that it might be annoying, though. But my point is, it’s important for you to identify your own so you’ll know what not to do. Your audience is likely to be people like you, so they’re likely to have the same pet peeves.

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Monday Music: La La Latch - Pentatonix

10/23/2017

It's been a couple weeks since we've enjoyed some straight up acapella, unrelated to Crossworlds. Always love some Pentatonix!

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Wednesday Word: The Lost Wanderers--Part Two

10/18/2017

Read part one of this Crossworlds short story here!

Oh what a world of beauty
What secrets do you hold
Where is your healing treasure
Your crystals and your gold
I've forgotten on these beaches
Forgotten in the clouds
I might forget my own name
If I don't say it out loud
The ocean sings a love song
The breeze lifts me away
I'm happy far away from home
And I think I could stay

Tally left her safe home in the South, toward the unknown northern world. Toward the great Western land she had only heard stories about. There was one central piece of land, and islands all around it. Each island had it's own secret treasures, and she was eager to discover them all.
        First were the days of dreaming, where Tally forgot herself and simply wandered, enjoying all the West had to offer, the warm beaches, the lush gardens, and long boat rides. She kept close to the beaches all the while, for she'd heard a great deal of rumors of danger in the West. The jungles held healing magic, certainly, but also deadly plants and horrible beasts.
        As time passed, she regained her focus, and gathered her courage. She would have to enter the jungles eventually. She began by visiting nearby towns, and gathering books to study. She learned where the safest paths were, and studied protective magic, for when she did venture of the known paths. She learned more with every word she read, and her resolve strengthened.
"You're a healer, Tally, and a strong one," she told herself. "If anything happens to you, well, you'll just fix it!"
Into the jungles she went, locating the herbs she knew well, and finding more she had only read about. Her knowledge protected her from touching any dangerous plants she came across, but every now and then she did hear the grows and loud footsteps of beasts. When she did, she abandoned her work and fled. It became a routine.
        It was another day of exploring when everything changed. She was gathering herbs whens he heard footsteps coming toward her. She sprang alert, prepared to run, but these weren't the loud, stomping footsteps of a monster. These were the light steps of a human, and as he walked, he began to sing. He sang no particular song, just out loud to himself, whatever words came to mind:

Where is the path?
I'm chasing daydreams
Where is my mind?
I'll never come back this time
Who is that behind the tree?
Lady, what is your name?

        She laughed, and answered in the same style.

Shall I sing back at you?
For I'm a singer too.
My name is Tally
You're voice is beautiful.

        He bowed. "I'm Walter, my lady."
       Walter was a young Western man, with dark skin and smiling eyes. His most prominent feature to Tally was his voice. She wanted him to sing again. "I must say your voice is beautiful too," he said. "What's a singer doing with healing herbs?"
        "Oh. I'm a healer."
        "Are you? Perhaps you could help me. You see I've been out traveling for weeks now, trying to find a way to get my brother's acapella group off the ground. We need some way to make money, and this new healing business is on the rise right now. If you could spare a few moments, that'd be a great help."
        "I have books on the subject, if you'd like. And I could show you what I've found out here so far."
        "Thank you, lady Tally. You're a kind soul."
A long, low growl made them both freeze. Tally was ready to run, but Walter grasped her hand and whispered, "Don't move!"
"We have to run!"
Footsteps.
"No! Fire or water, Tally?"
"What?"
Loud footsteps.
"Pick one and shoot!"
Tally followed her instincts, and shot a stream of water into the tall grass. Walter raced ahead, shooting fire toward the beast.
There was a horrible shrieking sound, and the creature fled. Tally still kept up her magic until she couldn't hear it anymore.
"Are we safe, Walter?"
"We should be. That was a fine display of magic, Tally. Most of the beasts in this jungle aren't effected by a single current of magic. Two or more will work, particularly if they conflict with each other. Are you alright?"
"Yes," she nodded. "That was the first real adventure I've had!"
"I hope you aren't put off on having more. If you do spare a few moments with me in these jungles, you take that risk."
She smiled. "I hope to."
        A few moments she did spare, and when those few moments were over, she spared a few more. After she taught him what she knew of plants, he showed her what he knew of the West, from the best food and cozy places to stay to how to defend herself against dangerous creatures, and navigate the jungles.
        They parted in the evening, but met the next day to explore again, finding each other in the jungle by listening for the other's song.
        They passed another day of work, exploring the jungles.
        Another week, exploring the beaches.
        Another month exploring the caves.
        It didn't take long for Tally to realize she loved him. They'd fallen in love within the first few notes sang to each other.
        "Love at first sight," Walter said.
        "Don't be a fool," Tally said, "I don't believe in love at first sight, but I do believe in love at first song. That's what it was, dearest."
        He smiled, nodding. "That it was."
        Homesickness was still distant in Tally's heart. She knew it was coming, but for now, every day was joy. Walter, however, was beginning to feel it. He was a traveler, but was quite accustomed to staying with his family.
        "I think it's time you met them," he said, "My brothers, the Wanderers."
        "Wanderers?"
        "We're a travelling acapella group. Your sisters are the same, right?"
        "Not the traveling part," she said.
        Walter had eight brothers. He said all of them were gifted singers too, but Tally wasn't sure if she believed him.
        "Want to take a trip to the East? That's where they are, last I've heard."
        "That would be wonderful," she said, "Then I'll know if you're telling the truth."
        Tally was eager to take another trip. She had learned much, and gathered a great deal of supplies. It would be nice to settle down in a safer area to begin making and selling her healing products.

        The brothers lived in an apartment complex in Kherington. They ran out to greet Walter and Tally. Shouts, cheers, and song erupted within moments.
        "Who is the lady?" one of them asked.
        "Brothers! This is Tally, the love of my life. She'll be staying here for a while."
        The brothers all came to greet her. Sebastian and Russel were the oldest, followed by Evan, Richard, and Eliot. Derek, Nicholas and Andrew were the youngest, aside of course, from Walter. As Tally listened to all of their voices, there was no longer doubt in her mind. All of Walters brothers were gifted singers.
        The brothers are all described as dark-haired as well, and full of lighthearted energy. They are generally thought of as a Southern acapella group, despite their Western origins. There's also some debate about that, as well as where and when they met Tally. The details of it are insignificant. All we must know is Tally loved Walter, and Walter loved Tally.
        Every day was full of joy. She woke every morning to the sound of singing, and the song lasted all through the day. But as time went by, an ache began to grow in her. She loved Walter, and she was happy with him, but watching him and his brothers together, her heart longed to be back among her sisters.
        "If you need to be home, you should go," Walter said. "We'll miss you, but you've helped us enough. I think we've sold enough to get our group off the ground."
        "You could come with me," she said, "I don't want to leave you."
"Our families need us," he said, "I have faith we'll find each other again." They embraced, holding each other close. "I'll be listening for your voice."
        "And I for yours," she whispered.

When I think of home, I'm never alone
You're always there by my side
So come along and listen to my song
Sweet little lost girl of mine
We could go anywhere, I'd pick any choice
I'll be home just as long as I can hear your voice
My home is true, right here with you
So please won't you stay by my side
My home is true right here with you
Sweet little lost girl of mine

        They made promises Tally was sure they would keep. She tried to smile even as she left him, for she had found so much more than she was looking for, more than healing herbs and adventure.
        But she did weep, she did long for the touch of his hand, the sound of his voice. She was pulled in two directions, and there was both pain and joy in it.

To be continued!

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Monday Music: Flo Rida feat. David Guetta -Club Can't Handle Me

10/16/2017

I don't know why, but I think of Eva every time I hear this song. I mean, the club really can't handle her, sooo... Yep. I'm hilarious.

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Wednesday Word: The Lost Wanderers--Part One

10/11/2017

A commonly known story in the magical world, particularly in the southern regions, is that of "The Lost Wanderers." While it's often referenced, it has never been told in full. Until now.

A mountain rises to the sky
Beyond the clouds where dreamers fly
Past the storm's cold wind and rain
Past the horrors, grief and pain
Out beyond all plans and paths
Beyond reason, science, math
Through dark caves and twisting trees
Over boulders, over streams
There is a garden full of light
Healing power glowing bright
It is a land of peace and rest
After a long and difficult quest
The healing gift takes shape in earth
With the promise of rebirth
The gifts the Emerald Mountain holds
Are far more than jewels and gold

        Once upon a time there was a group of seven sisters. The youngest of these was the woman who is now known as the Legendary Lost Girl. They lived in the South, and performed occasionally as an acapella group.
        Now, all the names of these sisters, as well as the names of the brothers they meet later on, have been lost in time. The names used in the retelling of their story are simply the most widely agreed upon:

Tess she is our oldest
Our leader and our guide
And Helena advises her
And stands right by her side
Eloise the compassionate
Connects the young to old
Lulu is the wild heart
Her voice is loud and bold
Olivia the songwriter
Her words always ring clear
Little Stella the sweetheart
Is our baby sister dear
But unique and special Tally
What of her can we say?
Her voice and touch of power
Turn the darkest night to day

        Seven sisters, all of them with the same gift. Each and every one of them was a singer. Sadly, both the names and faces of these women have been lost in time, but most people picture them as dark-haired and curvy, with either dark brown or dark blue eyes. In performance, they wore long black dresses, but that's the only certain detail that survived.
        Tess, Helena and Eloise were the eldest, and had the highest, brightest voices. Lulu and Olivia's voices were best when singing mezzo soprano or alto parts, and young Stella's voice was lower still. But the last sister, Tally, had the most unique voice of all, beautiful in every pitch, for she was more than a singer. She was the only one in the family who was multitalented.
        Tally's second gift was healing. As a healer, she took on an older-sister role, despite being the youngest. Little Stella seemed like the youngest much of the time, but her dreams were bigger than the rest of her sisters put together. Stella was Tally's inspiration, her joy, her heart.
        Without a doubt, all of the sisters were close. Nothing could have been better than singing and dreaming together. But as Tally grew older, she grew troubled. Wasn't it selfish for a healer to dream of personal fame, instead of being out in the world helping others? She had a duty to her gift, after all.
        Tally wasn't drawn to the traditional careers of healers, working in a hospital, or even as a teacher to other gifted children. No, Tally found herself fascinated by the natural healing power all around her, in rare plants deep in the forests, in precious stones, and in the waters of hidden lakes. Some healers chose to gather these magical items, make products, and open shops. Tally had considered doing so, but always brushed it off as a faraway dream. Part of her wanted to leave, to travel, but it was a foolish idea. The most foolish idea of all was her ultimate fantasy: to travel to the healing garden at the top of the Emerald Mountain.
        Then one day, a few words changed everything.
        "There's probably all kinds of healing magic out there we don't know about," Stella said.
        "I'm sure there is," Tally said, "Who knows what's up on that mountain? But I could never go there."
        Stella shrugged. "I think someday you could. But I'm not talking about the mountain this time. I've heard stories about the West."
        "The West?" Tally said. "I couldn't go to the West!"
        "Why not?
        "It's too far, with seven of us. You know Tess would never go for it. Our home is here."
        "But you're special, Tally. What if you went with just one of us? I'd come with you."
        "The group needs you here. We can't sing with two voices missing."
        "Sure we can! Tally, even if you go alone, you know you have to go someday. You're not happy, I can tell. If you go, maybe you'll find what you're looking for."
        "You really think so?"
        "Absolutely! We all do! We'll miss you, but this will change your life. Maybe all our lives. And we'll always be here to sing you home."
        Tally turned her sister's words over in her head for a few days, and decided at last she was right. It was time to forget her fear and leave, chasing the dream her second gift had always desired.

Continued next Wednesday!

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Tuesday Tips: Quick Tips Review

10/10/2017

We've been a little bit all over the place in the last few weeks, so here's a review of our most recent Tuesday Tips:

Punched in the face: Think about what’s a big deal and what isn’t, based on your genre. What are your characters’ normal problems? Survival? Food? Shelter? Or popularity, happiness, and success? Someone who’s worried about losing a loved one in a war probably wouldn’t care if someone said their hair looked stupid, whereas that high school girl worried about impressing her crush, well, that’s a big deal. When a character lets a large problem slide, or gets too caught up in a small one, it can be distracting, annoying, and make your story less believable.

Finding time: Organize your work, set a schedule, and fit in what you can during your busy work days while taking full advantage of your days off. Eliminate distractions like facebook, and use the time you spend waiting for other things to get to reading or writing.

Help out other authors: Follow them on social media, buy and review their books, and spread the word about authors you love. There’s no competition—the world would be a better place if everyone read more books!

What’s weird in a weird world: If your writing fantasy, try to keep in mind what’s unusual within your fantasy realm. Try to establish how things normally work, and set aside what’s rare. If you can, bring in a character who knows as much about your new fantasy world as the reader would know, so readers can learn right alongside this character.

Writer or Author? Hm… I don’t know if you learned anything from this post, except to have fun and laugh at yourself wherever you are in this weird, long, learning process.

From special guest author, Christie M. Stenzel: Never give up! If you're writing for yourself, and doing what you love, you can consider it a success.

Don’t forget your three golden rules! Read a lot, write a lot, and be persistent!

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Monday Music: KT Tunstall - Throw Me A Rope

10/9/2017

Some songs only almost fit, and I'm not sure if this one does at all. But it always makes me think of Savannah and Nathaniel.

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels