An Interesting Editing Note

"I was really pissed at _________ for getting ___________ killed, because _________ had a chance of happiness with _____________."

"But ___________ didn't know the zombies were there!"

"_________ sucks. I hope _________ dies. "

hehehee....

I never thought of this particular scene in that way. I love hearing from the editor what she thinks. Plus, she's emotionally invested in the characters so I must be doing something right!

Right?

The Sims Fun With Jenni and Katie

I wanted to play the Sims 2, get some reference stuff together for Detra for the new cover and think about what comes next in Siege. So I did all three.

Jenni is exactly how I imagine her in my head. Katie is pretty close.

Here are Jenni and Katie as Sims 2 Characters:

As The World Dies: Siege Cover Ordered and More

I spent a good chunk of Saturday and part of Sunday struggling to use GIMP to make a collage of what I imagined the cover looking like to send to the amazing artist known as Detra to use as a reference. I'm new to GIMP so it was very slow going. Plus, my computer felt the need to update itself throughout the weekend and not play nice. This resulted in my final jpg being corrupted and unable to open.

So Detra ended up with stick figures with arrows and text saying things like "Jenni with an ax" and "zombie head." I hope he can make sense of it! I may post the new cover and my terrible stick figure cover in the near future.

Meanwhile, I am still working on ATWD:Siege. I am taking Thursday and Friday off this week to dedicate to the novel. My goal is to be done with the rewrite by Sunday afternoon. Then I'll dive into the edits for the first part of the book as I hand off the second half to the editor the following Monday.

My goal is to have As The World Dies: Siege out by August.

The Death Toll Climbs

I have been ignoring my blog due to writing, which I suppose is a good thing. The days are blurring together as I make progress on ATWD: Siege and ready some short stories for some new anthologies. I received some awesome news yesterday that one of my short stories will be in a new werewolf anthology edited by the amazing and prolific Eric S. Brown.

In other news, I am editing a new witches anthology for the Library of Horror Press. I'm very excited and so far the submissions have been pretty darn good.

There is more news brewing, but I can't share everything quite yet.

Things are going well with the option negotiation for the As The World Dies trilogy. Hopefully, once everything is signed and dotted, we'll be on the road to a freaking awesome zombie TV show or movie. Keep your fingers and toes crossed!!

Anyway, back to the grind. I'm determined to get ATWD:Siege out by early August. I'm getting your emails on a daily basis asking for it. Trust me, those emails keep the fire lit under my rear.

As The World Dies: The TV Series or Movie...Coming Soon?

Over the last three years, I have been told by fans of the As The World Dies Trilogy that you would love to see the books turned into 1) a movie 2) a mini-series 3) a TV show. Many of you have told me how you felt you "saw" the book in your mind as you read and how exciting it would be to see it on the big or little screen. You sent in casting ideas and urged me to get to Hollywood to sell my story.

Well, I am in talks to option the TV/Film rights of the trilogy.

What does this mean?

It means that someone out in the sunny world of LA believes in the story.

If I sell the rights, they will then start shopping it around in hopes of getting a deal that will get ATWD onto a screen near you.

We're still in talks and nothing is set in stone, but it's looking good.

I will keep you posted.

A Straight Voice for Gay Rights

This blog is about my writing, so I was hesitant to even start this post until I remembered that one of the main criticisms against my novel is that I include LGBT characters. So this is about my personal views and how they are a part of my writing. I started writing this right after the fiasco in California over Prop 8, but I was too angry to be coherent. So this is attempt number two.



The recent ruling in California gutted me and I was quite livid that day. I do see the issue as one about civil rights and that people use their own personal and/or religious beliefs to take away the rights of others makes me sick to my stomach.

I am a Christian, but I am not a fundamentalist. My beliefs are personal to my life and how I conduct myself. My relationship with God is also very personal and precious to me. My faith is the core of my life.

The Constitution of the United States is the core of the American legal system. It gives us rights that people from other countries kill and die for. We are blessed to have such an amazing document granting and protecting our rights.

Therefore, I find it very hard to believe that a group of people want to disregard the Constitution and impose their personal belief system on other people. They want to restrict the rights of others not based on the Constitution, but on what they believe is true. The fact that they cannot see that this as dangerous and wrong, blows my mind. We live in a democracy, not a theocracy.

Frankly, the idea of the US as a theocracy scares me to death. Some people think it sounds great because they believe their religion would end up dictating the laws. But would they feel the same way if a religion they didn't agree with was the one in power?

Civil Rights and Marriage Equality is about the contractual aspect of marriage. It is about the law and rights granted by the law. It is not about religion or someones personal beliefs.

On a personal level, I do want to state that gay marriage won't affect my marriage to my husband. Our marriage is between us. It is both a legal and spiritual contract we entered into based on our commitment and love for each other. That people believe that somehow gay marriage will suddenly affect theirs, blows my mind.

I think that gay marriage has become a convenient distraction from the true issues affecting marriages and families today. Divorce, domestic violence, child abuse, alcoholism, and drug abuse affect families much more than the gay neighbors next door. But it is a lot easier for people to point fingers at others than address the issues in their own home.

Maybe this post is harsh. I don't know. I just know that people need to start taking care of their own families and lives and leave others alone. Let our Constitution be our guide to civil liberties, not fear.

More Dream Casting Fun

I forgot to post this the other day, but someone suggested that Christopher Walken be in As The World Dies because he is in everything.

Crazy Old Man Calhoun, is that you?

An Interview With The Black Quill

This interview took place in February and I thought I had linked to it, but I obviously forgot. I love to talk, so it was truly fun to dive in and discuss my career up to that point. Rereading it, I was pleased to see how far the book has come in such a short time.

The interviewer is the fabulous Kody Boye, who just had his first zombie novel, Sunrise, released by the Library of the Living Dead in both paperback and Kindle formats. I'm planning on ordering my copy soon!

Dream Casting for As The World Dies-The Fun Continues!!!

Day Two of the dream casting fun. Who do you see in the major (or minor) roles of ATWD?

Travis

The fabulous zombie writer Eric S. Brown (you MUST check out his book of short stories here) suggests Joe Flanigan as Travis. Actually, to quote him "Travis is Joe Flanigan. Nuff said."

Juan

The first suggestions for Juan have arrived. Frankly, any of these guys could do it. They're all so CUTE!

Nicholas Gonzalez

Jay Hernandez

Kuno Becker

What do you think?

Dream Casting for As The World Dies - Kind of a Contest

I've had a lot of people ask who would I want to play certain characters in As The World Dies

should it ever be made into a movie or TV show and I had no real suggestions. So I'm wondering what ya'll think

For my favorite cast suggestion, you will get a free signed copy of As The World Dies: Siege when it comes out later this year

If ATWD was made into a movie or mini-series, who would you want to play the following roles?

Katie

Jenni

Travis

Juan


Previous suggestions have been:

Katie

Sophia Myles (Moonlight, Underworld)

Kristanna Loken (L Word, BloodRayne, T3)

Gillian Anderson (X Files)

Jenni- Basically, no suggestions. Someone tossed out Michelle Rodriguez, but I can't see it. Can you?

Travis

Ben Browder (Farscape, SG-1)

Nathan Fillon (Firefly, Desperate Housewives)

Juan- (he resembles Robert Rodriguez, the director, in the book) No suggestions

Nerit

Mira Furlan (Babylon 5, Lost) She's about a decade younger than Nerit, but would kick ass.

If you come up with any suggestions for minor characters, post those too!

I'm anxious to see your suggestions.

FIRST UPDATE:

A suggestion was made on the Library of the Living Dead Forum here for the role of Jenni.

Non-Hispanic actress Mia Kirsher was suggested.

I can see it working, but I was thinking of Hispanic actresses (or half at least).

But if you went for someone who could play crazy (and Mia can), I would offer up Summer Glau.


2nd Update

This suggestion also came from the Library of the Living Dead forum. I REALLY like it.
Jordana Brewster is Latina (like Jenni) and can seriously kick ass if she wants to.