tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75027727235863437072024-03-17T23:02:57.248-04:00The Write MageThe blog of YA/NA Speculative Fiction Author Debra Renée Byrd (me!)Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.comBlogger398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-6198931448290247762024-03-15T12:00:00.095-04:002024-03-15T12:00:00.248-04:00Weekly Words and Playing Catch Up<p> I'm writing this early, so I don't take another long break by accident.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNT2IMoFcUvH1S5r3JsT_FFmgjEfvNNg7wYJFvj2FsTiCXdevPZjI_AzA1Hs9tYh7dTCdc5FL10huXPDhSGwrvznfr50FEo07a5K4kLKPLLlynUuAFUIjPh0AyfyMuEHKHf64uitlBUgqVKh9CnGxjCUtXG0iU2sGZizmK2DGjFc4N_H1tm_aP8ZDSEJY/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNT2IMoFcUvH1S5r3JsT_FFmgjEfvNNg7wYJFvj2FsTiCXdevPZjI_AzA1Hs9tYh7dTCdc5FL10huXPDhSGwrvznfr50FEo07a5K4kLKPLLlynUuAFUIjPh0AyfyMuEHKHf64uitlBUgqVKh9CnGxjCUtXG0iU2sGZizmK2DGjFc4N_H1tm_aP8ZDSEJY/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">February, as always, was dumb short. I blinked, and it was March. But despite what books the (might as well be alt but let's be real) right keep trying to ban, I hope you learned something new in Black History Month. And Happy Women's History Month!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I finished what I thought was a trilogy, but come to find out, there are at least 30 books in that series, and by the end of the third book, I was highly underwhelmed, so not continuing it. I will say that on behalf of Women's History Month, men, please stop trying to write teenage girls. It's painful to read. On that note, the book I started reading after that seems . . . interesting. From the blond/blue-eyed golden child (literally had a golden aura around him, as seen by homeless man he and his friends were harassing) to dogs getting taken up in the rapture but not cats, I'm worried about what the rest of the writing holds, but I'll stick it out.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I've been writing up a mild rain (not a storm but haha), and I'm excited! I was very tempted to just go ahead and start Book 3 in these <i>Shattered Chronicles</i>, but I'm behaving. Of all three books, though, I do have the majority of the third's plot points floating around in my head. I know what the entire first part is going to be, and I know what the resolution is and how we get there. I've almost come full circle with my original idea, because I wanted the series to feel like a Final Fantasy video game, and if you know anything about that "third cd" (if you know, you know), Book 3 is absolutely going to be that. I'm working myself up just thinking about it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I also had plans to be editing my audiobook recording by now, but I was so sick in January that I was still recovering in February! Hopefully I can pick recording back up this month. I was really enjoying it, and I want to get the audiobook out this year. Let's hope I can!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In other news, I'm in an 8-week course on how to build a game from scratch thanks to Black Girl Gamers and Anything World. Making video games is something I've thought about/toyed very loosely with over the years, so maybe this is the start of something. At least a basic game. I'm also playing with the idea of maybe making a Chapters story? I haven't done dramatic soap-opera type stories since my high school fan fiction days, and it's been even longer since I've written chapter books, but who knows? I might abandon the idea in a few weeks. haha For now, I'm at least enjoying the weird werewolf drama I'm choosing my own adventure in.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I actually don't know how well blogs are still doing. Even I haven't read the ones I follow in years now. I know with Patreon and these new blog subscriptions that are gaining traction, more popular content creators have those avenues. I do not have that luxury. I've even fallen off the social media for the most part, but I do plan on picking that back up. I was certainly supposed to be engaging more on Facebook for sure, so I will do my best! In the meantime, Happy Lent, Mubarak Ramadan, and see you next time!</p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-74286834726793326462024-01-26T12:00:00.025-05:002024-01-26T12:00:00.156-05:00Weekly Words: Untouched by Robert J. Crane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7XdQvsGuSIXthdq_yoYiGgOigsxMW5fp5NlAx8H-9GF0KEbecu6RVLXVUljSnym983H6yfX332fL-zTVhP5mQmoyGGnbvGALgvGqoa-rUmdee18A7tH2hETOaWTwxraVFMlDEd5bFraEkTXMU5kYpibUfKicFsn1_uFW2TSJxt6F_WZAVGpyQUKsTxzD/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7XdQvsGuSIXthdq_yoYiGgOigsxMW5fp5NlAx8H-9GF0KEbecu6RVLXVUljSnym983H6yfX332fL-zTVhP5mQmoyGGnbvGALgvGqoa-rUmdee18A7tH2hETOaWTwxraVFMlDEd5bFraEkTXMU5kYpibUfKicFsn1_uFW2TSJxt6F_WZAVGpyQUKsTxzD/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It's already the end of January, what?!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And it's a Friday. so far, I've finished two books, so I'm proud of myself. One was short, non-fiction, and non-good, so there's that, but the other was the precursor to the book I'm currently reading: <i>Untouched</i> by Robert J. Crane.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Still haunted by her last encounter with Wolfe and searching for her mother, Sienna Nealon must put aside her personal struggles when a new threat emerges – Aleksandr Gavrikov, a metahuman so powerful, he could destroy entire cities – and he's focused on bringing the Directorate to its knees.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ending of <i>Alone</i> was very interesting, as Sienna's true power finally manifested, and at least one of her mother's weird rules made perfect sense. I also looked up the definition of paranormal, and I understand why this is labeled that way now. With the introduction of this new character and starting with his past, I'm curious to how the rest of the story will play out. We still have no clue where Sienna's mother is, and like Sienna, I still don't know exactly who to trust. I've already seen a little growth in Sienna, but mostly because her stupid decisions have led to trauma, so hopefully there will be other ways her character arc develops, as I'm reading a grown man writing a sheltered teenaged girl. I'll see.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What are you reading?</div>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-37648401272522610532024-01-12T12:00:00.037-05:002024-01-25T14:02:00.532-05:00Weekly Words: Alone by Robert J. Crane<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlh-K0QvsLvcJ7BPGNsWCwYPe75h13d1z7MbTx4A2znb9JahTmNnjHfgo8Xw7-inIGla5ST3xak7AAQUq3HtjUbpnfBbH1zLu1gpKFKsKgnGZ_QGpfHW1Z5W-UdNwdHNR54tbMjTr5lAOfRKMjQdoqROYIlnmyWa-zHohUWiEs1B4K0Po1pUvvKrXLy8r/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlh-K0QvsLvcJ7BPGNsWCwYPe75h13d1z7MbTx4A2znb9JahTmNnjHfgo8Xw7-inIGla5ST3xak7AAQUq3HtjUbpnfBbH1zLu1gpKFKsKgnGZ_QGpfHW1Z5W-UdNwdHNR54tbMjTr5lAOfRKMjQdoqROYIlnmyWa-zHohUWiEs1B4K0Po1pUvvKrXLy8r/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Happy New Year! I can't believe it's 2024. When you get older, time seems to move so much faster. I'll be 40 in July! How!?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Anyhow, with the start of the new year, I've started my most lofty reading goal yet, and that is to read 24 books this year. I have friends who have read 100, and I know I can't do that, but I can at least read two books a month if I get off my phone.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">On that note, I have decided to chip away at my growing Kindle collection and have started with Robert J. Crane's <i>Alone</i> from his Girl in the Box series.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSCQJin5Zx428nFJ2UHZAY9pyI9NSkY4SxJ-4aB2VSbtLOW_f4R_rkPDIc1MXOKwtrg1KxmBG06nZU4fhT5BPABLS5zZtnDmG0NtC8THvwbfL30-I2wQ3kA4AJTsVzOxXvTiqLeTW3ky8JEuiDNOuvCH2pH7mq_L-rKw3y-ItMAiO9r0uxhrE8RW53QTx/s781/Alone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="482" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSCQJin5Zx428nFJ2UHZAY9pyI9NSkY4SxJ-4aB2VSbtLOW_f4R_rkPDIc1MXOKwtrg1KxmBG06nZU4fhT5BPABLS5zZtnDmG0NtC8THvwbfL30-I2wQ3kA4AJTsVzOxXvTiqLeTW3ky8JEuiDNOuvCH2pH7mq_L-rKw3y-ItMAiO9r0uxhrE8RW53QTx/w246-h400/Alone.png" width="246" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Sienna Nealon was a 17 year-old girl who had been held prisoner in her own house by her mother for twelve years. Then one day her mother vanished, and Sienna woke up to find two strange men in her home. On the run, unsure of who to turn to and discovering she possesses mysterious powers, Sienna finds herself pursued by a shadowy agency known as the Directorate and hunted by a vicious, bloodthirsty psychopath named Wolfe, each of which is determined to capture her for their own purposes...</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having written an objectively annoying teenager trying to take on the world herself, Sienna has made me mad several times in this book. She has spent most of years training to fight, and not being allowed to leave the house, so when she thinks she can take on the aforementioned psychopath who is not only psycho but noted as being a very old mythical-type creature, I knew she was delusional.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm curious to see how this pans out, because I want to know where her mom is, why she left, and more importantly, what Sienna actually is. The header on the Kindle also notes this series as being paranormal, but it's so far more supernatural, which is why I labelled this post as both.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The dialogue is great. Sienna is an asshole, and I do love an asshole main character. I just wish she wasn't also naively stupid. Hopefully she learns before the bodies stack up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What are you reading? What are your reading goals this year?</div>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-51789102845093082672023-12-01T13:30:00.001-05:002023-12-01T13:30:00.138-05:00Monthly Review<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkswnB8zB2rcraMJTSaMu7fs-maBe8KAPf7EPuhzC6bWmTkQLhv7Hs6px42H2cHTrf78My6fJ30wFg7jL2WzG4q1CGsOBeSdP1NHCC3D2sLz0mSiUxX0BemXJVUzuQOG3z5l8zbxQEaQiQoz5mX7i1d-aJ9l_AhTC4xgDW3Fx_W7VoupCGszze01XC7OLv/s2048/dreamstime_xxl_116984428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkswnB8zB2rcraMJTSaMu7fs-maBe8KAPf7EPuhzC6bWmTkQLhv7Hs6px42H2cHTrf78My6fJ30wFg7jL2WzG4q1CGsOBeSdP1NHCC3D2sLz0mSiUxX0BemXJVUzuQOG3z5l8zbxQEaQiQoz5mX7i1d-aJ9l_AhTC4xgDW3Fx_W7VoupCGszze01XC7OLv/s320/dreamstime_xxl_116984428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Creative Commons Zero (CC0)<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Happy December!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was supposed to come back last week to talk about Blue Hen Comic-Con, but it was a busy week. Overall, the Comic-Con was good. One thing I did observe, and observed during Dover Comic-Con as well, is that most of the teenagers/young adults (the target audience for <i>Fractured Princess</i>) passed by my table. They're definitely more interested in the anime/scifi aspects of conventions, which I totally understand. Still pretty painful to witness, BUT I did meet a great author who had flyers for an actual book convention, so I am going to sign up for that. Book conventions will obviously be a better draw, so the books I didn't sell will go towards that, if I still have them by then. We'll see. It was also a lesson on not to plan what bills you'll get to pay off afterwards, because I only broke even, so nothing was paid off. On a positive note, at least I broke even.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, I have yet to unpack my car...Maybe next year haha.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I haven't failed my reading challenge, but I've failed my reading challenge. I'm reading a book that is thankfully short, because it's bad. I don't like bashing other authors, because I know the time it takes to write, but it was clear this author needed way more guidance, training, and editing than they received. It reminded me that I also still need to read up on writing, because 1) I literally started the series I'm currently working on TWENTY years ago, and 2) there is a lot I probably still need to learn, even though I've been writing for decades now, and especially as an independent author. Do I want to try to traditionally publish the next series? I'm not even sure. It's a nice thought, but if the industry still hasn't changed, why bother?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On another positive note, I did have some people at the Convention ask about an audiobook. I streamed my first recording, then immediately realized I wasn't close enough to the mic. I'll try to stream again, but I'll have to figure out a configuration, because the little sound box I have (aka borrowed) is small, and I need to fit a mic, my laptop, and my head in that thing! So, all that said, streaming most likely won't be happening. I wanted to have a fun way to engage on Twitch with my writing, though. Maybe writing sessions, but I'm so spacey with those. It would force me to focus, but I don't want to be forced to focus. I'm so annoying.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyways, I cannot believe December is here already. The older you get, the faster time seems to go by. Someone said it's because as a child, you don't really have much past to look back on, so it feels slower? Something like that. All I know is I'm supposed to have completed an audiobook by now, read more books, and finished all of my unfinished games, and none of that happened. *facepalm* I hope your November went well, and I wish everyone Happy Holidays! See you in January!</div>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-40578714041489399132023-11-10T12:36:00.001-05:002023-11-10T12:36:11.253-05:00Just Checking In!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aW-SebFAidqAmDKchriUWDeq2H8PnlwSC-jP3lBaRTkU-NmzpMfHkzFgYi6eaNucAMf5bLbiGTKbVvbr1ufU3I2tsUllgPocp6MqZrbpekPfVxI8rJ9Kg7tyBvisbe3JZVvG2HxR24QSp30DvGeH72hPuEsN3-3b8jclIIJLeU7V5luuGt-XqUyJ47B8/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aW-SebFAidqAmDKchriUWDeq2H8PnlwSC-jP3lBaRTkU-NmzpMfHkzFgYi6eaNucAMf5bLbiGTKbVvbr1ufU3I2tsUllgPocp6MqZrbpekPfVxI8rJ9Kg7tyBvisbe3JZVvG2HxR24QSp30DvGeH72hPuEsN3-3b8jclIIJLeU7V5luuGt-XqUyJ47B8/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Happy Friday!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Let me start by saying Thank you to all veterans for your service! Veterans Day is also my mom's birthday, so we will be having our now standard British Brunch in her honor tomorrow. Last year I brought Yorkshire pudding and this year forgot that I bought the mix on Amazon, but the recipes I've seen just say I need flour, so what the heck was in the mix? Are they cheating us?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, I had a goal to read Edgar Allen Poe's complete works in October, and the first story I encountered was so fricking boring that it took me until November to finish it. I have to learn to speed read, but I also need to read some of the other million books I have on my Kindle.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Last Saturday, I attended the first Black Women's Health Conference founded by my play-cousin, and it was AMAZING. I can't wait for next year. It was amazing. Somewhere in the middle of it, I realized what I need to do for one of my next book projects. It might've been around the "Burn it all down" portion of Q&A. Either way, I'm excited again about that particular story.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm coming up on another paste-a-scene in my writing, so I'm happy about that. I'm glad I wrote so many salvageable scenes and chapters before I started <i>Divided Princess</i> again. It really was just that I needed to put new scenes and ideas in their proper places. This is going to make the story so much stronger. Did I mention the Women's Meditation Retreat I was in last month? If not, while meditating, God gave me a key to the ending of the series, and I could've fallen out right then. It makes so much sense. I'm extra excited about it and can't wait to get there. This story has morphed into something I never expected, especially as I had planned for it to be one book and have no sequels.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Next weekend, I will be at my first two-day convention, Blue Hen Comic-Con, and I had to buy less books that I wanted. Only 9 less, but...eh. I sold 35 books in one day at the Dover Comic-Con, if I remember correctly. I have 66 for two days. This could work. I'm just nervous. I also hope one day I'll be selling not to recoup what I bought and pay off some bills, but to have some extra cash. Of course, that's not the main goal, but it would be so helpful. I usually go live when I finish setting up, and because this one is indoors, I only have to set up my table, so I'll go live a little longer this time. I will most likely check in the Friday after next to share how the convention went.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I started this post an hour ago with the hope to post at Noon, and I'm out of words to say. Have a great weekend!</p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-7567882079033145452023-10-27T12:00:00.028-04:002023-10-27T12:00:00.141-04:00Monthly Review<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkswnB8zB2rcraMJTSaMu7fs-maBe8KAPf7EPuhzC6bWmTkQLhv7Hs6px42H2cHTrf78My6fJ30wFg7jL2WzG4q1CGsOBeSdP1NHCC3D2sLz0mSiUxX0BemXJVUzuQOG3z5l8zbxQEaQiQoz5mX7i1d-aJ9l_AhTC4xgDW3Fx_W7VoupCGszze01XC7OLv/s2048/dreamstime_xxl_116984428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkswnB8zB2rcraMJTSaMu7fs-maBe8KAPf7EPuhzC6bWmTkQLhv7Hs6px42H2cHTrf78My6fJ30wFg7jL2WzG4q1CGsOBeSdP1NHCC3D2sLz0mSiUxX0BemXJVUzuQOG3z5l8zbxQEaQiQoz5mX7i1d-aJ9l_AhTC4xgDW3Fx_W7VoupCGszze01XC7OLv/s320/dreamstime_xxl_116984428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Creative Commons Zero (CC0)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">It has been two months since my last monthly review, but honestly, not much has changed. I'm editing a little more than I'm writing, but I'm at the point where I'm about to pull scenes from the first and second pass of this book, and I think after that, I'll be moving steadily.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reading-related segue, I just had to force myself to finish a Facebook story, and I feel like my attention span is getting worse. On the other hand, I'm realizing I never had much of an attention span. I would literally be taking notes in class while writing a story. I used to read during commercials, but also now we can skip those, so my reading has continued to plummet. Not to mention my phone is glued to my hand. I really need to force myself to read, because I have HUNDREDS of books now that I need to read, from as far back as 2016, I'm sure. All that so say, I have not finished a book this month. I haven't even finished the short story I'm reading (Poe's Hans Pfall short story), and I know half of that is because he's just <i>rambling</i>. I need to stop trying to read things just to read them and read what interests me. That should be a revelation, but it is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a table at a women's conference a couple of weeks ago. I had 16 books left from Dover Comic-Con, so I brought those and sold 8. Grateful for those who bought a book. I really wish more people had been interested, but I guess at least I have less books to buy for the Blue Hen Comic-Con, if only 8 less. I don't think this is a just a me-problem, but getting financial support for these things is pretty hard, and I try not to let that discourage me. It does worry me wondering if I'll be able to recoup what I risk, especially in this economy. The Patreon didn't work. I was literally just making videos for my younger sister. I want to do more marketing or promotions like Bookbub, but those also cost money. Self-publishing is a hard road, but I took it for a reason. I think I just have to be okay with the idea of writing being a hobby unless I get noticed and become a big name.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last Saturday, <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/debthebird" target="_blank">I streamed while recording</a> the first two chapters of <i>Fractured Princess</i>. I already have to re-record them. I wasn't close enough to the mic, but I hope to get the book recorded so I can publish the audiobook before the year ends. I really enjoyed doing it. I'll probably try to re-record today--though I won't stream it. I've posted pieces of the first chapter so many times already. It took two hours to post two chapters, and the two chapters together, I think were about an hour and a half long, before editing, so I'm pretty sure it takes at least three times as much time to record as it does to listen, and the audiobooks I've read have been about 8 hours long. *Crying Pepe emoji*</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think that's all that's happened. Oh! I saw Wicked! with my younger sister for her birthday. Amazing! Wasn't a fan of the ableism in the story, but aside from that, really cool how they worked the backstory and background of the Oz universe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, that's all for real. Good luck to those doing NaNoWriMo. I will be working on this book for sure, but not participating.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Halloween!</div>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-44530180283315062842023-10-13T09:00:00.001-04:002023-10-13T09:00:00.146-04:00Happy Friday! I'm on Threads!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9DMWGB5_eEXCRfUAAxQUiOwVTafzRiILtVhn4w48C5zPFq-Hf7iMOvdB3xjDUO4DOuRSvnKau8ecr1ayZaq9NBXAPYwReJtqtyAEV9IYp6nRnrH2FLYbO6jAJSWzzCUjYiIoGVYV7Ee1n6l9fyK0IQQmd6cycQf-k4cmg5PJDslyEsPA88fnmra8Cz28/s309/Linktree%20Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="309" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9DMWGB5_eEXCRfUAAxQUiOwVTafzRiILtVhn4w48C5zPFq-Hf7iMOvdB3xjDUO4DOuRSvnKau8ecr1ayZaq9NBXAPYwReJtqtyAEV9IYp6nRnrH2FLYbO6jAJSWzzCUjYiIoGVYV7Ee1n6l9fyK0IQQmd6cycQf-k4cmg5PJDslyEsPA88fnmra8Cz28/s1600/Linktree%20Pic.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Howdy ho!</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm in the office today because of an open house (blugh), but I just wanted to stop by and say that I am now on Threads! I need an "old Twitter"-like outlet where I can just word vomit whenever I feel, so I'm going to be using that. I already have a stan post for Chris Stapleton planned. XD</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.threads.net/@debreneebyrd" target="_blank">Click this link to visit and follow me!</a></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-53548123418339284112023-09-29T13:30:00.001-04:002023-09-29T13:42:16.657-04:00Quarterly Goals: Conventions and Sales<p style="text-align: justify;">I saw a Reel the other day asking September if it has someone to be, and that's a great question, because how is October on Sunday?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYt5lLuFWBwwaXxl-QkRv3XRykfwCUG_Fn12UGHQJL0JWiSrSuIvi0TLGdbCTNopK_ssXvg7F4Pw5HuScHMsvDwCoAe15F-lBH7p93fo4oJwJ5M0WyYL9iYLffK9UTm7HJLqy0SoI6fHLQn63s1cIFU_YGS_WftIRwwI-ccgMoNeli3YQTV0Ylnic8oAJV/s544/GOALS.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="544" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYt5lLuFWBwwaXxl-QkRv3XRykfwCUG_Fn12UGHQJL0JWiSrSuIvi0TLGdbCTNopK_ssXvg7F4Pw5HuScHMsvDwCoAe15F-lBH7p93fo4oJwJ5M0WyYL9iYLffK9UTm7HJLqy0SoI6fHLQn63s1cIFU_YGS_WftIRwwI-ccgMoNeli3YQTV0Ylnic8oAJV/s320/GOALS.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">It is a fifth Friday, so that means it is time for my quarterly goals. Last quarter, I sought to publish <i>Fractured Princess</i>, and I did! It is now available in all text formats (see the links below!). My goal for this coming quarter is to record and publish the audiobook. I had started practicing reading it aloud last quarter on Twitch, but then I got sick for an entire month, so now I have to strengthen my vocal cords and lungs back up. I definitely want to get the audiobook out before the year is up, though.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Also, of course, in the next quarter, I would like to try to have--at least--the first two parts of <i>Divided Princess</i> completed. I know just about all of the major plot points. I just need to connect them. If I can say "THE BOOK IS FINISHED" in January, that would be just the bees knees. Wish big. Work big.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">My other goal was to make my reading goal. I've read 11 books so far, so that means I'm going to make the 12! Depending on how many I finish, I'll try to add a book a quarter. No promises. I'm only doing it for myself anyway. I started Poe's complete works, because I've only read a few of his short stories and one poem in school ("Annabel Lee"; I haven't even read "The Raven"), so I'm going to power through this weird story about Hans Pfall, which is mostly a rambling so far, and go from there.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Another goal is to try to get more sales in. For me, that will mean a little more marketing and trying to get into more conventions as a vendor. I have Blue Hen Comic-Con in November. I didn't make the cut for the Multiverse Con in October. I know there is a big fantasy one in D.C. in the Spring? Early Summer? So, I will keep an eye on that. Marketing and social media-ing is tougher. I deleted my Twitter account, so I'm down an avenue. I'm thinking more about Threads than any other newer outlet. I like Spoutible. It's being ignored even by articles listing new social media apps, but so far, it's the one with the least issues. I need to keep a better presence on Facebook, but they always recommend I post around 7:00pm. I mean, I guess I can schedule something, but I like to be in the moment. We'll see.</p><p>Anyhow, those are my goals. Have a happy Spooky season! I'll see you next month. ;)</p><p style="text-align: center;">_______________________________________________________________________</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH4h39OVmNO8CEWKulVWq3bUvBSk-L0XGabWBFjDgfPP9PlegxX5oFHIjcWJZHI6E7D2bp2PkFPmZZi_RZM4QTnduTL5uvBdIzqhbZ-M6DrziKQhiOs7jNuglGE2d6QmDdRVqcxeIKxxNCx6DyO-fuT_radcC0UCg1NfnvjuLic83e81KHwk2wcIGebDY/s2250/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH4h39OVmNO8CEWKulVWq3bUvBSk-L0XGabWBFjDgfPP9PlegxX5oFHIjcWJZHI6E7D2bp2PkFPmZZi_RZM4QTnduTL5uvBdIzqhbZ-M6DrziKQhiOs7jNuglGE2d6QmDdRVqcxeIKxxNCx6DyO-fuT_radcC0UCg1NfnvjuLic83e81KHwk2wcIGebDY/s320/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" width="201" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">FRACTURED PRINCESS is now available in Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover! Get your copy today!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5ST5X1J?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn">Kindle Edition (amazon.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5ST5X1J?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_m_mng_rwt_sft_tpbk_tkin">Paperback Edition (amazon.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5ST5X1J?binding=hardcover&ref=dbs_m_mng_rwt_sft_thcv_tpbk">Hardcover Edition (amazon.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fractured-princess-racheal-scotland/1143570745?ean=9798373097314">Paperback (barnesandnoble.com)</a></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-75349282174074428522023-09-22T12:00:00.030-04:002023-09-22T12:00:00.141-04:00Quick September Writing Update<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTC-gpVCtUrTQIiuXe6fxvXIP45k_kOYob2RRSh5xes8CATu_qW0qrmvcjQ142V7Ori8NDOFLaRpuPgHx0Guun4xNrDkwZhpvW2BSZ8-rith4d1fS8v3UanrcI5pvAHnpfAkKPWbDxaR3djWtMy7f3flsH1Yl52r0q9LWoJF8nQGCT8dz2mu64uUx_kiT/s667/writing%20update.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="667" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTC-gpVCtUrTQIiuXe6fxvXIP45k_kOYob2RRSh5xes8CATu_qW0qrmvcjQ142V7Ori8NDOFLaRpuPgHx0Guun4xNrDkwZhpvW2BSZ8-rith4d1fS8v3UanrcI5pvAHnpfAkKPWbDxaR3djWtMy7f3flsH1Yl52r0q9LWoJF8nQGCT8dz2mu64uUx_kiT/s320/writing%20update.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">So just a quick update, because I haven't blogged in 3 weeks.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As I mentioned in the <a href="https://www.thewritemage.com/2023/08/monthly-review-it-worked.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, the new direction went very well! The majority of the second chapter was the scene I mentioned in that post (where I was worried I wouldn't be able to use it), so I am at the third chapter now. I was about to keep jumping into the action, but no, I need a little more regular time for Cyan and Jonnie (although, I did sneak in a bit of suspense in the second chapter). By the fourth chapter, I believe it will be time to get into the meat of the story, and with so much already written, I'm <i>partially</i> sure the rest of the writing will be done quickly. I won't declare a date, but things are looking up. I'm excited.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I, for sure, need to make at least a Quarterly Review post next week, so I'm going to start working on it now. haha See you then!</p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-2383712633017391242023-09-01T12:00:00.090-04:002023-09-08T20:07:11.660-04:00Weekly Words: Am Reading Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's Mo Dao Zu Shi<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VAiv3AymUtWUpppKXaalT9bI6moCjL8CEwavjFzQvQKUfH2zNT1Y5tB4WWQRAzFuzogfyChlSDd3Kf3YqhPA7q1Low9sMG_S7r8m6_tf_i2iOwsXAFxHP5HxWYfamMfC3WUAiz2H5VYaSLM4wjzeMm9aYYCAokhTuTu-al46qYcIckt_T6Ej_wT4-w2g/s448/Weekly%20Words.png"><img alt="Open book that says "Weekly Words"" border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VAiv3AymUtWUpppKXaalT9bI6moCjL8CEwavjFzQvQKUfH2zNT1Y5tB4WWQRAzFuzogfyChlSDd3Kf3YqhPA7q1Low9sMG_S7r8m6_tf_i2iOwsXAFxHP5HxWYfamMfC3WUAiz2H5VYaSLM4wjzeMm9aYYCAokhTuTu-al46qYcIckt_T6Ej_wT4-w2g/w320-h166/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Well, happy September! Summer is basically over, and I've only been on the beach in San Pedro, Belize. Woe is me. I started August with a sinus infection and ended it with COVID, so I'm hoping for a slightly better September.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">While sick, I spent this week rewatching Steven Universe. I love that show. But also, I started a new book, which I'm super excited about, because it's the basis for one of my other favorite shows, <i>The Untamed</i> on Netflix: <i>Mo Dao Zu Shi</i> by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqX-T609a2l6PZscX6fnGhjzX-T0g6vw-47WSEKdxmsj-RB9w8r6nr1K38dtzEyFwgqCQd4uvnMRDSvA8T2qsqg-X2HJottfLebAhYrrqRTiDIFIzJgmr6FysfzYHWlZnxf5Lha-nyrlAPbNA-xh9vmJ5mtL0l7H4-SyO2UHp1DhRLyg0V_1vyz0Rnqca/s810/Untamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover: Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation 1. Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. Two teenage Chinese boys in traditional feudal clothing in front of the full moon." border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="585" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqX-T609a2l6PZscX6fnGhjzX-T0g6vw-47WSEKdxmsj-RB9w8r6nr1K38dtzEyFwgqCQd4uvnMRDSvA8T2qsqg-X2HJottfLebAhYrrqRTiDIFIzJgmr6FysfzYHWlZnxf5Lha-nyrlAPbNA-xh9vmJ5mtL0l7H4-SyO2UHp1DhRLyg0V_1vyz0Rnqca/w289-h400/Untamed.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Resurrection and Revenge.</i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Wei Wuxian was once one of the most powerful men of his generation, a talented and clever young cultivator who harnessed martial arts and spirituality into powerful abilities. But when the horrors of war led him to seek more power through demonic cultivation, the world's respect for his abilities turned to fear, and his death was celebrated throughout the land.</i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Years later, he awakens in the body of an aggrieved young man who sacrifices his soul so that Wei Wuxian can exact revenge on his behalf. Though granted a second life, Wei Wuxian is not free from his first, nor the mysteries that appear before him now. Yet this time, he'll face it all with the righteous and esteemed Lan Wangji at his side, another powerful cultivator whose unwavering dedication and shared memories of their past will help shine a light on the dark truths that surround them.</i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I watched the show twice and started the manhua (Chinese version of anime) on Youtube, so I know this highlighted scene like the back of my hand, the first time the wild horse Wei Wuxian (right) went head-to-head with the very strict Lan Wangji (left). I'm 82 pages in at the moment, and so far, the Netflix show stays very true to the book, Chinese censorship laws notwithstanding. There's much more detail about the characters, of course, so we get an even more well-rounded image of them. There are even things I'm noticing in the story as a whole that I missed in the show.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The tv version of the story is a frame story, but in the book, it's written more like flashbacks. Either way, we start in the present and go back into the past to learn why exactly Wei Wuxian was summoned back to life: which was to discover a truth that his summoner uncovered and was ostracized for. We embark on a mystery filled with a little humor, what I expect (from the show) to be a lot of trauma and sadness, and fantastical romance that lives on Tumblr so prominently it's how I discovered the show in the first place. If you stumble upon any iteration of this story, I hope you love it as much as I do!</p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-37957066657062692592023-08-25T13:00:00.001-04:002023-08-25T13:00:00.138-04:00Monthly Review: It worked!<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUCWGfzr4v-FHIh-NMLXJn8onDR0ygaca1_wkmi_RDvPy1dlnJwJ71ryN8rIs_gjbgRdWx4zufwxSObbvBi26ubAaJRx6y6wUgw0xPhM31oFM_qd4nInfnMLTRLpY46EF-ZrCl_EdmA2WpCRF5hHBP-mm_mrI-yBcc3Zfulc1ls8NwwHDaD7L7BRs3rGl/s2048/dreamstime_xxl_116984428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Black and white photo of woman writing in notebook" border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUCWGfzr4v-FHIh-NMLXJn8onDR0ygaca1_wkmi_RDvPy1dlnJwJ71ryN8rIs_gjbgRdWx4zufwxSObbvBi26ubAaJRx6y6wUgw0xPhM31oFM_qd4nInfnMLTRLpY46EF-ZrCl_EdmA2WpCRF5hHBP-mm_mrI-yBcc3Zfulc1ls8NwwHDaD7L7BRs3rGl/w320-h225/dreamstime_xxl_116984428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Creative Commons Zero (CC0)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">August is almost gone, and I've only been to a beach out of the country. I'm first world problems sad.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But on the bright side, I cracked my writer's block! As I said in my last <a href="https://www.thewritemage.com/2023/08/writing-update-man-im-stuck.html" target="_blank">writing update</a>, I wanted to give Jonnie and Cyan a normal life for a little bit. Thus, I started over yet again, but when I did, I wrote a little over 4,000 new words! I'm so excited and pleased with this new first chapter. And on top of that, I get to use a scene I didn't think would fit into the story, but now it does! I was trying to figure out how to connect a major part of the plot, and now I know (almost) exactly how to do it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aside from catching up on my DVR and rewatching Futurama and now Steven Universe, that's really all I've done with the month. Next weekend, I hope to get back to practicing voice work so I can record this audiobook. I hope to have more on that soon. Also started reading a book I'm super excited about, so I'll talk about that next Friday! I know I threw out my schedule, but I mean, it'll be the first Friday, so why not do a classic Weekly Words post?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have a great rest of August!</div>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-20464647065476040232023-08-11T12:00:00.005-04:002023-08-25T11:36:46.637-04:00Writing Update: Man, I'm Stuck<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL1b3kr4nEfF6ce_UlCcuWb9Z0REoXDMJDWy3W_7gQ7yi79cBgkWY8Rp8F4m4eadDZT2op4HRvfUlz5nypzWB-38LmIFBILDd3cJ7fQNDICDDnSX3b1PznLshetdJ3HFEhCrPImabtcRAnNXqhJ-wHZfJEUVLI6MhSdEK1vPG5uhieF4yqQl7agWYDwqO/s667/writing%20update.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="667" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL1b3kr4nEfF6ce_UlCcuWb9Z0REoXDMJDWy3W_7gQ7yi79cBgkWY8Rp8F4m4eadDZT2op4HRvfUlz5nypzWB-38LmIFBILDd3cJ7fQNDICDDnSX3b1PznLshetdJ3HFEhCrPImabtcRAnNXqhJ-wHZfJEUVLI6MhSdEK1vPG5uhieF4yqQl7agWYDwqO/s320/writing%20update.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is a quick post so I can say I posted. Haha</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But seriously, I'm a little stuck in my head on this sequel. As I've said before, I started from scratch after writing about two-thirds of it because I didn't like the direction it was going emotionally. But now the I've started over, I've been dragging and doubting if I should've. I haven't written as much as I did the first pass, most likely because I wrote SO MUCH that first pass.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The one thing I really wanted to do from the beginning was give Jonnie and Cyan time to live without struggle. I think that's part of the problem. I haven't let them do that. Does it make for a good opener, though? If I do it right, it just might. I just have to work on it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I do know, which I've probably already said as well, that scenes/chapters from the first pass are needed for this one, so they weren't written in vain. They're just waiting for where they belong.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And last but not least, I don't necessarily need to plot the main story, but definitely the backstory that plays into it. It's so meaty, and I need to make sure I get it right. It CAN'T have any flaws if it's to hit the way I need it to. I'm still really excited about it, though. I hope y'all are too.</p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-11213127532736995542023-07-21T12:12:00.002-04:002023-08-10T21:13:42.014-04:00Birthday Shenanigans and Writing Update<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkuxM2pl0QF7nqS8pzZiLNvsOa1KdNwul4z2JahxkOx3xTXczYFhNkMVbg1n0QO7Y_7OSDYfFBbpe7MDhRa9uK2dqtZsJ8gH-eG63BOcYEec6uUvRBiPgSjaiPizlH1pUuu3wyR10E0GMpeCVZhbiwu5ilZdI9XgHFuIzK_kSuc_crSITWfQeLfz6Ezcn/s667/writing%20update.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="667" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkuxM2pl0QF7nqS8pzZiLNvsOa1KdNwul4z2JahxkOx3xTXczYFhNkMVbg1n0QO7Y_7OSDYfFBbpe7MDhRa9uK2dqtZsJ8gH-eG63BOcYEec6uUvRBiPgSjaiPizlH1pUuu3wyR10E0GMpeCVZhbiwu5ilZdI9XgHFuIzK_kSuc_crSITWfQeLfz6Ezcn/s320/writing%20update.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Happy Friday!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's the last week of Cancer Season, and I don't know where the time went, but I had a great birthday week! Last Saturday, I went to Salted Vines Winery down in Frankford, met an amazing singer who I plan to see again when she's there, and had some great food and wine with my family. Monday, I went to my favorite restaurant, Greene Turtle, with my friends. Wednesday was my birthday, so after I went to Starbucks for my free drink, haha, I went to the mall and ran up my credit card for the new FFVII remake, Funko Pops, some shirts, and shoes. Then, I came home and fiddled with my OBS to practice a stream (this sentence is hilarious) on Twitch. I made a couple mistakes that I can easily fix. The price is doing things myself. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Did I write, though?? I did, but???</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, I updated some mid-series backstory and conversation that actually makes it on the story about sed backstory. I reread what I've written so far, and I do feel like something is missing between my first two chapters. I'm not wholly sure why, save a feeling like I'm escalating things too quickly. Then again, it's nowhere near as escalated as Contagion destroying Aterholt Manor, so I don't know what my problem is. This is the problem with being a pantser, though. I know how the story ends. It's just a matter of getting there.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Can I get book 2 written by the end of the year?? If I set my mind to it! I already have chapters and/or scenes from the first take that I'm going to incorporate into this take. I had literally finished the first two of three parts before I decided to start over, so the material is there. And as I said before this book is going to be longer than FP by a few chapters. I was going to say hundred pages, but no, I think just a few chapters. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">It can be done, as Grampa Joe sang.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Next week, I will be in Belize, so I will see y'all in August!</p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-80115538101507433302023-07-07T12:00:00.001-04:002023-07-07T12:00:00.134-04:00Weekly Words: Am Reading Sher Lee's Fake Dates and Mooncakes<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM1ZLt2FlErIG-LdIYzKPRcGaknmORRGygDpwM-ZDOsEnd7k1v85JNsoFfrQLNhEHxJyOgn17bk-rGWW1FvCtJkEJqH3NDbm74xlktCTXiK5zDHxipIHi6tCNgFIaEo1y_aU5s3lYt6kSAvV2fZBiIKITz3ap7-OhEsMUDaYEPNVvSkXcfBwuvhYDs3UW/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM1ZLt2FlErIG-LdIYzKPRcGaknmORRGygDpwM-ZDOsEnd7k1v85JNsoFfrQLNhEHxJyOgn17bk-rGWW1FvCtJkEJqH3NDbm74xlktCTXiK5zDHxipIHi6tCNgFIaEo1y_aU5s3lYt6kSAvV2fZBiIKITz3ap7-OhEsMUDaYEPNVvSkXcfBwuvhYDs3UW/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Happy July!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's my birthday month! As I venture into my last 30-oughth, I'm excited for the things I have planned the rest of this year. FP Take 3 has been an adventure, and I plan to ride it into the next book. But first, some easy reading!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4morG5rEHu5kxFswo4TlAGiMcUsr45zTR17XURsrOBRi9Ep44q3axf6Gm5tkz2j-CvJcG4mPG6Sb0rpbyJy4QZurYSuuqalO_cD0z1dqGFdog0hbX0Q8vTxqxqBHAnkfaVq__jbvDVLYDnGgUowL28fLBaN2NspUez9ElDuecRAP0A_TOM35tSmuT3Wlf/s2475/FDMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4morG5rEHu5kxFswo4TlAGiMcUsr45zTR17XURsrOBRi9Ep44q3axf6Gm5tkz2j-CvJcG4mPG6Sb0rpbyJy4QZurYSuuqalO_cD0z1dqGFdog0hbX0Q8vTxqxqBHAnkfaVq__jbvDVLYDnGgUowL28fLBaN2NspUez9ElDuecRAP0A_TOM35tSmuT3Wlf/s320/FDMC.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This year, I'm trying to immerse myself in some more diverse reading and support my fellow authors of color. I'm starting with Sher Lee's <i>Fake Dates and Mooncakes</i>, a YA romance whose cover I absolutely love (CORGI!). The colors are vibrant and reminiscent of mooncakes, I believe. I can't wait to try some one day. Here is the blurb:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Dylan Tang wants to win a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making competition for teen chefs—in memory of his mom, and to bring much-needed publicity to his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout in Brooklyn.</i></b></p><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><b><i>Enter Theo Somers: charming, wealthy, with a smile that makes Dylan’s stomach do backflips. AKA a distraction. Their worlds are sun-and-moon apart, but Theo keeps showing up. He even convinces Dylan to be his fake date at a family wedding in the Hamptons.</i></b></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">In Theo’s glittering world of pomp, privilege, and crazy rich drama, their romance is supposed to be just pretend . . . but Dylan finds himself falling for Theo. For real. Then Theo’s relatives reveal their true colors—but with the mooncake contest looming, Dylan can’t risk being sidetracked by rich-people problems.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can Dylan save his family’s business and follow his heart—or will he fail to do both?</span></i></div></i><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are some high stakes right out the gate, and I feel for Dylan. I also love his family so far. Also, Theo is pretty adorable. I don't read contemporary romance that often, but I'm almost never disappointed. I can't wait to see how Dylan and Theo's story plays out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What are you reading this month?</div>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-15707175439056777002023-06-30T12:00:00.165-04:002023-06-30T12:00:00.138-04:00Monthly Review & Quarterly Goals<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPxoCvS46fEiGPgm912VtzueMGvQik21Wxfbr_7F8bn5HFbaN8JWxzlsctqTn6OW2sOj-RjabhVq2TBCL9y8tWFoJYE-qj06wZRVSDZ_J90AxPCLhgtXkRwrhLPy2N-xvfNGRH4Kx7G3SNT5n4mw0oZkANYJ3oBXFd8nJMX2sJN_r4jaA3SSQYhJCzI2E/s2048/dreamstime_xxl_116984428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPxoCvS46fEiGPgm912VtzueMGvQik21Wxfbr_7F8bn5HFbaN8JWxzlsctqTn6OW2sOj-RjabhVq2TBCL9y8tWFoJYE-qj06wZRVSDZ_J90AxPCLhgtXkRwrhLPy2N-xvfNGRH4Kx7G3SNT5n4mw0oZkANYJ3oBXFd8nJMX2sJN_r4jaA3SSQYhJCzI2E/s320/dreamstime_xxl_116984428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Creative Commons Zero (CC0)</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;">It's been so long since I've had a monthly review, I even forgot what picture I was using. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">At this point, I'm not even going to say I didn't mean to miss three weeks. I'm just bad at keeping a schedule.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This has been a very eventful month for me! I released <i>Fractured Princess</i> at the end of May and had a very successful day at Dover Comic Con two weeks later. I was even surprised to meet people who had remembered me from the 2021 Comic Con and last year's, where I just handed out "Coming Soon" gift bags. I'm proud of myself for talking to people and coming up with an elevator pitch on the fly. A few people didn't know what Final Fantasy was, so it was pointless to use that all the time. The pitch definitely made some eyes light up. I loved to see it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The day after Comic Con, I flew over to Nashville to watch my friend conduct his second annual Juneteenth Symphony. If you love symphonic music, please follow the <a href="https://naawsmusic.org" target="_blank">Nashville African American Wind Symphony</a>. They're going to do even bigger things in the future. I know it. Being in Nashville, first off, makes me never want to leave (I absolutely love it there), but seeing my friend do what he loves also makes me want to do so much more of the things I love, especially as a career. How I'll shift into that, we'll see, but I do not want to be a State worker forever. Could be a bit of near-40-life crisis talk emerging, but we'll see about that over the next 12 months as well. When I got home, I met with my cousin to help him do some plotting (pantser me? what?) for his novel. We were two very excited squirrels, but we got some work done! I love seeing how his story evolved, and he said my writing journey helped him do it, so that's a major bonus for me. If I could do something like that every day as my job, that would be ideal.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Shifting gears a <i>little</i> bit, if you're reading this straight from my blog, you'll notice a new Comic Con event in my sidebar! There is a <a href="https://bluehencomiccon.com" target="_blank">Blue Hen Comic Con</a> coming to Dover this November, and it will be TWO days long! I should stay in a hotel just for the heck of it, but I live less than 10 minutes away from the venue. haha This will be my first indoor convention, so I can't wait to see what the difference is. It will be held in the old Sears building at our slowly dying mall, so if we're lucky, they'll have more events like this in that space. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz-HHymoDuksxIyipxne3Cysd4xpmvwP2W7DciLZGPnLHQ4ToIKILTM856NVUriyiq30LiJ2wRhQT0D-cghYeYmvnIpYLgXhXtWMXaoi3zjcGs7SuS2K-nxNcDLyfE2QQo6vYJJPrp0w1THOvuNu0nwHujg606GFizGHVnHtxCNWgTV9wqsKdeNILU2t_/s544/GOALS.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="544" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz-HHymoDuksxIyipxne3Cysd4xpmvwP2W7DciLZGPnLHQ4ToIKILTM856NVUriyiq30LiJ2wRhQT0D-cghYeYmvnIpYLgXhXtWMXaoi3zjcGs7SuS2K-nxNcDLyfE2QQo6vYJJPrp0w1THOvuNu0nwHujg606GFizGHVnHtxCNWgTV9wqsKdeNILU2t_/s320/GOALS.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today is also the 5th Friday of the month, so it's time to look at my quarterly goals! Back in March, my main goal was releasing FP and getting the word out. I put together two Facebook ad campaigns, one leading up to the relaunch and one after. I believe they did pretty well. A few people at Comic Con said they saw the ad! That's really cool how it works. I wish I could've seen it. I really don't get on social media like I used to.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My goal for this quarter is to practice more voice work. If you follow me on the socials, I've posted two readings and a character voice so far. I plan to do more, and maybe listen to another audiobook, because I said I was going to, so I could hear different narrators.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of books, I'm almost halfway done my Goodreads goal, which is great at the end of June! I'll share some of what I'm reading next Friday (promise). Writing-wise, I'm almost finished the second chapter of <i>Divided Princess </i>(again), and I hope to incorporate some of the action I wrote in the first draft. I know for sure how this book is going to end and how the final book will turn out. I just have to get to them. Always A and Z with me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, for reading and writing, my goal is to read at least three more books and maybe get to the midpoint of the first part of DP. I can do it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Did you make any goals this past quarter? What are you looking forward to this summer?</div><p>_______________________________________</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzI32dW9B44Z5R2ifVXo3af1SUFxFXRiJY_PWMxvP1fPgs66BmeMB5mGP7Kr4EjVGJBlKTIraunjSnUHS_qNi2y5uG4_b2QN5d9EGpB-GmRTrCU8-UH49yDnp7hMXGR_2IMDLGwAAH_PlNiPCIx5YagsDHJD9i-hMeZ4wcYlmpooBkwA0U3C3goFhE2H_/s2250/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book cover, a girl flanked by identical girls. Title: FRACTURED PRINCESS, The Shattered Chronicles Pt. 1. Hook: Past, present, future...Jonnie must fight for them all. Author: Debra Renee Byrd" border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzI32dW9B44Z5R2ifVXo3af1SUFxFXRiJY_PWMxvP1fPgs66BmeMB5mGP7Kr4EjVGJBlKTIraunjSnUHS_qNi2y5uG4_b2QN5d9EGpB-GmRTrCU8-UH49yDnp7hMXGR_2IMDLGwAAH_PlNiPCIx5YagsDHJD9i-hMeZ4wcYlmpooBkwA0U3C3goFhE2H_/w126-h200/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" width="126" /></a></div>FRACTURED PRINCESS is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fractured-Princess-Shattered-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B0BYK5G232?ref_=ast_author_mpb" target="_blank">Amazon </a>in Kindle and Paperback, and on <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fractured-princess-racheal-scotland/1143570745?ean=9798373097314" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble's website</a> in Paperback!<p></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-3751250655948835812023-06-09T15:45:00.000-04:002023-06-09T15:46:48.144-04:00Find me at Dover Comic-Con!<p> Happy Friday!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_bg86ho4t9z9UJO2FMt9zjXk1ivPYXChXt3Rb1VqUYRChmQtc0ey5I5xBSX8WDTJsgd9OOWxIyx9P0RGjYiAsviT9mOEilNsKMIwQmHBpcDBekR5dZD_DZmb5FdL7O_-nd993J8rTgZyU3Ip1eaFGVxXeifoVYuXurRLhmwfNSjSl884QjLRcweQzA/s1440/IMG_20230609_085015_229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_bg86ho4t9z9UJO2FMt9zjXk1ivPYXChXt3Rb1VqUYRChmQtc0ey5I5xBSX8WDTJsgd9OOWxIyx9P0RGjYiAsviT9mOEilNsKMIwQmHBpcDBekR5dZD_DZmb5FdL7O_-nd993J8rTgZyU3Ip1eaFGVxXeifoVYuXurRLhmwfNSjSl884QjLRcweQzA/s320/IMG_20230609_085015_229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kOwyzXAL0dJEitpplb5lJ4TR-0WJLPd-TGxp1Hx4N8KC7Zs8a5NAcCfogUZIbCLKu-mIMEGrD5XN7U3QbB3sVE4Uz0lR-9bLwcZqOnK7633u8667q4rMf30P8uXOSME-17xmZBsFbzT0GbrW5VjuOuVSMbAYxB2u7Wq5VqNuoE6_lDRONF6ksHc5NA/s1440/IMG_20230609_085015_194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kOwyzXAL0dJEitpplb5lJ4TR-0WJLPd-TGxp1Hx4N8KC7Zs8a5NAcCfogUZIbCLKu-mIMEGrD5XN7U3QbB3sVE4Uz0lR-9bLwcZqOnK7633u8667q4rMf30P8uXOSME-17xmZBsFbzT0GbrW5VjuOuVSMbAYxB2u7Wq5VqNuoE6_lDRONF6ksHc5NA/s320/IMG_20230609_085015_194.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll be about here!</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Not much of a post today and a late one, but I did want to share the map of Dover Comic-Con next Saturday with my location! I'm actually close to where I was 2 years ago. I'll be more noticeable this year, because I'll have a bright pink tent!</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you're in the area, hope to see you there!</p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-29686946430282510432023-06-02T13:00:00.001-04:002023-06-02T13:00:00.138-04:00Movie Review: The Little Mermaid<div><p style="text-align: center;"> Hey, y'all, guess what? THE BOOK IS OUT!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iF3njFg_awEUG-bkGfX-0mXk0lO0sIatNvxLGnO564xp8gRlrCbZQscFaSDRAYYGbwHss71JRa3t97tOUa3BdhOvcjBGK16JMdL9_cimUggPHctvl1PcKSlX23fmuRPMUIO4BlJpXY9q8uX6BEGdVmdMK5t7mAIl3VWXBUHt6NcgP6-J4_pAHjjp1Q/s2250/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iF3njFg_awEUG-bkGfX-0mXk0lO0sIatNvxLGnO564xp8gRlrCbZQscFaSDRAYYGbwHss71JRa3t97tOUa3BdhOvcjBGK16JMdL9_cimUggPHctvl1PcKSlX23fmuRPMUIO4BlJpXY9q8uX6BEGdVmdMK5t7mAIl3VWXBUHt6NcgP6-J4_pAHjjp1Q/s320/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" width="201" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">You can once again buy my indie edition of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fractured-Princess-Shattered-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B0BYK5G232/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ETNNDW5R607W&keywords=Fractured+Princess&qid=1685722038&sprefix=fractured+princess%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>Fractured Princess</i> on Amazon</a> in Paperback and Kindle! Hardcover is coming soon! If you're in Dover on June 17th, you can also find me at Comic Con! I'll have a map soon, but you can also look for the bright pink tent and Jonnie's face. I will have books there as well. I'm so excited.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Now, for Weekly Words! I'm back with another movie review!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2_8mUUM81FTaI6Fk_ZgiwSKY4y0ZGe1W7Uvqr4AfyUMrcSivwqatRpxENFdoFGAVLmoy6CjqqJTUTDmplGjTSMlEBqko7ikFIR_JfpZZctvg76KvKEvsEh9MR6GoSnmjP10LX5rvCDFCELpCz0T4ThKYUQ3ZqNHZv7cEEBQ4c5VOMDhS5Xda8PUTow/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2_8mUUM81FTaI6Fk_ZgiwSKY4y0ZGe1W7Uvqr4AfyUMrcSivwqatRpxENFdoFGAVLmoy6CjqqJTUTDmplGjTSMlEBqko7ikFIR_JfpZZctvg76KvKEvsEh9MR6GoSnmjP10LX5rvCDFCELpCz0T4ThKYUQ3ZqNHZv7cEEBQ4c5VOMDhS5Xda8PUTow/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> Last Friday, my sister, goddaughter and I went to the opening of <i>The Little Mermaid</i>!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMsadeuqvSv7QB-dR1USm-oSLGWgWpJuUGH5BOEuxGAN4HQKRXe1dUW5C45r42wUJr81JidrBeytaO4we-XQC_hQeHBifaSojF6UqNv7SOH1K1rXi2ANEqWVsqnGxus1uREN674fGm4lafKLQJ-CMvLX_8L7XrLwSDKp9UlnXjqePSBICCcA2UFyqKA/s1440/mermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMsadeuqvSv7QB-dR1USm-oSLGWgWpJuUGH5BOEuxGAN4HQKRXe1dUW5C45r42wUJr81JidrBeytaO4we-XQC_hQeHBifaSojF6UqNv7SOH1K1rXi2ANEqWVsqnGxus1uREN674fGm4lafKLQJ-CMvLX_8L7XrLwSDKp9UlnXjqePSBICCcA2UFyqKA/s320/mermaid.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unless you live under a rock, you know how the Disney version of this story goes. Ariel, the youngest daughter of King Triton, wants to be a part of the human world. As a human myself, why? But "who are me to judge?" During a fireworks display (do we ever learn why they're shooting off fireworks? haha), the curious Ariel follows the lights to a ship where she first sees Prince Eric and his adorable shaggy dog that immediately loves her. The ship hits a storm, Prince Eric almost drowns, but Ariel saves him. Ursula, the evil sea witch who is trying to steal the King's power, uses this opportunity to turn Ariel human for three days with payment of her voice, and Ariel has to get Eric to kiss her before the three days is up, or she will belong to Ursula. Mayhem and deception ensue, but in the end Ursula is defeated, and King Triton decides to let Ariel be a human. *ahhhh-ahhhh*</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The original cartoon came out when I was five years old. We watched it in class when I was the first grade (do they even gather the kids together to watch movies anymore?), and all of the girls sang along to the annoyance of all the boys. ha Even when I was a teenager, I wanted to be Ariel (Mermaid Ariel. I'm already on land), which is probably also why I love to swim so much. I used to picture myself being Ariel in a live action version <i>The Little Mermaid</i> and wonder how they would pull that off! FOX failed, but Disney?!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From beginning to end, this movie was PERFECT. The actors were so perfectly cast. Halle Bailey, I've been listening to her since she was a tween, and to see her play Ariel so well and have people who didn't know her before hear her magical voice, I'm so proud of her! Like her sister says, she is a real Disney Princess! And to see a young Black woman get to play one of my favorite Disney characters makes child me so happy. Also, Melissa McCarthy, whom I've been watching since <i>Gilmore Girls</i>, played Ursula SO well! I don't know why people thought she couldn't, but she showed up and showed out! She even sounded like Pat Carroll a little bit. I didn't know she could effect her voice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They added a little bit more story as well, which worked so well within the movie. We learn what happened to Ariel's mother, why King Triton is so against humans (though honestly, we all should be at this point), why Ursula is trying to bring down Triton, and best of all to me, we get a story line for Eric! He's not just a cookie cutter prince. I loved it. Some of the changes they made <i>to</i> the story also strengthened Ariel's arc. I didn't realize until this movie how much she was a helpless damsel in the original. The writers gave her so much more agency in this version. It's amazing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The effects were SO good! We all know Ursula hulks out, and it's still extremely scary. Also, Disney definitely listened to everyone who--for some reason--wanted the Lion King animals to emote like cartoon characters, which didn't bother me, but I did notice the animated expressions of Sebastian, Scuttle, and Flounder. Halle also posted some behind-the-scenes takes of how they made her look like she was swimming. She had to get really fit for this movie, and her abs showed it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">And lastly, the songs! While they didn't bring back some of them, they added a couple songs and add to the "big" song, and again, it helped to strengthen the story. If you don't leave the theater singing about the scuttlebutt, I don't know what you're doing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, go take a child (or not. The babies were babying in the theater) and see this movie! You won't be disappointed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, buy my book. haha</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now that we're going to the movies more, I might have some more reviews, so keep an eye out!<br /></div>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-68201163106679428752023-05-19T12:00:00.065-04:002023-05-19T12:00:00.132-04:00Weekly Words: Getting Closer<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oaObQvwGIcMua1ZMEN6MfCV5SNG9h2OiMMgpDUmiBy0odvuyHrCUUAYCVjPzcOrEexTdB4pzXBMcnobiRO5Z2d9cNPGWYdUhm7jJ4b8gn9FMyM_Q7YiRI2LYeE0sB5YNVzEcG1rmCwANgmiWnWYHUfeV3W16i4BtSdztDU5igX3ppxaprv5FDxD40A/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oaObQvwGIcMua1ZMEN6MfCV5SNG9h2OiMMgpDUmiBy0odvuyHrCUUAYCVjPzcOrEexTdB4pzXBMcnobiRO5Z2d9cNPGWYdUhm7jJ4b8gn9FMyM_Q7YiRI2LYeE0sB5YNVzEcG1rmCwANgmiWnWYHUfeV3W16i4BtSdztDU5igX3ppxaprv5FDxD40A/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Happy Friday!</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">FRACTURED PRINCESS is now less than 2 weeks away from relaunching, and I'm coming up on some jitters. Mostly because this is the third release of the same book. Hopefully, people who started the journey with me are still interested. I expected to have the sequel ready by now, but I found myself getting stuck and unwilling to keep writing in the direction I was going. I'm not going to GRRM my readers, but I do know taking it slow is better for me. That way I can assess as I go.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And because some dude named Murphy created a law, my laptop stopped recognizing the charger, so it's dead. On the bright side, I already uploaded the new versions to KDP, so I can just hit Publish on the 30th. I <i>think </i>everything I need is in OneDrive, but I know I had some things (not related to writing) just sitting in my downloads folder, so that's annoying. To replace it, I ordered a gaming laptop suitable for a casual gamer like me, and not only was it on sale, but I was able to put it on a payment plan as well (plus). It will ship on May 29th and arrive the day after the relaunch (ooooof course. Minus).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm expecting a proof of the paperback to arrive today, so I can check it for errors before the final date to upload changes. A proof of the hardcover is set to come May 26th, so at least I'll have more time to check that. Hardcover release date is coming soon!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Anyhow, I'll be expecting to hit Publish on the Paperback at midnight May 30th. KDP <i>says</i> it can take up to 72 hours to publish, but the last time I trusted that, I accidentally published the book a day early, so I think I'll be fine doing it same day. And that will give me time to purchase books for Dover Comic-Con. I can't wait for it!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGQUVFPkOMGPKwkLCzUXguZ3-08D1ZTMwyhNo4gkKpjtrNE1J4TPpW-qT9emHvtXjt2kJGS0Qh_VEP8g-iA3jM5JT9AnIlIN9I9X1zXEWniankSFsXwCgazIrVHRLOvoV-LD8guknWFtD7ks-cTW1ioxAWvYonuFLMFR96GQcuJbwVTcMynDMBlmMSA/s2250/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGQUVFPkOMGPKwkLCzUXguZ3-08D1ZTMwyhNo4gkKpjtrNE1J4TPpW-qT9emHvtXjt2kJGS0Qh_VEP8g-iA3jM5JT9AnIlIN9I9X1zXEWniankSFsXwCgazIrVHRLOvoV-LD8guknWFtD7ks-cTW1ioxAWvYonuFLMFR96GQcuJbwVTcMynDMBlmMSA/s320/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" width="201" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fractured-Princess-Shattered-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B0BYK5G232?ref_=ast_author_mpb" target="_blank">Pre-order the Kindle edition of FRACTURED PRINCESS today</a>!</div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-72276071873858622212023-05-12T12:00:00.065-04:002023-05-12T12:03:45.546-04:00Weekly Words: Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVjDZHpaxmtGSRRzNwln-lRf4ZxGcL6CH3SD8o5BMtBRIQGKBcdMWFJJiJ_ui3ellzOWIxuVlYMGh6ESpKXJiPWxV7GkzWeqm2jXdTRdEiFPBHTRDVKB1i9YQ25w71C70i1zOn4b64WdaHRjAFuI2e41gZMUSL34jodfoer6Rq5mOBDkkr2jGPJnr0w/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVjDZHpaxmtGSRRzNwln-lRf4ZxGcL6CH3SD8o5BMtBRIQGKBcdMWFJJiJ_ui3ellzOWIxuVlYMGh6ESpKXJiPWxV7GkzWeqm2jXdTRdEiFPBHTRDVKB1i9YQ25w71C70i1zOn4b64WdaHRjAFuI2e41gZMUSL34jodfoer6Rq5mOBDkkr2jGPJnr0w/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Happy Friday!</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Two weeks ago, I had what I'm almost sure was a sinus infection from being in the office while they were painting (I wasn't supposed to be there at first, luck of the draw), and I was in bed from Thursday night into Monday. I don't remember what I was doing last Friday, but for the most part, I spent these past two weeks recovering.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you follow me anywhere else, you'll know I did make time to start the big countdown to FRACTURED PRINCESS's re-release, which is now 18 days away! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fractured-Princess-Shattered-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B0BYK5G232/ref=sr_1_1?crid=TPGTNK9EWT37&keywords=Debra+Renee+Byrd&qid=1683764050&sprefix=debra+renee+byrd%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Pre-ordering for the Kindle is live</a>. The paperback will be available May 30th at Midnight (if I do it correctly. The first go-round, I accidentally released it a day early haha), and the **hardcover**. Will be available shortly after that, so keep an eye out!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This past week, I also started a new book! I'm excited about this one because it is a black ace romance!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL4w30ZRtNSuy6XwAiQR6QBQINoTVHr4zi4arCsFH3ueEJ0bKtYAHjys5IbL_WdsUOpjL7C5aDAV-QdDEzIZhxCG-RYTkGfr9MdiKTJrZ0RBcFfVjoefjkauNVY69O4O61fhbnughZ1QD4akd53PSv_HyX4LvuD8rtJ3K1Ro6f399xB64shlwVomkag/s2121/love%20radio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL4w30ZRtNSuy6XwAiQR6QBQINoTVHr4zi4arCsFH3ueEJ0bKtYAHjys5IbL_WdsUOpjL7C5aDAV-QdDEzIZhxCG-RYTkGfr9MdiKTJrZ0RBcFfVjoefjkauNVY69O4O61fhbnughZ1QD4akd53PSv_HyX4LvuD8rtJ3K1Ro6f399xB64shlwVomkag/s320/love%20radio.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I absolutely. Love. This cover. Pink and purple are my favorite colors, so I'm biased, but also, just the way he's looking at her and how she's touching his arm. And the "Solid Gold" lettering is a bonus. I can't wait to see how this turns out. It's a romance, so it will most likely be a HEA (happily ever after), but the important part of romance novels is the journey to it. From how it's started, I think it may be a bit emotional.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here is the blurb for your reading pleasure:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Formatted"><b><i>Prince Jones is the guy with all the answers—or
so it seems. After all, at seventeen, he has his own segment on
Detroit’s popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, where he dishes out advice to the brokenhearted. <br /></i></b> <b><i><br />Prince
has always dreamed of becoming a DJ and falling in love. But being the
main caretaker for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and his
little brother means his dreams will stay just that and the only
romances in his life are the ones he hears about from his listeners.
Until he meets Dani Ford. <br /></i></b> <b><i><br />Dani isn’t checking for anybody.
She’s focused on her plan: ace senior year, score a scholarship, and
move to New York City to become a famous author. But her college essay
keeps tripping her up and acknowledging what’s blocking her means
dealing with what happened at that party a few months ago. And that’s
one thing Dani can’t do. <br /></i></b> <b><i><br />When the romantic DJ meets the
ambitious writer, sparks fly. Prince is smitten, but Dani’s not looking
to get derailed. She gives Prince just three dates to convince her that
he’s worth falling for. Three dates for the love expert to take his own
advice, and just maybe change two lives forever.</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Formatted"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Formatted">I'm extra biased because Dani is a writer. *heart eyes* I hope she makes it big.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Formatted">What are you reading this week?<b><i> <br /></i></b></span></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-46408582651415629272023-04-21T12:00:00.107-04:002023-04-21T12:00:00.202-04:00Weekly Words: Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTLYf86fd3qr_T-jSnjno3fyZYStstRf1AhVrrcQlxX5XNhGdjzJMcuS2-tmApEDTkhCwF2Ce--Jr2iIvZTGjfoEoluqQY60HhRgOBND-fesG--0WAFxkEmTLu05Dh-bLdkIWeBcciOZ9jeyy8agCZKquD4Gas8seNQO628ZZReeXSO-Ovf65oZpp9A/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTLYf86fd3qr_T-jSnjno3fyZYStstRf1AhVrrcQlxX5XNhGdjzJMcuS2-tmApEDTkhCwF2Ce--Jr2iIvZTGjfoEoluqQY60HhRgOBND-fesG--0WAFxkEmTLu05Dh-bLdkIWeBcciOZ9jeyy8agCZKquD4Gas8seNQO628ZZReeXSO-Ovf65oZpp9A/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Happy Friday!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Last Friday, I realized it was Friday, and I hadn't prepared anything to post. Par for the course. I decided not to try to rush to do a post, but on the bright side, I do have a post this week, because I am getting a lot more reading done!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3F9jC-P8mtqga55c-spUnqMxpihmIYQcbd2AWdSQhw6IiqhwrHrOepepejRrqJQd4czn-B9O_yFyjSM1yhZyrsepbbihxOshSZHyyI4Dp-HKsucT7sGf7kYDwORzKNgTWA3kz04QcqUFwXy-D_d92LPAvZYQAoQQAyH_oF6UGy4FM9IkVeb6TJAohQ/s1000/covav.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Book Cover: #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Tomi Adeyemi Children of Virtue and Vengeance" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="662" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3F9jC-P8mtqga55c-spUnqMxpihmIYQcbd2AWdSQhw6IiqhwrHrOepepejRrqJQd4czn-B9O_yFyjSM1yhZyrsepbbihxOshSZHyyI4Dp-HKsucT7sGf7kYDwORzKNgTWA3kz04QcqUFwXy-D_d92LPAvZYQAoQQAyH_oF6UGy4FM9IkVeb6TJAohQ/w265-h400/covav.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"> Last month, I started Tomi Adeyemi's <i>Children of Virtue and Vengeance</i>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Formatted"><i>After battling the impossible, Zélie and Amari
have finally succeeded in bringing magic back to the land of Orïsha. But
the ritual was more powerful than they could’ve imagined, reigniting
the powers of not only the maji, but of nobles with magic ancestry, too.
<br /><br />Now, Zélie struggles to unite the maji in an Orïsha where the
enemy is just as powerful as they are. But when the monarchy and
military unite to keep control of Orïsha, Zélie must fight to secure
Amari's right to the throne and protect the new maji from the monarchy's
wrath.<br /><br />With civil war looming on the horizon, Zélie finds
herself at a breaking point: she must discover a way to bring the
kingdom together or watch as Orïsha tears itself apart.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Formatted">This is the sequel for <i>Children of Blood and Bone</i>, which was such a great book. Unfortunately, I hadn't read it in about 5 years, and as I started reading its sequel, I found myself trying to remember everything that happened. So, I did the logical thing to do: I checked out the audiobook of CBB to refresh my memory, and it all flooded back. Last week I finished the "reread," and so I resumed CVV with all the knowledge I needed with a question-free head! And this book is amazing! I just passed the 300-page mark this week, and I am feeling the feelings! </span><span class="Formatted">Tomi does another great job of describing the magic and the world of Orïsha. Plus, this time, we get to see
more maji, more tîtáns, and more heart-wrenching relational tension.</span><span class="Formatted"> I want this to end happily, but I'll accept bittersweet...Actually, no, I need this to end happily! Especially for Zélie.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Formatted">Lastly, can we talk about how gorgeous this cover is!? I love staring at it and seeing new things each time. The juxtapositions of Zélie's beautiful, black skin with her stark white hair, her gold tattoos and silver eyes, her red and blue hairbands, and the light and shadow against her face make for an intense, mysterious, and mesmerizing cover. How can you not just keep looking at it? *chefs kiss*<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Formatted">What are you reading this month?<br /></span></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-8426024349713347822023-04-07T12:00:00.102-04:002023-04-07T12:00:00.212-04:00Movie Review - Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2k9Dq9eeTH6206Vm5i6a1BltlcSNZXoU6mbkd-vjoYI0oR0e4FUubGBEWCq2dPB4ccyXTLcksuEXCy6tw2DzlMKZBskNdM_GfgC1O7vBXlyvtbcatP5Ed6XcWFNMsWmHNEI6m-Q4vBOZ2otul0dr4eMHjr77mq4JHqkG6az4lflSBzrfeEAH1u7Ttg/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2k9Dq9eeTH6206Vm5i6a1BltlcSNZXoU6mbkd-vjoYI0oR0e4FUubGBEWCq2dPB4ccyXTLcksuEXCy6tw2DzlMKZBskNdM_GfgC1O7vBXlyvtbcatP5Ed6XcWFNMsWmHNEI6m-Q4vBOZ2otul0dr4eMHjr77mq4JHqkG6az4lflSBzrfeEAH1u7Ttg/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Happy April!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I can't tell you the last time I did a movie review on my blog. Now the world is trying to open back up like COVID is dead, I at least get the pleasure of going to the movies again, which is something I did miss during quarantine.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhGuQh7Osp2o3fXf822xCUL8YbjmsfROmIHFNrjkPhHjQ18VU1NeMuuqBYTLEN6sdMMqry1iaGsRUUsdDZzk4J6lpAGQ0A0Zs2QjHVbcXRHvQiHJ44kQdViWgHtuXJr2S-7USFiebskqQGxHxMWX7D0pp4L5x32hc_kLUiSNCBj1wugf7rrvqL93T-A/s777/d&d.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="777" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhGuQh7Osp2o3fXf822xCUL8YbjmsfROmIHFNrjkPhHjQ18VU1NeMuuqBYTLEN6sdMMqry1iaGsRUUsdDZzk4J6lpAGQ0A0Zs2QjHVbcXRHvQiHJ44kQdViWgHtuXJr2S-7USFiebskqQGxHxMWX7D0pp4L5x32hc_kLUiSNCBj1wugf7rrvqL93T-A/w400-h183/d&d.png" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My sister and I had the pleasure of joining the Black Girl Gamers x Paramount for a screening of the new Dungeons and Dragons movie: Honor Among Thieves. First off, didn't know there were two movies before it. hahaha. I'm 85% sure they were terrible, because they came out in 2000 and 2005, not prime movie effect era unless you were The Matrix, and literally just the first one, because the effects in The Matrix: Reloaded were awful.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But anyway, back to D&D: HAT. The movie starts with Edgin (Chris Pine) and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) pleading their case to get out of prison so they can get back to Edgin's daughter, whom he left with one of his thief buddies. Not to spoil anything, but honor among thieves ensues, as well as dungeons and dragons. Saying anything else will give away just about everything. It's a pretty standard plot and character arc, though. Not much will surprise you.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This movie has a big cast of stars: Chris, Michelle, Hugh Grant, and Regé-Jean Paige, as well as smaller known names like Justice Smith (Jurassic World, The Get Down) and Sophia Lillis (IT, Uncle Frank), etc. Their chemistry is just about perfect, and they all give some great performances. I didn't expect to laugh the entire movie. It was hilarious. Everyone's comedic timing really was a gem to watch. My sister said someone said Chris Pine can save any movie, and not that this movie needs saving, but he is a favorite of mine, and he shines as a bard/harper/team planner haha.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have an understanding of the game D&D, mainly from a couple episodes of <i>Community</i>, <i>Futurama: Bender's Game</i>, the short-lived "Dungeons & Durags" on Twitch, and Hello From the Magic Tavern's version "Offices & Bosses," so the different beasts and special weapons didn't get lost on me. As someone who plays Shattered Pixel Dungeon every day, I especially loved the appearance of a mimic in the game, and what I think might have been a basilisk? Anyhow, there wasn't as much action as you would expect, but the effects were really good. When the first non-mythical creature effect happened, I said out loud, "That was a really cool effect." The only one that was pretty bad was an animatronic cat baby (you'll get it when you see it). But the mythical creatures are all very well-designed.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I think I'm going to give this movie 5 of out 5 stars. My sister said it's one she would watch over and over on tv, and I agree. It has great characters, great acting, great storytelling, and overall, it's just a great adventure! So if you haven't seen it already, go see it!<br /></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-58294385468634392232023-03-31T12:00:00.097-04:002023-03-31T12:00:00.203-04:00Weekly Words: Women in Writing & Quarterly Goals - Fractured Princess<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9NqqRN6F8krJu7vjPAfcFyoNyZV-FttGyN4dApSw2eWZjwZptQqsuDZXR4tT9OdzV1bu-i9ks66IWbQmZU91lK8FOe2hxat0HXkiZd2m2OK0snAVvYhRrneUvqvOJsHw6OR79mxwqJEW_v8HUB25qnl5q7vonoNyT9Fqb6IzmFXyqoWwR-kIy6uepg/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9NqqRN6F8krJu7vjPAfcFyoNyZV-FttGyN4dApSw2eWZjwZptQqsuDZXR4tT9OdzV1bu-i9ks66IWbQmZU91lK8FOe2hxat0HXkiZd2m2OK0snAVvYhRrneUvqvOJsHw6OR79mxwqJEW_v8HUB25qnl5q7vonoNyT9Fqb6IzmFXyqoWwR-kIy6uepg/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Can you believe it's the last Friday in March?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'll get to my quarterly goals in a second, but as I've been highlighting my favorite female characters written by women, I wanted to shamelessly add myself to the mix, because why not?</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQawg-sUNBrwNDQaknWkwUyMWAFlpnBywyBcrAhr6vPZV68sFP6pIJjZDS5Sxyc0L6Ls9b77QDCJ4n1Xwrv3m_SCuKi2YARQjBzv-I1sD04ahYN0x5DenurYTJ1Ovh2tn2jjjHnb4h_EqDCE-xxkdX2jOleYMqPbKidrQoiqtwZtO5wYjfETLFimM2g/s2250/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQawg-sUNBrwNDQaknWkwUyMWAFlpnBywyBcrAhr6vPZV68sFP6pIJjZDS5Sxyc0L6Ls9b77QDCJ4n1Xwrv3m_SCuKi2YARQjBzv-I1sD04ahYN0x5DenurYTJ1Ovh2tn2jjjHnb4h_EqDCE-xxkdX2jOleYMqPbKidrQoiqtwZtO5wYjfETLFimM2g/w251-h400/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" width="251" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">When I started writing <i>Fractured Princess</i>, back when it was called <i>Save the Queen</i>, I strove to have strong women in the background supporting what was a very passive and tragic main character. A few critiques and drafts later, I realized Jonnie also needed to be a strong, active main character. Still tragic, but better able to take charge of the tragedies going on around her. She might be impulsive and make some life-changing mistakes, but I also wanted her to have flaws that she could overcome on her own, whether in the present or the future. Wink. I put a little bit of myself in Jonnie, so she's like my child. I want to see her succeed and be happy in the end. Hopefully she's someone readers have liked and will continue to like in the books to come.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25szpmiBgciJPCgxzU3Q71Y3teiK8EyiE7NbZDqmMWJfY8p0FSe-CjMNMbdsNswcQQ2MAOl4xH2PEWOASjJMd710y2U7mUNIUwtTH9ckNmSRYymVdFWJ3adFx8rIVwJZP1mDWFXf30NI_763ZA6HSqo9TR_VddTspzS2ZJw4PKTXN5Mge9m0J0BUMMA/s544/GOALS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="544" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25szpmiBgciJPCgxzU3Q71Y3teiK8EyiE7NbZDqmMWJfY8p0FSe-CjMNMbdsNswcQQ2MAOl4xH2PEWOASjJMd710y2U7mUNIUwtTH9ckNmSRYymVdFWJ3adFx8rIVwJZP1mDWFXf30NI_763ZA6HSqo9TR_VddTspzS2ZJw4PKTXN5Mge9m0J0BUMMA/s320/GOALS.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, I skipped a season in my quarterly goals, but I didn't have much going on in December except prepping for my book freedom, which was part of my September goals post, so check. By the end of the year I had read 13 books, so I just made my 12-book goal. I made a goal of 18 books this year, and I've read 4 so far, so I'm close to schedule! I had finally started reading Tomi Adeyemi's <i>Children of Virtue and Vengeance</i>, but it had been so long since I'd read <i>Children of Blood and Bone</i> that I had to stop to "reread" it. I'm currently listening to the audiobook version, and it's jogging my memory! The majority of my physical books are packed up for my hope-to-come-soon move out of this house, but I have what's probably over a hundred ebooks I can read in the meantime.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Career-wise, freelancing has been slow, but I've realized I can still enjoy my job (because I actually do) even though it's not what I want to do full-time. We'll be moving to the new office in June, so at least I'll gain half an hour's sleep back and won't have to take the bus or pay for parking anymore. That will most definitely alleviate some of my blanket exhaustion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My goals for the next quarter: well, obviously, publication. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYK5G232?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_5R8MY06VP2MNMCAR2ANF&fbclid=IwAR3tKfCDZiII2TAPGHz30384dtDRk6_MSOSpAPniX1mG_vY9IZpzhiIF-S8" target="_blank">The Kindle version of <i>Fractured Princess</i> is currently available for pre-order</a>. The paperback will launch May 30th. So, my biggest goal is to generate more interest and get some books sold. This is the 3rd version of the first book, so I just hope that hasn't discouraged readers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm going to read/listen to more audiobooks. I find that I like them, and also, I need to listen to different narrators to hear their technique if I want to record my own. I not-so-secretly love doing voice work, so I know it will be fun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will keep you all posted! Next week, I have a movie review to share with you, so tune in!<br /></div>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-59802201447474082892023-03-24T12:05:00.027-04:002023-03-30T23:16:54.851-04:00Weekly Words: Women in Writing - Octavia Butler<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRM2gcxhj-bcLWXdXq8Oin-kbc4Jg-2CuOoELNAb-UbWoC51D5GZG0v2g3xCsnWt5Hhyco-HiRHXt4ILun20MqfcWDvsWm8to6JYe-c7S2DBdDcRNnwo3-IIX6mVkztAlhHtEp2ngp3X07OcgiwaxFKOiuC_TCu_LlF8_Pd2KgUQ093aLYWh3UfrPGw/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRM2gcxhj-bcLWXdXq8Oin-kbc4Jg-2CuOoELNAb-UbWoC51D5GZG0v2g3xCsnWt5Hhyco-HiRHXt4ILun20MqfcWDvsWm8to6JYe-c7S2DBdDcRNnwo3-IIX6mVkztAlhHtEp2ngp3X07OcgiwaxFKOiuC_TCu_LlF8_Pd2KgUQ093aLYWh3UfrPGw/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Women's History Month<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I DEFINITELY wasn't going to go this month without mentioning the queen of sci-fi. My hero, Octavia Butler. Not only did she write some very prophetic stories (read <i>The Parable of the Sower</i> and <i>The Parable of the Talents</i> and go ahead and have your heart attack), but she wrote some fierce, black women at every single turn. From my introduction to her work in <i>Dawn</i>, to her Patternmaster series, she wrote raw, gut-wrenching narratives that would often than not devastate me to the core. And sadly, as I may have mentioned before, she died of cancer the year before I discovered her work. I would've loved to see what else she would have written, especially in these past 17 years. Or she may have just said, "I told y'all."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">But anyway, as you all may remember, my favorite book of hers was her last book, <i>Fledgling</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9yn7nO3HSAYSTePtXUGNVts7sAymBdgIJ-w8YosdfOc9amQQdt1fGkD88SiTaYw9MlKwTgwIJjn7406Q5G-VaRPTyf3QC0pXqw_H7byDbz7Oy0YGsez1PmUZY2tPEREsWow-SA7HL73tc-n7oC5y2CMu8I7YZzcW4Lxkp2IDoWKFmHG8ljmCEYAPjw/s500/fledgling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9yn7nO3HSAYSTePtXUGNVts7sAymBdgIJ-w8YosdfOc9amQQdt1fGkD88SiTaYw9MlKwTgwIJjn7406Q5G-VaRPTyf3QC0pXqw_H7byDbz7Oy0YGsez1PmUZY2tPEREsWow-SA7HL73tc-n7oC5y2CMu8I7YZzcW4Lxkp2IDoWKFmHG8ljmCEYAPjw/s320/fledgling.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">This book was created on the most interesting premise of vampires not as the Nosferatu or Dracula variety, but the origin of the lore in which those stories were created. Their race, known as Ina, were a territorial society, where the women lived in one community and the men in another. When we begin with the main character, she is awakening in the midst of what appears to be a rebirth of sorts, and a painful one at that. Her skin is burnt, her skull is broken, and the world around her is destroyed. Very strong imagery. Come to find out a little later, her name is Shori, and her mothers genetically engineered her to be a dark-skinned Ina, so she could live in the sun. Some of the other Ina were not pleased with this, so to speak, and destroyed the community. By the end of the book, Shori finds her people and her mothers' killers, and typing this up, I want to read the book a third time. I loved it so much.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">You may also know that <a href="https://birthright.thewritemage.com/" target="_blank">I wrote a fan fiction based on the book</a> in 2015. Every now and then, I find a comment in my inbox, and it brings me joy to see other Butler fans and hear that they love my little "sequel."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There is also a really cool organization called <a href="https://www.octaviaproject.org/" target="_blank">The Octavia Butler Project</a> that mixes the arts with STEM, and they have two summer programs for young preteens and teenagers and events all through the year. If you haven't heard of them, be sure to check them out and donate if you can!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Next week, I'll close out the week with a shameless plug, so be on the look out! :)<br /></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-1224169918031120142023-03-17T12:00:00.055-04:002023-03-30T23:16:54.851-04:00Weekly Words: Women in Writing - Jodi Meadows<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRM2gcxhj-bcLWXdXq8Oin-kbc4Jg-2CuOoELNAb-UbWoC51D5GZG0v2g3xCsnWt5Hhyco-HiRHXt4ILun20MqfcWDvsWm8to6JYe-c7S2DBdDcRNnwo3-IIX6mVkztAlhHtEp2ngp3X07OcgiwaxFKOiuC_TCu_LlF8_Pd2KgUQ093aLYWh3UfrPGw/s448/Weekly%20Words.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="448" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRM2gcxhj-bcLWXdXq8Oin-kbc4Jg-2CuOoELNAb-UbWoC51D5GZG0v2g3xCsnWt5Hhyco-HiRHXt4ILun20MqfcWDvsWm8to6JYe-c7S2DBdDcRNnwo3-IIX6mVkztAlhHtEp2ngp3X07OcgiwaxFKOiuC_TCu_LlF8_Pd2KgUQ093aLYWh3UfrPGw/s320/Weekly%20Words.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Women's History Month!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This month, I've been highlighting some of my favorite women writers who have written great female characters. I'm sharing this week's a little selfishly because I helped sensitivity read this one, and I love the main character so much. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj632o3AEjGTQa9AQV3JXzFqy48g8dd90Oz9ywMMJp2Fa3HzaQOJKzhMKFgfDGaqPcm7dFFN9ic7BpC68dXiUpDNmLJRoC4QRUJzr0OK0Tv_WV12fD45VHNwHdPvla1R2tCF28uCDKSoew0iYWsQoSleWUxdSwXnDJE4W6AeyuNeTq4iWl4qYEDuIxy8g/s282/9780062469465-fallen-isles-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="282" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj632o3AEjGTQa9AQV3JXzFqy48g8dd90Oz9ywMMJp2Fa3HzaQOJKzhMKFgfDGaqPcm7dFFN9ic7BpC68dXiUpDNmLJRoC4QRUJzr0OK0Tv_WV12fD45VHNwHdPvla1R2tCF28uCDKSoew0iYWsQoSleWUxdSwXnDJE4W6AeyuNeTq4iWl4qYEDuIxy8g/w320-h252/9780062469465-fallen-isles-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Jodi Meadows's main character Mira from the Fallen Isles Trilogy felt like a person the teenage me was, minus the trauma from an attempted murder as a child. When she was born, the council basically marked her as the avatar of peace and the end of the enslavement of one of the other isles, which bred some animosity, as ending slavery always does. But anyway, when she learns there is a conspiracy and does the right thing by bringing it to the council's attention, she is thrown into prison where she meets a group of people who will ride with her to the end of the series. Each book had some unforgettable scenes, from the first time Mira uses her dragon power, to the second time she uses it, and her friends see the actual shape of the dragon, to a steamy rain scene I read a couple times (hehe), to the isles STANDING UP (they were trying to prevent the isles from turning back into gods and deserting them. Come to find out, they were always going to leave, but they returned a bigger and better dragon island for the people who survived the literal uprising)! These books were magical.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And what was also so great about them was seeing Mira's character progress from this spoiled but sweet little rich girl with massive anxiety becoming this strong warrior for the people of the isles, even so far as standing up against a mad queen! I will always cherish her.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Tune in next week for another character and author I would not let this month pass by without mentioning!<br /></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502772723586343707.post-45457983039740356892023-03-15T15:30:00.004-04:002023-03-15T15:30:41.588-04:00**ANNOUNCEMENT** FRACTURED PRINCESS Available for Kindle Pre-Order<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp6Sv8otYjy4NHgl-SghInUu5PT2H7ux6wOGmR5yT1_M7hhzIn3VOQOlRatzngJSdz32-0YvTBulpn1NwT-JTXRThL0tnYlRBLaYNRepMSbnYz7Grme6THabWTNaGd51zX-LpPcPtmDJu93xO_QFgcauV8-KU8F6tW_nDsdqRxBVdNVxe0e51Me1Blg/s2250/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp6Sv8otYjy4NHgl-SghInUu5PT2H7ux6wOGmR5yT1_M7hhzIn3VOQOlRatzngJSdz32-0YvTBulpn1NwT-JTXRThL0tnYlRBLaYNRepMSbnYz7Grme6THabWTNaGd51zX-LpPcPtmDJu93xO_QFgcauV8-KU8F6tW_nDsdqRxBVdNVxe0e51Me1Blg/w251-h400/Fractured%20Princess%20(Canva).png" width="251" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is a quick announcement, but I'm very excited about it.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The 2nd indie edition of FRACTURED PRINCESS is now available for Kindle Pre-order!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Visit the link embedded <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYK5G232?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_5R8MY06VP2MNMCAR2ANF&fbclid=IwAR3tKfCDZiII2TAPGHz30384dtDRk6_MSOSpAPniX1mG_vY9IZpzhiIF-S8" target="_blank">in this phrase</a> to purchase for $7.99! <br /></p>Debra Renée Byrdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717966370332027353noreply@blogger.com0