Anti-Heros and The Mistaken - Guest Post by Nancy S. Thompson

Nancy S. Thompson is a fellow mom, blogger and writer. She's stopping by on her The Mistaken Blog Tour to get the word out about her newly released novel, The Mistaken. Today she discusses when the hero doesn't always act like a hero. Let's face it, the best kind of hero is one with flaws, something we can identify with. That's why anti-heros are so popular. Take it away, Nancy!

Most readers want a clearly identifiable hero in their fiction.  While they don’t necessarily require perfect shades of black and white, the varying hues of gray often need to be discernibly defined.  As a writer, I understand this concept, but I also tend to lean more toward troubled heroes with tangible human frailties, whose mistakes affect and disrupt the world around them. 

The whole idea behind my debut novel, The Mistaken, is founded on human flaw and weakness.  I wondered what could make a truly good, law-abiding man commit a violent crime, and, afterwards, if he could ever return to the man he used to be. 

We all experience loss and tragedy, but what if a man’s misfortune were caused by the deceit, greed, and malice of another?  What if those entrusted with the power to enforce the law and bring his tormentor to justice prove impotent?  How would he feel if the offender were allowed to run free while his pregnant wife lay cold and stiff six feet beneath the heavy earth, his unborn child a tiny speck of immeasurable possibility heartlessly quashed into nothingness? 

Guilt, rage, and bitterness simmer alongside self-hatred and loathing.  All those years of staying within the boundary of the law ring hollow as the memory and potential of his beloved cry out for justice—for revenge.  And if the means of that vengeance guarantees the life and freedom of the only kin he has left—his brother—why would he not pursue personal justice?  What would he have left to lose? 

In The Mistaken, it’s not just the hero’s identity at risk.  It’s his very humanity, because in his quest for vengeance, he betrays the very core of who he is, of what his wife loved most about him.  After committing an egregious act in the name of revenge, his eyes are made clear by the stark reality of his mistake, and while he yearns for redemption and the opportunity to make amends, his life and that of his brother depend on him following through with his ill-conceived plan.  Can he defend the woman he has wronged yet still secure his brother’s freedom?

The character you come to love, whose downward spiral you somehow understand, even as you abhor his choices, desperately tries to do what’s right.  But is it too late? 

The Mistaken ponders the idea of the anti-hero and his redemption after touching the fiery face of hell.  I invite readers to go along on his journey.  Then afterwards, ask how well you really know yourself, how far would you go in the name of love and vengeance? 

_________

Visit Nancy’s blog, follow, and leave a comment during her book tour for a chance to win an ARC of The Mistaken.  Plus, 5 runner-up winners will each receive an ebook. 

You can also find her on her publisher’s website, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook. 

The Mistaken is available at Amazon. Books,  AmazonKindle, and Barnes & Noble beginning October 18, 2012.  It will also be available at Sony, Kobo, iBooks, Diesel Bookstore, and Baker & Taylor in November.

Early praise for The Mistaken:

“A deliciously slow burn that builds to a ferocious crescendo, Nancy S. Thompson's THE MISTAKEN kept me riveted until the very last page. Tyler Karras is a complex and flawed protagonist, and his redemptive journey makes him the perfect anti-hero. This psychological suspense is a standout, and I can't wait for Thompson's next book.”

~ Jennifer Hillier, author of CREEP and FREAK

“Nancy S. Thompson's debut novel, The Mistaken, is a first-rate thriller full of hair-raising twists and turns.  Pursued by the police and the Russian mafia in San Francisco, brothers Tyler and Nick Karras are fascinating, fully-drawn, desperate characters.  The action is non-stop.  Thompson's taut, intriguing tale of revenge, mistaken identity, kidnapping and murder will keep you enthralled and entertained.” 

~Kevin O’Brien, New York Times Bestselling Author of DISTURBED and TERRIFIED

“Fast-paced and emotionally gripping - once the ride begins, you won't stop reading until it ends."  ~Alex J. Cavanaugh, author of CASSAFIRE and CASSASTAR


Thanks so much for visiting, Nancy, and good luck with your blog tour!

Do you enjoy a flawed hero?  Have you picked up your copy of The Mistaken?  You can use the links above to purchase the Kindle version and the Barnes & Noble copy.

May you find your Muse.

Bury the Hatchet Blogfest

It's time for the Bury the Hatchet Blogfest!  Before I jump in, know that you can sign up and participate any time up to October 19.

We all have someone or something we'd like to bury a hatchet in.  I originally set out to talk about people who didn't use their blinkers or something like that (man, that drives me crazy!), but it has been one hell of a summer and fall here in Colorado, and I'm feeling like not using a blinker pales in comparison to the crimes that have been perpetrated in Colorado these last few months.

I'm going to hack a few people to pieces.  Then maybe we'll be done making national news for a year.  Preferably a few years.

1. Whatever twisted, disgusting, person or persons took little Jessica.  And every other person out there who perpetrates crimes against children or others who can't defend themselves, who insures that parents must watch their children every moment of every day or risk something terrible happening to them and the tremendous guilt that must come along with it.  I will not describe the things I'd like to do in return (and believe me, I could).  We'll leave it at burying a hatchet in them.

2. The Aurora movie theater shooter.  Movie theaters are about escapism, about hiding from the very real horrors of real life, and that sanctity has been taken away.  And to every person who takes out life's ills on strangers or people who never hurt them, taking pot shots at anyone who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

3. Whoever caused the Waldo Canyon Fire.  Two lives were lost, hundreds of homes lost, and children and adults alike were traumatized.  Our gorgeous foothills, instead of being speckled with the gold of changing leaves amongst the evergreens, bear the blackened skeletons of trees destroyed by the flames.  And our fears can't rest, as rain and snow melt will threaten us for years to come with the risk of floods and mudslides.  And to every arsonist out there, every idiot who throws a cigarette into the dry underbrush, every person who thinks it's their right to misbehave and not listen to precautions because they're above the law.

Yeah.  My arms are going to be tired.

***

Author E.J. Wesley is launching his latest title, BLOOD FUGUE, and wants you to help him celebrate! Check out his blog The Open Vein for details on how to take part, and how to enter for a chance to win some sweet prizes!

What's BLOOD FUGUE about?

Armed only with an ancient family journal, her rifle, and an Apache tomahawk, Jenny must save her grandfather’s life and embrace her dangerous heritage. Or be devoured by it. Blood Fugue, by E.J. Wesley, is the first of the Moonsongs books, a series of paranormal-action novelettes.

BLOOD FUGUE is available now via Smashwords, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble and most other eBook retailers. Check out the author on Goodreads!

***

Who or what would you like to bury the hatchet in?  Participating in the Bury the Hatchet Blogfest?  Read Blood Fugue?  Your area made national news lately?  For what?

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - A Grizzly Sight & Links

It's [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday again!  Today's photos are of a playful grizzly at the local zoo (bet you thought I misspelled "grisly/grizzly" in the title!).  The reason I haven't posted these before is that I was taking the photos from behind very thick, filthy, scratched, splashed and slobbered upon glass.  So...the photos suck, BUT he is just so cute I had to share him, anyway.  And, hey, you don't come here for professional photos, right?

Before I get to the grizzly, I want to say thanks for all the feedback on responding to rejections.  Also, my final Fraterfest update is that I finished the book by Jones, and started the book by Harrison, but did not get that one finished.  "The Ones That Got Away" was a great collection of short stories.  The very first story gave me goosebumps.  If you ever read it, you'll know what I mean.

Okay, heeeeeere's the Griz!  (This is one time I recommend you do NOT click on the photos to enlarge them...)

Stepping in for a dip

Look, a stick!  nom, nom, nom

Thanks for the floss

 

This is the best toy ever!

Linky Time:

Taking Submissions:

Stymie Magazine is open for submissions.  They are looking for work that is sports themed or has something sports related as part of it.  Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, photographs, creative non-fiction, etc.  As far as I know, this is not a paid market.  However, I recently contacted the founding editor, Erik Smetana, about something unrelated to making a submission.  He got back to me promptly and was a nice guy, in addition to being professional.  If I ever have anything sports themed, I'd be delighted to work with Erik and Stymie Magazine.

The Potomac Review is taking submissions of prose and poetry (also photographs if you inquire first).  Submission window is Sept. 1 to May 1.  Pays in contributor copies.

[PANK] is taking submissions through November 30.  Poetry and prose.  They also take book reviews and blog posts via separate means.

Contests:

Grubstreet Reads is having a flash fiction contest.  (That link will take you to their Facebook - I am having problems getting to their website).  Determined by reader votes.  Possible prize of a Kindle Fire.  300 word maximum.  Enter directly on their Facebook by clicking on the Flash Fiction tab at the top of the main page.

Giveaways:

Bish Denham at Random Thoughts is having her Second Annual Blogtoberfest and giving away five books/sets of books.  Simply requires you to leave a comment to be entered.

Rebecca Hamilton will be holding her Forever Girl Anniversary Tour and Giveaway in January.  She's looking for people to help on the tour and host giveaways, for which she will provide two e-books for your giveaway.  You set the rules for your portion of the giveaway.  She'll also be doing an item giveaway that is separate, but overlaps this one.  Those slots are full, but you can still try to win the prizes.

Challenges/Blog Hops:

Marie Landry at Ramblings of a Daydreamer is hosting her 2nd Annual Spooktacular Paranormal Reading Challenge from October 1 through Halloween.  She is challenging participants to read and review at least three paranormal books this month.  There will be a prize drawing for participants.

Other:

Carol Kilgore at Under the Tiki Hut put together the Writers' LIKE ME Project to help writers get their links out there and get to know each other.  You can post your various links to your books, Facebook, blog, website, Twitter, GoodReads, you name it.

Writer's Digest posted Sherman Alexie's Top 10 Pieces of Advice for Writers.

Book Riot posted 5 Women Writers Tougher Than Hemingway.

That's it for this week.

Anything to share?  Anything in here sound good to you?  What about those tough female writers?  Ever seen a grizzly not in a zoo?  

May you find your Muse.

To Reply or Not to Reply - That is the Question...

When you're trying to break into writing, you hear "submit, submit, submit" and "query, query, query," but what you don't hear is what to do when you receive rejections in response to submitting or querying.

The first couple rejections I got, all form rejections, I wrote back a quick "Thank you for your consideration," or something along those lines.  Then I read a blog post by someone stating that it's a bad idea to respond to a rejection, because you're just wasting the time of the editor or agent who wrote you.  If every rejection gets a response, that's almost twice as many emails for them to wade through, right?

So I stopped, worried about being that irritating person who jumbles up their email.  I imagined that person on the other end of the email getting the email and groaning.  "Don't they know how full my inbox is?" they'd ask themselves.  "How annoying!  Adding that name to my list of people never to publish..."

But the person inside me who is accustomed to writing thank you notes and being polite and acknowledging contact in some way, shape or form, winces every time I get a rejection and don't respond.

CC by Sean MacEntee

I received a very nice personal rejection on September 30.  I actually closed that emailed rejection feeling more confident than when I submitted in the first place.  You see, it was a big magazine, one that has published many huge names, and I submitted because I was afraid to.  Doesn't make sense?  I wanted to challenge myself, and because my first reaction was "No way will I make it into this magazine," I decided to submit anyway.  If you don't do what you fear, how can you get where you want to be?

It may seem like my fears were justified by this rejection, but no.  Specific things were complimented, but I was told the storyline wasn't different enough from others they had published.  It closed with an invitation to submit a different piece, along with the date they'd be reopening for submissions.  I think that's a positive thing.  And if it isn't...don't tell me.  How often does one get to feel good about a rejection?

Back to the topic, though, I didn't send back a response.  It ate at me, though.  I felt like he had taken the time to send a personal response, along with feedback, and I owed a thank you.  But I flashed back to that blog discussion and was afraid to hurt my chances.

Finally, I went online and started looking around.  I only had a few minutes, but I found a few interesting tidbits.  One thing that I found quite valuable was an editor talking about why he stopped doing personal rejections.  He said it took time, but he was glad to do it.  That is, until it became an invitation for people to argue with him.  Somewhere in there he mentioned that it was always nice to get back the note saying "Thank you for your consideration" or thereabouts.  He didn't say it helped in the future, but that's not why I wanted to send them.

The conclusion I came to, after my little bout of research, was to respond with a polite, but sincere, email in response to personal rejections only.  There's no need to respond to a form letter.  I intend to continue researching this, though, because who knows...perhaps some day I'll get a personal letter from someone who previously sent a form letter, all because I didn't try to fight the rejection and sent a quick thank you.

My current stats:
4 pieces submitted
1 piece accepted
3 pieces rejected

I'd love to hear your feedback on how you feel about thank you notes in response to rejections.  Do you send a thank you?  Do you skip it?  Or does it depend on the rejection?  Ever had an actual editor or agent tell you whether it was a good idea or not?

May you find your Muse.

Fraterfest Read-A-Thon!

I'm posting off-date today because it's time for Fraterfest!  Hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, the goal is to read as many horror-based books between the 5th and the 8th as you can (or wish to, anyway).  You can still sign up, so make haste to the link above and check it out if you're interested.

Realistically, my only reading time tends to be at bedtime, so my list won't be too long.  Still, I've been saving several horror books on my TBR pile since I saw this read-a-thon was going on, so I'm excited to dive in.

This weekend, I hope to read:

The Ones That Got Away, by Stephen Graham Jones
A Perfect Blood, by Kim Harrison

I have two backups in case I get a shocking amount of reading time this weekend, but I'll post those if I finish these two.

Do you like to read scary book and/or watch scary movies to celebrate Halloween month, er, I mean October?  Are you participating in Fraterfest?

May you find your Muse.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - Flood Savers & Links

Before I jump into [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday, know that today is my day to catch up on blogs, visits and comments.  Sorry I've gotten behind again, but...it happens!

One morning I woke up to the sound of helicopters.  Scratch that.  I woke up to the CONSTANT drone of helicopters, flying back and forth, back and forth.  Now, during Waldo Canyon I got used to the sound of planes flying over my house constantly.  That was just life for a couple weeks.  However, I had gotten used, again, to not hearing things flying over my house all the time.  Silly me!

This time, it was not due to fear of flames, but fear of water.  Those of us within a certain distance of the burn scar are now living in a flood plain.  In order to mitigate the risk of flooding, they are dumping a mixture of sand, wood chips and seeds (I believe) on the stripped hillsides.

The sound I heard was the choppers picking up loads of this drought mitigation mixture from a nearby quarry and dropping it on the hills.  You can actually see, quite clearly, where they have dumped it.  I haven't gotten a picture of that yet, but I did get photos of the choppers flying back and forth.  There were two criss-crossing each other.  It was fun to watch them.

Now for some links:

Taking Submissions:

eSteampunk, an imprint of eFiction Magazine, is taking steampunk submissions for short stories, poetry, articles, serials, book reviews, interviews and artwork.

Criminalelement.com is putting together their first e-collection of short stories, and are taking submissions under the theme of Girl Trouble for Malfeasance Occasional.  Pays $350.  Deadline October 10.

Andrew Karre is taking submissions of novel-length fiction for Carolrhoda Books from October 1 through October 31.

Poisoned Pen Press has announced a new YA Mystery imprint called Poisoned Pencil Press.  They are taking novel-length submissions.

Other:

Andrew at Strange Pegs will be releasing Part 6 of his "Shadow Spinner" series for free Thursday, October 4.  Be sure to review it if you download and read it.

Susan Kaye Quinn is hosting a giveaway to celebrate 10,000 sales of her novel "Open Minds."  You can enter to win a Kindle Paper and/or several sets of books, some e-, some physical.

Rachel Sang-hee Han posted 7 of the Coolest Libraries in the World on CNN.com.  And they ARE cool!

Anything to share?  Are you completely over photos of flying machines?  Ever been the recipient of flood mitigation?  Live in or near a flood plain?  Have you gotten any writing done lately?

May you find your Muse.

I Survived! & NaNoEdMo

Hello!  This weekend's Author Fest in Manitou Springs was great!  Not only did I survive moderating, being on a Young Adult panel and presenting my stand alone presentation on Making Personal Connections Through Blogging, but I had a great time doing so.  The crowds were small enough that it felt more comfortable, more intimate.  My poor husband got his ears babbled off because I was on such an adrenaline high when I got home Friday evening (the day of my presentation/panel).

It all started Thursday night with a VIP reception, which I was invited to, as I was faculty.  It was held in a stunning old bed and breakfast in Manitou (the Avenue Hotel Bed & Breakfast...highly recommend if you're ever in town).  I chatted with a super nice lady who turned out to be the Manitou mayor's wife.  She was delightful and worked the entire weekend.  Very engaging person.  Those of you on my Facebook possibly already know my big squee moment of the night, which was that Stephen Coonts sat down next to me and we chatted.  He's a really nice guy, but also possesses a sense of humor.  As he lives here in Colorado Springs, we ended up discussing the Waldo Canyon fire a bit (you can't talk to anyone for long without it coming up right now, not locally).

At the VIP reception; I'm on the left.

Friday morning we had a lovely breakfast and listened to Barbara Wright, our morning keynote speaker.  She was a quiet, but pleasant woman who talked about bouncing around in the beginning of her writing career.  She lived in South America and New York City, to name two places, and was an editor (I believe) at Esquire for a time until she realized she was spending all her time doing that and fact checking, and no time doing her own writing.  I had spoken to her and her husband at the VIP reception, as well, and liked them.  One thing about this small conference was that three of the keynotes brought their spouses with them, and it was lovely to get to meet and chat with them, as well.  I think you see a whole new side of a person when you see them with their loved ones.

Our lunch speaker was Barbara Samuel/O'Neal (she's written under both those last names).  She was eloquent and stirred our emotions as she spoke about the things that moved and inspired us.  From comments around me, her speeches are always equally rousing.  This was doubly impressive, considering she was a last minute replacement for a keynote who had a family emergency.

My YA panel was after lunch.  My partners on the panel were Ron Cree and Robert Spiller, both mystery authors.  My goal going into it was just to be sure I did actually say anything helpful during the panel, as these two frequently work together and are good friends, and neither of them are shy or uncomfortable about speaking in front of people.  To my credit, I did, in fact, get a few things in.  Haha!  But it was a good panel, with a great response from those listening, and attendance was encouraging.

Ron Cree, Bob Spiller and myself at the YA Panel.

Directly after the panel I had my presentation.  My fantastic moderator, heretofore known as Super Moderator, had checked in with me at breakfast to see what I'd need, and when I ran into him at lunch and voiced my fear that the cable in the room I'd be speaking in later wouldn't fit my laptop, he went to our tech guy and spoke to him to make sure he'd be there to help.  Hook up went seamlessly, and the cable did actually fit my laptop, though it couldn't screw in.  Just a little suggestion: Clear your desktop if you're going to give a presentation that involves your laptop being hooked up to a projector...  Luckily, there wasn't anyone other than the tech guy in the room at the time, but it was pretty funny to see all my documents, my games and folders splashed all over the screen.  In fact, I had a little sticky with a password on it up there.  It wasn't an important one, and I don't usually put notes on my computer with passwords, but it was intended to just be on there for the evening and I had forgotten to delete it.

Anyway, my presentation was well received.  The audience took notes and asked good questions, and I had a great turn out.  Not only that, but when I'd practiced Thursday night I was running about 15 minutes long.  I finished in time to take a few questions, so yay!  I did forget to ask one question I'd intended to ask and to give out my business card at the end, but those were two small errors, considering I didn't freeze up after I was introduced.

Funny story: I was doing a run through Thursday after the kids came home from school.  They'd finished their snack and homework, and I'd sent them to watch a movie in another room (something they're typically not allowed to do on school days, so they went quite happily).  My son came walking in while I was sitting in my chair talking to an empty room.  I looked up and he was looking at me like I was on drugs.  He finally asked, "What are you doing?"  That look on his face was well worth it.  You think he'd be used to my lunacy by now, but apparently not.

Friday night I attended an open mic reading.  I didn't take a piece (couldn't remember where my notebook with poetry in it was, and didn't have time to hunt it down), but I enjoyed listening to everyone else.  There were poems read, essays, and snippets of novels.  Each person had to give a fact and a fiction, and we guessed which was fact.  We won chocolate if we got it right.  Each person also had to answer a literary trivia question.  This is the first open mic of anything I've attended, and I had tons of fun!

Stephen Graham Jones giving his presentation.

Saturday, our morning keynote was Stephen Graham Jones.  He writes a variety of stuff, but I think mostly horror, in terms of what he's published.  His speech was great.  He first told us what not to do to get published.  He was a natural story teller and told us several interesting stories.  He also read us a piece he'd written, which I wish was published, but isn't.  We were all so fascinated with his speech that Natalie, the main person who puts these on (owner of Black Cat Books in Manitou Springs), told him to go ahead and run late.  Not one person complained.

Our lunch keynote was Stephen Coonts.  He told us how his fame was due to luck.  You see, the month his book was due to come out, a magazine (Forbes, maybe?) had done a spread on Ronald Reagan in the White House.  Coonts (and Clancy) had been published by a Navy-based company, and someone within that company had sent his book to Reagan with a note that he thought he'd enjoy it.  Well, he had just received it when the interview began, and when they took his photo at his desk, the book and a jar of jelly beans were all that sat on his desk.  The marketing folks loved that when one of them happened to discover it while thumbing through the magazine, and they promptly ran with the free publicity.

Stephen Coonts giving his presentation.

I was so exhausted that I skipped the last presentation and went book shopping instead.  I spent way more than I'd intended, and left with a big bag of signed books.  I was able to get my dad Flight of the Intruder, signed, so that was cool.  Hopefully he likes it.

So that was my experience at Author Fest.  It was my first time there, but I hope to go each year after this.  It's definitely different than a larger conference, like Pikes Peak Writers, but different isn't bad.

Having just bored you to tears with my rendition of "why I had a great weekend," I'll close with a reminder that I'm doing NaNoEdMo this month in order to do NaNoWriMo next month, guilt-free.  My hope is to get Lonely Hollow: Synthesis fully edited so I can start querying.  Whether that will happen or not is up in the air, but I plan to make a good attempt.  At some point this week I may get myself a ticker/status bar for the number of pages I edit, but we'll see what I find.  That will be in the sidebar if I locate one I like.

You're welcome to join me for NaNoEdMo.  It doesn't have to be a novel; it can be anything you need to edit.  If I get time or decide to take a break from novel editing, I intend to edit a couple short stories that need it.  My hope at the end of the month is to have material to submit, one way or the other.

I won't be doing a linky for NaNoEdMo or anything, but post in the comments or let me know if you plan on giving it a try, too.  Join me!  I feel like I'll be able to relax in November as long as I've gotten some editing completed.  That way, I get to just enjoy writing, which is always such a pleasure.

Planning on jumping into NaNoEdMo?  How about NaNoWriMo?  Ever been to a small conference?  Seen any of these keynotes?  Have you given a presentation at a conference?

May you find your Muse.

**All photos of the Author Fest were taken by Margaret Morris.