The Splintered Lands Results or A Surprise Outcome

I wanted to thank all of you who voted for my story, “Blessed,” for the Splintered Lands contest. I truly appreciate the time you spent to vote and for the support you have given me in regards to this story.

This contest was a fiasco of epic proportions. Not only was it mishandled, Deepwood Publishing all but admitted through a tweet that “They could change the votes if they had to.” Well, perhaps they did.

What the results boiled down to was three of the four finalists being “disqualified,” leaving the sole author as the default winner. Not how I would have like to win, but a publishing credit is a publishing credit. They claimed that there were too many “voting inconsistencies that led to multiple authors being disqualified.”I did email Deepwood asking why my story was DQ’d, but have heard nothing from them. Unfortunately, I really don’t expect to.

For the record, despite the insinuation, I am not a cheater, nor did I ask anyone to cheat for me. Mostly, I am angry because I spent over six days crafting a story worthy enough for their anthology, only to have them toss it out for reasons beyond my control.

So, when play is not fair, how do you hope to win?

I am left with a story I am immensely proud of. When time allows, I’ll tear it down and build it up in my own world, with my own rules.

Varinia Sulan shall live on!

Contest Finalist or Vote for Blessed (short story)

Howdy all!

I entered a contest for the Splintered Lands anthology http://splinteredlands.com/. This is a post apocalyptic land where magic has torn the world apart. Magic wielders and technologists are despised and hunted, while the Knights govern what they can and destroy the rest.

My story, "Blessed," is one of the four finalists. Who ever wins, will have his/her story as part of the anthology to be published by Deepwood Publishing.

So if you have some time, go to the website and read the submissions. I have some tough competition. Your vote is greatly appreciated. Tell all your friends, neighbors, and paper boys. I don't know how long the voting will stay open, so hurry, hurry, hurry!

Thank you.

Merry Sisters of Fate Watcher Prompt Contest or Touching Up My Poet's Roots

The Merry Sisters of Fate (Brenna Yovanoff, Maggie Stiefvater, and Tessa Gratton) are hosting a prompt contest on their blog. One winner will receive these fabulous prizes: a signed ARC of "Scorpio Races" by Maggie, a signed ARC of "The Space Between" by Brenna, and a signed hardback of the recently released "Blood Magic" by Tessa.

The picture, "Meeting on The Turret Stairs” by Frederic Burton, was too perfect not to write for.

This poem is a pantoum, a poetic form based on the oral telling of 15th century Malayan literature.

“Sin”

My heart is consumed by Hellfire.

Loving you brings a thousand deaths to my soul.

Save me, my God, from this wild desire,

An unquenched passion that shall not be consoled

Loving you brings a thousand deaths to my soul.

We married in haste, those we did not love

An unquenched passion that shall not be consoled;

Dreaming of you is but a curse from above.

We married in haste those we did not love,

Though it saved you from courtly scorn.

Dreaming of you is but a curse from above

And I mourn, oh the loss of you that I mourn.

Though it saved you from courtly scorn,

I have no choice now but to become a thief.

And I mourn, oh the loss of you that I mourn.Stealing a glance or smile disguised is a moment’s relief.

I have no choice now but to become a thief,

To hold you against me on darkened stairs.

Stealing a glance or smile disguised is a moment’s relief,

Your reluctance to leave, renews my despair.

To hold you against me on darkened stairs,

A touch not deep enough to sustain me.

Your reluctance to leave, renews my despair.

This is not how I wish us to be.

 

A touch not deep enough to sustain me.

Save me, my God, from this wild desire;

This is not how I wish us to be.
My heart is consumed by Hellfire.

Inspired to Write Or a Shout Out to Maggie

I like to say that when I read, I devour books, I go through them so fast. Every time I pick up a book only to put it down a few days later, completed, Mega Man is stunned to silence (if you know him, you understand the power of this).

Last June, I stumbled across a listing on Amazon as I was searching for something new to read. What caught my eye was "Shiver" by Maggie Stiefvater (pronounced steve-otter). I think I killed the book in two days. As I reached the end and closed the book, I was reminded of the power of words and the magic that seeps out of a well crafted story. It's a tale about the intensity of first love with a paranormal (werewolf) twist. I'm a HUGE fan, but not of the stalking variety. Okay, I lurk on her blog, but that's all I'm admitting to.

Her writing reminded me of why I started writing. So I wanted to give a shout out to Maggie for helping me to reconnect with the young dreamer inside me.

To read a book through the eyes of my younger self was an unexpected treat. Those dreams and expectations of my youth came back in such a rush, it was hard not to want to reach out and embrace her. I hope she is proud of the stories I'm telling because her hand has always been on my writing. A long time ago, I promised her a story. And when it's published, I want others to devour these words and be consumed with the magic she helped create.

If your interested in joining the journey of The Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy, at least bring tissues. And a snack to share would be nice. For an autographed copy by the goddess extraordinaire, please visit http://www.fountainbookstore.com/autograph-maggie.
I'm particularly fond of the music she writes for her book trailers and the latest stop motion creation for "Forever," doesn't disappoint. This woman is so talented, it's blows my mind. If I could achieve just a quarter of her success, I'd be one happy writer. She has inspired me to conjure the magic within myself and put on a show for the world.

 Just a side note: Maggie is currently hosting a trailer contest, and while this post does coincide with said contest, I would have posted this entry anyway. Gotta give credit where it's due.

The Wolves of Mercy Falls: A Stop Motion Trailer for Forever. Enjoy!