I don't know why it took so long to get this podcast online... No, actually I do.
I recorded my interview with spirit communicator and fellow author Jimahl di Fiosa back in September, but I had a previous interview to post. That should have bumped him to October, but I had a "news" podcast to produce and, let's face it, October is a fairly busy month for authors who write about vampires and witches.
In November, I had NaNoWriMo. Writing an average of 1,667 words a day left no time for audio production, which pushed things into December, the dreaded holiday season.
So, with apologies to Jimahl, whose latest book Talk to Me: When the Dead Speak to the Living came out in October 2008, I give you his interview at http://www.vampireswitchesandgeeks.com/
Morven
Author Morven Westfield comments on writing, vampires, the wildlife outside her window, and the writing life.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Canceling Jan 11 event at Bay State Paranormal Center
The weather service is forecasting 4-8" of snow in the area. Rather than risk the safety of attendees, I'm canceling my appearance, but hope to be able to schedule a future date.
My apologies for the late notice, but I wanted to wait to see if the storm would pass us by.
My apologies for the late notice, but I wanted to wait to see if the storm would pass us by.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Reading, signing, and discussion January 11
Okay, so you've had your fill of fruitcake and eggnog and you're ready to get back to the real, uh, fantasy world. What better way than to spend an hour or so talking vampires, witches, and geeks?
On Sunday, January 11, 2009, at 2:30 pm, I'll be at
Bay State Paranormal Center
20 Broadway
Taunton, MA 02780
1-508-880-8696
I'll be be giving a brief talk and a reading from THE OLD POWER RETURNS, my second novel in the series of vampires, witches, and geeks.
Also appearing that day is my good friend Jimahl di Fiosa, who will be reading from and talking about his new book "Talk to Me: When the Dead Speak to the Living" (for more info, see www.jimahldifiosa.com).
If you're in the area, stop on by.
On Sunday, January 11, 2009, at 2:30 pm, I'll be at
Bay State Paranormal Center
20 Broadway
Taunton, MA 02780
1-508-880-8696
I'll be be giving a brief talk and a reading from THE OLD POWER RETURNS, my second novel in the series of vampires, witches, and geeks.
Also appearing that day is my good friend Jimahl di Fiosa, who will be reading from and talking about his new book "Talk to Me: When the Dead Speak to the Living" (for more info, see www.jimahldifiosa.com).
If you're in the area, stop on by.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Guess Alicia's Sun Sign
Are you one of those people who can just "tell" when someone's a Leo (or some other sign)? Yes? Then you're going to love this contest.
Alicia Anderson is the protagonist in Darksome Thirst and The Old Power Returns. She's about to start learning more about astrology as part of her general training in the occult sciences, which she's undertaking to help her in her battle against a particularly troublesome vampire. Can you guess her sign from her characterization in the novels?
First Prize
Guess her Sun, Moon, and Rising signs and win your choice of a Crystal Wheel or Floral Horoscope from Dikki-Jo Mullen.
Dikki-Jo is a nationally noted astrologer and spiritual counselor who has authored manynationally published articles. Her feature items and detailed astrology forecasts appear in The Witches' Almanac and Dell Horoscope publications, available in fine book stores everywhere.
Second Prize
Guess any two signs (sun/moon, moon/rising, and so on) and win a signed copy of the yet unpublished book three in the Alicia Anderson series and a copy of the 2009-2010 Witches' Almanac, in which my article on crystal balls appears.
You have until midnight Eastern Standard Time February 28, 2009 to post your entries. For full details, see the Contest Entry Page at
Saturday, November 29, 2008
I finished NaNoWriMo with 50,216 words!
The term that they use is "win"; that is, you win NaNoWriMo if you complete 50,000 words on your novel by November 30. I dunno why, but I prefer to use the verb to finish, as in "I finished NaNoWriMo" and that I did indeed do!
This is only half the battle. I'll let the novel "cool" over the month of December while I catch up on things I let go in November. Then sometime in January I'll start whipping this novel into shape as Book Three (no title yet) of my vampires, witches, and geeks series featuring Alicia Anderson and the vampire Wesley.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Still Slogging Away
I made this same text blog on my podcast page. Since people usually subscribe to just the audio feed from that page, they might miss it, so I'm repeating it here.
NaNoWriMo 2008 Progress
I’m still slogging through my manuscript for book three in my vampire series. I had hoped to have a solid outline before I started so that I could just dig in and write sequentially, but I was so busy with appearances in September and October that I didn’t get to it.
When November 1 came, and NaNoWriMo started, I had to just dive in and hope for the best. The first week went well as I wrote the scenes for each returning character and started filling in the background information for the new characters, some mortal and some vampiric.
Then I hit a slump the second week, which I hear is pretty common and felt very similar to the sophomore slump of writing your second book — heck, someone even referred to it as the sophomore slump! I started worrying that the book was crap, that I hadn’t done enough planning, and that I should just give it up for now. But, if you never start writing, you won’t finish, and I finally convinced myself that now is just a good a time as any.
So, I’m still plugging away at the new vampire novel, and if you want to see my progress, go to my home page and look at the word count at the very top of the page.
As soon as I hit my 50,000 words, I’m going to work on the next podcast, the promised interview with Dan and Michelle from Out of the Coffin, and go into more details on the contest I’m running.
Morven
NaNoWriMo 2008 Progress
I’m still slogging through my manuscript for book three in my vampire series. I had hoped to have a solid outline before I started so that I could just dig in and write sequentially, but I was so busy with appearances in September and October that I didn’t get to it.
When November 1 came, and NaNoWriMo started, I had to just dive in and hope for the best. The first week went well as I wrote the scenes for each returning character and started filling in the background information for the new characters, some mortal and some vampiric.
Then I hit a slump the second week, which I hear is pretty common and felt very similar to the sophomore slump of writing your second book — heck, someone even referred to it as the sophomore slump! I started worrying that the book was crap, that I hadn’t done enough planning, and that I should just give it up for now. But, if you never start writing, you won’t finish, and I finally convinced myself that now is just a good a time as any.
So, I’m still plugging away at the new vampire novel, and if you want to see my progress, go to my home page and look at the word count at the very top of the page.
As soon as I hit my 50,000 words, I’m going to work on the next podcast, the promised interview with Dan and Michelle from Out of the Coffin, and go into more details on the contest I’m running.
Morven
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Reading and Signing at Bay State Paranormal
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Bay State Paranormal Center
20 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02780
At 3:15 pm, I'll give a short talk and a brief reading from my current book, The Old Power Returns, and tell you a little bit about the third book, which I'm working on now. For more info, see www.paranormal-events.info or www.myspace.com/mugshotlizzie
After that, I climb back into my hole, trying to write 1,667 words a day for NaNoWriMo 2008.
Happy November!
Bay State Paranormal Center
20 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02780
At 3:15 pm, I'll give a short talk and a brief reading from my current book, The Old Power Returns, and tell you a little bit about the third book, which I'm working on now. For more info, see www.paranormal-events.info or www.myspace.com/mugshotlizzie
After that, I climb back into my hole, trying to write 1,667 words a day for NaNoWriMo 2008.
Happy November!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
NaNoWriMo -- First day results
1,706 words this morning! Yay! I'm going to try to get ahead of the game this weekend, but I've also got to take down the Halloween decorations and put them away.
Still, I'm happy with my first-day start.
Happy NaNoWriMo!
Morven
Still, I'm happy with my first-day start.
Happy NaNoWriMo!
Morven
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
Just wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween and, if you celebrate it, a blessed Samhain.
I've just posted another podcast episode of Vampires, Witches, and Geeks. That's going to be it for a few weeks because starting tomorrow, I'm participating in NaNoWriMo, where I'll be pushing to get a 50,000-word draft of my next novel in just one month. Yup. One month. That's 1,667 words a day.
Wish me luck!
Morven
I've just posted another podcast episode of Vampires, Witches, and Geeks. That's going to be it for a few weeks because starting tomorrow, I'm participating in NaNoWriMo, where I'll be pushing to get a 50,000-word draft of my next novel in just one month. Yup. One month. That's 1,667 words a day.
Wish me luck!
Morven
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Remember: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In the United States, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You can find out more information at http://nbcam.org/
If you'd like to fund a free mammogram for someone in need, visit this site and click the button for free mammograms:
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
If you'd like to fund a free mammogram for someone in need, visit this site and click the button for free mammograms:
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
New Interview Posted
I had great fun interviewing Karagan, podcaster and witch, on my "Vampires, Witches, and Geeks" podcast. He also gave me a short sample of one of his chants to post with the podcast.
You don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast, but if you have an iPod (or any other MP3 player), you can certainly subscribe and/or download it directly.
Check it out at podcast.morvenwestfield.com.
To listen to it from the web, just click the speaker icon.
To subscribe to it, click one of the buttons on the right.
I'm still very new to podcasting, so I'm still learning, but I think this one came out fairly well. Of course, it helps that Karagan has a wonderful, rich voice and wasn't shy over the phone!
Morven
You don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast, but if you have an iPod (or any other MP3 player), you can certainly subscribe and/or download it directly.
Check it out at podcast.morvenwestfield.com.
To listen to it from the web, just click the speaker icon.
To subscribe to it, click one of the buttons on the right.
I'm still very new to podcasting, so I'm still learning, but I think this one came out fairly well. Of course, it helps that Karagan has a wonderful, rich voice and wasn't shy over the phone!
Morven
Friday, September 26, 2008
Is nothing uncontroversial these days?
It seems like a good deal: Go to this web site (The Breast Cancer Site) and click the button that says "Click to Give Free Mammograms". The site is a good site, the cause is worthy, and October is Breast Cancer Month.
So what's the controversy? Some people feel that the radiation from the mammogram itself causes problems. That could be true, but right now it's the best tool we have for finding breast cancer in its early stage.
Weigh the dangers and decide for yourself. Personally, I'm gonna click. Often. My sibling's girlfriend just finished treatment. I have other friends who have fought the battle. And my mother died from breast cancer when I was still in grade school.
I get yearly mammograms because I'm at risk. I'd like to see other women have that choice.
Morven
So what's the controversy? Some people feel that the radiation from the mammogram itself causes problems. That could be true, but right now it's the best tool we have for finding breast cancer in its early stage.
Weigh the dangers and decide for yourself. Personally, I'm gonna click. Often. My sibling's girlfriend just finished treatment. I have other friends who have fought the battle. And my mother died from breast cancer when I was still in grade school.
I get yearly mammograms because I'm at risk. I'd like to see other women have that choice.
Morven
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Radio Free Bliss Re-Posted
The files for the podcast are okay now and re-posted. Ah, the joys of podcasting! ;-) I remember doing that a few times myself, and I've posted less than ten episodes!
Can't wait to listen to the episode!
Morven
P.S. The podcast is at http://radiofreebliss.ksaugustin.com/
Can't wait to listen to the episode!
Morven
P.S. The podcast is at http://radiofreebliss.ksaugustin.com/
Radio Free Bliss, part 2
If you're trying to download or listen to the Radio Free Bliss podcast and can't, don't worry. It's not you. I think there's a problem with the files.
I've emailed Kaz, but as I said, she's 12 hours ahead, so I don't expect to hear from her for at least another 7 hours. I'll let you know when the problem's fixed.
In the meantime, if you've been successful at downloading or listening to the files, let me know.
Morven
Morven on Radio Free Bliss
I've been interviewed for Radio Free Bliss, which is a show "about writers and what drives them... Radio Free Bliss is an MP3 file that you can listen to at this website, download to your own machine, or even store on your MP3 player for listening to later."
Of course, her show is a podcast, but she makes it very clear that you don't need an iPod or other portable MP3 player to listen to it. All you need is your computer. Using any internet browser (for example, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and others), visit the following link and scroll down to find "September 2008::Morven Westfield":
http://radiofreebliss.ksaugustin.com/
Doing the interview was a lot of fun. At one point in the beginning, I kept tripping over the pronunciation of "enamored," which is one of those words that I always read correctly (en-am-ored), but sometimes say incorrectly (en-amore'd). She was extremely gracious, laughing and offering to look in her thesaurus for a word that I *could* pronounce.
The Skype connection was exceptionally clear, even though she was thousands of miles away. Yup, thousands. Her time zone was twelve hours ahead of mine! When I phoned her at 9:00 on a Sunday morning, it was 9:00 Sunday *evening* for her.
Isn't technology amazing? Working with it every day, I sometimes take it for granted, but sometimes it just amazes me how far we've come in just my lifetime. When I was in high school, for example, no one had home computers -- there weren't any -- so using computers to make a phone call over the internet wasn't possible, or at least not for anyone but computer network pioneers.
More on technology later.
Morven
P.S. I'm doing a lot of traveling in the New England area this fall. See http://www.morvenwestfield.com/signings.shtml for a list of events.
Of course, her show is a podcast, but she makes it very clear that you don't need an iPod or other portable MP3 player to listen to it. All you need is your computer. Using any internet browser (for example, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and others), visit the following link and scroll down to find "September 2008::Morven Westfield":
http://radiofreebliss.ksaugustin.com/
Doing the interview was a lot of fun. At one point in the beginning, I kept tripping over the pronunciation of "enamored," which is one of those words that I always read correctly (en-am-ored), but sometimes say incorrectly (en-amore'd). She was extremely gracious, laughing and offering to look in her thesaurus for a word that I *could* pronounce.
The Skype connection was exceptionally clear, even though she was thousands of miles away. Yup, thousands. Her time zone was twelve hours ahead of mine! When I phoned her at 9:00 on a Sunday morning, it was 9:00 Sunday *evening* for her.
Isn't technology amazing? Working with it every day, I sometimes take it for granted, but sometimes it just amazes me how far we've come in just my lifetime. When I was in high school, for example, no one had home computers -- there weren't any -- so using computers to make a phone call over the internet wasn't possible, or at least not for anyone but computer network pioneers.
More on technology later.
Morven
P.S. I'm doing a lot of traveling in the New England area this fall. See http://www.morvenwestfield.com/signings.shtml for a list of events.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Appearances on Panels at Necon, Pi-Con
July and August will be busy this year. I'll be attending Necon, a small convention in Bristol, Rhode Island, from July 17-20, and then attending Pi-Con, a new convention (for me) in Springfield, MA from Aug 22-24. At both conventions I'll be participating in panels.
At Necon, on Sunday morning at 10:00, I'll be one of the panelists on SELLING YOUR SOUL: Book promotion in the modern world. (Don't you just love the title?) From bookmarks to book trailers, store signings to podcasts; what really gets you noticed? Nate Kenyon (moderator), P.D. Cacek, Matt Schwartz, Darrell Schweitzer, Morven Westfield, Lynne Hansen
At Pi-Con, I'll be on three panels: -- Oops. That wasn't a finalized schedule yet. So, hold off and I'll post the final one when I see it here. I guess I jumped the gun.
Hope to see some of you there.
Morven
At Necon, on Sunday morning at 10:00, I'll be one of the panelists on SELLING YOUR SOUL: Book promotion in the modern world. (Don't you just love the title?) From bookmarks to book trailers, store signings to podcasts; what really gets you noticed? Nate Kenyon (moderator), P.D. Cacek, Matt Schwartz, Darrell Schweitzer, Morven Westfield, Lynne Hansen
At Pi-Con, I'll be on three panels: -- Oops. That wasn't a finalized schedule yet. So, hold off and I'll post the final one when I see it here. I guess I jumped the gun.
Hope to see some of you there.
Morven
Monday, July 14, 2008
New podcast online
I just posted my third episode of Vampires, Witches, and Geeks, my little podcast about the same.
This one is a big improvement over the other two. I've added theme music and I've actually interviewed someone. I've still got sooooooooo much to learn about this technology, especially when I'm assembling pieces like the podcast intro, the show intro, an interview, the outro (yeah, they call it that!), and the music that fades out at the end. I think I still sound a little stiff, too.
You're probably wondering why you should even bother to listen, huh? ;-O Well, for one thing, it's not that bad, and for another, my guest, writer/publisher/vampire researcher Inanna Arthen says some fascinating things about vampires.
Take a listen, and let me know what you think.
If you'd prefer to give your comments privately, use the contact form on http://www.morvenwestfield.com/contact.shtml.
This one is a big improvement over the other two. I've added theme music and I've actually interviewed someone. I've still got sooooooooo much to learn about this technology, especially when I'm assembling pieces like the podcast intro, the show intro, an interview, the outro (yeah, they call it that!), and the music that fades out at the end. I think I still sound a little stiff, too.
You're probably wondering why you should even bother to listen, huh? ;-O Well, for one thing, it's not that bad, and for another, my guest, writer/publisher/vampire researcher Inanna Arthen says some fascinating things about vampires.
Take a listen, and let me know what you think.
If you'd prefer to give your comments privately, use the contact form on http://www.morvenwestfield.com/contact.shtml.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Closer to book three...
Now I don't have to cower when I go to Necon* at the end of next week and someone asks me, "So, Morven. Whatcha been up to? Working on your next novel yet?"
One of the things that's kept me from getting going with novel number three is that I need to get my head around what already happened in the first two books, what plot threads I left hanging, who's still alive, and so on.
Somewhere I heard/read about the concept of a "story bible" where one keeps all this info. Sure, I had a character/entity database and my notes on plots, and some chapter synopses, but I didn't have it all in one place. And so I embarked on creating a "Story Guide."
Last week I finished entering all the information for DARKSOME THIRST.
Next: Do the same for my second book, THE OLD POWER RETURNS.
Morven
* Necon is a convention I'll be attending. For more on where I'll be this summer, see http://www.morvenwestfield.com/signings.shtml.
One of the things that's kept me from getting going with novel number three is that I need to get my head around what already happened in the first two books, what plot threads I left hanging, who's still alive, and so on.
Somewhere I heard/read about the concept of a "story bible" where one keeps all this info. Sure, I had a character/entity database and my notes on plots, and some chapter synopses, but I didn't have it all in one place. And so I embarked on creating a "Story Guide."
Last week I finished entering all the information for DARKSOME THIRST.
Next: Do the same for my second book, THE OLD POWER RETURNS.
Morven
* Necon is a convention I'll be attending. For more on where I'll be this summer, see http://www.morvenwestfield.com/signings.shtml.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Hey, what's your sign?
Writers should know their characters well, so well that even if you, the reader, never know the character's favorite color or least-favorite food, the author does. So well that the author knows not only the character's age, but probably even his or her astrology sign.
As I started working on my third novel in the series, it occurred to me that I need to know my main character's astrological sign, not just because I should know my character that well, but because she's going to be studying up on the psychic sciences in her quest to understand the forces that are set against her.
But she's a composite character, made up of different people or aspects of people I've known. How could I possibly figure this out?
I found the perfect solution: Internationally-known astrologer Dikki Jo Mullen, who is the house astrologer for The Witches' Almanac, did her chart!
Dikki Jo's detailed astrology forecasts also appear Dell Horoscope publications. She is the author of four books including the recently published KOO HOLLIE AND THE CORN GODDESS CHRONICLE, "a metaphysical allegory and adventure story which doubles as a textbook about astrology, ghost hunting and much more." She teaches classes in Tarot, Ghost Hunting and Paranormal Investigation, Astrology, Tea leaf Reading and Crystal Gazing, Native American spirituality and Runes, among other subjects.
You can't imagine how exciting it was to see my main character, Alicia's, chart. Dikki Jo sent not just a chart, but a full interpretation and a beautiful hand-done poster of the chart.
So what sign IS Alicia? I can't tell you! I'm going to have a contest for readers to guess! I just have to figure out the details. Stay tuned...
As I started working on my third novel in the series, it occurred to me that I need to know my main character's astrological sign, not just because I should know my character that well, but because she's going to be studying up on the psychic sciences in her quest to understand the forces that are set against her.
But she's a composite character, made up of different people or aspects of people I've known. How could I possibly figure this out?
I found the perfect solution: Internationally-known astrologer Dikki Jo Mullen, who is the house astrologer for The Witches' Almanac, did her chart!
Dikki Jo's detailed astrology forecasts also appear Dell Horoscope publications. She is the author of four books including the recently published KOO HOLLIE AND THE CORN GODDESS CHRONICLE, "a metaphysical allegory and adventure story which doubles as a textbook about astrology, ghost hunting and much more." She teaches classes in Tarot, Ghost Hunting and Paranormal Investigation, Astrology, Tea leaf Reading and Crystal Gazing, Native American spirituality and Runes, among other subjects.
You can't imagine how exciting it was to see my main character, Alicia's, chart. Dikki Jo sent not just a chart, but a full interpretation and a beautiful hand-done poster of the chart.
So what sign IS Alicia? I can't tell you! I'm going to have a contest for readers to guess! I just have to figure out the details. Stay tuned...
Saturday, May 31, 2008
June is Book Reviewing Month
Just got this post from a book reviewer/author and fellow "Broad" (member of Broad Universe). Sounds interesting and useful...
June is 'Book Reviewing' month at Blogcritics Magazine!
To promote the release of The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing, co-author Mayra Calvani will be interviewing 15+ reviewers and review editors during the month of June. Learn all about the business of book reviewing and what's in the mind of some of the most popular reviewers on the internet today. Some of the guests will include: Alex Moore from ForeWord Magazine, James Cox from Midwest Book Review, Irene Watson from Reader Views, Andrea Sisco from Armchair Interviews, Magdalena Ball from The Compulsive Reader, Sharyn McGinty from In The Library Reviews, Lea Schizas from Muse Book Reviews, Linda Baldwin from Road to Romance, Hilary Williamson from Book Loons, Judy Clark from Mostly Fiction, and many others!
To see the complete lineup, visit: The Slippery Book Review Blog.
Between June 1st and June 30th, stop by Blogcritics and leave a comment under the reviewer interviews for a chance to win a Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tour (coordinated by book marketing guru Dorothy Thompson), OR, as an alternative to a non-author winner, a $50 B&N gift certificate!
June is 'Book Reviewing' month at Blogcritics Magazine!
To promote the release of The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing, co-author Mayra Calvani will be interviewing 15+ reviewers and review editors during the month of June. Learn all about the business of book reviewing and what's in the mind of some of the most popular reviewers on the internet today. Some of the guests will include: Alex Moore from ForeWord Magazine, James Cox from Midwest Book Review, Irene Watson from Reader Views, Andrea Sisco from Armchair Interviews, Magdalena Ball from The Compulsive Reader, Sharyn McGinty from In The Library Reviews, Lea Schizas from Muse Book Reviews, Linda Baldwin from Road to Romance, Hilary Williamson from Book Loons, Judy Clark from Mostly Fiction, and many others!
To see the complete lineup, visit: The Slippery Book Review Blog.
Between June 1st and June 30th, stop by Blogcritics and leave a comment under the reviewer interviews for a chance to win a Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tour (coordinated by book marketing guru Dorothy Thompson), OR, as an alternative to a non-author winner, a $50 B&N gift certificate!
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