We're Baaaaaaack: The Weekend Follies

The Late Great Robin Williams

Weekend Follies: Hey everyone, as always thanks for stopping by. It’s been a long while since I’ve posted the Weekend Follies and it’s time to restart the madness. 

I wanted to post this video of robin Williams last fall during the Survive and Thrive Blogfest which was not long after one of my favorite comedian’s passing. 

There is a connection with this stand up bit and my post, and of course there is a lot of humor attached. There’s no other way than to look at having a colonoscopy than through the eyes of Robin Williams. 

I also have a quick post over at the 2015 Blogging A to Z Challenge site with a couple tips to get you prepared for the annual event. So have a few laughs with Robin Williams, then pop over to the A to Z site. And thanks again for stopping by!

 

Okay, grab your splitting sides and now its off to the A to Z site you go: CLICK HERE

Thriller vs. Suspense vs. Mystery vs. Paranormal vs. Supernatural

Genres: When it comes to genres, I first write my stories, then worry about what particular genre(s) it falls into only after I’m finished. I then call in and line up the usual suspects: 

• Mystery 
• Suspense 
• Thriller 
• Paranormal 
• Supernatural 
• Sci-fi 

After serious questioning and interrogation, it became clear the genre of Murcat Manor (soon to be renamed) is Supernatural Thriller, although like most stories today there are overlaps and blurrings of other genres present. 

A Supernatural Plot introduces something unknown to the otherwise normal setting. Other-worldly elements exist beyond the realm of our commonly accepted five senses. The supernatural can have a spiritual tone and was once a part of our world and had a place in it. 

But it has transformed itself and returned to defy it. There is a fear brought on by something like a housing development built on an ancient Indian cemetery (Poltergeist) or someone sees dead people (The Sixth Sense) or something traumatic has happened like a murder of an innocent person with more murders on tap (Ghost). 

The supernatural often has the element of horror. Behavior and events have been influenced by the intervention of supernatural beings with secret powers that influence earthy affairs. 

But the emphasis is mainly on suspense rather than horror, although there is certainly horror in the story. A paranormal setting is usually less violent and often has a romantic theme. 

A Cat From Murcat Manor

In a supernatural setting, the protagonists are isolated against their will in a battle against a sinister force that builds to a climax. During that time, there are several rounds or battles with the protagonists (often everyday people) on the defensive and even injured. But as the story unfolds, they begin to figure things out and take the offensive. 

That being said, there is so much blending of genres and blurring their boundaries that I know I have elements of paranormal, suspense, and mystery in the plot. But in an overall sense, Murcat Manor (soon to be renamed) is very much a clear cut Supernatural Thriller. 

Thanks Everyone for helping with a new title for Murcat Manor. There were close to twenty names suggested and I’ve narrowed it down to four: 

• Nine Lives to Murder 
• A Manor of Murder 
• Bed Breakfast and Death
• Dead and Breakfast 

Honorable Mentions: it did seem like a good idea to try and get the name Salem in the title: 

• Salem’s Legacy 
• Salem 13 
• Salem’s Daughters 

Finally: When writing, do you first pick a genre then write the story? Or do you write first and then figure out the genre?

IWSG, A New Title, and Cute Fuzzy Meerkats

IWSG: Hi everyone, my name is Stephen Tremp and this is my post for the monthly IWSG hosted by Alex Cavanaugh. 

I’ve been blogging for about five years. I am a self professed writer with my fourth book in the final editing stage and two more on the drawing board. I embrace science and the supernatural and believe that together they explain the universe and our place in it. I also use this premise to write one of a kind thrillers. I live in Orange County, CA with my wife, kids, dog, parrot, and hamster. 

Warm and Fuzzy Meerkats of Meerkat Manor

My concern this month is the title of my book Murcat Manor. I chose the word Murcat because it’s a combination of “murder” and “cat.” It is also the name of the bed and breakfast where everything takes place.

But I surveyed a group of people who felt the name needed to be changed as most thought of those cute and cuddly Meerkats from the hit TV show Meerkat Manor. So I’m hoping to get some ideas here for a new title. 

Below are two quick blurbs of the book. A full synopsis is on the Murcat Manor Tab above if you want to take a look. 

A four hundred year old evil is unleashed when disembodied souls of the daughters of those killed during the Salem Witch Trials find a new generation of people to murder at a popular bed and breakfast owned by a young unsuspecting couple. 

Murcat Manor

Spend a summer at a present day bed and breakfast called Murcat Manor, and you too could become a victim of thirteen gifted and malicious killers from late seventeenth century New England. 

The name of the bed and breakfast will remain Murcat Manor. But I do need to find a new title for the book. My editor suggested these titles: 

* A Manor of Murder 

* Nine Lives to Murder 

* Some Witches Never Die 
* The Cats 

* Bed, Breakfast and Death 

* Your Cats Want to Kill You 

If you feel so inspired, please leave a title in the comments. 

Finally: Once again I've put together a Celestial Calendar and made it into a monthly newsletter. 2015 promises to be an exciting one for astronomy buffs. 

Many rare and notable heavenly events will occur in our night sky that can be seen right from your back yard. So take a moment to see what's on tap as this year will be full of awe and wonder as we explore our solar system and continue to unlock the secrets of our universe. 

Simply click the 2015 Celestial Calendar Tab above or CLICK HERE.

Welcome Back, 2015 Celestial Newsletter, Galavant, and More

Welcome Back! Hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday season with family and friends. Wishing peace, health, and prosperity to you and yours for 2015! We get to start anew with a clean slate in many areas. 

New Year’s Resolution: One of my resolutions is to read current books. I’m usually a few years behind. Case in point: I’m currently reading the first Game of Thrones Book twelve years after the fact. Still, a great read though. 

In 2014 there were about 35 movies released based on books. I’ve seen Unbroken, Mockingjay, The Imitation Game, Maze Runner, Gone Girl, and Hundred Foot Journey among others. 

2015 promises more of the same. So I’m going to read a few of the books before the movie is released. I’m starting with The Martian by Andy Weir then moving to Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. 

A Cat From Murcat Manor

Murcat Manor: Still in the editing stage. I’m looking for a new title for the book as the initial feedback for Murcat Manor was not very good. More on this on Wednesday’s IWSG post. 

I’ll start the querying process this week and send out about a hundred to a list of various agents and publishers. We’ll see what happens. Oh, and I need to finish the cover art.

In the meantime I’m cleaning up my blog beginning with the Tab Pages. I took a look at them and realized how sloppy they look. But I think I’ve got them looking pretty good. Now to work on the side columns. 

2015 Celestial Newsletter: Last year I made a celestial Calendar for one of my Tab Pages. This year I’ve expanded it to a once a month newsletter that contains lots of cool and rare astronomical events you can see from your back yard along with other cool tidbits. I encourage you to at least check it out. 

So take a moment to check out the 2015 Celestial Calendar TAB at the top for more info, or simply fill out the form below. I only ask for your first name an email address that I’ll never compromise to anyone. Ever. Unsubscribe at any time. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. 

Galavant: I’m looking forward to the four week run of Galavant on Sunday nights on ABC. It's billed as a Medieval Geek Smorgasbord similar to Monty Python and mel Brooks films. Combine this with slap stick humor and Weird Al Yankovic and I’ll give it a try.

Finally: Have any books you've lined up to read for 2015? Ready for the first IWSG of 2015? Watching Galavant? And don't forget to sign up for the 2015 Celestial calendar. Give it a try and check out what's on tap for this month. You'll be truly amazed at our amazing universe.

Thank you for subscribing to my 2015 Celestial Calendar. Email    First Name*        Email marketing by GraphicMail

Christmas Funnies and Such

Murcat Manor: I finally pulled the trigger and sent off the final version of Murcat Manor to my editor for the final read through edit! This MS developed from 175 pages to about 345 by the time it's formatted. Time to do the Happy Dance.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond: I dove into this book a bit over the weekend. I went right to the Marketing section and perused a number of chapters from amazing writers and bloggers I know. I’m working on updating my Media Kit, so I enjoyed Sylvia Ney’s chapter very much. We have a new Dell PC and with Windows 8.1 (I’m still getting used to it) am able to “Pin to Start” so an icon for this particular book appears on the desktop and I simply have to click it. That’s kind of a cool bell and whistle. 

And The Insecure Writer's Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond was available for free at the time of this posting. If you have not downloaded yourself a copy, take a moment and do that right now. 

As we wind down 2014, I’m already planning ahead for a most amazing 2015. Lots of really cool stuff on tap and I’ll be spending the next few weeks getting a jump start on all of that. Until then, enjoy these Holiday Follies!

Finally: What the cats of Murcat Manor do between killing the guests. Enjoy!

Cool Holiday Gift Ideas, Cool Nativity Scenes, and Mr. Bean

Cool Holiday Gift Ideas: Hi all. I know many people are looking for a certain something to give a certain someone. Look no further than Think Geek. 

For example, who wouldn’t want this really cool Planetary Glass Set? I’m ordering one. 

They have toys, T-shirts and other apparal, electronics and gadgets, home nad office, even survival stuff like this coffee mug . Lots of other geeky nerdy dorky stuff too. Think Geek 

Coolest Nativity Scene Ever!!!

This One's Pretty cool Too

Murcat Manor Nativity Scene

LEGO Nativity Scene

Peanuts Nativity Scene

Red Neck Nativity Scene

Finally, I leave you with this. I think I posted this least year. If so, it’s certainly worth a repeat. It’s Mr. Bean’s Nativity Scene. Enjoy!

 

Insecure Writers Support Group, Pluto, New Horizons, and Orion!!!

Insecure Writers Support Group:  I’m sitting on my manuscript and ready to send it off to my editor for the final read through / edits. 

But I can’t. I’m at that stage where I’m reading through it “one more time” and catching little things here and there. Probably should leave that to my editor and just send it off. 

I Can Quit Any Time

This has been a fun project and I’m very excited to move forward. Murcat Manor has grown from a novella to a full length story coming in at around 350 pages or so. I just need to click that SEND button and let it go off to my editor.

Okay, just one more read through and I’ll send it off this weekend. Just one more. Then I’ll quit. I promise! 

Artist's Rendition of New Horizons and Pluto

You can sign up for and participate in the Insecure Writers Support Group HERE.

Did You Know: The New Horizons Spacecraft, launched nine years ago, is about to encounter the Pluto. This will be the first man made craft to visit the planet. New Horizons has spent much of its life in a hibernation of sorts to conserve energy, and will power up December 6th in preparation for a 2015 summer rendezvous with the dwarf planet. Along the way, the craft has visited and taken amazing images of Jupiter. 

Jupiter and IO, captured by New Horizons

Fun Fact: In 2006 when the spacecraft first set sail, Pluto was considered a planet. Later that year, the International Astronomical Union vote to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet. Lots of people to this day still very upset about that, myself included. 

But Wait, That’s Not All: There’s more exciting news! On December 4th, NASA’s new Orion spacecraft that will replace the Space Shuttle Program, is set to take a critical test flight. Orion will take mankind into deep space. The first planned stop is an asteroid in about ten years. Next up is Mars about a decade after that. People, we truly live in exciting times! 

A to Z Blog: We all know about the April A to Z event. But did you know people post there almost every day throughout the year? I post every first and third Thursday of each month for my Steve’s Science and Other Fun Stuff series. In fact, I’m posting there this Thursday on a couple fascinating topics that I’ll touch on below. 

So if you have a Blog List on your side bar, or another way that you follow your fellow bloggers and blogettes, consider adding the A to Z Blog Link to it. It’s a great way to keep in the loop on a wide array of topics in the blogging realm! 

Remember: Stop by the A to Z Blog later this week or over the weekend for more exciting stuff regarding the New Horizons mission and all the cool things it has it to do!