tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51888150741645657392024-03-05T09:19:56.074-08:00Julius St. ClairThe official blog and website of fantasy author Julius St. ClairUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-40066811446672597642018-08-31T08:57:00.000-07:002018-08-31T08:57:38.834-07:00The transitionHello everyone!<br />
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As I make my transition to publish everywhere, if you are on a specific platform like Barnes and Noble or Kobo, and you cannot find a book of mine, feel free to email me at juliusstclair@yahoo.com or contact me through the blog, and I can get a copy for you.<br />
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Also, I will slowly be transitioning my author name from:<br />
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Julius St. Clair<br />
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J CLAIR<br />
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in order to make it easier for readers to say my name and find me. If you have any questions or concerns, let me know. Thank you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-44052617222805931722018-05-29T10:56:00.005-07:002018-05-29T10:56:42.105-07:00Our Broken Fantasy (Book #2 of the Obsidian Saga) is Now Available!!!!<div>
OBSIDIAN SKY 2 is NOW AVAILABLE <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Fantasy-Book-Obsidian-Saga-ebook/dp/B078SM4MTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527616542&sr=8-1&keywords=our+broken+fantasy+julius+st+clair">HERE</a></div>
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<img alt="Our Broken Fantasy (Book #2 of the Obsidian Saga) by [St. Clair, Julius]" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51XxJZNxU9L.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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In the world of Obsidian, wishes come true. <br /><br />And no victory comes without sacrifice. <br /><br />Aidan and Leah find their fairytale romance struck down, and desperately, they comb through the ashes, trying to give life to the embers. They seek refuge and safety in the city of misfits: Onyx Major, and for a time, it appears they may even be able to forge a home, with their friends, and maybe even between themselves.<br /><br />But news of their victory over an Omega has spread across the lands, and challengers seek their lives before they find the strength to stockpile their wishes and oppose the world. Through love, suffering, pain, and hope…Aidan, Leah, and the rest of the Omegaslayers will face an enemy they could not have hoped to prepare for, and uncover secrets that will follow them until their dying breaths. <br /><br />True to form, the next chapter of the Obsidian Saga roars in with our heroes facing impossible odds, beautiful imagery, breathtaking action, uncompromising set pieces, and a story that is both romantic and haunting. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-76512080142125946432017-03-31T08:29:00.001-07:002017-03-31T08:29:32.266-07:00J Clair<div>
J Clair</div>
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I think the average person would love to reinvent themselves occasionally, whether to mark a major event, or to show how much someone has changed. Our with the old and in with the new, so to speak. <div>
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I feel like...this is one of those times for me. 2016 was a terrible year in many ways. I had to move from a place I loved. I lost family members and friends. I lost my income. There was a whole lot of loss. Meanwhile, I was an emotional wreck, because I was unsure where life was headed. I remember talking to my wife and saying that I wasn't happy. </div>
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Of course I was still happy with her and my children, but there was something within me that I couldn't explain. There was a yearning for more. </div>
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And things changed drastically with the birth of my son, Max. On the very day he was born, while my wife was in labor, I received an email from Amazon saying that I had been reinstated. I was back, and yet, so much had changed. I had already uprooted my life, gotten a job, and changed my whole outlook on life, I didn't know when was the last time I would be able to full time write again. </div>
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But then...everything started changing. Things that made my heart ache were resolved. I was happier even though I was broke. I had more time for family. And though I wasn't yet writing, I was able to plan ahead for when I would, knowing that at some point, I would return back to that world.</div>
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And so now I've returned, but I've changed. And not just my personality, but my writing as well. I feel like it's cleaner, and more precise. I've grown, and suddenly, Julius St. Clair is not who I am anymore. Not exactly. Those four years of a full time author will always be a part of me and my history, but I want to evolve, and become the phoenix that rose from the ashes months ago. </div>
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And so, I'm trying something.</div>
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I'm changing my name to J Clair, and seeing what happens. It might go horribly, and I can go right back to Julius St. Clair. No biggie. Just some lost time. But it's either now or never, when I've already been away from writing for months and lost readers. It's a fresh start, and I might as well see if it all heads in the right direction. I just figured i might as well give you all a heads up. </div>
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:)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-5435800014729397902017-03-10T23:06:00.002-08:002017-03-10T23:06:49.086-08:00Ah, Life...There's this corny line in an old movie, Forrest Gump, in which he says that Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.<br />
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I remember in college that I thought I had it all figured out. I would graduate, get a great job, and soar into the sky upon wings of excellence. How foolish and naive I was. I ended up waiting tables straight out of college even with a Bachelor's degree under my belt. It was jarring to be sure, but over time I realized that the key was to never give up. Ever.<br />
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I thought I had made it nearly five years ago. A failed teaching career turned into a desperate, last resort, reach for the stars. With nothing to lose and finding myself on unemployment after being laid off, I asked my wife if I could try to make a career out of writing. All I wanted was six months. If nothing happened then I would go back to teaching, and I would know what I was doing for the next 30+ years of my life.<br />
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In the sixth month, after working 14 hour days, renewing myself every morning, and praying for a miracle, it all came together. I started making as much as I was teaching, and sometimes more. I was ecstatic, and I began making a life around my work. I didn't know what I was doing all the time, but I did my best, and I realized that writing full-time was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.<br />
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Less than a year ago, I lost it all. My books were taken down and although it was temporary, it caused a large enough tear in my life that I was forced to turn it all upside down. I had to move, get a more traditional job, and watch as dream faded. It was the worst day of my life.<br />
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But I couldn't quit. And I tried to make the best of my situation. Now, I can finally say that I will be returning back to full-time writing. I didn't think this was would happen anytime soon, but I'm grateful. Although I'm sure I've lost some readers, some fans, a great deal of my audience...I'm hopeful that I can reach someone with one of my stories again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-50767942660686822502016-12-23T20:51:00.001-08:002016-12-23T20:51:48.713-08:00Merry Christmas!Hi everyone!<div>
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I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday. I'm writing this just to let you know that Last of the Guardians is going to be delayed another month. I'll keep everyone updated, but having to juggle a new job with writing has been more difficult than I thought, and again, I want to release a quality product. If there are any questions or concerns, please email me at juliusstclair@yahoo.com. </div>
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Thank you. :(</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-86366279379352645402016-11-24T21:23:00.001-08:002016-11-24T21:23:18.520-08:00Happy ThanksgivingI have a problem, guys. It's called blogging. I'm simply terrible at it. It's not that I don't have anything to say, it's just that I'm more of a reactionary type of person. You know, the kind that will keep their mouth shut about something until absolutely necessary. It can be a horrible practice, I know. It's like, "hey guys, my new book is out!" and people are like, "why didn't you tell me about it a month ago? I already spent my book funds on Harry Potter 97," and then I'm like, "well, that sucks...for me..."<br />
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It's a habit that I have to break - not writing. But I suppose a lot of my thoughts come to fruition with the context of my stories. Still, why not get into depth on a couple of topics. I know that I'm opening up myself for criticism here, but what is the internet without a little bit of feedback.<br />
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Okay, so here goes *deep breath*<br />
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I'm going to talk about...a movie I saw recently. Sure, let's begin there. It was Doctor Strange. Now, anyone that knows me knows that I am a huge comic book fan. Not like, I can tell you the issue and volume number kind of fan, but enough that I can hold my own in a trivia game. Well, I saw the movie and I was super excited, but afterwards I was a little disappointed. Why? Because it had the same structure as almost every other Marvel movie. I can't deny that their formula works. If it's not broke, why fix it? But it still gets a wee bit stale sometimes. The formula goes as follows: introduce villain that does something horrible. Introduce sarcastic hero. Hero learns stuff through a horrible ordeal and becomes a rookie of their newfound powers. Hero meets villain and loses once but survives. Hero does something grand. Hero fights villain and wins even though the win seems like they've been blessed a tad by the screenwriter gods.<br />
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And yet, I keep going back for more! Ugh, what is wrong with me? lol.<br />
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But it got me thinking about my own writing, because I realize that all authors have a writing style and formulas to drive their narrative. Who am I to complain? Still, in order to keep things "fresh," it's great to try out new things. I've been working on a couple of ideas that I hope you'll love, and we'll certainly see. I'll talk about them more in the next post which will be in...January of 2019. I'm kidding! I'm trying to write a LOT sooner than that. Still, don't be afraid to shoot me an email and kick me in the butt once in a while if I take too long. We're in this together!<br />
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Anyways, Happy Thanksgiving all!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-11994181936483600432016-10-11T19:10:00.000-07:002016-10-11T19:10:07.091-07:00Being a Parent<div class="special-content" id="yui_3_17_2_10_1475718132176_469" style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 45px;">
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For anyone that doesn't know by now, I'm having a second baby! I'm really excited, but of course, me being me, it also helps me to focus and take a second look at certain areas of my life. The same thing happened with my first child. As soon as I found out that he was being born, everything was given another look. </div>
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Suddenly, life wasn't about me and my wife. It was about looking to the future and what I wanted for him. It was strange, not being able to change the things I didn't like on my own, but suddenly, with a child on the way, I was given the strength. It wasn't easy, and my life is completely different now than it was then, but it's for the better in every way. There's a reason why my son's middle name is Lysander (meaning <em><strong style="font-weight: bold;">he who is free</strong></em>). I want him to be free. Of drama and hardship and bondage. I want him to look at life as an opportunity and a wonderful thing to be cherished in every way. </div>
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And I think it's working so far. I absolutely love him, and almost every day I'm telling him how he is one of my favorite people in the whole world. He's funny, witty, handsome, energetic, smart and awesome. One moment we're play fighting, and in the next, we're having a conversation about life. Sure, he's only four, so his outlook might be a little different, but it's nice that we can just talk like that. No matter what happens in life, I will be there for him. </div>
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So now, I have a second child on the way, and it brings to light the few things that I would like to change. They are minor things, but there are there nonetheless, and I think it only brings to light the beauty of parenthood. As human beings, we can often be selfish, thinking only of ourselves and not considering another person's side. But being a parent forces us to evaluate what we're doing every day. This child before me is not just a duty. He is literally looking to me for guidance and assistance, and I need to know that I'm steering him right. Sometimes that means making some hard decisions. To this day, I only have one regret in my life, and even then, the result has been bittersweet, not entirely bad. I feel like that's a good thing for my son and my future child. To have far more victories than failures. </div>
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I am once again on the cusp of change, and I'm excited for it. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-59363671446493113512016-10-08T19:08:00.000-07:002016-10-08T19:08:06.037-07:00Storytelling 101<div id="yui_3_17_2_10_1475718132176_6860" style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 1.8em;">
I don't fancy myself a great storyteller in some aspects. One of the reasons is that I have often said that i don't believe in original ideas anymore, only original combinations of ideas. As the old saying goes, "There is nothing new under the sun," and I'm inclined to agree. Sure, the world changes a bit. New technology and what not. But for the most part, the world seems pretty cyclical. There will always be times of war and times of peace. Companies will be born and fail, empires rise and fall. We are are all essentially part of a living, breathing organism that has its ups and downs. </div>
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So when I think of stories, I realize that someone else may have come up with the idea I had, it's just that perhaps they didn't write it down, edit it, publish it, and market it to the masses. Here are the two fundamentals to get you started if you're ever thinking of writing a story. </div>
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1.) Criticize your idea, asking yourself if you've read or heard of something like it before. If so, then add your own spin or twist to it to make it yours. </div>
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2.) Publish.</div>
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The second part is key because the main thing keeping people from seeing if their ideas have any merit is simply executing. You can edit and revise a manuscript for twenty years, waiting for that perfect moment, but little did you know that someone with the same idea as you published a book that's similar a decade ago and they're a blockbuster success. We are not entitled to anything, and the world waits for no one. Hard work almost always beats talent so oftentimes, the main enemy is yourself when it comes to your and your success. </div>
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And success means many things. It could be having a friend hear your story being told. It could be finishing that chapter you've put on hold for several months. Whatever that victory is, achieve it and then strive for the next. Eventually, you will have accomplished what you've set out to do. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-61447027470468704832016-10-07T19:06:00.000-07:002016-10-07T19:06:06.030-07:00Keep Calm and Chill<div class="special-content" id="yui_3_17_2_10_1475718132176_526" style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 45px;">
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One of the reasons I love where I'm living currently is that the people in general don't seem to waste a ton of energy worrying about things that aren't under their control. There's not a whole lot of "Mind your own business" phrases being thrown around because people are naturally doing it. They are calm, slow to conflict and drama, and overall moral. They don't worry about a whole lot because there's no point in doing so. They live their lives simply and as a result, there's not a whole of negative.</div>
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This doesn't mean negative things don't occur. The occasional accident. Death in the family. Sickness. But it doesn't last long because their lives are essentially complete. Sure, it would be nice to have more money or go on more vacations. But that's how everyone feels. As far as everyday living goes, there's peace and comfort, and really, that's all a human being needs. </div>
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I love this life so much because of its simplicity. </div>
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And it's part of the reason why I am in awe over how different my life was only a few short years ago, back when I was on the East Coast. Life was busier, people were a lot more irritable, and morality was kind of whimsical. People would have clearly defined notions on how they should live their life, and they demanded those notions to be respected, but then, funny enough, they would try to force their views on others, believing the way they lived was the perfect and right way. It irked them that people didn't live the way they do. </div>
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Everything is just so different now.</div>
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Did you know that I used to belong to a super strict christian denomination? I still spend time with some people of the same faith, but it's so different now. They care about me, but they don't take it upon themselves to save my soul. They're too busy worrying about themselves and their walk with God. If I'm not in church, they don't think that I'm losing my way. They trust that I know what I'm doing, and if I am "backsliding" or "losing my mind" and the countless other things Christians tend to say..they leave it in God's hands. I found it funny that in my old life, people would get so concerned when people around them missed church but then they would get ecstatic themselves whenever church was cancelled. So strange.</div>
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Life is so different. </div>
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The most concerning things I have to worry about on a daily basis is whether I should write during the day or night, and checking the weather to see if I can go outside in the backyard. Especially if I can grill. I LOVE grilling. </div>
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Sure, I can get depressed over the state of the world, but I can calmly do my part to help and then live my life. The world will never be perfect. There were tons of end of the world predictions for September and here we are in October. People are worried about Trump becoming president but I have faith in humanity (though they surprise me more and more). Do I need more money? Again, it would be nice, but it's not serious. I'm not stressed. I'm not trying to please others just so that they have peace of mind. I'm making more decisions that I know will better my life and conscience and not doing things because people think I'm supposed to be doing it. </div>
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I guess I'm just keeping calm and chilling. </div>
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And you should do it too.</div>
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See what I just did right there?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-44121984857069919492016-10-06T19:04:00.000-07:002016-10-06T19:04:07.584-07:00A Phoenix Rises<div class="special-content" id="yui_3_17_2_10_1475718132176_545" style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 45px;">
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I have died many times in this life. Perhaps not physically, but certainly emotionally, financially, spiritually, and psychologically. Each time I stood before my adversary or trial at the end though, it was with a smirk on my face, knowing that the next strike would destroy me. And it most certainly would. The pain is usually so great that that I have to question everything that I ever was and am. I wonder why I am at this crossroad, and if this truly is the end.</div>
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It never is. Because I am soon reborn. The moment the last of the ashes hit the ground, a light within them begins to hum like an ember, glowing in intensity until I am once again aware. I am not the same person I once was, and I love it. </div>
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I am stronger than before, and though I mean no harm to anyone, and I never want to fight, whoever or whatever decides to come my way should be afraid. Very afraid.</div>
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I am not one to boast, but I will set the record straight here. I am certainly a lover, not a fighter. When I was growing up, I was a people pleaser. Though there were a few minor excursions (like I lied about some things when I was little), I always tried to turn myself around. Whomever I met, I tried to become that person in a sense. I had this notion in my head that if I conformed to society to the very core of my being, then I would have a great life. I would be rewarded. Everyone would be my friend. How beautifully naive I was.</div>
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I learned that the world took advantage of the kind and revered the proud and arrogant. Hard workers were run into the ground while the lazy were given passes. Though I saw these unusual injustices, I still kept my mouth shut and trudged along. Surely I would escape such fates. Of course, I was wrong.</div>
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I died spiritually once. Various churches showed me the hypocrisy of man. I was told that people are people and to not concentrate on the faults of their members, until I saw that even the intentions weren't pure. What is a doe-eyed young man supposed to do then? Do I follow along blindly even if I now know the truth? If the very people that I once revered are now telling me to my face what their motives are like a villain giving a monologue. In that moment, they know that I am to be ostracized, so why not reveal their hand? If I say anything that is contrary to the status quo within the confines of the church, I'll be deemed as crazy or influenced by the devil. I gain some freedom, but it comes at a price.<strong>Knowledge indeed brings sorrow, but with knowledge also comes power, and when I pick myself up from the dust of my spiritual death, my focus is sharpened. I no longer care about what human beings are telling me when it comes to God. I keep my focus on the scriptures, my prayers, and those that are saying things that make sense. It is comforting to find people that are able to give me answers to questions, and not just shut them down in their infancy. I am now very optimistic, but painfully realistic.</strong></div>
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I died financially once. I once believed that the perfect track in life was to get good grades in school, go to college, get a career, get a house, and so on and so on. After all, that is what everyone was saying. Funny enough, I didn't examine the lives of the adults around me enough. It didn't dawn on me that having a college degree didn't equal success. I stayed the course, and it didn't go well for me. I graduated from a state University with a Bachelor's degree in English. Though I had decent grades, a great resume, and applications given to many places, I ended up working at the Olive Garden for a year and a half. Not exactly what I went to college for.</div>
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I eventually taught English for a high school, but it was in an inner city district in which lay offs were the norm. I was laid off every summer, with the expectation that I would be called back right before school started back up in the fall. One year, I learned that I wouldn't get a call, and so I now found myself unemployed, even though I had just began going for my Master's degree, expecting that where I was, I would always be. Teaching was to be my career, but it was not meant to be. But I'm grateful for this test, because if it didn't happen, I wouldn't have fought to become a full-time writer and accomplish my dream. I will detail the particulars some other time, but needless to say, my time on unemployment was very well spent. In less than six months, I went from broke to being able to pay all my bills and more off of my writing. It took everything I had, and daily I would have to renew myself, telling myself not to cry and to keep trying. I'm now in my fourth year doing what I love, and my wife doesn't have to work unless she wants. <strong>I am grateful everyday for what I have, and I value hard work more than ever. </strong></div>
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I died psychologically once. I went through an ordeal with family that made me question everything I believed in. Though there was plenty I wanted to say on the matter before us but I stayed as frail and humble as possible in order to preserve the relationship. I needed to get my point across, but I didn't want to be disrespectful. Not after all these individuals did for me. But in the end, I had to make a decision, and it ended up being the right one for my life. I am a different person because of it. A little more assertive. A little wiser. A little more mature. <strong>I learn that family and friends are what you make of them. Like my set career path, or my spiritual path, I learn that you can alter these courses to become the person you need to be. I surround myself with as much positive energy as possible, and it pays off in droves.</strong></div>
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I died emotionally recently. I questioned a lot. Who I was. Where I was headed. What it all meant. But now I feel renewed. It's making me appreciate those I have around me even more, and I realize that this episode is only a drop in the bucket compared to the rain that will pour down in life. I'm done trying to hide my tears in the rain. <strong>I now feel stronger than ever. Because if I can die financially, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically, what is left? I feel invincible, for nothing short of physical death can take me now. </strong></div>
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<strong id="yui_3_17_2_10_1475718132176_6612">I've always looked at life as a test, and one great thing my father taught me was that when you go through a trial, you will be doomed to repeat it until you learn the lesson. It's time to move forward and see the bigger picture. It's time to knock on the door of my enemies and smile as I reveal that their finishing blow was meaningless. They didn't realize that I can't really die. I am a phoenix. I will rise again, and even if I should be killed physically, my written words will live on. My characters will continue to tell my story, and collectively, they are me. </strong></div>
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James is my fear of the unknown. Catherine is my sense of duty. Aidan is my anger. Lydia is my pain. Vincent is my cunning, and Echo is my love song for those that I've left behind (oh, that's right, you haven't met her just yet!). Anyways, Lysander is my innocence and Kyran is my darkness. Remi is who I want to grow to be someday, and the list goes on and on. </div>
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So yes, I will boast this one time. I will say to life one more time...you didn't win. You didn't win. You keep throwing this stuff at me, and the trials keep getting bigger, but every single time, I get even more powerful than before. My voice gets louder. My wisdom grows. I can't die. Don't you get it yet? And the more I talk to other survivors like me, the more immortals I meet like myself. And Life...seriously, if you're having this much trouble killing me, how are you going to take down two of us? Three? Several? A whole people? We will meet. We will exchange ideas. We will conquer you, and all of your puppets. We will live on, and show others that they don't have to settle for less. You can knock us down, but then we get back up. Someday you'll understand, or you'll burn under our collective might. </div>
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I am a Phoenix. I am an Immortal. </div>
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And if you're one too, let's talk. We've got a lot of work to do. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-11678141258574091942016-10-05T19:03:00.004-07:002016-10-05T19:03:42.249-07:00Loss<br />
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In case you want to listen to what I'm listening to while you're reading, since I was listening to this while I was writing. Warning: I wouldn't necessarily go out listening to all of his music since some can be vulgar, but I particularly like this song. It's about the loss of a loved one. </div>
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Anyways, here are my thoughts recently...</div>
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I don't understand this world.</div>
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And I'm not talking about why people in third world countries are going hungry, or why people commit heinous crimes and acts. I'm not talking about why there is suffering in the world, or why children die so young. In a way, I get that. I understand balance. You can't have pain without pleasure, suffering without relief. The good and the bad. Love and hate. One simply cannot exist without the other and so when people ask why there is so much suffering in the world, I don't look at it as some evil concept. I see it as necessary.</div>
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No, what I don't understand are human beings in general. </div>
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We are highly intellectual creatures, but we choose to hurt others. We betray without remorse and lie and manipulate without regard to how it affects someone else. It's all about the self, even though without others...we literally die on all levels. No one can survive alone. And yet, we seek to dominate our fellow man while beginning to be respected, loved and admired at the same time. I'm sick of it. I am. </div>
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Forgive me. There is a point to this.</div>
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What I mean to say, is that it's not death that scares me, whether it is of myself or another. Death is a natural part of life. It's beautiful in the sense that someone has completed their cycle for better or worse. The suffering that has plagued their thoughts and body has ceased to be, and no matter what one's view of the afterlife is, in that moment, that precise moment...there is peace. There is stillness. There is equilibrium. </div>
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Death means little to me. It is sad to watch, especially when it greatly affects someone close to them, but it is a part of life. That fact doesn't change. </div>
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To me, loss...true loss is when you lose someone close to you, and they are still alive. By my count, I have lost four people. They are all still alive, and as far as I know, they are doing well. But it's still strange to think of how important they were to me in my life, and now, for one reason or another, they no longer are. There are reasons why our relationships are over, but I won't get into the specifics out of respect to all of them.</div>
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What I will say is that I do not hate them. Their loss hurt at the time, but each of them also added to who I am today. I embraced the positive, and rejected the negative of whatever they sent my way. I am stronger because of the trials we went through together, and I hope they feel the same way. I am not bitter, but I am optimistic. I'd like to think that someday, we will meet again along life's road and sit down for a conversation. There will be no hard feelings. It will just be two people with opposing views enjoying a cup of tea and catching up. Then we will stand up at the end of the long conversation, and say good-bye to each other amicably. Is the rekindling of a relationship possible? Of course. But given that people rarely change, it is unlikely. </div>
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Still, there would be a sense of closure that could not be achieved in the heat of the moment. I think that particular closure will happen, but I don't live my life in anticipation of it. Again, I have taken in the positive, and rejected the negative. Our relationships were severed because of the negative, but I don't look it as a bad thing necessarily. We are all different, and what works for one person, just doesn't work for another. Not all human beings are meant to be in love with each other, but we can respect each other. </div>
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I just hope that wherever those four people are, they are happy. That our parting has added to their life and not taken away. That they aren't bitter. That there is no ill-will towards them. There is a saying: "Where there's life, there's hope." I used to look at that quote as, as long as the person you had a conflict with is still alive, there is still time to repair the relationship. </div>
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I don't see it that way anymore.</div>
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To me, I've already gotten over their loss. To me, it as if they are already gone. Not to sound mean, but it's like they've already passed. To me, "where there's life, there's hope" means now that regardless of the trials and tribulations that come to us in life, there is time for us to change, love, mature, and become a better person. To put our stamp on the lives of our loved ones and the world. To inspire and encourage others. To instill seeds that won't even germinate for generations. Because I and those other people are still in the land of the living, there is hope for me to change (if I'm wrong), and there's hope for them (if they are wrong).</div>
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I can't have a relationship with those that I feel have already died in my life. But I could with those that are alive now. They may look the same, walk the same, have the same name and do the exact same things on a daily basis, but their personalities have changed. That person isn't dead. They are very much alive, and I can talk to that person. As long as the sins and burdens of the past are left where it belongs. As long as we, as two adults, can move forward with the best of intentions and actions in mind, who knows what will happen in this strange life. </div>
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But for now, I do what any person does with loss after adequate time to grieve has gone by. I laugh. I cry. I enjoy life and spend time with the loved ones around me. I work hard and play hard. I seek to grow, and I keep looking to the future while being content with the present. </div>
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But every once in a while, I stop. And I go the proverbial graves of those I lost, and I bow my head in a moment of silence. I recall the good times and reject the bad, only focusing on the negative when it's to learn from my mistakes and theirs. I open my eyes, leave a flower on the soil and then walk away, never looking back. </div>
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For I still have much work to do on myself, and I can't waste too much time on mulling over what if's, and whether I will see the dead resurrected again. Where there's life, there's hope. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-34826804732363176522016-10-05T19:03:00.001-07:002016-10-05T19:03:06.337-07:00A tribute to her<div id="yui_3_17_2_10_1475718132176_6507" style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 1.8em;">
There's this saying that people can't change the world, and yet, that can't be true, because I know someone that changes my world everyday. It's so strange. I'm just walking around aimlessly about my day, thinking about what task I have to complete next or where I'm headed tomorrow, when I see her. </div>
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You see, my wife casts spells on me like a master sorcereress. She enhances my visions and floods my senses with her presence. The world is brighter. The colors are more vivid. Her laugh forces me to smile and her words hypnotizes me. I am enraptured. I am gone. I am happy. </div>
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A peace descends like a blanket falling over my body as my head hits the pillow. Reality is cast aside like a plate of leftovers that stayed out on the counter for too long, and I embrace my dream girl. We have been together for over a decade but it feels like we just met. I listen to her thoughts on different topics with an insatiable hunger. I take a dip in the pools of her blue eyes, an oasis that I get lost in habitually and happily. I say little, but my heart is on the verge of collapse. I tell her I love her, and I cringe because the words have been used by so many others before. Others that have cast the words out into the world like a fishing line with no bait, hoping for a bite.</div>
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I research different languages. I look up other ways that I can say, "I love you," so that I can portray how I adequately feel. I fail. The closest I can get to is, "Te Amo," meaning "I want you." But saying it aloud makes me look silly, as I don't know Spanish, and I'm probably saying it wrong. But I still remember the words, because it says more than "I love you." It says that I don't just need her in my life. It says that I still find her unbelievably sexy. It says that I have found my soulmate. </div>
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It also says more than how I think of her. She is a fantastic mother, but motherhood does not define her. Her gender does not define her, nor does her race or her any of the superficial traps that people fall into. She just is. She instills in my son strength and independence while showing him that there are women in the world that can be treated with the utmost respect. He shows her that there are women worthy of his brilliance. He shows her that when he finds someone to love someday, he will have to rise to her level, and not the other way around. </div>
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He sees that marrying your best friend is possible because his Papa has already done it. Like saying "I love you," this is more than words. He sees how the first person his Papa wants to spend time with when he's free of his work is his Mama. He sees them hitting each other playfully as they joke and play, holding each other like an elderly couple on a front porch swing and glancing at each other longingly when the other isn't looking. I pray that he will be as happy as I am one day. </div>
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Every day my world is changed by her, and soon, reality becomes the strange existence. Drama is weird and conflict is foreign. Peace, happiness and fulfillment of the heart becomes normal. People tell us what our relationship is. They talk in the shadows about our love. They wonder if such a thing could exist. </div>
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They only confuse me.</div>
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Because I myself think about them too. I wonder why they settle in life. I wonder why it isn't finding your soulmate or nothing at all. I wonder...and then I stop wondering, because my love has just walked into the room, and her smile reminds me that I am not part of their world. </div>
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Life comes to tear us apart, trying to label us as doomed star-crossed lovers. But we never lose. We have harnessed our powers. I am wind and she is fire. Whatever comes our way, she ignites the flames and I blow it in the face of our enemies. We are a tornado on fire. She is my warrior Princess, and I am her powerful, noble Knight. We slay our dragons between kisses.</div>
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I understand now why there are old couples that die minutes apart from each other. I now know it means to exchange hearts and souls and give it to another with no stipulations or expectations, and I am blessed with his elusive knowledge. </div>
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Te Amo, mi esposa. </div>
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You make me so happy. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-62347483563864737262016-10-05T19:02:00.002-07:002016-10-05T19:02:23.463-07:00Phase 3<div id="yui_3_17_2_10_1475718132176_6441" style="background-color: white; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.8em; margin-bottom: 1.8em;">
I am in my fourth year as a full time author, and it has been a bumpy ride. I had to learn a lot. I made some mistakes. My storytelling needed work, and my editing was shoddy at times, but I never gave up. I thank God for allowing me to make this far, and I know that without pushing forward and being relentless in my craft, I wouldn't be where I am today. </div>
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I feel as if my writing career has been in phases. Phase 1 was getting used to the way things worked. It was a lot of experimenting and troubleshooting. I also think that books that fall under this phase are my weakest. Not to say the stories aren't good, it's just that I've improved as an author, and if I could do it all over again, I would make changes. Such books were The Last of the Sages, End of Angels, and the A.E.U (don't even get me started on that, lol). </div>
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Phase 2 was where I was beginning to shine. Books 4-7 of the Sage Saga, Obsidian Sky, The Sorcerer's Ring and a few more. I started hitting my stride, gaining more confidence in my abilities and I started making less mistakes, though I still had a lot of growing up to do. Around this phase, I started Legendary Books, LLC, and though I've only brought a few people success, I see a bright future for it. Only time will tell if I can bring success to everyone that I take under the company banner. </div>
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But now I feel as if the next phase is about to begin. Phase 3. The start of something great. With the company gaining traction, that will be an invaluable source not only for networking but also expanding the scope of what I and my clients can accomplish. Strength is indeed greater in numbers. But what I really love is my growth as an author. I feel as if the next novels coming out of the pike will be some of my best stuff, and I think that readers will respond in kind. Just a few of these includes the new Sage Saga, more Obsidian Sky installments, 2 horror series, a few new fantasy series, and more. I'm so excited about them all and I can't wait until the world sees them. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-27544468930930697162016-10-05T18:34:00.002-07:002016-10-05T18:34:48.812-07:00The returnI'm coming back real soon! More details to follow this week. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-35968523438549861842015-07-05T14:01:00.003-07:002016-07-05T09:03:41.228-07:00The Blog is moving!The blog and the website is moving to a new location! Check out my latest blog post <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://juliusstclair.com/">HERE</a></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-69854294824160009972014-06-11T10:42:00.000-07:002014-06-11T10:42:13.329-07:00Featured on author Tara Maya's Blog!<br />
Somehow I completely forgot about this....<br />
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<a href="http://bestfantasynovel.com/2014/05/23/my-immortal-playlist-by-julius-st-clair/">Featured on Tara Maya's Blog: My Immortal Playlist</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-9855953452584669912014-05-31T08:24:00.001-07:002014-05-31T08:24:10.955-07:00A wonderful idea and a few updates...Okay, so I've definitely been quite busy lately, but I figured I might as well give you all a few updates on what's going on. Because I love you like that. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7VcAIHtJJg_c1yBT3gMRuYy_7WKeeUJ-RE56XetinopdZ-VYncFFwCK1GGjicC2EAkxMCdlFsux8H8E0rzz6aPLsapC5FfhGKZdD_xgIPX-tMpj7E3eq3U14LjmhcJjkp8a-yAJ_zuAS/s1600/let-me-love-you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7VcAIHtJJg_c1yBT3gMRuYy_7WKeeUJ-RE56XetinopdZ-VYncFFwCK1GGjicC2EAkxMCdlFsux8H8E0rzz6aPLsapC5FfhGKZdD_xgIPX-tMpj7E3eq3U14LjmhcJjkp8a-yAJ_zuAS/s1600/let-me-love-you.jpg" /></a></div>
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First of all, I came across this fantastic text-based role playing game called 100 days of Syria. The author designed it as a way to inform others about what's going on in the country. The game is interesting because it is historically accurate, educational, and entertaining all at the same time. Basically, my flavor of writing. But it definitely got me thinking...because I've always been a fan of video games (whether I have the time to play them anymore is another story altogether) and especially the role playing kind (RPG's). I don't have any skills whatsoever when it comes to writing code or graphic design, but I can write (keep telling yourself that, Julius). And so, I think that I'm finally ready to marry my love of games and writing together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteQ6SOG3YOoTVUe58j6iDk5Ii_QUWqG0twCPdsU21BUUKuvwNZASjP4o0Q0R9h4U2mqdiTAsYBDJ-feBjkzLmuM5WupBf5zb4aTPHm4epZOuceJMEe0ufTFYlyRWVAmShpRvDcaqq_gD6/s1600/mawwiage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteQ6SOG3YOoTVUe58j6iDk5Ii_QUWqG0twCPdsU21BUUKuvwNZASjP4o0Q0R9h4U2mqdiTAsYBDJ-feBjkzLmuM5WupBf5zb4aTPHm4epZOuceJMEe0ufTFYlyRWVAmShpRvDcaqq_gD6/s1600/mawwiage.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
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I want to create a text based role playing game of my own.<br />
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I haven't decided yet whether it's going to take place in one of my books (kind of like a supplement to a novel), or whether it will be its own thing (which I'm leaning toward). Either way, I would create a massive world in which it's kind of like a choose your own adventure, and I think that it would be really, really, cool. It's like being part of your favorite novel for years on end. Can you imagine? I would love to be part of a text based adventure game by the original author of one of my favorite novels. Now, this is a long way off because I'm not going to release this "game," until I have a premise and PLENTY of material already created, written, edited, etc. So it might be a while...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe74_1kxPjbCqwL6Vjm3mNQvgvMBsfnvnxI4nEUxvzXHyYUtmtvGxVDRlHsnJu-1KH-U0-2E7UqqQj8m2KEgi7Sk4fwBQxJbT0UzxQObdc0qs4xy2XpzjPzQpnnNVHAqMF13cE9Qs307Ih/s1600/sadbatman.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe74_1kxPjbCqwL6Vjm3mNQvgvMBsfnvnxI4nEUxvzXHyYUtmtvGxVDRlHsnJu-1KH-U0-2E7UqqQj8m2KEgi7Sk4fwBQxJbT0UzxQObdc0qs4xy2XpzjPzQpnnNVHAqMF13cE9Qs307Ih/s1600/sadbatman.gif" /></a></div>
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However, I am in the planning stage, so if you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to leave it in the comments below. I'm open to all ideas because I have yet to make any kind of final decision.<br />
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In other news, Book #3 of the Angel Story Saga should be out at the beginning of July, and it's going to be a doozy. I've been waiting to write this one for over a year now so it's long overdue. If you don't know about this particular series, you can pick up the first installment for FREE, here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Book-Angel-Story-Saga-ebook/dp/B00812P93M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401548869&sr=8-1&keywords=angel+story+julius+st+clair">End of Angels (Book #1 of the Angel Story Saga)</a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Did I mention that it's free? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRJj9mjasbBcfE6HRFODYuICtYS3zatZovGriyNUwPnARv_-6Ax18rSzlAOMdekD-5nSpK4o1K7iIBrBENSTfGS-40lO6WpoCIxIjJkm9-ur0m5CN8g1am4xIZDSFQ8EhQp_O2gCWtNMZ/s1600/excited6.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRJj9mjasbBcfE6HRFODYuICtYS3zatZovGriyNUwPnARv_-6Ax18rSzlAOMdekD-5nSpK4o1K7iIBrBENSTfGS-40lO6WpoCIxIjJkm9-ur0m5CN8g1am4xIZDSFQ8EhQp_O2gCWtNMZ/s1600/excited6.gif" /></a></div>
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I did? Okay, moving on...</div>
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I'm also in the process of ensuring that all of my titles have paperbacks (slacking, I know), and that I'm keeping a more organized focus on what novels need to be written and in what order. I'm thinking of adopting the sequel then an original work model then a sequel model. That way, I can continue to update my ongoing series and trilogies (Upgrade, I'm looking at you), without shunning anything that I've been dying to get out of my head. Well, that's it for now! I hope you're having an awesome weekend!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-86276646460314077142014-05-18T14:58:00.001-07:002014-05-18T14:58:56.310-07:00The Unfinished Song (Book 1): Initiate by Tara MayaHi everyone! I'm pleased to have Tara Maya making a stop today on the blog! She's written a book that is both exciting and action packed! Oh, and it's also free on Amazon! I don't know if I mentioned that.<br />
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Anyways, here is some information on Tara's book!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireRDqe8P596SE1mgIrQ46F8y-oFL-VOG5DnldxQohIW1LvsPOgSrIT2uMTcN58Rwk4XFctU8jlF1YxoCJ6_MWsII7kiEYYR5WoyV8ciXzOw3FKmyXF8VBsjRAWm9TPluWtUKPf51PK5nR/s1600/Initiate_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireRDqe8P596SE1mgIrQ46F8y-oFL-VOG5DnldxQohIW1LvsPOgSrIT2uMTcN58Rwk4XFctU8jlF1YxoCJ6_MWsII7kiEYYR5WoyV8ciXzOw3FKmyXF8VBsjRAWm9TPluWtUKPf51PK5nR/s1600/Initiate_cover.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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DEADLY INITIATION<o:p></o:p></div>
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A DETERMINED GIRL...<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dindi can't do anything right, maybe because she spends more
time dancing with pixies than doing her chores. Her clan hopes to marry her off
and settle her down, but she dreams of becoming a Tavaedi, one of the powerful
warrior-dancers whose secret magics are revealed only to those who pass a
mysterious Test during the Initiation ceremony. The problem? No-one in Dindi's
clan has ever passed the Test. Her grandmother died trying. But Dindi has a
plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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AN EXILED WARRIOR...<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kavio is the most powerful warrior-dancer in Faearth, but
when he is exiled from the tribehold for a crime he didn't commit, he decides
to shed his old life. If roving cannibals and hexers don't kill him first, this
is his chance to escape the shadow of his father's wars and his mother's curse.
But when he rescues a young Initiate girl, he finds himself drawn into as
deadly a plot as any he left behind. He must decide whether to walk away or
fight for her... assuming she would even accept the help of an exile.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>EXCERPT</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Blue-skinned rusalki grappled Dindi under the churning
surface of the river. She could feel their claws dig into her arms. Their
riverweed-like hair entangled her legs when she tried to kick back to the
surface. She only managed to gulp a few breaths of air before they pulled her
under again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She hadn't appreciated how fast and deep the river was. On
her second gasp for air, she saw that the current was already dragging her out
of sight of the screaming girls on the bank. A whirlpool of froth and fae
roiled between two large rocks in the middle of the river. The rusalka and her
sisters tugged Dindi toward it. Other water fae joined the rusalki. Long
snouted pookas, turtle-like kappas and hairy-armed gwyllions all swam around
her, leading her to the whirlpool, where even more fae swirled in the
whitewater. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Join our circle, Dindi!" the fae voices gurgled
under the water. "Dance with us forever!" <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No!" She kicked and swam and stole another gasp
for air before they snagged her again. There were so many of them now, all
pulling her down, all singing to the tune of the rushing river. She tried to
shout, "Dispel!" but swallowed water instead. Her head hit a rock,
disorienting her. She sank, this time sure she wouldn't be coming up again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Dispel!" It was a man's voice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Strong arms encircled her and lifted her until her arms and
head broke the surface. Her rescuer swam with her toward the shore. He
overpowered the current, he shrugged aside the hands of the water faeries
stroking his hair and arms. When he reached the shallows, he scooped Dindi into
his arms and carried her the rest of the way to the grassy bank. He set her
down gently. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She coughed out some water while he supported her back. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Better?" he asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She nodded. He was young--only a few years older than she.
The aura of confidence and competence he radiated made him seem older. Without
knowing quite why, she was certain he was a Tavaedi. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Good." He had a gorgeous smile. A wisp of his
dark bangs dangled over one eye. He brushed his dripping hair back over his
head. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dindi's hand touched skin--he was not wearing any shirt.
Both of them were sopping wet. On him, that meant trickles of water coursed
over a bedrock of muscle. As for her, the thin white wrap clung transparently
to her body like a wet leaf. She blushed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It might have been easier to swim if you had let go of
that," he teased. He touched her hand, which was closed around something.
"What were you holding onto so tightly that it mattered more than
drowning?"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LINKS</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tara’s blog <u><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/MtlSRJ</span></u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tara’s Twitter <a href="http://bit.ly/162sCtE"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/162sCtE</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Unfinished Song on Facebook <u><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://on.fb.me/1400mMq</span></u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon <a href="http://amzn.to/15ciwYc"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://amzn.to/15ciwYc</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barnes and Noble <a href="http://bit.ly/13yM5Dr"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/13yM5Dr</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kobo <a href="http://bit.ly/1aFhg1P"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/1aFhg1P</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
iTunes <a href="http://bit.ly/1baddhN"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/1baddhN</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Smashwords <a href="http://bit.ly/17zK8Xn"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/17zK8Xn</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Initiate is free
everywhere except on Barnes and Noble (where it’s $0.99). You can download a
free .epub version via Smashwords.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-41612634382930954002014-05-15T08:15:00.001-07:002014-05-15T08:15:03.267-07:00The 4th Sage Book is Now Available!It has arrived! The continuation of the epic saga! It is now available exclusively at Amazon.com.<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDw5u9glmJYJiRfqDf3zgjPuTLVF3zgeVf_GtLcm4CSAF38iHJP9yE9YBlaoxR6osY6n2lXom-SNZRI23VafoK8-ed0pzRoLbasuOkXHyqLAPdDkQAJaos0364Bjbd0ENWgC1n0iHd3Y3/s1600/Sages4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDw5u9glmJYJiRfqDf3zgjPuTLVF3zgeVf_GtLcm4CSAF38iHJP9yE9YBlaoxR6osY6n2lXom-SNZRI23VafoK8-ed0pzRoLbasuOkXHyqLAPdDkQAJaos0364Bjbd0ENWgC1n0iHd3Y3/s1600/Sages4.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Villains-Book-Sage-Saga-ebook/dp/B00KBKJN3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400165979&sr=8-1&keywords=sages+4+julius+st+clair">Of Heroes and Villains (Book 4 of the Sage Saga)</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-58692479817726663302014-05-10T13:13:00.004-07:002014-05-10T13:13:44.912-07:00What the Amazing Spider-Man 2 teaches us about having multiple narrativesA problem that some writers struggle with is how to develop compelling multiple narratives within their story. This might not be as big of an issue for those delving into memoirs, and it may not apply a whole lot to other non-fictional pieces, but for most fictional authors, it is a very necessary and important skill.<br /><br />The Amazing Spider-man 2 attempts to have multiple narratives, and while it doesn’t fail completely, the movie as a whole would have benefited more from a tighter direction, less subplots and a more focused, in-depth analysis of their characters. Without spoiling anything, and to give you an idea of what they attempted—the movie contains seven plots and subplots, and three villains, all while trying to shoehorn in big action set pieces (which is a requirement for any summer blockbuster). Although the movie is 2.5 hours long, it doesn’t reach its full potential, and this is a lesson we can learn for our own writing.<br /><br />If a story has multiple main characters, then each of those main characters has to grow in some way. This takes time. There are plenty of fictional books on the market with a single main character, and the books can range anywhere from 200 to 350 pages plus. If another main character is involved, and especially if they haven’t already been established in a prior volume, they have to be given ample time to grow into whatever external and internal conflict the author has placed upon them. As the author, one can remove this “growth factor,” but it is almost universally required by authors, readers and critics that a story must have it. <br /><br />If there are any villains in the novel, they must also be given enough time to develop as well, although this time can certainly be less if any of the following apply: the story is a mystery, the villain will be “revealed (not developed)” over multiple installments in a series, or there’s some kind of twist, like the hero ends up being the bad guy. Other than these instances, the villain must be developed to contrast the hero, so that the reader or viewer knows just how high the stakes are and how much the hero will grow from a victory. The three villains in the Amazing Spider-man 2 are all introduced pre-transformation, “birthed” as a villain, and given time to fight Spider-man, all in the same movie. During this runtime, there’s also romance, internal conflict, a couple mysteries, other action scenes, etc. It’s the equivalent of putting too many ingredients into the mixing bowl.<br /><br />So how does one combat this problem? How do we as authors write multiple narratives and still maintain the integrity of the work? <br /><br />The first answer is length. You cannot set a limit on how long a book must be if there are multiple narratives. Not at first. Editing comes later, but even then, you must be careful not to shortchange any main character’s growth. The Amazing Spider-man 2 was 2.5 hours long, but to accomplish what it set out to do, it more than likely needed another hour. Look at multiple threads done right. George R.R Martin has roughly ten characters in Game of Thrones, each giving their point of view, but the book is also more than 800 pages long. Ample time is given for the proper character development. Each character was approached as if they had their own separate book/story, and therefore it works. Keep in mind that these books were also edited. That means that the 800 page plus monstrosity could have easily been 1000 pages or more pre-edit. However, in order to maintain the development of each character, the final product was still long.<br /><br />The second answer in handling multiple narratives is cuts. Simple is not always a bad thing. Every author should examine their characters for how they add to the story, regardless of how much their creator loves them. Would the novel benefit with their deletion? Should they be saved for another time? These kind of questions can also be applied to memoirs and autobiographies as well. Focus on the most powerful characters and experiences. That will be far more impactful than adding in every little detail. A good thing to always remember is that if a character or plot point is not adding to the story, it’s taking away from it. <br /><br />In the end, it is up to the author what is included and what is not, but once it is out in the public, there is no turning back. There is a phrase that goes, “kill your darlings.” It means that no matter how much you love something in your story, you have to give it an objective glance before publication. More times than not, you’ll find out that the quip, joke, character, or monologue you loved so much, was exactly what was hurting your narrative the most. <br /><br />So kill your some of what you love most.<br /><br />Before critics kill your reputation. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-46079500016550739422014-04-21T23:45:00.000-07:002014-04-21T23:47:22.711-07:00What Captain America 2 teaches us about taking risks with our writing<a href="http://sakura-publishing.com/sakurawordpress/?p=498" target="_blank">What Captain America 2 teaches us about taking risks with our writing by Julius St. Clair</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-30387242190222139062014-04-16T11:38:00.003-07:002014-04-16T11:38:24.884-07:00The hard road to self-publishing: Is it for you?<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a well-known Greek aphorism that goes a little
something like this: “Know Thyself.” And if there is anything that an aspiring
self-publishing author should know, it is exactly that. At a first glance,
self-publishing appears simple. One could easily take a few pages from a
Microsoft Word document and throw it up on Amazon within 48 hours. But this
doesn’t mean sales will follow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All best-selling books have a bit of luck attached to their
origin story (unless, of course, you already have an </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
established fan base such
as James Patterson), but the rest of one’s success relies solely on the
information an author’s provides to the reading public. This requires a massive
amount of time, energy, and expertise that often takes the author away from his
or her writing. Expertise that many publishing companies have already figured
out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For example, knowing the search engine optimization words
(or SEO) for a book could be the difference between being seen by hundreds or
thousands. Selecting a category for your book might seem simple at first, but
how many self-publishing authors know about the little details of that
particular category? Is it a niche category that brings few readers? Is the
category so popular that your book will be lost in the white noise? Is your
book truly a self-help or could it be more akin to an inspirational? Do you
know your readers’ mindset? Are they the type of readers that focus on the
quality of your advice (the content), or the fact that you missed a comma in
the fifth sentence of your prologue? These are just a few matters that have to
be taken very seriously. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Self-publishing also requires a critical and excruciating
look at your own work, forcing the author to be as objective as possible in
order to stand out from the crowd. This is a very dangerous situation as
authors usually only get one chance to make a great first impression to the
public. Family and friends are encouraging, but no true success comes without
the support of strangers. And in order to impress strangers, the work has to be
more than just a great piece that you poured your heart and soul into. It has
to be immaculately edited, given a fantastic book cover, a tantalizing
synopsis, the proper categories, great SEO, it has to be priced correctly,
promoted well and most of all, given your undivided attention.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This requires hard decisions to be made, including being
able to scrap a project completely if need be, no matter how precious and dear
it is to you, and especially if your goal is to garner as many readers as
possible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You must know yourself. You must be honest, and ask yourself
if you have the time, discipline and determination to accomplish your goal,
even if it requires decades to achieve. Establishing your platform as a
self-published author is the equivalent of raising a child. It’s that extensive.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though publishing houses take a royalty and may charge for
their services, the fact of the matter is that they have already done the
research and legwork required to give a work of literature the best chance it
can receive in an already convoluted market. From a first glance, they can take
a look at your work and immediately give an assessment of its potential and
marketability. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order for a self-published author to achieve the same
level of expertise, they will have to put in research hours equivalent to that
of a full-time job. Considering that most authors cannot afford to write full-time,
the best option for many is to reach out to a publishing house or agent for
help—to both make their book a success, and to relieve the burden of the
business. This is not to say that an author cannot make it in self-publishing.
They certainly can. They just have to grasp the magnitude of such a decision
and understand their limitations. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As more and more authors self-publish, it is getting harder
to make a name for yourself in an already saturated market. In order to rise
above the tide, there has to be something that gives authors an edge. And so
far, the only available paths to success are these: an unwavering dedication to
all aspects of the business (not just writing), or finding a publishing house
that can meet all of your needs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Know Thyself, and Choose Wisely.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-83888539679970425102014-04-09T12:51:00.003-07:002014-04-09T12:51:37.589-07:00Knowing Your Audience (What American Remakes can teach you about writing)<br />One of the questions that every writer should ask themselves is: “Who am I writing for?” The answer to this question may change depending on whether it is fiction or nonfiction, the genre in which the work falls, and how much research was performed on the subject. But the author must know their audience, otherwise the story will be lost in translation. <br /><br />There are not that many people in America who read novels in both English and other languages. However, most of them have seen movies that originated from other countries. These movies are called, “American Remakes.”<br /><br />Some are successful at the box office and with critics, but most aren’t. And why is this? Why is a foreign film praised and applauded in its native country, but then critically destroyed here in America, even if the story was adapted exactly? The answer lies in knowing how people perceive a story’s origin and genre. <br /><br />When we watch a foreign film. Let’s say, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (since it was popular with audiences worldwide), we may not understand everything that is happening from an American standpoint. If something in the movie is foreign to us (and as long as it isn’t too strange), we can still accept it, because we understand on a subconscious level that the film we are experiencing is not of our country. Our critique of the film is not as strong because we have nothing to really base it on, unless of course, we have already immersed ourselves in that particular culture. <br /><br />When we try to translate these movies for an American audience, suddenly, the reception changes. Even if the story hadn’t been altered except for the language, there is something lost to the American people. American audiences become more critical of these remakes, even if they are unaware they were once foreign films, because they understand to some degree what an American film should feel and look like. The film industry is catering to a whole new audience now and they must understand what makes them happy. Many movies that weren’t received (and had foreign origins) are as follows: Quarantine, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Oldboy, Let the Right One In, The Grudge, Godzilla…<br /><br />When catering to a specific audience, one must understand that audience’s expectations, culture, collective knowledge and common beliefs. An example of a foreign film done right is The Departed. Based on the Chinese film, Infernal Affairs, The Departed was critically acclaimed, nominated for Academy Awards and overall made good money at the box office. But it wasn’t just the story that captivated audiences, it was the alterations to the narrative that helped it shine. <br /><br />The director and screenwriters of the remake could have simply followed the premise: A mobster infiltrates the local police while a police officer, in turn, infiltrates the mob, with both parties unaware of each other’s intentions. They could have left it at that.<br /><br />However, the director decided to take the narrative a step further by immersing it in American culture. Using the Irish mob as a foundation and basing it off of real gangsters in American history, the movie was able to become more than just the average remake. The basic premise may have been taken from the Chinese film, but it was altered and adapted for American audiences. The result was a satisfying and lucrative payout for all those involved. <br /><br /> As writers, we must understand our audiences in order to succeed. It’s not enough anymore to want to write a memoir. We have to now understand who we’re writing it for. Detailing your life on the farm in rural Nebraska won’t resonate so easily with those of inner city New York. What themes in your memoir speak to all people universally? Writing a fantasy novel about a princess finding her prince might be exciting to the author, but how does the story stand out from all of the others? How can a brand new science fiction writer capture the heart of a reader that has been following the genre for decades? <br /><br />A premise, even the adaptation of a premise, isn’t enough anymore. There has to be a flavor or at the very least, the illusion, of originality. If you tell someone that The Departed, A Fistful of Dollars, True Lies, and Scent of a Woman were all foreign films, they would probably be surprised. But it’s true, and these remakes hold their own alongside the originals. <br /><br />You may want to be the next George R.R Martin, Philip K. Dick, Victoria Holt, Stephen King, J.K Rowling, or others, but you believe that you lack what it takes to achieve their status of success. Don’t be discouraged. You have the potential to rise even further than they. Immerse yourself into the market you’re writing for, know your readers, understand their likes and dislikes, develop or adapt a powerful premise, and then give it your own unique take for all the world to awe in. <br /><br />Remember this: even if there are no more original ideas left in the world, there will always, always, be original combinations. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-59516751241950572702014-03-28T21:18:00.000-07:002014-03-28T21:18:06.995-07:00Short Stories<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Modern-Fairy-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B009B37XE8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1396065997&sr=8-5&keywords=julius+st+clair" target="_blank">The First and Last Kiss</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhem336jPMwR7PUFBV5lmHeiGhVwu8nOObN-U6YknOhJnydCipb_Kc_jtyZJVzJ8n7VnjCk_cXxvPiKDD9VQ0SGGW_Z1kqanM5uDUqM59Zzhm3ja_YRZGcVFnryVLAuW9YVlisjK6Id_7yj/s1600/FirstLastKissFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhem336jPMwR7PUFBV5lmHeiGhVwu8nOObN-U6YknOhJnydCipb_Kc_jtyZJVzJ8n7VnjCk_cXxvPiKDD9VQ0SGGW_Z1kqanM5uDUqM59Zzhm3ja_YRZGcVFnryVLAuW9YVlisjK6Id_7yj/s1600/FirstLastKissFINAL.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-Short-Story-Julius-Clair-ebook/dp/B008V3VRXC/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1396066150&sr=8-14&keywords=julius+st+clair" target="_blank">Sanctuary</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCCQ0an-rFbQ9Nj4AfEp3bPPTcPbP_ICf6EoNvxxtB7wkAjHyslCAXhobJ_Ce5oE4H_LC-8OyIqLkjG7OPZS1iJ-ya7S1YjAvIF56e-B9HhREeiaNLnOJWT4pLzs583jHMJz9xey-Di1L/s1600/sanctuary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCCQ0an-rFbQ9Nj4AfEp3bPPTcPbP_ICf6EoNvxxtB7wkAjHyslCAXhobJ_Ce5oE4H_LC-8OyIqLkjG7OPZS1iJ-ya7S1YjAvIF56e-B9HhREeiaNLnOJWT4pLzs583jHMJz9xey-Di1L/s1600/sanctuary.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Hero-Champion-Julius-Clair-ebook/dp/B008XOYG8W/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1396066150&sr=8-16&keywords=julius+st+clair" target="_blank">Reluctant Hero: Champion #1</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOThTbvbmKDw7UvjroLJNplixs3XP2m9sATp3RCjSo8vGLTlJ2sNfjiXaAWVEeuDCHXDbsApZzjdjifor-PvhktujLCWqhoi6L79TER1ykF6l5_PZnMIlCnvxkTAuNWm-2mvbPyntzorbj/s1600/ReluctantHeroFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOThTbvbmKDw7UvjroLJNplixs3XP2m9sATp3RCjSo8vGLTlJ2sNfjiXaAWVEeuDCHXDbsApZzjdjifor-PvhktujLCWqhoi6L79TER1ykF6l5_PZnMIlCnvxkTAuNWm-2mvbPyntzorbj/s1600/ReluctantHeroFINAL.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/PUNCH-Short-Sucker-Punch-Story-ebook/dp/B009B1B1H0/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1396066150&sr=8-22&keywords=julius+st+clair" target="_blank">Face Punch</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188815074164565739.post-5587583666770305532014-03-27T19:57:00.002-07:002014-03-27T19:57:56.930-07:00Review: The Host<div id="yui_3_10_1_1_1395973060031_80929" style="background-color: white; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">
I know I'm late to the party on this one but you have to give me some leeway. After all, it received an aggregate of 8% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and only half of the audience liked it. That's usually not a good sign. Nevertheless, I decided to give this a shot, fully expecting that since my expectations were low, it was going to be an enjoyable experience.</div>
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The Host is a young adult science fiction novel written by the infamous Stephanie Meyer (author of the highly successful series, <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Twilight.</em>) Set in a dystopian/utopian world (depending on how you look at it), the story's setting also involves the disconcerting fact that nearly all of Earth's population had been taken over by parasitic aliens. Said aliens log themselves onto your brain stem and take over your motor functions, memories, etc. However, occasionally, the human host fights back...</div>
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This tale begins with a young girl named Melanie Stryder who is part of a human resistance movement against the aliens. She is captured quite early on in the movie and taken over by one of the aliens. The alien is named Wanderer. You can think of "her" as a kind of free spirit that has been to numerous planets and enjoys experiences over order. Wanderer can experience all of Melanie's memories, including her past love life, and in no time at all, she begins to sympathize with her host, eventually forming an uneasy alliance with Melanie, and of course, trouble ensues.</div>
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The premise isn't bad, and I actually enjoyed Twilight (the book, not so much the movies) so that wasn't what troubled me the most. What I had a hard time getting past were two aspects:</div>
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1.) There were too many implausible situations in the narrative.</div>
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2.) The conversations between Melanie and Wanderer looks ridiculous on film.</div>
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To address the first problem, I wont' go into too many details or I'll spoil some major parts of the film, but to get my point across, I'll ask you a question.</div>
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<li style="margin-top: 0px;">If there was a zombie apocalypse, and you were part of the last survivors on the Earth, would you allow a zombie to live among you without taking major precautions?</li>
<li>Would you fall in love with the zombie after a few days?</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px;">Why would you allow this particular zombie to live among you when there had been many, many others in the past? Why is this one so special? (I get it might be your niece, but to think that no one else in your group had family members they could have helped is just ridiculous)</li>
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For the second problem...well, let's just say that some books were not designed to be translated into film easily. Because Melanie is just a voice, she'll randomly shout out something or argue with Wanderer, while Wanderer has to give her retorts audibly. I understand what they're trying to do, it just doesn't translate well. It makes you want to laugh or wish that Melanie would just shut up (which would defeat the whole purpose of the movie).</div>
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And for the record, I actually enjoy romance novels so it's not like this is a bash against that. Maybe I'll make a list soon.</div>
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Either way, here's the rundown:</div>
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Go see it if: </div>
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<li style="margin-top: 0px;">You are a Stephanie Meyer fan and you must experience all her work</li>
<li>You like Saoirse Ronan, because she is a good actress and does solid work here</li>
<li>You don't watch science fiction normally and want a good introduction to the genre without all the heavy "science"</li>
<li>You go with the flow with your movies. Plot holes don't matter as long as the experience is good. </li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px;">You have time to kill.</li>
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Don't go see it if:</div>
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<li style="margin-top: 0px;">You like your movies to make sense</li>
<li>You don't care for cheesy movies</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px;">You have to pay to see it.</li>
</ul>
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Rating: 1.5 stars - While the actors and director certainly do their best to make the source material work on screen, the result is a cheesy, implausible mess that makes you laugh for all the wrong reasons.</div>
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