Haunted Times Magazine

There is a lot of talk concerning an old magazine with a new twist, The Haunted Times Magazine. At one time, it was a quarterly magazine now the magazine promises to offer the best of all paranormal on a monthly basis.

With Chris Moon still at the helm, the magazine has taken on not only a new look but fresh blood plasters  the pages with intelligent articles and commentary about events, paranormal views and yes, even a little humor. He has brought together under one roof, some of the most talented people in the paranormal industry. Let's face it folks, paranormal is a HUGE industry that reared its head and has grown into a ginormous pool of people to choose from. The task itself couldn't have been easy.

The no nonsense editor, Beth Brown who is also known as a tv personality, radio show host and writer, mans the helm of the magazine. She is a cool person with an eye for details and a knows a good idea when she sees it.

I have been able to get to know Beth over the course of the last few months since she joined The Shark Radio Network - Tuesday nights she is  the host of the HooDoo Blues Review. Her sexy sultry voice combined with the blues music she plays from all the way back to the 1920's has become one of my muses. She is an amazing person with a witty sense of humor. I have no doubts she's going to ensure the magazine is all it can be.

The new look is from none other than Brian Byers. He is also the person who discovered yours truly. The self proclaimed Renaissance Man has a good eye for art, a marketing guru and a person who always has a positive look on life. He has taught me a lot not only about belief in yourself but others as well. His positivity explodes on the pages of the layout and design of the magazine. His artful approach to life and the people he surrounds himself with makes it easy to see the world through his eyes. He brings life to the articles in the layout and design. Each page is colorful, eye popping and professional looking. I wouldn't expect less from him.

Though I don't know all the contributing writer's, I do know Robyn Ramsey. She is an amazing writer with a lot of passion for the paranormal. She is one of my critique partners. I can tell you if she writes an article it will concise, clear and the truth. Her zany approach to life is reflected in the article she contributed. I'm looking forward to reading more from her and find out more about this new world I have discovered. It is thanks to her that Soulless Light went on to become a novella. I wasn't sure about it and I let her read it. Her thoughts on it were just what it needed and positive notes helped me make it grow.

Another upcoming writer I'm proud to call my friend is Jim Malliard. He has a heart of gold. He went out of his way to put together an event called The Spark where all the money went to Support The Troops. The article in the magazine about the event talks about the drama that occurs in all things. Though there was that bit of drama, The Spark itself was a huge success and the first of an annual event. Jim has been a guiding force in many things that have touched my life.

If you can't tell by now that I love the people running the new and improved magazine, well then you didn't read this close enough. Each one of them has touched not just my life but others as well. The Haunted Times Magazine is sure to carry on with grace, style and integrity just as the people in charge do. If you have questions about the paranormal, it's the magazine to read and if you have an article, it's the place to send it in. Either way, you won't regret it.

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Feeling Introverted

Everyone has a story. That's my belief. We all have that single spark of inspiration moving through us. Where will it take you? What if I add crimson red to the painting? What if I was destined to be a god? What if I was destined to be a mom? What if I add bells to this line of music? What if I dance in the middle of a lone highway while the rain pours down from the sky? We all have them. They are the muse within each of us.

A lot of people ask me how do you write a story. To which my answer is simple. You start with a blank document and write the first word that comes to mind and continue on from there. I didn't say that it would be a great story, but it is the way you start. From the moment I announced I was writing a book and trying to get published, I received one of several replies.

1 Oh that's nice, followed by the oh I'm so sorry look.


2 I have been thinking of doing the same thing.

3 You should write the story of my life, that would be a best seller.

For those in sentence number one, it is you who deserves the look of pity. After all the imagination is a great tool and if not used, disappears without a trace, leaving you with the empty void of nothingness.

For those in sentence 2, don't think...do. Write everyday. It doesn't matter what it is. Just write. Hone your skill, practice the words. Read as much as you can and keep going. That last part is the most important. KEEP GOING!!

For those in sentence 3, write the dam thing yourself. I have enough crap going on in my head without adding yours to the mix. I know that sounds harsh, but no one can tell your story the way you can. Yes there are great ghost writers who make a marvelous living at writing what's in the heads of others. To me though, they will never quite capture the moment the way you could because you lived it.

I guess the point is follow your muse. Don't stop because some hater gives you a look or tries to make you feel inferior. They are the ones missing out.

So what is a story exactly? It's what you want it to be. As you practice, you learn things like structure, style, polishing and so on. You pick up tips from other writers and you even find yourself being drawn in more and more. What a beautiful thing that is. Allow it to grow from within. Let it soar through you and explode out onto the page. Never...NEVER limit yourself because some other person said you couldn't do it, no matter what it is. (accept maybe robbing a bank, ya might want to stick to writing about crime)

Each person has their own path. Find out what yours is. As for me, I've been writing so long, I can't imagine life without it. Whether I end up in the bargain bend or on the best sellers list, at least I've had a blast!!

So go! Write! Live! Enjoy! Write! KEEP GOING!

The next blog is going to be about living on rejection. How can a rejection letter help you? 

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Book Drive

I want to start a book drive for chemotherapy patients.

I have a friend who has a sister going through chemo for the fourth time. She has to sit in the room with needles stuck to her veins pumping in poison on a daily basis just so she can live. There are hospitals filled with children who are being eaten alive by cancer and they go through hell on a daily basis.

A year ago, I found out my 5 year old daughter has a tumor connected to her pituitary gland. Thank God it was benign. Last week I received news that it had grown. We don't know yet if it's still benign. What I do know is that I consider the thought of her having to go through chemo therapy so horrid that there has to be something I can do. The truth is I'm powerless. I'm not a doctor and for the most part just about everything they say is like a foreign language to me.

These are just a few of the reasons I want to start a book drive for those who are suffering from this disease. Please contact me if you would like to donate some books. They will be distributed to hospitals where the patients are in desperate need to fade into a story for just a short amount of time. I know it may not seem like a lot to some of you. To me, this is something that can possibly put a small smile on the faces of so many people who are literally fighting for their lives. If you are contacting me about this, please place Peggy and Carolyne's Books in the subject matter.

I don't know of any other way to get this off and running. If you would like to donate a novel to the cause...let me know.

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Can Poetry Help a Synopsis?

To touch the moon with wings of fire
That’s what daydreams are made of.
Just one kiss is my desire.
Living in the land of mist
Skin to skin
Unconsciousness
Evil invades.
The night walkers are real.
They rip the skin off your back
And dance around in the black.
They see me
I see them.
They walk among us.
Loves true kiss
Is it real
My mind says no
My heart says yes.
Now I lean in
To get my kiss.
Dear sweet
Tender love
Blood to blood
Mind to mind.
I am not yours.

~~From Night Walkers By Joann H. Buchanan

The use of poetry is one of the most difficult ways to convey emotion. Using the smallest number of words it forces you to analyze each and every cadence and meaning in order to reach the emotion you are seeking. For some this is just natural, while others work their whole lives perfecting the words and streaming them together to form a story. That is what they are. They are the shortest stories ever told and if done right they are keys to the very secrets we keep locked away in our hearts.

Possibly one of the best examples of this is Dante's Divine Comedy.

So bitter is it, death is little more;
  But of the good to treat, which there I found,
  Speak will I of the other things I saw there.

In the short phrase, we know he went on a journey and that the time spent there wasn't all good. The other thing we learn is he is about to tell us a story. We have been prepared for the darkness of the tale in the first few lines of the poem and we know it is going to be told from his view point.

I'm sure my college professor would say please dig deeper. Sorry Mrs. K, but for this purpose that will have to do. The point I'm getting at is this. Poetry is life is words is emotion is preparedness. You can tell the entire story in such a few number of words and you don't have to lose the emotion.

Why would I bring this up you ask. Well it's simple. We, the lowly writers all hate the dreaded synopsis as much as we hate the query letters and waiting for the rejections. We hate knowing that our novel is 360 pages long and full of so much adventure and life, but no one wants to know that. They want the simplest form with emotion that pertains to the novel. Then they will read it; if it peaks their interest. It sucks, I know. It is what it is though.

I devised a simple plan to tackle this very problem. I wrote a poem about my novel that included what it was about. That was it. When I finished the poem, I was able to formulate paragraphs from those and get my entire synopsis finished in a single page. For those who are sitting there wining, "But I don't know how to write poetry," here is what I have to say.

Take a look at each chapter, what is the ultimate feeling you're trying to convey in it? Is it love? Horror? Death? Sorrow? Laughter? Joy? Name the emotion you worked so hard to pull out in that chapter. Now, next to it, write a simple sentence as to why you're sure you conveyed the emotion in that chapter.

Now, do that for each chapter. At the end of 27 chapters, you have 27 lines. Take a look at those lines and see what they have in common. There, somewhere in the middle of that you are going to find your theme. Voila, you have found the synopsis.

Poetry simplifies the entire thing for you. It gives you a chance to convey the emotions, plot, theme and  character traits in all of it. You are analyzing what you have written and now see the whole story in the fewest number of words. What could be more easy than that? No one is going to read the poem you put together accept you. So do with it what you will. This breakdown can also allow the motivation of each character to be laid out in front of you. You can now pick and choose what is and isn't  important for your synopsis.

There is another word for this, it's called an outline. I like to use poetry though because when I'm writing what each chapter is about, I want it to flow like butter on hotcakes. I want it to convey emotion and there in rests my synopsis. It is now living and breathing like the rest of my novel.

The point is simply this, writing poetry can help write a synopsis. It can help breathe life into what we would deem a lifeless adventure and at some point it will become second nature. After all, it's like all the rest of the words we write down. It's practice.

If this helps let me know. For me it has become a valuable tool and has also helped me in my polishing. That is another blog though.

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Flash Fiction Day!!

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Calling ALL Musicians!! CONTEST!!

Dear talented music artists,

"Richard Myles' Music" group has an exciting opportunity for all of our music artists/composers. Since we went from 1300 members to 17,000 in two weeks, we are hosting a celebratory event. On August 31, 2011 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm eastern standard time, "Richard Myles Music" group  is holding a contest on who can add the MOST friends to this group on August 31 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm eastern standard time. The winner will be announced on September 1, 2011 here on "Richard Myles Music" group's wall. The winner will be interviewed on Ztalk Radio, The  Eclectic Artist Cave Radio, and Party 934 about your music, and they will air it on their shows during the interview.

Keep in mind, that the radio stations may use discretion to not air your music if it contains fowl language, sexism, racism, and any other content that would be construed as offensive to a specify group. We must treat this as a professional opportunity to the highest degree; therefore, you as an "independent artist" must use sound judgment on what music you put out there to make a first good impression.

In essence, this is a great opportunity to get thousands of listeners to tune into your best music between the three shows. The lucky winner will be contacted by the three shows to schedule the interview, and we will post the interview time and date on our music page for everyone to tune in. You will get as much out of this opportunity as you put in.

Rules:

1) August 31 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm (eastern standard time) add the most friends to our music family. The group will be monitored by Richard Myles, Administrator.

2) Due to internal censorship policies between the 3 radio stations, the winner is prohibited from using foul language, racism, sexism, agism, and anti-religiosity content during the interview. This same rule also applies to the music you submit to the radio stations for airing.

3) Make sure your music audio quality is clear and professional enough to be aired. Also you MUST own the exclusive rights to the music you are submitting.


4) Every participate MUST click on the "LIKE" button for Party 934 indicated below:

http://www.facebook.com/party934

5) Every participate MUST join Z Talk Radio's group on Facebook below:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/114966111181/

6) Every participate MUST click on the "LIKE" button for "The Eclectic Cave"
http://www.facebook.com/SharkRadio

You will be aired on the following radio stations:

Host: Alex Patterson
http://www.party934.com/

Host: Joann H. Buchanan
"The Eclectic Artist Cave"
http://sharkradionetwork.com/

Derrick Whiteskycloud
"Between Two Worlds"
http://ztalkradio.com/

Note: This event is for promotional purposes ONLY to help independent artists to get exposure for their talent.

Good luck to everyone.

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Breathing Life

I recently came across a blog written by Joe Hill, author of Horns. In the comment section of one of the posts, a question was posed. How do you breathe life into your work?

The question seems simple enough. It's even phrased in such a manner so that a person who doesn't write can understand it. The answer though is much more difficult. Breathing life creates a reality the reader can sink his teeth into. It's the difference between the phrases, "Dam I couldn't put this down," and "Oh man that sucked. What a waste of money."


The following is an example of what I like to consider breathing life into a story. Though both will have the same basics, they will be completely different. One will be a generic sense of what a character is and the other will, if I do this right, make you picture the actual character. He will live and breathe to you; the reader.

John drove his truck to the stop sign and parked it. After a few moments, he climbed out and walked to the back to take a piss. Good thing the road was in the middle of nowhere.

Ok, as you can see in the above couple of sentences, we have a character who has to take a piss. Not very gracious I know, but it will prove a point.  We also know he's driving a truck in the middle of nowhere. Sounds simple. The picture is painted in the fewest words possible, but it doesn't really bring life to the character.

Now, here is the same scenario with a little life breathed into it.

Unbearable summer heat beat down on the roof of the old beat up dodge pickup truck John used for work. Streaks of sweat raced down his face created small streams of clean skin. It wasn't the heat that caused him to shift from side to side. It was his full bladder from all the Dr. Peppers he drank earlier in the day.

The middle of nowhere wasn't always a bad thing. The stop signs put there can even be an annoyance and for the most part, John generally ran them. Not this time though. He had to take a piss so bad, his bladder felt like a million pop rocks exploded at once. John stepped out of the truck and looked around at the endless fields. There wasn't a soul in sight for miles. He walked to the back of the truck, unzipped his pants and thought, 'Dam am I ever glad I'm not a woman right now."

Sweet relief filtered through his body when the flowing golden stream of liquid hit the ground. It made a distinct sound, the way a hose does when you turn it on to a trickle. When he finished, John let out a medium sigh of relief and said, "When ya gotta go, ya gotta go."

With his body relieved of the exploding pop rocks, he climbed back in his truck and took another swig of Dr. Pepper.

As you can see in this one, the picture is really painted. You know the man has to go so bad it doesn't matter where he is. Though the subject matter isn't one of great grace, however,  it is a picture we can all relate to. We have all had to go to the bathroom and been in the middle of no where. That is the point. If I have done my job right, you-the reader, will say to yourself 'I know how that feels.' There in rests the breath of life. When you as a writer paint a picture and a scene the reader can relate to, then you have brought life. Breathing life is as simple as taking a piss and explaining all the details.

I know that sounds bad and is more often then not easier said than done. Try this on for size. When you're creating a scene you don't feel has any life to it, back away from the computer. Turn on a stop watch and write as fast as you can for five minutes. Don't worry about periods, commas or any other punctuations.  This is a tip I learned from Jack Remick. I can't remember where he said he learned it, but I can tell you it works. Once you let all the pretenses go, your mind is free to let the soul speak.

In the end, that is what writing a story is all about. Don't be afraid to push the boundaries or even worry what others will think. Write from the soul, paint a believable picture with a character that is real in your own mind. The monsters are real because you say so. True love exists because you believe it and you carry the fates of destiny in your fingers. Breathing life is simply knowing all of that.

I hope this helps and maybe inspires. Remember above all else entertain and make it work.

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The Eclectic Artist Cave and The YA Fantasy Guide Present

I always enjoy hearing from those who visit my site. Attached here is a link to a 5 page guide for growing your business or name. I want to thank Will Kalif for putting this together. He is the part owner of The YA Fantasy Guide and a marketing guru.

He is going to be live on The Eclectic Artist Cave at 11 AM CST or NOON EST. I'm looking forward to picking his brain and learning a little more about making yourself stand out in literally a sea of data.

When you click on the link, it will take you to a PDF you can download to your computer. Let me know what you think and don't forget to give a shout out to Will Kalif for writing this. 

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Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

So many awesome things are happening right now in my life. Soulless Light was picked up by World Castle Publishing. It's coming out in the Fall. I don't have an exact date yet but I will soon. Can you see me now, I'm jumping up and down for joy, trying to do a cart-wheel and dammit if I didn't land on my @!#. Just kidding. Seriously though, life has been taking a whole new direction for me. All the hard work, blood, sweat and tears have been worth it.

For those who visit me often, you probably noticed a few other changes. The once great FATE Radio was gobbled up by The Shark Radio Network. Good news there, the station itself still has the same people. We are just more marketable. "Oh no, can I still listen on the app?" To which my reply is, "Why yes, yes you can."

There will be more announcements coming down the pike. I can't say too much about it accept that I'm crossing my fingers and doing a jig for good measure.

There is a link to a blog called The Burning Times. I have been working on the rewrite to book one and so many things have changed; including the title. It's now called Night Walkers. The reason will become clear once you read the book. Of course, I have stuck to my horror roots and from what I have rewritten, I believe it will fall in the category of love or hate. I'm almost positive there will be little in between on that. The blog itself is going to go through some changes as well because of the rewrite. I'll let you know when that is finished.

What else is going on, well let me see. I have been reading a book by Mike Saxton. All I can say is when do I get to play the video game? Mike is coming on my show soon so I'm not going to say more about it.

As for all the changes floating down from the gutters that filter life, I'm so excited I think I might just try another cart-wheel. Without a doubt though, I'm doing a jig and dam the music rocks!

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Tomorrow is The Writer's Round Table

The first ever Writer's Round Table is going to take place tomorrow LIVE on The Shark Radio Network! I have arranged for a group of creative people ranging from novelist, to script writers and directors to be on the line at the same time. The topic of discussion is how to go from blank page to novel, novel to script and script to movie.  We will be including subtopics such as how to write a good query letter, synopsis and movie treatment.

The guests include:

Jack Remick-Author of Blood and part owner of Bob and Jack’s writing blog.

Frank Araujo- Anthropologist and children’s book author, writes scripts for PBS

Lindsey Gray – Author of Redemption

Daniel Bautz – Indie film maker. Second Film out soon.

Katrina Kittle – YA writer of many novels including her latest, Reasons to be Happy. 

Each guest is going to have a few minutes to talk about their work and then we are going to dive head on into the subject. 

The Eclectic Artist Cave is dedicated to inspiring new writers as well as already established ones. The whole point is to tell the story and above all else, entertain. I hope you join us LIVE on The Shark Radio Network at 11 AM CST or noon EST. If you have a question, simply put it in the chat room or send it to me via Facebook. Joann Hamann-Buchanan, or twitter me at Joann H Buchanan. I will get to them. 

Also, you can download the Tune In App on your phone and search for The Shark. Just another way to tune in.

This is going to be a blast!!

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Voting Starts Today

Every once in a while we get the oppotunity to give back to someone who has been there for so many people. It is my honor to do that at this moment.

Charlotte Blackwell, known as the marketing angel at World Castle Publishing has a book called "Immortal Embrace" up for voting!

Book One of the Embrace Series

By Charlotte Blackwell

Sophia Pierce has suffered since her brother left, and is unsure if she will ever get over it. That is until her family decided to move to Wenham, Massachusetts. Her and her siblings have been ordered to protect their little sister, and must return to High school. This is where Sophia finds her soul mate Nathanial and life as she knows it is about to change.

As a vampire, Sophia has always kept to herself, but as a high school student will she learn to step out of her comfort zone a little? Sophia has found a best friend in a powerful witch and a love to call her own. That is until something tragic happens and blood is spilled. Will Sophia be able to resist the sweet scent of her beloved’s blood?

This is Sophia’s story, a story of a girl who finds herself, love and everlasting friendship. The excitement of this story wraps mortals, vampires, witches, and shape shifters all into a romantic tale of young love, friendship, 
the meaning of family. The story of a girl who tries to finds herself when she thought it was all lost.

Click HERE to vote for her novel, Immortal Embrace.

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Shark Fantasy Football

Erik Shaltis, host of Sports Soup on Monday nights from 8 pm to 10 pm est, has decided to take his passion for the game and bring as many people along for the right. Erik has formed a Fantasy Football league.

What is Fantasy Football? It's a game where all the people involved choose real players from the real teams in a virtual draft and play virtual games with the stats the players have. Basically, you are the owner of a team.  For those who don't understand that, it's D&D for sports. It's something that is really cool if you love the game and a way to get together with friends and have a blast.

If you don't have a good understanding of the game but want to do something new, this is a good place to start. Erik is searching for about 10 people for the league. Slots have already filled. If you're interested, click on the link below and voila you are in the same room as the rest of us fantasy football players. Welcome to the owners box!

• http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/f1/register/tos?league_id=380066&password=sportssoup

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Charlotte Blackwell Immortal Embrace

Voting starts on Sunday!! Make sure you click on Charlotte's novel Immortal Embrace!!

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Interview with Jim Malliard of The Spark

Jim Malliard is the host of The Malliard Report on Fate Radio. Over the course of the last few months he has been working on a project that will benefit others. Below is a short interview about a person who goes out of his way to make a difference in other people’s lives.

Can you tell us about The Spark?

It is August 6, 2011 in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Its goal is to raise awareness of the paranormal rather it be greater paranormal or just Meadville Paranormal. 

How did you come up with the name? 

I wanted something different. I didn’t want a convention or meet and greet.  So the spark is more of a mindset. Cause with all the proceeds going to a charity not partial 100% of the proceeds. I needed something to instill that idea.

What are all the proceeds going towards?

The money from the spark is going to project support our troops.

What made you decide to do this? 

We have solders that were active duty and told me how much those boxes have meant to them so If I can share that joy with another soldier it is worth it.

What is the line up? Do you have a schedule you can share?

Our speaker line up

·         ‎1pm Roundtable about the impact of the paranormal on the family hosted by Tabby co founder of Meadville Paranormal

2pm Rick Cempie

3pm 4 states paranormal roundtable hosted by Jim co founder of Meadville Paranormal
...
4pm John Sabol

5pm Judah Star- live music

Plus number of great teams, mediums, and other great paranormal subject matter set up to talk to as well.

You also host a show on Fate Radio, can you tell us about it?

The Malliard report airs Tuesday nights at 9 pm eastern. Its more about the person the investigator and how the paranormal has changed their life.

What can people expect when they listens? 

A show that gives them a better understanding of the people of the paranormal

What inspires you?

Love. Love of my family friends and community.

What makes you laugh?

That’s a very tough question, for I laugh at funerals. It’s a moment of happiness if you believe in an afterlife.

Thank you Jim for being a person who makes a difference in the lives of others.  Is there going to be another way to donate? Its still in the works, has been so focused on the real event I haven’t got to the other, I may do a online something or other as well.

Where can people get in contact with you? 

www.malliard.com  jim@malliard.com

Facebook-

The Spark https://www.facebook.com/mpSpark

The show https://www.facebook.com/themalliardreport

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