Lisa Darling stops by the Wastelands

Paranormal Wastelands is proud to present a famous author amongst us.

Please help us in welcoming Lisa Darling author of "Heart of War".

Can you tell us a little about how you started writing; was it something you have always wanted to do?
Lisa: It's something I've always done, ever since early on in elementary school, I showed an aptitude for writing and knew it was what I was going to do.

Greta: I had an aptitude for Valentine’s Day cards.
Darkfallen: Really?
Greta: Oh yeah! I was a freaking prodigy at them.
Darkfallen: How so?
Greta: They always came off pretty stalkery.
Darkfallen: Stalkery? Is that even a word?
Greta: You know it!
Darkfallen: What does this have to do with anything?
Greta: Not much. Just showing off my mad writing skills.
Darkfallen: Damn it! Today is NOT about you. It’s about Lisa.
Greta: Who?
Darkfallen: The author we are interviewing.
Greta: There’s another person here with us?
Darkfallen: Are you blind?
Greta: Ummm…… If I say ‘yes’, will you give me some cool Ray Charles sun glasses?
Darkfallen: ZOMG! Excuse me Lisa… Let me take care of her.

*Awesome Batman kapow noises

Darkfallen: Ok…Let’s continue



What do you consider to be the key elements of a great story?
Lisa: Conflict creates Drama, for me those two are always first. The Romance isn't 'second', I wouldn't like to say that, but the romance doesn't bubble and come to fruition if it's never tested. It just sort of lays flat on the page.

Greta: I personally like to kill my main characters off. That’s most fun.
Darkfallen: AHH!! I thought I just beat you up.
Greta: No… you were making cool Batman noises that were most awesome but you actually have to hit me to knock me out.

*Darkfallen stalks over to Greta as she goes EEP and rethinks her views about conflict.


Could you tell us a little about how you develop your characters? Who has been your favorite character to write? The most challenging?
Lisa: I'm one of those lucky writers who lives her life with a Muse (day in and day out). We have a mutually beneficial partnership. He throws out orders, I tear them apart, we bounce ideas off each other, constantly try to one-up each other, and in the middle of all of that chaos the 'magick' happens.

Ares is the character I have lived and worked with the longest—16 years now—so he's my favorite and the most challenging because of his nature. I tend to be the peace lover and he's the butt-kicker. Together we balance each other out although it's quite maddening at times.

Greta: In my life Darkfallen is my butt-kicker. I mean, look at the size of her feet!! They’re freaking huge!
Darkfallen: What the hell? Now you’ve gone too far.
Greta: Really? That’s too far? I can be a lot worse muhahahahahhas.

*EEP!


Have you ever found that you didn’t like your Hero or your Heroine? If so, what did you do to change that?
Lisa: When we first meet Ares he's a pretty unlikeable guy, he's very grumpy, he's arrogant, he's a bit spoiled. Then again, he's a god so…what do you expect? LOL
He grows and evolves throughout the story, he learns about himself as he learns about his love-interest, Alena and realizes that being a god is awesome but it's good to have a heart too.



If you were to start again, with the knowledge you have now, what would be the first thing you do?
Lisa: Again, I'm one of those lucky people, I wouldn't change a thing or do anything differently.



Can you tell me a bit about your most recent/upcoming release?
Lisa: This series will continue with the second novel "Child of War" on December 31, 2011. Ares and Alena will bring their son, Raven, into the world and he's going to upset the status quo on Olympus.

Darkfallen: That sounds like one ornery newborn.
Greta: I don’t think that’s what she meant.
Darkfallen: I don’t know man, think of it… when newborns attack!! This time it’s for real.
Greta: Wait… that does sound pretty terrifying. We should protect the house.
Darkfallen: How do you want to do that?
Greta: Throw some of those lead paint toys out in the yard. That should keep the infestation to a minimum.
Darkfallen: Good thinking!



Is there a genre you haven’t done that you would like to explore in the future?
Lisa: I've always wanted to write a vampire story but I think I'll stick with the Olympians for now.

Greta: OH OH OH!! Olympic vampire gods who win the Olympics!! That would rock!
Darkfallen: What? And what event do they win?
Greta: Duh… The even where they show off their abs and sparkle.
Darkfallen: That’s an event?
Greta: Yeah! I saw it a couple years ago. They were all glistening and abdominally sculpted in these tiny under-roos.
Darkfallen: Dude… that’s swimming. That’s not a ab competition.
Greta: They were swimming? No, I'm pretty sure they were glistening vampires.



If you could throw a party with any five people (living or dead) who would you pick and why?
Lisa: Stephen King, John Lennon, Kevin T. Smith, Janis Joplin, and Jacqueline Susann. I want to talk writing with Stephen and Jacqueline, philosophy with John and Janis, and Kevin…well, he gets to stay until long after the party's over. ;-)

Greta: Kevin Smith? Isn’t that Silent Bob!?!! Hahahs! You want to make out with Silent Bob?!!
Darkfallen: Dude! That's not who it is.
Greta: HAHAHAS!! Lisa like the strong silent type.
Darkfallen: Oh shush up! YOu have a weird crush on Michael Moore!
Greta: AHHH!! Don’t tell everyone!!



Do you listen to music when writing? Do you feel like some stories write themselves a soundtrack with specific music? If so, what book and what kind of music influenced it?
Lisa: Music is a huge influence on my life, I'm always listening to my iTunes…or Pandora, I really like Pandora. I also have the strange habit of listening to my local radio station while I write. I think the songs help on many levels, and yes, often they provide much needed inspiration. I just chalk those times up to the Muse making his opinion known.

Darkfallen: This has been a plug for Pandora! Please give Lisa free stuff now ;)
Greta: And us too!



What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
Lisa: They're the best! I often find myself chomping at the bit to get one when I know it's coming up. Love scenes are the scenes where the Muse and I are freest to do anything and everything we want. We often get quite lost in them.

Darkfallen: Don’t you dare say ANYTHING!
Greta: Come on!
Darkfallen: NO!
Greta: NEIGH!!
Darkfallen: GRETA!



What are some of your favorite things or hobbies to do?
Lisa: I like to cook, nothing fancy, just good old American Yankee cooking. I try to garden, I love to grow things, we have a lot of deer and other critters which makes it difficult. I also take photographs of the sea and old abandoned buildings.



Who are some of your favorite authors, and if we were to visit your home, what books would we find on your bookshelf, end table, floor or e-reader?
Lisa: I have a 5 shelf glass and wood book case that holds nothing but Stephen King, just about every single hard cover he's ever written and some rare paperbacks. A few of them are even signed.



If you could be any character of any book or movie, who would you be?
Lisa: This is going to sound so horribly cliché and romantic but….'Vivian' in "Pretty Woman".


Greta: Thank you Lisa for dropping by the Wastelands! We look forward to your Olympic Vampire book while you strive to become a fictional hooker.
Darkfallen: GRETA!
Greta: What?
Darkfallen: Is not writing a Olymic Vampire book nor does she want to be a hooker.
Greta: Oh, I appoligize... the more politically correct word is Call Girl
Darkfallen: Oh my gawd... I can't take you anywhere.
Greta: What are you talking about? This is our house.
Darkfallen: Moving on... Kids! Check out Lisa Darling and her most awesome books. Here's where you can find out more about her --


FaceBook: http://facebook.com/lisabeth1
Blog: http://lbdarling.wordpress.com/
Website: http://www.moonsmusings.com/lbdarling

Zombies Don’t Trick or Treat - A killer poem - and a Killer giveaway from Rusty Fischer(DONE)

"Zombies Don't Trick or Treat"
A poem of epic zombie proportions by Rusty Fishcer

The zombies were out

For a fun, festive night;

They were goblins and ghouls

And witches in sight.

Over there was a demon

His legs warm as toast;

Down that street’s a pumpkin

Down that one’s a ghost.

No, it wasn’t Armageddon

Or a monster’s pot luck;

It was the one mortal night

That didn’t quite… suck!

That’s right, little ghosties

It was… Halloween;

The creepiest, crawliest

Living dead scene!

Poor Chester was frightened

He was new to this town;

And ever since dying

Poor Chester’d been down.

He wasn’t quite used

To being undead;

If he had his way

He’d be living… instead.

His friends liked being zombies

They found it quite cool;

But all Chester felt

Was like one giant fool!

He hated his hairdo

He hated his skin;

He hated the fact

That he could no longer grin.

His legs they were stiff

His arms were quite chilly;

And stumbling around

Just made Chester feel… silly.

Tonight might be different

Poor Chester agreed;

As he watched other kids

Look as foolish as he.

For each one looked goofy

For each one looked grim;

For each one looked not

Quite much better than… him!

“But where are they going?

He asked of a bud;

Who looked at him like

He had the IQ of a spud.

“They’re all trick or treating,”

Was the answer he gave;

“Or have you forgotten,

Since you rose from the grave?”

“I seem to recall,”

Little Chester did say;

“Of begging for candy

On Halloween day.”

“Let’s give it a try,”

His buddy made it sound like a synch;

“Chocolate’s not as good as brains

But it’ll do in a pinch.”

Chester shrugged

And followed his friend;

As they shuffled and groaned

Up the long driveway’s end.

The lawn was festooned

With orange and black;

The setting quite ripe

For a zombie attack!

The young man who stood

At his cozy front door;

Thought the zombies on his porch

Wore costumes; nothing more.

He smiled,

They shuffled;

He sniffed

And he snuffled.

“I quite love your costumes,”

He said with a smile.

“But your breath I smelled coming

For more than a mile!”

When the man tried to offer

A bowl full of candy;

All Chester could smell

Was his brain oh-so-dandy.

He reached for the bowl

But dropped it instead;

And as the man bent to catch it

Clamped onto his head.

“But why?” asked the man

Squealing in pain;

“Why bother with candy,” Chester said

“When my treat is… your brain!”

OKAY....THAT was mondo awesome....you can't say it wasn't! And look at the scary dude who wrote it...

EEEeeeekkkk!!!

Imagine waking up to find that in your email? lolz

Visit his blog, www.zombiesdontblog.blogspot.com, for news, reviews, cover leaks, writing and publishing advice, book excerpts and more!



***Wasn't that great? And spooky ooky?!! I mean EEK EEK EEK!!! ~~ Rusty has been kind enough to offer a giveaway exclusively to Parnanormal Wastelands of his awesome zombie book, "Zombies Don't Cry" !! And we can't be more excited!!


Zombies Don’t Cry

In the sleepy small town of Barracuda Bay, Maddy Swift leads the life of a fairly typical teenager, but while attending a party one night, Maddy is struck by lightning and awakens to realize she has been reanimated and turned into a zombie. While becoming acquainted with her new "lifestyle," Maddy stumbles upon two unexpected undead chaperones, fellow students Dane and Chloe, who begin to teach her the ways of zombie life, including defending the populace from Zerkers—the bad zombies. Together, on prom night, the three teens must ultimately defend Barracuda Bay High from an all-out zombie Armageddon.

To get your sticky corpsy hands on this paperback then follow the bouncing ball and sign up! This contest is intertantional. Good luck guys and ghouls!!

And remember to leave you mailing address in the Rafflecopter form below so we can ship it off asap if you win!

Also this contest it open to Paranormal Wastelands followers only. So if your not already...join us! We promise not to bite...hard;-)

For the Love of Zombies: Guest post by S.G. Browne

Paranormal Wastelands is proud to present - a guest post from the most famous author of Breathers - Mr. S.G. Browne!!

So, put up your bloody axes, drop those chains for just a bit, and come find out why he's just falling to pieces over zombies......... BOO!

I've always been a zombie fan, ever since I saw Romero's original Night of the Living Dead on Creature Features back when I was in sixth grade I’ve been enamored with them. They became my favorite monster. I even used to dream about them chasing me through the streets. Or surrounding my house. Or doing my taxes. And I’ll admit that I enjoy the fast moving zombies as well as the shuffling ones. I’m not a purist. They're both terrifying in their own way.

As for the other classic monsters, they don’t quite hold the same appeal for me as zombies.



Werewolves? They’re like the jocks of the monster world. Full of testosterone, pumped up on steroids, sprouting hair and fangs, howling at the moon, and always trying to be the center of attention. I just can’t take them seriously. Plus no one ever worries about a werewolf apocalypse. I mean, come on…that would be ridiculous.



Vampires? They’re the frat boys of monsters. All pretty and full of themselves and constantly trying to get you into bed. Every move they make, all the posturing they do, is just a smoke screen to lure you in so that they can feed on you. Drink your blood.



They're insincere. Hiding their true motives. Scam artists.



Zombies, on the other hand, don't try to impress you with their good looks or their charms or their ability to burst out of their Lacoste polo shirt every four weeks. They don't pretend to be something they're not. They wear their decomposing hearts on their sleeves and aren't ashamed to say, “I'm a zombie and I want to eat your brains.”

Zombies have an unpretentious veracity. I admire that in a monster. Plus, they're tragically comical, shuffling along, losing their hair and teeth and nails and the occasional appendage. Add the fact that they used to be us, that we could all become them one day, and it creates a sense of empathy that, ultimately, was the reason I wrote Breathers in the first place.

-S.G. Browne

http://www.undeadanonymous.com/



And because S.G. is just sooooooo super awesome he brought a little gift...
a Tick-or-Treat if you will!

One lucky winner will win a personalized signed copy of his fantastic book...

This contest is open to residents in the US & Canada. You must also be a follower so if your not already join us! I promise we don't bite....wellllll most of the time *winks*

Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and please PLEASE don't forget to leave your mailing address, along with who you would like the book signed to!!

Bite ya next time....

Make sure if you are in the Seattle area ~ October 21st -23rd ~ to stop by ZomBcon. S.G. Browne will be there DYING to meet you and your BRAINZ!