#IGAuthorLifeJan Day 1 – Happy New Year
Posted on January 1, 2017 Leave a Comment
Happy New Year!
So, 2016 was, well, interesting.
Okay, more like one long session of torture at the base of Mordor, especially if you had to survive the US election with your brain cells intact.
I didn’t get much writing done in 2016, but after a health issue (and the enormous selflessness of so many many people who came to my aid), a summer packed with author events, buying and selling a home, and getting back to driving a 16-ton school bus, I’m happy to report that I’m back on my feet and writing like a maniac.
And, well, I do write like a mental case . . . which translates to my books if you’ve ever read any of them. And, yes, I make resolutions (not that they stick around for too long). This year, however, I’m determined to kick off the New Year right with my first resolution being that I will COMPLETE the #IGAuthorLifeJan challenge. The list is below for each day, but today is #1 – Happy New Year!
It’s a photo challenge, thanks to bleeping Instagram, so my picture is at the top of this post for Day 1: New Year = out with the old, in with the new (courtesy of Narl the Wonder Chicken, aka Peep my Lovebird). You can follow me on Instagram HERE. Cheers!
Got a Kindle for Christmas
Posted on December 25, 2016 Leave a Comment
So, you asked for a Kindle for Christmas, eh? Maybe an iPad too, ’cause, “what the heck,” right?
Well, UNDERTOW is FREE until December 29th, 2016!
CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO AMAZON
Happy Holidays!
Brain Melt
Posted on December 10, 2016 Leave a Comment
“Puke and rally, puppy dog. We’re needed on the rooftop.” – Kian, Last Light
When I first started writing the Undertow series, I had no clue what the characters would do for people. What their lives and their story would mean to people. And honestly, I had no clue the impact that the fictional world and characters I’d created would have on me – as a person, as a writer, and as a dreamer.
The writer I was when I started the journey of Eila and her crew, no longer exists.
I no longer write as an outsider, commanding a puppet-crew of characters. Rather, I write AS the character; inside their skin, feeling their heartbeat and the flex of their feet on a stone floor. I’ve had my daughter crash to the floor with a friend, repeatedly, just to see how a body really tumbles when attacked. I’ve stood in the shower ‘til the temp runs cold, just to feel how the water trails over my lips and brow, so I could feel the rain on Ana Lane. I’ve dug through the memories of both heaven and hell, agony and joy, to bring it to the page.
I’m a method writer, not unlike a method actor, and I live inside the character, the world, and the story completely. But some stuff is freakin’ IMPOSSIBLE to feel your way through . . . like smoking, especially when you’re a non-smoker. Like me.
And let me tell ya: I’ve been smoking, on and off, for three days now.
Mainly in my car, occasionally in line at the grocery store.
Granted, the cigarette is imaginary, which really freaks out the casual observer of my madness, but I’m blowing the invisible smoke from my lips and lazily grasping the thin paper cylinder. Want to know what I’ve learned? There’s a thousand and one ways to attempt to look cool smoking . . . in your head at least.
In reality, however, a 40-year-old woman in an older model Jeep, attempting to emulate a supernatural bad-ass smoking a herbal joint, only leads to a hideous rendition of James Dean. Rillin Blackwood needs to smoke what amounts to herbal tea and getting it right in the book may just cause my brain to melt.
I’ve concluded that writing can be hazardous to your mental health, especially if you’re a character writer. I think I’ve finally nailed the scene (and managed to dig deep enough into the mind of Rillin to know how he’d handle a cigarette without looking like a pansy . . . or a 40-year-old chick who’d never smoked).
Last Light is thrilling for me to write – cathartic, I guess. It is also proving to be a challenge because, as of right now, MJ Williams is one of the three POVs telling the story (Eila and Raef round out the trio).
Sean Potter, MJ’s model
MJ has been the ultimate surprise to me. When he was first written, I kinda made him a side character. But then I met the young man who’d go on to become the model for MJ, signing as the shifter’s character at book launches and dazzling a few fans at writing workshops. In meeting him (Sean Potter), MJ’s character bloomed. Traits of Sean became traits of MJ, and suddenly MJ’s part started to grow. His voice became more defined, his personality undeniable.
And he started to gain a fanbase. A rabid one . . . A “TEAM MJ” developed, reviewers swooned, and pretty soon I knew I had a character on my hands that was a star in his own right.
So, I knew that if the series was to go out with one Hell of a bang, MJ needed a chance to speak. I thought, “How hard could it be? I know this character inside and out – easy peasy.”
WHAT THE DOG FART WAS I THINKING?
Not only does he have a love interest in Last Light (cue the squealing), he also has to deal with the challenge of a lifetime in his alter ego, Marsh. He has to balance the needs of the many with the sarcasm of a few and the needs of his Gal Friday. His voice and personality, so dominant throughout the series, has to display his multifaceted character AND THAT OF HIS SHIFTED FORM.
Seriously, someone slap me if I ever attempt a series this twisted again.
Oh yes . . . and then there’s the Wreckers, a freaky twist about Jack the Ripper, a suicide bomber with ties to the crew, and a chilling limo ride with one very sociopathic bad dude (and the football captain). There’s a nightclub for Killers, Sula Lane’s secrets, and ley lines with ties to the original Five Points of New York.
And there’s Elizabeth. Ya know, the dead chick? Total nightmare.
Welcome to my twisted mind . . .
Walking the Line – Sex in YA
Posted on December 4, 2016 1 Comment
If you have ever kicked around on YA blogs, inevitably you come across posts about sex in Young Adult novels. Nine times out of ten, the post will say something about how books portray these moments, whether accurate or inaccurate, fade to black or way too much details.
I’m going to address the top three myths I see about nookie and YA, because quite frankly, there is a whole variety of what can be deemed as accurate in portraying sex.
Argument 1: Too many YA books paint first time sex as a beautiful experience, when it really is kind of . . . awkward.
My thoughts: True, but this seems more likely if both characters are inexperienced. 
It doesn’t have to always be portrayed as messy, or clumsy. Sex between characters should be a reflection of who they are as people and as partners. What they do between the sheets (IF they do anything between the sheets, because sex should only appear if it is accurate for the characters), should mirror their lives with one another. I’ve seen it done really well in YA books, and other times I wanted to scream (and not in a good way). Should it be an accurate reflection of real life? Absolutely, but such truths should be echoed in who the characters are without sex, and whether or not one is inexperienced or not. Sex between YA characters can be beautifully drawn, but should be honest. The Gossip Girl do-it-on-the-staircase-stuff I’d avoid. I mean come on . . . those wooden treads would suck!
Argument 2: Fade to black is a cop-out in YA. If your gonna write it, write it!
My thoughts: While some writers give a real play-by-play of sex scenes, I find myself far more impressed by those who show alot without showing alot. Plus – I have a teenaged daughter, and while she is fully aware of “stuff” (and heaven knows the stuff that is shown on TV and film now-a-days) I would rather she not read some graphic scene (not yet anyway). An intimate scene between characters can be portrayed vividly, while maintaining a PG / PG-13 rating.
Argument 3: All the girl characters become mindless idiots once kissed, and all the boys are dying to peel their love interest’s clothes off like a tangerine.
My thoughts: Bullcrap. You’re just not reading a wide enough variety of YA to realize that some writers deliberately put their female characters in the driver’s seat when it comes to sex. They are also careful to write both the bad boys that don’t give a damn about consent, along with the ones who make sure their girl / guy are in total control of the situation. Both these issues (girl power in the sack and males who boost the control of their love interests) are a critical part of the Undertow series. I wrote the contrast because I wanted the girls who DID read the series to see and understand what true love looks like (and what it doesn’t, in the case of Ana Lane’s father), and what strong females sound and act like. I’m not the only author who is a “girl power” writer – there are many of us (Sarah Maas, Eva Darrows, Jennifer Armentrout, Mary Pearson, and Holly Black to name but a few). So don’t buy the BS that sex in YA is all “boy he-man, girl fair princess.” Some of us write the warrior chick, right down to the marrow of her bones (and her hormones).
Argument 4: Sex is YA is inappropriate.
My thoughts: Maybe – it depends on the story. It depends on the characters and what the author, editor, and about nine other people who are involved in the book’s evolution believe. At the end of the day, however, the choice between characters on whether to do the deed or not reflects entirely on who they are at that moment in time in their lives and whether or not that moment actually occurs in the time span of the book. Like all choices characters make within the story, sex must be a reflection of who they are, as people (or, uh, monsters), where they came from, and how they see and trust one another.
And sometimes, when we view sex in YA, we simply need to remember what it was to be in love for the first time.
Inside the Concepts of a Killer Nightclub
Posted on December 3, 2016 Leave a Comment
They say news comes in two forms: Good and Bad.
The Good: I’m working on Last Light.
The Bad: It’s gonna be huge and my fingers are bleeding.
Sometimes I’m stalled in my writing by simply needing to come out of the story to do research so I can feel my way through a setting or scene. And, if you’ve ever read my stuff, you know I’m a big setting addict. I literally want the setting to become its own character, and to pull that off, I need to be eyeball-deep in concept photography and art.
I thought, since y’all are being so patient, that I’d share some concept photos for 
Faust, which is once again a big player in Eila Walker’s life. The monster models & drawings show
n here were ones I used when developing the Lessers, including Bane (drawn as a human on the left), who works for Faust. Though I modified the monsters pictured here, it was a starting point for me.
So sit back and scroll through some of the photos
and graphics I use to keep writing.
This is Faust:
Author Blog Hop with Beth Rodgers
Posted on November 29, 2016 Leave a Comment
Author Blog Hop with Beth Rodgers
I am thrilled to share that my second novel, ‘Sweet Fifteen’ – the sequel to ‘Freshman Fourteen’ – is available for pre-order on Amazon Kindle! The release date is Wednesday, December 7th! Check out the cover and a link to the pre-order page below!
Also, if you’re looking for an AWESOME Cyber Monday deal, check out this one: http://amzn.com/B00PIWYU92 – follow that link to pick up your FREE copy of ‘Freshman Fourteen’ on Kindle – FREE today through Friday, December 2nd! Get a head start on being ready for ‘Sweet Fifteen’ by getting up to speed on main character Margot’s ninth grade year! Share the link with friends and family!
The pre-order link for ‘Sweet Fifteen’ is: http://amzn.com/B01MTSHL0H
Sophomore year starts off on a positive note, with Margot Maples enjoying a circle of new friends, an influx of confidence, and the attention of the oh-so-cute new basketball player, Kirk. But she quickly finds herself stuck in a rut, battling mean girls, and getting caught up in Kirk’s past. Margot’s friendships, heartaches, and presidential campaign lead her on a path to self-discovery, making sophomore year one to remember.
Come along on Margot’s journey in this sequel to Freshman Fourteen that has new faces, backroom politics, and a few twists and turns along the way.
Book Heist 2016
Posted on October 1, 2016 5 Comments
This is such a cool giveaway and EVERYONE is a winner! Nineteen Young Adult authors are offering up their books (ebooks) plus some paperback and swag. One lucky winner will run away with a freakin’ KINDLE!!
Why, WHY wouldn’t you enter!??!?!
EXACTLY!! DO IT NOW! CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
Here are the books up for grabs! Click a title to be zoomed over to the author’s site!
Cover Release and Interview with J.A. Culican
Posted on September 30, 2016 Leave a Comment
Today my blog is being visited by Young Adult fantasy writer J.A. Culican, whose book The Keeper of Dragons: The Prince Returns, just got a reboot with a new cover. I thought I’d pick her brain and offer up her answers here on my site, so read on!
1. Give us your stalking deets – where people can find you online . . .
Moving, Madness, and other Brain-Frying Activities.
Posted on September 18, 2016 2 Comments
There’s a trend among young people right now to dye their hair gray. And if you’re dark haired, it takes a ton of work to get that perfect combo of seaside overcast / silver tarnish to shade your locks. By the time you’re done perfecting this “hey I’m old as dirt, but not really” look, you could probably have paid for a 5-day trip to Disney World.
BUT, there is a faster way to go gray! It’s called “moving.” In fact, it’s probably the surest way to an early grave, so you can perfect that whole “I’m gray AND dead” look.
But here’s the thing: buying and selling homes does not have to be a free pass to the nut-house IF you have Wonder Woman on your side. Ours was blonde, about 5’5”, with a sweet smile that hid a total Thor-like determination. And though she didn’t have a fancy, alien-esque hammer or fiery-whip, she did have a “sold” sign tucked in her trunk and she was determined to sink the sucker into our lawn like a meteor.
Jamie setting up an Open House at our old home.
Truth is, Jamie Derouen of Upper Cape Realty, entire changed our lives. She knew, from day one, what was at stake for us in selling our home – a home we had loved and cared for, for nearly 20 years. She knew why we were selling and how much we were relying on her to get us out of an extremely stressful situation.
She also knew that there was only ONE house in ONE area that fit us. ONE. She knew how much we wanted it – she knew I’d watched it for years, praying someday I’d own it. She knew that the new house represented peace and happiness for my family – a chance for our children to grow up among their friends and walk to the beach every night. She knew that we needed a huge garage to replace the one we had and she knew that NOT selling our house wasn’t an option. On top of all that, she knew that we had 60 days to not only get our home ready to go on the market, but also get it SOLD. Nailing Jell-O to a tree would’ve been easier.
Jamie managed to broker the deal to buy the house of our dreams contingent on selling 
the house we had loved for years, all while dealing with the same tough situation that we’d been caught in for nearly a decade (and getting the deal done on a tight time frame). On top of that, our home was part of a multi-home deal that required an army of attorneys and realtors, buyers and sellers. She kept in contact with them ALL to make sure our deal – the last of the deals – went through seamlessly.
She was such a blessing to us. I have NO DOUBT that any other realtor would never have been able to get the job done. She got us the price(s) we needed, the contingencies we wanted, and she constantly, constantly was in touch with me every step of the way. In fact, I think we shared more texts (and memes) over those months than my husband and I did in a year. For every set-back and unseen hurdle, she’d reply “Don’t worry – I’ve got this,” and she always did. Without FAIL, she fixed it, tracked it down, got it done, and was on the ball.
Our new home is everything we wanted – it has a heartbeat that welcomes us, it has the flow and breezes we adore. We breath freely here, we smile more and laugh all the time. The weight that crushed us at our old home is gone, replaced by a contentment and happiness that we didn’t think we’d ever get back.
We owe so much to Jamie – more than words can say or a simple review could ever convey. She changed OUR LIVES. Not just addresses, but our very well-being, and for that, we are eternally grateful.
She’s more than a Realtor – she’s a superhero.
Super Cool Apps and Toys for Writers
Posted on August 3, 2016 2 Comments
So, I’ve been teaching this week at the Young Writers Workshop (which is part of the Cape Cod Writers Center Summer Conference) and I’ve gotta tell ya – my class of crazies totally rocks.
I have eight of the brightest, wildest teen writers this side of Hogwarts. They are tackling everything from twisted retellings, to high fantasy dragon shifters and dream thieves, to awesomely wicked horror and family murder and magic, to bookworms-turned-assassins, to glorious contemporary dramas. I look at my class and each writer there is dedicated to their story, their characters, and (amazingly), one another.
Thank heavens there isn’t a story-slam at the end of this because my clan of teen writers would wipe the floor with ya!
In just a couple of days, they have joined forces to pull the best stories and voice from each of their manuscripts, offering twists and turns and solutions to one another that the creator never saw coming. I’m showing them my personal tricks of the trade and they are intent on getting it right. They are determined. Fearless. They are true story-crafters and can write circles around many adults.
Because all writers should indulge in a few tools of the trade, I am listing a couple awesome apps and toys for my class here on my website. Of course, you TOO can steal a peek . . .
AWESOME APPS:
Lists For Writers: http://thinkamingo.com/lists-for-writers/
Evernote: https://evernote.com
Index Card: http://www.denvog.com/app/index-card/
AWESOME TOOLS:
Dragon Speech-to-text software
iworkz Foldable Keyboards (for writing on the fly)
Cape Cod Scribe 