PARAPALOOZA - Day 3
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Southern Witch series - Quote of the Day:
"Hey, watch those paws. Remember you're not a tabby. With jungle cat strength comes jungle cat responsibilities."
~ Tammy Jo to Mercutio
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Okay, I just adore Kerrelyn Sparks, so expect to see more of her later in the week. For those who don't know, Kerrelyn Sparks writes the fantastic "Love At Stakes" series of humorous vampire romances. And she doesn't just write them great, she writes them fast, often delivering more than one book a year! She's amazing, so I was very interested in hearing about her process. Here's what she had to say on the subject of writing:
"When I've completed a book, I adore writing! When I'm starting a book, I suddenly develop an interest in laundry." ~ Kerrelyn Sparks
(Hee hee hee. I love that quote!)
Kerrelyn went on to admit that she's "a lazy slug" at the beginning of each story because she writes character-driven books, and it takes her time to get to know the characters. "I don't fill out charts or personality profiles for them because that would be too logical," Kerrelyn joked. Instead she lives her life while the characters grow in her head. A book's first hundred pages might take her six weeks to write, but once she knows the characters, she writes faster and faster to the end. The last hundred pages may be written in a week.
As a reader, finding a great writer like Kerrelyn who's prolific is always a treat because don't you always want to say to your favorite author... "Write faster!" I know I do.
And Kerrelyn's not the only person in the Sparks family who has a vision of Kerrelyn's characters. Her daughter did some creating of her own by "vamping up" her Barbie Dolls. Check out the video of Kerrelyn showing off her daughter's handiwork at Vamp Dolls Vid. Also, go visit Kerrelyn's site at www.kerrelynsparks.com
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And speaking of prolific writers whom I adore, let's talk about Annette Blair. When I joined the publisher's author loop (a place where the writers can talk to each other), she was one of the first people to welcome me and has continued to be wonderful and warm to me and to everyone else. She's also fabulously talented. If I had witch powers, I'd pop myself over to the East Coast to have coffee or tea with her because I just know that would be a delightful experience.
My question for Annette: I love it when characters from one series pop up in another unexpectedly. It's a little nod to the author's most loyal fans, who know all the characters that came before. Is it true that you've got some "guest appearances" in your upcoming novels?
"Yes. In my new Works Like Magic novels, my heroes come from parallel places and times. They're magical supernatural ancients who are able to cross into present-day Salem where they can interact with my witches. Melody from The Kitchen Witch shows up in Naked Dragon (1/2010). Kira from My Favorite Witch will show up in Bedeviled Angel (8/2010). Also, Reggie, a minor character from Sex and the Psychic Witch, will be the heroine in the third Works Like Magic novel which is about a time-traveling pirate who comes back to Paxton Island for buried treasure." ~ Annette Blair
Ancient supernatural hunks? Time-traveling pirates? Plus witches? I am SO there!! To visit Annette at her site, go to www.annetteblair.com
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If you'd like to win a signed copy of Barely Bewitched, an autographed copy of Secret Life of a Vampire by NYT-bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks, and a copy of The Kitchen Witch by bestselling author Annette Blair, please drop by in the comments and answer one or both of the following:
1.) What fictional character would you like to see made into a doll?
OR
2.) If you could take a character from a TV show or movie and drop him (or her) into a different show for a guest appearance who would it be and where would you put him?
(For example, I might like to see Dr. Who drop into an episode of Psych. LOL I crack up just thinking about Gus's reaction to that.)
Comments
And yes, I am a nerd, thank you. LOL
And just for fun I would like to see Agent Cooper and the Man from Another Place from Twin Peaks show up in The Dresdon Files or True Blood. The mixture of the surrealism from those Twin Peaks scenes with vampires and wizards would be fun.
espressogurl at hotmail dot com
As far as Annette Blair goes I have read all 3 of her "Accidental Witch" her 3 "Triplet Witch" and her first Vintage Magic mystery (which is my fave and I just kindled book 2 last night). I love, love, love the ghost in the book!
I will say the first book I read was Gone with the Witch which is pretty much book 5. I had a hard time with it, kept starting and stopping and didn't think I would like her as an author. Then I picked up "A Veiled Deception" not realizing it was the same author (one of those I need a book NOW type things in the grocery store). The book hooked me in. I love the characters (especially the ghost), her best friend, her family, it is a great book. (don't want to put any spoilers for you who haven't read it).
The way she uses her psychic ablilities to solve the murder is excellent.
I realized it was the same author that I had been struggling with but I loved the murder mystery so much that I went back to the beginning of her "Witch" series and read The Kitchen Witch, book 1. I wanted to kick myself for almost getting rid of Gone With The Witch without finishing it. The main characters of books 2 and 3 were minor characters in book 1 and I wanted to know more about them by the end of Kitchen Witch. (Fortunately I was able to read all 6 in a week without having to wait for a release date to see what happens next since I discovered her so late in her publishing career.
When the triplets arrived in book 3 I understood more about what was going on with the trio and almost went immediately back to Storm's story in Gone With The Witch. It was a frustration to read Harmony's story before going back to Storm's but I'm glad I finished hers first.
LOL can I say (without looking majorly sheepish) once I read all 6 and actually made it past the first 3 chapters of Gone With the Witch (which is where I kept tossing the book aside) the book made me laugh, made me cry and it is my favorite of the 6 witch books.
Now I am counting down the weeks until book 3 of the "Vintage Magic Mystery" series is out April 2010.
She has won over this skeptic and I am preording "The Naked Dragon" which will be Book 1 of her new "Supernatural Employment Agency" series.
I'm sorry to write so much but couldn't think how to condense what I wanted to say.
Now for the questions of the day:
1)The fictional character I want a doll of is "Jimmy The Hand" from Raymond Feist's Riftwar/Magician books.
2)I love Psych but I would love to see Monk appear in Spongebob Squarepants (actually at the Krusty Krab).
2) I would find fun to put Dr. House in a fictional TV show like Stargate! I love his caracter (character)!
Now my husband's pick, because there was no way I'm going to put an answer to a question like this without saying what he thinks. His choice is interesting. He would take Dexter from "Dexter" and put him into the series finale of "The Sopranos" right before the screen goes black. He's all about getting the bad guys. This would be his ultimate feast. Now since I've never seen The Sopranos, but I love Dexter I'll just take his word for it.
If I had to choose a character to be made into a doll it would be Tammy Jo. The pictures of her on the covers of both books look like they came from a Madame Alexander doll. She would fit right in with M.A's fashion dolls
And the answer, hm, ok Sam from Reaper, aka The Devil's Son, and bounty hunter for escaped souls, I would put him in Supernatural and see how the guys get along. the first show is funny and wisecracking and the other more dark. It would be a fun mix
Oh and I so second the Eric Northman from True Blood as a doll. Preferably life sized, lol. *wink wink* And dolls of pretty much any of Laurell K Hamilton's characters would be cool to see, but then so would JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters, and Jeaniene Frost's characters from her "Grave" series. I'm thinking a whole line of character dolls from popular paranormal series/TV/Movies would be awesome!
I would enjoy seeing Monk in a Psych episode. With Monk being so phobic on organization and cleanliness I can't imagine him with Shawn and Gus and their unusual methods of working an investigation.
1) Second Laurell K Hamilton's Anita series - I'd love to see what kind of dollhouse you'd have (big basements) and all the equipment (weapons, etc.) she'd have.
2)I'd love to see Ned (the piemaker) from "Pushing Daisies" on one of the many CSI shows so he can just ask the victims what happened to them. (I'm so bummed they cancelled it!!)
robertmoonson@hotmail.com
Or Eric on Smallville, who would win, Superman or the Sheriff? I'm not sure, but I hope they try shirtless!
Thanks!
ohmorningglow AT aol DOT com
2. I would like to drop Roz (from Frasier) into a old show like Leave it to Beaver or something like that just to see how June Cleaver would react to an independent woman who felt free to express her ideas and worked to support herself. That would be hilarious.
Yeah wouldn't that be great - a life-size doll of an undead homicidal toddler. The deluxe edition could include a change of clothes to his funeral attire, come with an accessory pack of undead cat sidekick Church and scalpel and for a bonus there could be a button on his back to push so his scalpel-wielding hand can move up and down while you hear a voice track of him laughing or telling his daddy he wants to play with him.
Im off to work for the day, needless to say it wasn't sweet dreams last night lol
I think Jack Bauer from 24 should pop into Grey's Anatomy. Meredith thinks she has drama in her life now - picture it with Jack around!
melacan at hotmail dot com
-Lizzy
Cornucopiaofreviews@gmail.com
I'd thoroughly enjoy seeing Chuck (from Chuck, lol) make an apparence in The Office. Or vice versa, have Michael from The Office appear in Chuck. Just seems right, and I believe the story line could be hilarious.
Her chest would open up to hold a heart "the ardeur" and all the wereanimals she has - kinda like Mr. Potato Head (or pregnant barbie)
Of course she would have awesome miniature guns and knives that fit on her arms and hands!
Oh, and her eyes would change color from brown to black with stars!
:) That was fun!
Miranda
mdwartistry at yahoo dot com
I'd just like to win your books, but I also had Anette Blair's books on my wishlist for a while, would love to get my hands on those!
I think I would take Melinda from Ghost Whisperer and put her into SUpernaturals. I think it would sure be interesting!
Thanks!
Uh, can I have the real thing appear in front of me instead? Please?
Answer 2:
I'd want to see Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer appear in an episode of True Blood. All other vamps would instantly be forgotten by Sookie Stackhouse. LOL.
2) I would introduce Spongebob
to the Snorks. Now that would be a cartoon to see!
Oh, and I'd like to drop Bones in on House. I think the two of them would be hilarious against each other.
I love reading Annette Blairs's books.
I'd like to see a Jules or Drake doll. Both are characters from Jenna Black's 'Guardians of the Night' series.
Meljprincess AT aol DOT com
Mel, hello! Great to hear from you.
Spacedkane, thanks for giving my books a chance. Thrilled that you're loving Dante. :)
And I'd send Twin Peaks Dale Cooper to Dexter. I think he might actually be able to catch Dex in the act.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
And I would love to see Sam and/or Dean Winchester from Supernatural popped into some sort of Scooby Doo show.
This is not exactly on topic--but--I would LOVE to see Sookie Stackhouse and Tammy Jo get together and trade tales! They seem to have equally challenging love lives and supernatural abilities.
1) Turn Greg House into a line of dolls called the "Tell me where it hurts and I'll tell you why you're an idiot" line, complete with witty comeback voice and kung fu vicodin grip action!
2) Greg House should make an appearance on the Television series "Mental". The leading actor and house both approach medicine from two completely different (yet ultimately similar) angles. I'd love to see them butting heads on a diagnosis/treatment plan.
Oh, I'd love to see a Jaz Parks doll (Jennifer Rardin's Jaz Parks series).
To answer the questions:
1. Simi from SK as a doll? yeah, that would be perfect *lol*
2. I would put Michael Weatherly from NCIS into Heroes - wouldn't that be fun? I love "Toni" and Heroes is one of my favorite series :)
Best wishes,
Ina
Or Walter from Fringe on House.
As far as a doll, I think Mercutio should have himself immotalized in plush form as well as print!
I would also like to see Mitchell from Being Human dumped into Monk. My daughter wants Bambi put in Alien Vs Predator.
lynda98662 at yahoo dot com
I'd like to see Dr. House put in an episode of The Listener. I think it'd be interesting to hear what's going on inside House's head.
And as to the second question....I'd take Mick St John (From Moonlight) And put him in True Blood. Pretty much just because I miss Mick and love True Blood! Besides, that would be the perfect place for him!
And I LOVE Kerrelyn Sparks! She's my favorite author, hands down. I'm never board during one of her books and that's what I love :)
Woot Woot! Go Spike!
I just got home from work and can't wait to read all your posts!!
More soon,
Kimberly
sarah_bear_38@yahoo.com
dancealert at aol dot com
As for two characters together in a show..I'd throw Mila Kunis (Jackie from That 70's Show)into a show with Jason from True Blood because I think they'd look cute together.
I would put Abby from NCIS in Bones because I think they would be an awesome combination. I would love to see a conversation with Abby and Brennan.
Or maybe drop the Doctor in on the show, House. Have both him and House stuck in an elevator. Oh boy, is that a recipe for trouble or what?
...come to think of it, I think I'd enjoy having the Doctor pop into any show or movie. :D
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
2)I've been watching the BBC show Being Human,the main characters are a ghost,a werewolf and a vampire. I'd be excited to see Drake Viero from Katie MacAlister's dragon series drop into that show.
Hugs, Danette
Cross Warehouse 13 with House! Some object's 'cost for use' is making someone sick and House has to figure it out.
Oooh, the cat from The Scot, the Witch, and the Wardrobe would make a cute doll.
Merc from Would-Be-Witch, of course - what a great stuffed animal to protect you from things that go bump in the night
2.) If you could take a character from a TV show or movie and drop him (or her) into a different show for a guest appearance who would it be and where would you put him?
Liz Lemon from 30 Rock would make a great guest appearance on Red Dwarf
What fantastic creative combinations! I LOVED reading these. (Although the scary Gage Creed doll may give me nightmares.)
I do need Mercutio stuffed toy. Actually ocelot toys are kinda hard to come by, but I did find one source. I'd better order one before I forget again.
I do have a Spike doll. My friend Roman (a music video director) gave him to me a few years ago. I'm going to post his picture with Day 2's Winner.
I'll pick Day 3's winner tomorrow.
Thanks so much for all your cool responses today. My blog has never been more fun.
Hugs,
Kimber
It might be fun to see House in a show like Buffy. :-)
Larena
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I'd really like to see Barnabas Collins from the old Dark Shadows TV series made into a doll - that would so kick!