#YAIndieCarnival: Chemistry Contest

This week at the YA Indie Carnival, we're posting excerpts for our WIPs (or published books) and you get to vote on your favourite! Once you've read them, head on over to http://yaauthorclub.blogspot.com to cast your vote.
Please note that this is an excerpt of a first draft of my WIP, The Morgan Sisters, so please forgive any errors you might find! You'll also find the grand prize winner of our first anniversary giveaway from last week, listed below...

The Morgan Sisters

It didn't feel like death was upon her. In fact, Lana felt strangely alive as her body fell slowly to the ground. Slowly? Yes, she was falling slowly, far too slowly, in fact. Lana looked down and watched as the ground below her seemed to hover. She held out her arms and felt her feet gracefully touch the floor like a ballet dancer about to pirouette in the air. A shocked giggle erupted from her lips as she twirled and looked around, before glancing upwards to see how far she'd fallen. But it wasn't a fall, she thought, I should be dead.
Suddenly, the full extent of what had happened hit her and she took a step backwards as if she'd been punched in the stomach. Oh My God, she thought, gulping. I've just fallen from Carlton Point and survived. Not a scratch. Nothing. It can't possible be right.
'Oh No,' she whispered, 'I must be dead.' Her hands flew to her mouth and she retched, heaving, throwing up the chocolate rice krispies she'd had for breakfast. Sitting down on a mossy rock, she put her elbows on her knees and breathed deeply.
Hang on, if I'm dead, surely I wouldn't throw up this morning's breakfast. She searched around for her dead body and it was nowhere to be seen. She pinched herself over and over until her arms were pink.
And then she just couldn't help it. She started laughing. Laughing until her stomach muscles ached. But after about ten minutes, she stopped abruptly. A sensation in her abdomen caused her to curl over in agony. Writhing on the floor for what seemed like ages, tears rolled down Lana's face. Eventually the pain dissipated and she was able to sit up.
Scrambling at her long black T-shirt, she pulled it up and peered down at her stomach. There, etched on her skin, was what appeared to be a tattoo. Lana's eyes opened wide and she began to cry, loudly.
'What the hell?' she cried, 'What's going on?' she shouted as the tears streamed down her cheeks, causing black mascara to smear across her face. 'What's wrong with me?' she said as she fell to the floor in a heap.

Check out my fabulous fellow carnis to read more excerpts...

1. Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series

2. Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3. Heather Self

4. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga 

6. Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 

8. K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9. Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series 

10. Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11. Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey

12. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter  

13. Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy
14. Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga

15. Courtney Cole Writes
16. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.

17. Ella James
18. Maureen Murrish

19. Valerie Sloan
20. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings

AND THE WINNER OF LAST WEEK'S ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY IS.....

Emma Michaels!

Click here for more Indie News:

My fascination with doppelgangers

They've always fascinated me, doppelgangers. In fact, I'm a bit obsessed with them. I'm always spotting 'famous' people in the street, no I don't mean the real ones, just people that look like them. I can't help it. I think I've always done it.
A few years ago I even followed a poor guy around the supermarket because he looked EXACTLY like my brother. It wasn't him, of course, because my brother lives in England. But the similarity was remarkable. I just wish I'd had a camera on me at the time!

Maybe my obsession stems from my childhood when I remember my parents telling me they thought I looked like Nathalie Wood. I've no idea who Nathalie Wood was of course, but I thought it was pretty cool that I looked like a movie star even though I was only, like five or something.

As I got older and the Spice Girls came onto the scene, you wouldn't believe the number of people who used to tell me that I looked like Sporty Spice. To be honest, I wasn't too happy about that because I'd much rather have looked like Baby or Posh.... now though I think Sporty is the most beautiful. Shame that I don't look much like her any more!

So as time passed, so did the comparisons. Last year, shortly after Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot, I was actually compared to Kate! Now that DID make my day!

And then of course, I went and cut off all my hair and now I get told I look like Liza Minnelli. When it first happened, I was gutted. Probably because I only ever remember her looking quite old. And then I decided to google her and I changed my mind. She was really rather beautiful when she was younger. So I guess I'm quite happy now... until the next comparison comes along.

Oh... I just remembered one that happened recently....... Doctor Spock.... or should I say Mrs Spock.... that's what they said. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. But I suppose.... there is a similarity.......

I'll be back soon with some other doppelgangers.

#YAIndieCarnival: Great Giveaway & new authors

This week at the carnival each carni is highlighting an indie author outside of the carnival. Be sure to go to all the carni’s sites to hunt for smoking hot indie authors and their novels and ENTER THE GIVEAWAY! Details at the end of the post.

I'm interviewing Carlyle Labuschagne, a YA author whose first book, The Broken Destiny, is due out later this year. I first 'met' Carlyle over at the YA Trailer Park, and we've since become social networking buddies.

Your first YA book, The Broken Destiny, is coming out this Autumn, tell us a little about it.
I always cringe at these questions - so much to say - LOL. Well its based on a planet (the purple planet) called Poseidon, where the broken kind have been exiled after earths destruction - or so its seems. Ava is the granddaughter of the founder of their kind, she is third generation of genetically altered beings. Through her mother's journal she deciphers clues to who they really are, a journal she keeps secret from the Council and the Keepers. Weeks before her 17th birthday and weeks after her friends disappearance, an attempted kidnapping by a second generation Zulu Witch doctor changes her life forever. She learns about her destiny the hard way - Her destiny is to rise above the fall, to become what she hates to save them all... book one is the start of her journey in finding out what the ancient weapon is that has been ethnomed within her soul, and its a very difficult path she has to walk to find her true purpose... Her destiny starts with betrayal, violence and possession. The series is a mix of Science-fiction, Dystopian, and Urban fantasy.

What inspired you to write The Broken Destiny?
Oh wow so many things, I guess for me I felt hollow and it was a space only writing could fill. The time was right for me to be in the right mindset to begin this journey.

How many books are you planning in the series?
Four books

If your book was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
Well I haven't found them yet! And trust me I have looked!!!
I do have a collection of images, for me they totally have to look as I envisioned them in my head - not that hard to cast right? http://www.carlylelabuschagne.com/the-broken-kind.html
The minoans http://www.carlylelabuschagne.com/minoans--last-of-an-ancient-race.html
The Zulu's http://pinterest.com/carlylel/the-broken-series-zulu-3/

I noticed you have a Broken Series playlist on your website, do you always have to listen to music whilst writing?
Oh yes!!! In fact I listen to music all the time, sometimes I am singing in my sleep. Music is so important to my writing I have actually approached the legendary South African Band Prime Circle and have been granted by the manager himself to use their lyrics in my book. Music sets the mood for the scenes and amplifies the words and feelings and images in my head.

What made you want to become an author?
I never wanted to, all I ever wanted to do was to make a difference in someones life, to put a smile on their faces, to inspire, to help them heal. Writing had done that for me from a very young age and I guess it just happened to be my passion, and that coincided with my dreams and goals. I am blessed!

Who, or what, inspires you?
There are so many talented people that inspire me, I find it amazing at what people are capable of. My parents, my husband they inspire me, they are determined, hardworking, and generous souls. My sister is someone to aspire to, my mother in law has things that inspire me too. I could write a book on this you know....

Where is your favourite place to write?
My study. I love my study *sigh*

What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
I would say "The hunger games" , but the ending was all wrong for me. Twilight saga was awesome. Percy Jackson. "The Lorax" was a good interpretation of the book. I also enjoyed "How to train your dragon."

Name one book that made you think 'wow'? Why did it have such an effect on you?
Divergent, Twilight , The hunger games, Pretty in black series by Rae Hachton.... so many , so many... I love stories, I can fall into a story very quickly. I very much enjoy Kristin Cashore' s books. Suzanne Young has an effect on me too.

Who is your favourite author (s) and why?
Oh no - how long do we have. Lets put it this way. I learn from every book I pick up.
My top Authors -Cassandra Clare, Kristin Cashore, Stephenie Meyer, Becca Fitzpatrick, Suzanne Collins,

Name one of your all-time favourite book covers?
I love the book cover for Wither. But all time favorite - Fire by Kristin Cashore - Covers are becoming increasingly over the top gorgeous, how can I list just one!!!

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
I think it would be more like a dinner extravaganza..... Raine Thomas, Chelsea Fine, Angeline Kace, Leigh Fallon, Rae Hachton, Tiffany King, Suzanne Collins, Elizabeth Miles, RaShelle Workman, Veronica Roth, and to mix it up Edgar Allan Poe and Shakespeare.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I am obsessed with trees. They are the most beautiful things in the universe.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.

Yay! I live in Johannesburg South Africa - Home to Nelson Mandela, and the largest man made urban forest in the world ;)

Find Carlyle online:
Twitter https://twitter.com/carlylel
Website: http://www.carlylelabuschagne.com/index.html
goodreads : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12537426-the-broken-destiny
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carlyle-Labuschagne/189835811074342?bookmark_t=page
YALITCHAT.ORG http://yalitchat.ning.com/profile/CarlyleLabuschagne

WOW Carlyle's answers could have been written by me... we have so much in common. I can't wait to read The broken Series, it sounds wonderful. Want to win The Broken Destiny when it comes out? Click here to enter the HUGE GIVEAWAY! GOOD LUCK! Winner announced at the carnival next week

To meet lots more AWESOME YA authors, check out my fabulous fellow carnis...

1. Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series

2. Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3. Heather Self

4. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga 

6. Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 

8. K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9. Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series 

10. Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11. Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey

12. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter  

13. Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy
14. Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga

15. Courtney Cole Writes
16. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.

17. Ella James
18. Maureen Murrish

19. Valerie Sloan
20. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings

Click here for more Indie News:

Blogging issues!

Sadly, I've had to say farewell to my previous pretty pink vintage blog template due to issues that kept arising with my pages. So, please bear with me as I strive to come up with an alternative option that suits my writing and me (!).
With insufficient funds to hire a designer (!), I'm having to either have a go at designing something myself or find another template... both of which are time consuming when I should be writing The Morgan Sisters. Aaargh! But I just cannot live with an ugly blog so I must sort this out first. In the meantime, you might notice my blog taking on various odd appearances over the coming day or two until I get it sorted! Hopefully it won't take me too long!

#YAIndieCarnival: Summer Vacation

So it's the summer holidays (or summer vacation if you're in the States!), and it's exactly the same as it was for me when it wasn't, if that makes sense! I don't have a different job... my job is my writing (YAY!) and sadly, I don't have any children. So the only thing that really changes for me during the summer holidays is the busyness of the Algarve. The region fills up with people from England, Germany, Holland, France, the north, Spain, Canada, etc, etc, etc. I don't often meet Americans on my travels though but I'm sure they do come :)
I must admit that I hate August... it gets way too busy and way too hot so you can usually find me indoors with all the shutters closed trying to keep cool!
But enough of my Algarve summer. What am I reading this season? Well, I've been re-reading the first Harry Potter and I'm amazed by how much of it that I'd forgotten (it's got to be over ten years since I read it). There is way more in the book than in the movie! I've really been enjoying it.
I've also been reading a horror story by Poppet Author but I must admit to having to put it on hold because it's scared the living daylights out of me. I will get round to reading the rest of it though because it's written so beautifully. That woman sure has talent.
So what else have I been reading? Oh yeah, I started a witchy book which is awesome. It's called Witch Song by Amber Argyle and it's fabulous so far. And Walking with Angels by Carmel Reilly, which is a load of true stories of heavenly encounters (so says the cover). I've read a few of the stories and they're astounding, emotional and give me the shivers in a really good way. It's giving me tonnes of ideas :)
Anyway, as it's the summer, the sales are on (YAY!) so do excuse me while I go out to do a spot of shopping!

For more summer vacation stories and books, check out my awesome fellow carnis...
1. Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series

2. Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3. Heather Self

4. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga 

6. Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 

8. K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9. Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series 

10. Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11. Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey

12. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter  

13. Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy
14. Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga

15. Courtney Cole Writes
16. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.

17. Ella James
18. Maureen Murrish

19. Valerie Sloan
20. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings

Click here for more Indie News:

Great road trip movies

It's summertime, the livin' is easy, and you're preparing to go on a road trip. Your playlist is ready, you know your route, and you've got a full tank of gas. But before you drive off into the sunset, spend a day immersed in the cinematic poetry of the American road trip. Let your passengers do the packing; you should sit back, relax, and draw some off-road inspiration from these seven great road trip movies to kick off your summer.

Easy Rider

"I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace.

  "

It's No. 1 with a bullet. Definitely the best road trip movie out there, and one of the best films ever, Easy Rider encapsulates the freedom and philosophy of the nomadic American hippie. Proving to us that long-haired hippie freaks can be patriots (while also finding free love and cheap drugs), Easy Rider is an easy pick — for road trips, summer or otherwise.

Honorable Mention: Steve McQueen in The Reivers


Thelma and Louise

"You shoot off a guy's head with his pants down, believe me, Texas ain't the place you want to get caught."

 

Hillbilly tries to rape woman. Best friend kills rapist hillbilly. Women go on the run in a convertible '66 Thunderbird. Instant classic. Directed by Ridley Scott. What more could you possibly need?

Honorable Mention: National Lampoon's Vacation and a documentary about truckers calledBig Rig. Watch the full documentary here.


Motorcycle Diaries

"What do we leave behind when we cross each frontier? Each moment seems split in two; melancholy for what was left behind and the excitement of entering a new land."

 

Here's another one for all you motoring hippies. An improvisational trip spanning an entire continent. 5,000 miles in four months. You'll see the beautiful South American countryside through the eyes of one of the 20th century's most controversial figures. Bonus for the Lazy Socialist: If you hate reading, but you want to know what Che kept in his diary as a 20-something, this is the movie for you.


Smokey and the Bandit

"Go, girl, go!"

"I'm goin', I'm goin! I got the metal to the petal and the thing to the floor!"

 

Moonshine, Burt Reynolds' mustache, and a lot of '70s kitsch. What could be better to prepare you for a road trip? If Bandit, Cledus, and their journey across the American South can't get you in the mood to motor, nothing will. Chock full of classic quotes and scenes,Smokey and the Bandit is both a road trip and an often-referenced cinematic gem.

Honorable Mention: The oft-debated Vanishing Point, plus the 1978 film Convoy, which you can watch in its entirety here.


Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

"Train don't run out of Wichita … unlessin' you're a hog or a cattle."

 

Best for those with a hellish road trip ahead or for those with holiday travel horror stories of their own. The John Hughes' 1987 road trip comedy classic starring Steve Martin and John Candy was an instant hit, and hopefully serves as a slapstick reminder of both cruel fate and the importance of great care in choosing a travel companion.

Honorable Mention: Sideways and Dumb and Dumber


TransAmerica

"You don't have to say 'like.' 'Probably disemboweled by a ninja' is sufficient. And please don't put your feet up on the dashboard.

It's a beautiful movie about discovery — those we have in life and behind the wheel. A pre-operative male-to-female takes both a personal journey and one across America. Bree (brilliantly portrayed by Felicity Huffman) takes a road trip with her estranged son, who she's just bailed out of jail. Their car and money get stolen by a peyote shaman hitchhiker, and the road trip takes an unexpected turn.

Honorable Mention: Little Miss Sunshine and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert


Beavis and Butthead Do America

"Beavis and Butt-head, on behalf of your fellow Americans I extend my deepest thanks. You exemplify a fine new crop of young Americans who will grow into the leaders of this great country." "Huh huh huh huh. He said, 'extend.'"

They're looking for their stolen TV, but it's really just an excuse to see the vulgar teens quip across the country, from sea to shining sea. With a soundtrack that reeks of 1996's zeitgeist, the movie was an instant classic for the MTV generation. Where else can you see Cornholio's take on the White House tour?

Honorable Mention: Road Trip and Borat: Cultural Learning of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

This is a guest post by a staff writer at http://www.carinsurancequotes.net/

#YAindiecarnival: Barefootin' back in time...

When I read this week's title, I immediately thought of that old 60s song, 'Barefootin' by Robert Parker.  I know it's not exactly a YA topic but it kind of is for me. You see, when I was around 11 / 12 years old, my family and I used to go down to a couple of local bars (called The Bulldog and Natterjacks)  in Armação de Pêra (a seaside town in Algarve, Portugal) every weekend. They used to have music quizzes, pool contests, darts, competitions, sexy legs and knobbly knees contests! Even though there was a lot of drinking by many of the adults (there was also the Yard of Ale contest!), there was a real family atmosphere. But my favourite part of the evening was the music. They played lots of Motown and 60s bubble gum pop and I just loved it! Whenever I hear songs like these, it takes me right back to when I was a Young Adult. Maybe one of these days I will write a fictional book based on my experiences.

Here's the song in Youtube and the lyrics are posted, below:

Everybody get on your feet,

You make me nervous when you in your seat 

Take off your shoes and pat your feet, 

We're doin a dance that can't be beat 

We're barefootin', We're barefootin', 

We're barefootin', We're barefootin', 

Went to a party the other night, 

Long Tall Sally was out of sight 

Threw way her wig, and her high sneakers too, 

She was doin a dance without any shoes 

She was barefootin', She was barefootin', 

She was barefootin', She was barefootin', 

Hey little gal with the red dress on, 

I bet you can barefoot all night long 

Take off your shoes and throw them away, 

Come back and get them another day 

We're barefootin', We're barefootin', 

We're barefootin', We're barefootin', 

Musical interlude 

Lil John Henry he said to Sue, 

If I was barefootin' would you barefoot too 

Sue told John, "I'm thirty two, 

I was barefootin ever since I was two 

They was barefootin', they was barefootin'

They was barefootin'', we barefootin'

We barefootin' we barefootin'

We barefootin' we barefootin'

We barefootin' we barefootin'

We don't have no shoes on

For more barefoot excerpts, shorties or anything else related to being barefoot, check out my awesome fellow carnis...
1. Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series

2. Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3. Heather Self

4. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga 

6. Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 

8. K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9. Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series 

10. Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11. Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey

12. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter  

13. Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy
14. Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga

15. Courtney Cole Writes
16. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.

17. Ella James
18. Maureen Murrish

19. Valerie Sloan
20. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings

Click here for more Indie News:

The Lost Soul book trailer

I figured it was about time I created a book trailer for my latest book, The Lost Soul (a couple of months too late but never mind!). Here it is... I hope you like it!

 

If you're tempted into buying a copy (!), here's the link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Soul-Raven-Saga-ebook/dp/B007NHUEAO