Writing Wild with Verna McKinnon

  Captain Kathryn Janeway     Yes, I admire Captain Kathryn Janeway!  In fact, I love this character and the actress who played her.  I have recently watched all seven seasons of Star Trek Voyager, and my opinions have changed about the show.  I admit, I was not into the show as much when it first aired, but I feel like Star Trek Enterprise. it was underrated.  Also, I do not feel that Captain Janeway gets enough respect.  This woman, this officer was brave, selfless, put the needs of others above her own, and was willing to die if necessary for the greater good.   She had crap to deal with other Star Trek captains did not: like being catapulted into a different part of the galaxy without a compass, dealing with a shipload of cranky Marquis, hostile aliens who never heard of Starfleet or cared,  and no way to call home for some backup.   But this woman not only got her crew home, but in the process of the show's seven year run, she and her crew catalogued massive sc

  Eowyn of the Lord of the Rings novels & films       This week's wonderful heroine in my series covers both literature and film.  In the novels, she was barely touched on until needed, but sill left a solid mark.  In the films that Peter Jackson so brilliantly directed, he gave Eowyn the just attention she deserved.    I mean, really, this woman faced down the Witch-king of Angmar, Lord of the Nazgul!  She destroyed the Witch-king, nearly at the cost of her own life.     Never under estimate a woman.     Eowyn, a most females in heroic fantasy of old, chafed against her role as woman.  She was a warrior at heart and did not need coddling.  A shieldmaiden longing to follow her call into battle.  She feared the prison of her sex, for it kept people from seeing what she really was.  She  was more than a Princess.  More than a niece to King Theoden.  She was a woman who longed to become something special.   It was her destiny.   Eowyn became special, as h

  Sarah Manning, played by the mega talented Tatiana Maslany       Reviewing Orphan Black's characters, particularly Tatiana's multi-faceted performances as  its vast basket of heroines and villains, is hard.  As Tatiana portrays the many clones in the series, I will just have to take one clone at a time.  So for this entry into my heroine series, we begin with the first clone we see in the series, Sarah Manning.  (Is anyone else salivating for season 3-I know I am)   Sarah is a complex character.  A true anti-hero in many ways.  She was not evil, but at the start of the show she is a mess.  She is mixed up with bad things and bad men. She wears tatty punk t-shirts and heavy eyeliner.  She pretends to be someone else ( tragic suicide clone Elizabeth Childs) to get some money and a place to sleep.  She is drifting through life and snatching for bits and pieces.  Sarah has a daughter that she loves, but she did not take her when she took up with one of her low

  Buffy the Vampire Slayer played by Sarah Michelle Gellar       Okay, this may be my favorite guilty pleasure.   What can I say- I love Buffy.  Who else can carry a wooden stake and a lipstick in her purse and look fashionable while kickboxing a vampire's face?  I started watching it out of curiosity when it first air and was prepared to hate it, but it instantly  hooked me.  For the seven wonderful seasons it aired I never stopped loving it-even when the show sideways at times.  The TV show had great casting, from the wonderful Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy to the tweedy Giles played by Anthony Stewart Head.  It had a great combination of humor, suspense, action, drama, and mythology,(which included consistent demon/vampire rules).  Buffy was an innocent girl compelled to face horror and darkness because she was chosen .   The one girl in the world chosen to slay the vampires and demons.  So not fair-the world is filled with these evils and she had to carry this all

The Amazing Amanda Tapping as Samantha Carter of Stargate SG1 Samantha Carter.   I miss seeing her every week on Stargate SG1.  People scream about the lack of good role models for young girls, and yet all you have to do is watch some decent science fiction, people!  That's where they are!  Samantha Carter is one of the best role models for women and young girls anywhere, anytime, any galaxy-and Sam Carter has been to more than a few of them.  For 10 happy years on Stargate SG1, and 1 season on Stargate Atlantis, plus two Stargate films, she ruled as one of the great leading heroines of science fiction. I do not know where to begin in praise of  the fantastic Samantha Carter, one of the major stars of the long running science fiction shows Stargate SGI and Stargate Atlantis.  An Air Force officer, her military rank over the years advanced from Captain, to Major, to Lt. Colonel, Colonel, and finally to Brigadier General.  Oh, and she could also be address as Doctor, since

The wonderful Faye Grant as Juliet Parish of V   In the 80's (1983-85) there was this great miniseries called V.  V was about us, in modern day US, dealing with alien invasion under the guise of "we come in peace." It was also about heroes and the unsung freedom fighters, to which the first mini series was dedicated.  It was also about heroes and villains that arise in such times.  Some people we just look at on the street and would never guess if they would be a great hero in times of great darkness or a sniveling coward collaborator.  The main characters in the series and its sequels & short-lived but beloved show were not soldiers or beings with super powers.  They were just normal people who found courage.  A street kid, factory worker, teacher, journalist, cop, housewife, and more, became heroes when their world was threatened by alien forces beyond their imagining.   I know most of you are more familiar with the recent "reboot" of V, but ch

                                Heroic Women of Speculative Fiction #3                                             Polgara the Sorceress This week, we are moving from TV to the land of literature.  Fantasy is filled with incredible women characters that are a wonderful inspiration.  This week I am reviewing one of my favorites: Polgara the Sorceress. David & Leigh Eddings created a wonderful magical character in his Belgariad and Mallorean series- Polgara the Sorceress.  The series was so popular that it even had spin offs novels just about Belgarath the Sorcerer, and his daughter, Polgara the Sorceress.   I have posted the book cover above because it is one of the better visual examples of Polgara-beautiful, proud, independent, and strong. Polgara is a powerful natural sorceress who has devoted her life to protecting the rightful heir to the Rivan throne in Edding's epic saga.  For those interested, the Belargiad is 5 books and the Mallorean is 5 books, plus the

                                            Commander Susan Ivanova How can you not love Commander Susan Ivanova of Babylon 5?  An officer of great integrity and sacrifice, her character on Babylon 5 was a favorite for many of us-including me.  Her character was strong and thoroughly Russian in character, morose yet determined to do the right thing no matter what the cost  Her humor was dry and if you vexed her, that seething glare would have sent one of the Shadows running for cover.  Do not confront Ivanova in battle, for wrath of god would be inflicted up on you. For those of you out of the loop on Babylon 5 or the era it was filmed (90's era), find the series on DVD and watch it.  It is worth the time to see real science fiction.  There was an evolution in the 80s through the 90's in science fiction and fantasy on TV that is now sadly lost.  Babylon 5 is not flashy, oh look at the pretty special effects science fiction, though the series was one of the first to u

                               Heroic Women in Speculative Fiction   Lt. Uhura                                           What can I say about Uhura of Star Trek?  Goddess of the Federation?  Yes.  Role model to all women?  How can you doubt it.  Iconic? Definitely.  Beautiful and smart?  Always.  Important to all women?  Absolutely!  Even if it took decades to officially give her a first name. Uhura was one of my earliest influences when Star Trek first aired on TV.  Not only was she a woman and an officer, but she was on the bridge of a star ship!  That was cool.  She started out as a Lieutenant but advanced to the rank of Commander over the years.  Uhura was black and female-and portraying a professional women and an officer in an era that did not care to support or advertise women in powerful roles, much less women of color.  It is so important that she was not the maid, which was sadly the type of roles offered to women of color in that time.   Nichelle Nichols was al

Greetings Familiar Friends, As I will be in the process of doing a few polish edits for my new publisher and awaiting updates for the re-release of Gate of Souls from Sky Warrior Books, I decided that I will do a series on some of my favorite female characters in science fiction and fantasy.  These amazing heroines will be from many genres: TV, film, comics, and novels.  I will focus on a new favorite heroine each week.   Heroic females are a mainstay of my writings.   There are many different types of strong women in fantasy, and what makes them strong is not just kickboxing or that they carry swords.  I will do an in depth review of these characters that I love and admire.  These women are part of my inspiration.  I hope they will become yours too.  I also dedicate these weekly heroic females profiles to my fellow geek girls in the world.  You never get the recognition you deserve.  I have always loved science fiction and fantasy.  I read it.  I write it.  I love gaming.  

          Hello Familiar Friends! Great news.  This week I signed contracts with Sky Warrior Books.  My complete Familiar's Tale Trilogy (Gate of Souls, Tree of Bones, Fires of Rapiveshta)  will now be published by Sky Warrior Books. Go to link:   http://www.skywarriorbooks.com/  to check out their great selection  of books.  I am thrilled.  All dates right now are TBA for release dates, but my Familiar''s Tale series has a new home.  I would like to thank Maggie and Larry Bonham of Sky Warrior Books for adding me to their literary family. More news to come soon! Verna McKinnon

Greetings Familiar Friends! The new anthology release of "A Forest of Dreams," edited by Roy C. Booth, is available at Amazon.com.  It features 20 short stories, including my short story, "Dragon Toast." Rick Hipp's (my husband) short story, "Squire William's New Charge," is also part of this diverse collection of tales.  It is a wonderful anthology and the Kindle price is only $2.99.  I just love the cover art!  The  paperback edition is only $9.99!!!  Enjoy the imagination.  More to come soon.  I promise.  There are big changes coming soon.   I hope to have news soon about my Familiar's Tale series. Verna McKinnon

    I have entered the evolutionary state of creating a new novel.   My personal big bang.   I have polished my copy of Bard Maiden of Rhulon .  Now I am moving on to Blood of the Unicorn .  That involves a lot of work and the painstaking new mind set.  It is not just a simple template of a new novel with new characters that I build a book on.  A fresh novel takes a mental adjustment  New characters with fresh and often painful or wicked histories, different worlds (I am addicted to doing tales in a secondary world), new landscapes and kingdoms.  There is a bonding process when its all new that is often tricky.  It's odd at first.  You are working with strangers, essentially.  You make notes and character profiles, but they are not developed in your mind yet.  That comes with the writing.  For me, the characters tend to evolve as I write, which brings a number of changes to the characters and story even as I go.  No matter how much preparation I do, things change.  It is

Hello Familiar Friends, There is a transition on shifting from writing one novel to working on another is hard.  I finished Bard Maiden of Rhulon and also completed a  thorough polish edit on the novel as well.  Along with sending out queries to agents for my book, I should be roaring to go to work on my new novel endeavor- Blood of the Unicorn .   Sadly, my energy level is in a slump.  I cannot seem to activate.  I would like to add that I do not believe in traditional writer's block.   I do believe in fear and panic, however.  I have all the basics.  A template of the new world and characters.  I even changed some names to spice up things.  I have a synopsis and outline of story as to what new novel should be.  I have my pretty new folder with my notes and character grid.  Why can't I move forward?  Do I miss Rose and Meg? (my main characters in Bard Maiden of Rhulon).  My ability to shift is unusually difficult.   ARGH.   Also, I have given up Starbucks on a daily

Dear Familiar Friends, Once again I am reminded why I have stopped watching any award shows, especially snobby and pretentious US based award shows (Emmy, Oscar, and others) because they often neglect to nominate people or shows truly worthy.  Though I am always tickled with joy to see Peter Dinklage nominated because be is a truly great actor, most of what the Emmy awards nominate are basic bland shows.  If it is about a serial killer or politics or drug dealing-they accept that fine.  Their idea of edgy is to reward a show about a guy making meth.  I do not care how good the so-called writing is.   I have no interest in watching a show where the bad guys are central focus and the main protagonist.  Everything the academy votes for is general bland drama like lawyer shows and period dramas with corsets.   Now I did live Downton Abbey.  That love ended in season 3 finale.  There is no point in watching it anymore.   An actor wants to leave and they kill him.  Now I simply so not care

Greetings Familiar Friends, I decided to watch a new show on HBO to see if it was worth anything.  It's called "The Leftovers."  Great cast.   My condolences to them.  As far as the show goes-Don't Bother!  Seriously, save yourself an hour of bloated anquish.  I think I will cancel HBO for this one.  More later.  -Verna

Before I dive into my review of the second season finale, let me first say-SPOILER ALERT!  So be warned as I will be talking about things that happened in that episode and the season itself. First of all, let me say that I started watching Orphan Black almost by accident.  I am often so put off my what is considered science fiction now on TV, that I almost missed this gem.  It was on BBC one afternoon when I was being truant from my own writing.  Even though the season was part way through, I was mesmerized.  Pulling off contemporary science fiction is not easy.  Most of what the networks try to feed us is just junk with vague scifi or supernatural threads or synthetic pretty people.   After watching that episode of Orphan Black (it was episode 5) I checked my on demand on BBC and watched all the other episodes in order.  I was hooked.   Not only is Tatiana Maslany a superb actress who can pull off so many characters in the show with apparent ease like a goddess, but the writing

Greetings-just a visual opinion about my role models and what today's girl has as a feminist or independent woman role model. This is a collection of some of my most inspirational role models.   Below is what most girls look to as feminist role model   I think I have made my point  

Hello Familiar Friends, I have finished a new novel, which is a different novel series from Familiar's Tale, but still exciting with strong female heroes that do not rely on boyfriends for their existence in the tale.  I am now researching agents to submit to.  A daunting task indeed.  Wish me good fortune.  I now understand why so many writers drink.  The writing part is the fun and easy portion of this brutal game of novels. Also, I have decided to make the first Familiar's Tale series a trilogy (was 4 books) which I think will work much better for the story.   I am stalking my publisher to get Tree of Bones released by September.   Wish me luck.  I have another trilogy planned for my wonderful Familiar's Tale characters, but I need to get the first trilogy off the ground. I am also working on another potential trilogy,"Twilight of the Unicorn."   It will not sparkle, I assure you.  There will be darkness, MAGIC and damaged heroes.  More to come.  NO

Greetings! It has been awhile, but I have been busy.  I know I vanished from sight, but writing can be like a possession.  And it was.  But I was genuinely busy-writing 96,000 words in 3 months busy.  But the novel I am working on is merely 1 chapter away from completion.  ONE CHAPTER!  Then the book is done.  I do massive amounts of edits over each chapter before going on to next, so what I have will be pretty solid with just some tightening and spruce up needed here and there.  Am I hopped up on caffeine and buggy-eyed?  Yes, but I'm still cute so it works for me. As for my 2nd novel in my Familiar's Tale book series, Tree of Bones ,  (which was written in 2008) my publisher Joe at Aberrant Dreams has assured me that it will be out by September 2014.    We have a wonderful new artist for  the book cover.  I look forward to the release with more anticipation than you realize.   If Tree of Bones is finally released-if it does finally happen, this will be my reaction.     

Hello Familiar Friends! Am still like the mad hatter typing away, but a tired mad hatter.  Am writing with fury when not working at my day job.  Just wrote a scary goblin wedding scene.  More to come.  Think good thoughts that I retain my sanity as I finish this project.  I am so exhausted, like a sleepy owl in daytime.  My characters are tried too but they are rallying to the call of the author.  So tired-I need caffeine.  And chocolate.  Cheers, Verna McKinnon

Time running out.  Have personal (sort of) deadline to finish novel.  Cannot amuse you all this week, but next week will be back.  I promise.  Need more Starbucks.  Writing next chapter.  And the next...and the next...to infinity.  Bye. - Verna

Yep-that's where I'm at.  I am working to step up my writing process after I got lazy last week.  I was zoned unto the flow and my story was running smoothly until I got distracted with the demands of being human (work, sleep, applying mascara)  It is a fault I have and must amend as I have a goal to finish a certain book project quickly.   I feel a bit annoyed with myself.  I have been eating way too many chocolate chip cookies and haunted by book chapters demanding my hand.  My inner wolf is vexed with me as you can see: On a different plane, my publisher promises me some real headway with book cover art for Tree of Bones and I should see something by next month.   As I am behind schedule with the current novel I am slaving over I must bid you all a fond farewell until I find my way back to the blog.  I must now figure out a way for my heroine to be cured of mystical infection after being bitten by a changeling.  Nasty creatures! Verna McKinnon

Greetings and Happy St. Patrick's Day! Yes, I am wearing green, being mostly Irish.  On this happy Irish day, I shall import a little Celtic wisdom to any aspiring or newly published writers. In my years of writing and and the goal to be published, I have met and even become friends with several well known and even legendary authors at various conventions and workshops over time.  On the whole, these people are wonderful, kind, friendly, supportive of your writing goals, and happy for any success you may have.  They make you feel like part of a literary family.  It is a usually a positive and inspiring experience.   The warmth and genuine support of your fellow writer is great.    I love these people.  BUT-you must know that there is always a bad apple in the basket somewhere and you could experience a nasty encounter with someone who is not the usual warm and supportive author. This happened to me only once, and the strange thing is this writer was just newly published 

  Hello Familiar Friends!     I am currently a bit frenzied right now, as I am in a the wonderful and mystical state of writing flow.  The flow is a blissful and yet frenetic state of being.  Your book is whole in your mind, the story a rushing river through your brain synapses firing off events and conflicts and plot twists.  It means writing too, the actual process where I sit at my keyboard and type the tale.    The state of getting there is a series of events that involve struggling through the first 3 chapters, character and story outlines, background and organization, piles of  scribbled notes on pastel sticky pads.  You go from having a notebook of interesting ideas and 3 rough chapters to something solid and viable.   This is good.   But it also demands attention and discipline now.  It demands the process to write.  No procrastination of watching Castle or Orphan Black, no tomorrow promises or I need a facial.  It is the stage where you must WRITE!   It is