THE BALANCED LIFE NO. 8

Posted on March 11, 2014 by peggylchambers

fountain pen    My palms sweat, my heart flutters and I try to remain outwardly calm. Inside I am a raging volcano.  I’m incredibly excited about my first ever book signing!  I’m practicing my signature so you can read it.  I keep trying different pens to see which one is best (I think I like the gel pens because I don’t have enough flair in my signature for a Flair pen).

I made an event on Facebook, sent a press release to the newspaper, and I am sure it will hit the front page of the Sunday edition, and I printed up posters for Hastings’ front door.   I’ve picked out my outfit. Now what?  I need to relax. I need to get on with my life and get back to writing the three books waiting patiently on my computer that are being neglected.

I’m a writer.  I am driven to write and put on paper things others don’t see.  Or they see them, but not with the artists eye.  I want to be the best of the best, so I practice my craft and strive to show how interesting life is – not just drift through it trudging to work each day for someone else. I want to hold a mirror up to the world and say, “look at what is happening around you – the world is beautiful, or the world is sad, or heartbreaking, or horrific,” but never mundane.  I want to leave a legacy – to be remembered.

No wonder I’m nervous about the book signing.  I set the bar a little high.

In my quest for balance in my life this year I am planning to do more writing for myself and less for contests.  I’ve learned a lot from contests but even more from my fellow writers, editors and publishers.   The support I get from the writers in the Enid Writers’ Club, Oklahoma Writers Federation  and Oklahoma Women Bloggers has shoved me over the edge into a new world of writing.

It’s Saturday March 15, 2014 from 6 -8 at Hastings in Enid.  Wish me luck!    1009952_10151834907161920_2018758238_n

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THE BALANCED LIFE NO. 7

Posted on March 3, 2014 by peggylchambers

workshop    Yesterday was a great example of a balancing act. The Enid Writers’ Club hosted their first (since I’ve been a member) writer’s workshop and it was a great success!  I know some of the long-standing members have done this before, but it was my maiden voyage.  Thanks go out to co-chairs Lucie Smoker and Chantell Tiatrakul, and all the other members who worked their fingers to the bone.  Everyone had a job, and everyone did them well.

Dusty    We had a great line up: New York Times Best Selling new adult author, Jamie McGuire, Harper Teen young adult author Tara Hudson, Spur Award winning western author Dusty Richards, NWOSU professor  Dr. Shawn Holliday, Christian romance author Darlene Shortridge, and Enid Writers’ Club poet Marsha Kay Oldham presenting throughout the day in their own unique way. There was lots of Q and A time available so you could get to know the author and their distinct brand of writing.  Tara

Lunch was provided, and the group of 50 plus was large enough to provide a variety of genres while remaining intimate enough to allow the participants to discuss writing with someone who actually does it for a living.  Books were sold, ideas exchanged, and friendships begun or rekindled.  hudson mcguire

I can’t wait to do it again!  Thanks to all who participated and if you would like to pursue your love of writing, please come to a meeting where you will find like minds.  The Enid Writing Club meets the first Thursday of each month at NWOSU in Enid.  Check out our website at   http://enidwriters.com/ .  We’d love to see you!

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INTERVIEW WTH ARTIST ZACHARY BRUNNER

Posted on February 23, 2014 by peggylchambers

Zach

I’ve talked before about the fantastic art work included in my book The Apocalypse Sucks.  Airship 27 Productions commissioned artist Zachary Brunner to illustrate the inside of the book.  Zach is a New York-based illustrator, working in concept art and comic books. He specializes in character design.

When he agreed to answer a few of my questions, I wanted to ask something new.  I’ve probably failed.  But he was gracious enough to answer my questions anyway.  I am in such awe of this kind of talent so I’ve provided a sneak peak at some of the illustrations he did for the book.

So, Zach:

PC:  How would you describe your art?   roof1

ZB:  It’s hard to describe my art because I think it is constantly changing.  I guess overall it’s bold, stylized, at times, a little cartoonish, other times dark and creepy.  

PC:  What drew you to your type of art originally?

ZB:  Well I first started drawing by tracing old X-men comic books.  I loved Joe Madureira’s art style and wanted to be just like him.  My own style evolved from that and also a strong love for Tim Burton’s dark and creepy design sense.

PC:  When did you first realize you wanted to be an artist?

ZB:  I don’t think I ever had a moment of realization.  I’ve been drawing literally as long as I remember.  I have memories from when I was about three years old, sitting at my tiny, bright yellow and blue  drawing desk coloring Wizard of Oz characters with crayons. It was just always the most obvious path for me. 

PC:  How do you come up with the ideas for the characters you draw?    fish

ZB:  Well it depends on the projects.  If I’m creating a character for someone else, I research the character, the time period they live in, what they’ve gone through, and what their character needs in the story.  If it’s for myself, characters evolve from things that inspire me, such as shapes, textures, silhouettes, and poses.

PC:  What new project are you working on now?

ZB:  I am currently working on “The Green Ghost,” which is another Airship 27 Production, “The Ballad of Silver John,” a graphic novel written by Jim Beard, “Advent Saga,” a trading card game, and I am producing a short animated film titled “Essence,” directed by Sari Rodrig. 

PC:  What has been your most creative and fun project to date?

ZB:  It’s hard to pick just one, since different types of projects allow for different types of creativity and fun.  I think designing “Essence,” the short film by Sari Rodrig, and “Brother,” her previous short film, were some of the most interesting.  Since they are animated films, everything needs to be designed, from entire towns down to the tiniest of facial features and textures. 

PC:  Where do you see yourself in five years? What would you like to be doing?

ZB:  Hopefully I’ll still be doing what I’m doing now, but with some bigger clients and a few more published books.

Well, I’ll bet he will be much bigger in five years than he is now and I am happy to have been one of his first clients.  Thanks Zach and best of luck!

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THE BALANCED LIFE NO. 6

Posted on February 17, 2014 by peggylchambers

1009952_10151834907161920_2018758238_n    I’m still working on balance.  Balance in my personal life, my physical life, and my artistic life.  Last week I had a wonderful experience; the publishing of The Apocalypse Sucks.  Publishing a book is almost like the birth of a child.  I have two kids and don’t think the labor for either one of them was a hard as writing is sometimes.  No, I don’t love my books more than my kids (you know I had to say that), but becoming a published author is still a dream come true.

I originally wrote the short story Bra Wars and it was e-published by Buzz Books USA.  Five more stories were then written to go with the first.  They were never published.  When I met Ron Fortier and Rob Davis of Airship 27 Productions at the OWFI conference last year, I thought maybe the six stories combined into a novel would lend themselves to a different market and I was off and running into the pulp fiction/graphic novel world.

I write other genres.  I have a mainstream suspense novel coming out this year with The Wild Rose Press called Secrets of Sandhill Island and a middle reader self-published for the Kindle titled Glome’s Valley, but I think I had more fun writing the pulp fiction than anything I have written so far.  If you know me, you already know my sense of humor is a little skewed.  I write children’s books all the while I am a BIG Steven King fan.  Sorry kids.  Hopefully, I can keep these ideas compartmentalized.

There are at least three novels sitting unfinished on my computer at all times and I hope to be able to write long past the time I end up in a nursing home.  It gives me great pleasure to share my crazy ideas with the world and I think my kids would approve of that.

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READY FOR SOMETHING NEW?

Posted on February 12, 2014 by peggylchambers

cover     Airship 27 Productions is thrilled to be announcing the release of their latest New Pulp title, THE APOCALYPSE SUCKS by Peggy Chambers.

Sandra and Molly were two typical office workers enjoying their lives which consisted primarily of going to work, shopping and looking for cute guys.  Then their world came to a disastrous end brought about by a fast acting, airborne virus that decimated the majority of the world’s population.

Now the girls live in the abandoned office building in which they once worked surrounded by a new and dangerous landscape; one where mutated animals roam the streets and giant birds soar through the empty skies; where frightening humanoid bat creatures have appeared to challenge humans for supremacy of the earth.

What are two attractive, intelligent, single girls suppose to do now…other than merely hunt for food and try to stay alive?  Well, there are still malls, albeit much less crowded, and though rare, a few cute guys still out there.  So even if the apocalypse sucks, Sandra and Molly are not about to let it cramp their style.

“We are always looking for the new and innovative in pulp fiction,” says Airship 27 Productions Managing Editor, Ron Fortier.  “When Peggy sent me a letter of inquiry detailing the plot outline, I knew I had to read it to see if it was as much fun as her description led me to believe.”  Fortier was delighted with the finished manuscript and immediately accepted it for publication as something truly original in New Pulp today.

Writer Peggy Chambers offers up a truly unique, twisty adventure with two of the most likeable heroines you’ll ever meet.  With a stunning cover by Pulp Factory Award Nominated artist Andy Fish and superb interior illustrations by Zachary Brunner,  “The Apocalypse Sucks,” is a pulp mash-up readers are sure to enjoy from cover to cover.

Now Available at Amazon in hard copy and soon on Kindle

(http://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Sucks-Peggy-Chambers/dp/0615969410/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392160464&sr=1-1&keywords=THE+APOCALYPSE+SUCKS+Peggy+Chambers)

And as a $3 PDF Download at our Website.

(http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html)

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THE BALANCED LIFE NO. 6

Posted on February 10, 2014 by peggylchambers

flier3 color     In keeping with my views on balance this year, I would like to announce a very balanced writing workshop hosted by the Enid Writers’ Club.  We are calling it The Story: A Craft of Writing Seminar and all  area writers are welcome.

It is our hope that The Story, A Craft of Writing Seminar will empower area writers to improve their skills on Saturday, March 1, 2014, on the campus of Northern Oklahoma College in Enid in the Gantz Center, Rooms A-C.  Registration for the seminar will begin at 9:00 and features three keynote speakers as well as other outstanding authors:

NY Times Best-selling Author
Jamie McGuire

“Characters to Love and Love to Hate”

HarperTeen Author
Tara Hudson

“Making Your Fantastical Settling Feel Real”

Pinnacle Western Author
Dusty Richards

“We All Sat in the Front Row without a Book to our Name”

Shawn Holliday, PhD

“Writing Life An Approach to Authoring (Auto)Biographies”

Darlene Shortridge

“Kiss and Tell: Writing Romance for Today’s Christian Market”

Marsha Kay Oldham

“Poetic  Rhythms”

Panel discussion with visiting authors

“The Relevance of Craft”

There will be a catered lunch, book sales, and informal author chat rooms

Registration:  $30 plus lunch;

Half price for students, active duty military and NOC faculty with ID

$25 plus lunch if before 5 p.m., February 15, 2014. 

We’d love for you to join us!!!!!!

See http://enidwriters.com/ for more information as it becomes available.

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THE BALANCED LIFE NO. 5

Posted on February 3, 2014 by peggylchambers

balance (1)    Five years ago I had my second back surgery.  I don’t want to have a third.  Surgery and drugs can really take a toll on your back, legs, nerves, and muscles.  It was afterward that I learned about physical therapy, Pilates and core strength.  Now I attend a class at the YMCA twice a week for core strength and balance.

I’ve learned a lot about the correlation between core strength and balance in my little class at the Y.  My instructor thinks she is a drill sergeant and if you can do one hundred sit ups on the balance ball, she is convinced you can do two hundred next week.

I always thought I lacked balance because of an inner ear problem.  The inner ear does have something to do with balance, but in my case it was because I didn’t depend upon the muscles of my core to take care of me.  They were flabby and out of shape and I never really tried very hard to strengthen them.

I found a great way to cultivate balance is on a balance ball.  These large blow up balls are cheap and a great way to sit and watch TV in the evening forcing you to improve your posture.  They are great for push-ups and sit ups without hurting your back and all the while working the side muscles of the abs at the same time.  Your body has to work extra hard to keep from slipping off the ball while you sit up.

There are also ways to work on your balance doing everyday chores.  For example, stand on one foot while you brush your teeth or cook dinner.  When you drop something small lean over and pick it up with one foot off the floor.  Practice putting your pants on in the morning while standing on one foot and lifting the other to step into the pants instead of sitting down.  Be sure to suck in your belly before you do these moves to protect your back.  Your body will thank you in the long run.  You will be strengthening your legs as well as that flabby core.

Physical balance is important in life as well as mental and emotional balance.  What do you do to improve your physical balance – let’s discuss it.

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THE BALANCED LIFE NO. 4

Posted on January 29, 2014 by peggylchambers

elephant    I’m out of balance again.  But this time it is a good thing.  I’ve been bowled over by the talent I’ve been introduced to by Airship 27 Productions.  My book, The Apocalypse Sucks, will be out shortly.  The two artists that illustrated the inside and the outside of the book have made it look fantastic!  I hope you enjoy their work as much as I have.  Be sure to check out Andy Fish, the color artist that created the cover of the book at www.andyfish.com  and Zachary Brunner the inside illustrator at http://cargocollective.com/zbrunner .

This is the first time I have attempted pulp fiction.  I enjoyed writing this funny little story and it has grown by leaps and bounds since the first night I sat down after a window washer hit the window of my office on the 15th floor.  I think I peed a little!  But really, the story has taken on a life of its own.

I’ve run the story past friends, family, co-workers, and writer’s club members. I’ve taken their ideas and suggestions and crafted what I think is a fun book.   What would you do if you survived a virus that took out most of the world and you were left to live with a co-worker you could not stand to be around?  Sandra and Molly learned not only to live together but to do it with style.

Yes, I am out of balance because I am so excited about the new book and love the artwork that accompanies it.  But it is the kind of imbalance I can live with.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

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THE BALANCED LIFE NO. 3

Posted on January 20, 2014 by peggylchambers

candle flame    I spent Saturday doing absolutely nothing but what I wanted to do.  That meant to balance things out I had to work extra hard on Sunday to finish things.  Cleaning, laundry, shopping all the things you do on the weekend because you work during the week.  I planned the menu and bought the groceries.  Then found out they wouldn’t fit into the frig until it was cleaned out.  Was this what I was thinking about when I said I wanted a balanced life this year?

Not really.  I want to maintain my sanity all the while writing, publishing and marketing my books.  I want to eat a balanced diet, work out when I can, and watch the pounds melt away.  I want to be a good wife, mother, friend and writer.   I want to do this with all the grace I can muster and still bring in a little money from the day job.  You know just in case I don’t make the Best Seller List.

I think I may have to start to meditate if I am going to keep all these balls in the air.  I’ve never done much meditation, but it seemed the Mayo Clinic had a good idea by staring at a candle while you relax and breathe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2e_p7b4KaQ I visit this website when things get too crazy. It is simple yet effective.  I know that when I try to do it all, I don’t do anything well.  I don’t have time for the activities I have taken on, and then become grumpy and hard to deal with.  I feel I have been pushed into things, when it was my idea to do it in the first place.

Balance.  Is it an attainable goal?  Can I really learn to do all the things in my life that I want and do them justice?  Maybe if I keep my eye on the prize and balance my day, I can balance my life.  It is worth a try. What do you do to bring balance into your life?  Let’s discuss it.

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THE BALANCED LIFE – NO. 2

Posted on January 13, 2014 by peggylchambers

balanced rocks    My self imposed mandated life is already out of balance.  I took on too much again.  But, if I didn’t I wouldn’t be me.  I love constantly being involved in things, and then I get overwhelmed.

First on my list of great things to do are two new books.  And I can’t wait! They are both at the publisher and being prepared for release sometime this year.  That means that they are going through the edit process and one of them is with the artist for illustrations. Check out Zachary Brunner at http://cargocollective.com/zbrunner.

I signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press http://wildrosepublishing.com to publish “Secrets of Sandhill Island” – a great mainstream thriller novel about a woman who lives as a hermit on an island off the coast of Texas.  I can’t wait for its release, and I sat down last night going over potential covers.  How fun is that?

The second book is being published by Airship 27 http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/index.airshipHangar.html and is called “The Apocalypse Sucks.”  It is a dark dystopian comedy set in the future.  A virus has wiped out most of humanity and mutations have taken place.  Scary, huh?  Not really, I mean if you can’t make fun of the apocalypse, what can you make fun of?

My local writing club is hosting a workshop on March 1st in Enid called “The Story” and I have jobs to do for that seminar. Check out our website for more information, http://enidwriters.com/  We are six weeks away, so the pressure is on.

I have entries due for the OWFI contest and I am polishing them with help from my writers’ club.

And then there is the day time job.

So, what to do? What to do?  I had to get organized and at the same time cut myself some slack. First I decided that the critique group scheduled to meet at my home would be moved to a local coffee house.  That way I didn’t have to clean off the bar and make snacks. No, I’m not lazy, I’m overwhelmed!

Second I called a good friend and asked her if she would make reservations for our hotel room for the convention.  I had earlier said I would do it. And of course she graciously agreed. (Thank you Bobbie!)

Organization and a change of venue seemed to be the way to go for me to get back in balance.  I have a lot of balls in the air.  But as I said, that is how I like it.  Am I balanced?  Hard to tell, but I love what I am doing and that in its self is a type of balance.  Finding the exact recipe for loving what you do and at the same time doing what you have to do is my quest this year.  What is yours?

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