Welcome to Wild Card Wednesday. I rarely talk about my fiction writing, but this post is an exception to the rule.
Today is special because it’s the official launch of Tales From The Mist, a spooky paranormal anthology by members of the W2GE Street Team.
Tales From the Mist is special to me because my short story HASTE is part of it. This is the very first thing I’ve published–other than my blog.
I have this weird ball of exhilaration and fear sitting in my stomach. Maybe I’ll puke later. For now, let’s get down to business.
First, let me make a quick announcement. The authors of Tales From the Mist are hosting a blog hop and scavenger hunt. Those who enter will be eligible to win one of three $20 Amazon Gift Cards. At the end of this post, look for instructions.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let me tell you about HASTE and why I wrote it. Then, I’ll share a sample of the story.
Why I Wrote HASTE
HASTE is about rage and consequences.
I can’t count how many times I’ve wished I could turn back the clock because I let my temper get the best of me. Usually, I wish I could take back something I’ve said. I can be rather sharp tongued. This is why internet socializing suits me so well. I have time to think about everything I’m saying before I hit send.
The main character of HASTE commits a double murder in a fit of rage. As events unfold, she has plenty of time to think about the old saying
Act in haste. Repent at leisure.
Every action has consequence. The legal system metes out a great deal of consequence. However, I also believe in the concept of karma delivering consequences.
Scavenger Hunt!
It is possible to wiggle out of the legal system’s clutches. But it is impossible to cheat karma when she comes to collect.
The main character of HASTE learns this the hard way.
Drumroll…
To read the sample of HASTE, click right here. The link will open in a new window, and you’ll be able to read the first scene of HASTE.
When you’re finished, come back here and get started on the scavenger hunt.
[Catie's Note: I've put the sample for HASTE on another page because I refrain from using dirty words here on my blog. I do not, however, refrain from using foul language in my fiction writing. There's only so far I'll go for the sake of decorum.]
Special thanks to my good buddy and fellow writer Greg Carrico who set this up for me.
Purchase Tales From the Mist at any of the following retailers:
How the Scavenger Hunt Works:
- Visit the 11 participating authors’ blogs between October 17-18, 2012. (Links are below)
- Look for the picture that doesn’t fit. The one here is marked Scavenger Hunt. At other blogs, look for things like a haunted house, Lilith, a bookstore, a lady under water, calla lilies, a cemetery, a light switch, coffin, a dead woman… and a rat.
- Make note of what blog you saw which picture on.
- Enter the information you collected on rafflecopter at the BBB Blog.
Links for the Blog Hop and Scavenger Hunt
*lizzie starr~~starrwords www.starrwords.blogspot.com
Tamara Ward: Cozy Mysteries, Crazy Life www.authortamaraward.blogspot.com
Natalie G. Owens: No rules. No formulas www.nataliegowens.com
Meredith Bond, Magical Romance www.meredithbond.com/blog/posts
Stacey Joy Netzel www.staceyjoynetzel.blogspot.com
Cate Dean – writing on the edge of reality – www.catedeanwrites.com/blog
Mitzi Flyte www.mitziflyte.com
Rhonda Hopkins – Where Reality & Fiction Collide http://rhondahopkins.com/blog/
Greg Carrico-Live the Story www.gramico.com/blog
Marty Young www.martyyoung.com/from-out-of-the-mist/
Beach Book Blast! www.beachbookblast.blogspot.com (This is where you’ll go to enter your “answers” into the rafflecopter.)
So I talked about a lot of things here today. Perhaps the most interesting is consequences. Do you believe in the concept of karma or do you think people who don’t get caught by the proper authorities get off scott free?
I hope you all enjoyed the sample of HASTE. Please do participate in the scavenger hunt. It could result in $20 to spend as you wish on Amazon.
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sheridegrom - From the literary and legislative trenches. said:
Time to leave more lights on at my house for these spooky reads.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Hope you enjoy the anthology, Sheri!
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Julie Glover said:
I don’t call it karma; I call it the justice of God. But yeah, I think you reap what you sow, one way or another. We usually want to see outward consequences for wrongdoing, but sometimes justice (or karma) is more subtle. I like that you chose that as your theme. In some ways, that’s the focus of the first novel I wrote as well.
And I did not click on the link, Catie, because I already bought the book!
Looking forward to reading it on my Nook very soon! Congratulations on its release.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Justice of God is definitely another good way to put it. I love the Wiccan concept of this. It states that whatever you put out into the universe, you will get it back time three (or something along those lines).
You bought Tales From The Mist?! I can’t believe it. It has GORE. That’s why I didn’t even ask you to beta read HASTE. LMAO
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August McLaughlin said:
Congrats, Catie! I love that you took a personal tendency and paired it with a “what if.” Sounds like a fascinating tale, and I wish you oodles of success.
I do believe in karma. Whenever we do something negative or harmful, to ourselves or others, it affects how we think, feel and maneuver—whether we’re of it aware or not. Similarly, an act of kindness uplifts us, prompting us to keep the warmth ball rolling. And there’s something to be said for attracting the energy we radiate.
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Catie Rhodes said:
You’ve raised a good point. Negativity affects how we think and maneuver, even if we don’t realize it. There’s also something to be said for being able to suffer grievances with humility. We can eat ourselves up being angry at other people. Being positive and finding your own happiness is medicine in itself.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Patricia Yager Delagrange said:
I’m going to stop right here and get my Nook and buy the anthology so I can read Haste. I’m so excited. Cool!
Patti
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Catie Rhodes said:
Oh, you’re buying it?! How cool! Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy the anthology.
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livrancourt said:
Congrats on your release day! Your excerpt is awesome, dirty words and all.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Thanks for your kind words. They mean a lot, especially coming from such an accomplished author.
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Stacy Green said:
Congrats! Haste is a great story – it’s not only scary but the idea is something a lot of us can relate to. God knows I’ve done plenty of stupid things on impulse. The anthology is full of great, creepy stories from talented authors, so I hope everyone checks it out.
Enjoy the ride today!
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Catie Rhodes said:
Stacy, as always, I appreciate your contributions to my fiction. You call me on it when I’m shying away from the horror and not giving my reader the full monty. LOL
Glad you enjoyed the anthology as a whole.
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Gregory Carrico said:
Congratulations on your excellent story, Catie. Haste truly is one of my favorite short stories ever.
Karma, God, whatever you choose to call it, I like to think that people get what they deserve, but as you pointed out, some folks do get away with it. That’s why it’s so satisfying to create justice in our stories.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Thank you, Greg! That means a lot coming from you. I loved Giles and was so sorry about the way things ended up for him (even though I was laughing).
You know, I wonder if folks really do get away with it. I have a story about this. I can’t share it here, but remind me and I’ll tell you privately sometime.
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twbrown said:
Kudos, Catie on such an enjoyable story. HASTE was super-groovy and I actually handed my Kindle to my wife after reading your story and said, “You gotta read this one!” I sat there watching her eyes and waiting…it was great seeing her get to the end. All of your fellow writers should be proud.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Todd, I really admire your writing. Having you say you enjoyed HASTE means a lot to me. My goal is definitely to be able to hook people like you do. Thank you for your kind words.
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Tiffany A White said:
Happy Release Day, Catie!! I am so excited for you!!
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Catie Rhodes said:
Thank you! You’re a great friend!
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Emma said:
Exciting. Congrats, Catie. Love the book cover and enjoyed that little snippet from Haste. It felt gritty and real.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Thanks for your kind words, Emma. It gives me a good feeling that you enjoyed the excerpt.
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Jennette Marie Powell said:
Karma, God’s wrath, or whatever you want to call it – I believe sometimes, it lies in wait for years – maybe never comes back in an obvious way, but I do think what goes around, comes around, eventually.
“Haste” was a fantastic story! I think it worked so well because it showed a darker side that we all have, and the consequences of letting it out. Because she was so relatable, the main character was sympathetic, yet at the same time eerily repulsive.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Jennette, I believe that too. Just when you think you’ve gotten away with it, Karma comes back to bite you on the butt. And, as you say, it might be obvious or directly related to what you did.
I am so happy you enjoyed HASTE. That just makes my day. Meg is repulsive, but I totally understood her feelings of not wanting to get caught and wanting to get off scott-free. I think we are all like that–even if he didn’t do something as heinous as commit a murder.
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David N. Walker said:
Congratulations on your first published work, Catie. Now I want to see a full-length novel or true crime story from you. I know you’ve got many of them in you. Just let them out.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Thanks for the words of encouragement, David. They are very appreciated.
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alandhopewell said:
I am a believer in God’s justice; you reap what you sow. I also believe that God sometimes uses us as instruments of His justice.
The ancient Greeks believed in Nemesis, a spirit that hounded the unpunished evildoer, until the malefactor surrendered, took his own life, or, sometimes, fell at the hands of Nemesis.
In fiction, characters such as the Spectre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_(comics)
The Spider
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_(pulp_fiction)
and the Executioner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Executioner_(book_series)
embody the spirit of Nemesis.
Loved the sample!
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Catie Rhodes said:
I learn something new from you every time we talk, Alan. I had never heard of Nemesis before today. So glad you liked the sample. Thanks for your kind words.
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borntolie said:
Congrats! I’ll be picking up the book just as soon as my daughter is done watching Elmo’s World on my kindle
I firmly don’t believe in karma, as justice/fairness/right and wrong are all human created constructs that. It’s a nice thought that the people who hurt us will be hurt in turn, but it’s just not something I can believe in. Won’t stop me from enjoying a story based around the idea though
I don’t believe a charm bracelet and some pseudo Latin will create a bullet proof barrier, but I love the Dresden Files.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Hope you enjoy the short stories. I think the anthology is neat because you have a lot of different styles and approaches all in one book.
As for not believing in karma, it’s all good. That we all believe something different is part of what makes the world such a random and interesting place.
Wanna hear a true confession? Until you mentioned the Dresden files just now, I had forgotten all about Harry Dresden and his cool world. It’s been ages since I’ve read a Dresden book.
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Mel Bourn (@MelCamino5) said:
Thanks for being on a cute little hop! I love it! Congrats on the new release! Anthologies are like the jackpot of books.
Absolutely! I do believe in karma. It can both good and bad. It seems like Karma has a sense of humor…sometimes it hits when you least expect it…but you know when it does.
mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
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Catie Rhodes said:
Mel–thanks for stopping by and great to meet you. I agree with you that Karma has a sense of humor. Just when you think it’s safe to go back in the water…bam! LOL
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Donna Coe-Velleman said:
I’m along the same lines as August.
Thank you Alan, I never heard of Nemsis – intriguing.
And to you Catie, I’m sure this is just the start of something big. : )
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Catie Rhodes said:
Oh, Donna! Thanks for the kind words and for your unending support. I have been so impressed with the friends I’ve made int he writing community. Also…I am so glad you hadn’t heard of Nemesis either. Makes me feel less uninformed.
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allysonbb said:
Karma to me really seems more like consequences of your actions weither good or bad! You make your bed you have to lie in! But in the end Gods opinion is the one that matters!
Congratulations on your new release, I can’t wait to read it:)
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Catie Rhodes said:
Yes! You pegged my concept of karma in just a few simple words–Bed. Made. Lie.
Hope you enjoy the anthology.
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Becky Ward said:
Congrats on your release! I’m looking forward to reading all of the stories in Tales From The Mist.
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Catie Rhodes said:
I hope you enjoy the anthology. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment.
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Gene Lempp said:
Congrats, Catie! Can’t wait to read this, love the “Act in haste. Repent at leisure.” line, beautifully intriguing
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Catie Rhodes said:
Thanks for your encouraging words, Gene! I hope you enjoy Tales From the Mist. Be sure to get in on the scavenger hunt. Entries close at the end of today.
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alandhopewell said:
CATIE- are y’all going to put TALES FROM THE MIST out as a regular book, with pages, with covers, even? I don’t have a Kindle, or any such thing, and besides, I’d like the Library here in Whitney to buy a copy.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Alan, there is a print copy.
http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Mist-Rhonda-Hopkins/dp/1480036706/ref=la_B009L8GWIG_1_1_title_0_main?ie=UTF8&qid=1350584430&sr=1-1
I am not sure why it doesn’t show up with the Kindle version.
Thanks for your interest!
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Catie Rhodes said:
And one other thing, Alan. You can use your computer to read Kindle and Nook books. You can also purchase a PDF of the book via Smashwords and read it on your computer. Now, that may be something you absolutely, positively don’t want to do. But the option is there.
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alandhopewell said:
When I can afford my own computer, I might do that!
Presently, I’m using a library terminal.
Thanks for the link! The Librarian (who reads FTBB, BTW) now has the information to order the book.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Very cool, Alan–both about the librarian being willing to consider ordering Tales From the Mist and that she reads Full Tilt Backwoods Boogie. I feel very flattered right now.
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Kassandra Lamb said:
Oh, I love scavenger hunts, but I was so busy yesterday and today that I’m just now catching up. Oh well, at least I can enjoy some great stories. Love the cover! Congrats, Catie!
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Catie Rhodes said:
Thanks Kassandra. I think the cover is very neat. We got it through Indie Author Services. I am so sorry you missed the scavenger hunt!
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Rich- said:
Hi Catie.
Well I bought Tales of the Mist and dove right in to “Haste”. What fun! My wife and I really enjoyed the story (Naughty words and all!). I am really excited for you, this will no doubt be a hit! I believe in Karma which is how I am certain you are doing all the right things.
Rich-
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Catie Rhodes said:
So glad y’all liked HASTE. Thanks so much for your kind words, your good wishes, and your support.
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