Don't Panic! The Tipsy Nerds Guide to the Universe

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
featured in Episode 3 of Tipsy Nerds Book Club Podcast

I can’t believe we’ve already got Episode 3 of the Tipsy Nerds Book Club podcast out! It feels like just a few weeks ago that I had the idea for this podcast, and Robyn and I have spent over three months learning how to podcast and creating the first few episodes.

We are having a blast reading the books, experimenting with drink recipes to create the best one for the episode, and then, of course, nerding out together about these great Sci-Fi and Fantasy stories.

This episode was particularly fun. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has a recipe within the story for the Galaxy’s best cocktail: the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster. The one we came up with is super tasty, but be warned—it will knock you on your backside if you drink too many or too fast! I think we achieved the "brain smashed in by a lemon peel wrapped around a gold brick."

You can subscribe on iTunes here, or listen on GooglePlay here.

And, we’re nerding out this week about Game of Thrones, Season 8, and preparing for the upcoming carnage we all fear is coming. Who lives? Who dies? Will there even be an Iron Throne left? Nerd out with us and hear my favorite fan theory for what happens to Cersei in our latest YouTube video (see below).

Thanks for checking it out :-)

Have you ever spent more than six months developing a world and characters for an epic fantasy story, only to have a new story idea come along and demand that you work on it?

PENuary’s daily writing has got my creative motor on overdrive and a shiny new story idea that is begging for me to pay attention to it. Like dreaming about it, daydreaming, researching, over-the-top obsessed, driving my family nuts talking about it constantly, I NEED TO WRITE THIS STORY!

So, the epic fantasy is on hold for the indefinite future. Hello, new Sci-Fi story.

And, the need to name lots of characters. Hence, a new poll.

Here’s a photo that is a good resemblance to the character I have in mind (without the flowers!). Her defining features are the freckles across her hose, bright blue eyes and amazingly thick, dark eyebrows.

This character is between 12-14 at the beginning of the story. She is smart, quirky and creative. She plays piano but is also a math genius. She lives in an apartment with her dad (a scientist and professor) and her dog. The setting for the story is a world inspired by our world at the beginning of the 20th century (from 1910-1920).

Photo by Cajo Gomes via Unsplash

What name do you think would be the best for this character? 

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PENuary is Officially HERE!

Happy New Year!

And Happy PENuary!

The official prompt list is now live. We start with the word snarling.

Participation in the PENuary writing challenge is simple. 

Write for a minimum of 20 minutes inspired by the one-word prompt.

You can write fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Write a sonnet or a short story. Heck, write a grocery list! What you write doesn't matter, so long as you write for 20 minutes.

Set the timer and go.

When finished, share on social media. You can share a portion of your day's work, the whole piece you wrote, or even how the experience of writing was for you today. 

Please retweet, share, and comment (kindly) on each other's work. Encourage other writers! And remember to use the official hashtags:

#PENuary

#Write20for31

#Penuary2018

Write. Share. Repeat.

If you’d like more information about PENuary, please check out the official PENuary website or the PENuary Facebook page.

Happy Holidays December Cash + Books Giveaway

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Announcing my Happy Holidays December Giveaway!

I always feel gratitude for the readers who spend some of their valuable time with my stories. But this time of year always make me especially grateful that I get to do what I love: write and share stories.

Without further ado, I announce my December giveaway. This one is special because the first prize is some cool cash to help with holiday expenses. The second prize is pretty cool too: a copy of my latest audiobook, H.A.L.F.: ORIGINS, narrated by the talented actor Dylan White.

So enter early and enter often! :-) Good luck and winners will be chosen on 12/19 so stay tuned.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

H.A.L.F.: ORIGINS Audiobook is Here!

Photo by Adam Whitlock via Unsplash

The H.A.L.F.: ORIGINS audiobook is finally available!! Woot, woot!

H.A.L.F.: ORIGINS by Natalie Wright

Wow, this one took a while, but I hope you all are pleased with the great narration by the fabulous Dylan White. His performance is stellar (I particularly love the chapters with the alien U’Vol).

Without further ado, here are the links:

Click this link to purchase the book on Audible. 

Click this link to purchase the book on Amazon.

Click this link to purchase on iTunes.

Thank you to all of you who have been asking about the audiobook version, and I apologize that it took a while. I hope you enjoy the exciting conclusion to the H.A.L.F. series! 

November Book Giveaway

Just a quick note to let everyone know about an opportunity to win an autographed hardcover copy of my most recent release, H.A.L.F.: ORIGINS! The giveaway is happening over on Goodreads. Just click this link to go to Goodreads to enter*. The winners will also receive an exclusive bag-o-swag with stuff you can’t buy in stores.

Thanks so much for your support of my work and best wishes in the Giveaway!

Watch for a new giveaway in December that will perhaps include something to help fund your holidays ;-)

*NOTE: The Goodreads giveaway is open to residents of U.S. and Canada only.

Best Tucson Comic-Con Yet!

Halloween is normally a holiday that my household celebrates with gusto. But between my broken foot,

my daughter’s commitment to Inktober (and heavy school workload), we didn’t even put up outdoor decorations for the first time in 15 years!

But we still had a great time hanging out with friends—her in a costume and trick-or-treating, me sitting outside enjoying the cool weather (finally!) and drinking wine.

Now November is here and that means it’s time for Tucson Comic-Con!

This year I’ll have two tables in Artist Alley (Tables 18-19), AND I’ll be on some great author panels. Some local SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America) got together to create a slate of entertaining and information panels for Tucson Comic-Con attendees.
Come out to Tucson Comic-Con to support Arizona artists, authors, and crafters. And if you attend, make sure you stop by my table to say hi AND attend the panels!

WHAT: Tucson Comic-Con

WHEN: November 3-5

WHERE: Tucson Convention Center

NOTABLE CELEBRITIES:  Billy Dee Williams (Star Wars), Gates McFadden (Star Trek),  Barry Bostwick (Actor), Michael Winslow (Police Academy), Ming Chen (Podcaster), Karen Ashley (Yellow Power Ranger) and Others

*NATALIE'S PANELS:

SATURDAY, 11/4

12:30-1:20 pm:  “Time Out to Kiss: Building Romance when Bullets Fly & Lasers Fire” (moderated by Natalie Wright with Ed Hoornaert & Kathryn Lance)

SUNDAY, 11/5

1:00-1:50 pm: “Epic Sci-Fi & Fantasy Worlds” (Natalie Wright, KJ Kabza & Kathryn Lance)

3:00-3:50 pm: “Too-Perfect Heroes” (Natalie Wright, Ed Hoornaert, Kathryn Lance & Catherine Wells)

*Please note that the online schedule is incorrect as to Natalie's panels. Natalie WILL be on each of the panels listed above.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED in H.A.L.F.: ORIGINS Mega Giveaway

H.A.L.F.: ORIGINS by Natalie Wright

Wow! The release giveaway for H.A.L.F.: ORIGINS got over 9,000 entries! Thank you to all who participated and shared to spread the word. It was a huge success. :-)

And, without further ado, the winners are:

1st Prize:

Audrey Stewart

2nd. Prize:

Brandi Swendt


Watch your email ladies for details on how to claim your prizes.

Poll Results:

One of the ways to enter was to answer a question, and the results are in. 

The question was:

“What would you like my next book to be?”

With over 500 unique votes, 35% of respondents said: 

“I don’t care whether it’s Sci-Fi or Fantasy, so long as it has romance.”

But coming in a close second with 31% of the vote, respondents said:

“One word: Dragons!”

With 22% of the vote, in third place was:

“An epic Sci-Fi saga with spaceships, futuristic tech, and other worlds.”

Pulling in at last place with only 12% of the vote was:

“I don’t care whether it’s Sci-Fi or Fantasy, just NO romance!”

Interesting results. What do you think?

YOU CHOOSE THE COVER - H.A.L.F.: ORIGINS

We all know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But we also know that we totally do.

So judge away!

My cover designer gave me two great designs that are exactly the same except for the color of the band at the top. I like them both and can't decide which will work the best.

But the question is: Which do you like the best? Which cover draws your eye more? Which would you like to see gracing the cover of my next book?

There’s a poll at the bottom of the post. Please vote and share so I can hear from as many people as possible.

Thank you for helping me choose!

Cover #1

Cover #2

Which cover do you like best? Cover #1 or Cover #2?

Cover #1

Cover #2

Poll Maker

Writer Wednesday: Utter Loneliness and Explaining the Inexplicable

This quote captures such expansive ideas in so few words.

First is the idea of the loneliness of writing. And “utter loneliness”. Like really, really alone!

I have felt that way at times. It's not just that the actual act of writing requires - for many of us - time without other people so that we're free of distraction. Even in a busy cafe, writers often wear headphones or are so in the zone that they may as well be on Mars. For all intents and purposes, the writer is alone when writing.

But more than that, the writer inhabits a world of her own making with people she has created. Within that story world, the writer is wholly alone. 

I often feel that I spend the majority of my time with people that no one else knows in a world where no one else has been. The idea of “utter loneliness” is one I understand.

But here there is the second idea as well - trying to “explain the inexplicable.”

How does one explain the soul?

I think all artists and creatives are - attempting anyway - to do exactly that. To somehow explain whether in words or pictures, in clay or movement, the complex and nuanced ideas that well from the soul.

There is no perfection in this endeavor. The artist often looks at his canvas and sees only what did not make its way there, even when others laud the work.

The same is true of the story or poem. At my best, I feel that I've captured a fair bit of what my heart wanted to express. But there's always a feeling that I didn't quite get it all down on paper. That something is missing.

Perhaps it's that quest to “bleed on the page” - to explain the inexplicable - that keeps the writer tapping the keys and putting ink to the page.

Do you ever feel utterly alone? Do you agree with Steinbeck that the writer seeks to explain the inexplicable?

Writer Wednesday: Ray Bradbury says …

I recently posted this meme on my Facebook page and Twitter and posed the question of whether this idea is perhaps the hardest part of being a writer. It led to further conversation about the true meaning of this quote. Some balked at the idea of “reject acceptance.”

But in order to fully embrace “accept rejection,” one must also learn to reject acceptance. You cannot have one without the other.

Why?

The artist must perpetually seek joy in the creation of the art regardless of external gratification or criticism. 

Writing for approval is the path to the dark side.

The writer writes because she has a story to tell. It's like an itch that needs scratched. Writing is a way to give the “voices” in her head space to be heard. The writer puts words to the page not to get a gold star or win the prize but because life is incomplete without the act of writing.

The writer grows and matures in his craft when he learns how to know when the work is “good” and when a piece is finished. He does not need someone external to approve of the story. He writes the story of his soul, not the story that he believes others want him to write and/or that others will accept.

And the great beauty of this process is that when an artist/writer/poet/creator digs deep and stays true to his path - when he accepts rejection and rejects acceptance - he is more likely to create a work that is lauded by others. Such works are seen as creative, original, and masterpieces.

Of course not all masterpieces of the soul are recognized as such. But that does not matter to the artist because she did not labor for the purpose of acceptance anyway. She labored because the story needed to be told and she was the only one that could tell it.

Because writing is a metaphor for life, the same holds true for how we live. 

And that is, I think, the most difficult part of both. To live the life our soul seeks to live without need for others to tell us "good job" and to stay on our path even when others are hell-bent on pushing us onto another road.

Why do you write? Do you feel that you have achieved Bradbury's advice - to accept rejection and reject acceptance? Do you agree with Bradbury?

Choose the Title for My New Book!

The third and final book in the H.A.L.F. series will launch in 2017. But it's already time to choose the title, and I need your help this time!

The title for book 1, The Deep Beneath, came easily to me. After all, approximately 3/4 of the book takes place underground. The title for book 2, The Makers, also seemed natural. In that book, readers learn of the nefarious secret Illuminati-like organization that's behind the H.A.L.F. program and A.H.D.N.A.

But there are several possibilities for a title for book 3. I don't want to spoil it or give too much away, but let's just say that an appropriate symbol for the book would be the Ouroboros, the eternal return. The symbol on the cover of the H.A.L.F. series books plays on this ancient symbol (also related to the caduceus). The symbol relates to the eternal; to never-ending life; to the cycle of life; the end meeting the beginning.

Ouroboros

        

Ouroboros

     

Ouroboros

Ouroboros

VOTE FOR THE TITLE

Please vote for what YOU think the title of my next book should be. Thanks for your vote!!

SURVEY MONKEY POLL

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Teaser Tuesday: Erika and Ian from The Makers + Preorder Giveaway Bonanza

Here's a tidbit of a teaser for my upcoming release, The Makers (H.A.L.F. #2). I'll let the meme speak for itself and (hopefully) pique your curiosity about what it means.

Do you love Giveaways, Swag & Bonus Content?

I have such a fun package of goodies for people who Preorder The Makers!

• The first 25 who Preorder will receive the audiobook version of The Deep Beneath, my award-winning first book in the H.A.L.F. series
• Everyone who preorders the eBook is automatically entered into a giveaway to win an AUTOGRAPHED Hardcover copy of The Makers + Exclusive swag. (NOTE: This part of the giveaway open ONLY TO U.S. mailing address.
• **For every 100 copies Preordered by release date (May 10), I'll add another signed hardcover + swag to the prize package :-D
• An exclusive and exciting bonus book that is only available to people who preorder
• A second exclusive book that includes lost chapters with the author's commentary 

But you have to play to win! In order to claim your exclusive preorder package, follow these instructions:

1. Preorder The Makers HERE
2. Forward your receipt or Email the Screenshot or otherwise send proof of your purchase to this email: TheMakersBook@gmail.com
3. BOOSH! That's it. You will receive an email with links to download your digital content.
4. NOTE: If you were one of the first 25 to order, you'll receive a gifted copy of The Deep Beneath directly from Audible to the email address you mailed the receipt from
5. NOTE: When the Preorder period is over, the giveaway ends and winner(s) of the signed hardcover will be notified by email & asked to provide their U.S. mailing address

You can learn more about the book including the description & early reader reviews by visiting this page.

Teaser Tuesday: Jack Wilson's Point of View

Meet Jack Wilson from The Makers (H.A.L.F. #2):

We met Jack Wilson in The Deep Beneath (Book 1 of the H.A.L.F. Series). He's a dirty blond, tousled hair guy that prefers flip-flops and T-shirts over dress shoes and button downs. In The Deep Beneath, readers met Jack through the eyes of Erika Holt, his on-again, off-again, on-again (sort of) girlfriend.

Some readers fell in love with Jack and rooted for "Team Jericka." Other readers didn't see the Jack attraction. One of the biggest fans of the book told me she hoped Jack would be killed off to make way for another character that's her fave!

I don't want to spoil anything if you haven't yet read The Deep Beneath, but suffice it to say that things didn't turn out they way Jack and Erika planned. Hell, things didn't turn out the way I'd planned either! The story took a turn at the end that I hadn't anticipated and it has made writing Book 2, The Makers, a lot more interesting!

Lo and behold, Jack has become a point of view character. And I'm determined to make Jack naysayers into Jack Wilson converts.

SECRET TIDBIT ABOUT JACK: Despite looking like he's just rolled out of bed, he actually uses product in his hair to get it to have that messed up look. He uses a sea salt spray and works it into his hair with his fingers to give his hair the beach look without going to the beach.

Not even Erika knows that one!

WHAT'S JACK UP TO IN THE MAKERS?

Without giving too much away, circumstances will bring Jack together with Anna Sturgis. Yep, you heard that name correctly. Anna Sturgis, as in the niece of Commander Lillian Sturgis. I'll give you more insight into Anna in another post, but for now just know that Commander Sturgis isn't the only brainy, beautiful Sturgis woman on our planet. Jack's a loyal guy and wants nothing more than to have Erika back in his arms. But will his heart remain true to Erika? Or will he find himself falling for the enemy?

LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT JACK: Jack and his mom, Kathleen Wilson, share their home with a somewhat psycho cat named Tater.

JACK'S THOUGHTS ON CHIVALRY:

"I know it's old fashioned, but I hold doors open for women. My mom said, 'Girls want a knight, Jack, whether they admit it or not.' And she's my mom and a smart lady so I figured she'd never steer me wrong.

But then I met Erika. Maybe I fell for the girl who's the exception to the rule."

In my recent interview of Jack, I asked him, "What do you loathe about yourself?" Here's his answer:

"I wouldn't say I loathe anything. I don't think like that. I don't get flipped out enough about things to hate on it. So no, I don't hate myself. That's not to say I wouldn't change a few things if I could. Like being taller.

And I guess sometimes - like lately - I wish I was more … Well when that guy had Erika and was hurting her? I had a shot, but I froze. I should have been the one that pulled the trigger."

This memory haunts Jack. I wonder how it will affect him? And will he do things differently if he ever faces a similar situation?

What do you bet he'll have a chance soon to find out?! ;-)

The Makers launches May 10, 2016 on Amazon.

Preorder by May 9 and receive Exclusive bonus material only available to readers that preorder. 

• FIRST 25 Preorders receive Audiobook of H.A.L.F. #1, The Deep Beneath!!! 

• Exclusive Behind the Scenes Material including Natalie's drawings of characters and handwritten character details 

• Lost Chapters, including an adorable character that was cut from the final, only available to those who Preorder by May 9.

CLICK HERE for more details and to Preorder The Makers (H.A.L.F. #2). 

Cover Reveal: H.A.L.F.: The Makers

The other day I posted a video announcement of preorder for H.A.L.F.: The Makers (Book 2 of the H.A.L.F. Series). In that post I promised you a cover reveal. And - ta da - here it is!

H.A.L.F.: The Makers by Natalie Wright
Book 2 of the H.A.L.F. Series

In the weeks to come I'll be teasing you with updates about your favorite characters from H.A.L.F. and entice you with insider info about some enticing new characters. But in the meantime, I wonder what this image evokes for you? What do you think The Makers will be about? What do you HOPE you'll find inside its pages?

PREORDER the Kindle version here: http://bit.ly/HALFonAmazon

The Makers PREORDER Announcement

Do you love to see life in numbers? If so, here are some stats from my life in 2015:  I travelled over 6,000 miles; saw nearly half a million people traipse by my table/booth at events; said good-bye to two loved ones; played over a hundred hours of Dragon Age Inquisition and Fallout 4; gained 25 pounds (but I deny a correlation between pounds gained and video game hours logged ;-); and - oh yeah - wrote my fifth novel!

H.A.L.F.: The Makers (Book 2 of the H.A.L.F. Series) is available for preorder NOW! *Does a happy dance* I'm so excited, a made a video. (You'll have to watch the video to see why I look like a reproachful librarian in this thumbnail.)

PREORDER

Link to PREORDER The Makers on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PDruTp

Want to see if I'll be in a town near you this year? Stay up to date on my appearance/travel schedule here: http://bit.ly/1v50fdJ

As usual, I tend to do things a bit bassackwards so you're getting a preorder announcement BEFORE a cover reveal! Go figure. But I promise you a cover tomorrow so come back to see the lovely package your new H.A.L.F. book will come in :-)

IndieReCon Winner and New Audio Book by Natalie Wright

While I was away, dealing with family business, a couple of super cool things happened in my writing world. First, I won the Indie ReCon "Best Book Description" contest in the Young Adult books category for the description of H.A.L.F.: The Deep Beneath. Yay! It was a nice surprise amidst the gloomy I've been going through. Thanks to all of the fans that voted. We did it! Here's my spiffy new badge:

The second thing that happened is that the audio book for my first novel, Emily's House, went on sale! Woot, woot!! The narrator is actress Chloe Golden and she did a great job bringing the story to life. I can't wait for y'all to hear this book :-D Now books 1 and 2 of the Akasha Chronicles series are available in audio. If you're an Audible subscriber, you can snag Emily's House for only 1 credit (or you can purchase it on Amazon, Audible and iTunes).

Fun stuff :-D Thanks for reading and take care of yourselves and each other.

Writer Wednesday: How Losing Your Virginity is Like Writing Your First Novel

"The Birthday"
by Marc Chagall, 1915

If you follow this blog, you know my fourth book, H.A.L.F.: The Deep Beneath was released in January (see more about that here). As I prepare to write my fifth novel, I am plagued with what has now become the familiar feeling of fear about the blank page. The worry of "can I do this" doesn't seem to go away no matter how many times I conquer the mountain of crafting a novel.

And lately there's an added feeling. At first it was a vague worry, but soon grew to outright fear.

Is the spark gone?

Is there such a thing as a well of creative energy that we draw from but which can run dry?

And that got me thinking about sex. I'll get back to the sex part in a minute, but first a bit more about writing.

While writing my first novel (Emily's House), I felt immersed in magic. Granted, Emily's House is about a girl with magical abilities and she goes to a mysterious other dimension and time travels and what not. It wasn't just the subject matter that was magical though.

The process itself was like falling into a rabbit hole. Frightful at first, yes. But oh how amazing as the mysteries were revealed. It felt like magic. I vividly recall sitting at my desk, writing feverishly, my fingers unable to keep up with my mind. It was as though I had been transported to a divine place called "Creativity", fueled by a meandering stream of the imagination.

While writing H.A.L.F.: The Deep Beneath (my fourth book), the dark hand of fear took hold of me. The writing was less feverish and more measured. Where was the feeling of divine "Creativity"? What happened to the meandering stream?

The process of writing was still pleasurable. In ways perhaps more so. I didn't stress so much about where to put things or if I was doing it right. I had experience to guide me.

Yet I had this nagging concern that because I did not feel the strange, mysterious upwelling of creative energy, the story was not going to be as good. Would the writing be flat?

But as I rewrote, revised, got feedback, rewrote again, revised, etc., I saw that I had, in fact, written my best novel yet. And my loyal readers agree with me. Their praise of my craft shows that my writing has gotten better, not worse.

And now what I promised. Talk of sex.

Writing a novel is like having sex.

You never forget your first time. The first time was likely awkward and fumbling. But memorable.

To a virgin, sex - like writing - is a mystery. You wonder about it, consider it. Think about it (a lot) and long for it. You imagine what it will be like (over and over again), picturing in your mind an amazing upwelling of passion that culminates in the most beautiful moment in your life.

Oh, the build up. The excruciating anticipation.

And then it happened and it was …

Nice. Or maybe just okay. For some, downright terrible.

But memorable. You always remember your first time. It was the time that the mysteries were revealed. 

The thing about first times? They only happen once.

But if sex was never as good - as pleasurable - as the first time, some may never do it again. Instead, sex gets better with experience, not worse. And better and better. So we keep doing it because it doesn't stop feeling good. The pleasure does not end after the initial mysteries are revealed. 

We discover more mysteries. It's no longer a meandering stream but a never-ending well of discovery.

The first time may be the most memorable, but practice makes perfect. For both writing and sex.

Did this article make you think about sex or writing? :-) Please feel free to share your thoughts but remember, this is a PG blog so please keep the comments clean.