This is a very entertaining read full of laughs and, oddly enough, a great deal of factual information I never knew. This story is so absurd that I’m not quite sure how to describe it.
Apparently advanced aliens, far across the galaxy, have been craving and downloading earth music because it’s the one thing the insufficient human race is actually good at (and the rest of the known universe is not). Then one day the superior aliens, through their mastery of legal principles, realize that they owe the people of earth an innumerous amount of royalties or something like that. While some aliens have decided to settle the matter in court, others have decided to just eliminate the problem all together. That’s where the intergalactic misadventures of lawyer Nick Carter (not to be confused with Backstreet Boy, Nick Carter) begin.
To say that the characters of this story are kooky would be an understatement. My favorite thing about the story isn’t technically apart of the story. I love the footnotes. The footnotes of this book are like a running commentary in a movie. They are informative, hilarious, and pleasantly distracting. Eventually I had to stop reading them to finish the story and then went back to read them in perspective. I guess if you’re not really a reader, this may not sound appealing.
All aliens aside, anyone who likes music will love this book. It’s also good for a laugh.
The Eternal Curse Series Blog Presents an interview with author: Paula Hrbacek.
image provided by author
I double majored in journalism and art at the University of Missouri-Columbia. After that, I worked for a book publisher, Christian Board of Publication, for five years in the advertising department. Then I became a stay-at-home mother of four, a scout leader, and wrote on a freelance basis. I’ve published five books so far: St. Louis Is for Families- Bethany Press, Created In Faith- Concordia, Bible Verses for Young Children- CBP Press, Stars Shine After Dark- IUniverse, and Day Camp in Hawaii– Create Space. I also write two newspaper columns for The Examiner, a free online newspaper: one about children’s arts and crafts and the other about books and book reviews.
You are one busy bee. I can’t imagine doing all you do with four kids. Kudos to you! Can’t wait to see what you have to share.
So whacha got for me today?
image provided by author
Stars Shine After Dark, is a sweet love story that has faith woven through the plot and used as a means of making decisions. Faith is the compass that guides them through their problems.
Mona is an actress who grew up in Hollywood. Trying to revamp her image from a child actor to a mature woman, she decides to go to college. There she meets Tim, a football star for UCLA.
They are both stars and both successful. It should be a fairy tale romance, but soon overwhelming obstacles begin to test their relationship.
Mona finds relief by reading the book of Hosea. She realizes that she has lost sight of what is really important to her, and decides to change her relationship with Tim. They may have been going through a dark period, but if they are stars, they will find a way to keep their love shining.
I think everyone can relate to a love story in some way. For many, love stories allow for secret contemplation about their own relationships by offering another point of view, a variety of scenarios, and possible solutions to past, present, or future issues to be had. Most importantly, love stories deliver all this a nice sweet package that can be picked up or put away a will. I think you really have something special to share with this story.
So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of Stars Shine After Dark?
Mona Poole is a young woman who grew up in Hollywood acting. She wants to take some time off and have a “normal” life, examine what she wants to do next, and try to get a more mature image. She enrolls at UCLA, and becomes friends with her agent’s niece. On the one hand, she’s an old pro at handling business, but on the other hand, she’s a newbie when it comes to college life. She’s used to having her parents act as her managers, but they have decided to move because of her father’s health, leaving her in total charge for the first time. So, she’s a strong woman, but also a chick that has just been pushed out of the nest.
Even with the presence of relationship drama, this sounds like a pretty positive story about a child actress, and we all know we need more of these. I think Mona is a character that most people in this day and age can relate to on some level if only as yet another child star desperately try to make that transition into adulthood with grace.
Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?
When I write I start with the problem, then the solution, and then I start working backwards. Who would get themselves in that mess, why, where, how, when? Once I have all of that set in my mind, I write a short story, very quickly, just to get the plot organized. Then, I’ll go back and fill in all the details, dialogue, descriptions and emotions that are needed to flesh it out.
When I was working on Stars Shine After Dark, I had the radio playing country music in the background. It seemed that every time I got stuck for a good idea, a song would come on the radio that contained the answer. There has to be a dozen country songs hidden in the plot—a scene where “the windshield wipers are slapping out a tempo” like Eddie Rabbitt’s song, a conversation where she talks “woman to woman” like Tammy Wynette, that sort of thing. Of course, they aren’t direct quotes from the song, just the same general idea. It was reassuring how when I needed a good idea, I got one at the right moment that way.
I like your methodology. It’s very organized. It’s cool too how you use music to inspire you. I like quiet when I write, but whenever I get stumped on a particular idea, that’s when I pull out my soundtracks. There is a movie and theme music for every emotion and scenario out there.
What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?
I read a variety of books and authors, trying to learn what I can from each one. But as far as inspiration for a story goes, I used to get a lot of good ideas from Dear Abby. I thought her advice was lousy, so instead of arguing with her, I’d turn it into a fictional story. I sold one of those to Modern Romance magazine years ago.
Well that’s one way to get inspired. Who said inspiration has to come from someplace positive. Many of the greatest inventions of our time where inspired by frustration and need, not desire.
Whose brain are you just itching to scratch?
A quote I like is “I know God has a plan for my life, but when I get to Heaven, he’s got some explaining to do.” I guess my answer would be God and I think my questions would be “what time is it?” Is this a time to help the poor or a time to shake the sand off of my sandals when I leave? Is it time to forgive, or time to rebuke the sinner?
I hear ya. Sometimes I wish I could just ask God about the things that no one else can even begin to understand. Good answer.
Who is so you and why?
I read Ernest Hemingway’s biography, and except that I’m a girl and he’s a boy, we have a lot in common. We’re both the youngest, having two older siblings of the opposite sex. My mother made me wear my brother’s hand-me-downs, my father was dramatic, my grandmother had a cottage on a finger lake near Lake Erie, and a few other things. I mentioned this to my husband, and he became concerned because Ernest committed suicide. I assured him that his death occurred after him having had three wives and that I’m only on my first husband.
A female Hemingway with less drama doesn’t sound too bad.
What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read?
The ideal spot is laid out on the sofa with a fuzzy afghan and a soft pillow on a rainy day in the spring, or the first week after school gets out, lying on a chase lounge in the back yard. I like paperbacks best. But the reality is that when an author asks for a book review, they send me a Kindle file. Then I take it with me when I volunteer at our church’s gift shop and read it while sitting in an office chair, waiting for customers. I don’t do audio books because I’m hard of hearing. I have a lot going on personally right now, so aside from a little promotion I’m doing, I’m taking it easy. I’m not really reading anything at the moment.
Comfort seems to be a priority when you’re reading and there’s nothing wrong with that. Too bad you can’t take full advantage of audio books. I prefer audio books to TV; seriously I either: read for entertainment, listen for entertainment, or watch a movie. TV almost doesn’t exist to me anymore. I know what it’s like to have a lot going on. That’s why reading for pleasure is great. You don’t have to do it until you want to.
What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?
In elementary school, I like the series of books about a boy named Henry [Henry Higgins] who had a donut machine. I liked it because he solved a problem in a different way. He didn’t give up.
I also had a favorite craft book for children that used a lot of recycled goods like bottle caps and corks. I think I made just about every project in that book.
My favorite magazine as a girl was “Boy’s Life”. When I was in high school, my favorite magazine was “Parents’”
You don’t hear of too many teens reading “Parents” for fun, but everyone’s got their own thing. I remember reading about Henry Higgins when I was little too…
To see more of this interview and have a chance to win a copy of Stars Shine After Dark, visit the Eternal Curse Series Blog. For more information about this author, Paula Hrbacek, please visit the links below.
Website: Paula Hrbacek: Christian Fiction and Craft Projects
Greetings everyone. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful industry professional named, Rob Bignell. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.
image provided guest
Hi thereRob! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work.
So tell me, who is Rob Bignell?
I’m the owner and chief editor of Inventing Reality Editing Service, which meets the editing and self-publishing needs of writers both new and published. Several of my short stories in the literary and science fiction genres have been published, and I’m the author of the nonfiction guidebook series 7 Minutes a Day…, Hikes with Tykes, Headin’ to the Cabin, Hittin’ the Trail, the literary novel Windmill, and the poetry collection Love Letters to Sophie’s Mom. For more than two decades, I worked as an award-winning journalist, with half of those years spent as an editor. I spent another seven years as an English teacher or a community college journalism instructor. I hold a Master’s degree in English and a Bachelor’s in journalism and English.
Wow, I mean, just wow! You’ve worked as a teacher, journalist, editor, and writer. I can’t imagine being all those things at once, but you make it seem easy and thrilling. I can’t wait to see what all you have to share.
So whacha got for me today?
image provided by guest
I’m wrapping up writing on the next title in my “7 Minutes a Day…” writing guidebook series. Due out at the holiday season, the fourth title in the series focuses on “the craft of fiction writing” – or how to give your writing more zing. It’s a collection of 50 pieces of advice I’ve given to writers who I’ve edited and helped get published during the past five years. It’s called “7 Minutes a Day to Mastering the Craft of Writing.”
That sounds like a good series to look into. As a writer I know it never hurts to brush up your writing and as a writer of fiction, this topic truly appeals to me.
Do you mind to share today, how we become fans, followers, or friends?
Through LinkedIn. I make the majority of my connections with serious writers and editors and other professionals via LinkedIn, much more so than Facebook or Twitter.
I can totally agree with you on that. I find that when I connect with people through Facebook and Twitter, it’s more social, and that can be a good thing, but for business, I stick with LinkedIn. It’s a great way to make initial connections before moving on to something more social, if things work out that way.
Getting to know you a little better, tell me, whose brain are you just itching to scratch?
Shakespeare. I’d like know how he came up with the ideas, imagery, and lines for his plays, to learn if they were borrowed, collaborative or wholly of his own mind. I’d like to learn what specific events in his life inspired some of his greatest lines and scenes. Of course, if I knew, then I’d be writing scholarly papers for the rest of my life!
This is one of those questions with no right or wrong answer, but sometimes an answer seems better than others. Shakespeare is always a good one, especially when there is good reasoning behind it – not just because everyone’s heard of him.
Up next, who is so you and why?
Well, I wish they would compare to Captain Kirk or to James Bond! I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone compare me to a celebrity or fictional character before. Wait, back in college, someone said they thought I was like Ted Koppel. There’s no way that’s true. I mean, do I sound like Ted Koppel to you?
I know what you mean. We are never compared to the people we’d want to be compared to, but being compared to Ted Koppel doesn’t seem too bad. I always get compared to B-list actresses.
Being the busy person that you are, what makes you chill?
Listen to bebop jazz with a lavender candle burning, curled up with a good book with just enough lighting to read by. I probably spend all of my relaxation time with me Kindle Paperwhite. Pathetic, right? I’ve taken to introducing my Kindle as my new girlfriend.
LOL! I like you; you’re funny. There’s nothing wrong with settling down with a good book. Every day at work (I teach) I scarf down my lunch quickly so I can squeeze in at least 10 minutes of reading, just to clear my mind.
So, what was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?
from GoodReads.com
I read a tremendous amount of science fiction and boy adventure novels. One short story that I read over and over was Fredric Brown’s “Puppet Show,” which was in an anthology I had. I remember comic book versions of “The War of the Worlds” and “The Time Machine” having a big impact on me. I devoured James Blish’s “Star Trek” anthologies.
I never read many short stories growing up and am just now growing to like the medium, but you had me the moment you said “comic book.” To this day, even after having read the originals, I love to read the graphic novel versions of books. I just love the images.
If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s a tough question. Maybe “Star Wars IV: A New Hope.” It’s got action and adventure, it’s got mythology, it’s got humor, just as a start. The movie has a number of layers to it, and if you take that approach and just view it for each layer, you’d be watching a new movie each time you saw it.
I like you more and more every minute. That movie rocks!
What makes you geek out?
“Star Trek: The Original Series.” I can tell you the name of the episode just by seeing the planet they approach in the opening scene.
Wow, that’s impressive. My dad would be so proud of me if I could do that, not that he isn’t proud of me, but you get my meaning 😉 . Good for you!
So what’s testing your patience right now?
What’s testing my patience right now is that there’s a lot of good books, music and art out there there but nothing that’s truly shattering the old paradigms. So much is imitative and commercial. Of course, the imitation is very flattering and the production quite slick. But I’d like to live through a period where you say, “He/she/they are like the Beatles or Motown. Nothing’s the same now that they’re on the scene.”
I know what you mean. There is definitely no shortage of creativity right now, but originality is sparse and the ability to change the game for the better seems almost impossible. However, I’ve seen some of the things people are doing in the name of conservation and my mind is blown.
When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?
When I’m working out, Dick Dale’s surf guitar runs through my head. When I’m mindlessly happy, an upbeat Beatles tune plays up there. When I’m contemplative, John Coltrane is there with all of the improvisational notes matching my thoughts of exploration.
I can get down “with a little help from my friends” and, of course, taking a ride on the Coltrane is always enlightening.
What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date?
Anytime my son and I have laughed together.
What a great answer. Family and laugher are always the best.
So, thoughts on EC: GA?
I’m looking forward to reading it. I’ve heard great things about its characters being extremely well drawn and given a lot of depth. One of the pleasures of reading is meeting characters who are like real people and experiencing their adventures alongside them.
I’m glad to hear that. I tell everyone, that while I worked very hard to develop this story, I put so much more into my characters because they are each a part of me, even my bad guys.
Is there something you would like to ask me?
Q: Are you Dr. Mira Brown?
A: Not really. I image that Mira looks like a taller less glamorous version of my older sister, and while I wanted to be a doctor when I was a kid, she’s not really me. She and I have a lot in common, but she’s a combination of many of the women in my life.
Well that’s all for today folks. I hope you’ve enjoyed this conversation with industry professional Rob Bignell and will take some time to visit his links.
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Year Zero by Rob Reid
