As several others have mentioned in reviews, I too was surprised at the format of this book and just how short a time it took to read. Having read and enjoyed one of Andy's other books which was more full-length, this one was not what I expected. It's a little shiny picture book that outlines the basic principle of the "Butterfly Effect" without really going into much depth. But perhaps that's enough to introduce someone to the concept.
International readers might want to note that the book is quite America-centric.
So this is a brief reminder to be aware of your every action because you never know what effect it might have somewhere down the track. In the book, just a few stories are traced back through history, just enough to get you thinking.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Interview with K. Dawn Byrd
What's your genre and subgenre? Why do you think that is?
I write romantic suspense. I absolutely love suspense and write what I love. However, a little romance doesn't hurt anything!
Do you like to read the same genre as you write? What other genres interest you? Favourite authors?
I do love to read romantic suspense. I like romance also, but only if there's enough tension to make it suspenseful. James Patterson is a favorite. Also, Michelle Sutton
Tell us about your published work, and where we can go to find out more.
I have two books coming out through Desert Breeze Publishing in 2010. The first, Queen of Hearts, came out in April and was their bestseller for the month. Killing Time will release in August. I have several five star reviews for Queen of Hearts on Amazon. Here's my favorite:
"Queen of Hearts by K. Dawn Byrd kept me turning pages so quickly, I rested my finger on the page-turning button the whole time! All the characters are clearly drawn, as are the settings. The main character, Daphne, is very likable and capable, but has her foibles. She's a cub reporter during WWII, gets in over her head in a spy situation stateside, and fights her way past adversity to triumph in the end. This first novel is amazingly well done and could compete with all veteran writers of suspense for quality of plot and structure. The message of faith underlying the story gently reminds readers that faith and prayer are the guiding forces to survival in any and all circumstances. Watch out, suspense writers. K. Dawn has burst on the scene and I believe she is here to stay and to rise as a bright and talented star in the realm of Christian fiction writers!"
What are you working on right now? How's progress?
I'm working on a romance that I've rewritten several times. This one has been the hardest to write yet due to my changing the plot so many times.
Your best writing tip?
Write something every day. Even if you only have fifteen minutes. You'll be surprised at how quickly your word count will increase.
What else are you up to that our readers would find interesting?
I'm planning to attend my first conference ever. It's the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference in IN in September. I can't wait.
How do you deal with writer's block?
I deal with writer's block by getting up and moving around. If I hit a brick wall, I'll jump on my jogging trampoline or sweep the floor. It gets the creative juices flowing again.
Where do you usually write, and is the location important?
Location is not as important as sound. I must have total peace and quiet when I write. For that reason, I am unable to stay in the room while my husband is watching TV.
How have you dealt with rejection in the past?
I've not dealt with rejection much due to the fact that I submitted my early work only to contests. This is a great way to get feedback. I believe rejection to be a way to improve writing ability. Every time I received a negative comment from a judge, I'd take a hard look at my writing and take steps to improve it.
What is your opinion on the state of ebook publishing today, and where do you see it going?
I'm an ebook junkie. I read them on the go on my netbook or Blackberry. I believe the ebook market is exploding and will continue to grow.
Do you plan your stories, or just sit down and write them? Elaborate.
I'm a plotter. I plot for hours before I start to write. I fill out character worksheets too. Even though so much time goes into plotting, I still give my characters freedom to change the plot.
Your advice to aspiring authors?
Write something every day and never, never, never give up! Write for the right reason...because you love it.
Your website or social media profile?
www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444 (Facebook Christian Fiction Gathering)
I write romantic suspense. I absolutely love suspense and write what I love. However, a little romance doesn't hurt anything!
Do you like to read the same genre as you write? What other genres interest you? Favourite authors?
I do love to read romantic suspense. I like romance also, but only if there's enough tension to make it suspenseful. James Patterson is a favorite. Also, Michelle Sutton
Tell us about your published work, and where we can go to find out more.
I have two books coming out through Desert Breeze Publishing in 2010. The first, Queen of Hearts, came out in April and was their bestseller for the month. Killing Time will release in August. I have several five star reviews for Queen of Hearts on Amazon. Here's my favorite:
"Queen of Hearts by K. Dawn Byrd kept me turning pages so quickly, I rested my finger on the page-turning button the whole time! All the characters are clearly drawn, as are the settings. The main character, Daphne, is very likable and capable, but has her foibles. She's a cub reporter during WWII, gets in over her head in a spy situation stateside, and fights her way past adversity to triumph in the end. This first novel is amazingly well done and could compete with all veteran writers of suspense for quality of plot and structure. The message of faith underlying the story gently reminds readers that faith and prayer are the guiding forces to survival in any and all circumstances. Watch out, suspense writers. K. Dawn has burst on the scene and I believe she is here to stay and to rise as a bright and talented star in the realm of Christian fiction writers!"
What are you working on right now? How's progress?
I'm working on a romance that I've rewritten several times. This one has been the hardest to write yet due to my changing the plot so many times.
Your best writing tip?
Write something every day. Even if you only have fifteen minutes. You'll be surprised at how quickly your word count will increase.
What else are you up to that our readers would find interesting?
I'm planning to attend my first conference ever. It's the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference in IN in September. I can't wait.
How do you deal with writer's block?
I deal with writer's block by getting up and moving around. If I hit a brick wall, I'll jump on my jogging trampoline or sweep the floor. It gets the creative juices flowing again.
Where do you usually write, and is the location important?
Location is not as important as sound. I must have total peace and quiet when I write. For that reason, I am unable to stay in the room while my husband is watching TV.
How have you dealt with rejection in the past?
I've not dealt with rejection much due to the fact that I submitted my early work only to contests. This is a great way to get feedback. I believe rejection to be a way to improve writing ability. Every time I received a negative comment from a judge, I'd take a hard look at my writing and take steps to improve it.
What is your opinion on the state of ebook publishing today, and where do you see it going?
I'm an ebook junkie. I read them on the go on my netbook or Blackberry. I believe the ebook market is exploding and will continue to grow.
Do you plan your stories, or just sit down and write them? Elaborate.
I'm a plotter. I plot for hours before I start to write. I fill out character worksheets too. Even though so much time goes into plotting, I still give my characters freedom to change the plot.
Your advice to aspiring authors?
Write something every day and never, never, never give up! Write for the right reason...because you love it.
Your website or social media profile?
www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444 (Facebook Christian Fiction Gathering)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
- 09:16 I write in church (divine inspiration): I huddle in the crowd standing around meforest-like, branches wavingamidst... bit.ly/9Qxp66 #
- 18:43 RT: @ImprovEvery: brand new Improv Everywhere video just went live. Star Wars Subway Car: bit.ly/d7VXQm #
- 23:18 The Lost Genre Guild News for July 14th 2010: Chris Solaas says: Check out a short prequel exc... bit.ly/bLHFxr Sci-Fi & Fantasy Lit #
Monday, July 12, 2010
- 11:30 @find_ch I have to get it critiqued and polished and submit it somewhere...but dm me your email address if you want a look at the draft! #
- 11:30 @coolvstar650 I haven't got to that one yet. Sounds good! #
- 12:05 New Review: The Wolf of Tebron by C.S. Lakin: This book is subtitled A Fairy Tale, and that is what it is. The not... bit.ly/dzZvsF #
- 19:03 Last week, my post on abuse got a lot of responses. Today part two got none at all. What's with that? bit.ly/bEqB6D #
- 23:00 The Lost Genre Guild News for July 12th 2010: Karina Fabian says: The July 2010 issue of A Dra... bit.ly/bgzqG2 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Lit #
Sunday, July 11, 2010
- 23:25 Whoo, I am liking Doctor Who a lot these days! Both new eps I've caught have been awesome :) Never got into it much before... but now! #
- 23:28 One very happy writer here.Have done another short story this w/end which is actually 4 stories inside each other.Messing with reality,yeah! #
Friday, July 9, 2010
- 09:52 Anse Vata, New Caledonia: Itchy feet again? Yep, it's your neighbourhood globetrotter reporting in from a tiny cor... bit.ly/dadgOa #
- 13:43 I uploaded a YouTube video -- Splashdown Books - The First Year youtu.be/9bExVTBQgG8?a #
- 23:04 The Lost Genre Guild Ray Gun Revival Magazine, Issue 56: Ray Gun Revival magazine celebrates t... bit.ly/987Vyy Sci-Fi & Fantasy Lit #
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
- 18:11 THE VOICE'S WORDS TO PILGRIMS: As recounted in the history of the Legendary Space Pilgrims, these are the first of... bit.ly/aSNhq2 #
- 21:09 SplashdownBooks Blog Cars, brick walls, and learning to drive.: I was fifteen years old when I first sat behind th... bit.ly/c9JWyp #
- 23:00 The Lost Genre Guild News for July 7th 2010: Two new releases this month from Splashdown Books... bit.ly/d11lVU Sci-Fi & Fantasy Lit #
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
- 07:00 Short stories in text or audio formats! This is something new for the ezine scene: flyingislandpress.com/flagship #
- 09:38 Ooo! Just realised my story A Stretch of Time has been published in the July edition of @ResAliens magazine! bit.ly/92ngMZ #
- 12:49 @cldyck Hey, thanks for the RT :) #
- 18:36 It was TODAY that the DeLorean travelled to, here's proof! Well for me it's yesterday since I am in the future hah twitpic.com/22v5ye #
- 21:10 @terrimain G'kar was cool. #
Monday, July 5, 2010
- 07:00 Today is day one for the Flagship ezine run by @spiritualtramp et al: flyingislandpress.com/flagship #
- 09:00 On Surviving Abuse, Part 1: I'm a survivor.It's been a long time coming, this post. Even now I'm trying to avoid w... bit.ly/b25MPJ #
- 10:00 Feeling in need of a little support on my blog post re surviving abuse. First time out of the closet. Anyone? bit.ly/9IaCa3 #
- 10:03 Made some good progress on CyberDublin novel last night. Yay! Pulling threads together, adding a more sinister villain, etc. Lots of work! #
- 10:16 @beanchef thank you! much appreciated #
- 10:31 RT @ghostwoods: Oh no! RT @londongeekgirl In Back To The Future Christopher Lloyd sets the DeLorean for "25 yrs in the future" THAT'S TODAY! #
- 19:00 Did ya see it yet? Did ya? Lost Genre Guild member Scott Roche @spiritualtramp has started a new ezine flyingislandpress.com/flagship #
- 19:54 @jeanettemarsh thanks for the RT! I'm chewing over something to submit there myself. #
- 21:29 Oh, this is hilarious! Ga ndalf Goes to the World Cup jenniferallee.blogspot.com/2010/07/just-for-fun-gandalf-hobbits-and-those.html #
- 00:06 SplashdownBooks Blog Ask a Superhero: Origins of the Superfan: Welcome to our weekly feature where we ask a questi... bit.ly/9uPVHE #
Sunday, July 4, 2010
- 19:00 A new ezine I'm definitely going to keep my eye on, both as reader and writer: flyingislandpress.com/flagship #
- 23:00 The Lost Genre Guild Announcing Flagship Ezine from Flying Island Press: Enjoy Your Sci-fi and... bit.ly/bIgJsb Sci-Fi & Fantasy Lit #
Saturday, July 3, 2010
- 18:18 @spiritualtramp @jeanettemarsh so how do you guys know each other? It's not often locals coincide with my writing world! Cool :) #
- 18:19 @rhyder you need the www, hon www.gracebridges.com/ #
- 18:33 @rhyder ah ok oops. Thank you! #
Friday, July 2, 2010
- 08:05 New Review: The Victor by Marlayne Giron: What stood out the most to me about this book was Marlayne's voice. The ... bit.ly/aAO2eK #
- 09:00 Rural Bavaria: For a country with only a little more land area than my own and twenty times the population,... bit.ly/cjX1U8 #
- 10:18 I subscribed to JoMaLiMum's channel on YouTube. www.youtube.com/user/JoMaLiMum?feature=autoshare #
- 12:16 Oo! Moon pics, incl the far side! @terrimain RT: @bethbookcoach: I love to geek out on space... Maybe you do too! bit.ly/bMTCd2 < a href="http://twitter.com/gracebridges/statuses/17530892641">#
- 13:42 @rhyder Thanks! I picked a different one in the end that's kinda similar: splashdownbooks.com/gb2010-3.jpg What do you think? #
- 16:44 Redesigning my inspy spec-fic ezine listing - there are currently seven, how cool, plus a new one to be born this weekend - lots to read!! #
- 18:11 moro bar to keep me going nom nom nom this might be a long night! #
- 18:22 just been out sneaking around to film some dusk lighted sky for upcoming video projects, among other things - all without getting out of car #
- 23:00 The Lost Genre Guild News for July 2nd 2010: Fred Warren says: My flash story, "Bullies With B... bit.ly/cfwwcm Sci-Fi & Fantasy Lit #
- 23:07 Website going live....now! www.splashdownbooks.com - Still in beta, will work out any kinks over the weekend. #
Thursday, July 1, 2010
- 09:26 yay for sunshine!! #
- 16:31 @cldyck As long as you got the 2009 edition :) #
- 17:09 What's this--my tweeps showing up in my google searches? Woo, freaky :) #
- 17:49 ow sore back...was gonna get a massage at the mall today but they didn't have time for me. Too much overtime lately! and voluntary to boot #
- 17:56 Oy oy oy what am I going to do with this CSS? I'm of a mind to dump it and go back to HTML so's I can get the site done on time. #
- 18:55 @cldyck There are 2; they may not ever de-list the old one as long as traders sell it. I'm honoured - never been a Christmas gift before! #
- 18:56 @simon_w Menus can't be placed in-line with header graphic; the code is messy. I'm doing HTML dropdowns, may replace later. #
- 18:57 @yomcat what's a GUI? #
- 19:22 @simon_w Well, I wanted them to be, but it seems that is not possible. So I caved and put them on the next line. Don't look so bad. #
- 19:24 @simon_w beta version now testing here: www.splashdownbooks.com/bookshop.html #
- 19:36 @simon_w Well, I had them stacked two by two, was still too wide. Wanted an option to wrap on small screens but this is better I think. #
- 23:33 there are so many files on my desktop that many are not visible. yes, it's been that kind of a week. aargh! #
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
- 09:00 On Parking: rainy day, rainbow hazeparked at the jetty.green waves breakingon shelly beach and concrete walls.clar... bit.ly/ax7SoA #
- 09:42 @jeanettemarsh thanks! I did! #
- 09:44 Enjoyed playing pool last night at Ponsonby snooker club, on the tables once used by U2. Good times! #
- 11:01 Publishers! bit.ly/cBqwrT "Do as I say," God thundered, "and you will save your soul and a place in the value chain." #
- 11:04 @HMarieYoung Hey, thanks for buying it! Much appreciated :) I only did the text on that cover. Art by www.facebook.com/dsonneveldt #
- 11:50 @HMarieYoung @cldyck wow thanks Cat! I need more people like you!! #
- 12:13 Is about to start wrestling with CSS for even sleeker site menus. Wish me luck! #
- 12:32 @BookieMonsterNZ Ooh yes! My first cat smelled like my favourite campground, current cat more like talcum powder. #
- 12:34 With help, I found a css menu template I actually understand: javascript.internet.com/navigation/dropdown-menu.html @simon_w #
- 12:39 @simon_w <hand flies over head> sorry, I'm really only a hack and don't know what that means! #
- 13:05 @simon_w umm...okay...thanks...but I think I'll try a straight code copy before venturing there. #
- 13:53 @BookieMonsterNZ Oh, add me? I write and publish too, so take your pick. :) #
- 16:29 Another option for new online presence photo. What do you think? twitpic.c om/215b3y #
- 16:38 Blog interviewer wants to know something about me that surprises people. Heh. I don't know what to say. Nothing's surprising to me, y'see! #
- 17:01 @IcarusForde I speak German if I can be of any help... #
- 22:53 I'm still fighting with CSS. And the CSS is winning. Argh! #
- 23:00 The Lost Genre Guild News for June 30th, 2010: You can read an excerpt of Sherry Thompson's Ea... bit.ly/a8i2SI Sci-Fi & Fantasy Lit #
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
- 10:42 has a new letterbox at last! woohoo! #
- 12:39 If you didn't see it late last night, here's my new website preview: splashdownbooks.com/index1.html Opinions please? #
- 17:01 is suddenly sick of web design. But there are, um, 12 more pages to make! Aaagh! #
- 17:47 Note to self and anyone listening...Uh...Don't listen to the same 10 songs on shuffle ALL DAY, it will make you crazy! #
- 18:22 @jeanettemarsh Silence, a hot shower, and a night out, methinks! #
- 18:40 Calling it a night. Six or seven web pages are done - maybe ten more to go? (I'm not counting!) All good. Laters, peeps! #
Monday, June 28, 2010
- 09:00 On Being Happy: Sometimes I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world.However, that didn't stop me from spilling co... bit.ly/9u3KNw #
- 11:07 Being woken by the phone four days in a row might have made me just a little bit grumpy. Just sayin'. And no it wasn't only just now. #
- 11:11 New Review: Swords of the Six by Scott Appleton: Scott Appleton terms Swords of the Six a "prelude novel" to his i... bit.ly/aQBGog #
- 11:43 @floatingmeme Ooh, that sounds interesting. Anything particular you plan on using it for, or is it for everything? #
- 12:19 has actually finished all the stuff that was urgent today, and can move on to things that are urgent for this week. Yay! Vids. Websites. Etc #
- 12:46 @floatingmeme Woo, yeah, if the functionality is similar, absolutely. Looking forward to reading your experiences! #
- 18:31 is excited about the new website taking shape for Splashdown Books! DM me if you want a sneak peek #
- 21:28 New look for Splashdown Books website: splashdownbooks.com/index1.html (links not all active yet) - Your opinions, please? #< /li>
- 22:33 @velofille aha I've made the grade then? thank you!! #
- 23:00 The Lost Genre Guild News for June 28th: The big news of the weekend is that Jill Williamson o... bit.ly/cIhr6p Sci-Fi & Fantasy Lit #
- 00:40 SplashdownBooks Blog Ask a Superhero: Book Title: Welcome to our weekly feature where we ask a question of a Super... bit.ly/9V7Wb4 #
Sunday, June 27, 2010
- 13:12 Watching the Christy Awards presentation on live chat here & rooting for friends: bit.ly/bxijRi #
- 14:39 Congrats to all the Christy Award winners and finalists! Wow, what a night! #
- 14:41 Good news for all indy publishers - Jill Williamson won a Christy Award with By Darkness Hid from Marcher Lord Press! @marcherlord woohoo!!! #
- 14:46 Would it be right that Speculative is the first genre in which an indy publisher has come so far? CONGRATS @JillWilliamson @marcherlord !! #
- 15:11 Hey everyone an AWESOME dreamy new ambient track by my friend Mike aka Eleon, listen to DIVE here: www.shoutlife.com/emeraldpool #
- 21:15 likes going barefoot into the wet cold garden for delicious fresh silverbeet because you can't be bothered going upstairs for your shoes. #
- 22:16 Noooo...I cannot use a headache at this precise moment in time! Lots to do! 20 more pages of edits due right now, lol. Getting it over with. #
Saturday, June 26, 2010
- 19:05 What an icky day #
- 21:50 is it just me or are there a LOT of people having a bad day today #
- 22:16 Lunar eclipse beginning! First signs visible. #
- 00:02 @cldyck yeah just a partial, but very pretty. had to go outside to see it just now as my window faces east and the moon is straight up now. #
- 00:02 @eddiesnipes thx for #ff! #
- 00:04 Sigh. I have got exactly nothing done today. Back hurts. Head hurts. Not even a lick on that art proje ct. Or anything else. Oh well. #
- 00:08 The lunar eclipse is lovely. The shadow's curvature lets me imagine how big the earth would be when seen from the moon. #
- 00:25 Ick. That is all. #
Friday, June 25, 2010
- 12:55 Here is why I won't use stock images on my book cover designs. Be sure and scroll down for more modern ones. bit.ly/au8oE3 #
- 15:11 My hands are not working. Could be the cold? Off to find my warmers. #
- 15:33 Wow - patients' own stem cells restore blind eyes news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100623/ap_on_he_me/us_med_stem_cells_blindness #
- 17:00 Rangitoto Island: Sleeping Volcano: By far the largest—and youngest— in the Auckland volcanic region, Rangitoto si... bit.ly/dezBBT #
- 17:18 Apparently my post on singleness came across sad and some people are feeling sorry for me. Don't! :) bit.ly/cTxxDb #
- 23:00 The Lost Genre Guild June 25: Fred in Audio, DDM Interview, MLP Update: This from Fred Warren:... bit.ly/dkt2IU Sci-Fi & Fantasy Lit #
Thursday, June 24, 2010
- 17:42 No...way! Double decker bike www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3J7-geqUBQ&feature=player_embedded #
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