Five Enchanted Roses Launch Week

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who made it out to the Facebook Launch Party on Monday. We had such a good time, and an incredible turnout. I was not sure what to expect with an event such as this, but everyone kept me hopping with incredible questions, flattering comments and friendly how-do-you-do's. I sincerely hope you enjoyed the event as much as I did.

Too bad the festivities had to end...oh wait! They didn't! There are still some fun things going on. Anne Elisabeth will be hosting each of the authors on her blog this week and you will NOT want to miss it. Kaycee, Jenelle and I have already been interviewed, with Dorian and Hayden following the next two days. We are answering some thought-provoking questions about Five Enchanted Roses and the beloved fairy tale it is based on.

Also, Jenelle helped us put together this lovely Which Five Enchanted Roses Beauty Are You Quiz, which you simply must check out. It's very enjoyable. Be sure to let us know which character you most resemble!

At this point, I am going to open up the floor for any more straggling questions that may be out there, or for any I may have missed at Monday night's Facebook Party. I will be checking my blog frequently for a few days, so if you think of anything later on you would like to know about Wither, the collection or the experience of being chosen for a special project like this, feel free to ask in the comments. I will be sure to answer as soon as I can! I would also love to hear if anybody is planning on entering the Five Magic Spindles contest this year!

And, lastly, as promised: The dream cast for Wither. 

If you made it to the Facebook Party, you will already be familiar with the first two, but I will share them again for any newcomers.

If Wither were a movie...

Corwin - Luke Evans

For a tragic hero, I think Luke Evans would be perfect. I honestly cannot think of another actor I would prefer. I truly think he was miscast in the upcoming Beauty and the Beast film...I just can't see him as Gaston.

Bet Haverly - Samantha Barks

Samantha did such a wonderful job in Les Miserables playing the awkward tomboy, I think she would do Lilybet justice. It's a tricky thing, finding the right balance between tough and sensitive.

Merchant Haverly - Michael Gambon

Mr. Gambon is a little too old to play Papa, but a younger version of him would do so nicely. I especially love his role in Wives and Daughters. He makes me laugh and cry every time.

Rosamond Haverly - Emily Browning

I love her expression in this picture, full of hopes and dreams. I know Rosamond had a very small role in Wither, but I am hoping to revisit her character in the future.

Sookie Haverly - Elle Fanning

I have seen Miss Fanning in several young roles and think she would make a sweet Sookie. Sookie is naive, innocent and gentle--almost too gentle, for her own good.

The Spook - Liam Hemsworth

And, last but not least, Victor! I couldn't leave out the mysterious and capable Spook from Pandorum. Yes, dear readers, you will be seeing more of this particular Spook.


You will want to keep an eye on the other authors from Five Enchanted Roses. It sounds like many of them have some fun things planned on their blogs this week as well! Don't forget to leave me questions in the comments, if there is anything you would like to know. Who knows, if it is a complicated enough question, I may dedicate an entire blog post to the answering!

Kaycee at The Pink Cave
Jenelle at Jenelle Schmidt
Dorian at Dorian Writes
Hayden at The Story Girl

Cover Reveal

WHEN RAVENS FALL

By Savannah Jezowski

Coming October 2015

Thought I would finally get around to sharing the cover of a little side project I am working on! Once again, my cover designer, Mr. Don Semora, has exceeded my expectations with this beautiful cover. There are so many things I love about it, such as the rustic browns in the color scheme, but I think my favorite aspect is the Yggdrasil at the center, surrounded by runes. So perfect for this Norse fairy tale!

When Ravens Fall is my imaginings of a Norse fairy tale, using characters from the old Norse legends and using their stories to retell a fairy tale. It is an easy read, with a small cast of characters revolving around one central theme: a man facing a destiny he cannot escape. Each of the characters in this story respond to his tragedy in different ways--some will move heaven and earth to change his fate. Others will sacrifice themselves. Some will run away. Others will watch from a distance. They will, almost all, be changed.

This story is near and dear to my heart, and in the upcoming months I will be sharing more of my reasons for choosing to write this unusual tale as well as delving into the legends that inspired the characters. All but one character came straight out of Norse mythology. Also, the initial launch of this story will be a bit unique, so you will want to stay tuned for more details.

"FRIGG'S PROPHECY"

My son is raven cursed, 

Slave of bone and fire.

Ice there is,

And empty halls

And a great tree burning.

Swords be broken

Shields be cleft.

Will no one love my son?

 The raven falls.

Fire freezes and winter burns, 

Ashes gather over the Niflheim.

All is lost or not lost

When roses bloom no more.

Ever by blood 

Fate is slated.

Will no one love my son?

SYNOPSIS

It is the age of dreams.

When Kenna, the raven, foresees a girl in the Mist, she believes she has finally found the one to break the curse. That has always been her mission, since the day her misguided anger cast the curse than engulfed both her and Odin's son, Baldur, complicating what was already an impossible nightmare. But the girl she sees in the Mist is different than the others who have come for the Trials, than the others who have failed and returned home terrorized by their experience. This girl actually wants to be here.

Astrid, the dragon slayer's daughter, has a plan of her own. She is not interested in dreams and curses. There is only one thing that she desires, and falling in love is not it. After all, some girls were never meant to fall in love.

Baldur, the bear, inherited the gift of dreams from his mother. His dreams are consumed with the one event in his future he cannot seem to escape: his death. For years, he and the Raven have tried to find a woman capable of loving him in spite of his monstrosity, and for years they have failed. The roses are dying and the sky burns red like fire. The times tell the tale of the end.

And the end is always the Dragon.

*****

Don't forget to add When Ravens Fall on Goodreads!

Ring Around the Rose Week the Last!!

I'm feeling a bit sad that we have finally reached the last week of our fun series for Ring Around the Rose. But then, I am a little excited, too, because it means it is time to move on to some other exciting thing. Endings are only beginnings in another form, are they not?

This week's question is probably the most serious one we decided to tackle.

What are your thoughts on the themes in Beauty and the Beast? AND What is your favorite version of Beauty and the Beast?

There are so many elements about the story of Beauty and her Beast that grab me. The first exposure I had to the fairy tale was, naturally, the Disney version. It was my favorite movie for the longest time because I empathized with the heroine. Belle was different, and people often made fun of her, but she didn't try to change to be more like them. She was not deceived by "outward appearances," not ultimately. She learned how to see past people's outward ugliness to the prettiness within. And she loved books. She would rather spend her afternoon with her book than with a bunch of people. Is that really such an unusual thing? I didn't think so.

I think the only part of the film I did not like was when the Beast changed back into the Prince. I hated the fact his voice changed. It was bad enough they changed his face, but did they have to mess with his voice too? I really, really missed the old Beast...He was the one I fell in love with, with his ugly face and grouchy personality. I didn't feel like I at all connected with the handsome prince. Give me back my Beast, please.

As much as I loved the movie, ultimately, however, the Broadway production became my favorite version of Beauty and the Beast. I feel like the Disney cartoon left out the most important songs. Watching this tale unfold live on stage had a magic of its own you can't get from your living room.

I think the most important theme in Beauty in the Beast is the message that you don't need to be outwardly beautiful to be beautiful. True beauty is from within, not without. In our world, where Hollywood celebrities and football stars are more famous than our military heroes dying overseas, this is a message we desperately need to be reminded of. We place so much emphasis on the outward appearance, but what's on the outside doesn't really matter. It's what you do with yourself. It's the thoughts you think. The people you help. The hearts you touch. The change you make. It has nothing to do with what you look like, but rather what you do with you already are.

I also appreciate that the concept of sacrifice is so crucial to the story. Belle sacrifices herself for her father, the beast sacrifices himself for Belle, so that she can be free. True love is sacrifice. It's putting what another needs over what we need. Note, I didn't say what we WANT but what we NEED. True sacrifice means you have to give up something so that someone can have something they need. Doesn't Jesus teach us that by the very nature of who He is and what He did for us?

I also like the fact that this is not a "Love at first sight" story. I do like Cinderella, but the whole concept of falling in love with someone the moment you meet them seems so shallow to me. It's like you fall in love with their pretty face or charming personality or big castle...but what about the real person within? I like the fact that in this fairy tale, the Beast grows on the heroine. She has to look past her initial prejudices and try to understand the person he truly is. This is true love.

And perhaps I love this fairy tale the most because I feel like, of all the fairy tales, it is the one that could be my story. Not that my husband is an ugly beast, or ever had an unpleasant personality, but we had one of those gradual acquaintances that turned into something lasting and romantic. If anything, I feel like I have the more beastly character--I can be grouchy, temperamental and sarcastic--while my husband is long suffering, patient and kind. I feel like, if our marriage were to be a picture of Christ loving humanity, I would be the monstrosity and my husband would be the Beautiful one who came to save me, in spite of my inward ugliness.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this timeless tale. Don't forget to check out the rest of the bloggers joining in on the conclusion to this fun series.

Kaycee at The Pink Cave
Jenelle at Jenelle Schmidt
Dorian at Dorian Writes
Hayden at The Story Girl
Heidi at Along the Brandywine
Grace at A Live Masterpiece

Ring Around the Rose Week 5

This week for Ring Around the Rose, we have TWO questions we will be answering. Feel free to answer them yourself and leave your answers in the comments or leave us links to your own blog post, and don't forget to check out the lovely post on Kaycee's blog from yesterday.

First, what is the first story you ever wrote?

I wrote my very first story when I was in elementary school. I didn't even know what a paragraph was. My mother was reading Little House in the Prairie out loud to me and my brothers, and since we grew up watching John Wayne and Davy Crockett, and listening to Marmie's readings of Louis L'Amour, I was a huge fan of cowboys and Indians. My story was about two girls on a wagon train heading west who were kidnapped by Indians. They made friends with their captors and somehow made it back to their wagon train. Happily ever after, The End.

I know. But, please, I was in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, remember? I can't even remember the title of the story, but I still have it, packed away in a pile of boxes in my entry way, waiting for me to some day have an office. I wrote the whole story up by hand--all ten pages of it--and designed my own cover. I also bound the book myself, by using a hole punch and yellow yarn. I wish I could have found it and taken a picture to share, but even after fifteen months in our new home, this place is still in disarray from all of our home renovations.

I was so proud of that sad, little story. It really is a terrible, terrible story, but I will never get rid of it because it was MY first book, and all ten of those little pages are dear to me. We all have to start somewhere, and I think it is vital to remember where you came from in order to truly appreciate where you are today, and what you have become. Our past may not define us, but it certainly plays a vital role in sculpting what we have become.

And, just because the Five Enchanted Roses authors and I love to have a good time when we are not busy working and writing, we threw in a bonus question this week:

What is your favorite Pixar movie?

Now, the unfairness of this question is the fact I have to pick only one. Really, that is truly an impossible task, but if I had to pick my absolute favorite, I would probably choose The Incredibles. I just LOVE the family dynamics. I really enjoy stories that play off the problems we face in our everyday lives--feelings of dissatisfaction with our ho-hum ordinary lives. Of frustration with our imperfect loved ones. Of the allure of the mysterious unknown wooing us away from the safety of our homes, and of the great satisfaction in realizing that all we ever wanted was already in our own backyard. Not to mention, all those super powers and clever one-liners?

"Honey, where's my super suit?" has to be one of the best lines ever written.

And Edna and Jack-Jack? What more could a fangirl ask for?

If I were allowed to pick a second favorite, which I'm convinced I am, I would admit to being a huge fan of WALL-E. I know, it is not the most exciting or the funniest Pixar movie, but it is so stinking cute, with all those Hello Dolly references and his little cockroach sidekick. WALL-E is one of those sad little characters that totally steals your heart with his innocence and search for belonging.

What is your favorite Pixar movie? Please, take a moment and tell me in the comments! Also, don't forget to visit some of the other bloggers participating in this fun series. Feel free to join us at any time. Tomorrow, Jenelle will be sharing her story.

Kaycee at The Pink Cave
Jenelle at Jenelle Schmidt
Dorian at Dorian Writes
Hayden at The Story Girl
Heidi at Along the Brandywine
Grace at A Live Masterpiece

Influencer Readers for Five Enchanted Roses

I was recently informed that Rooglewood Press is looking for a couple more Influencer Readers for the soon to be released Five Enchanted Roses. 

What is an Influencer Reader, you say? I'm so glad you asked. Influencers are people who love to read and write reviews about what they have read.

If you agree to be an Influencer, you will receive a PDF file of the Five Enchanted Roses book prior to its actual release in exchange for an honest review posted on Amazon, and perhaps Goodreads, Barnes & Nobles and a personal blog, if you have one. Unfortunately, you will not receive an actual print copy of the book, but you will be entered into a drawing to receive a free copy. If you are on a tight budget like me, this would allow you to read the stories for free in exchange for a short review of your honest impression of the collection. If you are interested, send me an email at savannahjay1@gmail.com and I will get back with as quickly as I can. The Influencer copies will be going out next week and there are only a couple of slots left, so let me know ASAP if you are interested. Happy reading!

Ring Around the Rose Week 4

Is it already Week 4 of Ring Around the Rose? Impossible! But, sadly, quite true! This week's question is a tough one, let me tell you. You can hop on over to Kaycee's blog and read her take on the question, which was brilliantly done by the way. Kaycee always makes me smile. Such a creative approach to the topic at hand, which is...

What famous author(s) do you feel your writing is most similar to, and why? AND/OR What author do you wish you wrote the most like?

The reason this question is so hard for me. 1) I don't feel as if I have a right to claim my writing is similar to any famous author because they are FAMOUS and I am just little me floundering in a big pool of Awesomeness. 2) My writing is so VARIED as to make this an impossible question to answer. I write fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, children's stories, allegories . . . I write light-hearted stories and I write dark, complex stories. I write in first person and third person, equally. I love writing from multiple view points, and yet I am most adept at getting tangled up in the head of a single character. Most authors have a chosen genre and style they like to spend the majority of their time in. I'm all over the map, although fantasy is definitely my home ground. 3) I could never choose just one author I would wish to take my example from. There are so many qualities about so many different authors that I respect, but at the same time, I do not wish to become them. I want to stay me. I want to respect their genius and not mooch of it. It's so easy to copy--but one of the most important challenges a writer will ever face is learning to be influenced by others without stealing their awesomeness.

So, that being said, I will take a swing at this topic and see where I land.

Who do I feel my writing is most similar to? To whittle it down to a few: I write a lot of fast-paced, first person narratives like Suzanne Collins. I write darker Christian fiction like Ted Dekker and Karen Hancock. I also write a great of Christian allegory, like C.S. Lewis and Anne Elisabeth Stengl, although my stories and world building are not nearly as complex. This leads me right into the second half of the question.

What author do I wish I wrote the most like? I would love to write complex plots with large casts of characters like C.S. Lewis, Anne Elisabeth Stengl and J.K. Rowling. I really love these authors and their use of their art, how they weave hundreds of characters into dozens of plots so full of surprising twists and turns. I love all of their characters, all of their adventures. I also wish I could put out the VOLUME of literature that some of these authors do. The sheer amount of words these men and women scribble onto paper is daunting and thrilling at the same time.

But, truthfully, for myself, the thing I wish to attain most with my writing is honesty. All of my stories are a bit of myself spilling out, mixing with ink and paper and becoming a finger print of my own soul. I doubt my name will ever be famous, but for the few hearts I do touch, I want you to remember that I wrote something real. Something that mattered to me. Something that might matter to you. Even if it only lasts for a few minutes or hours or weeks. I want those precious moments we share together in my little imaginary world to count for something. I am a terrible Introvert. I would rather spend the weekend alone with my husband and a book than go to a party, even with my closest friends and family. In a crowd of people I feel claustrophobic, but in my cluttered, crowded home I feel as if I were strolling through the clouds. There are things I think and feel that I will never say to your face. But, for some bizarre reason, I can often find the courage to say it on paper. I hope to inspire others to have the courage to face the things that haunt them the most, to tackle the difficult issues and face those troublesome dragons.

Blogging has become an engaging and challenging adventure for me. It has forced me to put myself out there and to start communicating with others like myself who have so many things to teach me. I am so grateful for all the new friends I am making--some of them on the other side of the world. When I was a kid, I used to love being a Pen Pal, but I grew out of that and became one of the worst long distance friends anybody ever had. Which is hilarious, since my husband and I have had a long distance relationship since we were in junior high. Remind me to tell you that story sometime. It's quite the romantic fairy tale romp. We had such a fun fantasy wedding. My husband made such a handsome White Knight, in his fantasy garb which my Marmie cleverly designed and made all by her onesie. She made my wedding dress, too. Maybe for my anniversary this year I will do a Wedding Post and pull out the photo album. Thanks for suggesting it, dearies. You're all so clever!

Anyway, way off topic. Tomorrow, Jenelle will be sharing her response to this thought-provoking topic (the writing stuff not the romantic musings) on her blog. You won't want to miss it. And don't forget the other bloggers joining us in this fun event, either. Feel free to join us at any time, leaving your comments below or including a link to your own blog.

Kaycee at The Pink Cave
Jenelle at Jenelle Schmidt
Dorian at Dorian Writes
Hayden at The Story Girl
Heidi at Along the Brandywine
Grace at A Live Masterpiece

Ring Around the Rose Week 3

How would you go about talking a dragon out of eating you, especially if no weapons were available?

This week's question is a terrifying one, and a very important one, too, because the world is just riddled with dangers and you never know when you're going to stumble across one. It's always good to be prepared, whether that means having a first aid kit, a nuclear bomb shelter, a Zombie Apocalypse kit, or a Dragon Survival Plan. My parents recently saw this vehicle on their travels, so apparently the zombie problem is becoming more of an issue. Something you may want to consider adding to your Disaster Preparedness Plan.

Today we are going to be focusing on dragons. Truthfully, not all dragons are a menace. I have been acquainted with many a dragon who was quite logical and pleasant to interact with. But, obviously, there are bad dragons, too, and those are the ones we need to be prepared to deal with. If you have gone to see the new Jurassic World movie (fan girl sigh) you will understand that some monsters, although deadly, can actually be handled. I'm Blue's new biggest fan. Spoilers: That scene near the end where she runs off into the park crying by herself? Sob! I wanted to kill the writers. They totally should have ended the film with Blue, maybe sitting on a nest of eggs or discovering one of the other raptors were still alive instead of ending it with Rex. Who cares about him anyway? Never thought I would become a raptor fan, but Blue was totally awesome. I would love to have a Raptor Whisperer on staff so I could invite her to come stay with me, but sadly, cost, demand and lack of space makes this a rather unrealistic venture. I simply don't have room on my property for a Raptor Paddock.

Anyway, back on point! Dragons! Although some dragons are good dragons, many of them are decidedly not. This means I ought to have a plan of my own, just in case I ever attract the wrong sort of dragon. Dragons are a tricky problem. They're quite a bit more educated than zombies and much more prevalent than dinosaurs, which means they are trickier to avoid. If you get caught by one, the only way out is to talk your way out. And, let me tell you, this is no easy feat because, as I said, dragons are smart.

I think the first thing I would do is determine what kind of dragon I am about to become lunch for, and then figure out what he wants. Some dragons are collectors, such as the gold-loving dragon Fafnir from Norse mythology. This type of dragon might be able to be swayed, so I would try to bribe my way out of it by giving him my music box or faerie collection. Worst case scenario, I would give him my antique book collection. Then, again, I might not. I'm rather attached to my books. The best example of collector dragons would be from Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George. Awesome little book, by the way, a must read.

There are other dragons, however, who are more interested in their stomach than they are in pretty baubles. For this type of dragon, I would try to make him see why I would make a terrible snack. I'm fairly skinny, for one thing, and have knobby elbows and knees and not much fat. I'd be a pretty crunchy snack. Of course, if the dragon happens to like crunchy appetizers, then I would be up the Raptor Paddock without a Raptor Whisperer, if you catch my drift. Last resort, I would run for my life, but I sincerely doubt I will get far. My powers of persuasion far outweigh my physical prowess.

Bonus for today: Some of my favorite monster movies. Jurassic Park was the first monster movie my parents ever let me watch, and it gave me nightmares for weeks, but I watched it over and over again. Let me tell you, that was one awesome movie. The new one is probably going to become my favorite of the four films but nothing can beat the awe of the first.

Reign of Fire is an amazing dragon movie. Christian Bale, Gerard Butler, Matthew McConaughy and a world taken over by fire-breathing, ash-eating dragons. Probably the best dragon movie of all time.

Godzilla, the one with Matthew Brodderick? Hilarious film with hundreds of baby Godzillas running around. Come on. What's not to like?

Pacific Rim can technically be considered a monster movie. I really enjoy that one, too. The whole robot vs. inter-dimensional monster thing is totally my style. Fantasy meets Science Fiction in an explosion of awesomeness.

And, last but not least, The Hobbit. I think Smaug is one of the all-time best villainous dragons. He is a prime example of a collector dragon...and the hungry, fire-breathing kind, as well!

I would love to hear about your Dragon Preparedness Plan. What would YOU do? Leave me an explanation in the comments below, and tell me your favorite dragon book or monster movie. Here are the links to the some of the other bloggers participating in this exciting series. Feel free to join us at any time. Tomorrow is Jenelle's post. I cannot WAIT to hear what she has to say on the subject of DRAGONS.

Kaycee at The Pink Cave

Jenelle at Jenelle Schmidt

Dorian at Dorian Writes

Hayden at The Story Girl

Heidi at Along the Brandywine

Grace at A Live Masterpiece