Amethyst the Concept
This all began as a screenplay for a short film but after doing some extensive research and character development, the story grew into a short story that developed into the novel. I have plans to adapt Amethyst, the book back to a screenplay with hopes for a feature length film.
Amethyst is just the first book in a growing collection of stories. I’m working on at least four maybe five other books to follow up Amethyst. This will be The Platinum Series & so far the titles are Amethyst, Garnet, Sapphire, Diamond & Onyx with the possibility of Emerald in the mix. I have thought about adding other titles as the story unfolds itself.
I let the characters tell the story of their lives based on their personalities and experiences. My lead is a young handsome man named Milican, who has a medical condition that restricts his live in severe ways. He finds love but with that will change his world forever taking him down a new potentially dangerous untraveled path.
This is pivotal point of his young life where is must make some brutal decisions if he is to survive. Follow me on Twitter @StephAmethyst
Thanks for reading, Stephanie Jandreau
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Finished the 'author's edit'
I have finished my personal editing but as we all know we as authors really can't edit our own work. Amethyst still needs the professional touch to give it the polish it deserves. I'm looking into several options at this point. In talks with a self-publisher about going that route.
Also I'm working on my query letter to send out with my submissions to traditional publishers. This letter has to be perfect to have a chance to be noticed by a publishing house. So as you can tell I'm on the fence about my options. Self- publishing equates to getting my book in the hands of the readers sooner but I have to put the funds upfront, ouch, before I receive any profits from the sell of those books. Transitional publishing equates to a lengthy process of searching for a house to pick my book up to print, the possibilities of advances upfront then additional royalties after the sales.
I've given bits & pieces of the manuscript to trusted friends for their feedback and I've started to incorporate their suggestions into the book.
In the meantime I'm writing the follow up book, Garnet with a steady flow of the storyline playing like a movie in my head. The characters are telling me the story and I just have to type it. They live in me, constantly deciding new paths to take so I follow along to enjoy the ride. They fascinate me with their struggle and triumphs.
I can't wait to share them with the world, Stephanie J
Also I'm working on my query letter to send out with my submissions to traditional publishers. This letter has to be perfect to have a chance to be noticed by a publishing house. So as you can tell I'm on the fence about my options. Self- publishing equates to getting my book in the hands of the readers sooner but I have to put the funds upfront, ouch, before I receive any profits from the sell of those books. Transitional publishing equates to a lengthy process of searching for a house to pick my book up to print, the possibilities of advances upfront then additional royalties after the sales.
I've given bits & pieces of the manuscript to trusted friends for their feedback and I've started to incorporate their suggestions into the book.
In the meantime I'm writing the follow up book, Garnet with a steady flow of the storyline playing like a movie in my head. The characters are telling me the story and I just have to type it. They live in me, constantly deciding new paths to take so I follow along to enjoy the ride. They fascinate me with their struggle and triumphs.
I can't wait to share them with the world, Stephanie J
Monday, March 28, 2011
I'm forwarding Valerie's Comment
The author is my daughter, Stephanie Merricks Jandreau, born and educated right here in Pittsylvania County Virginia. She and her family have lived in the Boston MA area for about 13 years now. "Amethyst" is her first book in a series of six in the "Platinum Series". I've had the privilege to read the unedited book and she has found an intriguing new twist on becoming a modern day Vampire. You will not find the typical vampire props or story line...no wooden stakes, garlic, werewolves and the etc. She has made it so realistic that you will never know how many vampires walk among us every day.....?
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Debate
Traditional Publishing or Self-Publishing? The pro's & con's... Traditional route, I may not picked up in a timely manner but the pay off could big substantial. They could love it and give me an advance to put it simply. Have more public announcement of the book through media channels.
Self- Publish, I pay to have my book published up front but it's costly despite the reasonable payment plans. They, too have media access but I'd be paying for it out of pocket. Ouch, it's steep. I would need to sell 2,00 copies to be considered a best-seller & then 'maybe' just maybe a traditional publisher would be more interested in Amethyst & The Platinum Series as well.
All of this will be a waiting game hoping to get noticed. But the book needs tons of editing & revisions at this point. I'm doing what I can but I'm not an expert on such things. I'll get The Platinum Series: Amethyst in the hands of the readers as soon as I can. I know you're all anxious to read the story. I've been working on this for almost a complete year, March 28, by brother Patrick's birthday , it will one full year.
I'm so excited to have the feedback on whether or not my audience responds to my characters, Milican who struggles with life and love and his health. Amelia & Garreth, his parents, Link the best friend, Lily & Vivian as love interests and a large cast of supporting roles of interesting people, more tid bits to come. Thanks, Stephanie =D
Self- Publish, I pay to have my book published up front but it's costly despite the reasonable payment plans. They, too have media access but I'd be paying for it out of pocket. Ouch, it's steep. I would need to sell 2,00 copies to be considered a best-seller & then 'maybe' just maybe a traditional publisher would be more interested in Amethyst & The Platinum Series as well.
All of this will be a waiting game hoping to get noticed. But the book needs tons of editing & revisions at this point. I'm doing what I can but I'm not an expert on such things. I'll get The Platinum Series: Amethyst in the hands of the readers as soon as I can. I know you're all anxious to read the story. I've been working on this for almost a complete year, March 28, by brother Patrick's birthday , it will one full year.
I'm so excited to have the feedback on whether or not my audience responds to my characters, Milican who struggles with life and love and his health. Amelia & Garreth, his parents, Link the best friend, Lily & Vivian as love interests and a large cast of supporting roles of interesting people, more tid bits to come. Thanks, Stephanie =D
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
It's Offical
At 12:34 pm on March 2, 2011 'THE END' was typed on Amethyst. I complete the first full draft of Amethyst. Sure I'll still have to do some revisions and edits but the core of the story is in written. The last piece fell into place just as all the others have, seamlessly and spontaneously. I'd been worrying over how & where the end the book would happen when it dawned on me that I'd written past it already. I went back and re-read the first run, tweaked it and ended it in a different place & in totally new way altogether.
I'm extremely impressed that I can say that I have written my first book, of course I realize that it's not finished by any means but I can say that the vast majority of it definitely is. I still have some hiccups in the flow of the read so I'll need to add some transitional scenes to accommodate for that.
All the characters are firmly in place ready to play their roles. Is the world ready for the story of Amethyst? A world based in medical reality that dips severely into the world of the supernatural.
I'll introduce Milican as my charismatic lead man. He is a handsome brilliant collage student studying to be a chemist with a debilitating blood disorder is his driving force that wreaks havoc on his entire life. Thus, his personal schedule and consequently on his all of his relationships. He's curious risk-taking scientist willing to put himself in harm's way to find the answers to his never-ending questions about his disorder.
Next up is Milican's brawny best friend Link, who's the kind of guy we all wish we had as our closed friend, always ready to help lend a hand, & easy on the eyes, too. Whenever Milican needs help or advice he can always trust & rely on Link to be there.
Enter Vivian, a sultry part-time librarian assistant with aspirations of being a professional dancer who falls for our charming Milican. They have a steamy romance that's doesn't go along smoothly. Things are repeatedly interrupted by his diseases causing hardships in their love affair. Giving way to a cast of additional characters who come to play signification roles in Milican's world. We have Lily, the shy 'I wanna fit it ' girl with a bit of attitude and then there's the sexy foreign Goth chick 'I'll try anything once' kind of girl, Natasha.
Some craziness at a medical lab where Milican finds a job that adds more suspense and action to the wild world his dwells within.
I hope to find a publisher willing to take a chance on an unknown author with a compelling new story of love, tragedy and some science fiction/ fantasy for good measure. I hope it appeals to a wide range of readers from those whose loves Anne Rice, to Charlaine Harris to Becca Fitzpatrick & JK Rowling, are we picking up on a trend. Supernatural & Romance & Oops, almost gave it a way. Sorry you'll have to Amethyst to find out what Milican is. Titles that may be associated with my book, let's see, Hush, Hush, The House of Night, & The Vampire Diaries.Warning it is more graphic than the PG Twilight Series and maybe a dash hotter than The Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood books so there you have it. That will be determined by how it is edited in the end.
Thanks for reading, Stephanie M. Jandreau
I'm extremely impressed that I can say that I have written my first book, of course I realize that it's not finished by any means but I can say that the vast majority of it definitely is. I still have some hiccups in the flow of the read so I'll need to add some transitional scenes to accommodate for that.
All the characters are firmly in place ready to play their roles. Is the world ready for the story of Amethyst? A world based in medical reality that dips severely into the world of the supernatural.
I'll introduce Milican as my charismatic lead man. He is a handsome brilliant collage student studying to be a chemist with a debilitating blood disorder is his driving force that wreaks havoc on his entire life. Thus, his personal schedule and consequently on his all of his relationships. He's curious risk-taking scientist willing to put himself in harm's way to find the answers to his never-ending questions about his disorder.
Next up is Milican's brawny best friend Link, who's the kind of guy we all wish we had as our closed friend, always ready to help lend a hand, & easy on the eyes, too. Whenever Milican needs help or advice he can always trust & rely on Link to be there.
Enter Vivian, a sultry part-time librarian assistant with aspirations of being a professional dancer who falls for our charming Milican. They have a steamy romance that's doesn't go along smoothly. Things are repeatedly interrupted by his diseases causing hardships in their love affair. Giving way to a cast of additional characters who come to play signification roles in Milican's world. We have Lily, the shy 'I wanna fit it ' girl with a bit of attitude and then there's the sexy foreign Goth chick 'I'll try anything once' kind of girl, Natasha.
Some craziness at a medical lab where Milican finds a job that adds more suspense and action to the wild world his dwells within.
I hope to find a publisher willing to take a chance on an unknown author with a compelling new story of love, tragedy and some science fiction/ fantasy for good measure. I hope it appeals to a wide range of readers from those whose loves Anne Rice, to Charlaine Harris to Becca Fitzpatrick & JK Rowling, are we picking up on a trend. Supernatural & Romance & Oops, almost gave it a way. Sorry you'll have to Amethyst to find out what Milican is. Titles that may be associated with my book, let's see, Hush, Hush, The House of Night, & The Vampire Diaries.Warning it is more graphic than the PG Twilight Series and maybe a dash hotter than The Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood books so there you have it. That will be determined by how it is edited in the end.
Thanks for reading, Stephanie M. Jandreau
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The lead man in Amethyst was named Merrick in earlier postings but I've since changed it to Milican. Zackariah Milican Merricks will be his full name in the books of The Platinum Series including Amethyst. I felt that I had to change it now due the popularity of Anne Rice's book entitled 'Merrick'. And since they are both are vampire books/stories, I didn't want to deal with any controversy therein.
I had originally chosen Merrick as a version of my maiden name of Merricks so I simply switched it back to a surname replaced the 's' at the end. It sounds better that way anyhow, in my opinion. The name Milican is also a family name it was my Great-Grandfather's first name. I wanted to give my lead character an easily distinguishable name and one that had sentimental meaning to me and my family. My Grandmother was so pleased to hear that I was using her Father's name as the lead in my book. I have since added other family members as important characters throughout the book. Like an alias name Milican will use is my late Grandfather Archie Lee Thompson but I changed it to Archie Harrison Lee. Harrison is also a name ancestor. My family who will read will undoubtedly find hidden gems like this all over the book.
I wanted to pay respect to my family who made me who I am by honoring them with roles in my books. So they're always the 'good guys'.
I had originally chosen Merrick as a version of my maiden name of Merricks so I simply switched it back to a surname replaced the 's' at the end. It sounds better that way anyhow, in my opinion. The name Milican is also a family name it was my Great-Grandfather's first name. I wanted to give my lead character an easily distinguishable name and one that had sentimental meaning to me and my family. My Grandmother was so pleased to hear that I was using her Father's name as the lead in my book. I have since added other family members as important characters throughout the book. Like an alias name Milican will use is my late Grandfather Archie Lee Thompson but I changed it to Archie Harrison Lee. Harrison is also a name ancestor. My family who will read will undoubtedly find hidden gems like this all over the book.
I wanted to pay respect to my family who made me who I am by honoring them with roles in my books. So they're always the 'good guys'.
My Writing Style
This is a fictional book and all the characters are based on at least two or more real people & their personalities. I was once told a piece of wonderful advice by a friend/photographer, 'If you write from the truth then you'll never be wrong'. Thank you Carrigan.
Another terrific nugget of advice given to me by my generous editor, S. Reece, 'Don't worry about the grammar or the structure that's what an editor is for. You are the only who can be creative and get the story out of your head.' I'm paraphrasing since she told me that over a year ago now. What I take from that is, don't get hung up on the formalities of writing, just write and you'll enjoy it more. And that's what I've done, I do enjoy writing, the story tells itself based on the strong character development I spent a great deal of time working on.
Once I knew my characters, who they are, what they do, how they think & talk...all of those play a role in their decision making progress & thus guides the story. I let them tell me how to write it within the boundaries I have set.
Also I've discovered that my writing style is called 'Mosaic', I write the pieces as they come to me not in chronological order. So I do have to go back and add some transitional scenes to bridge the gaps but that's easy. That's how was able the write 350 pages of the second book in the series, Garnet, before I've even finished first book, Amethyst.
Another terrific nugget of advice given to me by my generous editor, S. Reece, 'Don't worry about the grammar or the structure that's what an editor is for. You are the only who can be creative and get the story out of your head.' I'm paraphrasing since she told me that over a year ago now. What I take from that is, don't get hung up on the formalities of writing, just write and you'll enjoy it more. And that's what I've done, I do enjoy writing, the story tells itself based on the strong character development I spent a great deal of time working on.
Once I knew my characters, who they are, what they do, how they think & talk...all of those play a role in their decision making progress & thus guides the story. I let them tell me how to write it within the boundaries I have set.
Also I've discovered that my writing style is called 'Mosaic', I write the pieces as they come to me not in chronological order. So I do have to go back and add some transitional scenes to bridge the gaps but that's easy. That's how was able the write 350 pages of the second book in the series, Garnet, before I've even finished first book, Amethyst.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
BOOKS of the DEAD PRESS: FREE BOOKS
BOOKS of the DEAD PRESS: FREE BOOKS: "We all know that books that get awarded a bunch of positive reviews tend to get better sales, and better sales are the only thing that keep..."
Monday, February 14, 2011
Amethyst Website
http://twitter.com/#!/StephAmethystI had forgotten all about this website I create some time ago but I'll try to keep it updated as well.
The Final Chapter
Working on the final chapter of Amethyst debating over how the end the book. It will be a cliffhanger for sure but the how & when are as of yet unknown to me. Once I've written the ending scene I'll be going back through the entire book re-reading it. I'll be looking for continuity errors and of course grammatical mistakes, too. I am aware of some small but important scene are still missing so I'll be writing those next. And then it's off to my editor for the final revisions.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Amethyst Concept
This all began as a screenplay for a short film but after doing some research and character development, the story grew into a short story that developed into the novel. I have plans to adapt Amethyst, the book back to a screenplay for a feature length film.
Amethyst is just the first book in a growing collection of stories. I'm working on at least four other books to follow up Amethyst. This will be The Platinum Series & so far the titles are Amethyst, Garnet, Sapphire, Diamond & Onyx. I have thought about adding other titles as the story unfolds itself.
I let the characters tell the story of their lives based on their personalities and experiences. My lead is a young handsome man named Milican, who has a medical condition that restricts his live in severe ways. He finds love but with that will change he world forever taking him down a new untraveled path.
This is pivotal point of his young life where is must make some brutal decisions if he is to survive.http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=147175615307857&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=147175615307857
Amethyst is just the first book in a growing collection of stories. I'm working on at least four other books to follow up Amethyst. This will be The Platinum Series & so far the titles are Amethyst, Garnet, Sapphire, Diamond & Onyx. I have thought about adding other titles as the story unfolds itself.
I let the characters tell the story of their lives based on their personalities and experiences. My lead is a young handsome man named Milican, who has a medical condition that restricts his live in severe ways. He finds love but with that will change he world forever taking him down a new untraveled path.
This is pivotal point of his young life where is must make some brutal decisions if he is to survive.http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=147175615307857&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=147175615307857
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