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Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Good-bye 2019!! 🥳 Year end in review! 🥂
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Let's talk about the media guy, Tom Makerson 📰(Updated)
Tom Makerson may be a secondary character in the series, but he plays a valuable role in the organization. When it comes to public perception, Makerson makes Jorge Hernandez look like a hero while his enemies like the devil. Talk about spinning a story!
Makerson came along in And the Devil Will Laugh when Jorge Hernandez needs someone he can control in the media. After having some issues with the newspaper Toronto AM, Jorge decided to cut (literally) the editor out of the picture. He picks someone else to take over the paper and in turn, take care of his profile in the media. When we meet Makerson in the first chapter, it becomes clear that he is intimidated by Hernandez and will do whatever he wants. Which, of course, is exactly what Jorge Hernandez wants.
Throughout the series, Makerson grows more comfortable with Hernandez, and the two work quite well together. Not only does Makerson create a pristine image of the CEO of Our House of Pot, but he's also given some big news tips from Hernandez that end up being breaking stories and, in turn, enhancing his career. Of course, there are always fringe benefits if you do what Hernandez wants, like having your condo paid off, but that's not for a couple of books later.
Do power and money slant the media? Is there corruption behind closed doors? I think we both know the answer to these questions.
Makerson came along in And the Devil Will Laugh when Jorge Hernandez needs someone he can control in the media. After having some issues with the newspaper Toronto AM, Jorge decided to cut (literally) the editor out of the picture. He picks someone else to take over the paper and in turn, take care of his profile in the media. When we meet Makerson in the first chapter, it becomes clear that he is intimidated by Hernandez and will do whatever he wants. Which, of course, is exactly what Jorge Hernandez wants.Throughout the series, Makerson grows more comfortable with Hernandez, and the two work quite well together. Not only does Makerson create a pristine image of the CEO of Our House of Pot, but he's also given some big news tips from Hernandez that end up being breaking stories and, in turn, enhancing his career. Of course, there are always fringe benefits if you do what Hernandez wants, like having your condo paid off, but that's not for a couple of books later.
Do power and money slant the media? Is there corruption behind closed doors? I think we both know the answer to these questions.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Friday, December 20, 2019
What is the crazy concept behind my series? 😱(Updated)
Murder, blackmail, and conspiracy theories are frequent themes in my books, but why?
I'm going to tell you right from the get-go that my motivation as a writer has always been to make people think. That's not to say that ideas that spring up in my books are always cute and cuddly; I do like stirring up the question 'what if' in the back of people's minds.
One of the comments that my character Diego often says in my book series, is that in a world full of sheep, always be a wolf. Of course, this suggests that they believe people to be mindless followers. They constantly point out situations where people simply aren't paying attention to the world around them. Not to suggest that this theory is true, but we certainly can't deny that many people are overwhelmed with life and aren't always paying attention to trends in the news. In reality, the better way to explain it would be 'in a world full of information overload, many people don't have time to take it all in.
I enjoy challenging my readers and making them consider various topics. Whether I'm showing an example of racism, bringing up a conspiracy theory or some other 'what if' scenario, or simply reflecting something we're witnessing in the news, I love the idea of a reader rolling new concepts or ideas through their mind. It isn't that I want to make everyone paranoid but simply more aware.
Have you ever watched a movie, television series, or read a book that made you stop and consider something you hadn't thought about before? If so, that writer has done their job.
I'm going to tell you right from the get-go that my motivation as a writer has always been to make people think. That's not to say that ideas that spring up in my books are always cute and cuddly; I do like stirring up the question 'what if' in the back of people's minds.
One of the comments that my character Diego often says in my book series, is that in a world full of sheep, always be a wolf. Of course, this suggests that they believe people to be mindless followers. They constantly point out situations where people simply aren't paying attention to the world around them. Not to suggest that this theory is true, but we certainly can't deny that many people are overwhelmed with life and aren't always paying attention to trends in the news. In reality, the better way to explain it would be 'in a world full of information overload, many people don't have time to take it all in.
I enjoy challenging my readers and making them consider various topics. Whether I'm showing an example of racism, bringing up a conspiracy theory or some other 'what if' scenario, or simply reflecting something we're witnessing in the news, I love the idea of a reader rolling new concepts or ideas through their mind. It isn't that I want to make everyone paranoid but simply more aware.
Have you ever watched a movie, television series, or read a book that made you stop and consider something you hadn't thought about before? If so, that writer has done their job.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Sunday, December 15, 2019
A blurb from The Devil and His Legacy 📖(Updated)
I already knew the theme for my latest book while still writing my last one, The Devil May Lie. A prominent character is murdered in it, and for that reason, Jorge Hernandez starts to question his legacy. He wonders what he will leave behind. How will people see him? How will he be remembered? From this, The Devil and His Legacy was born.
The first paragraph talks about where Jorge Hernandez starts with the concept of legacy, while the first paragraph of the last chapter shows where he ends up on the topic. My goal is to show character growth as a result of his experiences throughout the story. You can learn more by checking out the video below👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼and I promise, there are no spoiler alerts! 🤔 🤔
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Monday, December 9, 2019
Who's the Greek God? Let's talk about Alec Athas 🇬🇷(Updated)
If you're familiar with my current series, chances are you've already encountered the politician that Jorge Hernandez snidely refers to as 'The Greek God'. We first met Alec in A Devil Named Hernandez, and unlike so many secondary characters, he has managed to survive through each book.Alec is reluctant to get involved with Jorge Hernandez, knowing of his reputation but sees no way out. He's a powerful man who's quite intimidating. Also, he does have the ability to help Alec make some headway in politics which, in turn, will give Alec the opportunity to make a difference, which is his whole motivation for getting into the political game. He wants to make the world a better place.
The reader immediately sees the contrast between the two characters: a 'good vs. evil', which is why Jorge views the 'Greek God' as his nemesis. Unlike himself, Alec has a history of social work and helping people, whereas Jorge Hernandez has a history of intimidating and torturing those who go against him. The two men tend to complement one another, and sometimes it's up to Alec to be the voice of reason, but as the series moves forward, we begin to recognize what we see with all the salt of the earth characters in the series. Eventually, they all start to become like Jorge Hernandez.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Monday, December 2, 2019
Why do you need a sharp book cover? 😉(Updated)
Book covers should symbolize the pages inside, but how much of an impact do they make? Do we judge a book by its cover?
I spend a lot of time thinking about my book covers and choosing the best option. Like everything else, I often overthink it, but in general, a cover must give an overall feel of the story inside. For example, many of my books have a dark, sinister vibe that is captured on the cover. These days, I write about criminals, so you wouldn't expect to find an image that is bright, cheery, and fun. It wouldn't make sense. It would be misleading and send the wrong message about the story and the characters involved.
Book covers should speak to their potential audience. To me, if something captivates them in the imagery, chances are it represents a curiosity about what may be in the pages. Much like a movie poster, a book cover should leave you with a sense of what to expect. Colors, the specific images, and the title create an impression and should cause the potential reader to be intrigued and want to sink into the pages.
A perfect example would be my Hernandez series. The protagonist is sinister, powerful, and dangerous. Both the covers in this article will show you the connection to this theme. I lean toward ominous imagery. I also have bright colors that are eye-catching and attractive against the black background. This is what captivates your audience.
In the end, each author has to decide which cover best represents their book while at the same time considering the marketing aspect and what will sell. It can be a difficult balance but is necessary when publishing a book.
I spend a lot of time thinking about my book covers and choosing the best option. Like everything else, I often overthink it, but in general, a cover must give an overall feel of the story inside. For example, many of my books have a dark, sinister vibe that is captured on the cover. These days, I write about criminals, so you wouldn't expect to find an image that is bright, cheery, and fun. It wouldn't make sense. It would be misleading and send the wrong message about the story and the characters involved.
Book covers should speak to their potential audience. To me, if something captivates them in the imagery, chances are it represents a curiosity about what may be in the pages. Much like a movie poster, a book cover should leave you with a sense of what to expect. Colors, the specific images, and the title create an impression and should cause the potential reader to be intrigued and want to sink into the pages.A perfect example would be my Hernandez series. The protagonist is sinister, powerful, and dangerous. Both the covers in this article will show you the connection to this theme. I lean toward ominous imagery. I also have bright colors that are eye-catching and attractive against the black background. This is what captivates your audience.
In the end, each author has to decide which cover best represents their book while at the same time considering the marketing aspect and what will sell. It can be a difficult balance but is necessary when publishing a book.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
How strong characters make us stronger 💪🏼(Updated)
Have you ever tried to emulate a strong character on television, from the movies or a book? Are we more drawn to characters representing the kind of person we want to be, or do we prefer characters that remind us of ourselves?
I think it's safe to say that the answer to both these questions is probably yes. We often connect with those who remind us of ourselves, but I think there's also a side of us all that seeks out characters that demonstrate the person we would like to be, especially when they are more strong and powerful.
Of course, this is just a theory of mine, but you have to admit, it does make sense. When we consider some of the most admired characters in television, movies, and books, most are admired for their strength and ability to withstand anything thrown at them. In a way, it gives us hope. If our favorite character is resilient in the worst circumstances, then perhaps we can be too.
Regarding my series, many readers have told me that they admire Jorge Hernandez for his strength and boldness, regardless of the situation. He is fearless, powerful, and without a doubt, not someone you want to piss off. Who wouldn't want to have those kinds of traits? After all, life has a way of stepping on us all from time to time, so we find assurance knowing that there are powerful people out there that can withstand anything - even if those powerful people are fictitious characters.
Do you have a character that you've admired for their strength? If so, who is it? I'd love to see your thoughts in the comments.
I think it's safe to say that the answer to both these questions is probably yes. We often connect with those who remind us of ourselves, but I think there's also a side of us all that seeks out characters that demonstrate the person we would like to be, especially when they are more strong and powerful.
Of course, this is just a theory of mine, but you have to admit, it does make sense. When we consider some of the most admired characters in television, movies, and books, most are admired for their strength and ability to withstand anything thrown at them. In a way, it gives us hope. If our favorite character is resilient in the worst circumstances, then perhaps we can be too.Regarding my series, many readers have told me that they admire Jorge Hernandez for his strength and boldness, regardless of the situation. He is fearless, powerful, and without a doubt, not someone you want to piss off. Who wouldn't want to have those kinds of traits? After all, life has a way of stepping on us all from time to time, so we find assurance knowing that there are powerful people out there that can withstand anything - even if those powerful people are fictitious characters.
Do you have a character that you've admired for their strength? If so, who is it? I'd love to see your thoughts in the comments.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Should you read your own books? 😳 (Updated)
After revising, editing, and rereading your manuscript a million times before publishing, you might think the last thing you want to do is to pore over it again. However, there are many benefits to reading your book after its release.
Let's start by getting the negative stuff out of the way. One reason to curl up with your own book is to find errors. I'm not suggesting you 'proofread it' again, but take note if you notice anything that you might've missed during the editing process. Do you see something you should've added or could've taken out?
Of course, we're all a work in progress so reading your book also allows you an opportunity to see things you can improve. What would you do differently in the future?
At the same time, don't forget everything you've done right! What stands out about your book? Did you write snappy dialogue? Was there one particular scene that stood out? What grabs your attention? Try to see it through the reader's eyes. Don't be your worst critic but remember to pat yourself on the back for what you've done well.
And finally, why not read your book? You've worked hard, so why not snuggle up with a hot drink and get lost in the fantasy that you created.
Let's start by getting the negative stuff out of the way. One reason to curl up with your own book is to find errors. I'm not suggesting you 'proofread it' again, but take note if you notice anything that you might've missed during the editing process. Do you see something you should've added or could've taken out?
Of course, we're all a work in progress so reading your book also allows you an opportunity to see things you can improve. What would you do differently in the future?
At the same time, don't forget everything you've done right! What stands out about your book? Did you write snappy dialogue? Was there one particular scene that stood out? What grabs your attention? Try to see it through the reader's eyes. Don't be your worst critic but remember to pat yourself on the back for what you've done well.
And finally, why not read your book? You've worked hard, so why not snuggle up with a hot drink and get lost in the fantasy that you created.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Monday, November 11, 2019
The Devil and His Legacy 🦁(Updated)
If you enjoy reading about criminals, corruption, and collusion with some murder and mayhem thrown in, you might want to pick up The Devil and His Legacy, the 7th book in the Hernandez series. If you haven't met Jorge Hernandez yet, be prepared for his unapologetically brutal tactics that have both ended and ruined lives. Here's the official explanation for the series:
A former Mexican narco transitions into Canadian life with family, politics, and business while holding tight to his ruthless, criminal ways. Meet Jorge Hernandez.
This series includes:
We're All Animals
Always be a Wolf
The Devil is Smooth Like Honey
A Devil Named Hernandez
And the Devil Will Laugh
The Devil Will lie
The Devil and His Legacy
Here's a quick synopsis of the latest book:
In the six months since the murder of his trusted comrade, Jorge Hernandez is left questioning his own legacy. While many will remember him as a loving father, loyal husband, and the aggressive businessman who took over the Canadian pot industry, others will forever see him as the predatory, blood-thirsty criminal that tore apart his enemies without a second thought.
A former Mexican narco transitions into Canadian life with family, politics, and business while holding tight to his ruthless, criminal ways. Meet Jorge Hernandez.
This series includes:
We're All Animals
Always be a Wolf
The Devil is Smooth Like Honey
A Devil Named Hernandez
And the Devil Will Laugh
The Devil Will lie
The Devil and His Legacy
Here's a quick synopsis of the latest book:
The Devil and His Legacy
In the six months since the murder of his trusted comrade, Jorge Hernandez is left questioning his own legacy. While many will remember him as a loving father, loyal husband, and the aggressive businessman who took over the Canadian pot industry, others will forever see him as the predatory, blood-thirsty criminal that tore apart his enemies without a second thought.
In the seventh book in the Hernandez series, Jorge continues to force his ruthless justice on those who slink from the shadows. Whether it be a ghost from the past that should’ve stayed dead or the insidious threats to the same government he controls, no one can stop The Devil.
In the world of Jorge Hernandez, the timid will become powerful, the enemy will repent and nothing stands in the way of The Devil and his Legacy.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
The story of Miguel 👶🏽(Updated)
There's a very tragic story behind how Miguel Hernandez got his name, and it's a story that tells you as much about Jorge as it does his son.
Anyone who follows the series is probably familiar with how Jorge Hernandez lost his brother. He often refers to a childhood incident when his older cousin drops by with a new dirtbike. Being a rambunctious thrill-seeker as a child, Jorge automatically decides he's going to take it for a spin. While his cousin is in the house, the twelve-year-old encourages his hesitant brother to join him on the bike, and the two take off. Unfortunately, Jorge is only mildly familiar with how to drive it, and the two end up having an accident where his ten-year-old brother dies.
Broken by this loss, Jorge finds no compassion from his own family. Instead, they blame him for this reckless behavior. His father savagely beats him while his mother looks on. Not only does his family hold him responsible for Miguel's death, but Jorge also blames himself throughout his life. The relationship he has with his parents never recovers, forcing Jorge to become stronger to protect himself. This incident gives us a better idea of why he grows into the man he becomes.
Many years later, Jorge has a son and automatically knows he must name him Miguel. He talks about how looking into his son's eyes heals him. Of course, his sense of protectiveness for both his children resulted from the horrific tragedy of his childhood. His sense of loyalty and family is also very important to him because he lacked in this growing up. In a way, the Miguel story comes full circle.
Anyone who follows the series is probably familiar with how Jorge Hernandez lost his brother. He often refers to a childhood incident when his older cousin drops by with a new dirtbike. Being a rambunctious thrill-seeker as a child, Jorge automatically decides he's going to take it for a spin. While his cousin is in the house, the twelve-year-old encourages his hesitant brother to join him on the bike, and the two take off. Unfortunately, Jorge is only mildly familiar with how to drive it, and the two end up having an accident where his ten-year-old brother dies.
Broken by this loss, Jorge finds no compassion from his own family. Instead, they blame him for this reckless behavior. His father savagely beats him while his mother looks on. Not only does his family hold him responsible for Miguel's death, but Jorge also blames himself throughout his life. The relationship he has with his parents never recovers, forcing Jorge to become stronger to protect himself. This incident gives us a better idea of why he grows into the man he becomes.
Many years later, Jorge has a son and automatically knows he must name him Miguel. He talks about how looking into his son's eyes heals him. Of course, his sense of protectiveness for both his children resulted from the horrific tragedy of his childhood. His sense of loyalty and family is also very important to him because he lacked in this growing up. In a way, the Miguel story comes full circle.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Friday, October 4, 2019
Do you have a side gig? 🤫(Updated)
I often wonder how many hours I work a week. When I consider both my jobs, my writing, not to mention the countless hours of preparing and creating social media (including this video and blog 😂) I probably would be shocked by the total. 😲
Hey, but I don't mind. This is my passion. I can't imagine my life without my artistic side, and writing happens to be it. For others, it's creating music, dancing, painting, or it may not be a creative side at all. Perhaps you are trying to start a side business that takes some time to establish. This is normal. There's no shame in working while you reach for your dreams.
Having said that there's a lot of misconceptions. The 'overnight success' story is usually just that; a story. Most people work long hours, often for many years, before their efforts start to catch on. This is the rule rather than the exception.
I always tell the story of a woman I used to know while living in Vancouver, who thought I was a fool for 'wasting my time' with writing pursuits. She was clear on the fact that since my first book hadn't been a best-selling success, it naturally meant that I was putting my efforts into the wrong things. She ridiculed me for even continuing with my writing and suggested I drop it. I instead decided to drop our friendship. I felt that writing was probably the safer bet of the two.
Having said this, it requires work. For example, you can't write a book and then sit on your hands for the next 12 months. You always have to be looking ahead, thinking of new ways to find your audience, and staying on social media so fans and followers can learn more about you. You must manage your time very carefully. When are you at your sharpest? What can you fit into your day? There's usually lots to do, so you need to be diligent and plan ahead.
Do you have a side gig? What are your dreams?
Hey, but I don't mind. This is my passion. I can't imagine my life without my artistic side, and writing happens to be it. For others, it's creating music, dancing, painting, or it may not be a creative side at all. Perhaps you are trying to start a side business that takes some time to establish. This is normal. There's no shame in working while you reach for your dreams.
Having said that there's a lot of misconceptions. The 'overnight success' story is usually just that; a story. Most people work long hours, often for many years, before their efforts start to catch on. This is the rule rather than the exception.
I always tell the story of a woman I used to know while living in Vancouver, who thought I was a fool for 'wasting my time' with writing pursuits. She was clear on the fact that since my first book hadn't been a best-selling success, it naturally meant that I was putting my efforts into the wrong things. She ridiculed me for even continuing with my writing and suggested I drop it. I instead decided to drop our friendship. I felt that writing was probably the safer bet of the two.
Having said this, it requires work. For example, you can't write a book and then sit on your hands for the next 12 months. You always have to be looking ahead, thinking of new ways to find your audience, and staying on social media so fans and followers can learn more about you. You must manage your time very carefully. When are you at your sharpest? What can you fit into your day? There's usually lots to do, so you need to be diligent and plan ahead.
Do you have a side gig? What are your dreams?
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Does my series normalize violence? (Updated)
Anyone who's ever read my books knows there's a body count, but it didn't start that way. You might wonder how it happened.
I always say that this is the series that wasn't meant to be a series, but I can take that one step further and say it became the violent series that wasn't planned. Originally We're All Animals was meant to be a standalone book, but as the story moved forward, it became clear there was much more coming down the wire. With each book, the series grew until it became brutally violent.
The thing is that this isn't so unusual in our society. Many things become normalized over time because they build slowly into everyday life. Things escalate. Smoking starts with an occasional cigarette, often with no intentions of becoming a habit. However, many things are insidious. They grow over time until it becomes the new normal. We regularly see it in our culture, especially in the news.
The interesting thing I noticed while working on my 12th book is how Chase - the character who has been along this journey since day one - started so naive and shocked by the same violence he later participates in. We see this in the real world too. It's not just fiction.
I always say that this is the series that wasn't meant to be a series, but I can take that one step further and say it became the violent series that wasn't planned. Originally We're All Animals was meant to be a standalone book, but as the story moved forward, it became clear there was much more coming down the wire. With each book, the series grew until it became brutally violent.The thing is that this isn't so unusual in our society. Many things become normalized over time because they build slowly into everyday life. Things escalate. Smoking starts with an occasional cigarette, often with no intentions of becoming a habit. However, many things are insidious. They grow over time until it becomes the new normal. We regularly see it in our culture, especially in the news.
The interesting thing I noticed while working on my 12th book is how Chase - the character who has been along this journey since day one - started so naive and shocked by the same violence he later participates in. We see this in the real world too. It's not just fiction.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Saturday, September 14, 2019
OMG! I finally fit into a genre! 😝(Updated)
For all the times I complained about not wanting to be stuck in a genre, I've finally found the perfect one!
Ever since my first book, I've never been comfortable classifying any of my books into a specific category. Nothing ever quite fit. There was romance, action, suspense, murder, dark humor, and even some vampires thrown in a couple, but none of these specific genres felt right. It was as though all my books included so many things that it was difficult to categorize them properly, so I chose instead to toss everything into the 'dark fiction' category. It seemed like the most accurate, if not the ideal category.
Recently, I stumbled across the concept of counterculture, and I was immediately intrigued. What was that exactly, and why did it sound so appealing? As it turns out, counterculture tends to be a way of life that goes against social 'norms'. This demographic rejects 'conventional' society choosing instead to live by their standards.
This grabbed my attention.
In my first two books (Fire and A Spark before the Fire), my characters reject society's values by striving to become rock stars, which in itself tends to be a very counterculture lifestyle.
In my third and fourth book, The Rock Star of Vampires and Her Name is Mariah, I tackle the underground world of vampires. You can't get much more counterculture than that, can you?
Maybe so.
In my current series, my cast of characters tends to go against pretty much all social norms. They make their own laws, follow their own rules and do so without a second thought. Murder, corruption, collusion, and torture are engrained into their lives as if they were the most natural thing. That's pretty counterculture.
My books finally have a home, and it's pretty awesome.
Ever since my first book, I've never been comfortable classifying any of my books into a specific category. Nothing ever quite fit. There was romance, action, suspense, murder, dark humor, and even some vampires thrown in a couple, but none of these specific genres felt right. It was as though all my books included so many things that it was difficult to categorize them properly, so I chose instead to toss everything into the 'dark fiction' category. It seemed like the most accurate, if not the ideal category.
Recently, I stumbled across the concept of counterculture, and I was immediately intrigued. What was that exactly, and why did it sound so appealing? As it turns out, counterculture tends to be a way of life that goes against social 'norms'. This demographic rejects 'conventional' society choosing instead to live by their standards.
This grabbed my attention.
In my first two books (Fire and A Spark before the Fire), my characters reject society's values by striving to become rock stars, which in itself tends to be a very counterculture lifestyle.
In my third and fourth book, The Rock Star of Vampires and Her Name is Mariah, I tackle the underground world of vampires. You can't get much more counterculture than that, can you?
Maybe so.
In my current series, my cast of characters tends to go against pretty much all social norms. They make their own laws, follow their own rules and do so without a second thought. Murder, corruption, collusion, and torture are engrained into their lives as if they were the most natural thing. That's pretty counterculture.
My books finally have a home, and it's pretty awesome.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Why I do my research backward 😯(Updated)
I've always said that writing is, for the most part, a lot about instincts. You have to follow your characters and trust where they want to take you. For that reason, I often do my research backward.
What does that mean exactly? For the most part, I write whatever I sense the characters are saying, doing, or experiencing, and generally, I will later find out that I was on the right track. This isn't to say I'm always correct, but I think sometimes we gather and retain more information than we realize over the years. So, even though we may not be fact-checking while writing, chances are the information is hidden away in the back of our minds. After all, isn't that instincts are in the first place? Information stored away from previous experiences or hidden knowledge we forgot we had?
Of course, there's also an argument that the muse is key to art. For me, a big part of being a writer is accepting that I'm not necessarily in the driver's seat when it comes to my books but merely going along for the ride.
One great example was from my book And the Devil Will Laugh. In it, Jorge Hernandez reconnects with his mother after she's kidnapped, in an attempt to fix their broken relationship. However, this attempt is dropped when she meets his wife Paige, a white Canadian woman. She bluntly informs her son that he should've married a 'nice, Mexican girl' instead. This happens in front of Paige, who doesn't react. But Jorge and his daughter Maria quickly put Jorge's mother in her place.
At the time, I wondered if perhaps this was too harsh. I then read a blog by a lady who is a white American living in Mexico, married to a Mexican man. In one particular post, she talked about how her mother-in-law reacted in much the same way when her son married a woman who wasn't Mexican. As it turns out, my original instincts weren't too extreme at all.
This is just one of many examples of how I research backward.
What does that mean exactly? For the most part, I write whatever I sense the characters are saying, doing, or experiencing, and generally, I will later find out that I was on the right track. This isn't to say I'm always correct, but I think sometimes we gather and retain more information than we realize over the years. So, even though we may not be fact-checking while writing, chances are the information is hidden away in the back of our minds. After all, isn't that instincts are in the first place? Information stored away from previous experiences or hidden knowledge we forgot we had?
Of course, there's also an argument that the muse is key to art. For me, a big part of being a writer is accepting that I'm not necessarily in the driver's seat when it comes to my books but merely going along for the ride.
One great example was from my book And the Devil Will Laugh. In it, Jorge Hernandez reconnects with his mother after she's kidnapped, in an attempt to fix their broken relationship. However, this attempt is dropped when she meets his wife Paige, a white Canadian woman. She bluntly informs her son that he should've married a 'nice, Mexican girl' instead. This happens in front of Paige, who doesn't react. But Jorge and his daughter Maria quickly put Jorge's mother in her place.
At the time, I wondered if perhaps this was too harsh. I then read a blog by a lady who is a white American living in Mexico, married to a Mexican man. In one particular post, she talked about how her mother-in-law reacted in much the same way when her son married a woman who wasn't Mexican. As it turns out, my original instincts weren't too extreme at all.
This is just one of many examples of how I research backward.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Why it's important for art to hold a mirror up to society 🎭(Updated)
As long as there's been art, there's been artists who hold a mirror up to society. It shows us who we are, who we potentially could be, and gives us ideas about things we perhaps never considered.
This is important because there's a lot of people who won't turn on the news, won't pick up a newspaper, or read about current events online, but they will watch a movie, read a book or listen to music. When artists point out certain aspects of society in their work, it allows the reader or viewer a first-hand perspective into their world. It's perhaps the closest they will ever come to 'walking in their shoes' and seeing what it's like to have these experiences.
In many of my books, I have situations, points of view, and even passing comments that bring up what I'm seeing in the world around me. I leave it open for the reader to consider. I'm not attempting to convince or change anyone's mind. My books are very much about counterculture and often take things to extremes, but I think that in today's world, this is sometimes what you have to do to stand out and make a point.
In the end, I believe that it's the art that shakes things up that has a lasting effect. It's the movies, books, and music that captured a segment of our society that will always stand out in my mind because they made points that mattered.
Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series: We're All Animals, Always be a Wolf, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey, A Devil Named Hernandez, And The Devil Will Laugh, The Devil May Lie, The Devil and His Legacy, She Was His Angel, We're All Criminals, Psychopaths Rule the World, Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions) and House of Hernandez. All are available at Amazon, Chapters, Apple, or most online retailers. Check it out at www.mimaonfire.com. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy the book!
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