What is Your Song? 🎶 (Updated)

I've often mentioned that each of my books brings a soundtrack. This is a collection of songs that inspired me throughout the writing process. These songs suddenly get in my head and stick around until the book is complete. Interestingly enough, once the process is over, the song seems less prevalent in my subconscious.

Not only does each book develop a collection of songs that take me through the writing process, but I've noticed that there's always one song in particular that stands out as being the one that best represents the protagonist. I'm sure the same can be said for each of us too, and in various phases of our lives.  

In my first book, Fire, Tarah Kiersey's song would probably be Possession– Sarah McLachlan 

This song went through my mind for months, possibly even years, before I started to write this particular manuscript. At the time, I would envision a scene that would later fit into my first book, even though I wasn't yet sure of its significance. All I knew was that it was powerful and that the character behind it was pushing her way through to tell her story.

A Spark before the Fire was the prequel to Fire and discussed the life of a strong character from my first book, Jimmy Groome. There are so many songs that could fit this character, but if I had to choose one, I would say Something in the Way by Nirvana. Depending on how you interpret this song, you could view this in a couple of different ways, and in honesty, either would apply in this situation.

I switched things up when I decided to write about vampires in The Rock Star of Vampires and a young woman named Ava Lilith. She lived a secret life that had to be hidden from everyone around her. Her song was Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. 

In my first book in the Hernandez series, We're All Animals, I would say Chase Jacobs' theme song would be Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace. This song suits him to perfection. It describes the raw power behind the story.

My Hernandez series have so many songs that have popped up along the way. So many have inspired my writing and characters. If I had to pick one, I would say it's Masters of Puppets by Metallica. It's powerful and intense, just like Jorge Hernandez. 

So what's your theme song? Tell me about it in the comment section. 

What my Characters Teach ME 🤓 (Updated)

My readers might be surprised to discover that each of my protagonists develops from a place deep inside me and transforms before my eyes as I tell their story. Readers may be even more surprised to discover that with each lead character comes a great lesson.

So what kind of lessons have I learned along the way? Check this out.

Ava from The Rock Star of Vampires: 

In The Rock Star of Vampires, Ava underestimates her powers. However, after a few mishaps (including a powerful hex that put her boss in the hospital) Ava began to recognize the power inside herself. Ava learns she's capable of doing things that she had never imagined possible. Most of us don't realize we are much more powerful than we ever thought possible. We just have to believe.





Mariah from Her Name is Mariah:

In Her Name is Mariah, the protagonist grows up in a difficult family situation and learns resiliency at a very young age. She's forced into young independence that serves her well as an adult, better preparing her for a tough world. One of the strongest characters I've ever written about, at one point Mariah Nichols declares herself the wolf in a world full of sheep. She intimidates, manipulates, and never allows anyone into her heart. Mariah Nichols teaches us that our strength is often much more powerful than we ever thought possible, and it's something we should embrace with no apology.





Natasha from Different Shades of the Same Color:

Natasha in Different Shades of the Same Color wanted to make the world a better place. She saw the importance of reaching out, connecting with people, and doing what she could to help those vulnerable in society. I think we sometimes get caught up in our own lives and forget the importance of connecting with our community. Natasha wanted to be their voice when they couldn’t speak, something we all should do. She also was goofy, not afraid to wave her freak flag and love life. Isn't that what life is all about?

Jorge from the Hernandez series

The sly Mexican fox himself has a way of reminding us that power is a state of mind. Where other people may feel helpless in various situations, Jorge is always locked in his sense of power. Whether or not it is true, or just in his head is irrelevant. It is because he believes it, that others do too. 

Paige from the Hernandez series

The wife of protagonist Jorge, it's not surprising that she's his opposite. Where he is loud, abrupt, and often rude, Paige is calm, centered, and level-headed. I often think I would like to have these same traits, but more times than not, I feel like I'm a little more Jorge than I am Paige. 

The characters are, in essence, a part of the author, and writing a book is often a very cathartic experience. I know it is for me.

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style, and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here  

 

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Why read a book when you have Netflix? 📺 (Updated)

I sat in a dentist's chair when I decided to sign up for Netflix. My hygienist told me about the (at the time) relatively new site, how it worked and why she loved it. My curiosity peaked, and it only took some mild convincing from her to encourage me to go home and sign up.

And it was fantastic! I had the opportunity to watch various series from episode one and explore new movies, and it was all at a price I could afford.

I was in love.

So with this in mind, why are people still reading books? What do they have to offer in the world of Netflix, the Internet, and five billion television channels? 

People have asked me these questions more than once, almost as people were challenging why I even bothered writing books. What could I possibly offer them that other forms of entertainment - entertainment that takes far less effort than reading a book - couldn't surpass? 

Fair enough.

Movies are easy. Television is easy. You flick them on, and off you go. But they do have limits.

I recently read a book that blew my mind. The ending wasn't anything I could've anticipated. I was stunned. I was impressed that the author had managed to surprise me. Knowing this book was also made into a movie, I didn't hesitate to check it out.

I hated it. The movie didn't live up to the book. It was terrible. Some important parts of the book were removed, and the ending completely changed. It was boring and terrible. I was horrified that the writer allowed her book to be butchered. 

We've all seen great books annihilated by soulless Hollywood producers, but that isn't always the case. I can also think of a great television show based on a series of books that I found very lackluster.

The point is that movies and television are different monsters. It's hard to beat the visual aspect of an action-filled car chase or the beauty of a sunrise in a far-off land. 

On the other side, movies and television have limits. The average length of a movie is 130 minutes, so audiences have to be pulled in fast and told a story that makes sense, with all the key points at a pretty accelerated pace. Directors and producers are limited by their budget and may not be able to film specific scenes because they would cost too much. Other factors such as investors may also factor into what does and doesn't make the final cut. And, of course, the right actors can make all the difference in the world. 

Books are the wild west of the entertainment world. There are no limits. You can write a 200 or 1000-page book; it's up to the author. Details and descriptions can be never-ending or limited. Editors may suggest you cut down the length or make other suggestions, but I feel that a writer has a little more room to breathe and can choose to work with publishers that share their vision.

Plus, there is a connection with the characters. If you're reading a book, it's over some time. You read their most inner thoughts, fears, and desires. This isn't always as easy to do in movies or series. It may take a few episodes of a show or a good portion of a movie before you decide how you feel about a character. It depends on their vulnerability or relatability. 

It might be just a personal thing, but I find that there's something peaceful about grabbing a book and spending time alone, getting absorbed in the pages, and doing so at your own pace. You can read quickly, finishing a book in a night. Or you can slowly absorb each line, each paragraph at a relaxed pace that allows you to not miss a detail. You can see yourself in each character or envision a celebrity in the role. To a certain degree, the story is as much yours as the authors because you can envision the scenes, the characters, and every detail in just the way you wish.

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here

 

Mima is the author of Fire and the prequel, A Spark before the Fire, as well as The Rock Star of Vampires  Her Name is Mariah and Different Shades of the Same Color. Join Mima on Facebook, Twitter, G+ and Goodreads also, check out her Amazon Author Page

For some reading, check out her blogs – personal or writing

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Why overly structured writing doesn't work 💻 (Updated)

Growing up, I was told that a writer had to have a well-constructed plan created before starting a book. You needed to create characters and have them figured out well in advance. You needed to know all the details before writing the first chapter. And you needed to know the ending before you started.

I think this is wrong. Overly structured writing, much like an overly structured life, doesn’t work. It’s awkward, it is uncomfortable, and it’s not fun. The characters create themselves, as do their storylines, and really, that’s what makes the entire process magical and exciting. If your imagination is allowed to run wild, it can go to many exciting places. 

I often say that attempting to force your characters to be or act a certain way steals something from the creative process. It's similar to forcing your children to be something they are not. If Billy Jr. hates hockey, he's not going to become an NHL star, and even if he does, it's not going to end well if his heart isn't into it. You can't play God with characters, but you can let them lead the way. That makes the best storytelling of all. 

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here

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The Lost Testimonials are back! (Updated)

My website has changed a great deal since the early days of my writing career. From stumbling through a webs.com site in 2010 to nervously wandering into the world of domains and 'real' websites a few years ago, I experienced a learning curve and continue to educate as much as possible in this area.

In the shuffle between websites, I lost one of my favorite pages. It was titled 'Testimonials' and contained various reviews for my first books, contributed by my original readers. It meant a lot because it was early in my writing career, and it showed support for what I was doing. 

So today, I  was really excited to find some of these old reviews for my first two books and would like to share them with you! 

Fire

Starlily - "First there was a match, then there was a spark, and now there's Fire!" Fire chronicles the rise, triumphs, and heartbreaks of a band in the '90s. Mima clearly has put a lot of research, effort, and heart into her first novel. She takes an honest and unflinching look at the music industry and the ups and downs of the decade. Tarah's story drew me in and I finished it in a half a weekend. Can't wait for A Spark Before the Fire!

Joe - 'From the front to the back cover Fire is a book that cannot be put down. The gripping action goes from page to page with a climactic ending. This novel showcases the rise and tribulations of bands in the 90 s music scene, which the author catches very realistically in the characters, which are portrayed in this novel. Mima has done an amazing job on this book and I can’t wait for Spark Before the Fire.'

Maxine - 'What a great read. If you haven't read a book in a while, grab Fire and find a quiet corner. You can feel yourself becoming involved in every aspect of this story. You get to know every character, and can really visualize every scene. I cannot wait for Spark Before the Fire!! Great job Mima. Looking forward to many more books from you!!'

Jamie - 'When I read 'Fire', I couldn't put it down! The characters were so real and beautifully described, you felt yourself cheering them on when something great was happening, and worried and anxious when they were faced with challenges and difficult life decisions. Mima has beautifully crafted this wonderful piece of literature, greatly detailing the time, the culture and sub-culture of the 90s, and the unforgiving music scene. I am anxiously awaiting Mima's next installment to read more about the 'Fire' characters!'

Evelyn - 'When I read Fire I couldn't put it down. I sat and read it from cover to cover. Then I told lots of my friends about it and they bought the book and told me the same thing. It was happy, sad, exciting, and the edge of your seat reading. I can't wait for the next book to come out. I am looking forward to reading it and I know it will be just as good or better than the first'

Linda - 'Congratulations on a great story. I very much enjoyed the storyline. Just so different from anything that I have read. Looking forward to the sequel.'

Nadine - 'Fire was so well written! The details were there exactly when needed. I could imagine everything so vividly. The story was intense and so interesting I had a hard time putting down the book. I read it until my eyes got dry! When I was at the end, I just wanted to keep reading and was hoping for another book to continue this one and now there is one. I read the first chapter and can`t wait to read the rest. BTW the sensual scenes made me hot!!! Thank you MIMA for the excellent entertainment and information because this book was also very well documented.'

Lisa - 'This is a book everyone can relate to because at some point in your life you must have seen or even done.. sex, drugs, and/or rock and roll. I could see either myself or my friends in the main character Tarah on many occasions, I have known many guys who were like William or Jimmy and Michael is a hateful character who I've known a few of as well. As previously mentioned in one of the comments "Fire was so well written! The details were there exactly when needed. I could imagine everything so vivid." I can't wait to read about Jimmy's life and I would absolutely love to see this made into a movie. Great job Mima and congratulations on a super awesome book!! Keep them coming and I will keep reading!'

A Spark Before the Fire

Sherry - 'Just finished reading A Spark Before The Fire. Absolutely loved the book. Could not put it down, I loved reading about the life of Jimmy, I could defiantly picture this as a movie just like Fire. I would love to read another book on what happened after Fire. Do you think you would continue with this story? I look forward to your next book. All the best!'

Joseph - 'KUDOS TO MIMA. ANOTHER AMAZING READ.THE PREQUEL TO FIRE PORTRAYS A GRIPPING REALITY OF NOT JUST LIFE ISSUES BUT THE UPS, DOWNS, AND TRIBULATIONS OF TRAGEDY TO FOLLOW A DREAM TO ITS FULLEST. THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN CHARACTERS DRAWS YOU INTO EVERY PAGE AND MAKES YOU WANT TO CONTINUE ON TILL THE END. CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER WRITING SUCCESS. TO EVERYONE I RECOMMEND YOU READ FIRE. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED'

Maxine - 'If you've never taken a day off work to complete reading a book, then you've never read Spark Before the Fire!! I have not found myself engrossed so deeply in a book since the release of Fire. My world disappears, and Jimmy's springs before me. Not one detail is left out, yet a lot of "didn't see that coming" surprise moments spring up. A must-read for everyone. Kudos to Mima. Yet again, you have caught and kept my focus on your words. Keep up the great work'

Jean - 'I have just finished reading A Spark Before the Fire, another excellent book by Mima. Like her first book, Fire, each chapter brings a surprise, you never know what to expect with each chapter. She tells the story of a young boy, who suffers a traumatic experience as a child and it haunts him through his teen years. It affects his lifestyle for many years. It shows how one person's actions can affect the lives of so many innocent people. Mima deals with the issues very well, making people see that bad times can be worked through and good things can happen to people who never give up. Reach for your dreams you can make them come true, that is what she shows in this novel. Looking forward to reading many more books by Mima. If you haven’t read Fire or a spark before the fire, then you don’t know what you're missing. '

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style, and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here  

 

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