An Ethical Dilemma ~ I Don’t Have One

As Caleb told Triona in Shades of Atlantis, “My hand’s been forced.” I actually had to look that quote up to check it. I also had to look up another passage tonight when I was alerted to a post on the possible ethical dilemma of re-working fanfiction. The post specifically questioned the origins of Shades of Atlantis and the possibility it may be plagiarised from Eclipse(The Twilight Saga).  

I’m not going to link the post to my site. The person took the time to read and seemed to enjoy the book, so I’d like to believe made an honest mistaken assumption. I’m not ‘calling anyone out’. I simply want to address this point to assure readers it is not the case.

The passages in question:

Shades of Atlantis

The circumstances: For those who’ve read Shades of Atlantis, you may or may not have noticed the water theme carried throughout. Caleb’s eyes, Triona’s references to feeling as if she’s drowning, among others. Here, Triona has been confused about her feelings for Caleb and housebound due to injury, talking to Caleb only via internet chats. They are meeting in secret to spend New Year together. This passage is from their reunion.

I couldn't breathe, my heart couldn't beat. In that moment, I knew with perfect clarity I belonged to him. The world was spinning around us, but Caleb was my anchor, the only thing holding me still. All doubt evaporated. I knew, however crazy it was, that I loved him.

Eclipse

Bella is visiting with Jacob, her best friend. On seeing one of his friends is imprinted on a young child, Bella describes it as creepy. Jacob, defending his friend, explains how imprinting is not romantic.

It's so hard to describe. It's not like love at first sight, really, it's more like...gravity moves. When you see her, suddenly it's not the earth holding you here anymore. She does. And nothing matters more than her. And you would do anything for her... You become whatever she needs you to be, whether that's a protector, or a lover, or a friend, or a brother.

SoA has been compared to The Twilight Saga a few times and I have no problem with that at all. I’ve spoken about it in this video interview done for the Shades of Atlantis blog tour.

It is purely coincidental. I saw those similarities when I read Twilight and it was part of what spiked my interest in the Saga, later that interest led me into fanfiction.  I'm not the only writer ever caught in a situation where I was writing something I thought was completely unique and individual, only to find out someone has done it or is doing it. However, I think the differences and the complex mythology behind Shades of Atlantis speak for it’s originality.

In the question of what came first, the chicken or the egg? My fanfiction moniker was taken from the manuscript for Shades of Atlantis.

If Shades of Atlantis was at any point a piece of Fanfiction I would happily admit to it. I have nothing to hide here. I have written fanfiction in the past and spoken briefly about being in the community here. I still dabble in fanfiction. However, Shades of Atlantis was never fanfiction, nor was it copied from any other work. I have the original hand written notes on the mythology and the characters, and notebooks with the original names, So I can’t honestly say Caleb wasn’t always Caleb. Caleb was Ben, Ben was Kevin(changed during early revision) and Amanda was Kayla(changed during editing). But, as for changing names that’s as far as it goes.

Basically, to sum up, none of my books or future books have been posted as fanfiction.

I have not self-published, other than a short called Unfinished.

Shades of Atlantis is in no part Plagiarised. It is my own work from start to finish with the help of my crit partners, pre-readers and editors.

Thank you for reading.

Cursing Athena (Order Of Seven Book #1) Review

ADULT Fiction- Novella

Amazon

Summary

For Danika, the only thing worse than going commando while wearing a fugly, silver bodysuit, was dealing with her deadbeat, ex-husband James. Catcalls, unwanted groping and lecherous stares weren’t really her cup of tea either, but she’d endure all of it and more if her new job serving cocktails at Masquerade meant ridding herself of his mountain of debt. It was just a job, after all, and what choice did she have with James' creditors breathing down her neck? What she didn't bargain for, however, was falling heels-over-head in lust with a two-hundred-plus pound, shape-shifting immortal from Ancient Greece.

On a mission to take down a parasitic demon, Ty doesn't have time for distraction. Not even when that distraction could prove to be his possible lifemate in the form of sweet, innocent, yet sexy-as-hell Danika. But when the leech he’s hunting goes after the cocktail waitress, all bets are off. Unable to resist her siren call any longer, Ty surrenders himself to Danika, body and soul, treating them both to a night they'll never forget.

Review

5 Star

Well, that was an entertaining read.

I discovered Lisa’s witty style of writing in her first book, Eve of Samhain.  I loved that book and I’m delighted to say this one is even better. The description was just the way I like it, enough so I could really feel I was there seeing, hearing and even smelling everything as the action progressed. I could even feel the stifling air that made the the main female, Danika, sweat. Warning: Don't read on the train like I did. Hot, Hot, Hot. I kept looking around and giggling because I was so sure I was blushing. Honestly, Lisa knows how to write guys who blow the top clean off the hotness scale.

This is one for fans of The Black Dagger Brotherhood but contains so much detail on Greek mythology and back story as to make it unique in its own right. I can't believe there is so much story packed into such a shot novella. A really great read. I will be eagerly awaiting the rest of the series and hope there will be several books to come.

Find Lisa Sanchez

Goodreads          Blog          Twitter

The Guardian’s Wildchild Kick Off Party!

Feather Stone, author of, The Guardian’s Wildchild, is hosting a fabulous kick off party at her blog today. There will be numerous other blogs also hosting events throughout the day. I’m delighted to be taking part by hosting a sneak peek at a snippet of the book.

Summary

Sidney Davenport is known as Wildchild to her Guardian mentor, Greystone. She rebels against rules. Wildchild is gifted in the paranormal, but carefully conceals her powers from the world. Even in the crises that threaten her life, she refuses to use her powers of telepathy, telekinesis, space/time travel. If her enemies discovered the truth of who she is, her Guardian people would be destroyed. She calls upon her spirit guides, Seamus and Celeste, to guide her through a mine field of the insane - Madame and Captain Butchart.

Sidney leaves her home on Hawk's Island to help the underground stop two people who are about to cause worldwide madness. Unskilled in esponage, she is arrested and sentanced to death. But, God help Sidney, she can't deny her attraction to the man who has orders to perform her execution - the tall, dark eyed Captain Waterhouse. He's meticulous, disciplined and lives by the strict rules expected of an officer of the American navy.

Captain Waterhouse is about to scrap his higher morals to bust out of his hell. When a female prisoner is delivered to his ship, he has no idea she is capable of turning his disciplined life into a storm of unimaginable experiences. His prisoner's enemies, he discovers, are also the ones who hold his life in the palm of their hands.

Amazon            Barnes and Noble          Omnific Publishing

Now for an except:

The Execution

Sam looked deeply into Sidney’s eyes. It was a mistake. The tightness in his chest made it difficult to breathe. His throat became restricted, as if a hand was squeezing his Adam’s apple. Swallowing hard, he flexed the muscles in his back to stand as rigid as the spine on his rule book. Bridges waited with the pistol in its holster on his hip. Finally, Sam was able to breathe again. Stepping back, he began the procedure.

“Sidney Davenport, you’ve been found guilty of spying and sabotage and sentenced to death. Under the regulations established by the United States of America Naval Authority, you’re hereby to be executed forthwith. Lieutenant Bridges, you’re commanded to carry out the execution of the prisoner.”

Bridges stepped forward and ordered the guards to place Sidney in the chair. Before they could, she knelt down in front of Sam. As the guards were about to hoist her onto the chair, Sam waved them off. “She can remain there.”

The guards began to place the handcuffs on her. She slightly resisted.

“Leave the cuffs off.” Sam ordered, and the guards stepped a few feet back.

Dr. Duncan and Lorna stood beside Lieutenant Morton. They made no eye contact with Sam. Their gaze remained on the prisoner. “Proceed, Lieutenant,” ordered Sam.

Bridges stepped forward. He pulled out his pistol, cocked it, and aimed it toward Sidney’s head. She remained very still with her eyes closed although her shoulders trembled slightly. The lieutenant’s gun was within two feet of her right temple. As he began to squeeze the trigger, his hand shook. He grabbed that hand with the other to steady it. Still his hand shook. “Captain, I  ”

“Step aside.”

Bridges handed the gun to Sam.

***

Exciting stuff. For more on The Guardian’s Wildchild and the Kick Off Party, follow the links to Feather’s blog.

Find Feather:

Blog          Twitter       Goodreads

Cover Reveal ~ STREAMLINE, by Jennifer Lane

Today I’m delighted to bring you the beautiful cover reveal for the debut Young Adult Novel of Jennifer Lane.

Omnific Publishing

March 27th 2012

STREAMLINE on Goodreads

Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He’s captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother’s crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father’s abuse, battered and alone.

Leo’s girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida’s top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there’s an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number-one supporter--her father--is in prison for murder. 
Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything’s on the line . . . streamline.

Find Jennifer Lane

Blog: http://jenniferlanebooks.com/

Twitter: @JenLaneBooks

Free Read ~ The Summer Prince

Last summer, the authors from Omnific Publishing put out two limited edition anthologies with proceeds going to Save the TaTas. My contribution was a YA paranormal romance inspired by the tale of sleeping beauty and incorporating Celtic folklore.

On the 16th February 2010, Omnific Publishing released the first books from their collection and to celebrate all the stories written for the two anthologies have been released at free singles.  They come in two level of heat, Sweet Singles and Sexy Singles. All are now available now at the Omnific Publishing site in epack format(PDF,Mobi,ePub) with further distribution though the usual ebook outlets in the near future.

On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, Niamh sneaks out to attend the festival of Beltaine. When she has to choose between running deeper into a dark forest with a supernatural creature that shouldn’t exist or facing an unknown threat chasing her, Niamh discovers she will have to rethink everything she knows about the Fae.

Get it  FREE

The Summer Prince on Goodreads

Shades of Atlantis Outtake

While clearing out, I came across an outtake of Shades of Atlantis among my notes. This does contain a major spoiler for anyone who hasn’t read the book so I haven’t posted it directly. This is the funeral service for one of the main characters and was one of the first scenes I wrote and one of the first removed. The background to the scene and the scene can be found at this link.

Outtake

 

Where I Admit I’ve Been Lying to Everyone

I’ve decided it’s time to come clean and admit the truth. I’ve been lying to you all. Yes, I know, shocking that a person who makes stuff up on a daily basis would lie. However, there it is. I am a big ole fake and this is where I make my apologies.

You see, for years I’ve been telling my family that my son, Eric, is autistic. Heck, I’ve even told Eric. Now it’s time to come clean and tell everyone it isn’t true.

I’m going to start with my parents, to my mom for the added stress of attending assessment meetings with me when she was going through treatments for a heart condition and should have been resting, I’m sorry. To my dad, I’m sorry there really was no need for you to take early retirement, when Eric was expelled from Montessori school and no-one else would mind him while I worked.

To my brothers and sisters, especially my youngest brother. I’m sorry for all those times family events that had to be organized around Eric so that he wasn’t put in situations he couldn’t handle. I’m sorry for all the gifts you all bought for him and he wouldn’t accept because it wasn’t quite right or tossed aside without so much as a glance. I’m sorry Eric lashed out at you, or that you had to watch him physically carried to the bus against his will when he had to go to school. Or that you had to be the one to carry him screaming when I couldn’t. I’m sorry he asked inappropriate questions or demanded we all concede to his plans. I’m sorry for the pain and for the tears and stress.

To the friends I basically cut out of my life. I’m sorry, my every spare second was taken up with caring for Eric and I couldn’t find time to do the normal things you wanted to do. That I had to cancel nights out at the last moment or that Eric’s behaviour embarrassed you.

To my work friends who covered for me so I could attend appointments, to Eric’s teachers, the psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, doctors, nurses, teachers assistants, taxi drivers, Special Olympics volunteers, all those other volunteers who have graciously given their time and energy to helping Eric and me. I am sorry.

To the business man on the flight from Spain who called Eric a brat for ‘flapping’, I’m sorry my partner stood up in front of the other passengers and calmly explained Eric is autistic. I’m even more sorry Eric took it upon himself to call you sir and apologise for disturbing you, since apparently it was all my fault.

To the guy who let a roar at me in the shop on the day of my mother’s funeral when Eric didn’t respond to my calling his name. Well, it turns out you were right to chase me the length of the shop and call me a bad mother. As it turns out, I am. Unintentionally of course. As it turns out, Eric didn’t get enough attention to develop like so many of his peers. He isn’t autistic, he simply needs more hugs.

How do I know this? Well, some research boffins have decided that autism doesn’t exist… no wait, before you start laughing, this is the absolute truth. Autism is a mythical disorder. Mythical, as in unicorns. Of course when I compare it to unicorns we can all see how ridiculous the idea is. So what prompted my apologies?

The Irish Examiner printed an article today by Dr. Tony Humphreys, a consultant clinical psychologist.

So far, I’ve been unable to find this article on the Examiner website. Here is the link to the article on the facebook page of Irish Autism Action, along with a scan from the newspaper.

In the article that reaches back through history and comes close to the idea of the ‘refrigerator mother’ , Dr. Humphreys discusses studies into the link between high achieving parents and children with autism. 

“Children's wellbeing mostly depends on emotional security - a daily diet of nurture, love, affection, patience, warmth, tenderness, kindness and calm responses to their expressed welfare and emergency feelings. To say that these children have a genetic and/or neurobiological disorder called autism or ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) only adds further to their misery and condemns them to a relationship history where their every thought and action is interpreted as arising from their autism.”

While the mother in me appalled and furious that an article like this would ever see the light of day, much less in a respected Irish Newspaper, the writer in me doesn’t like what he has to say but will defend his right to say it. I do not have to agree with it and would like to see the Irish Examiner offer an article from someone with equal qualifications with a rebuttal. Otherwise, they are looking at losing the respect of the parents of ASD kids and many adults with ASD.

“Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and two colleagues rigorously examined over 5000 research articles on autism and ASD and found no scientific basis for what they now refer to as mythical disorders. They outline their findings in their book 'The Myth of Autism' (2011). The conclusion of their indepth studies is that "there is no such thing as autism and the label should be abolished".”

As shown on my twitter feed and facebook feed, others with ASD family members struggling for services, having their benefits cut and medical taken away do not agree with the article. Dr. Humphreys would apparently like us to believe that’s because they, as carers, need to deal with their issues and not because their child has a neuro-development disorder.  

All I know is, my son is on a daily diet of nurturing, love, affection, patience, warmth, tenderness and kindness. I am calm and collected in dealing with him. I am an angry lioness when it comes to his care and well-being. He is my world.

I must thank Dr. Humphreys, because the last few months have been particularly hard and I’ve felt the constant up hill struggle against ASD, the lack of understanding from the general public and the prospect fighting for every little thing had finally worn me down. Tonight I feel invigorated and prepared to fight on. I’m ready to tackle the prejudice that still exists against my son and against me as his carer. 

I am the mother of an autistic child, not a unicorn.

Update: 09/02/2012

Simon Baron-Cohen of Cambridge has publically stated he doesn’t support the article.

Per a interview on RTE Radio One, Dr. Sami Timimi was not contacted by The Examiner or Tony Humphreys and has stated the quotes used from his book were taken out out context. He does not support the claims made by Tony Humphreys.

Per Dr. Dr Michael Drumm, the president of  THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY of Ireland:

“Tony Humphreys’ assertions made in the article are not supported by the vast body of published research in the field of Autistic Spectrum Disorders and are unhelpful and likely to cause upset,” said Dr Michael Drumm, president of the PSI.  ”It is hoped that the article would be retracted”.