8/29/10
Hi! How's the weather in your area? It's been a very rainy weekend so far in Jacksonville, FL. We hope it's nicer wherever you are. It's getting a bit late so we're going to keep this a bit short.
What's New
This time we have a new chapter from Lisa & Tricia for Stolen Secrets, and two more scripted episodes for Doris' SPARTANS: The AWOL Squad. There's also new introductory material on Genre and Setting on our Writer's Desk this time around. We will continue to add to that as time allows.
Our next update is scheduled for 9/12/10. Doris should have another chapter for A Time For Change ready for you then.
That's it for now. Rest assured that there is more to come.
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Doris, Tricia, & Lisa
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08/15/10
A Short Update Message
How's August treating you? It's been bloody hot here in Florida. It hasn't stopped us from writing, though, and today we offer you a new short story from Tricia, Letting Go, and a new chapter for Doris' A Time For Change. We hope you enjoy them.
Another update is due on 8/29/10, so we're pretty busy. Keep checking back to what else is new.
Thanks!
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Doris, Tricia, & Lisa
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08/01/10
What's New
Today's update includes the launch of a brand new page: the Writer's Desk. This page is for writers who are learning the craft, and is something that we -- Tricia, especially -- have wanted to put together since the site launched in 2008. We plan to cover the basics of writing, pass on the tips and advice we have received from others in the industry, and recommend writer's reference books and tools. We'll be adding to it as times goes on so if there's anything you'd like to see that isn't featured, let us know.
We're also now on Facebook! Check out our Facebook page and join our circle of friends.
Chapters
Lisa and Tricia have a new chapter up for A Chance In Time. Doris has posted a new story, an episodic script based on the Halo game series, SPARTANS: The AWOL Squad. The first four episodes are up with more to follow.
We have been incredibly busy and it doesn't look like that's going to change any time soon. We've got more things planned for the site, and look forward to showing them to you when they're ready. In the meantime, look for our next update on 8/15/10.
Until then!
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Doris, Tricia, & Lisa
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07/18/10
Update
Well, according to the schedule posted on the right side of the page, it's time for a new chapter from me. Chapter 10 for A Time For Change is now up and ready for reading.
Work being what it is, I'm not sure if I'll have another chapter in that story written by the next update on 8/1/10. If I do, I'll certainly let you know. In the meantime, look for another chapter from me by 8/15/10.
Tricia and Lisa have been hard at work and will have more for you on 8/1/10 so please come back and visit us then.
The Banner
Curious about the banner above? Click on it! T. S. Robinson is a local author here in Jacksonville with three published books under his belt. Check out his novels and let him know what you think.
Well, that's it for now. Until next time!
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Doris
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07/12/10
The Plug
A battle has come. Lives have been spent. Someone has won, and someone else has lost. But what happens afterwards? T. S. Robinson strives to answer that question in his fantasy novel, Battle-Chasers.
I've has only just started reading the book, having bought it during Ancient City Con over the weekend. T. S. Robinson paints a vivid picture of the battlefield, the dead, the dying, and the utter waste of war. It's an unusual beginning for a book, to start with an end. I couldn't think of any book that started that way, and knew immediately that I wanted to include it in my collection for that reason alone. I'm currently on the fourth chapter and am enjoying the unique intertwining threads of the characters. I'll give a better review once I'm done with it, but if you're interested in learning more about it, visit T. S. Robinson at www.TSRBook.com or just click on the banner above.
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Doris
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Phase 2 Complete
Hello! You'll have noticed that we've made some more changes around here. The Events and Dates listing has been moved to the sidebar; be sure to click the dates for applicable links. Below that is a list of our friends. Check them out when you have some time. For those of you who are newer to the site than others, some of our older articles have been re-posted on the Articles & Essays page -- as well as a new article on the recent Ancient City Con here in Jacksonville, FL. It was a lot of fun.
The Writer's Desk is an addition that is still under construction, but we hope to have material up for you in August. It will be a collection of tips from published authors we have spoken to, or whose panels we've attending, experiences we've had, and observations we've made. We will also be including a list of resources for beginner writers who are considering a career as a professional writer. We aim to post something new here every month or so.
Other alterations have been made the other pages so take a look around.
Updates
New chapters are up! A Chance In Time and Stolen Secrets both have new chapters posted. Tricia also has several new original works posted on her page: some poetry and a short story, Perfect. Doris has delayed the next chapter for A Time For Change until 7/18/10 due to the website upgrades.
We've got lots more to do still, on the writing front, the website front, and the front of the Evil Necessity that is the day job. Keep checking back with us to see what else is new. As always, let us know what you think!
Thanks!
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Doris, Tricia, & Lisa
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06/27/10
Phase 1 Complete
Hope you're having a great Sunday; we certainly are.
As you can see there have been a few modifications made to the site, and not just on the home page. The authors' pages also have some new things, so take a look around and let us know what you think. More changes are slated to come; this is the first of at least 3 phases of improvements.
For those of you who might be interested in dropping a suggestion or three about the website navigation and functionality, there is still time to tell us. Just use the form on the page or e-mail us at trinityinquiries@trinitygateways.com.
One of the new items you might like is the events and updates listing on this page. Anything marked 'tentative' is subject to change, otherwise those deadlines are locked -- unless there's a power outage, family emergency, that sort of thing. So check back with us on 7/12/10, when we have our next update.
Many thanks to Angela Ellis-Brown, our resident reviewer who has been hiatus to the dual burden of a full-time job and college classes. A photographer, she gave us her Saturday this weekend in order to do a photoshoot for us. Some of the pictures from that session have been posted.
Today work starts on Phase 2 of website upgrades so we'd better get on it. Chapter updates are in progress by all so you'll have something new to read very soon.
Until next time!
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Doris, Lisa, & Tricia
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06/18/10
Ack!
I am so sorry! The message I'd posted last month informing everyone of our brief hiatus didn't upload. I'm not sure what happened as it's been so hectic for us, and I hadn't taken the time to check the site since May 15th. You have my heartfelt apologies; I really dropped the ball on this one.
Well, since I'm posting the apology message I might as well tell you what we've been up to lately.
Oasis 23
Oasis this year was possibly the best con, writing-wise, that we have attended thus far. Panelists included horror authors Owl Goingback and Linda S. Cowden (see Featured Authors Page), romance authors Gennita Low and C. L. Wilson, and science fiction authors Ben Bova, Chris Berman, William Hatfield, Sharon Lee, Steve Miller, and Jack McDevitt, as well as several others. The panels were a must for writers not well established in the industry.
"How Not to Get Published" covered the most commonly encountered mistakes in manuscript submissions: colored ink, lack of double-spacing, printing on both sides of the page, repeated over-usage of words, the lack of a 'hook', submitting the manuscript to a publisher of the wrong genre (the example given was an erotica manuscript had been sent to an inspirational publisher) -- these are just a few of the things covered. This panel was followed by one on getting published successfully.
Another panel explained the difference between a romance, a love story, and fiction of any genre with a romantic sub-plot. A romance ends the story/book with a positive romantic pay-off; the last scene ties off the romantic plot thread. A love story is one where there is a romantic thread but the last scene is a tragic ending: one or both lovers die, the relationship falls apart, the romance remains unfulfilled. The classic example of this is Gone with the Wind. And last but not least, a story containing a romantic sub-plot will give the romantic pay-off before the end of the story and will often have a main plot thread that is the focus of the story.
Other panels included genetics, weapons in science fiction, lasers, poetry, and trends in publishing. They were all very interesting, informative, and useful.
The Move
Lisa and I have finished hauling our stuff into our new place. We've yet to finish unpacking and have only just gotten the internet network up and running. It'll be a bit longer before we're all finished with the aftermath of the move.
Website Updates
Tricia, Lisa, and myself will be making an effort to maintain the monthly update schedule we'd had when we launched the site. Chapter updates will start next month.
The website will once again undergo some changes very shortly. There will be one major change, and a few minor ones. Look for them in the next week or so.
The Secret
We at Trinity Gateways have been asked to participate in something this coming October. I hesitate to give too many details on it at this early stage, but when we can, we'll let you all know about it.
That's it for the moment. Be sure to check back with us. We aim to have some new things for you soon!
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Doris
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05/15/10
Gearing Up to Move
There will be no update this month. Lisa and Doris are currently packing up to move at the beginning of next month. Unfortunately, that means that they have very little opportunity to write new chapters. As for Tricia, she has been working on a separate project since her writing partner has been taking off time from writing to pack and prepare for the move.
To complicate things even more, the three of us are attending the Oasis Science Fiction Convention in Orlando, FL, on Memorial Day weekend. We hope to make more contacts with other authors and gain more insight into various aspects of writing and the publishing industry. We recommend this con to anyone who's just starting out as a writer, or is looking to broaden their publishing horizons.
After that weekend, the move will commence for Doris and Lisa. We'll try to post an update as soon as they get set up at their new place.
Until next time!
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Doris, Lisa, & Tricia
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04/03/10
As Promised...
I told you last week that A Time For Change would have an update this weekend -- and it does. Chapter 9 is now up!
Not much has changed since last week. Everyone is still super busy. For Lisa and myself, there's a ton of prep work to do before we move in June. We both have a lot of stuff to pack, and my library is going to be one of the more time-consuming jobs on that front.
I can't spend a whole lot of time on the message this week, as there's a so much to do. However, be sure to check with us for updates. We'll try to have another for our readers soon.
Until then, have a Happy Easter!
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Doris
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03/27/10
What's Been Going On?
Hello! How are you? Don't know what the weather's like where you are but it is a gorgeous day here in Jacksonville, FL. Now if it would only stay around 65-70 degrees, it would be heavenly.
Updates
On this Saturday morning, we don't have any chapters to update for you. However, I hope to be able to post a new chapter for A Time For Change by next weekend, if not before. I've been pretty busy, what with the manuscript, gearing up to move to a new place in the next few months, and the overtime that's still going on at the Evil Necessity that is the day job.
Lisa and Tricia have both been hard at work, writing the first novel in their planned series and looking for new jobs. Tricia has taken up substitute teaching to help make ends meet. Lisa is still working at the same place for now, but is optimistic about the future.
Angela is still settling into what will be her new home until January of next year. She's been pressed for time lately, trying to unpack everything, work full-time, and still do homework for her college classes. She hopes to have a new review to post soon.
Well, I do believe the coffee is ready. I have to get to writing this morning, guys and gals. Until next time!
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Doris
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2/28/10
Hello. It's Been A While...A Long While...
Hi, there. It seems like forever since any of us has had a chance to update the site and take care of our readers. I'm afraid that life has kept us super busy, and not altogether in a good way.
Doris has been slaving away at her day job due to mandatory overtime. The company she works for did a system conversion back in October. It did not go smoothly. The fall out had her working so much that she could barely get time in to write. The OT was lifted briefly during Christmas and New Year's which was taken up with family stuff. Now she's striving to finish the revamp of her manuscript so she can get it to her agent, even though OT has now been reinstated. Hopefully, she and her agent will start shopping publishers later this year.
Angela has been incredibly busy as well. Between her day job, college classes, moving once this year, and already planning her move to Denver, CO, next year, she's barely had any time to do the reviews.
Tricia and Lisa, however, were dealt the hardest blows. The company they both work for is restructuring its organization: regionalizing offices, outsourcing jobs, and losing existing clients. Tricia was let go at the end of 2009. She's still searching for a job. Currently, she's trying to get on the list for substitute teaching until something better comes along. Lisa is still employed but her position expires in 3-4 months. She has also been job hunting to no avail. It's been discouraging for them both but they're not giving up. It helps that their significant others have been supportive of them.
There have been other things as well. We've all been sick at least once (some twice), had computer problems, internet issues, obligatory familial visits, and the personal crises that stress and pressure can bring on. Unfortunately, we got so mired in it all that we've neglected other things, such as this site and writing, though to lesser extent on the latter.
We're going to do our best to keep the site alive with periodic updates. We can't guarantee that those updates will be regular given how hectic life has been and continues to be. For those of you who have been checking every now and again for updates, we apologize and thank you for your continued interest. We are in your debt. We'd like to start repaying that debt now.
Updates
Angela has a new Review up and Doris has included an update for Descent Into Darkness: Part 2 - Her Lord. That story arc is now completed. She won't begin Part 3 until after she has finished A Time For Change and -- God willing -- the manuscript revision. In addition we have a new author, Linda S. Cowden, for our Featured Authors page. She wrote Grimmie, a book about the Grim Reaper. We've enjoyed it immensely. Be sure to check her out!
There are also some new feature to the site that we're rather excited about.
New Features
A navigation drop down menu has been added to the sidebar of the home page that will allow you to go directly to the story you wish to read. Below that is an embedded form for you to send us general inquiries or questions about the site. Please do not use it for story comments. Similar forms will be found on the story pages and the Reviews page that will allow you to send us your comments pertaining to those postings.
It took us forever to figure all that out. None of us are programmers or web site wizards of any kind, nor are we employing anyone else to handle the site. We learn this stuff as we go along and thank God when we get it right -- even if getting it right takes us months. Now that we have, your comments will be sent directly to the author(s) or reviewer who owns that page. We'll try to respond to your comments as we get them. Just be mindful that our responses may not be immediate.
As always, your opinions, constructive criticism, and editing suggestions are appreciated. Flaming remarks are not.
Again, thank you so much for keeping us in mind.
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Doris, Lisa, & Tricia
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9/7/09
The Book Plug: Roadside Bombs and Democracy by William Little
By Doris Ross
Roadside Bombs and Democracy is a nonfiction book about the events the author, William Little, lived through while serving in Iraq as civilian consultant. To quote the book, "This is a story of guy's experiences in a place that conjures up much controversy and difference of opinion today and probably for a long time to come." He gives a first-hand account, starting at the point he decided to apply as a consultant, and ending with his recovery from injuries incurred overseas. As both a veteran of the Gulf War and a former member of law enforcement, Mr. Little paints a wonderful, terrifying, and realistic picture of this period of his life.
I have rarely come across a non-fiction book that is as easy to read, or as engaging, as this one. The book is written as if the author is talking to you over a couple drinks. The humor tingeing some of the anecdotes is enjoyable, yet it doesn't mask the seriousness of the situations he describes. Coming from a military family, I've always had respect for the soldiers who have served our country. Now I have respect for the civilian consultants who sign up to help restore order in chaotic places like Iraq.
For those of you who are interested in Roadside Bombs and Democracy, check out our new Featured Authors page and visit www.tatepublishing.com and www.myspace.com/wrlittle. I highly recommend that you do.
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9/5/09
Hello again! Today's update is a chapter for the story Descent Into Darkness: Part 2 - Her Lord. Another chapter for Stolen Secrets is forthcoming; it will be posted as soon as it's finished.
We've been busy with research this month. All of us have various projects that require leg-work or book-work, often both. Recently, our research has entailed various aspects of law enforcement procedure. There are several books out there on the subject. Some give an overview, others get very specific. Yet there is one thing that books lack, the one thing that every author, no matter genre, can use to their advantage: practical experience.
As a writer, you don't have to go out and learn how to process a crime scene or perform an investigation yourself. You need to know the procedure, yes, but the experience can be garnered from those who work it every day. Medical examiners, detectives, officers, etc, are treasuries of information. All you have to do is get in contact and negotiate a good time to interview them.
This is not always as easy it as it sounds. Doris' attempts to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for an interview on procedure has gained no response. E-mails have been sent, calls have been made, messages have been left. This is not to say that her attempts are being ignored. There are a variety of reasons as to why they haven't responded, one of them being that they don't have the time right at the moment. Another could be that they're unsure as to what you're motives might be. Let's be honest: the world is full of whacked out people. For all they know, I could be one of them.
This is where the magic of networking face-to-face comes in. Doris' break in researching came from a chance meeting with a local author doing a book signing at Borders in Jacksonville, FL. As they talked about his book and time in service, she asked him for advice on approaching law enforcement for procedural information. As it happened, a friend of his had come into the store who worked in the medical examiner's office. Business cards were exchanged and the ground-work for a future interview was laid.
So here's the tip of the month from the Trinity: network, network, network. Approach authors at signings, ask for advice. What they have to say may or may not be helpful to you, but you're willingness to hear them out will be. Express interest in what they're doing and most of them will be express interest in what you are doing. Some of them may even put you in touch with someone to help you with research or promoting your own book.
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Doris, Lisa, & Tricia
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8/5/09
Hello and welcome to a brand new update! We apologize for taking so long; we were experiencing some technical difficulties with reworking the web site.
All of the available story pages are now found on the Authors' pages which link to a single page with the option to choose by chapter for easier viewing. This will hopefully enable us to add more features to the site since updating will no longer be as time consuming.
This time we have new chapters for A Chance in Time and A Time for Change.
In other news Ancient City Convention, which we mentioned in the last update was a blast. We had a lot of fun sitting in on the panels and aquainting with new and old friends. We'll be sure to return next year.
We hope you enjoy our newest revamp and update and will be sure to visit us again soon!
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Lisa, Doris, and Tricia