Giveaway (US/Int): Xandra James on witty comebacks & getting tongue-tied
Please help me welcome Xandra James, author of Shadow Justice, to GraveTells today!
Thanks so much to Gravetells for allowing me to visit with you today! I’m writing this on a very wet day in England, where we have a lovely four day holiday due to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
But I didn’t want to get all patriotic with you (or tell you about our brand spanking new BBQ 😉 ) what I actually wanted to speak with you briefly about today was character reactions. You know those moments you really wish you could think of a zingy one liner? Or explode with the perfect rant? Those. I have them all the time. Do you? I’m a little slow when it comes to thinking on my feet sometimes. My hubby, on the other hand, always has a rather witty quip at the ready and can easily bring someone down a peg or two. It’s a gift, he tells me, smugly. But me? I get so tongue-tied when I’m trying to be a smart ass 😉
My personal failing actually reminds of that scene on Seinfeld, I believe from the episode called Comeback. George is scoffing shrimp and a colleague says to him, “The ocean called. They’re running out of shrimp.” And everyone laughs. But it isn’t until George is driving home that he figures out the ‘perfect’ comeback. At least in his eyes. “The jerkstore called and they’re running outta you.” LOL.
It’s one of the things I love about being a writer, actually. I get to go back and edit a response if I think of the perfect reaction. There’s nothing sexier than characters having banter, in my eyes. So today I’m going to leave you with an excerpt. I’m particularly fond of this one as it’s a little snarky, a little funny and – at least in my eyes – a little sexy.
I’d love to know what you think!
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Shadow JusticeMoon Magic series book 1 Luka was a bounty hunter who just wanted to do his job and get paid. Being a banished Shadow, he’d learnt the bitter lesson long ago that he was alone, after he was expelled from his home world by his own blood. Now, he needed to understand why he was wanted dead whilst his desire for the fiery haired witch erupted, out of control. As a rare moon-witch, all she’d ever known was a life of misery under the oppressive Fae-Guard. Nine years ago Cerys escaped the Meta-World after regretting the forced banishment of a Shadow. Now, she leads a normal life without her abilities and all she wants is to blend in. When a bounty hunter wants to take her back for a crime she didn’t commit, she’s willing to take a chance on her future by trusting the man who had no idea she’d wronged him years before. |
Giveaway
Xandra is giving away one ebook copy of Shadow Justice to a commenter on today’s post. To enter, leave a comment or question for Xandra then fill out the Rafflecopter.
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Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
hi xandra!
tha book sound very fun to read. but i never encounter the terms moon-witch’ before. does that means her powers tied to the moon cycle like wereanimals?
Hi Sienny, thanks for stopping by! Basically Cerys gets power from the moon – almost like charging up a battery. The more energy she takes, the more things she’s able to perform, ie. self healing, spells, protection etc. Hope that answers your question 😉
I too suffer for great-comeback-itis and it is one of the things that annoys the crap out of me. as a fellow writer i too love that i can actually put a good quip in every now and then and actually i have found writing has actually made my real life comebacks just a little better.
Hey Melissa 🙂
I’m glad I’m not alone in my problem, lol. But I’m not sure if there’s any hope for me – I’m a George ;D
As someone who is also blessed with afterthought I love that you can go back in your stories and improve them….I love some snark and humour along with my erotica!
Love the excerpt, would love to win the book…but will buy it if I don’t!
Hugs xx
I love that – blessed with afterthought! lol. Thanks so much for stopping by, Susan 🙂
Well it seems like there are many of us out there that struggle with the comeback. I can’t even come up with something good when I have time to think about it. The only time I have good comebacks is when I say something by accident ;).
I like this moon-witch energy idea. I think this sounds like a book I’d really enjoy. Thank you.
So glad you like the idea of my series, Viki 🙂 And yes, I’m like you, very often a smart comment will take me completely by surprise!
I love snark and humor in my stories. It makes the characters so much more real. As for comebacks..I can be good with the one liners. If I have a little beer, then I tend to get real sarcastic. I have been told that I can be very entertaining.
Mel
Maybe I should try a little beer next time, huh? 😉 And I completely agree – it does make a character more 3D when you they have flaws and snark.
This series sounds great. I’d like to read it.
Thanks so much – I appreciate you stopping by 🙂
hello xandra,its nice to meet you. and i wanna say its very different story, and i liked to read it. i have a question, do you have a moment in write this book or another when you stuck cant think about anything? what will you do?
Hey Lani, great to meet you too!
If I’m suffering from a creative block then I know I’m on the wrong track with whatever story I’m working on. What I’ll do is usually stop writing and take out a notebook and start making notes on anything and everything. Usually a little spark of an idea will form from one of these notes and voila, I’m not stuck any longer.
Thanks for the question 🙂
I’m like that too; but in my case I also suffer from a case of foot-in-mouth. My mind is either blank else I say something totally stupid & then I’ll be thinking “did i really say something as stupid as that?!” & be kicking myself for being such a doofus.
Mahaha!! I must admit, I’ve been know to have that ailment too. All my hubby does is roll his eyes. No help at all…
Thanks for stopping by, Linda. Have a lovely day 🙂
Hi Xandra
I love a good banter to. It makes things more interesting, and even better if it helps developing a sexy scene *wink*
Btw, how many book will there be in the series?
Hi Daniela 🙂
Yup, I’m completely with you there. The two main characters ooze chemistry when their bantering is done right. And it just makes ‘those’ scenes all the more hot 😉 lol
The Moon Magic series has three projected books, all following a moon-witch. And then maybe, if the series is well received, I wouldn’t mind re-visiting the Meta-World again 😉
Great discussions happening, guys! Thanks so much to Xandra for being here today and for taking the time to chat with all of us.
Speaking of chatting…
Sometimes I can come back with a smart quip and sometimes I swear my brain is made of taffy, then an hour later I totally have that George moment. Don’t get caught rehearsing comebacks with yourself in the shower. That’s all I’m saying. *grin*
Hehehe… I think we should totally claim that. Having a George moment will be popular yet! lol.
And no, talking to oneself in the shower is rarely good. Now singing is a whole different matter 😉
Thanks so much for inviting me here. I’ve enjoyed chatting with you guys xx
hi Xandra
i always love to read paranormal book, its good to read part of you book, and thank you
Thanks so much, Nana. I appreciate you stopping by and reading my excerpt 🙂
I love paranormal genre. I curious about this one, and look like i must find info about this series. How many book now this series.
Hi Filia 🙂
At the moment, Shadow Justice is the only book available and is the first of the Moon Magic series.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Congratulations to Filia O. on winning the ebook of Shadow Justice!
Thanks to Xandra James for chatting with us and sharing more about her book, and thanks to all of you for participating! <3