News and New Site!

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Maria
on October 24, 2011
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For all the latest news for The Gypsy Chronicles view this site and my new one:

http://www.mariafarina.net

Book 1 - Grave Robber 

All was peaceful in the quiet borough of Sewickley, Pennsylvania until someone decided to go ahead and raise the dead. Now, there’s chaos! Have the demons of the Hollow broken the Treaty or are the humans dabbling in black magic? One thing is for sure…the only person who can bridge the gap between human and demon is the local gypsy. It’s Trudi MacKenzie to the rescue and not a moment too soon.

Book 2 - Grave Talk

Someone or something has infiltrated the vampire captain’s lair threatening his power. The undead are full of unrest. It’s Trudi MacKenzie to the rescue…again. Sewickley’s only gypsy has been called on to find the conspirators by way of the internet. Trouble is, Trudi has problems of her own…namely a demon who has invaded her mind through her dreams. A mysterious stranger gives Trudi an offer she can’t refuse so that she may help the vampires. The question is, can she save herself?

Find out all about Trudi and her friends at:  http://www.mariafarina.net

News

Maria will hold a discussion on writing and her books at the Oakmont Carnegie Library on October 26, 2011. The event begins at 7pm. She will have books for sale at a special discount price and will sign all copies upon request. Admission is free!  All are welcome to attend.

The Beaver County Library will debut their cookbook at the Heart and Home Event in early November. They have included two local authors’ recipes among the many and Maria’s is one of them! Maria submitted one drink recipe from the Velvet Bean and her Aunt Mary’s Gob recipe, a Trudi favourite. Maria will be at the event to discuss writing, her books and to unveil the new cookbook! Admission is free!!

Notes from Maria:

The Author’s Night at Northern TIer Library on October 13th was a wonderful event! Thanks to Edie and her helpers for putting together an interesting evening. My fellow authors and I had a terrific time. The crowd was enthusiastic and supportive. Wonderful!

I’m busy working on Book 3. Werewolves, wizards, vampires…you know, the usual. Please look me up on Facebook and join my Gypsy Chronicles Group!


Speaker Series A Hit!

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Maria
on June 29, 2011
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What a wonderful time I had last night at the Shaler North Hills Library. There was a nice group of people who came to listen to my talk. They were full of questions and were very interested in the writing process. There’s nothing better than talking with new friends about writing. Talking about my books was an added bonus. 

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of speaking to students and older folks alike about the joys of writing. Whether it’s in the classroom or at a senior center or at a reader’s home, the result is always the same. People love to read and they enjoy writing. I, in turn, love to talk about both. 

Last night was truly a joy! Thank you Marie for inviting me to come to one of my favourite places on earth…the library! 

Shakin the Cobwebs

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Maria
on May 2, 2011
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Boy, does time fly. One minute you’re a single woman writing and working every day, the next you’re engaged to be married to a man with two small children and you haven’t written in two years. Such is life. Actually, such is MY life. I’m not complaining, but don’t think the irony of my last two posts, have escaped me. Trust me, I’m the first to yell, hypocrite, when I am one. 

The truth is, if you want to be a writer, you must follow, in my estimation, three cardinal rules. 

One: dreamers, dream. Writers, write. Every day, no exceptions.

Two: Writers read. Every day, no exceptions. 

Three: Writers write about what they know. That’s just common sense.

I haven’t followed the three rules with any consistency since 2009! Nightmare! 

It hasn’t been all bad. I threw myself, as is my way, headfirst into a caretaker role and relished the opportunity to be a full-time “mother.” I took it all in…good times! Along the way, there was a nasty custody battle, lawyers, an assault and more lawyers. There was self awareness, self denial, trickery and faithfulness. And, as is the case with any wonderful storyline, a big dose of love thrown in. 

The best part….Guess what! You are the benefactors of my trials and tribulations. 

Spoiler Alert!

Book 3 which I have now begun to write will consist of werewolves, lawyers, addiction and a courtroom scene to beat all. Your welcome! In other words, my life over the past two years. Minus, the werewolves, although at times I questioned that. :)

I am back to practicing the three rules of writing. I just bought the latest Charlaine Harris book to read, I’ve carved out a time of day to write….inbetween baseball, hockey and soccer….and I will be writing about what I know. At the end of Book 3, it’ll almost be like you were with me all along, on my two year hiatus.

The usual suspects have all returned with a couple surprise appearances by some unexpected guests. Of course, there will be blood and gore, but nothing gratuitous. Trudi is still forgetful and silly at times. I’m excited about her next adventure.

I hope you are too. I promise to post once a week, so please visit often and if you’d like, tell your friends to visit. It’s all good fun and it’s about to begin again….be afraid…..very afraid! 

Just in Time!

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on October 30, 2009
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Yesterday was a BIG day! I received book 2, Grave Talk, in the mail! It was amazing! I wanted to yell and scream with joy, but I have laryngitis and can’t utter a sound. :(  So, there was a lot of high fives and hugs in the Farina household. 

It never fails when I meet new people and they find out that I’ve written now 2 books! that they tell me that they’ve always wanted to write a book themselves. I always encourage their creativity. Their biggest hang-up seems to be finding the time to do it and getting started. I must admit, that’s a tough one. With my new family situation, it has been difficult to find much “me” time too. However, I’ve come to realize that an old adage is true. Dreamers dream and writers write. So simple, but it speaks volumes….get it….volumes. :)

If you truly want to write, you must do so every day, even if it’s writing your name a thousand times. Your mind is a muscle and must be exercised. You don’t have to have a plan, an outline or inspiration. You simply need a pen and paper…..or keyboard and Microsoft Word. 

Begin by just writing whatever comes to your mind. Do that for 10 minutes and quit. Return the next day. Eventually, you’ll begin to hone in your mind’s ramblings and the words will take form. You need to allow the ideas to flow naturally. Relax. Enjoy.

A very good friend of mine who is an author once told me, that as long as I enjoyed the process of writing, the rest will take care of itsself. In other words, don’t look at the outcome or result, look at whole process and enjoy it thoroughly. I have done this and I can tell you. I’ve loved it!  All of it!  Creating the characters, setting the scenes, ramping up the action. All of it has been a blast.

BUT, there is NOTHING, NOTHING, like holding your very own book in your hands. 

So, if you want to write, do it. What are you waiting for? 

Book 2, Grave Talk will be available in the next week or so at: iuniverse.com, barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com and amazon.com. Please tell all your friends! :)

Cheers, Maria

ps. My author friend is Sandra Taylor, an international best-selling author of Quantum Success and others. I keep Quantum Success with me always. It’s a life-changing book!! I highly recommend it!

It’s Done!

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Maria
on April 16, 2009
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Hello all,

I have great news! I’ve finished writing and going through the first edit of Book 2 of The Gypsy Chronicles: Grave Talk!  Just one more run through and then it’s off to the publisher. :)

I’ve decided to use IUniverse.com again. They did a great job with Grave Robber. The process was comfortable and easy. So, unless I get an agent and publisher within the next month…..I’ll be self-publishing again. 

Book 2 was more of an arduous process than I thought it would be. I think that was because of the excitement and anticipation of having my childhood dream realized with Grave Robber. I kindof let up on the reigns with my 2nd contribution to the series. Plus, I have had some personal traumas over the last six months that have demanded my time and energy. Because of those issues, I broke the cardinal rule of writers…..I didn’t write every day. Shame on me. Remember kiddies: writers write!  If you have a story and you don’t write it down, you’re a dreamer….nothing wrong with that, unless of course you would like to be a writer! :)

Today, because of many factors, including a more stable personal life…I’m back on track and am making big headway to continuing the series. More on my happy personal life later…. ;)

I want to thank everyone who has urged me on. Thank you for all your support and enthusiasm of Trudi’s adventures. Writing continues to be a source of great joy for me and I’ll continue to do it as long as you continue to read. :)  and maybe longer! 

Cheers, Maria

Nobody is a Winner!

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Maria
on January 29, 2009
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Congratulations to Neil Gaiman….my favourite author…for winning the Newbery Award with his book, The Graveyard Book. I bought and read it within its first week out. :) It was wonderful, as usual. Neil has such a beautiful way of twisting a tale that you can’t help but fall in love with his writing. His mix of the supernatural and the natural blend so effortlessly that you can’t help but fall into the worlds he creates. He is a master.

The Graveyard Book is a spin on Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Gaiman’s character, Nobody Owens, is raised by the ghosts, ghouls and vampires in a graveyard after his family is mysteriously killed.  As Nobody or Bod for short, grows, he yearns to explore life beyond the cemetery’s gates, but the murderer lurks outside. Of course, Bod ventures out into the world only to find the protection he has in the graveyard ceases at its doors. Trouble and mayhem ensue!

Neil is well deserving of this award. The Graveyard Book is an enchanting story. I loved it.

I’ve made it a tradition to give a book to everyone in my family for the holidays and their birthdays. They all get one book and one other gift from me. **Spoiler alert to the Farina’s**  You will each be getting your very own copy of The Graveyard Book…….Be warned! :)

If you would like to hear Neil Gaiman talk about his book, you can go to www.bordersmedia.com and then click on Borders Presents on the left hand side. Scroll down and you’ll find Neil Gaiman. Click on it and enjoy!! There is also a preview of the animated feature film based on his book, Coraline there as well. Fantastic!!

Cheers, Maria

ps. Coraline will be in theatres on February 6th.  I CAN NOT WAIT! 

Books Make Great Gifts

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Maria
on December 23, 2008
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Ok, I know…..I”m soo late with this list, but a girl’s busy around the holiday. Besides, you still have a week for a New Year’s gift….just to be different. :)

Since I”m a writer and an avid reader, I”m asked quite a bit about which books I would recommend to read and at this time of year, to give as a gift. So, I thought I would provide a list for all of you last minute shoppers or folks just looking for something new to check out. 

Here goes:

Neil Gaiman is my all-time favourite author. He has a beautiful way of painting a scene and he writes on just this side of scary, so that you aren’t sure whether to be freaked out or feel like you’re missing something. I’ve read just about everything he’s written and one is as good as the next, but if I’d had to choose, I’d say start with “Smoke & Mirrors,” his collection of short stories or “Neverwhere.” Brilliant!!

For those of you who like your horror with a bite, try Nancy A. Collins. She’s tough to find, but well worth the effort. Her specialty is werewolves….you can’t go wrong there. Mind you, she’s very descriptive and werewolves aren’t cuddly, so the gore factor is a little high. Be warned! 

If you liked the HBO series, True Blood, then you’ll love reading Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse Series. Wonderful! It’s fantasy/horror lite……kindof like the Gypsy Chronicles!

Jim Butcher’s “The Dresden Files” are fantastic! Too bad the Sci-fi series wasn’t renewed. It was awesome! Jim also writes about the Fairie World, if that strikes your fancy. 

Laurel K. Hamilton is also a great go to series. I like to read series books, because I love following characters. Her series tends toward the erotic…….fun every once in awhile.

Charlie Huston is my new favourite. He writes the best horror mystery noir out there. Plus, his writing style is different and that makes it more fun to read. 

As a writer, I’m always interested in reading how other writers go through the process of writing. The best book of this type is Stephen King’s, “On Writing.” Fantastic! King is just cool….in a creepy way. :) In this book, he takes you through his childhood and what made him interested in writing in the first place and why he writes about what he writes about. Totally interesting! 

As you can tell. I’m pretty partial to the fantasy/horror/mystery genre. No romances here! In fact, I don’t even know if I’ve read a romance book……unless of course you’re talking about the vampires/werewolves/human kinds. LOL!!

One other suggestion I would make is totally off the board, so go with me. I LOVE history and books about it. “Team of Rivals” is one that I would recommend and the book about the Civil War that talks about how death and those folks of that time viewed it…..sounds morbid, but it’s not. The Civil War affected our society more than we know….in many ways! 

So, there you go. I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you to get “Grave Robber” for that special someone. :) If you do, please let me know what you think. Always love the feedback. 

The happiest of holidays to you all! 

Cheers, Maria

 

 

 

A Tuba Christmas

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Maria
on December 15, 2008
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What do you get when you take more than 300 tuba players from across the country and situate them, just so, on the ice rink, literally on the ice rink, in Rockefeller Center?  The most beautiful holiday music you could imagine. For someone who is partial to the warm sounds of the lower brass instruments, I was in heaven…….a very cold heaven. :)  The temperature in New York CIty, which is always a bit frosty on the warmest day of the year, was frigid on Saturday when my family and I watched from the rink balcony as my dad performed with the other 299 players. I was soo proud of him! It was truly a site to behold and I did until I couldn’t take it anymore and rushed into J.Crew for a warm-up. :)

New York is truly amazing, but I have to be honest. I’m not a big city girl…..at least not that big. I like my cities, Pittsburgh-sized, where you can walk freely down a sidewalk without worrying if the person who just hit into you had just robbed you or not. Where a few blocks is all you would need to walk to know you’ve made it to your destination. Where the people are friendly and car horns are a rarity. Yep, give me Pittsburgh……or a cottage in the mountains, by a lake…..but that’s a different blog. :)

I risked all to make the trip to NYC for the day, but I’d do it all again for my dad. He was thrilled to be a part of the extravaganza, but as it turns out, he’s not a big city guy either….maybe that’s where I get it! I asked him if he wanted to do it again and he gave me a resounding “No!” He did it and now that’s crossed off his list. Good for him. I’ll cross NYC off my list as well, for good measure.

It’s almost the time for lists….the New Year. Mine, I can tell you, will be long. Not my gift list, but my to do, to see, to experience list. I’m going to make my list… big…..as big as New York City! You heard me!! You only live once, right! 2009 is going to be BIG…..I promise! 

Cheers, Maria

It’s a Dog’s Life

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Maria
on December 2, 2008
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Anyone who knows me, knows I love dogs. Our furry friends are such a huge part of our lives! My dog, Trudi was my sanity after a confusing divorce and move back home to Pittsburgh. She introduced me to my great friends and helped me keep physically fit with our daily walks/runs. She was my best friend, my muse. 

I’m sure that you have a Trudi of your own or know of someone who does. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to give back to the memory of Trudi through a charity. I have many ideas and I”m working through them one by one to see which is feasible. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

In the meantime, I’m taking part in the K9 Kingdom Dog Wash a thon to benefit military working dogs this Sunday. I bought space at a table and will be selling my book, Grave Robber, with part of the proceeds going to the charity. 

Now, you may be wondering: Maria, where’s the tie between the Dog Wash a thon and the Supernatural? Well….WEREWOLVES & SHAPESHIFTERS!! of course!! 

So, tell your friends and bring your dogs! It should be a great day at K9 Kingdom!!  

and remember……books make great holiday gifts. :)

Cheers, Maria

Many Firsts!

Published
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Maria
on November 11, 2008
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It’s amazing to me how things have progressed with The Gypsy Chronicles within the last year. Since my book release party for Grave Robber one year ago September, events have unfolded in a steady pace to give GR a clear voice. 

Through a recommendation from my friends Cassie and Val Brkich, I enlisted the services of Micah as my web designer. I love the work that Kim Collins of Blue Tomato did….she really gave my book and website a distinctive look. Kim’s business has really taken off and she became busy with other projects. So, Micah took on the challenge of working with someone who is computer illiterate :) and his patience has been amazing! More over, his insight and creativity has given this website what I envisioned it to be….an interactive resource for all things Trudi! Success!!  

Micah and I have worked on expanding the Trudi universe by giving you the ability to hear the book. The podcasts are a first for me in a dramatic sense. I’ve done numerous podcasts through my voice acting, but never one that relied solely on my acting flair! :)  So, you’re hearing me read the book the way I wrote it. In other words, you’re hearing the voices in my head. Scary!! 

Another first is finding my weekly podcasts on iTunes……another Micah idea! He secured that for me. Not being computer savvy, I have no idea how that will impact my book, but Micah says it’s big, so I’m going with that. :)

I also have just joined Facebook! For this, we can all LOL!!  I NEVER thought I would do that! Although, after my divorce, I never thought I would be on Match.com either, so I guess you just never know, huh? For this feat, I have to thank my friend, Becky Moore…..and by the way, she is my Facebook friend as well. :)  She has promised me that being on Facebook will draw immense attention to Grave Robber, so for that I have braved the internet networking foray. Please keep Becky from being a liar and tell all your friends to be my friend! :)

The Gypsy Chronicles are now linked to another website. My buddy Joe in Cleveland has linked my website to his and you are welcome to jump back and forth amongst the two in cyberspace. His new site is all about science and he has posted podcasts to discuss scientific issues of the day. It’s really interesting and fun to listen to and you’re welcome to check it out at http://www.sciencetastic.net. 

October was a really busy month for me. I spoke to many students about Grave Robber and the joys of writing. I had a fantastic book signing event at Borders!! (see pictures in the gallery section) And I was interviewed for the first time, not as a voice actor, but as an author. I was nervous! can you believe that?!! My buddies Brian & Joe at WMVX in Cleveland talked to me about The Gypsy Chronicles for their morning show. You’d think that after all these years in radio, I would have been calm and an old pro…..nah!! I was like a giddy schoolkid! …….that’s how excited I am about my writing! They were great and you can hear the interview on my media page.

So, it’s been quite a ride……..and there’s more to come. I’ve decided to acquire an agent, so that they can find a publisher for my 2nd book in the series. I believe I”m ready for the next step. I wouldn’t be at this point without the wonderful reviews and support of all of you. For that I am eternally grateful. 

Return often to this site and invite your friends……you never know what will happen next! 

Cheers,

Maria