Also, if you wish, there is an opportunity at the bottom of this post to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway. So enjoy! And I'll be back in a few days with some more thoughts on Middle Grade books.
Welcome to The
Stone of Valhalla Blog Tour!
A middle-grade fantasy-adventure by Mikey Brooks.
Don’t
forget to check out the GIVEAWAY at the bottom of this post
for a
chance to WIN a $25 Amazon
Gift card and other great prizes!
Art in Writing
Guest Post by: Mikey Brooks
I am a writer but I am
also an illustrator. A lot of times I am asked if I use my illustrating to help
me in my writing. I reply: “Of Course!” A lot of thought goes into a painting.
Of course you have your main character there but you also have other things.
The background can tell a lot about what is going on. It can also help move the
story. In fact, when I hit a wall, or what some authors call “writer’s block” I
step away from the computer and I pull out the sketch pad. I am a very visual
person and have to see the scene visually before I can write it. Drawing helps
me do that. I don’t spend too much time on it. Mostly the characters look like
something a child drew. I focus mostly on the background. I need to know what
is happening. I tried this once when I had a character in a room. I didn’t know
where else to go with the scene. So I started drawing the back ground. I drew a
stone wall with some dark shadows here and there. Then I drew a window.
Suddenly I had a shadow in the window. “Who is outside the window?” I asked
myself. Soon the writer’s block was gone and I was onto finishing the scene. So
yes, drawing can help move writing along.
Another way I
incorporate my art into my stories is I draw out some of the scenes. For my
newest book, The Stone of Valhalla, I
actually drew chapter pictures. I did this about 13 years ago when I first
finished the story. Since then it has been majorly rewritten and the pictures
don’t really fit the descriptions of the characters anymore, but they helped me
when I first constructed this story. I was able to see into this other world as
my main character, Aaron saw it. Art carries with it a small sense of emotion.
I took that emotion I felt from the art and tried to convey it into words. Art
can be a powerful tool when constructing a story.
I am thrilled to announce the release of my newest
middle-grade fantasy-adventure: The Stone
of Valhalla. I hope you love Aaron as much as I do. Yes, he has a lot to
learn in the beginning but the excitement comes as we see him grow throughout
his journey.
Synopsis:
Aaron was chosen to save their world, but it might come at the cost of
losing his own.
Breaking
into an old lady’s basement was supposed to reward 13-year-old Aaron with new
friends. Instead he finds an enchanted amulet that transports him to another
world—one at war with magic. Before he knows it, he is accused of witchcraft
and invited to a bonfire—where he’s the main attraction. If that’s not bad
enough, a goblin army shows up and toasts the town...literally. The good news:
Aaron escapes being charbroiled. The bad news: the goblins are after him. They
want his amulet and will stop at nothing to get it. Battling to find his way
home, Aaron teams up with a not-so-magical-wizard and learns it’s his fate to
destroy the amulet and save this new world. But is he willing to sacrifice his
own?
Check out what these talented authors
are saying about it:
“The Stone of Valhalla is one of those
books that only comes along once in a great while. Brooks doesn't just create a
world, he puts you inside of it, allowing you to experience the wonder in a way
that only he can. His characters are likable and fun. His twists leave you
asking ‘Why?’ Treat yourself to an exciting adventure through a beautiful new
land. Make new friends and be a part of the magic. This is a book that you will
not be able to put down!”
—J.R. Simmons,
author of Ragesong: Awakening.
“The
Stone of Valhalla drew me in from the get-go. Aaron’s journey is
reminiscent of Dorothy’s trek in The
Wizard of Oz. Magic, sword fights, danger, and more danger, sprinkled with
humor and unexpected twists. This is one of the ‘best’ fantasy adventures I’ve
ever experienced!”
—BBH
McChiller, author of The Monster Moon
Series.
“The Stone of Valhalla is a riveting mystery
revealing true friendship, loyalty and sacrifice. Brooks engages the curiosity
of middle graders and older sleuths alike, until the very end. Fantastic!”
—L.R.W. Lee,
author of The Andy Smithson series.
Where to Find The Stone of Valhalla:
Exclusive price for the eBook
release is just $2.99! (List Price: $4.99)
And only $9.99 for the paperback! (List Price: $12.99)
On April 12th
2014 the price will return to the List Price
Another special offer:
During The Stone of Valhalla
Blog Tour
Mikey’s other great middle-grade eBooks will also be set to the low
price of just $0.99!
The Dream Keeper:
The Dreamstone:
You’re Invited to PARTY!!
The
online launch party will take place on Thursday, April 10th at 4pm
(MST). The party will run for 2 hours and you’re invited to drop by anytime.
The longer you stay the more chances you have of winning prizes! We have a slew
of eBooks to give away, as well as a Stone of Valhalla necklace AND a $25 Amazon gift card! It is hosted by
LovingtheBookLaunchParty on Facebook. Just follow this link to join the event: http://goo.gl/Q2Fd3r.
What’s that? Another Party!
That’s
right! If you’re local to Utah you don’t want to miss this kickin’ party. We
are having a launch party to celebrate the release of this awesome new book. Of
course there will be plenty of giveaways there too, but what’s even better are
the guest authors! Just check out these fabulous names: J. Scott Savage, Chad
Morris, Lisa Mangum, Jenni James, Ali Cross, and many more. The Launch Party
is: Friday, April 11th from 6-9pm at the Viridian Center in West
Jordan, Utah. Follow this link for a map: http://goo.gl/dqVc0u
About Mikey Brooks:
Mikey
is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing
the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown
up. He is the author/illustrator of several books including the best-selling ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures
and Bean’s Dragons as well as the
middle-grade fantasy-adventure series The Dream Keeper Chronicles. His art
can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to
daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the
imagination of children can create. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah
State University and works full-time as a freelance illustrator, cover designer,
and author. As a member of the Emblazoners,
he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of
children’. He is also one of the hosts of the Authors’ Think Tank
Podcast. You can find more about him and his books at: http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/.
The Giveaways!
