History Lesson: Bittettos

In honor of the review of Cosa Nostra: The Truce, I thought I would give my Lovelies (and whatever the equivalent is in RK's world) a little insight into some of the characters.

I met RK in 2002 through some guy who had read a fan fiction I wrote and stuck online someplace. It was based off of that old TV mini-series V and V: The Final Battle from the 80's. That is the series that introduced me to Robert Englund's work and, frankly, I thought he did his best work there, not in Nightmare on Elm Street. I can't even remember the name of the fan fiction anymore, but no doubt it is still online someplace. Anyway, this guy approaches me about writing in a serial fan fiction and bringing my characters into the storyline. He introduces me to RK and it's off to the races …

My first post was called “Gem” and was posted on Friday October 25, 2002 7:48pm. That post introduced the character that is now Emerald Whelan and her son who was and remains Ty Bittetto. If you remember the V series, then you know that there were humans and there were the lizard-like aliens. Ty and Emerald were and remain human.

Sticking to my original characters, I will now move on to Vincent D'Simone, who was Vincent D'Antoni in the fan fiction. No matter what his surname is, that boy is hot as hell. The final post to the list involves Vincent and Kira and was written Monday December 12, 2005 1:42 pm.

Three years writing a continuing fan fiction.

RK remained friends, and would many times go back over the archives, which I obsessively stored and still have to this day. At one point RK suggested that we do what we needed to do to make the story a novel, because the story we created rocked. I groaned, but agreed.

Took us over five years, but we did it!

Because the original story belonged to someone else, we had to change aspects of it. First of all, everyone became an Earthling. That was a no-brainer, as was simply turning it into a Mafia war. As Ty was already Italian, we kept the Italian's in the war. In the original fan fiction he was mixed with African-American, and I agreed that should change to fit the mafioso leanings of the new plotline. My fans and friends know my love of the Irish in general and redheads in particular. And so Gem/Emerald became a red haired, green-eyed Irishwoman.

For the record, there are more Cosa Nostra stories in the works.

Hope you enjoyed this little “history lesson”. Tune in next time, when I regale you with the history of I don't know what yet.

A new beginning!

Alrighty now!  I have (I hope) linked this up on Blogger, Google+ and Goodreads.  Every last post from this blog has been deleted.  It's a new beginning for me in many ways.

So .....  let's begin.

Hi.  I am Crystal Brewton ... also known as the Indie Author Extraordinaire.  I am 43 years old and live in California in an odd, but workable living situation.  Those who matter in this house are my kids. 

I have been writing now for ... ever.  Cassandra Houston used to be my pen name and you can probably still find early works for free online in various places.

Personality wise ...  I am a cynic, to be sure.  Life molded me that way.  It isn't likely to change before human nature does.  There is also a bit of a sarcastic streak to me.  Go figger.  You should also be warned that I am honest.  Or a bitch.  One in the same to some people.

My occupation is .. mother first.  Then writer.  Do I really have to tell you my kids come first?  Seriously?

I am not a "one genre wonder" by any stretch of the imagination.  My books and stories have run the gamut and I have covered stories that have gotten me comments along the lines of "This story didn't need to be told!" ... to which my response was "Bullshit!  All stories need to be told!  You just can't handle reading it is all.  There's a difference."

People you are likely to hear me mention in this blog ...

Jae El Foster -- I've known him since 1999 and he's my best friend, editor, cover editor, reviewer and as constant a source of wonder as my kids are.  When I think of him, I still think of "Jimmy" despite how many times he's shed his skin in the last 13 years.

Amy -- She's a fan that became a friend.  The moment I publish a book, I send it to her to read and review for me.  She is insane ... which I think is a prerequisite to being a fan of the Indie Author Extraordinaire.

Mary -- I met her during one of Jimmy's parties, I think.  Great old gal, to be sure!  Another fan, I like to think.

There are others, mostly from the Facebook crowd.  You probably won't hear me mention my family a lot .. besides my children and ex-husbands.  Alienation happened there decades ago.  They don't understand me and as far as I can tell are not willing to take the steps to get to know and understand me.  That's their loss, IMNSHO.

The Indie Author's favorite authors?

Jimmy Foster/J.L. Foster/Jae El Foster - I've even read his poetry and I despise poetry most of the time!

Darrel Bain - OUTSTANDING!

Michael LaRocca - His book Who Moved My Rice literally saved my life!

Why did I become Indie?  When I got my first acceptance from a publisher (can't remember who anymore), they wanted me to "straighten out" the main characters in The Silver Chronicles.  Long story short ... I said no to them and with Jimmy's encouragement, did it my damn self.  Never looked back.  Since then, titles like Michael have been banned by people, groups and e-publishers.  All that does is confirm that I made the right decision.

My opinion on publishers? .....  You know ... that is an outstanding interview question ... and maybe someone will ask and get it answered.

For now, I will leave this brand spanking new old blog.  It's my hope to discuss my books, characters and the like.  Maybe once a week.  Maybe more.  Maybe less?

Any questions?