We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program

My work schedule is random enough that grabbing dedicated writing time is more miss than hit. I’m sure it will even out eventually. What that adds up to for you is that I haven’t finalized the Meet the Cards post for today.

Instead, here are some posts which rocked my world recently.

Jenny Hansen is a must read for me and posts like Can One Person Make a Difference? is one reason why. Recently, Jenny had Lisa Hall Wilson over with this post on Fun Facebook Tricks.

Maria Zannini is another must read for me, she keeps things real with posts like Yellow Jacket Attack, and she’ll also be a panelist in this weekend’s Coyote Con — Writing Sex Scenes.

On Maria’s Back to Basics blog I found this great recipe for Healthy Homemade Dog Cookies — Beastie Girl approved. Maria also had this amazing tip on Recycling Pour Tops. Be sure to like The Frugal Way on Facebook for great deals. Maria does her research!

Natalie Hartford is a guaranteed laugh most days of the week like this post, on a product we’ve all likely seen advertized, Worlds Collide: Pajamas and Jeans. Every Friday, however, this amazingly dedicated woman puts a personal face on the victims of drunk driving. Check out this great product doing double duty as support for a worthy cause — Recovery Tags.

Brinda Berry has a regular feature, Social Media Savvy with Sanity, on Gloria Richard’s blog and this week was more on Facebook — This is a Test. This Is Only a Facebook Test.

As part of Coyote Con, this Sunday is my Tarot in Writing panel with the amazing Diana Castle, who you’ve seen me mention here on the blog under her pen name of Jenna Reynolds. The panel starts at 11 AM EASTERN time (AKA New York time). Diane and I hope to see you there

The LOOK Challenge

The fabulous Marcia Richards tagged me with this puppy a few weeks ago. Good thing, cause the brain is mush this morning.

Here’s the way it works: You take your current manuscript and find the first instance of the word “look”. Then you post the surrounding paragraphs as an excerpt of the book on your blog. Lastly, you tag five more blogging authors who you think might be a good choice for the game.

I’m not sure if this is the first “look” in this WiP but it’s what was open. First draft, subject heavy revisions, the cutting room floor, yada, yada.

Archie must have been changing when the paperboy knocked because he only wore jeans. Unsnapped jeans. She’d forgotten what a nice body Archie had, a runner’s body, all lean muscle. His chest and arms had a golden hue implying he spent time outdoors. The skin peaking out at his waist pale in comparison.

“Keep looking at me like that and I’m apt to forget ye are me best mate’s girl.”

Myra’s gaze snapped to his. The laughter replaced by a heat so elemental she jumped back lest she got singed. She tried not to look. Really she did. But she couldn’t miss the bulge behind the zipper of Archie’s jeans.

“I mean it,” Archie ground out.

Myra slammed the door shut between them and turned the lock. Leaning against the door, memories haunted her. She had carnal knowledge of that body and just how well Archie used it. Moist warmth flooded her. She rushed to the bathroom, locking the door. As if two flimsy locks would protect her.

She turned the shower on, as cold as she thought she could handle and stepped under the water. What was she going to do? Gerry was all that stayed Archie’s hand. Hell, Gerry was all that stayed her hand. She would not come between them any more than she already had.

And I’m not going to play by the rules

• Writers…Tag you’re it!

• Readers…Share the first “look” excerpt from the book you’re currently reading in the comments.

When Characters Cross the Line

source

I want to pitch that book across the room. Not the best practice these days with over half my reading being done on an eReader, LOL. However, it does result in my not finishing the book more often than not. It also makes me less likely to buy that author again.

Is it subject?

An established author, one I trust to see me to the end of the journey, can and has escorted me across many a line I thought firmly drawn. I’m looking at you Joely and Sloan

For example, I generally have zero tolerance for cheating spouses. Yet, Elena Aiken has a character do just that in Drawing Free. Did I agree with the character’s decision? No. Did I understand it? Yes. I know a little harmless flirting has uplifted my self-confidence, made me walk a little taller, feel a little sexier. I suspect most of us can relate to that.

On the other hand, another author, a first time read for me, has lost me. Her hero gets amnesia and ends up having an affair. I’m not even sure I can call it an affair, LOL. Anyway, amnesia…I should be able to forgive him, right?

Does that mean gender makes a difference?

Well, I do like my heroes to be perfect, or perfectly flawed with the ability to become more with the heroine’s love. But, no, I don’t think the sex of the character has much to do with it, as long as the character STAYS in character.

Back to the amnesic hero, if the ‘affair’ happened off the page, I probably would have forgiven him. I mean, he didn’t remember much beyond his name, didn’t know he had a wife waiting for him, or that the villain of the story was making her life miserable as only a great bad guy can do.

As it was, it felt like the author tried to fit some erotica into a mainstream historical romance. Those scenes were not needed to move the story forward. We have the heroine’s POV. Readers felt the tension build the longer the hero was missing, feared dead.

So is it craft?

Kait Nolan has a wonderful scene questionnaire. Type A that she is (hey, she admits this), she completes it before writing a word. Me, I like to use it for revisions/edits. In it she says every scene must do three things.

Which of the following does the scene accomplish?

____ (G) Dramatically illustrate a character’s progress toward the goal or provide an experience which changes a character’s goal.

____ (M) Provide a character with an experience that strengthens his motivation or changes his motivation.

____ (C) Bring a character into conflict with opposing forces.

It can, of course accomplish all three, but minimally must accomplish at least one. This point gives me the broad goal of the scene.

What are the three reasons for the scene?

Now one of my three reasons for the scene can be answering the GMC *** question above. But I must have at least 3 total reasons for the scene to be included and make the cut. Why three? Well, if I remember correctly, I think Dixon says something about it in her book, but mostly it’s because I think of something having three points as being stable. If I can come up with three reasons, then more than likely I won’t have to axe the scene later.

I think she has a point about three points being stable. It’s no wonder three-legged stools have been around forever. (And the image analogies using them…wow.)

But I digress.

Do you have a hard limit where characters are concerned? What do you do when characters cross the line?

*** Kait references: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon, one of my recommended reads.

Tarot at Coyote Con

As I mentioned on Sunday, I’m tentatively scheduled to do a panel at Coyote Con in October. I’m rather nervous and excited about the prospect.

But how should I go about it?

If we maintain a similar format to the first Con, I’m looking at chatting for a half hour, give or take, then opening the chat room to a Q&A session for the balance of the time, approximately another half hour. Note: I’ll be able to post links but probably not images.

So I open this to y’all.

• What would you like to see as part of a Tarot in Writing type session?
• What info have I covered here on the blog that you would like to see expanded upon?
• Are you interested in more of a how to read the cards like the Meet the Cards series?
• Or more spreads like I had in the Using Tarot in Writing series?
• What DON’T you want to see?
• The Con is for writers AND readers, as a reader is there an aspect of Tarot you’d like to see covered?
• What have I missed?

Thank you for your comments and I hope to see you at Coyote Con!

Pets in Fiction

Lord Groaner — the dog could carry a tune, I kid you not!

A week or so ago Amy Shojai did a name that dog post. In the comments I gave a shout out to every canine fur baby I’ve had — a veritable pack — from the first, a Toy Poodle my sister conned my father into through to Beastie Girl, a Boxer/Pit Bull.

 

 

Danielle — for years my longest relationship outside of family, much to That Man’s chagrin.

Beyond the trip down memory lane, listing all those pets made me realize it’s been a rare point in time when I wasn’t sharing my home with a four-legged friend. And that’s an enriching thing. I’m mostly a dog person, some of my best fur babies were strays and pound puppies, but there was a cat or two as well

 

That, in turn, got me thinking about pets in stories.

 

 

Nathan the Neurotic — I can’t count the number of presents that required re-wrapping (IYKWIM).

I can’t imagine my life without a fur baby, or two, in it. Is it really a stretch for our story people to have pets?

Yet, I’ve only written one story so far with a pet, a tribute to my Blue Heeler mix, Dani (that pretty spotted one). It’s not as easy as one might think. The heroine can’t just run off for the weekend with the hero, I mean, who’s going to watch the fur baby?

It’s much the same situation writers run into by having children in the story. Beyond, babies being born or hinted at (in an epilogue), I’ve only written one story where a child was an active part of the story line. Strangely enough, or not, the same story featuring Dani. And he’s a teen, about to graduate high school.

 

And then there’s Roxy, my beloved Beastie Girl.

As a reader, I’ve enjoyed the extra layer of having pets (or children) in a story. I’ve also seen it done poorly. As a writer, I like the idea of adding that layer of reality to a story yet not every story calls for it. I suspect I have a bit to go before I master it. How about you?

• Readers: Do you enjoy reading stories with children and/or pets in them?

• Writers: Have you written a pet or child into a story?

 

 

 

 

For kicks and giggles and a trip down the rabbit hole…

Me and Lord Groaner, circa 1983, as part of my high school senior photo shoot.

Romance

One reason I read (and write) romance is that no matter what the couple go through I’m guaranteed a happily-ever-after (or at least a happily-right-now).

• Love at first sight.

I’d like to think it possible though I’m not sure I believe in it. The thought is toe-curling romantic to me. Now, lust at first sight. Oh yeah.

• Soul-mates.

Again, I’d like to think it possible. That someone out there completes you, connecting with you on all levels. Romantic sigh.

• A second chance at love.

That I believe in. That I live.

Claddagh: Let Love and Friendhsip Reign Forever

Fifteen — well, fifteen and a half — years ago, That Man proposed to me, standing in the kitchen of our first home on the day we received the keys. Our romance has had the ups and downs, and times when the conflict seemed overwhelming, you’d expect from a romance novel. And I’m still crazy in love with him.

Last week I mentioned Samhain as part of my Sunday Summary which is considered the Celtic New Year. Out with the old, in with the new. Could there be a better time to embark on a new life together? This month marks fourteen years. Happy anniversary honey!

For me, romance is in the little things; a touch, a look, a whisper. Butterflies from a shared look. I’m a chocoholic, is it any wonder that I get lost in My Guy’s dark chocolate colored eyes? Contentment in resting your head on his chest, right over his heart with its reassuring beat. A sense of coming home when your special someone embraces you. Then there’s the cadence of his voice. It is the sweetest music to my ears. And how about the spark that tickles across your skin when you touch after an absence.

Yesterday, Natalie Hartford talked about Marking Special Anniversaries. November is a great month for anniversaries As I said in my comment on her post, My Guy and I celebrate the “just because” days more than the big dates. But in the end…

Romance is all about being mindful of how lucky you are to have found each other.

Romance is about falling in love a little bit more each day. A cute take on that is the movie 50 First Dates with Drew Berrymore and Adam Sandler. For those of you who haven’t seen it, Sandler’s character needs to get Berrymore’s character, who suffers from short-term memory loss, to fall in love with him each day. Is there anything more romantic than your special someone making you fall in love with them all over again?

What does Romance mean to you? Do you and your honey celebrate the Hallmark days or the “just because” days?

*For more on the ring and the hidden meanings on how to wear it check out the Claddagh Story.

Tarot with Jenna Reynolds

Greetings! My name is Jenna Reynolds, and I’m delighted to have been asked as a guest blogger on Raelyn’s blog. She’s done a fantastic job of integrating the tarot with creative writing, and I’m thrilled that she’s given me this opportunity to speak to you. So, first off, let me pose a few questions.

Do you want to be more inventive and creative when it comes to your writing? Are you willing to take inspired and imaginative leaps in order to generate electrifying concepts for your short stories, novels, or screenplays? Do you want to not only avoid writer’s block, but to quickly come up with ideas for characters, plots, scenes, and settings?

If the answer is yes, then the tarot can help you. As you’ve seen on Raelyn’s blog, the tarot is an amazing tool for generating ideas and concepts for your stories.

I picked up my first tarot deck in the late 1980’s. I had seen the tarot in movies such as Live and Let Die, in which Jane Seymour plays a character named Solitaire, a tarot reader. The tarot features rather prominently in the plot, although the screenwriters, like so many others before and since, tended to see the Death card as literally meaning death. Cue the ominous music.

The cards used in the film are from a deck called The Tarot of the Witches and are even offered for sale at a website called Bond Lifestyle that sells all sorts of Bond accessories, gadgets and clothing.

I also came across the tarot even earlier in Samuel R. Delaney’s space opera novel Nova, but I had no idea at the time that the cards the futuristic characters were using were based on the tarot.

However, since then I’ve read dozens upon dozens of books about the tarot and collected over a hundred tarot card decks, but it wasn’t until I began to seriously focus on my writing that I saw the tarot as a tool for generating ideas.

I presented my first workshop on using the tarot and writing in 2008 for my local writers’ group. This year I will be offering my first online course on the tarot and writing at the How To Write Website.

Not only have I studied the tarot, I’m also a student of narrative structure and archetypal mythology, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and mulling over the tarot when it comes to writing fiction and screenplays. What I’ve discovered is that when we use the tarot in our writing, we are limited only by our imagination and, since the imagination is limitless, that means the possibilities for using the tarot with writing are also limitless. Especially when there are so many amazing artists who devote time and effort to come up with such beautiful, evocative decks.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of tarot decks, with more being published every year. They deal with themes and subjects ranging from aliens to baseball and from housewives to vampires. This bounty of tarot decks means that no matter what genre you’re writing in, whether it’s fantasy, science fiction, mystery, romance or erotica, there’s probably a deck out there that you can use to brainstorm plots or create characters.

In my workshops, I encourage participants to not only open their minds when it comes to working with the tarot, but to open themselves up to their own creative possibilities. I think sometimes that we all are a bit hard on ourselves when it comes to what we can accomplish as creators, whether it involves fiction, dance, art, music, or our own lives.

Yes, the tarot can be used as a means for personal growth or even for the telling of fortunes, if that is your interest. But where I think the tarot’s greatest strength lies is in its ability due to its striking imagery to free ourselves creatively.

For example, in one of my workshops, which was held at a science-fiction convention, tables were not provided so that the participants could lay out their own cards, so I decided to lead the group in a brainstorming session. I used my over-sized Rider-Waite deck so that everyone in the group could see the cards.

Using the handouts that you’ve seen on Raelyn’s blog, I selected a card for each position on the layout. I even had someone read out the meanings of the card as I walked among the group and showed the card I had selected. We managed not only to create a rather interesting and complicated character, but also to plot out a pretty exciting science-fiction mystery.

Are you interested in learning how to use the tarot to enhance your brainstorming abilities when it comes to writing your stories? Do you want to learn how to tap into the archetypal symbolism of the tarot to explore not only the creative potential of your stories but of yourself as a writer?

If so, I invite you to sign up for my workshop, Plotting and Brainstorming with the Tarot. The online class starts Sunday, October 23rd and will run through Saturday October, 29th. During that week, I will guide you through the process I have taught at my in-person workshops for using the tarot in your writing and, once the workshop is over, you should, at the very least, have an idea for a main character and the beginnings of a plot.

This could prove especially helpful if you’re planning on participating in National Novel Writing Month or what is generally known as NaNoWriMo. I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo since 2003, and the three years that I’ve “won” (meaning I finished a 50,000 word draft in 30 days) were the years I prepared beforehand. Some people prefer to just start from scratch on November 1st, with absolutely no idea what they’re going to write. And that’s perfectly fine.

But if you’d like to at least have some idea of who your characters will be or your what your plot is going to be about, Plotting and Brainstorming with the Tarot can help you with that. And even if you’re not planning to do NaNoWriMo this year, the tools and techniques I teach in the workshop can help you no matter when or what you’re planning to write.

You can sign up for the workshop at the How To Write Website:
How to Write Shop: Plotting and Brainstorming with the Tarot
The fee is $20. If you have any questions, please enter them in the comment section.

Thanks, Raelyn, for having me as a guest on your blog. You’ve done a fantastic job with the tarot as it relates to writing fiction, and I look forward to your future postings on the topic.

Priestess Image from Art Nouveau Tarot Deck by US Games Systems

~ * ~

Jenna Reynolds writes paranormal, erotic, futuristic, mystery, and romantic fiction.

She also writes short erotic fiction under the name Anna Black.

She physically reside somewhere in the Midwest, but in her imagination she has worked in an elegant brothel in the distant future on a faraway planet, ventured deep into the darkness of a vampire’s dungeon, and raced across the golden plains of the Old West.

She plans to take even more exotic and exciting trips in the future.

Her blog can be found at Jenna’s Journal or follow her on Facebook.

Campaigner Challenge #2: Shattered Imago

Oscitate.

My imago of Wonder Mum is completely smashed. Does that mean seven years of bad luck like a broken mirror? I hope not!

I didn’t get the flash fiction piece I wrote for the Second Campaigner Challenge polished last night and scheduled for today because I went to a meeting with #1 beastie. He’s going to the Pali Institute in the spring on a three day school field trip. Cool stuff

That Man ran late getting home from work. We arrived late to the meeting thus received a higher number. And THAT made us some of the last to get out of the meeting. Synchronicity or synchronicity fail? Where’s Jung when you need him?

Dinner was at 8 o’clock last night…3 of the 4 beasties’ bedtimes. Parent fail. Sigh. I should have planned a crock pot meal.

Reading with #4 and #3 beasties last night fell into a lacuna.

Today I’m walking around in a miasma and #2 beastie just handed me a Student Council essay to proof :headdesk:

Oscitate.

At least, I got those tricky words in here with the mirror bonus. Can I bore you for another few words to make 200? Thanks. I think I’m done and #135 on the challenge list.

What was on that video?

LOL, just about every comment on last week’s flash fiction contained that question, or variation thereof. Love it!

As I said, this piece came from a WiP, tentatively titled Let Me Be Your Prince, that is with my first reader at the moment. It’s a friends to lovers story.

Jace Brodie is an actor. He’s been in the business long enough to be recognized wherever he goes. He also has a tendency to speak without thinking, thus paparazzi love to corner him, and he’s notorious for off-the-cuff comments in interviews.

Reese Ingram is a single mother. She works at an exclusive private school at which Mrs. Johnson is the principal. Reese’s nun comment reflects Mrs. Johnson’s attitude toward Reese’s never been married status.

Armed with that information, can you guess what’s on that video?

Okay, some set-up then.

The night before the flash fiction scene, Jace was at the Golden Globes (presenting not nominated).

The morning before the scene, Reese arrived late to work, as in almost missing the first bell for students late. Oh, and did I forget to mention there was a media circus outside the school before she got there? Oops.

Now can you guess what’s on the video?

Oh, all right. Here’s the argument following the flash fiction scene.

First draft, subject heavy revisions, the cutting room floor, yada, yada. Warning for language.

His cell rang.  Sliding the phone toward him, he glanced at the display.  Ree.  “Hello be–”

“Damn it, Jace.  You did it again!”

Jace stared at his phone.  She’d hung up on him.  Actually hung up on him.  What the hell?  He redialed.  “Ree?”

“Can’t talk.  Driving.”  She hung up on him again, sounding more pissed off than she had a second ago.  His feet hit the floor — his boot heels likely dented the wood — and strode to his office door.  He wrenched the door open and bellowed, “Allen.”

His personal assistant rounded the corner from the kitchen.  “Sir?”

“Did you catch the Globes last night?”

“Of course.  It’d be rather remiss of me not to watch my employer.”  Allen chuckled.

“Did I do anything — say anything — that might have set Ree off?”

“Not off the top of my head.”  Allen handed Jace the mail.  “Problem?”

Jace tossed the mail in the general direction of his desk.  “Probably.”  He pinched the bridge of his nose, a headache was coming on.  “Do me a favor and check the usual suspects — YouTube, TMZ–” he waved his hand to encompass the world at large.  Allen nodded and disappeared the way he’d come.

Jace closed the door and returned to his desk.  A sharp line of sunlight cut across his desk hitting the prism Nik had given him casing rainbows around the room.  Jace dialed Ree.

“I’m at a stop light.  Talk fast.”

“Hello to you, too,” he said crossing his ankles on the corner of his desk.  The wood faded and scratched under his heels from the abuse of his boots.

“Jace.”  He grinned.  She drug out the ‘a’ just like Mama did when he’d pushed too far.  And just like Mama, Ree couldn’t stay mad at him for long.

“All right.  What’d I do?”

“When are you going to learn to think before you shoot off your mouth?”

Fuck.

“You and your double ententres.  I’m so used to them I don’t hear them anymore.  But others do.”

“That witch gave you a bad time again, didn’t she?”

“It’s not just Mrs. Johnson, Jace.  You had us living together and engaged if not walking down the damn aisle! And from the way Mrs. Johnson eyed my abdomen she probably thinks you’ve impregnated me too!”

“I wanted you to come last night!  You ke–”

She made a choked sound that might have been a laugh.  “God!  It would have been ten times worse if I had!”

“But…”

“It wasn’t so much you as the media.”  She sighed heavily into the phone.  “I guess three trucks showed up at the school this morning and enough parents saw fit to call Mrs. Johnson.”  He slammed his hand on the desk tearing a few strands of hair from his head in the process.  “I, being her most favorite teacher in the world –” Ree snorted — “got called on it.”

He picked the hair from his watch band.  “I wish you’d quit that place.”  He turned one strand over in his palm.  His first gray hair, imagine that.

“I can’t, at least, not until Nikos graduates.”

“I told you I’d cover tuition.”  Damn her pride.

“He graduates in four months.”  It was an old argument.  “I can stick it out if you keep the hounds at bay.  Look, I’ll call you later.  Light changed.  Gotta go.”

He dropped his phone onto the desk.  Damn.  He’d done so many interviews along the red carpet he couldn’t remember what he said in any of them.  Lots of repetition and questions about his upcoming premiere he was sure.  He gathered up the mail that hadn’t made it to his desk.  He’d deal with it tomorrow.

Right then he needed a beer.  He paused at the refrigerator for a bottle and continued toward Allen’s alcove.  He leaned against the wall.  “I’m calling it a day.  You can head home.”  Allen looked up, startled.

“I think I found what you were looking for,” Allen said.

Jace stepped around Allen’s desk so he could see the monitor.  Allen clicked the replay button.

“Fuck,” Jace said when the video ended.  How was he going to make this one up to Ree?

Campaigner Challenge #1

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: “the door swung shut.” (also included in the word count)

For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

I’ve never done Flash Fiction before. I ended up settling on a bit from my last WiP (it meets all the challenge elements).

~ * ~

The door swung open. Mrs. Johnson’s office was Spartan — decorated in mostly blacks and grays reminding Reese of a nun’s cell she once visited at the local abbey — and felt cold despite the large window opposite the door letting in the late afternoon sun. Given the woman’s parchment for black suits Reese wondered if Mrs. Johnson had been a nun in a former life.

“Ms. Ingram.” Reese clinched her teeth against the exaggerated ‘z’ sound. “Close the door. Take a seat.

Oh boy, not good.

“We’ve had this conversation before.” Reese nodded. “You still insist you are just friends with Mr. Brodie?

“Yes, ma’am.” God, she sounded like Jace.

“I understand Mr. Brodie implied otherwise last night.”

Damn. What had she missed last night?

A muscle twitched along Mrs. Johnson’s jaw. She turned her laptop toward Reese, pushing play on a YouTube video.

The video ended. “I’ll suspend you the next time your relationship with that man causes trouble for my school,” she said snapping the computer shut.

“I’ll talk to him.”

“See that you do.” Mrs. Johnson returned to the papers on her desk, dismissing Reese. Reese backed out of the room and the door swung shut.

~ * ~

You can check out the other participates on the First Campaigner Challenge post (I’m #301 by the way).