Weekly word count: about 200
It's been a week. Oh my freaking gods has it been a week.
I'm not sure if anyone isn't aware of what's been happening in romancelandia, but if anyone needs a recap, this one covers what has happened. There are more questions than answers, but even the most innocent explanations have some pretty awful implications.
I've always been proud to be a member of RWA. I was proud to be part of a professional writing organization and proud of their recent efforts to deal with a systemic issue of unconscious bias and cultural racism. (There was a lot of work that needed to be done, but I believed they were doing that work.) I really don't know what to feel any more about the organization.
I've decided to hold on to my membership for now. It expires in August, so I'll need to make a decision by then. I want to be able to use my voice and my vote to continue to support diversity and inclusion. I've also remained as a RITA judge, because I want to ensure books by diverse authors and featuring diverse characters have a fair shot at being judged.
However, it's going to take a lot of work and, frankly, resignations from those who have allowed this to occur, before I can trust this organization again.
There have been a number of people who have rightfully said that marginalized people cannot be expected to do all the work. I agree, which is why I'm sticking around to do what I can.
I'm not doing a tarot read this week. I'll try to get back to it next week, when I'm a little more clear-headed.
My Books
Monday, 30 December 2019
Thursday, 26 December 2019
Hidden Diamonds: Getting Steamy with Barbara Russell's Steampunk Romance
There are so many books out there that it can be hard for readers to find the books they would love to read. Every month, I feature a fellow romance author who writes paranormal romance, romantic suspense, or amazing heroines.
2019 is almost over, which means there are a number of us looking up from the shredded wrapping paper and wishing for new books to enjoy (or to use to retreat from family drama). This month's Hidden Diamond is Barbara Russell, who has a steampunk romance with a defiant, brilliant heroine with empathic powers. This book is a combination of superheroes, spies, and supercool technology with a terrifying serial killer villain, which means it ticks almost every single one of my favourite story boxes.
The Heart Collector is set in 1884 Auckland, where the Heart Collector is slaughtering Supernaturals. In steps Isabel. While other aristocratic, nineteen-year-old girls spend time dancing, she is training hard to become an MI7 agent—Military Intelligence Seventh Division, a crime squad run by Supernaturals. The Heart Collector murdered her best friend, and enrolling at MI7 is the best way to help catch the killer.
Isabel senses other people’s feelings as if they were her owns. But MI7’s leader is too worried about Isabel’s safety to let her join the team. Eager to prove that her power is valuable, Isabel volunteers to meet Murk, a dangerous Supernatural man who can turn himself invisible. MI7 desperately tried to recruit him and failed.
She believes that her power is enough to convince Murk to become an MI7’s agent and help apprehend the Heart Collector. If he wants to attack her, his feelings will broadcast his intention, and she’ll be ready. What Isabel isn’t ready for is to fall in love with the man who will collect her heart.
Barbara has kindly shared notes from Lady Ermintrude and an excerpt from The Heart Collector. She also tells her her wildest research rabbit hole and her opinion on cavemen vs astronauts.
Excerpt
2019 is almost over, which means there are a number of us looking up from the shredded wrapping paper and wishing for new books to enjoy (or to use to retreat from family drama). This month's Hidden Diamond is Barbara Russell, who has a steampunk romance with a defiant, brilliant heroine with empathic powers. This book is a combination of superheroes, spies, and supercool technology with a terrifying serial killer villain, which means it ticks almost every single one of my favourite story boxes.
The Heart Collector is set in 1884 Auckland, where the Heart Collector is slaughtering Supernaturals. In steps Isabel. While other aristocratic, nineteen-year-old girls spend time dancing, she is training hard to become an MI7 agent—Military Intelligence Seventh Division, a crime squad run by Supernaturals. The Heart Collector murdered her best friend, and enrolling at MI7 is the best way to help catch the killer.
Isabel senses other people’s feelings as if they were her owns. But MI7’s leader is too worried about Isabel’s safety to let her join the team. Eager to prove that her power is valuable, Isabel volunteers to meet Murk, a dangerous Supernatural man who can turn himself invisible. MI7 desperately tried to recruit him and failed.
She believes that her power is enough to convince Murk to become an MI7’s agent and help apprehend the Heart Collector. If he wants to attack her, his feelings will broadcast his intention, and she’ll be ready. What Isabel isn’t ready for is to fall in love with the man who will collect her heart.
Barbara has kindly shared notes from Lady Ermintrude and an excerpt from The Heart Collector. She also tells her her wildest research rabbit hole and her opinion on cavemen vs astronauts.
Auckland, New
Zealand, 1884
Lady Ermintrude
You don’t mind if I whisper, do you? Hastings Manor is full of
ears, and people’s best pastime is gossip. Thank goodness I’m not that type of
lady. But I have to speak my mind.
My niece Isabel, the current Duchess of Sussex, has gone mad.
She’s accommodating, here in Hastings Manor, street urchins. Street urchins! From
Auckland’s rookery!
Good gracious, I need a sherry. These street urchins don’t
even have decent names and the youngest one, called Trigger—ptf!—spat on his
teaspoon to clean it. The older, the one called Murk, I think he’s a thief or a
murderer. Apparently, he can turn himself invisible. Invisible! So
inappropriate.
Those dark eyes mean trouble, mark my word, but Isabel thinks
he’s charming. Poppycock, I say. I’m sure she’d like to dirty-puzzle with him.
Oh, the horror. But does she listen to me? No one is listening to me anymore. A
bunch of rebels they are. Now, where’s
my sherry?
Excerpt
Chapter 1: Auckland, 1884
ONE OF THE PERKS of
being a duchess and the lady of Hastings Manor was that I could make my own
decisions.
Most of the time.
I bunched a corner
of my long brocade skirt and climbed the sweeping stairs toward Victor’s
office. The bustle, heavy with satin ribbons, bounced lightly, tapping on the
small of my back.
On the landing, one
of the little cleaning machines that roamed the house trotted around, buzzing
as its brushes dusted the white marble floor. A puff of steam trailed behind it
while its wheels and pistons whirred. I strode on, the star-bright tiles
sparkling under my velvet slippers.
The butler bowed
stiffly, carrying a tray with tea and cakes that smelled of cinnamon. “Your
Grace.” He stepped aside to let me pass.
“Hollom.” My heels’
click-clacking noise died down on the blue rug covering the entrance in front
of Victor’s office.
I raised my fist to
knock but stopped inches away from the gleaming, polished oak wood, needing a
moment to collect myself. Victor had to see reason. Convincing him that my role
in the investigation was vital wouldn’t be easy, but I was nineteen and
properly trained in combat. More or less. The point was, I could face danger.
My resolve wavered,
and I bit the inside of my cheek. On light feet, I turned and slid inside my
late father’s personal library. Victor’s supernatural hearing wouldn’t catch me
in the room protected by thick walls, and the old leather-bound volumes calmed
my nerves.
I cleared my throat
before rehashing my speech. “Victor, you’re the leader of Military Intelligence
Seven, but as Duchess of Sussex, I have the right to . . .” I shook my head. This sounded
patronizing. I took a deep breath to slow my pounding heart, glad that I wasn’t
wearing a corset. Another perk of being a duchess.
I squared my shoulders. A
wrong word and Victor would dismiss me. “Victor, I kindly request… would you… I
would appreciate if you assign me to the ongoing investigation on the Heart
Collector, since I believe my skills can be an asset.” There. Simple, polite,
and to the point.
Hidden Diamonds Author Interview
What
is the wildest thing you've done to research a book?
Wearing a corset. I thought, was it that terrible?
Would people faint for real? I had to know. So I got a corset from a shop that
rented costumes and theatrical equipment and put the corset on (a friend helped
me tie it up behind my back), and Oh My Gosh! I lasted a grand total of 1
minute and ten seconds before ripping it off me. Awful. I was about to throw
up. Those women back in the nineteenth century were brave souls.
What
is your writing process?
I’m a plotter. I need a map before starting writing,
and while I can write anywhere if I need to, I prefer solitary places with no
distraction . . . except for my two
dogs. Sometimes I have to throw balls and cuddle tummies while writing.
What
is your favourite thing to do to relax?
I love reading of course. I read absolutely
everything except for horror, and I love trekking. I found that walking in a
forest really helps the writing process.
Who is
your favourite fictional crush?
I have a perma-crush for Will Carver. He’s the
protagonist of a book by Bec McMasters (one of my favourite authors.) I love
all her male characters, but Will, a werewulfen a person infected by the lupe
virus, left a mark. It helps that I picture him like Tom Hardy, lol.
Who would win, astronauts or a cavemen?
Well,
I know that Buffy and her friends will have something to say about this, but
the answer is obvious. The astronaut. Have you seen the Martian? A guys who can
survive on Mars for more than a year can take a caveman. Unless the caveman is
like Angel . . .
Thank you, Barbara, for being one of my Hidden Diamonds! If you'd like to check out more about Barbara, or her books, there are links down below. Join me next month for the next Hidden Diamond!
Monday, 23 December 2019
Weekly Update: December 15-21
Weekly word count: 3521
It was a sad week for me this week. I lost my grande dame matriarch kitty, Ceili. At 18-19 years old (we weren't quite sure since she came to us as a stray), she had a good life. She was with me before I had children, the first pet we got jointly as a couple. She was always determined and dignified. I'm going to miss her.
Writing wise, I needed a little jump start to my story, so I set myself some short goals and then got to play with some Mandalorian fan-fiction. (Damaged past, hidden face, single dad, kick-ass nobility of soul... of course that was going to be a fan-fiction playground for me.) It's worked to get the words flowing again, which makes me happy.
Last week's Tarot reading wasn't encouraging: the six of staffs reversed (humiliation), knight of coins reversed (apathy), and the Hierophant reversed (too rigid). It certainly has been hard to keep myself going. I'm feeling drained and I get easily exhausted. But rather than pushing myself past the point of recovering and beating myself up for not accomplishing more, I've been gentle with myself.
This week's reading is a little more promising. For the past, the ten of staffs, which is all about recognizing limits. I've certainly spent the past week being very aware of what I can and can't do. For the present, the Judgment card, reversed, which promises unexpected consequences for past decisions. And for the future, the Page of staffs, which promises quick action and daring vitality. Sounds like the holidays will bring some challenges that will require fast reactions.
I'm taking this week off social media (part of recognizing my limits). I hope everyone has a good holiday and looking forward to getting started again in the new year!
It was a sad week for me this week. I lost my grande dame matriarch kitty, Ceili. At 18-19 years old (we weren't quite sure since she came to us as a stray), she had a good life. She was with me before I had children, the first pet we got jointly as a couple. She was always determined and dignified. I'm going to miss her.
Writing wise, I needed a little jump start to my story, so I set myself some short goals and then got to play with some Mandalorian fan-fiction. (Damaged past, hidden face, single dad, kick-ass nobility of soul... of course that was going to be a fan-fiction playground for me.) It's worked to get the words flowing again, which makes me happy.
Last week's Tarot reading wasn't encouraging: the six of staffs reversed (humiliation), knight of coins reversed (apathy), and the Hierophant reversed (too rigid). It certainly has been hard to keep myself going. I'm feeling drained and I get easily exhausted. But rather than pushing myself past the point of recovering and beating myself up for not accomplishing more, I've been gentle with myself.
This week's reading is a little more promising. For the past, the ten of staffs, which is all about recognizing limits. I've certainly spent the past week being very aware of what I can and can't do. For the present, the Judgment card, reversed, which promises unexpected consequences for past decisions. And for the future, the Page of staffs, which promises quick action and daring vitality. Sounds like the holidays will bring some challenges that will require fast reactions.
I'm taking this week off social media (part of recognizing my limits). I hope everyone has a good holiday and looking forward to getting started again in the new year!
Thursday, 19 December 2019
2019 Heroine Overdose: All the Heroine Fixes
I celebrated some amazing characters this year and I thought it was worth putting them all together. They're not all heroes, and most of them don't have any special powers, but they were all willing to fight for what they needed and wanted. That's what I find inspiring about them.
When I was growing up, women in fiction were mostly saved by others (usually the men of the series). It was rare to see one that saved herself or that saved those around her. I am so thrilled that now there is a whole buffet of independent women displaying all the different kinds of strength, from Tess's refusal to compromise on her dream club to the skull-crushing physical power of Mazikeen. There is the gentle and kind strength of Delenn and the saucy, independent strength of Catwoman.
There are brilliant women: Charlotte Holmes and Dr. Ellie Arroway. There are the women who possess the singular skills of professional assassins, from Gamora, to Sarah Lance, to Charlie from The Long Kiss Goodnight to Zoe Washburne. There are the criminals, like Catwoman and the ladies of Ocean's 8. And then there's the women who are sweet but determined, like Ali, Sophie, and Delenn.
These characters all stand on their own with unique personalities and goals. Even those who fall under the category of stoic warrior woman are different. There's Zoe's sense of humour and devoted love for her cinnamon roll of a husband. Sarah has the tortured, brooding past but hasn't launched herself on the usual quest for redemption. She's fine with staying on the anti-hero side of the equation. Charlie is dazzlingly competent in her combat skills, but yearned for a family. And Gamora is laser-focused on stopping her galactically genocidal foster father.
But there's more than individual characters. Women support each other in a different way than male teams do. Tess and Ali have a mentor/mentee relationship, both working together to save their beloved club. And the ladies of Ocean's 8 not only pull off a flawless heist, but do it with respect and friendship.
That's why I keep coming back to all these different characters each month. To remind myself of how far we've come and how many amazing female-led stories are out there. So please enjoy this overdose of Heroine Fixes:
Catwoman from Batman Returns, Catwoman, and The Dark Knight Rises.
Charlotte Holmes from Sherry Thomas' Lady Sherlock series.
Tess and Ali from Burlesque.
Gamora from the MCU, Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers.
Zoe Washburne from Firefly.
Sarah Lance from DC's Legends of Tomorrow.
Mazikeen from Lucifer.
Dr. Ellie Arroway from Contact.
Sophie from Music and Lyrics.
Delenn from Babylon 5.
The girl gang of Ocean's 8.
And last, but not least, Samantha/Charlie from The Long Kiss Goodnight.
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When I was growing up, women in fiction were mostly saved by others (usually the men of the series). It was rare to see one that saved herself or that saved those around her. I am so thrilled that now there is a whole buffet of independent women displaying all the different kinds of strength, from Tess's refusal to compromise on her dream club to the skull-crushing physical power of Mazikeen. There is the gentle and kind strength of Delenn and the saucy, independent strength of Catwoman.
There are brilliant women: Charlotte Holmes and Dr. Ellie Arroway. There are the women who possess the singular skills of professional assassins, from Gamora, to Sarah Lance, to Charlie from The Long Kiss Goodnight to Zoe Washburne. There are the criminals, like Catwoman and the ladies of Ocean's 8. And then there's the women who are sweet but determined, like Ali, Sophie, and Delenn.
These characters all stand on their own with unique personalities and goals. Even those who fall under the category of stoic warrior woman are different. There's Zoe's sense of humour and devoted love for her cinnamon roll of a husband. Sarah has the tortured, brooding past but hasn't launched herself on the usual quest for redemption. She's fine with staying on the anti-hero side of the equation. Charlie is dazzlingly competent in her combat skills, but yearned for a family. And Gamora is laser-focused on stopping her galactically genocidal foster father.
But there's more than individual characters. Women support each other in a different way than male teams do. Tess and Ali have a mentor/mentee relationship, both working together to save their beloved club. And the ladies of Ocean's 8 not only pull off a flawless heist, but do it with respect and friendship.
That's why I keep coming back to all these different characters each month. To remind myself of how far we've come and how many amazing female-led stories are out there. So please enjoy this overdose of Heroine Fixes:
Catwoman from Batman Returns, Catwoman, and The Dark Knight Rises.
Charlotte Holmes from Sherry Thomas' Lady Sherlock series.
Tess and Ali from Burlesque.
Gamora from the MCU, Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers.
Zoe Washburne from Firefly.
Sarah Lance from DC's Legends of Tomorrow.
Mazikeen from Lucifer.
Dr. Ellie Arroway from Contact.
Sophie from Music and Lyrics.
Delenn from Babylon 5.
The girl gang of Ocean's 8.
And last, but not least, Samantha/Charlie from The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Blog homepage
Monday, 16 December 2019
Weekly Update: December 8-15
Weekly word count: 1500
Not the most promising start but I've been sick along with my kids. It's been a week of cuddles, sickie soup (chicken noodle), and watching movies on Disney Plus.
Last week's reading was the King of Wands (leadership), seven of coins (persistance), and the ace of wands (a new project). I can't say I started any new projects, and a week of TV watching isn't exactly persisting in my chosen career, but I took care of myself and my family, which is good enough for me.
This week's reading is less optimistic. They were all reversed cards, which is usually a warning. The five of swords reversed, which is humiliation, the king of coins reversed (apathy), and the Hierophant reversed (rigidity). On first glance, it looks like a warning against getting stuck in a rut.
When I lose momentum with writing, it gets hard to get it back, especially with a major disruption like the holidays coming up. I'll have to make sure I take some proper time to get myself back on track.
Not the most promising start but I've been sick along with my kids. It's been a week of cuddles, sickie soup (chicken noodle), and watching movies on Disney Plus.
Last week's reading was the King of Wands (leadership), seven of coins (persistance), and the ace of wands (a new project). I can't say I started any new projects, and a week of TV watching isn't exactly persisting in my chosen career, but I took care of myself and my family, which is good enough for me.
This week's reading is less optimistic. They were all reversed cards, which is usually a warning. The five of swords reversed, which is humiliation, the king of coins reversed (apathy), and the Hierophant reversed (rigidity). On first glance, it looks like a warning against getting stuck in a rut.
When I lose momentum with writing, it gets hard to get it back, especially with a major disruption like the holidays coming up. I'll have to make sure I take some proper time to get myself back on track.
Thursday, 12 December 2019
Heroine Fix: Samantha/Charlie from The Long Kiss Goodnight
Each month I focus on a well-written heroine who inspire and influences my own writing. What can I say? I'm addicted to awesome heroines! You can check out all of my Heroine Fixes to learn about some amazing characters. Warning: this post will contain spoilers.
It's the holiday season, which means it's time for classic feel-good movies that celebrate family, personal growth, and high yield explosions.
Okay, that last one may just be me, but I love holiday action movies, and one of my favourites is The Long Kiss Goodnight with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. Geena Davis plays Samantha, a woman who woke up with no memories of her past life. For eight years, she's been living a quiet life in a small town, raising her daughter, and hiring private investigators to try and find out who she once was. She appears on television and is spotted by a man in prison, who recognizes her and breaks out to try and kill her.
Samantha discovers that she is a major badass and begins getting flashbacks of her life as a contract killer names Charlie. She and the private investigator (Jackson) keep going deeper and deeper, uncovering an active plot to explode a government facility in order to fund a black-ops government agency.
The duality of the character fascinates me. With these kinds of stories, it's rare to find that both personalities are well developed. In this case, both Charlie (the assassin) and Samantha (the mother) are fully fledged. Samantha is kind and patient, with a quirky sense of humour, making jokes about forgetting her way to the kitchen and trading teasing quips with her fiancee about her lack of cooking skills. Charlie is quick-witted and observant, a woman who never admits defeat and never gives up. Even when strapped to a water wheel, she continues to fight.
One scene in particular stuck with me. Davis has regained all of her memories, becoming Charlie. She cuts off her hair and dyes it blonde, regaining her appearance before the accident that took her memories. She starts to seduce Jackson, who stops her, telling her that he believes she wants to sleep with him to destroy the other part of herself. He tells her that he had a lot of respect for Samantha and doesn't think she deserves to be tossed aside like trash.
The performance is impressive. We can see Charlie struggling because Samantha is a part of her. The two don't have to be in competition. Being a loving mother doesn't mean weakness and being a kickass assassin doesn't mean having to be alone.
I think that's why this movie has been one of my perennial rewatches. Davis doesn't have to make a choice between Samantha or Charlie. She gets to have the best aspects of both. Too often, women are presented with choices that seem to cut off pieces of themselves. How many movies center around a conflict of choosing the career/promotion or love? Holiday movies especially seem to use the "what you thought you wanted means less than family/love/tradition" trope.
Charlie is darn good at her job, one of the best. But there was a part of her that wanted a "normal" life, with a chance at love and family. When her memory was lost, she had a chance to experience that. For eight years, she lived as Samantha. Except Samantha wanted to know where she came from and how to make sense of the memory fragments she did have. But she didn't want to give up her life and her daughter. Both Charlie and Samantha get what they wanted and discover that together they are far cooler than they ever imagined they could be.
And that's the kind of holiday story that I enjoy.
Previous Heroine Fix: The Girl Gang of Ocean's 8
Previous Post: Reclaiming My HEA: Being Open To Possibilities
Blog homepage
It's the holiday season, which means it's time for classic feel-good movies that celebrate family, personal growth, and high yield explosions.
Samantha discovers that she is a major badass and begins getting flashbacks of her life as a contract killer names Charlie. She and the private investigator (Jackson) keep going deeper and deeper, uncovering an active plot to explode a government facility in order to fund a black-ops government agency.
The duality of the character fascinates me. With these kinds of stories, it's rare to find that both personalities are well developed. In this case, both Charlie (the assassin) and Samantha (the mother) are fully fledged. Samantha is kind and patient, with a quirky sense of humour, making jokes about forgetting her way to the kitchen and trading teasing quips with her fiancee about her lack of cooking skills. Charlie is quick-witted and observant, a woman who never admits defeat and never gives up. Even when strapped to a water wheel, she continues to fight.
One scene in particular stuck with me. Davis has regained all of her memories, becoming Charlie. She cuts off her hair and dyes it blonde, regaining her appearance before the accident that took her memories. She starts to seduce Jackson, who stops her, telling her that he believes she wants to sleep with him to destroy the other part of herself. He tells her that he had a lot of respect for Samantha and doesn't think she deserves to be tossed aside like trash.
The performance is impressive. We can see Charlie struggling because Samantha is a part of her. The two don't have to be in competition. Being a loving mother doesn't mean weakness and being a kickass assassin doesn't mean having to be alone.
I think that's why this movie has been one of my perennial rewatches. Davis doesn't have to make a choice between Samantha or Charlie. She gets to have the best aspects of both. Too often, women are presented with choices that seem to cut off pieces of themselves. How many movies center around a conflict of choosing the career/promotion or love? Holiday movies especially seem to use the "what you thought you wanted means less than family/love/tradition" trope.
Charlie is darn good at her job, one of the best. But there was a part of her that wanted a "normal" life, with a chance at love and family. When her memory was lost, she had a chance to experience that. For eight years, she lived as Samantha. Except Samantha wanted to know where she came from and how to make sense of the memory fragments she did have. But she didn't want to give up her life and her daughter. Both Charlie and Samantha get what they wanted and discover that together they are far cooler than they ever imagined they could be.
And that's the kind of holiday story that I enjoy.
Previous Heroine Fix: The Girl Gang of Ocean's 8
Previous Post: Reclaiming My HEA: Being Open To Possibilities
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Monday, 9 December 2019
Weekly Update: December 1-7
Weekly word count: 1900
Editing countdown: finished!
That's right! Division is finished for my final solo round of editing and is now off to beta readers and the developmental editor. It's a big gleam of accomplishment in an otherwise difficult week.
Those who follow me on social media probably saw the announcement on Tuesday. I found out that the hard drive which contained all of our family photos and home videos had been tossed out and recycled without offering me the opportunity to make copies of my own. The drive had been shared and I didn't notice when it disappeared as an option off the network. It was really hurtful and while I'm doing my best to recover what I can, it's not something that can ever truly be fixed.
Family photos have always been very precious to me. I was very vigilant about making digital copies of all the prints I had, plus ensuring those digital copies and the digital originals were backed up in case of a catastrophic network failure.
I just never imagined that anyone would deliberately get rid of them.
I'm still struggling to manage my reaction. As much as I want to howl and rage, it's not going to get me what needs to happen from this point forward.
Looking back, there wasn't much of a hint in the weekly Tarot reading (8 of coins, apprenticeship, 7 of staffs reversed, persist despite opposition, and the page of cups reversed, problems with a child). That seems to have strictly focused on what was happening with my oldest son, who has had a very difficult week at school, requiring several meetings with his teachers and support staff to keep things on track.
This week's reading has another message to persist. I drew the King of staffs, which usually symbolizes someone in a position of leadership, the seven of coins, which is to persist despite a lack of apparent progress, and the ace of staffs, which symbolizes a new life and new projects. Since I do plan to get back to focusing on writing Until Proven Guilty this week and will be rereading Best Face Forward as the first stage of editing, I do have new projects ready to go. The King was in the past position, suggesting an expert who was influential but is no longer in the picture. Perhaps the editor who initially proposed Best Face Forward.
I guess I'll find out.
Editing countdown: finished!
That's right! Division is finished for my final solo round of editing and is now off to beta readers and the developmental editor. It's a big gleam of accomplishment in an otherwise difficult week.
Those who follow me on social media probably saw the announcement on Tuesday. I found out that the hard drive which contained all of our family photos and home videos had been tossed out and recycled without offering me the opportunity to make copies of my own. The drive had been shared and I didn't notice when it disappeared as an option off the network. It was really hurtful and while I'm doing my best to recover what I can, it's not something that can ever truly be fixed.
Family photos have always been very precious to me. I was very vigilant about making digital copies of all the prints I had, plus ensuring those digital copies and the digital originals were backed up in case of a catastrophic network failure.
I just never imagined that anyone would deliberately get rid of them.
I'm still struggling to manage my reaction. As much as I want to howl and rage, it's not going to get me what needs to happen from this point forward.
Looking back, there wasn't much of a hint in the weekly Tarot reading (8 of coins, apprenticeship, 7 of staffs reversed, persist despite opposition, and the page of cups reversed, problems with a child). That seems to have strictly focused on what was happening with my oldest son, who has had a very difficult week at school, requiring several meetings with his teachers and support staff to keep things on track.
This week's reading has another message to persist. I drew the King of staffs, which usually symbolizes someone in a position of leadership, the seven of coins, which is to persist despite a lack of apparent progress, and the ace of staffs, which symbolizes a new life and new projects. Since I do plan to get back to focusing on writing Until Proven Guilty this week and will be rereading Best Face Forward as the first stage of editing, I do have new projects ready to go. The King was in the past position, suggesting an expert who was influential but is no longer in the picture. Perhaps the editor who initially proposed Best Face Forward.
I guess I'll find out.
Thursday, 5 December 2019
Reclaiming My HEA: Being Open to Possibilities
Reclaiming My HEA is a regular feature about my separation and divorce. I'm learning a lot of lessons about myself and finding the balance between romantic hope and practical reality.
Something happened a little while ago. Nothing huge or life-shattering but another necessary step along the way to reclaiming my own happiness.
I'm not usually a woman who gets flirted with, at least not a serious basis (or not in non-scuzzy ways which is a story for another time). The other day, I had a pleasant moment of flirtation with a gentleman while waiting for an appointment.
I've had moments like this before. They are exceptionally rare (as in one every few years), and when they happen, I am usually preoccupied with managing expectations as I don't want to cross lines.
I was doing that this time as well, and suddenly it occurred to me that I don't have to. That if I met an attractive man who was interested in me, there is no longer anything preventing me from exploring that.
There are, of course, still other concerns, such as personal safety and protecting my children. But there's no blanket impossibility.
This particular flirtation went nowhere and frankly, I don't think I would have wanted it to go anywhere else. But it was a reminder that there are people out there who will find me interesting and attractive. That I am no longer restricted by what was.
For now, that little step of freedom is enough for me.
Previous Reclaiming My HEA: Reigniting Romantic Hope
Previous Blogpost: Hidden Diamond: Julie K. Cohen's Colorado Shifters
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Something happened a little while ago. Nothing huge or life-shattering but another necessary step along the way to reclaiming my own happiness.
 |
| It's a holiday miracle! (kind of) |
I've had moments like this before. They are exceptionally rare (as in one every few years), and when they happen, I am usually preoccupied with managing expectations as I don't want to cross lines.
I was doing that this time as well, and suddenly it occurred to me that I don't have to. That if I met an attractive man who was interested in me, there is no longer anything preventing me from exploring that.
There are, of course, still other concerns, such as personal safety and protecting my children. But there's no blanket impossibility.
This particular flirtation went nowhere and frankly, I don't think I would have wanted it to go anywhere else. But it was a reminder that there are people out there who will find me interesting and attractive. That I am no longer restricted by what was.
For now, that little step of freedom is enough for me.
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Monday, 2 December 2019
Weekly Update: November 24 to 30
Weekly word count: 1327
Editing countdown: 42 chapters edited
I am almost done editing Division. I've been concentrating on that this week. Luckily, the last few chapters have been really straightforward to edit. I spent so long on the initial drafts that there's not much that needs to be changed, only a little tightened up.
Once Division is done, I'll be taking another look at Best Face Forward. And continuing my work on Until Proven Guilty. Lots of stuff to take care of. Plus, there's some other stuff that happens in December... can't quite put my finger on what.
Last week's Tarot reading is still somewhat of a mystery to me. I drew the 10 of coins reversed (restructuring), the 9 of cups reversed (reviewing my life), and the 4 of staffs reversed (unexpected complications). I spent some time thinking about my life, my family and my career, but the complication came as a surprise (which seems obvious in retrospect). I've been dealing with a thorny issue with my son's school and we found out last week that one of the staff who have been supporting him will be leaving for another job.
This week's reading began with the 8 of coins, a card of apprenticeship and learning; the 7 of staffs reversed, which advises to persist despite opposition, and the Page of Cups reversed, which signals problems with a child or escapism. From that, I would guess that the issue at school will be ongoing.
Luckily, I am very good at being stubborn and not giving up.
Editing countdown: 42 chapters edited
I am almost done editing Division. I've been concentrating on that this week. Luckily, the last few chapters have been really straightforward to edit. I spent so long on the initial drafts that there's not much that needs to be changed, only a little tightened up.
Once Division is done, I'll be taking another look at Best Face Forward. And continuing my work on Until Proven Guilty. Lots of stuff to take care of. Plus, there's some other stuff that happens in December... can't quite put my finger on what.
Last week's Tarot reading is still somewhat of a mystery to me. I drew the 10 of coins reversed (restructuring), the 9 of cups reversed (reviewing my life), and the 4 of staffs reversed (unexpected complications). I spent some time thinking about my life, my family and my career, but the complication came as a surprise (which seems obvious in retrospect). I've been dealing with a thorny issue with my son's school and we found out last week that one of the staff who have been supporting him will be leaving for another job.
This week's reading began with the 8 of coins, a card of apprenticeship and learning; the 7 of staffs reversed, which advises to persist despite opposition, and the Page of Cups reversed, which signals problems with a child or escapism. From that, I would guess that the issue at school will be ongoing.
Luckily, I am very good at being stubborn and not giving up.
Thursday, 28 November 2019
Hidden Diamond: Julie K. Cohen's Shifters
There are so many books out there that it can be hard for readers to find the books they would love to read. Every month, I feature a fellow romance author who writes paranormal romance, romantic suspense, or amazing heroines.
This month's Hidden Diamond has got an exciting series to share about three wolf-shifter packs near Devil's Peak, Colorado. They share a fragile alliance in their efforts to survive the anti-shifter groups bent on destroying them. Very few rules are universal between the packs, except the laws of nature. . . and these shifters love to defy nature. Please give a warm welcome to fellow Star Trek nerd Julie K. Cohen as she shares her awesome wolf shifters, how she delves into a character's mindset, and her answers to the Hidden Diamond author questionnaire.
This month's Hidden Diamond has got an exciting series to share about three wolf-shifter packs near Devil's Peak, Colorado. They share a fragile alliance in their efforts to survive the anti-shifter groups bent on destroying them. Very few rules are universal between the packs, except the laws of nature. . . and these shifters love to defy nature. Please give a warm welcome to fellow Star Trek nerd Julie K. Cohen as she shares her awesome wolf shifters, how she delves into a character's mindset, and her answers to the Hidden Diamond author questionnaire.
Damien’s
Dilemma: Damien
needs to blood-bond a shifter to keep from going feral. He would blood-bond
Tess in a second, except his enemies have destroyed her ability to shift. And
they’re not done with her...
Blade’s
Battle: Blade
falls for the woman responsible for the deadly Shifter Virus. Hundreds have died because of her. Except she may not be guilty. Will he surrender or mate her?
Callen’s
Captive:
Callen’s an enforcer who does whatever it takes to protect his pack. Whatever.
It. Takes. Kate is a human who can’t
shake him; he’s determined to protect her from the anti-shifters trying to kill
her. He can’t protect his pack and Kate both. Will he choose his pack or the
woman he’s falling for?
Hayden’s
Haven: Traitor.
Outcast. Predator. That’s what they call
him from the shadows. And they’re right. He’s all of those… and much more. Hayden will do anything to protect Mila, even
challenge his former alpha, the brother who cast him out years ago.
Frank’s
Felon: Delilah’s
tainted, targeted, far from tamed. And Frank wants her, badly. She’s his
future, though she won’t admit it. He won’t let her enemies take her, even if
it means starting a war with the humans.
Delving Into A Character's Mindset
From
the moment I wake up each morning, I can’t wait to sit at my computer and
write—I need to find out what will happen in the latest novel I’m
writing. You might think as the author I know what’s going to happen. To some extent, I do; I know a few facts
about my characters and the overall plot of a story, but the road to their HEA
(happily-ever-after) has yet to unfold.
The
moment I start writing, I’m no longer Julie. I’m a character in my book,
sometimes female, sometimes male, sometimes alien or wolf. To understand a character,
I need to be that character, think like her, have her mindset—whether she’s
irrational, cold, logical, scared, hopeful, weary, or feels beat up by life.
Once I slip into the character’s mindset, I react to what is happening to her—from
her perspective. This is why I don’t truly know my characters and what they
will do in a given situation until I start writing.
How
does one think like another person? For me, stepping into a character’s mindset
stems from my childhood. I was an avid tv viewer, watching everything from
sci-fi and westerns to sitcoms and crime drama. I absorbed it all, the
dialogue, the body language, the play between characters—all while re-writing
scenes, dialogue, and characters in my head for the shows I watched.
Unlike
many authors, I hated, and I mean hated reading. Unless I had to read a book for school (yes,
I was a nerdy straight-A student in school), I didn’t read. . . not until I
discovered Star Trek books in the tenth grade.
Immediately, I was hooked. I suddenly had access to an endless stream of
stories from one of my favorite shows.
Even
with the discovery of Star Trek books, I needed to write my own book, to
see the plot and characters swimming around in my imagination come to life. Yes,
I confess, my first novel was a Star Trek novel... Didn’t I say I was a nerd
earlier? My best friend and I co-wrote a Star Trek novel, completely unaware that
the Star Trek franchise had their stable of writers, and they weren’t going to
accept a manuscript from two teens. I
never gave up, though. I continued writing (Science Fiction at first, and later
Sci-Fi Romance), honing my craft over the years.
Today,
my favorite genres to read and write are Sci-Fi / Fantasy Romance and
Paranormal Romance. I love the ability
to create worlds, social and political systems, and plots that are not confined
by reality but abide by a set of rules I create.
Reading
and writing fiction, especially romance, is about enjoying oneself, escaping
into a world where love is attainable, even though the road to achieving and
holding onto love is often fraught with danger, deception, and death (sorry, I
felt the need for an alliteration there).
As a
reader, I enjoy watching characters come together, bond, and fight for one
another—and win, against the odds. As a
writer. . . I have the fun of making that happen.
- Julie K. Cohen
Hidden Diamond Author Questionnaire
What's the wildest thing you've done to research a book?
Maybe this isn’t ‘wild’ but trying to envision a
hand-to-hand fight scene can be difficult so I often ‘practice’ on my daughter,
in slow motion, to see how a character can escape a certain
hold/situation. This might not sound
dangerous, but my daughter is a black belt in karate and I’m, well. . . not.
What's your writing process?
I
love writing characters with deep/complex emotions and I especially love a plot
that has many threads, twists, and turns.
I will envision a basic premise (i.e. What happens when a wolf shifter
can no longer shift and she’s no longer accepted in her ‘world’ but doesn’t
quite fit in the world of humans?). This
became the premise of Damien’s Dilemma, my first wolf shifter romance
novel. Tess, my heroine, is a Broken Shifter (hence the name of the
series). Except she doesn’t allow her
lack of shifter abilities to keep her from going after what she wants.
Once
I know my basic premise, I have to create and understand my character. Who is she, how does she deal with this
tremendous blow? Next, I create a fairly detailed outline. That’s the plotter in me. I then turn into a pantster (writing by the
seat of my pants), creating as I go. I
still use my outline, but as a guide to ensure I hit certain plot points I need
to reach the ending I have in mind. As I
write, anything can change along the way, including the ending. Ultimately, my characters drive my
story. Just like many readers can’t wait
to pick up a book to see what happens next, I can’t wait to sit down to write,
to see how the story unfolds.
What is your favourite thing to do to relax?
I
love to read, watch tv, but the most relaxing has to be baking. Unfortunately,
what one bakes, one tends to eat, so... I try not to bake too often. If you
check out my Instagram account, you’ll see 90% of my photos are of my
cooking/baking... food porn, as my husband calls it. I’m good with that, at
least no one’s calling my writing porn (despite all the steamy sex)!
Who is your favourite fictional crush?
This a
tough question!!! It’s a tie between a not-as-widely-known character, Val Con
yos’Phelium in Sharon Lee’s & Steve Miller’s Liaden Universe novels
and Miles Vorkosigan in Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan saga. Val Con is
tall, wicked clever, hopelessly in love with his wife, and has just the right
amount of arrogance (and skills) to make him a joy to read. Miles meanwhile is
probably the smartest character you’ll ever encounter, but he’s not arrogant in
the least; he’s funny and smart in a way that leaves his enemies stumbling all
over themselves, wondering what the hell happened when he outmaneuvers them.
And in the spirit of the ongoing Joss Whedon debate, who would win: astronauts or cavemen?
Cavemen. In every book you read and movie you
watch, inevitably the modern day protagonists (astronauts in this case) drop their
fancy guns or suffer from technological ‘glitches’. When that happens, the
protagonists are left with just their wit, which is great if they have the time,
materials, and know-how to construct what they need (think MacGyver here). The cavemen, meanwhile, won’t stop to think
the situation through. Their animal instincts to survive will probably kick in
faster that the astronauts’ ability to think their way out of a fight. And guess what? If they do end up in a hand-to-hand combat
situation, those cavemen are probably in better shape than the astronauts. Survival
of the fittest.
Thank you, Julie, for being one of my Hidden Diamonds! For those looking to find out more about Julie or to pick up her books for yourself, you can find those here!
Join me next month for a new Hidden Diamond! Or check out last month's gem: Jeanine Englert's Gothic Victorian Paranormal Romance.
Monday, 25 November 2019
Weekly Update: November 17 to 23
Weekly word count: 4009
Editing countdown: 31 chapters edited
This week was a challenge. I set some boundaries on two difficult personal situations that have been causing me a lot of stress. As expected, there was some pushback on that, but I'm holding firm. Now I'll just have to wait and see what ends up happening.
However, I made some good progress. I was hoping to have Division edited for December 1st so that I could have some time to review it before it goes to the editor, but it looks like it will take a little longer. I'll still have it done in plenty of good time though.
Last week's Tarot spread was Temperance reversed (obsession), 2 of Wands (prepare for change) and the Page of Wands (daring action). Overall, I took it as a time to make my stand and I think that was still the right interpretation.
This week's spread is not encouraging. The 10 of Coins reversed, restructuring and re-examining, the 9 of Cups reversed, which encourages review and reconsideration, and the 4 of Wands, which warns of unexpected complications. Time to hunker down. Which should let me get my work done.
Editing countdown: 31 chapters edited
This week was a challenge. I set some boundaries on two difficult personal situations that have been causing me a lot of stress. As expected, there was some pushback on that, but I'm holding firm. Now I'll just have to wait and see what ends up happening.
However, I made some good progress. I was hoping to have Division edited for December 1st so that I could have some time to review it before it goes to the editor, but it looks like it will take a little longer. I'll still have it done in plenty of good time though.
Last week's Tarot spread was Temperance reversed (obsession), 2 of Wands (prepare for change) and the Page of Wands (daring action). Overall, I took it as a time to make my stand and I think that was still the right interpretation.
This week's spread is not encouraging. The 10 of Coins reversed, restructuring and re-examining, the 9 of Cups reversed, which encourages review and reconsideration, and the 4 of Wands, which warns of unexpected complications. Time to hunker down. Which should let me get my work done.
Thursday, 21 November 2019
Alphas Vs Cinnamon Rolls: Finding Heroes
If you follow my blog, you know that I am addicted to awesome heroines. But I also enjoy a great hero.
There has been a raging debate over the last few years on Romance Twitter and it involves a debate over which type of hero people prefer: alphas or cinnamon rolls. (Spoiler: I'm a fan of both and what I prefer depends on the day, my mood, and the character.) So I thought I'd share some of my favourite of each type.
For those not familiar with the terms, alpha refers to a hero of the laconic, take-charge, punch your way through problems kind of guy. He's usually damaged, fighting for redemption, and struggling with his self-esteem. A true alpha is always a protector with a heart of gold, one who will do anything to save the people he cares about.
A cinnamon roll is a hero who is emotionally available, openly supportive, and just plain sweet. He can be physically strong and capable, but doesn't have the harshness of an alpha. He builds teams, gives rousing pep-talks, and will sacrifice himself to help others. A cinnamon roll wears his heart on his sleeve, always has a ready joke, and can make the world seem less scary and intimidating.
Let's start with one of my favourite cinnamon rolls, the Captain himself. I've used him frequently as an example when people insist that cinnamon rolls are weak. He's strong but also kind. There's a reason he's the one who gives the "we can do this" speeches to the rest of the team, not to mention being the one who sits down for heart-to-hearts. One of the sweetest things about him is how much he believes that everyone around him can be a better version of themselves than they imagined.
He has a great love, Peggy Carter. He's proud of her strength and never expects her to pretend to be less than she is. He wants her to be happy and he strives to be worthy of her. He made the difficult decision to sacrifice himself to save her (and everyone else) by crashing his plane into the ice. And he still gets his happily ever after.
For me, the appeal of Steve Rogers is the combination of strength and kindness. It makes him an appealing romantic partner. A hero who will support his chosen partner and who sees them as an amazing person in their own right is definitely worth a little crushing.
On the other side of the hero spectrum is another favourite of mine: Wolverine. He has no faith in humanity or himself. He only finds meaning in his immortal life when he defending others. He's never met a situation he couldn't carve his way through and he doesn't hesitate to throw himself into combat against impossible odds if it means there's a chance he can save someone else.
Damaged bad boys might not be fun in real life, but in fiction there's always that little thrill of being the one he opens up to, of being special. Not to mention the reassurance of knowing that your boyfriend could slice and dice his way through any number of evil henchmen to rescue you, should the occasion arise. While I recognize the problems of fridging as plot device, I still love the idea of a powerful hero ready to tear through the universe to save the one he loves.
Next up is a new cinnamon roll sweetie for me, Aram from The Blacklist. He's incredibly smart and skilled and absolutely dedicated to the woman he loves, willing to do whatever she needs. (Don't talk to me about what happens in Season 6, I'm still not over it.) He might not be able to rip a log apart with his bare hands, but he is the guy who would change diapers at 2 a.m. or bring you coffee exactly the way you like it, because he pays attention. He's willing to give up his entire life to be with the woman he loves.
Sometimes a girl doesn't need a superhero. Sometimes she just needs a sweetheart with a great job and a willingness to watch nerd movies all weekend.
Speaking of nerds... let's talk about the Jaqobis brothers from Killjoys.
With D'Avin and Johnny, there's one of each (and both with a sense of humor, which I adore). An alpha who can shoot a long distance target and who is always willing to strip off his shirt in the name of science, and a cinnamon roll who can sweet-talk any computer, fly any space ship, and is always there to support his friends.
Both of them are adorably hot and heart-meltingly loyal. Though there's plenty of entertaining petty bickering between them, in the end they always have each other's backs.
One thing that none of these heroes would do is be controlling. That would be an automatic deal-breaker for me. Even when it causes them heartbreak, they respect other people's wishes.
These guys are all about being protectors and a protector will always be sexy for me. The line between cinnamon roll and alpha is a thin one, when it comes down to it. The point is that they are the type of guys that we all deserve for our own happily ever afters. Or at least some happy daydreams.
Previous blogpost: Heroine Fix: Ocean's 8 Awesome Girl Gang
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There has been a raging debate over the last few years on Romance Twitter and it involves a debate over which type of hero people prefer: alphas or cinnamon rolls. (Spoiler: I'm a fan of both and what I prefer depends on the day, my mood, and the character.) So I thought I'd share some of my favourite of each type.
For those not familiar with the terms, alpha refers to a hero of the laconic, take-charge, punch your way through problems kind of guy. He's usually damaged, fighting for redemption, and struggling with his self-esteem. A true alpha is always a protector with a heart of gold, one who will do anything to save the people he cares about.
A cinnamon roll is a hero who is emotionally available, openly supportive, and just plain sweet. He can be physically strong and capable, but doesn't have the harshness of an alpha. He builds teams, gives rousing pep-talks, and will sacrifice himself to help others. A cinnamon roll wears his heart on his sleeve, always has a ready joke, and can make the world seem less scary and intimidating.
Let's start with one of my favourite cinnamon rolls, the Captain himself. I've used him frequently as an example when people insist that cinnamon rolls are weak. He's strong but also kind. There's a reason he's the one who gives the "we can do this" speeches to the rest of the team, not to mention being the one who sits down for heart-to-hearts. One of the sweetest things about him is how much he believes that everyone around him can be a better version of themselves than they imagined.
He has a great love, Peggy Carter. He's proud of her strength and never expects her to pretend to be less than she is. He wants her to be happy and he strives to be worthy of her. He made the difficult decision to sacrifice himself to save her (and everyone else) by crashing his plane into the ice. And he still gets his happily ever after.
For me, the appeal of Steve Rogers is the combination of strength and kindness. It makes him an appealing romantic partner. A hero who will support his chosen partner and who sees them as an amazing person in their own right is definitely worth a little crushing.
Damaged bad boys might not be fun in real life, but in fiction there's always that little thrill of being the one he opens up to, of being special. Not to mention the reassurance of knowing that your boyfriend could slice and dice his way through any number of evil henchmen to rescue you, should the occasion arise. While I recognize the problems of fridging as plot device, I still love the idea of a powerful hero ready to tear through the universe to save the one he loves.
Sometimes a girl doesn't need a superhero. Sometimes she just needs a sweetheart with a great job and a willingness to watch nerd movies all weekend.
Speaking of nerds... let's talk about the Jaqobis brothers from Killjoys.
Both of them are adorably hot and heart-meltingly loyal. Though there's plenty of entertaining petty bickering between them, in the end they always have each other's backs.
One thing that none of these heroes would do is be controlling. That would be an automatic deal-breaker for me. Even when it causes them heartbreak, they respect other people's wishes.
These guys are all about being protectors and a protector will always be sexy for me. The line between cinnamon roll and alpha is a thin one, when it comes down to it. The point is that they are the type of guys that we all deserve for our own happily ever afters. Or at least some happy daydreams.
Previous blogpost: Heroine Fix: Ocean's 8 Awesome Girl Gang
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