Happy New Year!
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| [Pavel Avramenko, Fireworks from Flickr -- thanks for sharing it!] |
31 December 2010
My last post of the year
As we wave good-bye to 2010 there's lots of weirdness I could reflect on. Politics, the financial crisis and the fact bankers danced away with bonuses, odd incidents that went viral online and hit the news. But I'm going to resist temptation. No rants. No regrets.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
30 December 2010
Romance Round the Net
Sarah Wendell (she of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, blogging at Kirkus Reviews) talks about Must-read Romances. What are the books you most often recommend?
Category romances are tough to write. Lynne Connolly tells it how it is. Still, like her, the difficulty doesn't stop me trying. I love reading them, so I want to write one (hey! who am I kidding? I want to write 100 plus. Aim high!)
Zoe Archer shared this link, a story on London's female crime gang -- a century ago!
And it's the week between Christmas and New Year, making this a slow news day. Partly because I'm slack. Partly because everyone's in holiday recovery mode.
Category romances are tough to write. Lynne Connolly tells it how it is. Still, like her, the difficulty doesn't stop me trying. I love reading them, so I want to write one (hey! who am I kidding? I want to write 100 plus. Aim high!)
Zoe Archer shared this link, a story on London's female crime gang -- a century ago!
And it's the week between Christmas and New Year, making this a slow news day. Partly because I'm slack. Partly because everyone's in holiday recovery mode.
29 December 2010
Devolution
Devolution, by my rough definition, is the process whereby a complex organism becomes less complicated. Could this happen to humans? and what would we lose? Perhaps we're already losing our sense of smell? What if our flight or fight instincts were deadened/eliminated? How would that alter society? Would we lose our fear of the future and the insurance industry collapse?
Maybe the loss of species on Earth will decrease the complexity of those that remain? With less competition but increased environmental extremes, will the survivors simplify, shedding inessentials?
I stupidly failed to bookmark an article I read on feral dogpacks in Sofia, Bulgaria. The author commented that from his observations the dogs quickly (through generations) lost breed extremes and zeroed in on a street dog look resembling (and my memory could be at fault) the Australian dingo. They simplified and dominated their ecological niche.
Maybe the loss of species on Earth will decrease the complexity of those that remain? With less competition but increased environmental extremes, will the survivors simplify, shedding inessentials?
I stupidly failed to bookmark an article I read on feral dogpacks in Sofia, Bulgaria. The author commented that from his observations the dogs quickly (through generations) lost breed extremes and zeroed in on a street dog look resembling (and my memory could be at fault) the Australian dingo. They simplified and dominated their ecological niche.
28 December 2010
Writing Update
I thought I'd let a quotation stand as commentary for the year:
Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite:
"Fool," said my Muse to me, "look in thy heart, and write!"
Sir Philip Sidney
Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite:
"Fool," said my Muse to me, "look in thy heart, and write!"
Sir Philip Sidney
27 December 2010
Monday Randomness
I love having guest authors post on Mondays.
On the Mondays when I'm all alone (does that sound pitiful enough to encourage you to volunteer to post some Monday in 2011?) it's a bit of a grab bag. Anything that catches my attention goes in.
This week it's the Yikebike. It looks weird -- and with my balance and coordination I'd probably fall off -- but it may actually be an effective, efficient means of zipping around on city and suburban errands. It's a light electric bike.
On the Mondays when I'm all alone (does that sound pitiful enough to encourage you to volunteer to post some Monday in 2011?) it's a bit of a grab bag. Anything that catches my attention goes in.
This week it's the Yikebike. It looks weird -- and with my balance and coordination I'd probably fall off -- but it may actually be an effective, efficient means of zipping around on city and suburban errands. It's a light electric bike.
24 December 2010
23 December 2010
Romance Round the Net
I don't usually share links to new release promo for Carina Press books, but you must read Shirin Dubbin's post on the inspiration for Dreams Dark Kiss.
Ilona Andrews is starting a discussion on the mistakes writers make. I found myself smiling wryly. She's absolutely right. We get an idea in our heads and that's it, nothing short of a smack with a pingpong bat (or an editor's red pen) gets it out again.
Angela James talks about editing. Is it possible to polish your MS so much it loses its shine?
Registration open now for Australian Romance Readers Conference in March 2011.
Over at LoveRomancePassion, Terry Spear shares the Top 10 Reasons Werewolves Won't Cheat on their Mates. Made me smile :)
I have a blog at eHarlequin. I also have a plan for blogging there in 2011. It'll be the year of the stereotype. Each month I'll discuss a popular fictional stereotype (such as fiesty old lady or stroppy teenager) and include examples from some of my favourite books. Posts will go up the first of the month. January will kick off with "Gothic Heroines".
And Terri from Night Owl Reviews has just reviewed Angel Thief. I am so happy!
Ilona Andrews is starting a discussion on the mistakes writers make. I found myself smiling wryly. She's absolutely right. We get an idea in our heads and that's it, nothing short of a smack with a pingpong bat (or an editor's red pen) gets it out again.
Angela James talks about editing. Is it possible to polish your MS so much it loses its shine?
Registration open now for Australian Romance Readers Conference in March 2011.
Over at LoveRomancePassion, Terry Spear shares the Top 10 Reasons Werewolves Won't Cheat on their Mates. Made me smile :)
I have a blog at eHarlequin. I also have a plan for blogging there in 2011. It'll be the year of the stereotype. Each month I'll discuss a popular fictional stereotype (such as fiesty old lady or stroppy teenager) and include examples from some of my favourite books. Posts will go up the first of the month. January will kick off with "Gothic Heroines".
And Terri from Night Owl Reviews has just reviewed Angel Thief. I am so happy!
22 December 2010
Gigantic
I was thinking about the fossils of megafauna the other night. Giant sloths and massive wombats, sabre tooth tigers. Well, why couldn't a hominoid creature have been giant sized? One day, an archaeologist will dig up a giant and we'll all have to rethink what it is to be human.
For those who prefer fact to what if musings, check out the Smithsonian's Human Evolution site.
For those who prefer fact to what if musings, check out the Smithsonian's Human Evolution site.
21 December 2010
Writing Update
"Three Wishes" is at the copyediting stage. Woohoo!
I finally have a working title for the current work-in-progress: Shards. I'll come up with something better after I finish the story, but for now it captures the broken loyalties that drive the story's conflict.
I'm creating a to do list of small(ish) tasks for the holiday period in case I can't concentrate on writing. So things that have to be done, but aren't as concentration-intense as dreaming up a new scene. A lot of it will probably turn out to be prep for 2011; things like listing potential blog topics and finding images to accompany them, tidying up the "My Books" section of my website, rationalising Google Reader (which in my enthusiasm I've strained my attention span to its limit), learning Facebook (it's still not a natural social medium for me), and on and on. I'll be at the computer, but not necessarily writing.
I finally have a working title for the current work-in-progress: Shards. I'll come up with something better after I finish the story, but for now it captures the broken loyalties that drive the story's conflict.
I'm creating a to do list of small(ish) tasks for the holiday period in case I can't concentrate on writing. So things that have to be done, but aren't as concentration-intense as dreaming up a new scene. A lot of it will probably turn out to be prep for 2011; things like listing potential blog topics and finding images to accompany them, tidying up the "My Books" section of my website, rationalising Google Reader (which in my enthusiasm I've strained my attention span to its limit), learning Facebook (it's still not a natural social medium for me), and on and on. I'll be at the computer, but not necessarily writing.
20 December 2010
Online Community
I recently came across two sites that reminded me just how generous the online community is with its knowledge and skills.
Google Sketch Up helps you create a 3D image. My tech/graphic skills aren't up to the challenge, but I'm very curious.
The Directory of Open Access Journals has a wealth of accessible (no pun intended) science articles.
Google Sketch Up helps you create a 3D image. My tech/graphic skills aren't up to the challenge, but I'm very curious.
The Directory of Open Access Journals has a wealth of accessible (no pun intended) science articles.
18 December 2010
Here Be Magic
Here Be Magic is going to be so much fun. It's the new group blog for Carina Press fantasy authors. I'm looking forward to discussions on the sheer range of the fantasy genre, learning the intricacies of subgenres new to me, and generally hanging out with like-minded readers and writers.
The blog is the heart of the group, but we're aiming to build our community (that means inveigle you to stay and play) with a Twitter ID (@herebemagic), a Facebook page, Yahoo loop and giveaways!
The blog is the heart of the group, but we're aiming to build our community (that means inveigle you to stay and play) with a Twitter ID (@herebemagic), a Facebook page, Yahoo loop and giveaways!
Happy Weekend!
Nothing so upmarket as museums this weekend. Instead, I'm indulging in a bit of "no wa-ay" peeking. The world's most expensive homes. Mind boggling.
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| Château de Compiègne Les appartements historiques Chambre de l’impératrice Marie-Louise (Premier Empire), 1811With thanks to: Andreas Praefcke (Own work (own photograph)) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons |
17 December 2010
Red Panda
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| [Shared by Brunswyk on Wikimedia under GNU Free Doc License & Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike -- Thank you!] |
Red pandas are top of my cute animal list. Yes, Toby, cuter than you.
[And yeah, I'd take a better photo if I remembered things like shadows and washing lines. *sigh*]
16 December 2010
Romance Round the Net
Because of timezone confusion, although it's Thursday here in Aus, it's still Wednesday in America, and that means the Harlequin Open House is still open. Join the chat.
Preparations for ARRC2011 are well underway. Here's the list of fab authors attending the Australian Romance Readers Convention.
Dear Author highlights the importance of excerpts in reader decisions -- to commit or not to commit. Book choice is about more than money. It's how you spend your time.
Over at Access Romance Louise Allen is blogging about respectable entertainments for Regency ladies, with pics.
Preparations for ARRC2011 are well underway. Here's the list of fab authors attending the Australian Romance Readers Convention.
Dear Author highlights the importance of excerpts in reader decisions -- to commit or not to commit. Book choice is about more than money. It's how you spend your time.
Over at Access Romance Louise Allen is blogging about respectable entertainments for Regency ladies, with pics.
15 December 2010
Talking Hot Xmases in Snowy Canada
Guess what? I'm Christmas blogging over at Leah Braemel's blog. If you want to know what an Aussie summer Christmas is like, look no further.
But I'll admit, I left out the cause of the Aussie salute -- the flies that can leave you constantly waving your hand.
But I'll admit, I left out the cause of the Aussie salute -- the flies that can leave you constantly waving your hand.
Tongue Sketch
Drawing as an attempt to express how we remember something – even if the memory is only a split second old. Sketches in sand for hunting parties. Rock art paintings. But as technology changes our tools of expression, will there be another method for transferring a memory image into a shared image?
I'm voting for the tongue. We press a film to the tongue and think of the image. Taste buds are stimulated with greater or lesser intensity according to where they correspond to the image and the result is "printed" onto the film.
I'm voting for the tongue. We press a film to the tongue and think of the image. Taste buds are stimulated with greater or lesser intensity according to where they correspond to the image and the result is "printed" onto the film.
14 December 2010
Writing Update
Edits for the third "Out of the Bottle" novella, Three Wishes, are proceeding at a fast clip. I've also returned the art fact sheet, and can't wait to see the cover that results. Carina Press covers are gorgeous.
The current MS is another paranormal romance, but no angels or djinn. Instead, people with magic are integrated into the human population, hidden but protective. There's tons of conflict and a touch of supernatural with the introduction of a demon. I'm also wondering if it could be the start of a loosely tied together series. The world building is strong enough to carry a series and there are a ton of ideas I'd love to explore.
Also, brace yourselves. The Harlequin Christmas Party (or Community Open House) is Dec 15. Squee!
The current MS is another paranormal romance, but no angels or djinn. Instead, people with magic are integrated into the human population, hidden but protective. There's tons of conflict and a touch of supernatural with the introduction of a demon. I'm also wondering if it could be the start of a loosely tied together series. The world building is strong enough to carry a series and there are a ton of ideas I'd love to explore.
Also, brace yourselves. The Harlequin Christmas Party (or Community Open House) is Dec 15. Squee!
13 December 2010
Caridad Pineiro
Caridad Pineiro is a NY Times and USA Best-Selling Author and she's visiting, today. Squee! Even better, Caridad's bringing pics. I know it makes me weird, but I love other people's travel photos -- maybe because most of my travel and adventure happens via books. Add in a sneak peek at the romantic setting of Aztec Gold, Caridad's January release with Carina Press and I'm in heaven. [Did I mention the link to an excerpt from Aztec Gold? No? It's at the end of the post, read on.]
If you can't wait till January (and why should you?), Stronger than Sin is Caridad's recent release from Grand Central Publishing and it is amazing. A Top Pick from Night Owl Romance and Amelia Richard from Single Titles sums it up this way, "A thoroughly believable premise makes STRONGER THAN SIN an engrossing plus absolutely fascinating paranormal romance." Irresistible!
Welcome, Caridad :)
***
It’s always great to be able to include real life in the stories you write. It creates another level of authenticity if you can describe the sights, smells and flavors based on what you experiences.
When I wrote my latest release, STRONGER THAN SIN, I relied on nearby locales along the Jersey Shore for that paranormal suspense. I wanted to share with readers those things I loved about the natural beauty of the shore and the many unique towns I was able to visit for the locations in the novel.
For AZTEC GOLD, I used a very different location –an Aztec temple deep in the Mexican jungle.
Although I haven’t been able to visit the Mexican jungle, I have been lucky enough to visit a temple in Mexico during a trip I took for my day job. I was attending a conference in Mexico City and on one of the days of the conference we were able to visit Teotihuacan, a pre-Colombian city about 40 kilometers outside of Mexico City.
During its peak, Teotihuacan was thought to have held as many as 200,000 residents, although the ethnicity of those inhabitants is up for grabs. However the name Teotihuacan was given to the city by the Nahuatl-speaking Aztec centuries after the city had fallen to attacks from an assortment of invaders.
It’s an amazing place with its two pyramids – one to the sun and the other to the moon – and its long central avenue – the Avenue of the Dead – which is lined by smaller structures which the Aztecs believed to be tombs, resulting in the name of the avenue.
This is a view of the avenue and the Pyramid of the Sun from the Pyramid of the Moon.
This is a view of the avenue and the Pyramid of the Moon from the Pyramid of the Sun.
Despite my fear of heights, I am happy to say that I overcame that fear and climbed to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. It was quite a view from there!
The heroine in AZTEC GOLD-Cynthia Guerrero-also has to face her fears. As a child her famous anthropologist parents dragged her all around the world until their untimely deaths and because of that, Cynthia prefers to stay in the safety and quiet of her job in the museum where her expertise is used to review and document ancient discoveries.
Cynthia’s lover-Rafael Santiago-is totally different. An Indiana Jones-type adventurer, Rafe is afraid of nothing, except maybe losing Cynthia because of her fears. But when Rafe disappears on an expedition to find an ancient Aztec temple in the Mexican jungle, Cynthia treks into that jungle in order to discover what happened to her lover. Cynthia will soon find herself reunited with Rafe, but also battling an Aztec demi-goddess vampire so that their love can triumph.
For an excerpt of AZTEC GOLD, which will be available from Carina Press on January 3, 2011, you can visit http://www.caridad.com/books/paranormal/aztec-gold/.
Thanks for taking the time to visit with me!
If you can't wait till January (and why should you?), Stronger than Sin is Caridad's recent release from Grand Central Publishing and it is amazing. A Top Pick from Night Owl Romance and Amelia Richard from Single Titles sums it up this way, "A thoroughly believable premise makes STRONGER THAN SIN an engrossing plus absolutely fascinating paranormal romance." Irresistible!
Welcome, Caridad :)
***
It’s always great to be able to include real life in the stories you write. It creates another level of authenticity if you can describe the sights, smells and flavors based on what you experiences.
When I wrote my latest release, STRONGER THAN SIN, I relied on nearby locales along the Jersey Shore for that paranormal suspense. I wanted to share with readers those things I loved about the natural beauty of the shore and the many unique towns I was able to visit for the locations in the novel.
For AZTEC GOLD, I used a very different location –an Aztec temple deep in the Mexican jungle.
Although I haven’t been able to visit the Mexican jungle, I have been lucky enough to visit a temple in Mexico during a trip I took for my day job. I was attending a conference in Mexico City and on one of the days of the conference we were able to visit Teotihuacan, a pre-Colombian city about 40 kilometers outside of Mexico City.
During its peak, Teotihuacan was thought to have held as many as 200,000 residents, although the ethnicity of those inhabitants is up for grabs. However the name Teotihuacan was given to the city by the Nahuatl-speaking Aztec centuries after the city had fallen to attacks from an assortment of invaders.
It’s an amazing place with its two pyramids – one to the sun and the other to the moon – and its long central avenue – the Avenue of the Dead – which is lined by smaller structures which the Aztecs believed to be tombs, resulting in the name of the avenue.
This is a view of the avenue and the Pyramid of the Sun from the Pyramid of the Moon.
This is a view of the avenue and the Pyramid of the Moon from the Pyramid of the Sun.
Despite my fear of heights, I am happy to say that I overcame that fear and climbed to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. It was quite a view from there!
The heroine in AZTEC GOLD-Cynthia Guerrero-also has to face her fears. As a child her famous anthropologist parents dragged her all around the world until their untimely deaths and because of that, Cynthia prefers to stay in the safety and quiet of her job in the museum where her expertise is used to review and document ancient discoveries.
Cynthia’s lover-Rafael Santiago-is totally different. An Indiana Jones-type adventurer, Rafe is afraid of nothing, except maybe losing Cynthia because of her fears. But when Rafe disappears on an expedition to find an ancient Aztec temple in the Mexican jungle, Cynthia treks into that jungle in order to discover what happened to her lover. Cynthia will soon find herself reunited with Rafe, but also battling an Aztec demi-goddess vampire so that their love can triumph.
For an excerpt of AZTEC GOLD, which will be available from Carina Press on January 3, 2011, you can visit http://www.caridad.com/books/paranormal/aztec-gold/.
Thanks for taking the time to visit with me!
11 December 2010
Happy Weekend!
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| A 1924 Bentley [with thanks to A Stevens for sharing the photo, Wikimedia] |
I'm not a car enthusiast (although I can't resist a Bentley from the interwar years), but the Gilmore Car Museum in Michigan looks amazing. They even have a 1940s diner. How cool!
Drive safe, everyone.
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| [Source: Wikimedia] |
10 December 2010
Incomprehensibly Past
I've mentioned the Gwion Gwion before. The north west of Australia has an incredible collection of rock art. Now there's a new project to record and understand the art of the Kimberley region. It's eerie to think an entire culture can vanish leaving only pictures that puzzle, entrance and remain foreign.
It gives me the shivers to think this is the challenge of nuclear waste storage. When twenty first century civilisation is not even a memory, what symbols will keep people from tampering with our lethal waste?
[I'm guest blogging over at Mojito Literary Society todayish. Talking childhood memories of the Australian bush and so-oo many animals.]
It gives me the shivers to think this is the challenge of nuclear waste storage. When twenty first century civilisation is not even a memory, what symbols will keep people from tampering with our lethal waste?
[I'm guest blogging over at Mojito Literary Society todayish. Talking childhood memories of the Australian bush and so-oo many animals.]
09 December 2010
Romance Round the Net
Dear Author's Ace/Roc book giveaway is open till Friday. Leave a comment (what you want for Chrissie and the book you want from the list). I think "Black Wings" by Christina Henry looks intriguing.
Wendy, Superlibrarian, is running the 2011 TBR challenge. Sign up, join in, beat that TBR pile into submission. Okay, so that sounds a bit violent, but do you really want to be swamped in books your whole life? Oh, you do? Me, too :)
Google Books made me mad Tuesday when I read their polite little note to the effect that since I don't live in the USA, I can't buy their books. Geo-restrictions are making me unhappy. But I do like the look of Google Books and the ease of sharing shelves and reviews. Will it challenge Goodreads/Shelfari for community?
Nicole North shares fantastic photos of Dunnottar Castle and its history over at Fierce Romance.
Arkali from The Romance Reviews reviewed "The Price of Freedom". Great review. Very happy author (ah, that'd be me!)
Wendy, Superlibrarian, is running the 2011 TBR challenge. Sign up, join in, beat that TBR pile into submission. Okay, so that sounds a bit violent, but do you really want to be swamped in books your whole life? Oh, you do? Me, too :)
Google Books made me mad Tuesday when I read their polite little note to the effect that since I don't live in the USA, I can't buy their books. Geo-restrictions are making me unhappy. But I do like the look of Google Books and the ease of sharing shelves and reviews. Will it challenge Goodreads/Shelfari for community?
Nicole North shares fantastic photos of Dunnottar Castle and its history over at Fierce Romance.
Arkali from The Romance Reviews reviewed "The Price of Freedom". Great review. Very happy author (ah, that'd be me!)
08 December 2010
It's a Question of Where You Stand
I wish I could track down an image I once saw. It was of an old (I think, Arab) map of the Mediterranean. The African coast was at the top of the page. That I blinked at the inversion was a vivid reminder that maps illustrate political/cultural power.
One day Australia will be at the top of every map of the world. Why? Because alien contact will happen first in our Outback.
Remember. It's improbability Wednesday. Arguably Down Under being On Top is more improbable than aliens :)
One day Australia will be at the top of every map of the world. Why? Because alien contact will happen first in our Outback.
Remember. It's improbability Wednesday. Arguably Down Under being On Top is more improbable than aliens :)
07 December 2010
Writing Update
3 December it was exactly a year since I started this blog. How it's evolved. From reflections on numinosity, book reviews and the urban fantasy novel I was writing, to something less defined, but still a journal of my writing journey. So happy one year birthday, blog! Did you ever think we'd make it?
Now I want to know why someone didn't kick my butt till I got off Internet Explorer and onto Google Chrome. Oh bliss, oh joy. The load speed is so much faster.
My urban fantasy is ticking along nicely, blurring over into paranormal romance (strong romance interest and definitely a happy ending). In fact, I'm thinking of making it a series.
"Persian Flames" remains on a back burner. I regret it, but the truth is there's a major flaw in the plot. Pffft. And I only realised a week ago. So really, it's not so much on the back burner as set aside like a carcase to be picked apart by the vultures of future stories. I'm keeping the title, "Persian Flames", but the story has to start from scratch. Ah well, it's better than an editor pointing out the flaw and rejecting it (trying to be philosophical here, but I'm seriously annoyed with myself).
Now I want to know why someone didn't kick my butt till I got off Internet Explorer and onto Google Chrome. Oh bliss, oh joy. The load speed is so much faster.
My urban fantasy is ticking along nicely, blurring over into paranormal romance (strong romance interest and definitely a happy ending). In fact, I'm thinking of making it a series.
"Persian Flames" remains on a back burner. I regret it, but the truth is there's a major flaw in the plot. Pffft. And I only realised a week ago. So really, it's not so much on the back burner as set aside like a carcase to be picked apart by the vultures of future stories. I'm keeping the title, "Persian Flames", but the story has to start from scratch. Ah well, it's better than an editor pointing out the flaw and rejecting it (trying to be philosophical here, but I'm seriously annoyed with myself).
06 December 2010
Keri Stevens
I'm delighted Keri Stevens is visiting. She's a twitter legend (@KeriStevens) and a talented author. Check out the awesome reviews for her debut novel, Stone Kissed on Goodreads. As Wenj from Black Lagoon Reviews says, "Stone Kissed is definitely a wonderful first novel filled with whimsy and magic."
So, here's Keri. There were questions to be answered, and she stepped up to the plate (I think I've gotten that baseball terminology right?).
It's a cliche question, but only because everyone wants to know. Where do you get your inspiration?
Ideas for scenes and stories come in frustratingly tiny drips and blips—“What if?” moments. Every time I have one I think, “How on earth can I make a whole book out of that?”
In the case of STONE KISSED, the idea came to me while I was exhausted and semi-delirious in Manhattan. I’d been taking a weeklong Oriental dance workshop with world-famous dancer, Morocco. Even though she was almost 70, she kept us moving six to eight hours every single day.
So here I am, sore and slack-jawed, schlepping my dance bag up 20th at the end of another grueling day, staring up at the carved faces in the stone doorways (Animals in Stone: Architectural Sculpture in New York City by Robert Arthur King). I imagined a young girl deep in conversation with the carved face of Old Man Winter Wind—and her mother snatching her away out of fear and anger. He didn’t end up in STONE KISSED, but she became Delia, my heroine.
How would you describe your writing voice?
Do other people find this a difficult question to answer? I have a hard time coming up with words to describe my words.
So I asked my critique partners, editor and agent to weigh in. “Fluid,” and “magical,” came up most often. I’ve also heard “elegant,” “heartwarming,” “sexy,” and “lyrical.” But between you and me, my favorite description is “gleefully twisted.”
The title of your novel, "Stone Kissed", directly inspired this question. What is your favourite statue?
My father did extensive genealogy research when I was a child—long before the internet. I spent my summers eating PBJs in cemeteries throughout the South. My brother and I were bored silly at the time, but I’ve grown to love graveyards. I’m fascinated by the way we memorialize those we love—and those we don’t.
Last winter, I visited my brother in Chicago. What did we do for fun? We took a two-hour docent-led tour of Graceland Cemetery—home of some of the largest, most gorgeous monuments I’ve ever seen. Our parents are still laughing about that.
But my current favorite is a gorgeous monument right down the road from me in a small graveyard in Verona, Kentucky. She’s all the more striking because she is alone—all of the other markers are fairly plain headstones.
If you could have one magical talent, what would it be? And because even magic comes at a price, what would you be willing to give up to acquire the talent? (No more chocolate, ever? No way, not worth it.)
I’d don rainbow-colored thigh-high supeheroine boots and become Psychic Marijuana. I’d walk into any group of people in angst and conflict, and send out mellowing vibes much like Garrison Keillor’s catsup. For this power I would sacrifice the hope of losing these twenty pounds that have glued themselves to my body since I stopped teaching much dance and fitness in order to sit at the keyboard.
***
When Delia Forrest talks to statues, they talk back. She is, after all, the last of the Steward witches.
After an arsonist torches her ancestral home with her estranged father still inside, Delia is forced to sell the estate to pay his medical bills. Her childhood crush, Grant Wolverton, makes a handsome offer for Steward House, vowing to return it to its former glory. Delia agrees, as long as he'll allow her to oversee the restoration.
Working so closely with Grant, Delia finds it difficult to hide her unique talent—especially when their growing passion fuels her abilities.
But someone else lusts after both her man and the raw power contained in the Steward land. Soon Delia finds herself fighting not just for Grant's love, but for both their lives...
So, here's Keri. There were questions to be answered, and she stepped up to the plate (I think I've gotten that baseball terminology right?).
It's a cliche question, but only because everyone wants to know. Where do you get your inspiration?
Ideas for scenes and stories come in frustratingly tiny drips and blips—“What if?” moments. Every time I have one I think, “How on earth can I make a whole book out of that?”
In the case of STONE KISSED, the idea came to me while I was exhausted and semi-delirious in Manhattan. I’d been taking a weeklong Oriental dance workshop with world-famous dancer, Morocco. Even though she was almost 70, she kept us moving six to eight hours every single day.
So here I am, sore and slack-jawed, schlepping my dance bag up 20th at the end of another grueling day, staring up at the carved faces in the stone doorways (Animals in Stone: Architectural Sculpture in New York City by Robert Arthur King). I imagined a young girl deep in conversation with the carved face of Old Man Winter Wind—and her mother snatching her away out of fear and anger. He didn’t end up in STONE KISSED, but she became Delia, my heroine.
How would you describe your writing voice?
Do other people find this a difficult question to answer? I have a hard time coming up with words to describe my words.
So I asked my critique partners, editor and agent to weigh in. “Fluid,” and “magical,” came up most often. I’ve also heard “elegant,” “heartwarming,” “sexy,” and “lyrical.” But between you and me, my favorite description is “gleefully twisted.”
The title of your novel, "Stone Kissed", directly inspired this question. What is your favourite statue?
My father did extensive genealogy research when I was a child—long before the internet. I spent my summers eating PBJs in cemeteries throughout the South. My brother and I were bored silly at the time, but I’ve grown to love graveyards. I’m fascinated by the way we memorialize those we love—and those we don’t.
Last winter, I visited my brother in Chicago. What did we do for fun? We took a two-hour docent-led tour of Graceland Cemetery—home of some of the largest, most gorgeous monuments I’ve ever seen. Our parents are still laughing about that.
But my current favorite is a gorgeous monument right down the road from me in a small graveyard in Verona, Kentucky. She’s all the more striking because she is alone—all of the other markers are fairly plain headstones.
If you could have one magical talent, what would it be? And because even magic comes at a price, what would you be willing to give up to acquire the talent? (No more chocolate, ever? No way, not worth it.)
I’d don rainbow-colored thigh-high supeheroine boots and become Psychic Marijuana. I’d walk into any group of people in angst and conflict, and send out mellowing vibes much like Garrison Keillor’s catsup. For this power I would sacrifice the hope of losing these twenty pounds that have glued themselves to my body since I stopped teaching much dance and fitness in order to sit at the keyboard.
***
When Delia Forrest talks to statues, they talk back. She is, after all, the last of the Steward witches.
After an arsonist torches her ancestral home with her estranged father still inside, Delia is forced to sell the estate to pay his medical bills. Her childhood crush, Grant Wolverton, makes a handsome offer for Steward House, vowing to return it to its former glory. Delia agrees, as long as he'll allow her to oversee the restoration.
Working so closely with Grant, Delia finds it difficult to hide her unique talent—especially when their growing passion fuels her abilities.
But someone else lusts after both her man and the raw power contained in the Steward land. Soon Delia finds herself fighting not just for Grant's love, but for both their lives...
04 December 2010
Happy Weekend!
I'll be visiting Elise Warner talking about writing, happy endings and exploring what interests you, and then I'll be here (I wish) ...
With thanks to iamse7en for sharing on Flickr.com
With thanks to iamse7en for sharing on Flickr.com
03 December 2010
To sleep, perchance to ... forget
Why is it when going to sleep I have fantastic ideas that I'll never ever forget and absolutely must write about tomorrow -- but when I wake up, I can't remember them??!!
Memory is one of the weirdest elements of our brain. You never quite know the trigger or what it'll stir up.
The other night I was quietly watching TV (I was not snoozing!) and I saw a chicken pen and the scratched up dirt and my memory instantly dashed off to childhood (Dad kept chooks) and I swear I could smell that yard. Ew.
Anyway, that's my quick weirdness post for Friday -- and no I'm so not sharing the photo of me at age 3 in the chook yard. Besides, it's not digitalised. [Phew. Good save.]
I'm visiting Caridad Pineiro, guest posting at her blog, and I brought along an awesome old photo. It's a mobile home as you've never seen one before. I'm talking about characters and how no matter how interesting their backstory, not all of it makes it explicitly into a novel.
Memory is one of the weirdest elements of our brain. You never quite know the trigger or what it'll stir up.
The other night I was quietly watching TV (I was not snoozing!) and I saw a chicken pen and the scratched up dirt and my memory instantly dashed off to childhood (Dad kept chooks) and I swear I could smell that yard. Ew.
Anyway, that's my quick weirdness post for Friday -- and no I'm so not sharing the photo of me at age 3 in the chook yard. Besides, it's not digitalised. [Phew. Good save.]
I'm visiting Caridad Pineiro, guest posting at her blog, and I brought along an awesome old photo. It's a mobile home as you've never seen one before. I'm talking about characters and how no matter how interesting their backstory, not all of it makes it explicitly into a novel.
02 December 2010
Romance Round the Net
I hope you haven't missed me getting Oprah-excited over at Carina Press. I just love any opportunity to share how wonderful Australia is. Come and visit!
Huge cheers for book blogs like Dark Faerie Tales with their collection of Books to Watch. Lists like these help me top up my wishlist.
Seasonal, though not necessarily book related. I agree with Dan Ariely's guide to successful gift buying -- buy something the recipient would feel guilty (but love) buying for themselves.
The Carina author group is so awesome if I didn't exercise great restraint that's all the news and squee-ing you'd hear here. But I can't resist sending you over to Seleste deLaney's blog to see the cover for her story, "Badlands". It is fantastic, like a movie poster.
One danger though of author friends is you start comparing work practices. Rachelle Gardner has a useful post on balancing good advice with knowing your own style.
Finally, begin your Christmas reading with a free read, sweet short story over at Taryn Kincaid's blog.
Huge cheers for book blogs like Dark Faerie Tales with their collection of Books to Watch. Lists like these help me top up my wishlist.
Seasonal, though not necessarily book related. I agree with Dan Ariely's guide to successful gift buying -- buy something the recipient would feel guilty (but love) buying for themselves.
The Carina author group is so awesome if I didn't exercise great restraint that's all the news and squee-ing you'd hear here. But I can't resist sending you over to Seleste deLaney's blog to see the cover for her story, "Badlands". It is fantastic, like a movie poster.
One danger though of author friends is you start comparing work practices. Rachelle Gardner has a useful post on balancing good advice with knowing your own style.
Finally, begin your Christmas reading with a free read, sweet short story over at Taryn Kincaid's blog.
01 December 2010
"What's that?"
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| Whiptail Wallaby by Quartl from Wikimedia under Creative Commons license. |
Not that I'm talking for long. It's Improbability Wednesday, but actually I'm making a wish. I wish new species could be discovered in the Kimberley, renewing our awe and appreciation of wilderness areas and our commitment to save them. Side note: by new species I don't mean insects. In my view, Australia already has too many of them!
If you have a few moments, check out the Kimberley Australia site for more wildlife photos (this time of the Kimberley!).
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