Wicked Woman and New York City

WICKED

 

I

shall be

horrible

when I am an

old woman who sits

and whispers wickedly,

stories into children's ears.

They must lean closer and closer

to hear me murmur tales so evil.

Careful kiddies. Too close and I will bite.

Okay, that's my fun for today. I love to write poetry, even when it's mostly bad. I wrote this one several years ago and had fun with it. But, as a kid I loved to be scared, loved spooky stories.   Not as fond of being scared now. I'll be speaking at Thrillerfest in NYC, on a panel about suspense. Now that I find scary. Why couldn't I be speaking in OKC, among friends? Oh, yeah, I wasn't asked.   This old lady, a  bit nervous about the whole big apple thing, but it will be so much fun. Amy is coming to outshine my sparkles. Can't wait. So, if anyone will be in NYC, July 12, come listen to the Suspense panel.

Tangled Writing

I took a Zentangle class this weekend, and once again heard something that applies to art and to writing. Are you surprised?

Zentangle is an art you create one stroke at a time.

Writing happens one word at a time.

Zentangle is more about the process than the finished project.

Writing is more about the process than the finished project.

Create small, portable projects, one small one, (write one page or one scene) at a time.

Creating is like eating an elephant. (One bite at a time.)

Everyone would take the same designs, (same story idea) and end up with something completely different than any one elses.

If you have never seen Zentangles and want to learn more, visit www.zentangle.com.

 And-keep on writing - one stroke/word at a time.

New Cover From Wild Rose-Fairy Dust

Here is the new cover for the Wild Rose Press release. Love it. So pretty and fairy-ish Don't have the pulication date yet but hopefully soon. Show some love and write a review or two when it comes out.

In the mean-time, an excerpt:

I hovered three feet from the ceiling in the Herb and Fairy Gardens Shop, praying no customers came in while I calmed down my fairy dust emissions and my temper.


“Bouddicca Andraste Ryan, get your fairy ass off the ceiling and come help me. I’m dying here,” Sierya, a six-foot elf with white hair, and half owner of the shop, yelled at me.

I went up higher. She had no patience with my iffy hold on magick, especially since we had an order from a coven for twelve flower wreaths, for a moon dance. They were due to pick up the wreaths by four, and it was already after two. It’s not my fault I’m only half Fae and not in total control.

I was named for a great warrior queen and a goddess. I felt like neither as I grabbed for my flying waist-length hair with both hands, avoiding the ceiling fan.

“You hold your skinny little horses there. I’m doing the best I can. What did youexpect? Tell me a team of Darklings from the Under is on it’s way to snatch the Titania amulet from me—and expect me to hold my temper? Not going to happen. It’s the only thing my father left me, my one tie to the Fae World. And it’s the focus that lets me use earth magick so well.”

Sierya’s laugh, a short bark, held no humor. “He didn’t leave it to you, he left it because he was in a hurry to avoid responsibility.”

I plummeted to the ground. “Ow. You don’t have to get nasty about it or diss my father.”

She turned on her heel, talking over her shoulder. “It was the best way I knew to get you down before you were caught. We have work to do.”

Elves can be so pissy. I stomped after her, making certain the front door wards were in place as I passed by. They would let people in but any magical creatures would have to leave their powers behind.

Welcome to the NEXT BIG THING blog hop.


What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way that readers can discover new authors, because with bookstores closing and publishers not promoting new authors as much, we need to find a way to introduce readers to authors they may not see in their local bookstore. So I get to give a shout-out to the wonderful author who invited me to this “dance” and then invite terrific authors at the end of the blog.

Debut thriller author Amy Shojai invited me to join the “hop.” Years ago we met at a critique group in Texas and we’ve been critique partners, and friends ever since. Her thriller suspense novel, Lost and Found, is suspenseful read with a child and animal in danger. See the links at the end for other authors you really MUST check out. Check out Amy Shojai's website here, and you can buy Lost and Found.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

In this particular hop, I and my fellow authors, in their respective blogs, have answered 10 questions where you get to learn about our current work in progress as well as some insights into our process, from characters and inspirations to plotting and cover decisions. I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

1: What is the working title of your book?

Bloody Murder is my most recent book, a cozy paranormal mystery, part of the Tali Cates series. The next in the series, Murder Most Fowl, is in the beginning stages.

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

I lived and worked in and around small towns in North Texas for twenty years. The town of Love, Texas incorporates events, locations and people from all over the area, as well as putting ordinary small town people in extraordinary circumstances. Add humor and unexpected magic and you have Love, Texas.

3: What genre does your book come under?

Cozy Paranormal Thriller

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

If I were every lucky enough, I’d love to see Sandra Bullock as Tali, Meryl Streep as Mumsie (really dreaming now.)

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Tali Cates must stop the murders at the county fair Queen contest before she becomes the next victim, oh, and is her new guy really a vampire?

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

Privy to Murder is published by AWOC publishing, Deadly Niche

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

It took a couple of years due to working full time as well as writing and life events.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Maybe a little like the Sookie Stackhouse books due to the small town venue, humor and paranormal elements.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I love cozy mysteries and paranormal, so I finally just wrote the kinds of books that I wanted to read.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

A good picture of small town politics when it involves kid competitions. Stage moms can be deadly.

Below you will find authors (in no particular order) who will be joining me by blog, next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on WIPs and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

Janet K. Brown, Writing God's Message of Hope, DIVINE DINING - published by Pen-L Publishing December, 2012, VICTORIA AND THE GHOST - published by 4RV Publishing in 2012

Website: http://www.janetkbrown.com, Group blog: http://www.bookstowriteby.blogspot.com

Bloody Murder-Just in time.

Bloody Murder is now live! For a good Halloween read or anytime mystery read, add Tali to your faves.
Love the new cover, especially the reds as I'm a red person. My model is a sweetheart and fits the bill perfectly.

FOR SUSAN

My sister died the first of this month. This is for her.

What can I say about Suzie?  She had angels, three. I’m sure she is with them now, helping them organize white robes and halos in labelled boxes as only she could. She promised to stay with the angels to bring all of her loved ones up, one at a time to join her. Of course, being Susan, she planned to snatch us one by one.

Susan was a fierce protector of her loved ones and of her students. She had courage beyond the normal. Who else would have travelled half-way across the world, alone; to snatch the man she loved from Iran and bring him back with her?

When Susan was first diagnosed with cancer, she took the news calmly. But she was determined to fight the disease and win. Susan won for a while. For many years she managed her illness and lived five years in spite of the diseases attempts to win. She did so with elegance and grace, as she did everything.

The Susan I grew up with was snarky, smart and funny. She loved cats and Yul Brynner (a fact only appreciated by those of us old enough to fall in love with the bald king in The King and I. Don’t tell anyone, we thought he was better than Elvis.) She was a perfectionist, devastated by any grade under an A. She spent hours on her eyelashes, expecting perfection from them also, and she got it. Nothing and no one defied Susan if she wanted something.

Susan’s Soraya is a combination of the best of Mike and Susan and the two of them took care of her, with the help of Mollie the Cat, brought her home for as long as possible devoted their lives to her.

I’m going to miss my sister, the person who knew me when I was young, my biggest fan, who loved my books, hung my paintings in her house. She knew all my secrets and took them with her. Whether our conversations took place minutes apart, days or months, it was as if we had just paused for a minute.

I will so miss that person who knew me best, shared a sense of humour, love of cats, books, and family. My best friend, little sister Suzie, will be waiting for me to join her and finish that last conversation.
 

Writing, Life and the rest.

I went to a party last night. We watched a singer, very Sinatra, Andy Williams-ish. Enjoyed the party, wine, friends, music, watching people from work all spiffed-up. Had a great time, but missed having a partner to dance with. Love music, love dancing, no partner does complicate things. Still, eight years later, miss having someone to always watch my back, take over in the emergency, share the fun. Kids are great but not quite the same. They have their own families and lives.

Life has been creeping in more and distracting me from writing. It does get frustrating. Writing is supposed to be my escape, but life events seem to end up with my staring into space and getting no words on the page. I know it's my job to get through it and back to the writing job, but harder than usual this time. Mind over matter, compartmentalizing, not working so well. My mind just goes back to my sister, Karl, other worries.

Maybe I just need to go with it, get past this time and then back into the routine. Traveling works as a life interruption to. I'll be happier when we get back to a routine again and I can put my world back in order. That's my whine for today and yes, I want cheese with that, chocolate and all that good stuff.