I frequent Sherrill Quinn's blog quite regularly. Every Tuesday she offers her Tipsy Tuesday and I thought I would share what she wrote today. For me, she hit the nail on the head and it will serve as a reminder for me! :)
Ways to Keep Your Words Flowing
Rule #1: Keep moving forward despite your moods. You can't allow achievement to depend on mood. Grown-ups have to get the job done no matter what. If Rule #1 fails, apply...
Rule #2: When things get too tough, take a vacation. Say, "I need two (or three, whatever) days off." At the end of the allotted time, you're likely to feel much better.
Rule #3: The difficulty you're experiencing is normal--and necessary. Sometimes writers have a hard time with stress simply because they haven't recognized that stress is necessary. It's not par for the course--it is the course.
Rule #4: Don't doubt yourself. Identify the negative influence that has caused your resolve to falter. Lack of confidence is for all of us the greatest enemy. But the successful person manages to move forward despite his/her lack of self-confidence. Self-confidence increases when you continue to act (in this case, write) with no regard for your insecurities.
Rule #5: Associate with positive people, and stop associating with negative people. Nothing is more helpful than a positive support group, and nothing more damaging than constant negative reinforcement from "friends" and family.
And...keep writing!
posted by Sherrill Quinn at 6:13 AM on Mar 31, 2009
You can visit Sherrill's blog at http://www.sherrillquinn.blogspot.com/.
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Magic Monday
This is an exact likeness to a scene I created for my book "The Gatekeeper". Just thought I would post it to share the magick.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Blood's Price Now Available!!
Available Now From Absolute X-Press!
http://www.absolute-x-press.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=63&osCsid=90630eba2e98b5e316e683c8582d0597
Blurb:
Two cultures, two lives, one path.
Rendered helpless, captured and stripped, Elizabeth Smythe is taken away from her privileged life and everything she knows. Her captor, Spirit Walker, treats her with gentle compassion, winning her trust and love. Elizabeth discovers Spirit Walker is so much more then just a strong man and beautiful Earth Spirit.
When Spirit Walker receives word a woman he admires has been given to a neighboring tribe to dispose of, he rescues her. Despite not knowing who or what he is, she shows neither fear nor weakness toward him or her fate. Her strength earns his respect and more important, his heart. Opposition from both of their cultures tries to separate them. Can their love withstand the heat?
Blood’s Price PG13 Excerpt:
Spirit Walker held her into the night, so very aware of how soft her curves felt against the rigid muscles of his bare thighs. He stroked her back to sooth her, touching the soft pale skin of her neck to work out the tension. She was vulnerable, maybe more so then when he had first encountered her and she reminded him of the kittens he used to play with as a child. They were kindred spirits now, he and Beth. Both having no blood relatives and all because of one man, who had weaseled out of facing them by letting himself be killed.
Withdrawing from his thoughts, he noticed that Beth had grown still. Reclining her back against his bicep, she fell limp against him. Exhaustion had wiped her out. He touched her moonlit features. It was something he was afraid to do before. Now, he had found, through her strength and courage, she was touching a side of him that had remained buried for far too long. For him, admiration and respect is something earned, and this woman had more than earned both. Not once, since he had taken her, had she been anything but honorary. Even when she was terrified of him, she acted out of courage. When she believed her life was on the line, she didn’t even so much as whimper like most of the other women he knew would have. Beth was the kind of woman he dreamed of having, and now she was his. He would see to it that she never had to long for anything ever again. This was turning into more than just a man who possessed a woman, there was an unspoken attraction between them and she was just as he thought she would be. He had seen and felt the heat in her eyes when she looked at him. It aroused him just thinking of the way the color had blushed her skin and yet she didn’t cower away from him. She was truly different than the rest of the women he had ever known, or experienced and he felt a twinge of guilt for how she’d been treated and what she’d gone through. Worse still was the knowledge she would be put through more of the same when they reached his village.
Trailing a finger over her cheek, he swiped away the fine, pale strands of hair dried to her tear stained cheeks. He meant it when he said she was his.
Spirit Walker’s attention slid from watching Beth, to the environment around him. He had let his guard down and something had changed. It was quiet, much too quiet. The frogs and crickets had quieted to a deafening silence and it had grown dark, very dark. Spirit Walker watched the black, angry clouds wisp over the moon’s face and smelled the heavy scent of rain tainting the already muggy night. A jagged streak of lightning stabbed the dark sky and a bolt of thunder shook the ground, tearing Beth from her slumber with a rude jolt. She gasped, crying out and sobbing as she clung to Spirit Walker’s neck.
“It’s okay,” he soothed. “It’s okay. We seem to have a storm coming is all. It’s nothing to worry about.” He continued to stroke her hair. They had no shelter and nowhere else to go, they were stuck out in the open on the vast prairie. Returning to the forest meant entering enemy terrain, and he wasn’t about to place Beth, or himself, in any more peril. Besides it would take too much time.
Another angry streak split the sky with blinding branches of light. Beth’s eyes widened in fright and he could feel her fear, panic and anger balled into a single emotion, matching the storm. When the peel of thunder rolled across the sky, Beth jumped. She shifted quickly in his lap, straddling and clinging to him in a tight body press, her breath coming in terrified gasps. Another jagged streak showed her upturned face a mere inch from his.
“I don’t like storms,” she breathed. “It’s so loud, so big, so-” Her voice was cut off by the roll of thunder overhead.
“Perhaps I could teach you to like them,” Spirit Walker growled before his hands cradled her head, and his lips angled over hers.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Absolute X-Press Flash Fiction Challenge
Are You Up for a Challenge?
Homer was able to write about the Trojan War in ten epic novels, The Iliad being one of them. He covered it all: religion, love, war, fantasy, myth, and horror. Now it’s your turn to carry on the tradition and create your own epic story; but there’s a catch… It must be done in 1,000 words or less. That’s roughly 2 pages, which is 3/1000 of the size of the entire Homeric collection!
Where the traditional Iliad is 1.8 pounds in weight, your submission will be a weightless email sent to submissions@ absolute- x-press.com with the subject: Flash Fiction Challenge – YOUR NAME, TITLE. Before pasting your story, please indicate the following information:
Name
Title of Work
Word Length
Genre
The theme is posted on the Flash Fiction page of the Absolute XPress website.
Deadline for the Flash Fiction Challenge is August 1st 2009 at Midnight. The top twenty epically brief stories will be determined by our panel of judges and announced the following week. Selected entries will be published in the September Flash Fiction Challenge anthology and receive a paid contract.
Sincerely,
Justyn Perry
Homer was able to write about the Trojan War in ten epic novels, The Iliad being one of them. He covered it all: religion, love, war, fantasy, myth, and horror. Now it’s your turn to carry on the tradition and create your own epic story; but there’s a catch… It must be done in 1,000 words or less. That’s roughly 2 pages, which is 3/1000 of the size of the entire Homeric collection!
Where the traditional Iliad is 1.8 pounds in weight, your submission will be a weightless email sent to submissions@ absolute- x-press.com with the subject: Flash Fiction Challenge – YOUR NAME, TITLE. Before pasting your story, please indicate the following information:
Name
Title of Work
Word Length
Genre
The theme is posted on the Flash Fiction page of the Absolute XPress website.
Deadline for the Flash Fiction Challenge is August 1st 2009 at Midnight. The top twenty epically brief stories will be determined by our panel of judges and announced the following week. Selected entries will be published in the September Flash Fiction Challenge anthology and receive a paid contract.
Sincerely,
Justyn Perry
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Ahhh, Sunday...
Boy, yesterday was quite the way to celebrate a birthday, I tell ya!! High winds were topped off with snow by the time I finished my grocery shopping for the week. When we got up this morning, there was six inches of snow! Needless to say, my little dog and kids had a great time playing in it. Best of all? We kept our power on through it all. Lately, if the wind even kicks up past a breeze, we scurry around to prepare for the electricity to go out.
Now, when I was a kid, we didn't have running water or eletricity, so it is just a second nature to know what to do. But when your whole house relies on electricity, it's different, and in cold weather, frightening(thankfully we have a generator!). To be completely honest, I would go back to living 'off the grid' in a heartbeat if I could.
We are big fans of Survivor Man and recently he did a special on how he and his family have just remade an old carriage house, on 150 or so acres. They are now off the grid and his whole mission on the aspect of creating this place was to prove you could do it for a lot less then what many of these companies are claiming people have to pay. lol I think my family did it in less then what he did it for, but then we had NO power. None, zip, zilch, nada. He had solar and I love that idea and hope to live that way someday. :)
As for today, I am happy to have everyone content and happy. The smell of chicken and dumplings cooking in the slowcooker and the snow outside. It just creates that wonderful, cozy feeling of Sunday that I love.
I hope your Sunday has equal magic!
C~
Now, when I was a kid, we didn't have running water or eletricity, so it is just a second nature to know what to do. But when your whole house relies on electricity, it's different, and in cold weather, frightening(thankfully we have a generator!). To be completely honest, I would go back to living 'off the grid' in a heartbeat if I could.
We are big fans of Survivor Man and recently he did a special on how he and his family have just remade an old carriage house, on 150 or so acres. They are now off the grid and his whole mission on the aspect of creating this place was to prove you could do it for a lot less then what many of these companies are claiming people have to pay. lol I think my family did it in less then what he did it for, but then we had NO power. None, zip, zilch, nada. He had solar and I love that idea and hope to live that way someday. :)
As for today, I am happy to have everyone content and happy. The smell of chicken and dumplings cooking in the slowcooker and the snow outside. It just creates that wonderful, cozy feeling of Sunday that I love.
I hope your Sunday has equal magic!
C~
Friday, March 6, 2009
Blood's Price release date!
Coming March 15, 2009!From Absolute X-Press!
http://www.absolute-x-press.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=63&osCsid=90630eba2e98b5e316e683c8582d0597
Blurb:
Two cultures, two lives, one path.
Rendered helpless, captured and stripped, Elizabeth Smythe is taken away from her privileged life and everything she knows. Her captor, Spirit Walker, treats her with gentle compassion, winning her trust and love. Elizabeth discovers Spirit Walker is so much more then just a strong man and beautiful Earth Spirit.
When Spirit Walker receives word a woman he admires has been given to a neighboring tribe to dispose of, he rescues her. Despite not knowing who or what he is, she shows neither fear nor weakness toward him or her fate. Her strength earns his respect and more important, his heart. Opposition from both of their cultures tries to separate them. Can their love withstand the heat?
Blood’s Price PG13 Excerpt:
Spirit Walker held her into the night, so very aware of how soft her curves felt against the rigid muscles of his bare thighs. He stroked her back to sooth her, touching the soft pale skin of her neck to work out the tension. She was vulnerable, maybe more so then when he had first encountered her and she reminded him of the kittens he used to play with as a child. They were kindred spirits now, he and Beth. Both having no blood relatives and all because of one man, who had weaseled out of facing them by letting himself be killed.
Withdrawing from his thoughts, he noticed that Beth had grown still. Reclining her back against his bicep, she fell limp against him. Exhaustion had wiped her out. He touched her moonlit features. It was something he was afraid to do before. Now, he had found, through her strength and courage, she was touching a side of him that had remained buried for far too long. For him, admiration and respect is something earned, and this woman had more than earned both. Not once, since he had taken her, had she been anything but honorary. Even when she was terrified of him, she acted out of courage. When she believed her life was on the line, she didn’t even so much as whimper like most of the other women he knew would have. Beth was the kind of woman he dreamed of having, and now she was his. He would see to it that she never had to long for anything ever again. This was turning into more than just a man who possessed a woman, there was an unspoken attraction between them and she was just as he thought she would be. He had seen and felt the heat in her eyes when she looked at him. It aroused him just thinking of the way the color had blushed her skin and yet she didn’t cower away from him. She was truly different than the rest of the women he had ever known, or experienced and he felt a twinge of guilt for how she’d been treated and what she’d gone through. Worse still was the knowledge she would be put through more of the same when they reached his village.
Trailing a finger over her cheek, he swiped away the fine, pale strands of hair dried to her tear stained cheeks. He meant it when he said she was his.
Spirit Walker’s attention slid from watching Beth, to the environment around him. He had let his guard down and something had changed. It was quiet, much too quiet. The frogs and crickets had quieted to a deafening silence and it had grown dark, very dark. Spirit Walker watched the black, angry clouds wisp over the moon’s face and smelled the heavy scent of rain tainting the already muggy night. A jagged streak of lightning stabbed the dark sky and a bolt of thunder shook the ground, tearing Beth from her slumber with a rude jolt. She gasped, crying out and sobbing as she clung to Spirit Walker’s neck.
“It’s okay,” he soothed. “It’s okay. We seem to have a storm coming is all. It’s nothing to worry about.” He continued to stroke her hair. They had no shelter and nowhere else to go, they were stuck out in the open on the vast prairie. Returning to the forest meant entering enemy terrain, and he wasn’t about to place Beth, or himself, in any more peril. Besides it would take too much time.
Another angry streak split the sky with blinding branches of light. Beth’s eyes widened in fright and he could feel her fear, panic and anger balled into a single emotion, matching the storm. When the peel of thunder rolled across the sky, Beth jumped. She shifted quickly in his lap, straddling and clinging to him in a tight body press, her breath coming in terrified gasps. Another jagged streak showed her upturned face a mere inch from his.
“I don’t like storms,” she breathed. “It’s so loud, so big, so-” Her voice was cut off by the roll of thunder overhead.
“Perhaps I could teach you to like them,” Spirit Walker growled before his hands cradled her head, and his lips angled over hers.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday's Titterings
Just posting some inspiration to get me going this morning. Wrote a scene yesterday in which my hero resembled this fierce pose.
I also wanted to thank my friends who critiqued and set me back on the path I had wandered from. Nothing better then having a trusted circle to set you back when you wander. :)
Happy Tuesday!
C~
Monday, February 16, 2009
Camping
A friend of mine, Shelley Munro, has posted a good question to her blog this morning, would you rather have your parents walk in on you during sex, or have them walk in on you. Boy, that's a good question!
http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog/2009/02/14/fingers-butter-and-choices/comment-page-1/#comment-8890
But it made me remember all of those good old days of camping, partying and inevitably, the sexual frenzy between couples later on! Which, of course, made Mr. C and I laugh. And of course there were times when you have to start yelling at them to shut up because after a few hours it got old! lol Has the friend lived it down? Hell no!
Apparently, this happens enough that there are whole websites dedicated to outdoor sex etiquette:
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/ics/trv_sexo.htm
Of course that has some funny mental imagery too. But also points out the negative implications of alfresco lovemaking. So, be responsible!!
So, tell me if you dare, have you ever been caught? :)
Hope you have a Magic Monday!!
C!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Save a Horse...
Boy, hope nothing was damaged on that last ride... Better go help him check it out. :D
Hope you have a great Hump Day!
C~
Friday, February 6, 2009
Blood's Price Cover Flat
Just recieved this beautiful cover flat from my publisher, Absolute X-Press, and thought I would share it! :)
Have a great weekend!!
C~
Monday, January 26, 2009
Magic Monday
Not much to say today, other then have a Magic Monday. It is very cold, but sunny with blue skies. Very rare for the Pacific Northwest this time of year. I enjoyed working out in the barn today, just hanging out with the boys. One stallion and three geldings. Lots of love, warmth and fun to be had no matter what the tempreature is. The stallion, Lad was galloping, bucking and kicking his heels up out in the field. Just enjoying the day. :) What a great way to spend an afternoon.
Now, I get to relax with a nice hot cuppa and settle in with my writing. I've pushed through a little wall and I'm off and running.
Hope you have a Magic Monday! :)
C~
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Absolute XPress contest
CONTEST!!!! CONTEST!!!!CONTEST! !!!
Absolute XPress invites you to enter our "New Year, New Contest" Contest. Simply go to the website, http://www.absolute -x-press. com, find the names of the romance authors and their current book title (hint: there are 6) and then e-mail us with what you find. (heatherg@absolute- x-press.com) Please put "New Year, New Contest" in the subject of your e-mail.
Contest runs January 9th – January 31st.
WINNERS will be announced on February 2nd and will receive a 10% off coupon for their next Romance purchase from Absolute XPress.
http://www.myspace. com/absolute_ x_press
http://absolute- x-press.blogspot .com
Absolute XPress invites you to enter our "New Year, New Contest" Contest. Simply go to the website, http://www.absolute -x-press. com, find the names of the romance authors and their current book title (hint: there are 6) and then e-mail us with what you find. (heatherg@absolute- x-press.com) Please put "New Year, New Contest" in the subject of your e-mail.
Contest runs January 9th – January 31st.
WINNERS will be announced on February 2nd and will receive a 10% off coupon for their next Romance purchase from Absolute XPress.
http://www.myspace. com/absolute_ x_press
http://absolute- x-press.blogspot .com
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Annual Scott Firefighter Stair climb
Dear friends and family,
On Sunday March 8th, I will once again be participating in the Annual Scott Firefighter Stair climb event at the Columbia Center In Seattle. This is the 18th annual event (my 11th in a row). I will be joining over 1,500 firefighter from 180 different departments across Washington, Oregon and across the United states in racing up 69-flights of stairs in full fire gear and SCBA. This event is to help raise money for the Leukemia & lymphoma Society.
Every five minutes, someone in this country is diagnosed with a blood cancer
Leukemia is the #1 disease killer of young adults under the age of 20
More than 617,000 Americans live with blood cancers
Every nine minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer
Ten times as many adults as children are stricken with leukemia
I am writing to each of you to ask for your support. This year I have set a goal to raise $2000.00. This money will go to The Society for research, patient services, advocacy and education. NO DONATION IS TOO GREAT OR TOO SMALL....EVERY BIT HELPS!! If you would like to contribute please make your check payable to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), or you can donate online at:
http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1065523&pg=personal&fr_id=1060
This site is very quick, simple and secure. I would appreciate it if you send your tax-deductible contribution by no later than March 5, 2009.
For all who helped me reach my goal last year I send a huge THANK YOU. I thank all of you in advance for supporting me in my efforts and for your generosity in supporting the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please feel free to forward this to friends and family who you think might like to donate also.
Side note: I figured out with all the support from my family and friends in the last 11 years in this event we have raised over $15,000. Once again I THANK YOU!!
Sincerely,
Mike Bollinger
16814 McElroy Rd
Arlington, Wa. 98223
360-435-8993 hm 425-238-5889 cell
On Sunday March 8th, I will once again be participating in the Annual Scott Firefighter Stair climb event at the Columbia Center In Seattle. This is the 18th annual event (my 11th in a row). I will be joining over 1,500 firefighter from 180 different departments across Washington, Oregon and across the United states in racing up 69-flights of stairs in full fire gear and SCBA. This event is to help raise money for the Leukemia & lymphoma Society.
Every five minutes, someone in this country is diagnosed with a blood cancer
Leukemia is the #1 disease killer of young adults under the age of 20
More than 617,000 Americans live with blood cancers
Every nine minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer
Ten times as many adults as children are stricken with leukemia
I am writing to each of you to ask for your support. This year I have set a goal to raise $2000.00. This money will go to The Society for research, patient services, advocacy and education. NO DONATION IS TOO GREAT OR TOO SMALL....EVERY BIT HELPS!! If you would like to contribute please make your check payable to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), or you can donate online at:
http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1065523&pg=personal&fr_id=1060
This site is very quick, simple and secure. I would appreciate it if you send your tax-deductible contribution by no later than March 5, 2009.
For all who helped me reach my goal last year I send a huge THANK YOU. I thank all of you in advance for supporting me in my efforts and for your generosity in supporting the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please feel free to forward this to friends and family who you think might like to donate also.
Side note: I figured out with all the support from my family and friends in the last 11 years in this event we have raised over $15,000. Once again I THANK YOU!!
Sincerely,
Mike Bollinger
16814 McElroy Rd
Arlington, Wa. 98223
360-435-8993 hm 425-238-5889 cell
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Blood's Price
Great news!! Blood's Price has been accpeted by Absolute X-Press! Here is an unedited blurb and excerpt.
Though this is NOT my cover, who can resist a photo of Jay Tavare?? HMM?? Not I!!
Blurb:
Two cultures, two lives, one path.
Rendered helpless, captured and stripped, Elizabeth Smythe is taken away from her privileged life and everything she knows. Her captor, Spirit Walker, treats her with gentle compassion, winning her trust and love. Elizabeth discovers Spirit Walker is so much more then just a strong man and beautiful Earth Spirit.
When Spirit Walker receives word a woman he admires has been given to a neighboring tribe to dispose of, he rescues her. Despite not knowing who or what he is, she shows neither fear nor weakness toward him or her fate. Her strength earns his respect and more important, his heart. Opposition from both of their cultures tries to separate them. Can their love withstand the heat?
Excerpt:
Thick darkness shrouded the world in a stifling and sticky blanket. The ink of night replaced the sweltering heat of the sun, offering little respite. The temperature seemed unaffected by any shift in the earth’s cycles this time of year and not a breath of air stirred the heavy atmosphere. Despite the humid night, a small fire snapped and hissed, struggling to burn the damp, moss-covered logs in the center of a large copse of thick trees. The dancing firelight within a small circle of stones cast it’s eerie flicker, warding off the darkness in it’s small space. Acrid smoke hung in the air, held down by the heavy canopy of leaves and evergreen boughs far above.
Elizabeth Smythe struggled to raise her head, but the agony of it made everything spin and her belly knot in a painful clench. A primal sense prickled over her, foretelling of danger. Despite the pain, she remained quiet and still, listening to the sharp voices around her with clouded confusion. With her chin low, touching her bare, sweat-slicked chest, she dared only to take shallow breaths. Fear kept her motionless, too afraid to move lest she be discovered awake. Foggy awareness slid through her mind as her senses began to awaken and her heavy, grainy lids fluttered to moisten her eyes. She moved her lips in an effort to moisten her mouth and found her thick tongue as dry as her cracked lips.
Foreign and angry sounding words bickered around her. Moving her head as little as possible, she craned her eyes as far as she dared to see. Golden light flickered over naked torsos and faces, illuminating and distorting appearances that bright paint disguised even further. Her blood ran cold and she couldn’t help the fear squeezing the gasp from her lungs. Biting her lower lip to fight back the sob was all she could do without being noticed. Bare thighs crouched around the small circle of smoking flames, some stood in breechcloths behind, guarding their brethren from within the heavier shadows. Terrifying colors of war paint around hard, glittering eyes, marked their dangerous intent as each moved with lethal and lithe grace.
Elizabeth closed her eyes again, letting her head drop down further. She had heard stories, awful stories, of what could happen to a young woman. Her mind ached as she tried to recall how she had gotten here, and why. There was too much pain, too much confusion and all she could draw upon was a blank memory.
Blinking, she lifted her eyes again, this time a little further, to watch the preoccupied men. A pouch handed over to a large warrior with broad shoulders seemed to satisfy him enough to quiet the banter going on among them. He examined the contents, drew the pouch closed and tied it to his breechcloth’s belt. He stood and the others followed. Elizabeth quickly diverted her eyes and dropped her chin. The voices began to die down quickly, along with the fire, and the men began dwindling away, one by one. Uncertainty was the only thing left for her. What were they going to do with her? Would they kill her? How? Why?
Though this is NOT my cover, who can resist a photo of Jay Tavare?? HMM?? Not I!!
Blurb:
Two cultures, two lives, one path.
Rendered helpless, captured and stripped, Elizabeth Smythe is taken away from her privileged life and everything she knows. Her captor, Spirit Walker, treats her with gentle compassion, winning her trust and love. Elizabeth discovers Spirit Walker is so much more then just a strong man and beautiful Earth Spirit.
When Spirit Walker receives word a woman he admires has been given to a neighboring tribe to dispose of, he rescues her. Despite not knowing who or what he is, she shows neither fear nor weakness toward him or her fate. Her strength earns his respect and more important, his heart. Opposition from both of their cultures tries to separate them. Can their love withstand the heat?
Excerpt:
Thick darkness shrouded the world in a stifling and sticky blanket. The ink of night replaced the sweltering heat of the sun, offering little respite. The temperature seemed unaffected by any shift in the earth’s cycles this time of year and not a breath of air stirred the heavy atmosphere. Despite the humid night, a small fire snapped and hissed, struggling to burn the damp, moss-covered logs in the center of a large copse of thick trees. The dancing firelight within a small circle of stones cast it’s eerie flicker, warding off the darkness in it’s small space. Acrid smoke hung in the air, held down by the heavy canopy of leaves and evergreen boughs far above.
Elizabeth Smythe struggled to raise her head, but the agony of it made everything spin and her belly knot in a painful clench. A primal sense prickled over her, foretelling of danger. Despite the pain, she remained quiet and still, listening to the sharp voices around her with clouded confusion. With her chin low, touching her bare, sweat-slicked chest, she dared only to take shallow breaths. Fear kept her motionless, too afraid to move lest she be discovered awake. Foggy awareness slid through her mind as her senses began to awaken and her heavy, grainy lids fluttered to moisten her eyes. She moved her lips in an effort to moisten her mouth and found her thick tongue as dry as her cracked lips.
Foreign and angry sounding words bickered around her. Moving her head as little as possible, she craned her eyes as far as she dared to see. Golden light flickered over naked torsos and faces, illuminating and distorting appearances that bright paint disguised even further. Her blood ran cold and she couldn’t help the fear squeezing the gasp from her lungs. Biting her lower lip to fight back the sob was all she could do without being noticed. Bare thighs crouched around the small circle of smoking flames, some stood in breechcloths behind, guarding their brethren from within the heavier shadows. Terrifying colors of war paint around hard, glittering eyes, marked their dangerous intent as each moved with lethal and lithe grace.
Elizabeth closed her eyes again, letting her head drop down further. She had heard stories, awful stories, of what could happen to a young woman. Her mind ached as she tried to recall how she had gotten here, and why. There was too much pain, too much confusion and all she could draw upon was a blank memory.
Blinking, she lifted her eyes again, this time a little further, to watch the preoccupied men. A pouch handed over to a large warrior with broad shoulders seemed to satisfy him enough to quiet the banter going on among them. He examined the contents, drew the pouch closed and tied it to his breechcloth’s belt. He stood and the others followed. Elizabeth quickly diverted her eyes and dropped her chin. The voices began to die down quickly, along with the fire, and the men began dwindling away, one by one. Uncertainty was the only thing left for her. What were they going to do with her? Would they kill her? How? Why?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
I'm still here!!
What a whirlwind this year is starting out to be. I've been a touch distracted from writing and my whole imaginary world! Reality had to make me check in and pay attention. I'm sure you have all heard of the Pacific Northwest flooding going on. Well, I am right in the middle of that mess!
This photo is a barn that is fairly close to my house! I pass it when we visit my brother and I think it is a bit disturbing. They were at 41 feet above flood stage, I believe. Kinda scary!
Lucky for us, we live on a hill, but the Stillaguamish and little creeks surround that hill at the bottom, so we just stayed home for those couple of days. Went out on Friday, late afternoon and though there was still LOTS of standing water, the roads were clear.
If you are interested in seeing any other footage of the flooding that was very wide spread, here is a great link to our Seattle news stations!
www.king5.com
In other life events...
My Father In Law had to have an emergent double bypass this last Wednesday. They caught it just in time and he didn't have a heart attack. He is getting back to his feisty, cantankerous self. Of course this is why I love him to death too! lol So, sometime this next week, he will get to come home! :) Yea!!
Well, I am going to get busy on some writing today. I am looking forward to the escape, immensely!!
Have a great Sunday!!
C~
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Monday, December 15, 2008
Magick Monday
IF I had my way, this would be the view out my window today, but instead, it's just the snow. :)
I cannot tell you how inspiring this photo is. It's from the blacksterlingfriesians.com website. I know I spend more time there then I should, but if we don't dream it, we can never achieve it, can we. Having Dreams is what keeps the spirit alive and believe me, my spirit is very alive. So, while we are at the dreaming part, here is my house to go with it:
We may get a white Christmas, instead of rain this year. That would be magic.
I hope you are all able to find this kind of magick in your day today.
C~
I cannot tell you how inspiring this photo is. It's from the blacksterlingfriesians.com website. I know I spend more time there then I should, but if we don't dream it, we can never achieve it, can we. Having Dreams is what keeps the spirit alive and believe me, my spirit is very alive. So, while we are at the dreaming part, here is my house to go with it:
We may get a white Christmas, instead of rain this year. That would be magic.
I hope you are all able to find this kind of magick in your day today.
C~
Monday, December 8, 2008
Magic Monday!
Got some great news yesterday and thought I would save the post for today! My short story Inferno has been accepted by Liquid Silver Books for their fireman anthology. I cannot tell you how happy I am over it. I will post more details on it and Blood's Price when I have it available!
Hope your Monday has equal Magick!
C~
Hope your Monday has equal Magick!
C~
Sunday, December 7, 2008
New Beginnings
I just needed to post some inspiration this morning. This story is about as traditional, high fantasy as you can get. So, I will be posting lots of knights, horses and beautiful poetic pictures that pull the romantic strings of my heart. If you do not care for such things, now might be the time to check out, because it's going to get deep in here. :) Promise...
As this year is drawing to it's end, there is a definate feeling of change. Yesterday seemed to be a pivoting point, literally. It started in the morning with a call from a very close friend. It has been a very rough year on her and she was rewarded in a huge way. I am hoping it all follows through and comes full circle for her, but she found one of her stallions daughters. It was a very blissfully emotional day for her. Everyone of his offspring was like one of her own, so when she was able to see one of her students buy her from another, she was in tears.
I believe Blood's Price has found a home and I couldn't be happier with it. It has brought a nice sense of finality, accomplishment and just plain joy to my heart. This was a story that came from the heart and I'm glad it has a home, where I'm sure many more stories will go to as well.
So, off I go to befriend the dragons and charm the Wee Folk.
C~
Thursday, November 27, 2008
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