The ingenuity and innocence of cats amazes me. Anyone who is a pet owner knows that these small furry creatures (or scaly or feathery) become our family. Mine are also my muses. I have three cats. The newest of which is just under a year old. My point in adopting her was simply to get my younger cat (who is six) to get up a play a bit and not beat on my older cat so much (she’s 13).
I went to a few shelters to look at cats, which always makes me feel bad because I want to take them all home. The problem of course is not all the cats want to go home with you. I saw a beautiful great stripped cat with playful tendencies, but she had no interest in me. The shelter had a lot of issues because it was a no kill shelter so they make you jump through all these hoops and interviews to get a cat. Probably better in the long run, I’m sure she found a good home.
At the humane society there were a lot of cats. Another that was cute, black and white but again had no interest in me. I petted a white cat for a while. She liked to play but was very skittish and again didn’t seem all that interested in me. While putting the white cat back and little black cat meowed at me and stuck her paw through the bars. So we took her into the room to play. Not only did she like to play she kept coming back to rub on my leg.
Now rejection even from a cat is hard and I’d had several that day already. But I took the risk and I brought her home. A few months later she’s really part of the family now and my baby Houdini. And she cuddles with me on occasion, but never makes me feel like I’m just an annoying person in the room.
Proud parents of cats probably know a lot of the personality of these creatures. They are smart, yet silly and sometimes dumb. Innovative, and mood, but funny as hell. My new kitty was a stray and I’ve discovered some fun facts about her that will likely come into play in later pieces as I write more about Sei in his lynx form and other shifters I have ideas for.
First off, she’s a mouser. Having had inside cats for most of my life I’d never encountered this before, but give her a fuzzy toy mouse and she’s got all the fur ripped off in a few seconds. I pity the poor mice. Thankfully there are no real ones in my home.
The second thing is that she’s a garbage cat. She used to live off garbage. She knows how to get in it. Knock it over, or even dig through whatever to get to whatever she may perceive as edible. This of course makes her very interesting to watch. She climbs on top of the cupboards to jump onto the covered trash and peel the cover off.
She can push open non-handled cabinet doors with her paws to get to food, rip open packages, push things off the tops of cupboards. And when I put her sister’s food bowl in the toaster oven to hide it from my always hungry kitten, she shoved the door open and slid the grate out to eat the food.
When they chase bugs around, or freak out when a squirrel is on the balcony, I love to watch their tail fluff or eyes widen, ears twitch, and back arch. They are very expressive creatures.
Unlike humans they aren’t taught to hide their feelings. They just go with it. Meow if they are bored. If they miss me the run through the house crying until I look at them and say hello, then they walk away content.
I suppose if I had children or lived with roommates I’d probably have more observations about people who aren’t hiding who they are. Since living with folks for a long time helps us let down our guard and forget about the mask we wear most days. Sometimes I just have to stop because I’m so tired emotionally, not because life is stressful or whatever, we all have that. But because the mask I wear is so heavy.
To my family I’m the independent strong daughter with no worries. To my friends I’m outspoken and helpful ready to listen when needed. To my co-workers I’m a hard worker who pushes hard to succeed. To myself, I’m a quite girl with a lot of anxiety issues who doesn’t like to stand out.
How many obstacles do we let stand in our way? Other’s view of us, our view of ourselves, our fears? Why can’t we climb on cupboards and tear up toy mice? Sure there are people who’d walk by use and make our tails bristle with rage. Sometimes the leap hurts, but who knows what good things can come of it.
I wonder if wearing the mask all the time hurts us more than letting go? Do we mold it, or has it shaped us? Can we ever reach that openness that we see in our furry friends? I think that’s why I like to mix up the real struggles with the cat. Seiran wears a heavy mask, but each month he’s forced to be the cat in form and mind. Those times are freeing to him. I envy him and will continue to put the mask down more often.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Evolution WIP ~ Lissa Kasey ~ Saturday Snark
Little bit of snark from my work in progress Evolution. Rockstar wannabe accidentally hits vampire Kerstrande Petterson with his car. Kerstrande's response:
“You weren’t going fast enough to squash a bug. What the hell kind of idiot drives on the sidewalk? Were you trying to kill someone? Would you like to get back in your car and back over me a few times?”
Friday, September 9, 2011
A little OCD and Anxiety Never Hurt a Character
So if you've never experienced OCD you've probably seen it on TV. It's not always as simple as washing your hands 20 times an hour or turning off light switches. It's an internal paranoia that something needs to be done. For me it's that the oven is off. The funny thing is that I rarely cook, so I check the dials all the time, even though I never had it on to begin with.
For those who know me pretty well, they are aware of my anxiety issues. We call them issues because it puts them in a pretty box that people can put on a shelf and say "not mine problem." I think a lot of people look down as me as being weak because I have issues. I'll admit I have panic attacks in the middle of a grocery store. Not a pleasant experience by the way. I usually need someone to talk me out of it, even though there is no reason for the attack, my head believes otherwise.
The other part of having an OCD and Anxiety disorder is paranoia. Now I wish I could say it was a paranormal issue I had to deal with everyday. That would be kind of fun. The paranonoia not so much. In public places I always think people are looking at me, judging me, whispering about me. And while I'm sure there is a little of that, it's probably not near the level my subconsciousness claims it is.
Of course having these issues means it's hard to be in public, because that's all the more condemning eyes. As I've gotten older it's gotten harder to control, and yes I'm on medication for it. I can go to the grocery store most days and not have any issues. Sometimes it just builds up though.
That's the worst.
You'll get through a couple of really great weeks, things are good, and then the weekend comes. I don't want to go anywhere be around anyone. I need that time to recharge my strength. Because I know come Monday I'm stuck in a room with a bunch of people I barely know, making calls to people I'll never meet.
I think these things translate to how we write as well. I know some very out going people who write very outgoing characters, where the problems are few and often external. I also know some very internal people who write about characters with more emotional troubles. This is also the direction that I go, simply because it's a "write what I know" deal.
Recently, I finished writing about a book about one of my side characters, Kelly. I found him terribly hard perspective-wise to write from, as he is a very outgoing guy. The book also features Jamie, Kelly's love interest, but Jamie is more reserved and more internal. So who do I relate to better you think?
The idea of course of writing what you know is really about writing what you can discover, rather than what you were born to know. Just cause you're a white female in her thirties doesn't mean you can't write about an Asian-American male in his twenties. Seiran, from Inheritance and Reclamation, and I relate well. Would we get along? Probably not. He's too needy for me. And i'm too dominate for him.
That is the fun of discovering the ins and outs of the character. He has anxiety and OCD, and though different from mine, I think it comes out well in his character. I can be outspoken at times and dominate, and that's where Kelly comes from. So what do you use to bring the internal to your writing?
For those who know me pretty well, they are aware of my anxiety issues. We call them issues because it puts them in a pretty box that people can put on a shelf and say "not mine problem." I think a lot of people look down as me as being weak because I have issues. I'll admit I have panic attacks in the middle of a grocery store. Not a pleasant experience by the way. I usually need someone to talk me out of it, even though there is no reason for the attack, my head believes otherwise.
The other part of having an OCD and Anxiety disorder is paranoia. Now I wish I could say it was a paranormal issue I had to deal with everyday. That would be kind of fun. The paranonoia not so much. In public places I always think people are looking at me, judging me, whispering about me. And while I'm sure there is a little of that, it's probably not near the level my subconsciousness claims it is.
Of course having these issues means it's hard to be in public, because that's all the more condemning eyes. As I've gotten older it's gotten harder to control, and yes I'm on medication for it. I can go to the grocery store most days and not have any issues. Sometimes it just builds up though.
That's the worst.
You'll get through a couple of really great weeks, things are good, and then the weekend comes. I don't want to go anywhere be around anyone. I need that time to recharge my strength. Because I know come Monday I'm stuck in a room with a bunch of people I barely know, making calls to people I'll never meet.
I think these things translate to how we write as well. I know some very out going people who write very outgoing characters, where the problems are few and often external. I also know some very internal people who write about characters with more emotional troubles. This is also the direction that I go, simply because it's a "write what I know" deal.
Recently, I finished writing about a book about one of my side characters, Kelly. I found him terribly hard perspective-wise to write from, as he is a very outgoing guy. The book also features Jamie, Kelly's love interest, but Jamie is more reserved and more internal. So who do I relate to better you think?
The idea of course of writing what you know is really about writing what you can discover, rather than what you were born to know. Just cause you're a white female in her thirties doesn't mean you can't write about an Asian-American male in his twenties. Seiran, from Inheritance and Reclamation, and I relate well. Would we get along? Probably not. He's too needy for me. And i'm too dominate for him.
That is the fun of discovering the ins and outs of the character. He has anxiety and OCD, and though different from mine, I think it comes out well in his character. I can be outspoken at times and dominate, and that's where Kelly comes from. So what do you use to bring the internal to your writing?
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Ins and Outs of Drama
When most people think of drama, they think of shows like Jerry Springer and Jersey Shore. But what is drama really? According to dictionary.com it means: any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results.
So when we think of drama in writing we all know it's important. The question remains is how to create it and make it believable. My first indicator is to look at reality TV. This stuff is made up of endless hours of video taping, which is then edited to create a story. Anything that can create a change in emotion is drama. A fight of course, a battle with a super demon, or a break up with a lover. But little things are drama too. Someone losses their keys, or can't decide what to wear.
There are two types of drama:
1. Internal
2. External
These things are drama because they cause emotion for someone, maybe not everyone, but someone out there will feel something. So how do you know what the good ones are to use to move your story forward?
Ask your characters.
Just like people, characters have personalities. They have likes, dislikes, interests and annoyances. What creates drama in a story about them, should be what makes them feel emotion.
For example in the book Inheritance, which is released Sept 14, my main character Seiran has a lot of little quirks that cause him emotional trouble. He has to have a clean kitchen, no crumbs or stains on the counter or dishes left in the sink. He has to have clean sheets even if they haven't been slept in. While these things may not bother most of us, the are such an intense part of his character that his lover knows he has comply. His drama is internal and that affects how external drama can change his story.
Some characters can be really laid back, and not care so much about little things. Those characters have drama come at them mostly from external, or outside sources. We see a lot of police fiction with external drama. The guys are cops so yeah there's rules, however, there's a criminal to fight, or a case to solve. Those are external dramas.
Now that's not to say that characters can't have them both. In fact, the most well written characters have both internal and external drama. It's their reaction to these things that makes them original and builds a story to a realistic ending. We learn about the character in the beginning, maybe see a glimpse of a bigger external drama, but throughout the book we see their little internal issues coming to live and building to easier or harder for them to reach a conclusion with the external drama.
Why is internal drama so important? Think of reality TV and our real lives in general. When we are conflicted about something, it's usually something in our personal lives. A argument with a family member, or a missing bit of money in our checkbook. When something big happens like a car crash that kills a friend, that's important too, but how you react is carved out by the little things you do, how well you knew the friend and how involved you may or may not have been in the crash.
So think of this as an exercise of thought for the day. The next time you feel joy, sadness, fear, anger, jealousy, irritation, ask yourself is it internal or external? Why does this feel so real and important to me? Then maybe you can use that little trouble for your next character. After all, a little drama never hurt anyone.
So when we think of drama in writing we all know it's important. The question remains is how to create it and make it believable. My first indicator is to look at reality TV. This stuff is made up of endless hours of video taping, which is then edited to create a story. Anything that can create a change in emotion is drama. A fight of course, a battle with a super demon, or a break up with a lover. But little things are drama too. Someone losses their keys, or can't decide what to wear.
There are two types of drama:
1. Internal
2. External
These things are drama because they cause emotion for someone, maybe not everyone, but someone out there will feel something. So how do you know what the good ones are to use to move your story forward?
Ask your characters.
Just like people, characters have personalities. They have likes, dislikes, interests and annoyances. What creates drama in a story about them, should be what makes them feel emotion.
For example in the book Inheritance, which is released Sept 14, my main character Seiran has a lot of little quirks that cause him emotional trouble. He has to have a clean kitchen, no crumbs or stains on the counter or dishes left in the sink. He has to have clean sheets even if they haven't been slept in. While these things may not bother most of us, the are such an intense part of his character that his lover knows he has comply. His drama is internal and that affects how external drama can change his story.
Some characters can be really laid back, and not care so much about little things. Those characters have drama come at them mostly from external, or outside sources. We see a lot of police fiction with external drama. The guys are cops so yeah there's rules, however, there's a criminal to fight, or a case to solve. Those are external dramas.
Now that's not to say that characters can't have them both. In fact, the most well written characters have both internal and external drama. It's their reaction to these things that makes them original and builds a story to a realistic ending. We learn about the character in the beginning, maybe see a glimpse of a bigger external drama, but throughout the book we see their little internal issues coming to live and building to easier or harder for them to reach a conclusion with the external drama.
Why is internal drama so important? Think of reality TV and our real lives in general. When we are conflicted about something, it's usually something in our personal lives. A argument with a family member, or a missing bit of money in our checkbook. When something big happens like a car crash that kills a friend, that's important too, but how you react is carved out by the little things you do, how well you knew the friend and how involved you may or may not have been in the crash.
So think of this as an exercise of thought for the day. The next time you feel joy, sadness, fear, anger, jealousy, irritation, ask yourself is it internal or external? Why does this feel so real and important to me? Then maybe you can use that little trouble for your next character. After all, a little drama never hurt anyone.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The art of customer service
I've spent a lot of my life working in the customer service industry. Years cashiering helped me realize how little people care about each other. When I worked at the bookstore people looked down on me for working there, yet it was my second job, and I worked there because I wanted to. I always found it interesting when people would give you attitude, and yet I was always polite and gave good customer service.
I distinctly remember one Christmas a lady coming in and asking for book on Alaska. I asked her if she wanted a travel book or a picture book or what, since there were 42,000 books on Alaska, most not in our store. She yelled at me, "What's wrong with you! I just want a book on Alaska." She went to another store, that later called us asking for a certain book on Alaskan fishing (cause yeah she was so specific, not) and we didn't have it. I asked the other CSR if it was the lady and they said it was. I wished them my condolences.
Now I've experienced some bad customer service in my life. Just recently I was waiting at the cutting counter at Joann's and there were two women at the counter. One who was working, cutting material for a customer, the other talking on the company phone to her boyfriend.
I guess not everyone understands that customer service is an art form and it applies to all aspects of life, not just standing at a counter. As a writer I know it's very important to treat all my readers as valued customers. Listen to what they say, but take it with a grain of salt since you can't please everyone. Really there are some basics of customer service:
1. The customer is always right. Even if they are stupid and obnoxious. Eventually they will leave the store and you will have nicer people to deal with.
2. Be ready to serve. Don't stand there talking to your friend and ignoring a customer. There is nothing that will piss of a person faster. And that's not good if you want them to come back.
3. You attract more flies with honey than vinegar. Be nice, even if they are asinine. As much as you might like to tell them how wrong they are, just smile and say okay. Again they will be gone soon enough.
4. Realize that you only matter as much as you make yourself matter. If you talk to every customer, offer them a smile, a welcome, they are more likely to leave in a good mood and less likely to snap at someone else.
5. Be strong in who you are, but understand when you put on your customer service hat you're serving others first.
In all honesty, customer service is one of the hardest jobs in the world. You have to deal with people. And we all know how moody, stupid, angry, annoying, insert word, people can be. If you can't do the above, stay away from customer service.
I distinctly remember one Christmas a lady coming in and asking for book on Alaska. I asked her if she wanted a travel book or a picture book or what, since there were 42,000 books on Alaska, most not in our store. She yelled at me, "What's wrong with you! I just want a book on Alaska." She went to another store, that later called us asking for a certain book on Alaskan fishing (cause yeah she was so specific, not) and we didn't have it. I asked the other CSR if it was the lady and they said it was. I wished them my condolences.
Now I've experienced some bad customer service in my life. Just recently I was waiting at the cutting counter at Joann's and there were two women at the counter. One who was working, cutting material for a customer, the other talking on the company phone to her boyfriend.
I guess not everyone understands that customer service is an art form and it applies to all aspects of life, not just standing at a counter. As a writer I know it's very important to treat all my readers as valued customers. Listen to what they say, but take it with a grain of salt since you can't please everyone. Really there are some basics of customer service:
1. The customer is always right. Even if they are stupid and obnoxious. Eventually they will leave the store and you will have nicer people to deal with.
2. Be ready to serve. Don't stand there talking to your friend and ignoring a customer. There is nothing that will piss of a person faster. And that's not good if you want them to come back.
3. You attract more flies with honey than vinegar. Be nice, even if they are asinine. As much as you might like to tell them how wrong they are, just smile and say okay. Again they will be gone soon enough.
4. Realize that you only matter as much as you make yourself matter. If you talk to every customer, offer them a smile, a welcome, they are more likely to leave in a good mood and less likely to snap at someone else.
5. Be strong in who you are, but understand when you put on your customer service hat you're serving others first.
In all honesty, customer service is one of the hardest jobs in the world. You have to deal with people. And we all know how moody, stupid, angry, annoying, insert word, people can be. If you can't do the above, stay away from customer service.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Treat Others as You'd like to be Treated yourself
My new job gives me a lot of inspiration, I guess. Not always in a good way. This morning I took the elevator down (should have taken the stairs) and the was a group of co-workers chatting about the bosses in a not good way. As a new employee that stuff is hard to hear cause I want to like my job, I want to like my boss.
So like my normal turtle self I stayed quiet, ignored the conversation. The elevator gets to the ground floor and there is said boss. I walk out feeling a little guilty for not saying anything to stop the conversation, but knowing it's really not my problem.
Once everyone had walked away from the boss they all started laughing and talking smack again. I hurried ahead, more intent on getting to my break than usual.
Now don't go cringing, but I consider myself a Christian. I was going to become a pastor years ago, however it was the way the church treated people that made me leave. It was the way the world treated people. Not the way I believe God or Jesus or whatever divine power would treat people. It reminds me of the whole treat others as you'd like to be treated yourself.
I'd like to be left alone, so I leave others alone. I'm polite when I need to be, but I avoid people so they avoid me. It's a happy medium. I can't help but wonder if those folks talking in the elevator like when people talk crap about them. I guess if that's how you act, then that's what you're gonna get. And I just have one word to say to that. Amen.
So like my normal turtle self I stayed quiet, ignored the conversation. The elevator gets to the ground floor and there is said boss. I walk out feeling a little guilty for not saying anything to stop the conversation, but knowing it's really not my problem.
Once everyone had walked away from the boss they all started laughing and talking smack again. I hurried ahead, more intent on getting to my break than usual.
Now don't go cringing, but I consider myself a Christian. I was going to become a pastor years ago, however it was the way the church treated people that made me leave. It was the way the world treated people. Not the way I believe God or Jesus or whatever divine power would treat people. It reminds me of the whole treat others as you'd like to be treated yourself.
I'd like to be left alone, so I leave others alone. I'm polite when I need to be, but I avoid people so they avoid me. It's a happy medium. I can't help but wonder if those folks talking in the elevator like when people talk crap about them. I guess if that's how you act, then that's what you're gonna get. And I just have one word to say to that. Amen.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Decadence Release
all right, all, new and last free read until after the Sept 14th release of Inheritance from DSP. So get your Gabe and Sei fix while you can.
For vampire Gabriel “Gabe” Santini, being in love with the only trained male witch in a female dominant society is not an easy thing. Seiran Rou has more issues than just a phobia of commitment. A recent rash of attacks and harassment at school has left him withdrawn and edgy.
Making a cake for his mother was never really about making Tanaka Rou happy, and Seiran wears his heart on his sleeve as he tries, yet again, to please her. But Gabe has an idea how to put a much needed smile on Sei’s sweet face. Starting with “helping” make the frosting and showing Sei that pastry can be more than a little decadent...
Download now
For vampire Gabriel “Gabe” Santini, being in love with the only trained male witch in a female dominant society is not an easy thing. Seiran Rou has more issues than just a phobia of commitment. A recent rash of attacks and harassment at school has left him withdrawn and edgy.
Making a cake for his mother was never really about making Tanaka Rou happy, and Seiran wears his heart on his sleeve as he tries, yet again, to please her. But Gabe has an idea how to put a much needed smile on Sei’s sweet face. Starting with “helping” make the frosting and showing Sei that pastry can be more than a little decadent...
Download now
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Feeling Lucky
So the past few weeks have been rough. I quit my job of six years to take a new position at a job I thought I'd like more. And we all know how day jobs are. They get us the money we need to survive. However, I went from weekly paychecks to bi-monthly, so I'm struggling. Took a lot out of my savings. And am staring at my stack of bills thinking oh God, how will I get this done?
A girl from work walked with me down to the breakroom and said, "Hey, you know my sister, she's been living with us for a while, not working, not looking for work. Just there?"
I'm like, "Yeah." We both have these relatives in our lives.
My co-worker says, "She told me she was feeling lucky yesterday while we were at the gas station and asked me for $20. So I gave it to her. And she bought a lottery ticket."
I was like okay.
"She won $100,000."
Holy crap! Talk about fortune. I asked my co-worker if she was asking for any of the money since it was her $20 that paid for the ticket, and she said no. Talk about generocity.
I had to wonder how I'd react to such a windfall. Or if my sister got such a lucky break from something I'd given her. I don't think I'd demand anything back from it other than gratitute. She needs it more than me, since she's not working and has four kids.
Everyday we look at our own lives and grumble about the crappy hands we're dealt. But what about the small things that we are blessed with? How often do we look at those things and think "I'm feeling lucky"?
In truth I'm very lucky. I can afford to pay my bills and my rent and for food. Sometimes it's a struggle, but I have a beautiful home, I do hobbies freely. I don't have to work two jobs. I'm not sleeping under a bridge or starving every night. I will be a published author soon as I'm just proofing the galley for my first novella Inheritance. And I have a lot of great friends I've made over the years that support me and all my weird ideas.
If someone were to ask me today, do I feel lucky? I'd have to say yes. I feel damn lucky. I hope the rest of you can say so as well, because I'm so lucky to have you. :)
A girl from work walked with me down to the breakroom and said, "Hey, you know my sister, she's been living with us for a while, not working, not looking for work. Just there?"
I'm like, "Yeah." We both have these relatives in our lives.
My co-worker says, "She told me she was feeling lucky yesterday while we were at the gas station and asked me for $20. So I gave it to her. And she bought a lottery ticket."
I was like okay.
"She won $100,000."
Holy crap! Talk about fortune. I asked my co-worker if she was asking for any of the money since it was her $20 that paid for the ticket, and she said no. Talk about generocity.
I had to wonder how I'd react to such a windfall. Or if my sister got such a lucky break from something I'd given her. I don't think I'd demand anything back from it other than gratitute. She needs it more than me, since she's not working and has four kids.
Everyday we look at our own lives and grumble about the crappy hands we're dealt. But what about the small things that we are blessed with? How often do we look at those things and think "I'm feeling lucky"?
In truth I'm very lucky. I can afford to pay my bills and my rent and for food. Sometimes it's a struggle, but I have a beautiful home, I do hobbies freely. I don't have to work two jobs. I'm not sleeping under a bridge or starving every night. I will be a published author soon as I'm just proofing the galley for my first novella Inheritance. And I have a lot of great friends I've made over the years that support me and all my weird ideas.
If someone were to ask me today, do I feel lucky? I'd have to say yes. I feel damn lucky. I hope the rest of you can say so as well, because I'm so lucky to have you. :)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Strength Grasshopper
Yesterday I had some errands to run before work, so I took off in my Honda for the mall. On the way I rolled down the window and discovered a grasshopper clinging to the glass. Instead of sending him flying I let him hang out. Left the window partway up, and watched his antennae wave in the wind.
I stopped at the mall, did my returns and then headed to work. Grasshopper still on my window. On the highway he seemed a lot like a dog, hanging its head out the window. He clung to the window wind flowing over him (I was going 60 miles an hour). Ten minutes later I got to work, parked in my normal spot and rolled the window up. Grasshopper still there.
I stared at him for a minute, wondering at his resolve. Not that work is a great place to be, but he made it there, and surrounding the building is a huge wetland. How he knew that was where I was headed, I dunno. But I got out of the car, turned, and he was gone. Vanished. Probably off to find some grasshopper pal to start a family with.
What a way to learn about persistence right? Everyday we look at the hard stuff in life and think gosh if I just gave up, things would be so much easier. But would they? If the grasshopper had given up he would have wound up as a splatter on someone's windshield. By hanging with it he got to a new place filled with more good things.
I heard this week my second novel has been accepted, showing that the thirty years of persistence in writing is getting me places that I'd like to go. So no matter what's going on, I know giving up is not the way. I need to have strength like that little grasshopper.
I stopped at the mall, did my returns and then headed to work. Grasshopper still on my window. On the highway he seemed a lot like a dog, hanging its head out the window. He clung to the window wind flowing over him (I was going 60 miles an hour). Ten minutes later I got to work, parked in my normal spot and rolled the window up. Grasshopper still there.
I stared at him for a minute, wondering at his resolve. Not that work is a great place to be, but he made it there, and surrounding the building is a huge wetland. How he knew that was where I was headed, I dunno. But I got out of the car, turned, and he was gone. Vanished. Probably off to find some grasshopper pal to start a family with.
What a way to learn about persistence right? Everyday we look at the hard stuff in life and think gosh if I just gave up, things would be so much easier. But would they? If the grasshopper had given up he would have wound up as a splatter on someone's windshield. By hanging with it he got to a new place filled with more good things.
I heard this week my second novel has been accepted, showing that the thirty years of persistence in writing is getting me places that I'd like to go. So no matter what's going on, I know giving up is not the way. I need to have strength like that little grasshopper.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Friction
New free read. This one from Sei's POV. You'll just have to wait until August when I release Decadence to get more of Gabe's POV.
Friction has another beautiful cover created by the amazingly talented L.C. Chase:
Blurb: Seiran Rou finds school more challenging than most. Not because he's not intelligent or can't follow along in class, but because he's different than all the other students. He's a male witch in a society ruled by females. That's no minor problem since Magic Theory is his major.
His visits to his sometime lover, Gabe Santini, provide him a safe and uncomplicated haven to escape to, until one night when his fear of commitment drives him away. He learns that monsters aren't the only things that stalk their prey.
In the end he may discover he was safer with the vampire than anything his college life has to offer. Friction, a free short of Gabe and Seiran, stars of the upcoming release Inheritance, is now available for download in pdf, epub and Mobi.
Download Now
Friction has another beautiful cover created by the amazingly talented L.C. Chase:
Blurb: Seiran Rou finds school more challenging than most. Not because he's not intelligent or can't follow along in class, but because he's different than all the other students. He's a male witch in a society ruled by females. That's no minor problem since Magic Theory is his major.
His visits to his sometime lover, Gabe Santini, provide him a safe and uncomplicated haven to escape to, until one night when his fear of commitment drives him away. He learns that monsters aren't the only things that stalk their prey.
In the end he may discover he was safer with the vampire than anything his college life has to offer. Friction, a free short of Gabe and Seiran, stars of the upcoming release Inheritance, is now available for download in pdf, epub and Mobi.
Download Now
Blogging and Beautiful Boys
So anyone who knows me, knows I'm pretty terrible at blogging, mostly cause I can't think of anything exciting enough to talk about.
I had last week off and planned to do some writing, have done a little so far, not much. And tomorrow is my last day off before I start a new day job.
My ghost piece is coming along. I've got a lot of it outlined and am slowly plugging away. Of course the muse has decided there's a new character who's small and very femmy for a guy. Don't know why but I seemed to be drawn to write about that kind of guy. Even more odd about it is that I'm not at all girly so I'm making up girly stuff as I go.
High heels, lacy underthings, nail polish, yeah I've got to investigate it all. So you may here me go on about it more in the future.
I had last week off and planned to do some writing, have done a little so far, not much. And tomorrow is my last day off before I start a new day job.
My ghost piece is coming along. I've got a lot of it outlined and am slowly plugging away. Of course the muse has decided there's a new character who's small and very femmy for a guy. Don't know why but I seemed to be drawn to write about that kind of guy. Even more odd about it is that I'm not at all girly so I'm making up girly stuff as I go.
High heels, lacy underthings, nail polish, yeah I've got to investigate it all. So you may here me go on about it more in the future.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sink or Swim Teaser
Recently the M/M group began the plans for "Hot July Days," a series of short stories based on pictures posted by group members. The stories will be released throughout July and part of August. One of my writing buddies kept saying, "You're going to participate, right?" I hesitated, mostly because I have a hard time keeping things short. She said she's co-write with me and from that we've developed a piece titled Sink or Swim for the HJDs.
Blurb:
Beau has always been the center of attention, the first responder, dive master, and all around life-saver. When he gets a job overseas, Abram feels that he has to follow his lover, but he still harbors doubts of his own worthiness.
Those doubts come to a head during the long flight to begin their new lives. How far is Abram willing to go to keep Beau to himself? Sometimes in matters of the heart, you just have to dive in and sink or swim.
Teaser from Sink or Swim by Lissa Kasey and Xara X. Xanakas:
Beau woke me up before dawn that morning, shoved a travel cup of coffee at me, and practically dragged me to the car. He hadn’t even given me time to grab a shirt, which I guessed was okay since he wasn’t wearing one either. A cooler sat between our seats, a beach towel draped across the backseat, and Beau wore a crazy grin.
That smile of his had always been infectious. That day it hit me hard, and I couldn’t keep my heart from swelling. Obviously we were going to the beach, that wasn’t new. We went there often, and that was where we met. But when he turned away from the highway that would take us to the beach, I shifted to watch him and tried to determine what he had planned.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“It’s not my birthday, or our anniversary.” It wasn’t his birthday either.
“You want cake? We can go get cake.”
“I don’t want cake. At least not right now. I’m just wondering what has you grinning like a villain.”
“Grinning like a villain? Does anyone still say that?” Beau’s smile was teasing.
“Did you win the lottery?”
“Maybe.”
Okay, now I was really curious. He didn’t buy lottery tickets. Beau was a planner. He always knew where he was going, and he never dove with filing a plan. “What’s that mean?”
He shook his head, happy expression remaining firm.
I scratched my very prickly jaw. “Are other people going to see us? Couldn’t you have let me shave first?”
He reached over and stroked my chin, the sensation shooting right to my cock. “I like you scruffy. And no, it’s just us.”
“In that case maybe you could take that hand a little further south.” And he did, but only to rest his warm palm on my thigh. “Not exactly what I had in mind.”
“Plenty of time for that later. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
We drove for almost an hour up to a hiking trail we hadn’t used since the summer we met. In fact, we’d come here on our first date. I’d been so nervous that day. Beau had been so far out of my league, I’d nearly had a heart attack when he asked me out. We’d hiked up to the top, taking it slow because I had been still recovering from an accident, and sat there, making out on the rocks overlooking the ocean. Best first date ever.
That morning the rich salty air brought strength and warmth to my heart. Beau grabbed the cooler, towel and my hand before dragging me up the path. I dug in my heels a little to get him to walk slower. He only had three inches on me, but I swear he was all legs. I nearly had to jog to keep up with his long strides. He pulled my hand up and kissed the back of it, softly, that heavenly smile still on his face.
We moved in silence, two parts of the whole, until we reached the top. The view was the same. Beautiful blue-green water, white waves crashing, and blue sky meeting water as far as the eye could see. I knew what he saw in the water, why he loved it so much. I knew he loved me, but sometimes I just wished he would look at me with that same glint of joy in his gaze.
He tugged me along with him. “Little further, Abe.”
“We’re not hanging here?”
“Nope. Got a better plan.”
I followed him over the rise of rocks and down a slight incline until a little valley came into view. The ground was littered with red pops of color. Flowers, much like the ones on his arm, decorated the open area. And though I couldn’t see the waves, I heard them crashing nearby in that peaceful swoosh-shoo sound.
Beau set the cooler and blanket down then pulled out a huge breakfast: California rolls, fruit, cinnamon raisin bagels, and honey nut cream cheese. He even had more coffee in a thermos.
I spread out the blanket, trying not to squish too many flowers and patted the seat beside me. “That was a long drive for breakfast on the beach.”
He plopped down and used a set of chopsticks to hold up a roll for me to bite into then took the other half for himself. “Anything for you, baby.”
I fed him a strawberry, letting him lick the juice off my fingers. We ate until I was ready to burst and lay down on the blanket. The scent of the flowers mixed with the salty air was oddly soothing. He rested his face on my shoulder, staring at me like he was trying to memorize the moment. I watched his eyes close in peaceful calm, his scruff tickling my shoulder.
After fishing my cell out of my pocket I tried to maneuver around Beau to get a picture of him sleeping so sweetly. But since my arm was half trapped under his head, the angle turned out a little weird. He must have heard the click because he smiled at me.
“You faking it?” I nudged him.
“Never with you, baby.”
~~~~~~~~
I hope this inspires you to read more. Thanks for reading!
Blurb:
Beau has always been the center of attention, the first responder, dive master, and all around life-saver. When he gets a job overseas, Abram feels that he has to follow his lover, but he still harbors doubts of his own worthiness.
Those doubts come to a head during the long flight to begin their new lives. How far is Abram willing to go to keep Beau to himself? Sometimes in matters of the heart, you just have to dive in and sink or swim.
Teaser from Sink or Swim by Lissa Kasey and Xara X. Xanakas:
Beau woke me up before dawn that morning, shoved a travel cup of coffee at me, and practically dragged me to the car. He hadn’t even given me time to grab a shirt, which I guessed was okay since he wasn’t wearing one either. A cooler sat between our seats, a beach towel draped across the backseat, and Beau wore a crazy grin.
That smile of his had always been infectious. That day it hit me hard, and I couldn’t keep my heart from swelling. Obviously we were going to the beach, that wasn’t new. We went there often, and that was where we met. But when he turned away from the highway that would take us to the beach, I shifted to watch him and tried to determine what he had planned.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“It’s not my birthday, or our anniversary.” It wasn’t his birthday either.
“You want cake? We can go get cake.”
“I don’t want cake. At least not right now. I’m just wondering what has you grinning like a villain.”
“Grinning like a villain? Does anyone still say that?” Beau’s smile was teasing.
“Did you win the lottery?”
“Maybe.”
Okay, now I was really curious. He didn’t buy lottery tickets. Beau was a planner. He always knew where he was going, and he never dove with filing a plan. “What’s that mean?”
He shook his head, happy expression remaining firm.
I scratched my very prickly jaw. “Are other people going to see us? Couldn’t you have let me shave first?”
He reached over and stroked my chin, the sensation shooting right to my cock. “I like you scruffy. And no, it’s just us.”
“In that case maybe you could take that hand a little further south.” And he did, but only to rest his warm palm on my thigh. “Not exactly what I had in mind.”
“Plenty of time for that later. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
We drove for almost an hour up to a hiking trail we hadn’t used since the summer we met. In fact, we’d come here on our first date. I’d been so nervous that day. Beau had been so far out of my league, I’d nearly had a heart attack when he asked me out. We’d hiked up to the top, taking it slow because I had been still recovering from an accident, and sat there, making out on the rocks overlooking the ocean. Best first date ever.
That morning the rich salty air brought strength and warmth to my heart. Beau grabbed the cooler, towel and my hand before dragging me up the path. I dug in my heels a little to get him to walk slower. He only had three inches on me, but I swear he was all legs. I nearly had to jog to keep up with his long strides. He pulled my hand up and kissed the back of it, softly, that heavenly smile still on his face.
We moved in silence, two parts of the whole, until we reached the top. The view was the same. Beautiful blue-green water, white waves crashing, and blue sky meeting water as far as the eye could see. I knew what he saw in the water, why he loved it so much. I knew he loved me, but sometimes I just wished he would look at me with that same glint of joy in his gaze.
He tugged me along with him. “Little further, Abe.”
“We’re not hanging here?”
“Nope. Got a better plan.”
I followed him over the rise of rocks and down a slight incline until a little valley came into view. The ground was littered with red pops of color. Flowers, much like the ones on his arm, decorated the open area. And though I couldn’t see the waves, I heard them crashing nearby in that peaceful swoosh-shoo sound.
Beau set the cooler and blanket down then pulled out a huge breakfast: California rolls, fruit, cinnamon raisin bagels, and honey nut cream cheese. He even had more coffee in a thermos.
I spread out the blanket, trying not to squish too many flowers and patted the seat beside me. “That was a long drive for breakfast on the beach.”
He plopped down and used a set of chopsticks to hold up a roll for me to bite into then took the other half for himself. “Anything for you, baby.”
I fed him a strawberry, letting him lick the juice off my fingers. We ate until I was ready to burst and lay down on the blanket. The scent of the flowers mixed with the salty air was oddly soothing. He rested his face on my shoulder, staring at me like he was trying to memorize the moment. I watched his eyes close in peaceful calm, his scruff tickling my shoulder.
After fishing my cell out of my pocket I tried to maneuver around Beau to get a picture of him sleeping so sweetly. But since my arm was half trapped under his head, the angle turned out a little weird. He must have heard the click because he smiled at me.
“You faking it?” I nudged him.
“Never with you, baby.”
~~~~~~~~
I hope this inspires you to read more. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
In a Character’s Head
Since I write mostly in first person point of view, I spend a lot of time getting into my character’s brains. Seiran being one of the most vocal of my characters is pretty easy to get inside. And no it’s not because we are alike, we aren’t.
Sometimes even he won’t talk to me. So I often use profiling and character interviews to get back into the zone. There are a few characters that really just don’t like to talk about themselves. Like Jamie from Conviction, and Thomas from my WIP ghost piece.
Right now I’m working on Sam’s book and while he’s fairly vocal, he’s not giving me the events as easily as Seiran did. Profiling him doesn’t help. I know him inside and out. But I think he’s just tired. I did put him through a lot in the last two books. Sadly that seems to make him resistant to getting his HEA or even a HFN.
I just need to sit down and write and make him talk to me. Resistant as he is. I know he is mad that I turned him, but I gotta go with the flow. Maybe tonight we’ll get chapter two done.
Sometimes even he won’t talk to me. So I often use profiling and character interviews to get back into the zone. There are a few characters that really just don’t like to talk about themselves. Like Jamie from Conviction, and Thomas from my WIP ghost piece.
Right now I’m working on Sam’s book and while he’s fairly vocal, he’s not giving me the events as easily as Seiran did. Profiling him doesn’t help. I know him inside and out. But I think he’s just tired. I did put him through a lot in the last two books. Sadly that seems to make him resistant to getting his HEA or even a HFN.
I just need to sit down and write and make him talk to me. Resistant as he is. I know he is mad that I turned him, but I gotta go with the flow. Maybe tonight we’ll get chapter two done.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Inspiration?
So a friend in my writing group asked me today, where do you get your inspiration.
I think all writers get this question at one time or another. And we’ve all read a million answers that sound similar, dreams, random life acts, etc etc.
I wish my ideas were that easy.
Almost every moment of every day I have stories playing in my head. It will probably sound weird but I take the stories, novels of others and think about them in a what if scenario. For example, I recently read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward and have been working on what if. What if the brothers had other children, other relatives, what if they formed a separate gym and started actively recruiting soldiers who didn’t have warrior blood as well?
I invent characters, personalities, scenarios that would likely never happen in a Ward world. But it keeps me thinking. I spend each night, usually from 8 to 9 pm dancing around my bedroom, ipod in hand thinking of ways to make my characters musicians.
Eventually the characters evolve and want their own stories. And for those who've read my work, they are nothing like the stuff they originally evolved from.
You’re probably thinking it sounds very fan fic like, and I suppose it does, though I’ve never truly written fan fiction. Used to read a lot of it. But my ideas get to be these giant monster octopuses with 8 legs of random ideas lashing at me from all directions.
So I tried to weed out the most viable idea and then present on the page. If I struggle with parts of it I take it to the writing group to help feed me things. Often they throw out ideas that I can’t use, but it does inspire others to build and usually gives me a focus.
Unlike most I don’t do a lot of outlining. I usually have a general idea of where the story will go, but I really let the character’s guide me. Sounds crazy to people who aren’t writers, but for those of us who are, sometimes it’s just better to let the voices out.
It's how I know Seiran isn't done yet, cause he's still pretty strong in my head. The others, they come in slowly and need some work to build. But the character comes first, and once they are strong enough in my mind, they tell me about their situation and world. So I don't spend much time world building, or backstory building, cause these guys know who they are and what they have to say.
Yeah it sounds crazy to me sometimes too.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Finishing a Book
I wrote last night from 5:30pm to after 10pm working to finish the third novel in my Dominion series, and though I couldn't figure out how to work another sex scene in there without extending the ending past what was really needed, I did finish.
Often times I hear people speak about writing a book someday. I always smile a little and think, yeah, writing the book isn't the hard part. Finishing it is the hard part.
I started Redemption in December of last year shortly after I finished writing Inheritance (the first Dominion novel). At the time I really expected that Redemption would be the second in the series, but as it happens sometimes with characters, Sei just wasn't done talking. So I put Kelly's story aside and wrote Reclamation.
Then in February this year I got sick. For over a month I was terribly sick, missing work and not feeling strong enough to read a book let alone write one. So Kelly was again put on hold.
Then when I started to feel better, the story just wasn't working for me anymore, so I began rewriting from the beginning trying to reconnect to the character. It wasn't until last week, when I was packing, getting ready to move and thinking about all the issues the book might have that I realized I was missing out on the secondary character who was supposed to help build the novel.
Oddly enough, with 80% of the book written, I went back to add those scenes and found them easy, even flowing effortlessly. Then back to the ending which had stumped me for months. And all of a sudden it was there.
Of course it wasn't as simple as putting it down on paper. I had a few breaks in the four + hours of writing to pause and think, then go back to an earlier scene to be sure it fit.
But I remember as I was writing that last bit how I kept thinking is it enough? Can I conclude it here? Do the characters have more to say?
For now they are finished. Of course next comes the editing, which is just as challenging as writing a book. Sometimes scenes are lost. Sometimes rewritten, sometimes added. Holes will be poked and corrections will be made.
I just wonder, for all those people out there who want to write a book, if they really get that writing's not even the hard part.
Often times I hear people speak about writing a book someday. I always smile a little and think, yeah, writing the book isn't the hard part. Finishing it is the hard part.
I started Redemption in December of last year shortly after I finished writing Inheritance (the first Dominion novel). At the time I really expected that Redemption would be the second in the series, but as it happens sometimes with characters, Sei just wasn't done talking. So I put Kelly's story aside and wrote Reclamation.
Then in February this year I got sick. For over a month I was terribly sick, missing work and not feeling strong enough to read a book let alone write one. So Kelly was again put on hold.
Then when I started to feel better, the story just wasn't working for me anymore, so I began rewriting from the beginning trying to reconnect to the character. It wasn't until last week, when I was packing, getting ready to move and thinking about all the issues the book might have that I realized I was missing out on the secondary character who was supposed to help build the novel.
Oddly enough, with 80% of the book written, I went back to add those scenes and found them easy, even flowing effortlessly. Then back to the ending which had stumped me for months. And all of a sudden it was there.
Of course it wasn't as simple as putting it down on paper. I had a few breaks in the four + hours of writing to pause and think, then go back to an earlier scene to be sure it fit.
But I remember as I was writing that last bit how I kept thinking is it enough? Can I conclude it here? Do the characters have more to say?
For now they are finished. Of course next comes the editing, which is just as challenging as writing a book. Sometimes scenes are lost. Sometimes rewritten, sometimes added. Holes will be poked and corrections will be made.
I just wonder, for all those people out there who want to write a book, if they really get that writing's not even the hard part.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thomas is giving me pains
For those who don't know me I've had a crazy few months. Finished a book in December, another in January, started on the third in Feb but got really sick. While I was healing I got notice that the first book was going to be published. Woohoo! And now that I'm better I'm trying to finish book three while another unrelated book came out of nowhere at me. Plus after three years on the market my house has sold so I'm moving in two weeks. Crazy!
So the third book that I should be working on is about Kelly and Jamie, the dolphin and the bear. But Thomas Caine, my resident medium, tells me his story cannot wait. Yet when I try to do simple interviews, he refuses to talk. We had a big revelation yesterday about his pain fetish and guilt. Hopefully I can get him some help in the book to help with a bit of the guilt.
I could get him through it if he'd just talk to me...
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