Split-Ends!

I'm in a drafting stage right now, this is the "moody" writing phase.  I'm adding things, subtracting things, re-wording things and in some cases re-writing entire chapters.  I would love to post some new material, but there is nothing that I'm willing to release.  All I can say is that the Dark Angel Wars series may be divided into "Angel" Books and "Shadow" Books.  It's an idea that I'm playing with.  It is appropriate for the material that I am writing for book 2, but I have to really think this through, because I could be toying with the future...which could be dangerous if I don't think it through. After all, the twelve books could easily turn into 24 books if I do this.   Let me know what you think. I value the input of my readers.

Things that I love

God, air, breathing air, fresh air, life, love, liberty, freedom, and hope...
my family, my friends, nature, the senses: touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing.
My dog, and all dogs, animals, plants, food, and fun...
some work, some play, a little folly with fear.
Some walking, some dancing, some singing and moving...I love to ride my bike
I love to stretch my limbs, and feel where I stand on the earth.

I love to challenge myself to new obstacles, and race myself against time's tests...I love
the look on his face, the smile in her eyes, the way the shadows play with the tides...
my memories of times that seem now only dreams...My little office, stormy days,
the feeling that I can fly...I love my home, my hopes and dreams...I love to be loved, 
to feel acceptance, to dream, to make possibilities soar.
I love to be the woman who dreams a world and finds it's real.

The Ruby Mountains Excerpt

  Chapter one:  Ruby and Sapphire

            Ruby was a fairy with bright red hair, and golden wings.  She lived in the Ruby Mountains, which her father named after her.  He was the king of the land, and when he saw how beautiful his daughter was, he decided to name the most beautiful bit of land in his kingdom after her.  The king had spent many of his childhood days in the Ruby Mountains seeking out gems and playing games with his friends.

            Now that Ruby was old enough to explore the land on her own, she traveled the Ruby Mountains just like her father had done when he was a child.  Her best friend was Sapphire, a unicorn that was white with purple hooves, a purple horn, and a pink mane and tail.  They were always found playing together. Today was no exception. The two friends dashed through the beautiful mountains, over moss covered stones, and soft grass.  They splashed through crystal clear streams and danced under tall flowering trees that swayed in a gentle breeze.

            There wasn’t that much time to play, though.  Today was a special day.  It was the king’s birthday, and Ruby wished to get her father the most beautiful jewel that she could find.  The problem was that she had yet to find the most beautiful jewel.  Her father already had so many, and she wanted him to have the very best.  She wanted his gift to be something unlike what any one else would give him.

Sapphire and Ruby were counting flower petals when suddenly, playtime, and the search for the perfect jewel came to a stop.  Dark clouds blotted out the sun, and thunder rumbled overhead.

            “Oh, no,” said Ruby.  “What am I going to do?  It’s about to rain, and I’m afraid of the thunder!” 

            No sooner than she said the words, rain started falling heavily from the sky.  Ruby screamed.  She was afraid of the storm, and lightning flashed around them.

            “It’s okay, Ruby,” said Sapphire.  “I’m here!” she exclaimed.  “Get on my back, and I will find you a place to stay.”

            Ruby climbed onto Sapphire’s back and the unicorn started running forward, her hooves beating as loudly as the thunder that rumbled in the sky.  She felt so bad for Ruby.  She knew how scared of the thunder Ruby was.  She wished for nothing more than to help her friend to not be afraid.  She ran as fast as she could, and then she saw a cave in the side of one of the mountains.  It was hidden behind a waterfall, but she was a unicorn, so she could see many hidden things. 

            “Hold on!” she shouted over the roar of the storm.

            She leaped forward, and then suddenly they were dry, though the cave was noisy from the combined sounds of the thunder and the waterfall. 

            “It’s loud!” shouted Ruby.

            “Let’s move farther into the cave, where it will be less noisy.” Sapphire responded.  So, the two moved further into the cave, glad to be dry.

She's Facing Me

This is the first poem featured in She's Facing Me.  If it seems a little arrogant at times, remember that I wrote this in high school.

The Scribe

There was a young lady named Kristy

Whose eyes were always grey and misty

She was a scribe who scribbled her life

Down on paper with blood and knife

She loved to sit by the light of the day

And go about her work in her own way

And woe to he who challenged this girl

For her wrath would send him for a whirl

And although she tried to be courteous to all

Others loved to laugh and make her fall

To buy a horse she had no money

So she walked on foot singing “Honey”

She had a special pen with which she would mark

Words that came to her in the dark

Of the night, so when she would awaken

In her hand that pen would be taken

To her writing paper where it worked a charm

To all who read it the tale would raise alarm

For no one had ever expected her to write such

Wonderful things.  They had not expected that much

To come from the orphaned girl from Four Oaks

Who wrapped herself in coats and cloaks

She wore black boots made of leather

So that if rain should be in the weather

Her feet would not mire down or get wet

She was usually prepared, that’s a sure bet!

She looked upon others as strange, unordinary

Because they said that she was less than extraordinary

She did not believe them, nor to their words would listen

For she had a world on paper, where she would forever glisten

I Wore Heels for This?

Like many other authors and dreamers around the world, I have found that sometimes another source of income is needed.  I have been job hunting (Jobs are not the same as careers!  I have and always will be a writer first!).  There are some things about looking for a job that have changed for the worse...or maybe better depending on what you like.  Everything is online now.  For me, this is disappointing.

When I go into a store, I want to walk in and scope out a place.  I want to see if the other employees are behaving professional, how they are dressed, and whether or not they enjoy their job and take it seriously.  My first impression of my future is just as important as the impression I make on the employer.  First impressions are supposed to be worth the effort, but I have found that first impressions are only good on a computer screen. 

While I enjoy the idea of searching for a job in my pajamas at home, it is unprofessional in my eyes when no one knows whether or not they are hiring.  On my quest for employment it is ridiculous that when I say, "Excuse me, I was wondering whether or not you were hiring," and I get the response, "We don't know, but you can always go to our corporate website and fill out an application." 

Wait a minute.  What?  They don't know?  They don't know whether or not they need more people at their store?  They haven't recently fired someone, hired someone, or had an unreliable person call in?  Did I just perfectly groom myself, pick out a professional looking outfit, drive thirty minutes to the city and walk in here in heels just to be told (continuously) that they don't know whether or not they need someone to work for them?

Yes.  I did.

That about sums up my day yesterday.

My other problem with online applications is that it takes way too long to fill out.  Companies think that because you're on a computer you don't mind filling out a twenty minute test asking for your high school grades (which for me are hard to remember, since I'm almost thirty), your extra-curricular activities (ummm...not since high school...does writing sci-fi/fantasy novels count?) and what you would do in certain situations (how would I know, unless I've been in that situation?).

I believe that I should be able to walk into a store, ask for an application, fill it out and turn it in.  Is that too much to ask?

It shouldn't be, but it is.

The search continues for a job...until then, I'll stay busy selling my books, and writing my second novel in the Dark Angels series.

Operation B-4

     So, the first event for Operation B-4 was a huge success.  The people of Onslow County came together to raise money for those affected by the April 16th tornadoes.  There are no totals yet on just how much was raised, but I'm thinking it is a pretty good number.  Reimann Books was there with a panel of authors (including me).  We had a lot of fun enjoying the live entertainment (including Rob and Cindi West of which I'm both fan and friend), eating the delicious barbeque (served by the Swamp Loggers of Discovery Channel fame), and being part of such a worthy cause. 
     A lot of people volunteered time, money, energy, and so much more to this cause.  I was proud to be a part of it.  It really felt like we were making a difference.  This whole year has been filled with disasters of massive proportions across the globe.  I have felt helpless as I watched so many lives being destroyed on the news.  To be a part of something that turns so much negativity into something positive is inspiring!  I know that it was a success, but I'm sure that more money will be needed.  Operation B-4 is not done!  This is to be an on-going disaster relief for Onslow County, North Carolina.  When there are future events, I will be sure to post them.  Here are some links to some news stories and photos of the cause and the event! 

These are the stories.  This is why we're helping.  Get your tissues!
http://www.jdnews.com/articles/-90434--.htm
 
http://www.jdnews.com/articles/declared-90192-results-emergency.html


This is the Jacksonville Daily News Article about the event.
http://www.jdnews.com/news/-91801--.html

Also from jdnews:  A picture of my step-daughter (and co-author of "The Ruby Mountains" eating pizza at Operation B-4
http://portal.jdnews.com/photogallery/index.cfm?CatID=8&AlbumID=1370&PictureID=28980

These are the pictures posted on the Reimann Books facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/mobileprotection#!/media/set/?set=a.10150201803168859.317915.158066023858
 
Thanks you all who showed your support.  My prayers remain with these people who have to rebuild their lives and in some cases carry on without loved ones.

Books vs. Movies

     There will always be the classic argument of Books vs. Movies: Which is better?  My husband and I have this conversation at least once a month.  He is the kind of person who thinks movies are a time saver.  You might read a book for two weeks, but a movie is usually over in two hours.  If there's a movie, then why read the book?
     My argument for this is that the books are always better.  There are more details, and my own imagination sometimes makes the reading of a book way more entertaining than a movie.  Also, even if it takes you two weeks to read a book, that makes it something that lasts.  You get to know the characters, and you get attached to them easier through a book.  The more time spent with someone, the more attached you become.
     Also, when we read a book, something about it becomes more personal.  It's like the characters speak directly to you rather than to an audience.  It's like sitting down and listening to someone spill their life story.  It is unique, and at that moment it is private, and secret.  It becomes something special, like a friend that confides only in you. 

     However, I understand my husband's philosophy, and I truly think that a good movie is worth watching.  I still enjoy watching movies made from books.  In fact, I love it!  My favorite movie franchise is The Lord of the Rings.  What an awesome movie!  I love the books, too.  I think, though, that it is more entertaining if you've read the books.  It's like it makes it come to life. 
   I'd like to experience watching a movie and then reading the book, just to see it from my husband's perspective. Given the opportunity, which medium would you enjoy first, movies or books?