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?

The Worshipped

In the Angels and Shadows books, the Shean gods are both villains and heroes.  They are kings and queens of their own realm, Shea.  But to the Astrid and Ward tribes of Sark, they are gods and goddesses.  This gives them their power in Sark.  So not only are they responsible for maintaining peace and innocence in their own realm, but they must also ensure the lives and continuity of the tribes of Sark.  The Dark Angels respect the tribes beliefs, but Kristiniva is seen as a villain to the dark angels, after she stole Celeste to drain her of her powers.  This makes them wary of the other gods as well.

Kialo is the earth god.  He has dominion over plants, creatures, and fertility.  His power is in the dust of the Shean soil.  He can sculpt life, but he can also destroy it.  He lives in a castle made into the mountains, and yet, it is open to the sky so that trees and other plants and animals can thrive freely within.

Kristiniva is the sky goddess.  She is the queen of Shea.  She has rule over the weather, working with Kialo to ensure that life remains plentiful both in Shea, and Sark.  Her power is in the winds.  She can breathe life into the world, or she can blow it out.  She lives in a castle that constantly moves at her will, a magical place that moves atop clouds. 

Adrianna is the sea goddess.  She lives in the deepest oceans.  She is responsible for all of the water in Shea, and the rivers running through Sark.  She commands all of the creatures of the sea.  Her waters give drink to those who are thirsty, but they can also dry up at her command.

Amicus is the messenger god.  He is the one who must communicate between the gods and their subjects.  He can control how the other gods receive prayers, and how they are returned to the people.  He has not only the power of speech, but all communication.  He is the central god that maintains peace and innocence.  Without his power, confusion would abound, and tempers would flare. 

Thiera is the lost goddess.  Stories are told of her powers.  Those of fire.  Some say she was banished by the other gods.  Some say she never existed.  She is a forgotten goddess whose power came not from Shea, but from the sun itself.  The Astrids and Wards often tell stories of a before-time.  Thiera is always present in their tales.  Living in such a cold realm, they must have faith that she is real.

Harvesting Imagination

I'm getting prepared for writing (the second draft) in the second book in the series of Angels and Shadows.  My creative writing process is very intricate.  There is a checklist for getting the most out of my imagination.  Maybe these are way off from what you do, or perhaps there are some tips that will really help you.  Either way, here's a peek into my process (and an explanation for my weird behavior).

1- I must have everything in my work area clean and organized.  Having everything where I need it is essential to getting my work done.  I feel so much more focused if I'm in a clutter free and organized space.


2-I must be alone and undisturbed.  Once I'm in my writing mode, I don't want to be disturbed until I am finished.  Other people can interrupt this process, and any disruption can make me forget the thoughts I'm writing down, and once they are gone I don't always get them back.  This is one of the most difficult things for me.  Family and friends don't always understand, but we as writers must demand this time.  After all, we are working, and just like on a regular paying job, we don't need to be interrupted by people unless it is an emergency.  Once the idea is down, I can easily bring it back when I'm around others, but for that initial summoning of my muse, alone time is a necessity!

3-Music helps me summon emotions and feelings that I might need to create.  For instance, if everything is happy and cheerful in my life, I might have a hard time writing a scene where a character is feeling angry or sad.  The right music paired with the right scene really helps me get into what I'm doing.  It also helps my imagination "see" what I'm writing.  For instance, on a hot day (I live in North Carolina), it may be hard to imagine the swirling snows of Sark.  For snowy scenes, I like to listen to classical music.  This really helps my imagination turn that summer heat into a wintery night.

4-I know it sounds silly to some, but smells can help me.  I have a scentsy warmer, and the "Winter Wonderland" scent, to me, smells like Sark.  Once I have the classical music (usually Carl Orff's Carmina Burana), and my Winter Wonderland scent, I can close my eyes, and I'm transported to a snowy land with wind whipping through the branches of the kial thieren trees.

5-Again, I'm strange.  Clothing matters.  If I'm having a hard time focusing on a character, I will put on clothing that feels right for something that character would wear.  For instance, if I'm trying to invoke Celeste, I might put on a red dress.  It's silly to some, but for me it works.  I can feel then what that character feels.  For a writer, I don't think it's that strange.  After all, I've heard that Anne Rice has a coffin that she slept in when she was writing her vampire novels.  As a writer, I get it!

6-Drawing is sometimes how I think on paper when words won't come.  Sometimes I end up drawing people who actually turn out to be the characters.  Once I see that character with my own eyes, it helps bring them to life in my imagination, and writing about them becomes easier.  Sometimes, I just draw abstract symbols, but while my hands are busy, my mind is working, and doodling helps the ideas flow.  Then when the ideas are formed, the doodles turn into words, which eventually make their way into books.

7-Re-reading what I've already written can help me focus my thoughts on the characters and lands that I'm trying to create.  If I'm writing about the pselbdes, I might re-read all of the pselbdes parts that I've written, and this would help me envision current scenes that I'm writing.  It moves the idea along.

Hopefully, this will be helpful to you.  Do you have any ideas for invoking your muse?  I'd love to hear them, and I'd love to hear if any of these help you!