Monday, May 31, 2010

Signing in the Waldenbooks

This Signing in the Waldenbooks by Parnell Hall was brand new and pretty funny to me so it may be for you too.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Villains

Why are Villains so much fun to write? It may be that they grant a bit of wish fulfillment that I would never truly act on...but it can still be nice to think about and ponder the what-if's.
Which is what writing is all about.
Gadianton Robber sketch by my good friend Kris Cooper.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Strange Sights This Week

I post weird pics because I like seeing them and it seems some of you do too, so because I can't think of anything edifying to write about here is another Strange Sights of the Week.
This just made me laugh-nuff said.

Nothing says "I'm a bad mofo" like a twilight poster.
I like how this guy is just pondering over it-does he not have the keys?
If given the chance I will set this up at the local bookshop.
How else are they going to learn?
Failure to communicate-or is it?
Poor sucker can't read.
This is the dress that just keeps on giving.

Monday, May 24, 2010

What I Do


Stealing a page from Steven Pressfield I thought I would talk about What I Do in relation to writing and motivation.

My kids are still very young so I generally have to get them ready for the day before I do anything else=breakfast and school. I then check e-mails, blogs, twitter etc. I can try to multitask listening to the radio but I usually fail at this having to pay attention to one or the other in snippets.

Unless I am on a self-imposed deadline I typically take a bit of time here to read and brainstorm about projects in general and think about what it is I want to work on. This involves some research and some pleasure reading. I have this particular routine because there are often so many interruptions throughout the course of the day that writing straight through with the inspiration flowing and the dance of the muse going that quality and quantity would falter...so I sit down to really write when the rest of the house has gone to bed.

I am serious night owl. I can be ready to fall asleep on the couch if I'm not careful at 5 in the afternoon-but come darkness I awake and feel energized like some kind of nocturnal predator.
As previously mentioned I usually like to have music playing beside me but not always If I forget and am in a groove it doesn't matter. When I sit own I also like to have something-anything to drink beside me-not food but a drink-vanilla and sweet anything.

I sit down at my desk and glance around the room. I am not a huge Ray Bradbury fan but something he once said has always stuck with me-He liked to look around his office for inspiration, his office was full of wondrous curios and mine is too. Around 2,000 books, swords, inspiration art-Frazetta and Friberg. Scented candles give an ambient flickering organic glow in contrast to the steady computer monitor. I have a Chinese dragon facing the west on my desk, an angel Moroni blasting his trump in my direction for inspiration, a heavy pewter Wolverine ready to pounce and any number of notes of ideas plastered about. I keep a huge amount of research books on my left in case I need to look something up because so much is still not on the Internet(surprise-surprise)and I begin.

Opening the word processor I often begin tales with a simple first line-something that the muse just sings to me. Like this one for my grandfather..."It was cold enough that you didn’t dare touch metal with bare skin. A bare hand or finger would stick and rip skin, then the blood would freeze upon the ground like lost rubies."

I then go to bed so That I'll have just enough sleep to get up and do it all again the next day. Therein is part of the secret of getting things done as Mr. Pressfield says "it's not the writing part that's hard. What's hard is sitting down to write."
So every time I write I have a satisfaction that I have accomplished something toward the dream that day, now I need to go and do it again.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Theme Music


I listen to music while I write and it generally changes from piece to piece. For example a recent very short story I wrote had only Led Zeppelin as the background music as I wrote it, while the latest Saphir story had predominately Massive Attack and Goldfrapp as the theme music. In my mind it creates an ambiance that I hope will help give a different vibe to the story.


For novels as opposed to short stories I listen to more because its a longer work and there are a variety of emotions attached-lots of characters and situations. Heroes of the Fallen for example had a lot of Nightwish, Basil Poledouris, Hans Zimmer, Rammstein, Apocalyptica, Lacuna Coil, rocking epic stuff IMAO.


Bless the Child, an exiled Spartan first person POV tale set in the ancient Holy Land right before the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar has a more subdued theme-I listened to a lot of the same artists by perhaps more poignant scores-Last of the Mohicans, Das Boot, Sisters of Mercy and Sarah Brightman.



For my weird western Dance the Ghost with Me I mostly listen to Johnny Cash but I cannot stress the Highwaymen's-"Highwayman" enough. Great song. And then another tale that is well begun had an almost entire score (in my mind) by the techno-rocking of the Crystal Method-great pumping action tunes.



And finally for one of the latest things I am brainstorming, I am blending themes from favorite films with a genre that hasn't seen enough of a certain angle-at least not to my satisfaction.



What do all of you prefer to help inspire you? Silence, I'll bet for some but I like to let the muse dance when she is beside me.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

2nd Annual “Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig For Clues and Win” Contest!

I wasn't a part of this last year but when asked this year I said sure. So for an opportunity to win stuff check this out. For future reference all this will be down on my lower right sidebar Links etc.
And the winning question for my prize does seem incredibly easy for longtime blog followers but oh well-you deserve it.

Welcome to our second annual “Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win” Contest! Last year, some author friends and I put together a month long contest where we gave away a prize a day for the entire month of June. The contest was so successful that my friends and I have decided to do it again…only this time we’ve gathered together enough prizes to last through the first week of July! Again, we have something for everyone: romance, fantasy, mystery, suspense, historicals, contemporaries, young adult and middle grade fiction; children’s picture books; and a variety of non-fiction titles. We also have some exciting non-book prizes: a hand crocheted book tote and cell phone case; a book/jewelry combo; a Mary Kay cosmetic assortment; a The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe DVD; and (you aspiring writers won’t want to miss this one!) a free edit/critique for the first 50 pages of an unpublished novel by a three-time published author!How can you enter to win one of these awesome prizes? Just follow the rules below!

SUMMER TREASURE HUNT RULES:
You can send in an entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:

(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRESS to jdipastena@yahoo.com. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.
(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, Day 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, Day 2, etc).
(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST
(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.
All winners will be “drawn” by WWW.RANDOM.ORG.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2nd-July 9th to read the names of the winners.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Joyce DiPastena at jdipastena@yahoo.com.

And now…let the treasure hunt begin!

June 1
SPONSOR: Donna Hatch
PRIZE: Queen in Exile, (fantasy romance), autographed by author
QUESTION: The princess must rely upon her magic to save whom? (Hint: Look under “Bookshelf” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.donnahatch.net
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 2
SPONSOR: Laurie Lewis
PRIZE: Awakening Avery (women's fiction), autographed copy
QUESTION: Avery's signal that she isn't handling her husband's death very well comes to her when she tosses what into what? (Hint: Look under “books &reviews, then click on the cover to Awakening Avery and read the first chapter)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.laurielclewis.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 3
SPONSOR: E.A. West
PRIZE: Riley's Mission (PDF: romantic suspense)
QUESTION: Where does Jade sit after she sees Aziz Khadoul? (Hint: Click on “Books” tab, then on “excerpt” link for Riley’s Mission)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://eawest.mcphitty.com
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 4
SPONSOR: Jenna Dawlish
PRIZE: Sprig of Thyme (Victorian romance), autographed copy
QUESTION: What is the name of the hero in Jenna's first novel Love Engineered? (Check out “The Library” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.jennadawlish.com
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 5
SPONSOR: Rachael Renee Anderson
PRIZE: Divinely Designed (contemporary LDS romantic comedy), autographed copy
QUESTION: What is the title of Rachael's second book, being released in August? (Hint: scroll down to Rachael’s “Goodreads” titles on the right hand sidebar))
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 6
SPONSOR: Linda Kay Garner
PRIZE: Some Secrets Hurt (picturebook), autographed copy. This picture book is for all ages. It is simple enough to be understood by a very young child, meaningful enough to appeal to teenagers, informative enough to be helpful to parents, and powerful enough to reach out to a wounded adult.
QUESTION: The only thing worse than finding out that your child is being sexually abused is ____ ____ ____? (Hint: Listen to 5 minute KSL TV interview on the right side of the website or dowload the free Parents’ Guide)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.somesecretshurt.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 7
SPONSOR: Danielle Thorne
PRIZE: (New/Sealed) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (Widescreen DVD)
QUESTION: In Danielle Thorne's novel, Turtle Soup, what is the name of the marine biologist who inspires Sara Hart to name her deli Turtle Soup? (Hint: read the blurb for Turtle Soup on Danielle’s website homepage)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.daniellethorne.jimdo.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 8
SPONSOR: Larry Hammersley
PRIZE: Lab Partners (sweet 1950’s romance), ebook
QUESTION: What are the first names of the hero and heroine in the short story Lab Partners? (Hint: Check out “WIP Report” post for April 4, 2010)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTIRES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 9
SPONSOR: Linda Weaver Clarke
PRIZE: Melinda and the Wild West: (historical romance, YA and adult), autographed copy
QUESTION: What was Melinda doing when she first met Gilbert and why did he act flustered and then abruptly turn and briskly stride away? (Hint:. Click on “Sample Chapters” tab, then on the book title for Melinda and the Wild West to read a sample chapter.)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com
OPEN TO USA AND CANADA ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 10
SPONSOR: Angela Morrison
PRIZE: Taken by Storm (Penguin/Razorbill 2009), YA romance, autographed hard cover
QUESTION: A legendary LDS author of over 30 books for teens called Taken by Storm, "An amazing story written with a clear, refreshing and creative voice." Who was it? (Hint: check “Taken By Storm” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.angela-morrison.com
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 11
SPONSOR: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
PRIZE: Trapped (romantic suspense with a hint of paranormal fantasy), autographed copy
QUESTION: The first trap Emi Warrin encounters is a mysterious letter. To where does it lure her? (Hint: Read the book summary under the Trapped tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: rondahinrichsen.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 12
SPONSOR: Anne Patrick
PRIZE: Journey to Redemption (inspirational romantic suspense), free download
QUESTION: What did Royce use to do for a living in my upcoming release, Out of the Darkness? (Hint: Look under the “My Books” link for Anne’s new release, Out of the Darkness)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 13
SPONSOR: Rebecca Talley
PRIZE: Altared Plans (contemporary LDS romance), autographed by author
QUESTION: What is unique about my youngest son? (Hint: Watch the YouTube video Extra C posted on the right side of Rebecca’s blog)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.rebeccatalleywrites.blogspot.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 14
SPONSOR: David J. West
PRIZE: Heroes of the Fallen (historical fiction), autographed hardcopy)
QUESTION: What is the name of my favorite author? (Hint: Scroll through David’s June blogs. He promises you’ll find the answer!)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://david-j-west.blogspot.com/
OPEN TO USA AND CANADA ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 15
SPONSOR: Jennifer Stewart Griffith, author of Choosing Mr. Right and Delicious Conversation
PRIZE: FREE edit and/or critique of first 50 pages of a novel
QUESTION: What is the Japanese word for the hairstyle worn by sumo wrestlers? (Hint: Check out Jennifer’s favorite sumo blog, Sumo Beautiful. Look for Hama Bijin’s April 13th post)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://sumobeautiful.blogspot.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES as long as the manuscript can be emailed to Jennifer and is in English
WINNER:
ANSWER:


June 16
SPONSOR: Rebecca Irvine
PRIZE: Family Home Evening Adventures (non-fiction book of FHE lessons), free e-book on CD
QUESTION: What is the title of the first book written by Rebecca Irvine? (Hint: Read “about me” on Rebecca’s blog)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.rebeccairvine.blogspot.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 17
SPONSOR: Marilyn Bunderson
PRIZE: The Mark (YA Fiction), autographed copy with a bookmark
QUESTION: In a deleted scene from my book, The Mark, Jon loses a bet to Shae. What does he have to do to pay up? (Hint: Found in post titled "Deleted Scenes From The Mark" dated April 15, 2010)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.mrbunderson.blogspot.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 18
SPONSOR: Heather Justesen
PRIZE: Winner’s Choice: The Ball’s In Her Court (contemporary inspirational) or Rebound (contemporary romance), autographed by author
QUESTION: How much did the FBI agent expect John's bail to be set at? (Hint: Click on "My Books" tab, then "read more" about Rebound.)
WEBSITE/BLOG: HeatherJustesen.com
OPEN TO USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 19
SPONSOR: Nichole Giles
PRIZE: The Sharp Edge of a Knife (inspirational historical, based on a true story), autographed copy
QUESTION: What is the correct title of the humorous anthology I coauthored? (Hint: Look in the right hand sidebar)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.nicholegiles.blogspot.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 20
SPONSOR: Karen Adair
PRIZE: Trendy blue/brown crocheted book tote with matching cell phone case (Check out Karen’s “Diva Strings” website for examples: http://www.divastrings.com/index.html)
QUESTION: Where did Karen learn how to type and what speed did she finally top out at? (Hint: Check Karen’s “Bio” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.kbadair.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 21
SPONSOR: Lynn Parsons
PRIZE: (dis)Abilities and the Gospel (nonfiction), autographed copy
QUESTION: What are three of the topics I list on the parent page of my website? (Look on “Parent Page” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.lynndparsons.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 22
SPONSOR: Kinzie Monroe
PRIZE: Reservations for Two (inspirational romance), autographed CD
QUESTION: What was Maggie doing when she and Carson first met in Reservations for Two? (Hint: click on the “Excerpts” link on Kinzie’s blog)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://kinziemonroe.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 23
SPONSOR: Michele Ashman Bell
PRIZE: Summer in Paris (YA romance), autographed copy and Eiffel Tower bookmark
QUESTION: What is Michele "dreaming of"? (Hint: found on sidebar above picture of Eiffel Tower
WEBSITE/BLOG: micheleabell.blogspot.com
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 24
SPONSOR: Jaimey Grant and JaysDesign Jewelry
PRIZE: A signed copy of Redemption, a Regency romance by Jaimey Grant, and a 19" hand-knotted strand of freshwater pearls ($45 value) handmade by Jay T Lyons of JaysDesign Jewelry.
QUESTION: Artist Jay T Lyons did a sketch for the cover of an upcoming Regency romance of mine. What is the sketch of and what is the title of the upcoming book?
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://sites.google.com/site/jaimeygrant/jaytlyons
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 25
SPONSOR: Christine Thackeray
PRIZE: Lipstick Wars (LDS Women’s Fiction), autographed copy
QUESTION: What is the name of the angel who needs a vacation in my recent pamphlet, “Could You Be an Angel Today? (Hint: Play the book trailer for “Could You Be an Angel Today” on Christine’s home page)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.christinethackeray.com
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 26
SPONSOR: Bonnie Harris
PRIZE: Mary Kay Satin Lips Set, Travel Size Satin Hands Set and a set of mineral eye colors
QUESTION: What is the name of my African Gray and African Desert Tortosie? (Hint: Read “About Me” in the left hand sidebar)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 27
SPONSOR: Teralee Deighton
PRIZE: Cup of Comfort for New Mothers (personal essay anthology)
QUESTION: Name the editor of Cup of Comfort for New Mothers
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.adamsmediastore.com/category/cup-of-comfort-series?r=COC_Bookstore
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 28
SPONSOR: C. LaRene Hall
PRIZE: Martha’s Freedom Train (middle grade historical), autographed by both author and illustrator
QUESTION: How many short stories has C. LaRene Hall published in the humorous anthology, Mormon Mishaps and Mischief? (Hint: Look in the left hand sidebar)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.clhall.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 29
SPONSOR: Sarah M. Eden
PRIZE: Courting Miss Lancaster (Regency romance), autographed copy
QUESTION: In his "I Need Friends Friday" interview, what reason does Edward Cullen give for not sleeping at night?
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.sarahmeden.com/2009/11/i-need-friends-friday-edward-cullen.html
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

June 30
SPONSOR: Marcia Mickelson
PRIZE: Reasonable Doubt (LDS Suspense), autographed copy
QUESTION: In what country was author, Marcia Mickelson born? (Hint: Click on “About Marcia” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.marciamickelson.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

July 1
SPONSOR: Kimberly Job
PRIZE: I'll Know You by Heart (romantic suspense), autographed copy
QUESTION: What is the title of my current work in progress? (Hint: Look under “My Books” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.scribbledscraps.blogspot.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

July 2
SPONSOR: Joan Sowards
PRIZE: Haunts Haven (an LDS ghost story), autographed copy
QUESTION: What is the name of the town in which the story of Haunts Haven takes place? (Hint: Found on sidebar synopsis of story)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://joansowards.blogspot.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

July 3
SPONSOR: Margaret L. Turley RN
PRIZE: Save the Child (Reality Fiction), autographed copy
QUESTION: Where can you listen to an audio interview with Margaret L. Turley about her book, Save the Child? (Hint: Click on link at the bottom of Margaret’s bio on her “About the Author” page)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://margaretturley.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

July 4
SPONSOR: Joyce DiPastena
PRIZE: Illuminations of the Heart (sweet medieval romance, a 2009 Whitney Award Finalist), autographed by author
QUESTION: Who were gifts usually given to on Epiphany during the Middle Ages? (Hint: Click on “Stolen Christmas” tab and read excerpt from “An Epiphany Gift for Robin”)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.joyce-dipastena.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES:
WINNER:
ANSWER:

July 5
SPONSOR: Cindy R. Williams
PRIZE: Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today (Arizona Glyph Award Finalist and Southwest Book Awards Finalist), a snuggle, giggle children’s picture book
QUESTION: There is a picture of Cindy holding two dragons on her website, www.cindyrwilliams.com. The names of the dragons are in the caption below the picture. What are their names? (Hint: Look on the “Book” page)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.cindyrwilliams.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

July 6
SPONSOR: Gail Pallotta
PRIZE: Love Turns the Tide (inspirational romance with suspense), free e-book on CD
QUESTION: Who comes to Cammie O'Shea's rescue after she has a break-in at her unit in Destin, Florida? (Hint: Scroll down to: MORE ABOUT THE BOOK)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.gailpallotta.com
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
WINNER:
ANSWER:

July 7
SPONSOR: Danyelle Ferguson
PRIZE: (dis)Abilities and the Gospel (non-fiction), autographed copy (Yes, this is your second chance to win a copy, this one signed by the co-author)
QUESTION: Danyelle is going on her first book tour this summer (July to August). Name three of the cities where she'll be signing books. (Hint: Check out Danyelle’s May 10, 2010 post)
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.QueenOfTheClan.com
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

July 8
SPONSOR: Karen E. Hoover
PRIZE: Sapphire Flute (YA Fantasy), autographed copy
QUESTION: How many bloggers have posted their reviews of The Sapphire Flute? (Hint: Check out the list under “Sapphire Flute Blog Tour” in the right hand side bar and count ‘em up)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://karen-hoover.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY
WINNER:
ANSWER:

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

How Soon is Now?



Pondering as I often do about what to post, I considered a snarky post about story elements I don't like (Chosen One's) so criminally vulgar.
But
I decided instead to talk about when to write and considered How Soon Is Now? Every time I procrastinate things turn sour but if I strike while the iron is hot and use as many cliches as possible things get done.

It may be that while I consider briefly what I will write about, an idea that comes to me (or is summoned), I usually just start pouring it all forth and am as surprised as the reader at what presents itself. This is how a rough draft gets done. You just sit down and hammer it all out.
Then
Come back and do research, edit, formulate and magnify themes. I like historical's and fantasy's but don't believe I'll ever be afflicted with world builders disease because I only need to show you that part of the world that directly affects the story.
You can't get hung up on research, the story is king.
Who cares what they worship in the steaming jungles of Kamar-Lan-Pur, unless your protag is in the big black kettle and can recite their holiest of poems to delay the feast of 1,000 eyes.
So
To finish a book means getting to work on that now and not accepting the distractions and excuses that inevitably will come along.
A whole host of projects are lining up and I have to prioritize.
This was as much for myself as anyone.
Leave the door open to your muse and it will come.
And
A pair of reviews I greatly appreciate by Elizabeth Mueller at her Blog and at Mormon Mommy Writers thanks Elizabeth.

And I just noticed a second review by Nichole Giles Here

Monday, May 17, 2010

Lions & Tigers & Bears & More, Oh My

Safe to go back in the water?
Guess who's coming to dinner?

Thar, we're screwed.
Washes windows while you wait, as long as you don't make any sudden moves.
Put her into reverse slowly...

Gave it just a little too much gas.
Hold, hold, hold, HOLD!
Look at me I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree.
Hello Lunch.
I guess this guy is a smoke jumper? Sorry, peoples pain usually makes me laugh, it's a fault/vice/weakness of mine.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

She Don't Lie, Cocaine



I love it when dogmatic science gets a punch in the mouth. Case in point - 3,000 year old Mummies just chock full of cocaine and tobacco in their desiccated systems. Now wait a minute you say, how could Old World Egyptian mummies have narcotics from the New World in their system? Exactly.

In 1992, respected toxicologist Dr. Svelta Balabanova (Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ulm) in Munich, Germany ran tests on the mummy of priestess Henut Taui. What turned up? But huge amounts of cocaine and tobacco in her hair and system. You can rule out contamination from outside sources (the usual explanation for out of place artifacts) because the samples were tested from the priestess's hair-meaning the person ingested the narcotics during their lifetime. Talk about visiting the spirit world.

In 1976 the body of Ramses II was found to have a high concentration of tobacco as well. The explanation was again contamination from pipe smoking archaeologists but it does not explain the high presence ingested and endowed within the hair and body. Another explanation is now-extinct plants akin to tobacco and coca leaves but this is reaching for weak explanations even further than the idea of Thor Heyerdahl crossing the Atlantic in a primitive reed boat which he did using the mid-Atlantic current. If Thor could do it why not anyone else.


Often the argument of cultural superiority is brought up but I ask is it not possible that Native Americans also sailed the seas (as many of their own legends attest) and they sold the goods to the Egyptians including maize (where did that come from?) My personal favorite Native American author, Vine Deloria jr. of the Algonquian Nation say they came from the east across the sea. In India, gods in sculptured soapstone friezes in Hoysala temples of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries B.C. near Mysore, hold in their hands representations of maize and in the famous Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland more carvings of Maize adorn the walls-Rosslyn Chapel was built long before Columbus too.


Why is it so heretical to say people had the knowledge, skill and adventurous spirit to have trans-oceanic travel long ago? The proofs are there if we can just accept them. I am only scratching the barest surface in this post I meant to stick to cocaine. And now for your listening enjoyment Mr. Eric Clapton.

Friday, May 14, 2010

What I've Read Just Lately




ICON: Frank Frazetta
This collection of Frank's work does a pretty good job of cataloging his career, from early comic work to movie posters and then especially his celebrated novel covers. I actually bought and read this years ago but with his recent passing, it seemed like a good time to peruse it again. There won't be another like him, an absolute living legend.




Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser: Graphic Novel
by Fritz Leiber, adapted by Howard Chykin and Mike Mignola
I had a slow start-not with this book but Fritz Leiber in general. I was kinda iffy on Conjure Wife and when I got into Sword & Sorcery big time I grabbed the Fafhrd & Grey Mouser books but they sat for a long time while Howard, Wagner and others dominated. When I finally started the first book I wasn't blown away and stopped.-Ill Met in Lankhmar is just not one of my favorite tales-BUT when I first saw this graphic novel collection I was intrigued in part because I like Mike Mignola's style a lot (Hellboy) and figured maybe the medium could change it up for me. I bought it and it to sat, until my friend Daron Fraley said I my work reminded him of Leiber-I thought I better read some more. And enjoying later tales much more I have kept reading-the Graphic is excellent, subtle nuances in Leibers prose are lost but are replaced by Mignola's fantastic art as well as just great storytelling. Highly recommend for comic and S&S readers.





Chronicles of Conan 15: The Corridor of Mullah-Kajar
by John Buscema, J.M. DeMatteis, Roy Thomas and Larry Hama
Most of this collection of the 70's Conan comic collection was from when Roy Thomas quit and DeMatteis took over. The single story by Larry Hama (of G.I.Joe and Wolverine) was actually my favorite in the collection (Not including Howards) the titular Corridor of Mullah-Kajar, great yarn about illusion and what we think we see. DeMatteis's stories were alright but not great, for all Roy Thomas's playing around and making all of REH's stories into Conan's, he still had a greater sense of what belonged in the cannon. The single Thomas piece is the adaption of Phoenix on the Sword (one of my all time favorites) and as much as I like Buscema's art- I really liked the art by Vicente Alcazar. Quite visceral.




On Sparta
by Plutarch
A fascinating book on the lives of prominent Spartans-Lycurgus legendary founder of Spartan law and Agesilaus Spartan King, among others. I especially enjoyed the section on Spartan sayings, a veritable goldmine of wise words and thoughts to use for other endeavors in writing. This penguin edition also has an appendix by Xenophon on Spartan society, lots of good stuff.





My reading has been sparse lately, catching up on lots more writing but I was very excited to snag the audio book for The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell, the fifth book in the Saxon Tales, one of my favorite ongoing series. I'll begin this very soon. Well worth the read for anyone who like action-historicals. Plenty to chew on for those that are looking for something in fantasy as well-just to keep yourself rounded in reality's blood and thunder.

Monday, May 10, 2010

The King is Dead


The King is Dead. My favorite artist Frank Frazetta has passed away. Words cannot fully express the great exhilaration I have for his fantastic art. I had hoped to get an autographed work one day-alas. This is a very small example of his magnificent works.
Thanks for sharing your gift Frank, you are a true legend.