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	<author id="1922617">
  <name><![CDATA[Lark Telarana]]></name>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1922617.Lark_Telarana]]></link>
  <fans-count type="integer">2</fans-count>
  <followers-count type="integer">2</followers-count>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1231816692p5/1922617.jpg</image_url>
  <about><![CDATA[Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lark spent most of her childhood writing.  Her ultimate dream was to make up a fantasy world, where interesting and powerful creatures roamed, under the nose and eye of humanity, without detection.  She didn't bring this world to life until 2001, when she finished JERBEAUA, her story of an immortal female werewolf, from Africa (not yet published).  &quot;I tire of the stories where the female main characters are prototypes of a classist, racist, sexist society that fails to recognize the plight of the poor, the non-whites, and women.  &quot;Super women in novels and movies are always unrealistic versions of what seems to be the fantasy of a pedofile,&quot; Lark complains.  &quot;The African woman, for example, throughout history has always been strong and buxom.  Not scrawny and weak.  Thus, the African heroines of old - Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, Makare Hatshepsut, Dahia al-Kahina of Mauritania, Ann Nzingha, Wangari Maathai - are never represented honestly in film or in writing.&quot;

A fascination since childhood with mythology and folklore, Lark grew weary of hearing the same old stories of ancient Rome and Egypt.  She longed to learn of the ancient religions of Central and South America, Oceania, and other parts of Asia and Africa.  Recognizing that many of the European myths have also been ignored, Lark began to explore Slavic and Scandinavian myths.  She grew to love them all and displays her adoration in her horror fantasy novels.  &quot;I have heard it said that all religions come from one place, and have diverged onto different paths.  So, I saw fit to combine each one in my stories.&quot;  Generally, characters who are completely human are not apart of Lark's stories.  &quot;While I enjoy books, movies, and television shows that do otherwise, I do not like to combine the human with the inhuman.  On rare occasions (like with Xavyor Ross - the prophet and scribe in her novels) I may, but only if he or she gives up his or her life on the first plane of existence.  In my mind's eye, no one human can be brought into the fold.  It is too much knowledge to handle.  Also, in my imagination, it would explain why there are so many different myths.  There must be some prejudice for people to believe their way is the right way.  There must be some lack of knowledge or truth that keeps the world so oblivious to the higher planes.&quot;  Lark plans to continue the story of the Titans, telling the individual life story of each one.  &quot;Jerbeaua was the character that connected them all.  They all have their own stories to tell, so why not tell them?&quot;  She would like to start a series of children's books, based on the adult Titan's series.  The books would be of the misadventures of the children of Alek, Ceasiago, Narcissus, Tafari, and Nogi.  &quot;I already have the characters and storylines for the first books planned.  My favorite, so far is when the Little Titans (the series title) have to baby sit for Baby Beau - Jerbeaua's baby werewolf.  Their little scrapes are so humorous, as they try to contain the baby beast who gets out of the house and the Little Titans have to chase him down before Jerbeaua returns to pick him up.  I laugh aloud as I write.  My family knows I'm eclectic.&quot;  With these tales, she hopes to accomplish a sense of closure.  &quot;There is too much anger in the world...too much anger in me.  Maybe, if I complete these stories, I can move on to some other calling.  Maybe readers can see what I am really trying to say.  We are all connected, some how.  We should all be heard.&quot;  

An educator who idolizes Anne Rice (&quot;She's a historian as well as a writer&quot;) and Bill Cosby (&quot;I've been saying that stuff since I was in pampers and nobody cared!&quot;), Ms. Telarana (pronounced TEL-EH-RON-YAH - Spanish, for &quot;spider web&quot;) taught Language Arts/Reading, Elementary core curriculum courses, and has been an assistant principal, a principal, and a Dean of Students.  She currently operates W.I.S.E. (the Wisconsin Institute of Student Empowerment), and i]]></about>  <influences><![CDATA[Homer, Poe, Rice, Due, Andrews, Quinn, King, Koontz, etc, and etc.]]></influences>    <hometown>Milwaukee, WI</hometown>  <born_at>06/28/1971</born_at>    
  
  
  <books>
        <book id="4616653">
  <title><![CDATA[Minerva: A Novel]]></title>
  <authors>
    <author>
      <name><![CDATA[Lark Telarana]]></name>
      <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1922617.Lark_Telarana]]></link>
    </author>
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  <average_rating>0.0</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>0</ratings_count>
  <published>2008</published>  
  
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