THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
AUTHORS-FORUMS- CHECK OUT ALL!
>
AUTHOR FORUM -CHARLIE COURTLAND
How important is imagination in the writing of a book?even if one's imagination differs from the majority?
Hi Charlie,How difficult is it to write on such a disturbing topic? Did you have to find a way to unwind after long writing sessions?
Rick, in historical fiction there must be a believable balance between known facts and creative liberty. I take the approach that as long as the story is supported making it believable and most importantly plausible, then it will be successful. Just to go against what is widely known or accepted to be shocking or different is not often received well. However, if imaginary insight provokes questions, makes people think or consider the concept or possibility, then it is remarkable.
Gary wrote: "Hi Charlie,How difficult is it to write on such a disturbing topic? Did you have to find a way to unwind after long writing sessions?"
I tend to approach some of the disturbing details as research and with a scientific, fact collecting mind. However, I do have little things I do to detach from an intense day of work. I write scenes that are more difficult or detailed during a set hours of the day. The phone is unplugged, the television is off ect. I try to wrap it up hours before I go to bed. I learned that the hard way when I had some very horrid nightmares. I am also very selective about what I read and watch during my own writing time. I typically will pick something comedic or up lifting.
However, this doesn't always work. It's not so much the first draft of writing, but the long tedious editing process that gets to me. It's when I have to read a particular scene over and over. It can be tough. I go outside and throw a ball to my dogs.
Hi Charlie; I read the bio on your book and I am intrigued. I am enjoying the fact that there are historical elements in many genres of writing and many from goodreads authors. Your book sounds so intense. How did the idea form in your mind to write such a book? Is it available as an E-book? There are advantages to make it available in such a format. If not known to you at present, smashwords is very useful for many authors. I enjoy many different types of books and I feel there is an immense wealth of talent undiscovered yet. I encourage you to pursue your writing endeavours. There are many good authors on goodreads and the old saying patience is a virtue would apply. George Straatman, a goodreads author, would have excellent insight with regards to advertising books as he has published two paperback novels himself. Also his novels have some similarities to yours. An almost invincible entity is one element within the pages of his two fantasy/horror novels. Lastly, have any of Ann Rice's novels inspire you? I own about five of hers.
Brian wrote: "Hi Charlie; I read the bio on your book and I am intrigued. I am enjoying the fact that there are historical elements in many genres of writing and many from goodreads authors. Your book sounds so ..."The idea came to me while I was thumbing through a book of the most evil women in history. At the time, I hadn't yet heard of Elizabeth Bathory and she captured my attention. After finding some conflicting information and vague history I got the idea of 'what if?' and began to ask myself are the rumors really true.
Dandelions In The Garden is available for Kindle and also on e-book through Lulu.com. I've been working on the conversion for smashwords, but honestly re-formatting 520 pages is a very tedious and time consuming task.
In my younger years I was a huge fan of Anne Rice. I have a complete signed collection that I acquired by being a pest from a tiny bookstore in New Orleans. I think she is a very intelligent writer and respect her immensely.
Are there other writers who you - not the usual question- admire- but who you quite the opposite- stay away from?
I concur that Ann Rice is an excellent writer. I would have been very determined to have her books signed personally. She is like the queen of vampire books. I am not a bible belter , however, it may surprise you that Lestat is mentioned as an immortal in the Old Testiment and a drinker of blood. If you consider that fokelore or not, accounts of immortality have been written about for millenium. Could you give me an idea of what needs to be done for re-formatting a 520 page novel for smashwords? I presume that the paragraphs would have to be different. As Rick is curious so am I, if there is a written account of Vkad the Impaler. Many times stories handed down verbally from generation to generation has validity. I certainly liked the historical era the novel icluded as a framework. I have read a number of books around that time frame and it is a universe away from our society. I applaud you on the "what if", a different spin on immortality. Today, the fascination of that genre has grown immensely and therefore always a genre in demand.
Amazing, there are 13 books written about Vlad on the goodreads data base. With distinct ties to Dracula. You have to check out those listings Rick. Awesome!
Rick wrote: "do you know of any current biographies of Vkad the Impaler?"I do not know of any current biographies of Vlad specifically dedicated to just him. Most detailed history of him is written in a language other than English and has to been translated, which can be spotty at best. Most of my research was a collection of bits and pieces that I accumulated over time from a variety of sources, including a history of Hungary. Since he is so often associated with the legend of Dracula, it can be difficult to find credible information. The history channel did do a recent biography on him and it was quite good.
Rick wrote: "great post by Brian! really interested in anybio on Vlad
I must admit I have never read Anne Rice!!
"
If you are going to read Anne Rice, I recommend these 3 books.
Interview With the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, and The Tale of the Body Thief
Anne Rice lost a child which spurred her to think about immortality and some believe materialized in the creation of the character Claudia, the child vampire. She also never allowed anyone to edit a single word or change even a comma in her writing. She worked late at night when her family was asleep. The stories come from her grief and question death, religion, after life and human purpose. I like her writing because thematically it goes so much deeper than just a 'vampire story.'
Brian wrote: "I concur that Ann Rice is an excellent writer. I would have been very determined to have her books signed personally. She is like the queen of vampire books. I am not a bible belter , however, it m..."Smashwords works if you know the format before writing a story, but trying to adjust it after the fact is really difficult and time consuming. The copy right page is very specific and not readily detailed so you pretty much have to hunt and beg for what format they want or it gets rejected over and over. I finally found an example, but it wasn't easy. Also, if you use the tab key to indent, you have to manually go through and remove every single one. It says you can highlight and use the ruler bar, but if working on a MAC this does not work, especially after the fact like in my situation. So I am having to go through line by line and remove every single tab. The list of formatting is actually outlined in a book which is free to download. That's how much needs to be changed so it will convert to all the formats used. I wish all the e-books would come up with one format, but currently each has a different way they want it submitted. I'm not convinced it is worth it at the moment. Other authors feel differently, but this has been my experience.
I can see that much research was done by you for your novel. Of the books that are available, I can see Vlad and Dracula are associated together. From what I gathered from your post there is enough mentioned that leads me to believe in the existence of such a man more than believing Vlad did not exist at all. I can imagine translating from the old Hungarian language to be a time consuming undertaking. Old French, for instance, has changed but not to a massive degree. Interesting subject. Yes, I have learned much from the history channel. Concrete proof might be nearly impossible to obtain unless one has access to archives around that period of time. A creditable historian would really help. Even in the Roman Empire there were some very good historians that provided an accurate account of Massada. Well, your novel sure captured my interest as you can see. Do you think that it is likely Dracula and Vlad are one in the same?
Pardon me for my being naive. I was caught up in the excitment of discovery something that really interested me. I understand to validify that subject is very diffuclt indeed. I am very much like that to get excited as a boy on a subject and literature. It is who I am and a large part of my own universe..curiousity! I really enjoyed your comments. I remember reading a traslated passage of old Walchia and it was like reading a riddle.
Charlie wrote: "Gary wrote: "Hi Charlie,How difficult is it to write on such a disturbing topic? Did you have to find a way to unwind after long writing sessions?"
I tend to approach some of the disturbing deta..."
Thanks Charlie! That is really interesting to hear the steps you take to mitigate the horror sections and the effects on you
Hi Charlie; I had no idea converting your novel into an e-book format is so tedious. It is the equivalent to re-editing the whole novel. Within the pages of your novel are many elements of a book I would very much enjoy. So next week I will purchase a copy. I wish you well in your writing endeavours as I hope to see you publish more of them. Yes, I have read "Interview With A Vampire" and it is excellent. I also like the movie with world renown actors Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. I did not have to go far to find new and exciting literature to read. Surfing the net I thought it is interesting to find a portrait of the Lestat mansion with his queen Bella Donna.
the site is Vampire Myths and Truths, Amityville Area Vampires. It has the portrait of the mansion and mentions Lestat in Leviticus, Old Testiment. Creepy, which is why I am a huge fan of Edgar Allen Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. I would like to recommend "The Keep" by F. Paul Wilson. I wrote a review of it. The book is one of my favorites for the vile, evil entity can not be killed by traditional ways that is prevalent in folklore. Silver bullets, stakes, holy water, etc. Only one object can bring his reign of terror to an end!
Hi CharlieIntrigued by the info on your book, will look forward to reading it. I like that period of history, and Vlad the impaler is an interesting person, wasn't aware of any descendents, or of Elizabeth Bathory.
For Brian and others et al regarding vampires, have you tried Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint Germain books? Saint Germain has been around a long time, there are quite a few of them, the last one I read was set in China before it had much contact with the west, another was set in 19th century France (I think) and others in different time periods, always fascinating. The ones I remember are Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Hotel Transylvania and Dark of the Sun
One of these days I really must get around to reading Anne Rice
thanks Carol for the suggestion. No, I have never read anything from that author. Any book written about vampires in the era from the 1400's to 1900's would be a natural interest for me. Will check out your recommendation. Those centuries are fun for me to read. Culture was so much different than today. In Europe there were galas, plays, all night dancing, sword fighting competitions, etc. I really wish I was born in that era rather than the present reality. A time when there were true heros. I have 5 Ann Rice books. However, I have read but two. They are very intense and prefer to explore other authors than read a whole series by one. Top notch writer though.
Brian, in one of your posts above, you raised the questions as to whether Vlad the Impaler really lived, and whether he and Dracula are the same person. The answers are "yes," and a qualified "yes." There's no doubt at all that Vlad lived (in the 15th century), and ruled Wallachia and Transylvania with an iron fist. He was called "Dracula," meaning "Son of the Devil" (literally, "Son of the Dragon," an allusion to Rev. 20:2 and other passages). Bram Stoker, who was well-versed in Balkan history and lore, deliberately used him as the title character in Dracula; but there's no evidence that the historical Vlad Dracula was what we think of as a "vampire" --he was just a very cruel and homicidal human being.Can you post the URL for that site which claims that Lestat is mentioned in the book of Leviticus? I've read the book of Leviticus several times, and never found any such mention; so I'd like to examine their claim at first hand, and test it factually. Thanks!
Thanks Werner; I suspected one in the same. However, that would be very hard to prove without a biography just on Vlad. Wallachia I am familiar with some of it's history and georgraphy. I do not have URL. You are correct, Leviticus and numerious other chapters mentions simply not to drink blood. I am dismayed that the source I have read about Lestat in biblical terms is not credible. Ann Rice does include biblical names of demons in her books that are real. Hence her books have some blend of the bible with fiction. What an exhaustive search did reveal is that Lestate did exist in the 1700's and his eventual "queen" was Bella Donna. His wickedness is comparable to Alister Crowley or the cruelist characters to have ever lived. Interestingly, Lestat is mentioned in a book of baby names. Frankly, I do not remember the exact book, it was not an Ann Rice book and the quote was likely added to enhance the idea of nephilim. I stand corrected.
You're welcome, Brian! And thanks for that interesting tidbit on the historical Lestat; I didn't know that Rice had borrowed the name of an actual person. Having read Interview With the Vampire, I'd say that Lestat is one of the last names I'd want to give a baby. :-)
Exactly! Websites are a jungle and I tried for an hour and a half trying to find the biblical connection. When I read that name in a list of baby names, my first thought was why in the world would anyone name a baby Lestat. In elementary school one boy was named Evil and one Satan. That is just cruel and unusual punishment for they were unmercifully tortured. Awhile back I found a really good site on the Lestat family with dates, descendants, much more. They loved to torture people and thrilled to do so. I think my comparison to Alister Crowley is a fitting one. How did you like "Interview With A Vampire"? I thought it was excellent. Along with an actual person she also included one of the more rare names associated with Satan. You can find that in 100 names and meanings from the bible (KJV)
Werner; the website called "Vampires, Truth and Myths", Amityville Area Vampires, would surprise you more than the fact that historically Lestat is a true family. I encourage you to read it. It sure surprised me!
Brian, sorry I didn't answer your question before now; my inbox has gotten away from me, and I didn't learn until just now that you'd asked it! I'm actually one of the handful of vampire fiction fans on earth who didn't like Interview With the Vampire, though I recognize that it did have an enormous --and, in an important way, a good-- influence on the vampire portrayals that followed. You can read my Goodreads review of it at:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... . In late 2008, the Supernatural Fiction Readers group, of which I'm a co-moderator, had a long discussion of that book, and you can also read that, at: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6... .
I'll try to check out the website you mentioned, and see what info it has to offer. Thanks for that tip!
Rick wrote: "Charliedo you set a min amount of words a day to write?"
No, I do not set a min. number of words to write a day. There are many days that I don't write at all, but I'm always thinking, thinking, thinking. I keep pen and notebook within reach where ever I am in the house or when I'm out and about. This is essential when I'm having a moment of block or difficulty with a scene or direction. A good idea usually hits at the most inopportune times, and hardly ever when I'm not poised in front of my keyboard, like when driving or washing my hair, or grocery shopping. I stop whatever I'm doing and make notes on any scrap of paper I can find. Yes, I've even used toilet paper I snatched from a public bathroom to jot down my genius ideas. I'm sure I look crazy scribbling away or mumbling to myself, but oh well --that's the life of a creative imagination whether it's writing or mathematics.
Werner wrote: "Brian, sorry I didn't answer your question before now; my inbox has gotten away from me, and I didn't learn until just now that you'd asked it! I'm actually one of the handful of vampire fiction f..."Werner, what do you think of the Twilight Series?
I haven't read all of the books, but I've read the first two (and seen the movie adaptations of both) and almost finished the third. Not being of the female persuasion, I don't swoon over Edward. :-) But there's a lot more literary appeal to the series than the swoon factor, and I'll admit to being a Twilight fan! (Not everybody is, of course, and we've had some interesting discussions of the series on a couple of threads in my Supernatural Fiction Readers group.) How about you, Charlie --have you read any of the series? And if so, are you a fan?
Werner wrote: "I haven't read all of the books, but I've read the first two (and seen the movie adaptations of both) and almost finished the third. Not being of the female persuasion, I don't swoon over Edward. ..."I did read the entire series. Admittedly, I was curious. I'm not good at being politically correct, especially when I have a strong opinion about something, so I hope I don't put anyone off with my comments. That being said, I absolutely hated the entire series. Personally, I thought it was a heap of junk and in my narrow corner of the world, ranks right up there with Dan Brown novels. I thought maybe it was a teen thing, so I donated the collection to my teenage daughter. I didn't make my feelings known, because I honestly wanted to see her reaction. I was doing my own experience with target audiences (heck I couldn't help it!). She got through the 1st chapter of the first book and politely handed the stack back to me stating, 'No thank you, it wasn't her thing.'
My biggest problem with the story telling is not the swooning sappy stalking qualities of teen romance, but mostly the authors inability to resist imprinting her personal religious views. The Mormon doctrine was woven through the entire series, which I found more disturbing than vegetarian vampire clans. If the characters are Mormon, or Catholic or Protestant, so be it, but to subliminally tinker is just either bad writing or manipulative.
A good example of a devout religious writer who developed amazing characters without perching or injecting her own beliefs into a story (where they were not relevant) is Flannery O'Connor.
Every time I bring up the Mormon issue, I get the same reaction. Most people are surprised and exclaim they had no idea. I guess that is my point. Some might ask, 'Why does it matter?' I suppose that is a topic for another day.
Hi Charlie; the Twilight series is a very talked about subject. Mostly balck and white, either a reader loves the novels or hates them. After reading you blog carefully, I agree with your very good point 100%. While it is a normality for many authors to inject their political or religious convictions in their novels, there has to be a balance or those points of view is a disservice to the reader. Ann Rice, as you astutely pointed out did write in the traditional folk lore of vampires then added her own spin. She also blended in a real family that was know to be among the most vile human beings to walk the planet in regards to their love of torture. The Lestat family were real with a real mansion. I have no prejudice against any religion. However, to use the Mormon beliefs as the main fuel, so to speak, to write vampire novels is disquieting to state it mildly. Thanks for pointing that out and it is not just yourself that this approach is not proper. Thanks for sharing all the data and again I totally agree with your compelling insight!
Charlie, I'm not actually very familiar with Flannery O'Connor, but I wondered if what you said about her "perching [preaching?:] or injecting her own beliefs into a story (where they were not relevant)" was generally agreed upon so I did a Google search on "Flannery O'Connor religious themes." I got 250,000 hits. The first site is an essay for a college English class, complete with a bibliography, which seemed to confirm my vague recollection that O'Connor is an overtly religious writer. In fact, I would argue that many authors "imprint" their religious views, both subtly and not so subtly: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Philip Pullman (whose Golden Compass series is an atheist's answer to The Chronicles of Narnia), for example.As for what is Mormon about the Twilight series, I'm not familiar enough with Mormon tenets to discern particular Morman doctrine versus general religious themes (redemption, moral values in terms of not taking human life or perhaps waiting until marriage to have sex) or even general themes related to the human condition, which is what literature deals with, in my opinion. Perhaps you could be more specific with your objections?
LeAnn, I'm basically in agreement with what you wrote; but while this is becoming a fascinating discussion, I worry about the fact that Charlie's author forum (which is supposed to be about her and her work) may be getting hijacked by it. Maybe those who want to have a focused discussion on the Twilight series should start a new thread for it, which I'd gladly contribute to -- even though I realize it isn't really a British literature topic?
As an added thought on the above, maybe the "What are you reading, and why?" thread would be a natural place for the Twilight discussion --since both the Twilight series in particular and vampire books in general have already been brought up there?
In retrospect Werner, it would have been better for me to post my comments on Charlie's blog. Such a topic indeed might take some of the thunder away from her novel. I will keep that in mind next time. The "Twilight" series is a very debated topic and could easily be accomidated by it,s own thread. As for my opinion of the novels, there is no comment. I would have to read them first to determine if in my opinion they are very good or not.
Werner: Certainly, you may move a discussion about Twilight. I understand your concern. I'm not sure about moving it to the thread, "what are you reading, and why?" though. This discussion, in my opinion, isn't really about Twilight. It's about whether and how authors incorporate religious themes into their works and whether that's appropriate.
LeAnn, you make a good point: the specific discussion of the Twilight series does raise broader issues, including the "proper" role (if there is such a thing) of an author's beliefs about religion in his/her writing. I didn't mention it earlier, because it's not of interest to everyone in this group, but the Christian Goodreaders group has a thread going on that question (as well as one on the Twilight series). You might be interested in checking that one out. (The topic title is "What makes a book 'good?,'" so the direction the discussion took isn't obvious from the title. I can post a URL if you need one, but I don't have it in front of me right now.)
I think to get back to the point, and perhaps I'm not communicating it well, is not the issue of a writer's beliefs, but how a writer consciously approaches this as it pertains to the character, history of subject ect. To not be conscious of what is being injected is flawed. Flannery O'Connor was very conscious of how she communicated her religious points of view through her characters and it is well established so the reader knows exactly where it is coming from. I'm well aware when I include religious views, practices, morals ect. in a story whether the character shares my own, or comes from a different point of view. Since Mormonism is a fairly new concept (in the world of religion), I have trouble with it being so specifically used as the moral base for the vampire folklore. I am not protestant, but the character in my book comes from that background and in order to develop an accurate belief system for her, I must first have some knowledge whether I agree with it or not. If an author is completely making up a totally fictional story that does not relate to an already established historical or mythological universal expectation, then of course, interject, be creative, do whatever you please. But, if an expectation exists, and they do whether we want it or like it as artists, it is important to address and then twist it (usually through a struggle) -- but to be unconscious, have know knowledge or researched the lore, history, stereotypes is in my opinion very unwise. I would choose to avoid many topics especially, if I had never read or researched the subject.
Yes, Charlie; I understand your point well. There is religious or political impressions left on so many authors novels. Simply, there needs to be a balanced approach or those beliefs will overide the novel and thus diminishes the authors work.
I did not see your post first Werner, I like your idea very much. The topics mentioned that you opened up a home for is a nifty idea. Certainly both political and religious theology has it's role in authors novels. I just could not see a place to comment this responce on your post. I am a history buff and thus it is rare not to have an unbiased account of any historical battle.
Thanks, Brian! Also, I didn't mean to suggest that my forum should be the only thread in this group for discussing vampire fiction; a lot of British writers have written on that theme (Stoker, for instance, and Le Fanu), so there are all sorts of possibilities for topics. I was just wanting to, as you said, "open up a home" for some American fiction subject matter that might not fit in here as readily.Charlie, is Dandelions in the Garden actually vampire fiction? We know that the real Elizabeth Bathory wasn't a vampire (in the supernatural sense), any more than her ancestor Dracula was; but did you take the idea that she was as a fictional premise, as many writers have done with Dracula? Or would telling that one way or the other constitute a spoiler?
Obviously, you had to do a lot of historical research to write this novel, and I'm sure you researched the folklore of vampirism, too, since it relates to the popular perception of your subject. As you noted, there's also a developed literary fictional tradition portraying vampires. You mentioned Rice as a writer you like; have you read much other vampire fiction, and did you set out to read any of it as background for writing your book? How do you feel about the idea that reading fiction of a similar type, before writing your own, might wind up influencing you too much and curbing your own individuality? (Of course, if your book is strictly historical fiction about a vampire-like person, rather than actual vampire fiction, that might not have been as big a consideration.)
Sounds good Werner! American fiction, there is a wealth of talent in that category. There are many possibilities that I would most certainly have opinions of( sometimes well informed and sometimes need to be better informed). Great questions you asked Charlie! Those ones did not cross my mind. This is fun is it not? Especially a topic like vampires that I really like. Not familiar with Le Fanu, interested though!
Hi everyone,I just posted a free preview of Dandelions In The Garden at:
Book Buzzr: http://www.freado.com/book/5575/Dande...
Click on 'Read Now' and get a free preview. Of course, don't forget to 'Become a fan,' and if you like it, please share recommendation with a friend.
Thanks!
Charlie Courtland
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Books mentioned in this topic
Dandelions in the Garden (other topics)Interview with the Vampire (other topics)
The Tale of the Body Thief (other topics)
The Vampire Lestat (other topics)
Hotel Transylvania (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (other topics)Charlie Courtland (other topics)
Ask me a question and I will do my best to answer it!
Bio:
The author writes under the nom de plume, Charlie Courtland. She graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in English Literature with an emphasis on creative writing, and a minor in Criminology. She was born in Michigan and currently resides in the Seattle area with her husband and two children.
Book: Dandelions In The Garden
Author: Charlie Courtland
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/73...
Genre: Historical Fiction, fiction
Paperback: 526 pages
Publisher: Amazon; First edition (December 7, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1449977804
ISBN-13: 978-1449977801
Synopsis:
Amara Borbala is certain she is the only living person in the sane world with intimate knowledge concerning the life and exploits of the Countess Elizabeth Bathory. After all, she was Elizabeth s companion and confidant since her eleventh year. In 1573, after the death of her mother, Amara is sent by her cousin to serve as a lady-in-waiting at the castles of Sarvar, Varanno, and Cachtice. Now it is years later, 1628, and Amara is aging, alone, and reduced to eavesdropping at her favorite cafe around the corner from her townhouse in Vienna. Befuddled by gossiping ladies, Amara determines perhaps it is time to finally put a stop to the rumors and once and for all, answer the question, Is it true? Did Elizabeth Bathory, a descendant of Vlad Tepes really commit the horrible acts of torture, bathe in the blood of slaughtered virgins, and dabble in the dark magic that she was accused of during her trial? One thing is certain, Amara knows the truth, but will it be enough to explain the habits of her friend?
Dandelions In The Garden is book one in a two-part series that begins with the journey of Amara, an impressionable girl who follows the Blood Countess through all the horrid events that lead to her rise and secured her place in history.
Description:
"An intriguing and fresh historical fiction novel chronicling the life of the infamous mass murderer known throughout history as the Blood Countess. The Countess Elizabeth Bathory is a descendant of Vlad Tepes, otherwise known as, the Impaler and most notable for being the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. However, I believe it was his ancestor, Elizabeth Bathory, who should get much of the credit for the character's dark immortality. It was she who was rumored to have bathed in and drank the blood of virgins in an attempt to preserve her eternal beauty."
Website: http://www.bitsyblingbooks.com
Book review blog: http:// www.bitsybling.wordpress.com
Likes:
My favorite movie is Fight Club. I am a big fan of Chuck Palahniuk's writing style, character development and story lines that address social issues.
I love history, but not the obvious spoon fed sort typically memorized in school. I like to question it, research it and figure out if what has been recorded is true. I have opinions about many subjects and enjoy questioning the motivations behind those who record what will later be our legends and 'truths.' Is it trustworthy?
I love coffee. My favorite is Venti Soy lattes -- sometimes carmel, sometimes pumpkin spice and when I'm really in a crazy mood a Venti Vanilla Frap. with two pumps of peppermint.
Again, ask away and I will do my best to answer questions...
Thanks for stopping by!
Charlie!