Eva Gordon's Blog, page 17
December 2, 2012
The last two Tarot cards, Judgement and The World and My Author Journey
Dear visitors to the Bestiary Parlor, today I'm finishing my thoughts with the last two Tarot cards of the Major Arcana, Judgment and The World. I will not blog about the Minor Arcana but will study them on my own and see how they influence my writing life and even help me develop new characters. In the meantime, I must focus on the galley for Apocalyptic Moon and hope to visit the Parlor next week.Judgement Hearing and heeding a call.
This card tells me that I am doing exactly what I'm suppose to do, creating worlds and writing about them. It's sometimes scary to follow your dream but as Master Yoda might say, 'follow you must'.The World Card Successful completion.
Congratulations. As a writer, you have achieved your goals. Maybe it was 2,000 words for today, finishing a novel, completing the last book in a series, and or becoming a New York best seller. Time to celebrate. Now smile, enjoy a glass of wine and fine chocolate. Take pause and breathe. Now time to start your next endeavor. J.K. Rowling ended Harry Potter and now she is ready for her next book journey. She understands that with achievements comes new beginnings. 
December 1, 2012
The Card: The Sun and My Author Journey
The Sun
Clarity that brings joy.
The woman in the card is showing pure happiness and joy. Life is beautiful. Everything is good. For an author that moment can happen when you get 'the call', a five star rating, completing a novel, a beta reader's approval, or in the satisfaction of doing what you love, writing.
I added the sun card above because of the raven. The raven is my power animal and my muse.
The woman in the card is showing pure happiness and joy. Life is beautiful. Everything is good. For an author that moment can happen when you get 'the call', a five star rating, completing a novel, a beta reader's approval, or in the satisfaction of doing what you love, writing.
I added the sun card above because of the raven. The raven is my power animal and my muse.
November 30, 2012
Tarot Card: The Moon and My Author Journey
The Moon
A situation of uncertainty and even deception.
To a writer, the moon indicates you should proceed with caution. This can apply to finding an agent/publisher that sounds too good to be true. Not sure where to go next in a scene or a character you thought might work doesn't.
Many don't like the confusing or tricky moon. For me the moon inspires my imagination and the not knowing makes life exciting.
My paranormal novels are based on werewolf characters. I love playing with the concept of a human that becomes the wild werewolf beneath the full moon. Changeable and unpredictable.
Howling at the moon sure beats hiding from it.
To a writer, the moon indicates you should proceed with caution. This can apply to finding an agent/publisher that sounds too good to be true. Not sure where to go next in a scene or a character you thought might work doesn't.
Many don't like the confusing or tricky moon. For me the moon inspires my imagination and the not knowing makes life exciting.
My paranormal novels are based on werewolf characters. I love playing with the concept of a human that becomes the wild werewolf beneath the full moon. Changeable and unpredictable.
Howling at the moon sure beats hiding from it.
November 29, 2012
Tarot Card The Star and My Author Journey
The Star
Guidance, serenity, and hope.
As an author, I have chosen Calliope, the muse of epic poetry to represent my star. She guided Homer to write the Iliad and the Odyssey. Not too shabby. My muse guides my writing and in fact, she drinks ten cups of coffee and kicks away any writer blocks that come my way. As a result, my mind is filled with a slush pile of novels waiting in line to meet my laptop.
But she offers more:
Often I feel like Pandora, releasing all the 'negatives' inherent in the life of an author. In the darkness the star gives me hope and helps me find my way.
As an author, I have chosen Calliope, the muse of epic poetry to represent my star. She guided Homer to write the Iliad and the Odyssey. Not too shabby. My muse guides my writing and in fact, she drinks ten cups of coffee and kicks away any writer blocks that come my way. As a result, my mind is filled with a slush pile of novels waiting in line to meet my laptop.But she offers more:
Often I feel like Pandora, releasing all the 'negatives' inherent in the life of an author. In the darkness the star gives me hope and helps me find my way.
November 28, 2012
The Tower Tarot Card and My Author Journey
The Tower
An expected event that changes everything.
This card normally represents the destruction of something you created and nurtured and for a writer that can mean a number of things, such as: a book that is rejected and that will never see the light of day, the loss of a contract, enough book rejections to create your own paper tower (although these days most rejection letters are paperless) or your computer crashing. Outside of writing something can destroy another aspect of an author's life that can cause the tower of 'writer's block', or even the means to write. Okay, big scary stuff.
I prefer to use this card to inspire me to create a character's dark moment or as in Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, the hero must pass tests and take action. Change happens and though it may be devastating, you (characters or you the author) will be transformed and made better for it.
“What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger”-Friedrich Nietzche Bye Bad Tower. Tonight, Let Us Enjoy the Full Moon.
This card normally represents the destruction of something you created and nurtured and for a writer that can mean a number of things, such as: a book that is rejected and that will never see the light of day, the loss of a contract, enough book rejections to create your own paper tower (although these days most rejection letters are paperless) or your computer crashing. Outside of writing something can destroy another aspect of an author's life that can cause the tower of 'writer's block', or even the means to write. Okay, big scary stuff.
I prefer to use this card to inspire me to create a character's dark moment or as in Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, the hero must pass tests and take action. Change happens and though it may be devastating, you (characters or you the author) will be transformed and made better for it.
“What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger”-Friedrich Nietzche Bye Bad Tower. Tonight, Let Us Enjoy the Full Moon.
November 27, 2012
Tarot Card The Devil and My Author Journey
The Devil
A choice or situation that is contrary to your best interest or greater good.
Dr. Frankenstein made obvious bad choices. Creating monsters unless you are writing a horror or paranormal fantasy novel is generally a bad idea.
The Devil card represents an obsession, one that goes against your greater good. But don't worry, you can dismantle it since you created it.
Writers if not careful can be so obsessed with getting published that they make bad decisions such as rushing a poorly edited manuscript to an editor or signing up with a publisher or agent that Predators and Editors warned you about. Indie writers who hire editors should check their credentials. Eager authors can get into a situation that can slow or even kill their career.
So when the card comes up. Be warned. Time to check the publisher or agent in question on Predators and Editors or ask for advice from other writers or online writing sites.
Dr. Frankenstein made obvious bad choices. Creating monsters unless you are writing a horror or paranormal fantasy novel is generally a bad idea. 
The Devil card represents an obsession, one that goes against your greater good. But don't worry, you can dismantle it since you created it.Writers if not careful can be so obsessed with getting published that they make bad decisions such as rushing a poorly edited manuscript to an editor or signing up with a publisher or agent that Predators and Editors warned you about. Indie writers who hire editors should check their credentials. Eager authors can get into a situation that can slow or even kill their career.
So when the card comes up. Be warned. Time to check the publisher or agent in question on Predators and Editors or ask for advice from other writers or online writing sites.
November 26, 2012
Tarot Card Temperance and My Author Journey
Temperance
The right thing at the right time in the right place.
This card tells me that I have a clear vision of what I want. Everything I need to know is present. I'm geared to do the right thing.
I'm at my desk, writing and it feels perfect. Apocalyptic Moon is at the galley stage, Lycan Gladiator is in line to be edited, Hand of Miriam (my steampunk) is being queried to the universe and my big fat Victorian (suspenseful, naughty, Gothic) novel, The Gamekeeper's Daughter is being read by my beta readers. At the moment I'm working on the synopsis for the Gamekeeper's Daughter and soon to query it. Oh, and of course, book 2 in the After the Bane series is being outlined.
Life is good.
This card tells me that I have a clear vision of what I want. Everything I need to know is present. I'm geared to do the right thing.
I'm at my desk, writing and it feels perfect. Apocalyptic Moon is at the galley stage, Lycan Gladiator is in line to be edited, Hand of Miriam (my steampunk) is being queried to the universe and my big fat Victorian (suspenseful, naughty, Gothic) novel, The Gamekeeper's Daughter is being read by my beta readers. At the moment I'm working on the synopsis for the Gamekeeper's Daughter and soon to query it. Oh, and of course, book 2 in the After the Bane series is being outlined.
Life is good.
November 25, 2012
Two Tarot Cards Today. The Hanged Man and The Death Card and my Author Journey
The Hanged Man
Willing surrender to an experience or situation.
Normally the hangman represents loss of dignity or even sacrifice/martyrdom. The Hanged Man tells us to expect something that throws our world out of order. Stability and security disappear and we are left vulnerable. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. The magnificent fruit bat hangs upside down and has a different view of the world. Perhaps if we are stuck in a safe rut we need our world shaken up in order to have fresh inspiration. A new upside down point of view is created.
Often writers need to hang upside down to be inspired. A scene that doesn't work, a story that's not sold, a character without good development are a few examples of ways we can remain stagnant. It's uncomfortable when our critique partner or editor tells us the manuscript (or part of it) does not work. We hang upside down fuming. Suddenly we give in to the universe and a spark lights up. Yes, that's it. Maybe a little shock is all we needed to make the story, character, query...etc... better.
The Death Card An ending making transformation possible.
Phillodes imperialisThis is Australia's Pink Underwing Moth caterpillar. Also known as the skull caterpillar. It uses it's odd face to scare off predators. Unfortunately, this five inch caterpillar is in great danger from extinction. I like to think of the death card as creature ready for the next stage.
Everything dies. People lose friends, couples get divorced, a beloved house is foreclosed, a job is lost, the loss of a book contract and the ending of a story we never wanted to leave. As an author, I hate ending my novel. I have fallen in love with my characters and their lives. No wonder I tend to write series and trilogy type novels. But all good stories come to an end. The first novel I wrote is still packed away, buried, and a reminder that I can mourn it's loss, or because I'm a seasoned writer, I can raise it from the dead and make it better.
The concept of death and mourning transforms us into better writers. Below is the adult Pink Underwing Moth. You must admit the transformation was worth it.
Normally the hangman represents loss of dignity or even sacrifice/martyrdom. The Hanged Man tells us to expect something that throws our world out of order. Stability and security disappear and we are left vulnerable. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. The magnificent fruit bat hangs upside down and has a different view of the world. Perhaps if we are stuck in a safe rut we need our world shaken up in order to have fresh inspiration. A new upside down point of view is created. Often writers need to hang upside down to be inspired. A scene that doesn't work, a story that's not sold, a character without good development are a few examples of ways we can remain stagnant. It's uncomfortable when our critique partner or editor tells us the manuscript (or part of it) does not work. We hang upside down fuming. Suddenly we give in to the universe and a spark lights up. Yes, that's it. Maybe a little shock is all we needed to make the story, character, query...etc... better.
The Death Card An ending making transformation possible.
Phillodes imperialisThis is Australia's Pink Underwing Moth caterpillar. Also known as the skull caterpillar. It uses it's odd face to scare off predators. Unfortunately, this five inch caterpillar is in great danger from extinction. I like to think of the death card as creature ready for the next stage.
Everything dies. People lose friends, couples get divorced, a beloved house is foreclosed, a job is lost, the loss of a book contract and the ending of a story we never wanted to leave. As an author, I hate ending my novel. I have fallen in love with my characters and their lives. No wonder I tend to write series and trilogy type novels. But all good stories come to an end. The first novel I wrote is still packed away, buried, and a reminder that I can mourn it's loss, or because I'm a seasoned writer, I can raise it from the dead and make it better.The concept of death and mourning transforms us into better writers. Below is the adult Pink Underwing Moth. You must admit the transformation was worth it.
November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving. Tarot/Author Journey Posts will continue on Sunday
Dear followers, I will be back with my Tarot/Author Journey on Sunday. Until then, have a great Thanksgiving gathering.
November 21, 2012
Tarot Card Justice and my Author Journey
Tarot Card Justice
The consequences of your actions are at your hand.
As a writer the Justice card reminds you that of all your actions have created your current situation. If you delivered a poorly written query letter, you will not be judged favorably (agent or publisher may not want to see you manuscript). However, if you produced a brilliant query, you will may get a request. Writers are judged in how well a story is told as well as how well it's edited, how the characters are developed and on and on.
The old adage: Never judge a book by it's cover, is not reality. The book cover and the back cover blurb are judged prior to purchase. Authors must first write a good story and then depend on their editor for great editing and the cover artist to draw the reader. Then even after your publisher and beta readers love your polished novel, reviewers get to it and again the author is judged for better or for worse.
Trust me, going before Judge Judy is much easier.
In terms of our story, we authors represent justice. I write paranormal/ romance with roller coaster suspense and in the end, the antagonists (bad guys or gals) get karmic justice and the hero and heroine live happily ever after. Or maybe...
As a writer the Justice card reminds you that of all your actions have created your current situation. If you delivered a poorly written query letter, you will not be judged favorably (agent or publisher may not want to see you manuscript). However, if you produced a brilliant query, you will may get a request. Writers are judged in how well a story is told as well as how well it's edited, how the characters are developed and on and on.
The old adage: Never judge a book by it's cover, is not reality. The book cover and the back cover blurb are judged prior to purchase. Authors must first write a good story and then depend on their editor for great editing and the cover artist to draw the reader. Then even after your publisher and beta readers love your polished novel, reviewers get to it and again the author is judged for better or for worse.
Trust me, going before Judge Judy is much easier.
In terms of our story, we authors represent justice. I write paranormal/ romance with roller coaster suspense and in the end, the antagonists (bad guys or gals) get karmic justice and the hero and heroine live happily ever after. Or maybe...
