Eva Gordon's Blog, page 18
November 20, 2012
The Wheel of Fortune Tarot and my Author Journey
The Wheel of Fortune Tarot card means a random occurrence will soon take place.
The random occurrence can be lucky or unlucky. To a writer this random occurrence could be just about anything from an unexpected request to see a manuscript to one of our characters in our story being unlucky. In quantum physics the movement of elemental particles is random and so is our luck or lack of luck.
Schrödinger's catWhat will happen to kitty?
I like to think the kitty lives.
Will an editor randomly pull out an old manuscript out of the bottom of the slush pile and decide it is destined to become a best seller? Or maybe it will become a best seller in another parallel universe.
If you pull the Wheel of Fortune card something unexpected will happen. Be prepared. Time to wear your Magician Tarot hat to employ magic in your favor.
The random occurrence can be lucky or unlucky. To a writer this random occurrence could be just about anything from an unexpected request to see a manuscript to one of our characters in our story being unlucky. In quantum physics the movement of elemental particles is random and so is our luck or lack of luck.
Schrödinger's catWhat will happen to kitty?
I like to think the kitty lives.
Will an editor randomly pull out an old manuscript out of the bottom of the slush pile and decide it is destined to become a best seller? Or maybe it will become a best seller in another parallel universe.
If you pull the Wheel of Fortune card something unexpected will happen. Be prepared. Time to wear your Magician Tarot hat to employ magic in your favor.
November 19, 2012
Tarot Card The Hermit and my Author Journey
The Hermit
Retreat from distractions and determine your own truth.
First off, before I go on my Tarot rant, thank you for coming in for a visit. I also love comments and your thoughts about what the card means to you.
The Hermit, is someone all authors can relate to. The Hermit author leaves the din of society(yes this includes social media, if that's still possible) and retreats into her/his cave in complete solitude. This is very important for an author, for only then, can you hear your own true voice. Authors listen to the advise and opinions of others, however, quite often it is good to first listen to your own. You ultimately decide what is true and right.
When I turn off the noise of the world, my story unfolds. This process is especially important when you are working on the fist draft or even second or third draft of your story. The Hermit, alone, writing her story is my favorite part of the writing process.
Love you all, but please find your own shell. LOL. Like the hermit crab learn when to retreat and when to emerge.
First off, before I go on my Tarot rant, thank you for coming in for a visit. I also love comments and your thoughts about what the card means to you.
The Hermit, is someone all authors can relate to. The Hermit author leaves the din of society(yes this includes social media, if that's still possible) and retreats into her/his cave in complete solitude. This is very important for an author, for only then, can you hear your own true voice. Authors listen to the advise and opinions of others, however, quite often it is good to first listen to your own. You ultimately decide what is true and right.
When I turn off the noise of the world, my story unfolds. This process is especially important when you are working on the fist draft or even second or third draft of your story. The Hermit, alone, writing her story is my favorite part of the writing process.
Love you all, but please find your own shell. LOL. Like the hermit crab learn when to retreat and when to emerge.
November 18, 2012
Tarot Card Strength and My Author Journey
T
arot Card Strength
Control and Healing that Brings Strength
Normally the strength card depicts a woman and a lion, but because I'm a wolfish paranormal writer I found one with a woman and wolf.
The beast represents our shadow self. Anger, fear, and jealousy are aspects of our shadow self. These strong emotions can be destructive, especially in the tormented writer. Anger over rejections, fear that we will never be successful, jealousy, and money woes, can be examples of what some writers experience. The 'what ifs'. These emotions can be destructive but once we identify them we can heal them. Turn the beast for good. Tap into your inner strength and turn those powerful emotions to motivate in a positive way. Don't lament, just be a better writer. Better yet, use those strong hidden emotions to apply to your characters.
No surprise that I like writing about paranormal creatures with strong emotions. I can't terrorize the village as a werewolf but my characters sure can. Or in the end the werewolf becomes the hero/heroine and saves the village.
Normally the strength card depicts a woman and a lion, but because I'm a wolfish paranormal writer I found one with a woman and wolf.
The beast represents our shadow self. Anger, fear, and jealousy are aspects of our shadow self. These strong emotions can be destructive, especially in the tormented writer. Anger over rejections, fear that we will never be successful, jealousy, and money woes, can be examples of what some writers experience. The 'what ifs'. These emotions can be destructive but once we identify them we can heal them. Turn the beast for good. Tap into your inner strength and turn those powerful emotions to motivate in a positive way. Don't lament, just be a better writer. Better yet, use those strong hidden emotions to apply to your characters.No surprise that I like writing about paranormal creatures with strong emotions. I can't terrorize the village as a werewolf but my characters sure can. Or in the end the werewolf becomes the hero/heroine and saves the village.
November 17, 2012
Tarot Card The Chariot and my Author Journey
The Chariot means triumph of will in difficult circumstances or great adversity.
Nothing says difficult times more than Ben Hur racing against the conniving Roman, Masala. Once Ben Hur chooses his direction his skill and knowledge will get him to his goal, surviving to win. In my just sold novel, Lycan Gladiator (coming from Corvallis Press), I naturally added the tragic outcome of a chariot race. Not pretty.
Okay, back to me as a writer: Below is a chained writer listening to the cawing of her raven muses. "Caw! Write this, write that, go market! Caw, send one more query! Caw!!!"
In my author journey my will must battles the difficulty in getting an agent or a good publishing contract. I'm in this business for the long run so I'm charging with my 'query' drawn chariot to my goal of being a successful author. As a writer there are daily difficult challenges such as: editing until the polished version blinds your eyes with perfect luminosity, listening to editors, critique partners and betas on what to tweak (wah, I thought it was perfect, okay, let me tweak, ahhh much better), writing the difficult pitch and synopsis (trust me, writing a 100,000 word manuscript is much easier), and finally but not least the insurmountable task of marketing. Despite the difficulties an author encounters the birth of a published book is worth every ounce of blood, sweat and tears.
Nothing says difficult times more than Ben Hur racing against the conniving Roman, Masala. Once Ben Hur chooses his direction his skill and knowledge will get him to his goal, surviving to win. In my just sold novel, Lycan Gladiator (coming from Corvallis Press), I naturally added the tragic outcome of a chariot race. Not pretty.
Okay, back to me as a writer: Below is a chained writer listening to the cawing of her raven muses. "Caw! Write this, write that, go market! Caw, send one more query! Caw!!!"
In my author journey my will must battles the difficulty in getting an agent or a good publishing contract. I'm in this business for the long run so I'm charging with my 'query' drawn chariot to my goal of being a successful author. As a writer there are daily difficult challenges such as: editing until the polished version blinds your eyes with perfect luminosity, listening to editors, critique partners and betas on what to tweak (wah, I thought it was perfect, okay, let me tweak, ahhh much better), writing the difficult pitch and synopsis (trust me, writing a 100,000 word manuscript is much easier), and finally but not least the insurmountable task of marketing. Despite the difficulties an author encounters the birth of a published book is worth every ounce of blood, sweat and tears.
November 16, 2012
Tarot Card The Lovers and my Author Journey
The Lovers Tarot Card
Making a decision that makes your heart glad.
I followed my heart and chose my passion to work full time as a writer. Actually I always allowed my heart to make decisions. I majored in Zoology and Biology because I loved the study of animals and life. As a result it has helped me develop my shifter characters and worlds. I loved teaching science and in the process learned to understand all the different characters I once taught and this helped develop real characters for my novels. I love travel and my travels opened my eyes to different cultures and world building. I love my hubby and family so I understand the joy of being around people you love unconditionally.
I love writing fantasy, paranormal, historical and science fiction novels, but with a strong element of ROMANCE. The story will still work without the romance but as in life, my main characters find love and in my stories get to live happily ever after. I love, love, romance and all the emotion and hot, sweet or implied sex that goes with the relationship. Looking at these pre-raphaelite art images just makes me want to exhale a long heartfelt sigh.
I followed my heart and chose my passion to work full time as a writer. Actually I always allowed my heart to make decisions. I majored in Zoology and Biology because I loved the study of animals and life. As a result it has helped me develop my shifter characters and worlds. I loved teaching science and in the process learned to understand all the different characters I once taught and this helped develop real characters for my novels. I love travel and my travels opened my eyes to different cultures and world building. I love my hubby and family so I understand the joy of being around people you love unconditionally.
I love writing fantasy, paranormal, historical and science fiction novels, but with a strong element of ROMANCE. The story will still work without the romance but as in life, my main characters find love and in my stories get to live happily ever after. I love, love, romance and all the emotion and hot, sweet or implied sex that goes with the relationship. Looking at these pre-raphaelite art images just makes me want to exhale a long heartfelt sigh.
November 15, 2012
Tarot Card The Hierophant and my Author Journey
The Hierophant is the one who teaches you to live within the confines of your belief system.
Like Jedi Master, Yoda teaching you about the good and bad side of the force. As a writer I strive to use the force for good rather than evil. Remain true to yourself and don't let the dark side of the force lead you to become a self-absorbed writer. Help others. Remember family and friends. Volunteer or even help newbie writers.
Like Jedi Master, Yoda teaching you about the good and bad side of the force. As a writer I strive to use the force for good rather than evil. Remain true to yourself and don't let the dark side of the force lead you to become a self-absorbed writer. Help others. Remember family and friends. Volunteer or even help newbie writers.
November 14, 2012
Tarot Card The Emperor and my Author Journey
The Emperor Creates Order and Stability
The Favorites of Emperor Honorius by John William Waterhouse
Like an emperor a writer must create a system to maintain security and order. The writer may have an emperor authority figure such as an editor but for the most part the writer needs to be his/her own emperor.You will need to stay organized and follow self-made strict rules such as a daily word count, an hour of marketing or other writing matters. You must also include 'play' time for your own sanity.
In the crazy world of publishing I remain focused by adhering to a 2000 word/day rule for a new ms, one hour/chapter of editing a completed ms, and the rest of the day for other writer stuff such as query letters, synopsis writing, workshops, research and marketing.
My tools include my laptop, tidy desk, a dry erase board calender for the week, a dry erase board for brainstorming and editing issues, and a box with ways to show and not tell. I'm a panster so even though I outline first I end up letting the characters and their stories take over. That's okay, an emperor must delegate.
The strict regimen will pay off when you get knighted, oops I mean get 'the call'.
The Favorites of Emperor Honorius by John William WaterhouseLike an emperor a writer must create a system to maintain security and order. The writer may have an emperor authority figure such as an editor but for the most part the writer needs to be his/her own emperor.You will need to stay organized and follow self-made strict rules such as a daily word count, an hour of marketing or other writing matters. You must also include 'play' time for your own sanity.
In the crazy world of publishing I remain focused by adhering to a 2000 word/day rule for a new ms, one hour/chapter of editing a completed ms, and the rest of the day for other writer stuff such as query letters, synopsis writing, workshops, research and marketing.
My tools include my laptop, tidy desk, a dry erase board calender for the week, a dry erase board for brainstorming and editing issues, and a box with ways to show and not tell. I'm a panster so even though I outline first I end up letting the characters and their stories take over. That's okay, an emperor must delegate.
The strict regimen will pay off when you get knighted, oops I mean get 'the call'.
November 13, 2012
Tarot Card The Empress and my Author Journey
The Empress
The Empress Tarot card means abundance and creation. She heralds pure feminine power.
Like mother nature, she creates the cycles of life.
She is associated with motherhood. Creating stories is akin to creating life. Your books are like your babies. You birth them, nurture, guard them and send them off. You love them no matter what. Of course, I love my own real children more than life but my books also garnish my love and care.
When your book get's published, it's the end of your gestation:
Mazel Tov or Congrats, You just gave birth to a healthy epic fantasy novel:
Above is my first birth book, a fantasy, which I now have my rights back to and hope to re-release in the near future. Since then I have given birth to other books and since I don't use book/birth control my wild muse plans to give birth to many more.
The Empress Tarot card means abundance and creation. She heralds pure feminine power.Like mother nature, she creates the cycles of life.
She is associated with motherhood. Creating stories is akin to creating life. Your books are like your babies. You birth them, nurture, guard them and send them off. You love them no matter what. Of course, I love my own real children more than life but my books also garnish my love and care.When your book get's published, it's the end of your gestation:
Mazel Tov or Congrats, You just gave birth to a healthy epic fantasy novel:
Above is my first birth book, a fantasy, which I now have my rights back to and hope to re-release in the near future. Since then I have given birth to other books and since I don't use book/birth control my wild muse plans to give birth to many more.
November 12, 2012
High Priestess Tarot and my Author Journey
Today is Card 3: The High Priestess
Naturally since I work with raptors I chose this card of a high priestess and her kestrel. This female kestrel I handle reminds me of a priestess.
Now back to my writing journey. The High Priestess Tarot card symbolizes truth, wisdom and understanding. What she represents can only be gained through experience. Experience in re-writes (edits) and learning truths of my craft from other writers, workshops and of course reading. My experience began without knowledge and with each new novel I gain greater wisdom. Now back to editing....
Naturally since I work with raptors I chose this card of a high priestess and her kestrel. This female kestrel I handle reminds me of a priestess.
Now back to my writing journey. The High Priestess Tarot card symbolizes truth, wisdom and understanding. What she represents can only be gained through experience. Experience in re-writes (edits) and learning truths of my craft from other writers, workshops and of course reading. My experience began without knowledge and with each new novel I gain greater wisdom. Now back to editing....
November 11, 2012
Tarot Card The Magician and my Author's Journey
The Magician is the creator of Magic
As a writer I create worlds, scenes, and characters. The source I tap into is nothing less than magic. There are two types of writers plotters(organize entire story line before daring to start) and pantsers (seat of your pants). I'm afraid I'm 90% panster. I have a movie version of my story in my head and then I sit and let the story create itself. I time-slip into a different plane and the story unfolds. I do outline first and then return to it to update it when my characters have decided to go in another direction.
To encourage my creative magic I hone in on my 6 senses. I listen to music that serves as background for my story, maybe light an aromatic candle, sip on warm coffee, tap my fingers on my treasured laptop, and find pictures of actors that might portray my characters. And lastly I use my 6th sense to tap into the alternate universe where my story is reality.
Next to my work station I hang my favorite painting by John William Waterhouse, titled The Magic Circle. If I were a woman in a painting, the witch would be me.
Naturally my work station is less cubicle and more sacred space. I used the picture below of my imagined workspace and eventually I'll take a photo of my equally magical work area and put it up.
As a writer I create worlds, scenes, and characters. The source I tap into is nothing less than magic. There are two types of writers plotters(organize entire story line before daring to start) and pantsers (seat of your pants). I'm afraid I'm 90% panster. I have a movie version of my story in my head and then I sit and let the story create itself. I time-slip into a different plane and the story unfolds. I do outline first and then return to it to update it when my characters have decided to go in another direction. To encourage my creative magic I hone in on my 6 senses. I listen to music that serves as background for my story, maybe light an aromatic candle, sip on warm coffee, tap my fingers on my treasured laptop, and find pictures of actors that might portray my characters. And lastly I use my 6th sense to tap into the alternate universe where my story is reality.
Next to my work station I hang my favorite painting by John William Waterhouse, titled The Magic Circle. If I were a woman in a painting, the witch would be me.
Naturally my work station is less cubicle and more sacred space. I used the picture below of my imagined workspace and eventually I'll take a photo of my equally magical work area and put it up.
