Helen Mathey-Horn's Blog, page 26

Insecure Writer’s Support Group AUGUST!

August 7 question – Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you’d forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming?

My answer is the second part of this. So many times I start a story and think I know where it is going only to find it takes on a life of its own and drags me to an ending I didn’t plan. Definitely so in Dream Warrior. I mean, the protagonist is not a ‘girly-girl’ and very definitely a warrior type so what the heck is this ending? However once written it fit.

Other books the ending was perhaps predictable, sparks of antagonism lead to sparks of romance/love. In Olivia I like to think that there is a nod to collecting ‘a bet’ that the female protagonist doesn’t cotton to as the ‘hero’ hurriedly distracts her with a kiss and hopefully leaves the readers chortling as they weren’t expecting it either.

Every ending should have an element of surprise, I think. Some twist the reader does not quite anticipate, Agatha Christie-style at its best! Nothing so glaring as to be out of character but still satisfying in that the reader did not exactly see it coming, and sometimes I didn’t either. Definitely part of the fun of writing.

Click here to see other writers’ responses to this month’s question.

Memory

I lived for 3 years near Hiroshima (Iwakuni – not to be confused with Iwa Jima). And as one does you invite family to come visit and usually they would come in the summer, mainly because I was a teacher with summers open. So my parents came to visit me the early part of August. A hot and muggy time of year in Japan. What to do and see?

Well, since Iwakuni was so close to Hiroshima it was natural to go and see the spot that is only one of two that nuclear weapons were used on. It is not a ‘jolly’ spot and it shouldn’t be, but it, like the battlefields of Gettysburg and Europe, is a reminder.

So hop a train and we’re in Hiroshima. One of the books (of many) I remember reading at some point in my parents’ house was “Hiroshima” by John Hersey. It wasn’t a thick book, but it made its point.

We arrived and walked over to “Children’s Peace Park” where the memorial is to that morning in August. We walked past the remains of a building whose dome is still propped up with metal arches. Looked at the statue to the girl who believed if she could fold a thousand origami cranes she would be healed of the killing effects of the radiation she had received. And walked through the museum of photos and personal effects that remained, a shoe, the shadow of a seated person waiting for a bank to open created in reverse by their body shielding the stone from the blast, and other things. Not displayed for ‘horror’, but simply as a record and pretty horrific because they were ‘simple things’ on display.

Okay, let’s get back into the August sunshine and a little lightness. Wonder what all the chairs over there are for? Wandering obliviously when a gentleman walks up and quietly says to us, that perhaps we should not stay. August 6th…duh…it was a memorial ceremony. The thing is, the Japanese are not angry about August 6th, but they do not want the world to forget what happens to people, people getting ready for school, for work, waiting for the bank to open, when someone decides to use a nuclear bomb. And the gentleman did not want us to stay for fear we would be attacked, but that it was more like intruding on a funeral.

Monument to the ‘crane girl’

My parents went on to Korea from Japan. My dad had been stationed there during the Korean War. He worked at an Evacuation hospital, think MASH. Actually he was a ‘wheel mechanic’ which meant he keep their vehicles running. Perfect job for a country boy who liked tinkering with engines. There was nothing left of the scene he had witnessed. Seoul is a built-up modern city. But as they stood outside their hotel an older Korean gentleman came up to ask my father if he had been stationed there. My father told him, yes. The gentleman thanked Dad for being there for his country.

As long as people remember.

The Gift

I still haven’t run out of stories to publish. Thanks to DIL here is the next.

“The Gift” takes place in Tienna’s World somewhere in what might be called the ‘middle period’. I have a mental timeline for when the various stories I’ve written take place and this one is in the middle, slightly closer to the first written book, “Dream Warrior” which would be the ‘modern age’.

The Eastern Shore is where the ‘landers’ of Willen and the eastern sailor cultures overlap. The book opens as the newly appointed governor of Imfhof, Lord Lynd Panhart, sent to reverse the corruption and moral decay that occurred under the previous appointee, is forced into accepting a bribe in order to prevent bloodshed in his very first meeting with the eastern sailors’ leader, Silnik Jaccou. Panhart is not happy about the situation and is even unhappier when the bribe turns out to be a young sailor woman.

The problem of what to do with the woman, Jena, is compounded by the fact that she doesn’t speak or understand Willen. Questions develop in Panhart’s mind as to why her father gifted her as the growing attraction both he and his vice-governor, Seldor, have for the sailor woman creates friction. Friction that has Panhart losing his equilibrium and more than willing to believe the worst of his vice-governor and the ‘gift’.

What Panhart can comprehend is that there are layers of deception and old lies tangled around Jena, her father and her uncle. Jena is the key, but if he does not decipher this puzzle in time there will be for the Eastern Shore chaos and death, and for the ‘gift’…only death.

You can find an ebook copy of ‘The Gift’ on Amazon. If you read it would you be so kind as to write a review, on Amazon or Good Reads. Thank you!

Who Dun It?

First do you read? I mean other than blog posts. I’m betting you do as reading is reading and if you read blog posts you probably also read books. I could be wrong, but I like to think the blogosphere is a literate bunch.

Do you read mysteries? If so who’s your favorite writer?

I go through ‘fazes’. Sometimes sci-fi, sometimes historical fiction and sometimes mysteries.

In the mystery genre I have ‘discovered’ Lindsey Davis and her Falco series in ancient Rome. And Kerry Greenwood’s Phyrne Fisher series (set in 1920’s Australia). Oh, and Rhys Bowen and her Her Royal Spyness series (in 1920’s England and another series set in US about the same time).

But if you want the master (mistress) you cannot go wrong with Dame Agatha.

We bought a set of 12 of her mysteries years ago and every now and then I get the urge to read them and see if I can figure out who-dun-it. Yes, if I have read them once I should be able to remember who did it, but you know what? I don’t. I feel like Henry Fonda’s character in “On Golden Pond”, “It’s all new to me.” And honestly Agatha Christie was a master at slight of hand with clues.

Yesterday I went through the mystery section at the bookstore and picked up the Agatha Christie mysteries I didn’t have. Yes, I could go to a library, but I like books on my shelf when I want them. So in another year or two when I get the urge to read all her books again…my choices will be widened.

What genre’s do you like? What authors can you read again?

Dog Days of Summer?

Okay the ‘dog days’ should be in August and honestly July has not been too bad temperature-wise. But I needed a header for these pictures.

I mean how cute is she?

The background is a door (not used) at Pooches that they’ve decided to decorate each month and use a background for a photo-ops. It is a truly cute idea and looking at how these flowers were made gives me flashbacks to making bulletin boards as a teacher.

Interestingly (at least to me) where I got my Ed degree, the secondary teachers didn’t have any classes based on making bulletin boards or the like, where as the ones in primary Ed had to make 3 different sets of letter alphabets. This was before the ease of a Michael’s store or online resources for letter sets and stencils, and who knew what a school might have for resources. So those elementary teachers (to-be) in my carpool had to create their own alphabet of letters. I’m not sure what else they learned bulletin board-wise. I do know the secondary ed people didn’t do anything like it. I think most people don’t feel secondary teachers do bulletin boards. BUT, it is another teaching opportunity and if done well is more than just a place to hang some student work. (Although that is a valid use.) Any rate, I’ve strayed here.

Obviously someone has some serious art skills with construction paper! And I am suitably impressed.

Oh and as this is not the first time I’ve taken her picture in this area, Apache quickly took ‘a seat and posed’ when I moved her over to this spot.

Let’s see the pup again.

Radio Silence – Summer Vacation

Well it was a quick road trip. Where to?

Pennsylvania – A stop at Gettysburg, why not. Only one picture. I was here ‘last’ the summer after graduation from 8th grade. Has it changed? Probably, but I don’t really remember what it was like then.

Philadelphia for a 50th Anniversary of teacher friends I knew from Livorno, Italy days. Their daughters pulled off the surprise.

Yes, blurry, but perhaps Rosemary and Pete would like it that way. It was a very pleasant afternoon. And as always they (and their daughters) know the best places to eat.

Then on to Florida, because if you are this far east you might as well.

Ca d’ Zan John Ringling’s home in the 30’s. Has a lot of the feel of the Philbrook in Tulsa, but then I suspect both are products of their time…if you had money. Where the Philbrook was ‘Italianate’, Ca d’ Zan is ‘Moorish’. We did the ‘short’ tour which was plenty to give the feel and see how the ‘other half’ lived in the 1930’s.

Then on to the main objective – ICE CREAM! This is Don’s elder son. We were here over the 4th.

So if you are in Hudson, Florida…stop in.

And since those were the two main objectives of the trip, we then we headed for home.

We did swing through Biloxi out of curiosity. We visited my son when he was stationed there the summer after their hurricane. It is pretty much re-built and built ‘up’ as most homes are now a floor higher with the ground area used for storage and garage. Makes sense.

And lastly, I collected some sand from the beach next to our hotel in Florida and made the following.

They are for the group we eat breakfast with on Saturdays. People bring back an inexpensive souvenir for each person. I bought the little bottles, ribbon and stars (can you see them?). Some assembly was required, but I figure they can hang them as a X-mas ornament if they wish and the year is on the cork on top. I think they turned out rather cute. The smaller ones are less than 1 inch tall for an idea of scale.

So what did you do during your Summer Vacation?

A week Late for the writing prompt?

Well, my excuse is I was on the road. But I would like to participate in the Insecure Writer’s Support Group idea for July. Thanks to this month’s co-hosts:
Erika Beebe, Natalie Aguirre,Jennifer Lane, MJ Fifield, Lisa Buie-Collard, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!

“What personal traits have you written into your character(s)?”

Boy, wouldn’t I like to have telepathic powers or kick ass martial skills. (Sigh – this is why it is called ‘fiction’?)

I think I’ve written ‘persistence’ into several characters. Life is just not turning out exactly as they had envisioned, but they find the means to make their own way through it. They are willing to stand up to the challenges thrown at them and not given in. I think my life could represent that.

My first marriage did not work out with a fairytale ending…not really either person’s fault, we just weren’t compatible. But as it ended I needed a job. I signed up to teach overseas to support my son and myself. It was a good decision on many levels, but I distinctly remember one brother (not big on going far from home) asking me if I knew any one in the place I was going? Who was going to meet me at the airport? Where was I going to stay? My reply was, having experience some life overseas with DoDEA(Department of Defense Education Activity), “I knew someone would meet me and help me.” So I climbed onto a plane, to go to a place I had never been, to meet people I did not know.

It worked out and really was a great decision. I have lived in some great places, seen many interesting things and made friends now scattered around the world.

I think I’ve written those experiences and strengths into some of my characters if only indirectly. “Don’t know where I’m going, but I’m going.”

And I’m going to throw in one more piece of advice I received before I moved overseas the first time. “You can survive or thrive.” ‘Survival’ is hiding out at home, only associating with the people you work with, taking no chances. ‘Thriving’ involves taking the chances that are presented as opportunities.

I like to think my characters are thriving.

Check on other writers.

Current State of the Garden

I love flowers.

A lot of pink and chartreuse this year! Even the algae in the birdbath!

Flag Day

I’m not sure when I learned June 14th is ‘Flag Day’.

I think it was because of an afternoon program in the Chicagoland area, Garfield Goose and Friends on WGN-TV. See picture above. They ran an activity one spring about a special decoder ring you could write in for, and each afternoon they would put a ‘message’ on the screen for you to decode. Can’t you imagine the appeal for grade school kids?

I didn’t send in for the ring, but I remember on June 14th’s program they talked about it being ‘Flag Day’ and then when the message was put up on the screen I figured out it said “Happy Flag Day”. At least I’m pretty sure it did. I should have kept those letters and worked on figuring out the rest of the alphabet over the rest of the days, but nah.

Having an aunt and mother in DAR you learn a few other things about ‘flags’ in general. Like they are supposed to be burned if they get old or dirty. (But heaven forbid the protestors of the sixties burn them.) And the positions they are supposed to be in when you hang them against a wall. (Always seems counterintuitive that one.) And they aren’t supposed to be displayed outside at night unless they are lit. (Flag pole and a light?)

And they aren’t supposed to be used in other formats.

Seems kind of extensive to worry about rules for a symbol, but for some people it is intense. Those that ‘fly’ the flag the most seem to be the ones who ‘disrespect’ (according to flag etiquette) the flag the most…back of a pickup, on shirt/hat/shoes, all no-no’s according to the rules. And as I said it seems kind of excessive. If you are interested in more, here is a link.

Me, I like (love maybe) Denmark’s flag. Don’t get me wrong, the American flag is okay as a symbol, but in terms of beauty, Denmark has most flags beat.

Theirs is a flag that is simple and elegant, all in one. The standard form is rectangular (like ours) with a red ground and a white cross horizontally down the middle. They fly them everywhere as you drive through the country. But my favorite form is a long triangular pennant at the top of a tall pole. It just kind of winds its way in the breeze like a red and white snake. I can’t come up with a better word than snake. It is cooler than that. It just meanders through the air and wow! And the Danes are just chill about it’s use too. Something we could use.

Anyrate Happy Flag Day!

3 on Thursday?

I don’t do this often (have never? maybe once?) but I thought I would today. My blog, my rules.

Limping Dog…sounds like part of an Asian action film…’Limping Dog, Jumping Cat’… Our dog has been limping for the last few days, so off to the vet’s office today. They could not see a reason and did do an x-ray. We’ve had this problem before. She was a rescue and before she landed in the pound she was a young malnourished pup. A special ‘joint diet’ straightened her out pretty quickly and she is still on it, but this week she was back to limping and favoring her right front limb. X-ray says all is okay, so maybe just a sprain. Prescription is don’t jump around. Right…just have to keep her from seeing the squirrels in the backyard.

With a little 4th of July color

I love you cat, but…I found a dead wren on the porch. Yes, I know who is the culprit. Sigh. We should never have let her be an indoor/outdoor cat.

Yes, YOU!

Milkweed blossoms – I’ve talked about them before and just the last post! So why again? Well, I’m not seeing caterpillars on them, but the aroma is so great, especially in the evening and when I was out checking on the water in a bird bath it was just heavenly back there. It is one of the big ‘smells of summer’ for me. I guess if it could be bottled and uncorked at any time it wouldn’t be so special.

I guess I’ll focus on milkweeds and hopefully monarchs and a healthy dog.