C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 177

So Many Men, So Little Time by Gerri Brousseau

Yesterday I had the daunting task of spending hours upon hours on line looking at pictures of the faces of handsome men.  I know, I know, it’s a tough job but someone has to do it, right?  But all kidding aside, I’m preparing to try my hand at making a book trailer and I’m looking for the face of my hero.

Those of you who write know that you have an image of your hero in your mind, although this image may not be the same as the one in the mind of the person reading your book.  I have searched several photo image sites and have yet to find him.  I must ask myself, will I know him when I see him?  Will our eyes meet and will I know in my heart of hearts that this man whose photo I am looking at IS my hero?  I gave this a lot of thought because on Tuesday I went to the movies to see The Avengers.  Prior to the flick, they have all those trivia questions.  This time they had facts about the stars of certain movies that were not the original choice for the role.  Hmm … I sat there thinking about my hero.  At one point, Steven Spielberg said Harrison Ford was not the original choice to play Indiana Jones!  Oh My God, I could not imagine anyone else playing that role.  Could you?

So today, I return to the daunting task of looking for the face of my hero.  As I sit here drooling … er … I mean gazing at the pictures of these handsome men, all I can say is … so many men, so little time.

Today I have a few questions … Have you ever made a book trailer?  Where did you find the face of your hero?  Have you ever seen the hero in a movie and thought he was miscast and that someone else, a different actor, would have been better in that role?

Filed under: romance

Life: A Series of Events

For those of you who have read my blogs with any degree of frequency, by now you know my day job is in the financial industry while at all other times, I aspire to write. I often talk about how people must enjoy the present or motivate themselves to give their all, but I’ve only had those thoughts overwhelmingly confirmed of late. Unfortunately, a dear friend of our family is in her last days. In her mid-sixties, she contracted a disease similar to that of mad cow. The doctors have not been sure of what to title her disease nor have they been sure of how to treat it, but they are sure she hasn’t much time left.

The reason I bring this all up is that this friend has been one of the strongest women I’ve known throughout my life. She worked her way up from poverty and now she is fairly well off. She has a generous heart and an incredibly strong will. It still amazes me how so quickly life can be snuffed out and at any moment. I never thought to see her so sick and near death at what I’d consider such a young age.

Even more so, I must say that in my line of job, this scenario is not so unique. Every day, I see and speak with people who have spent their whole lives working toward goals, sacrificing to save so they can enjoy their retirement. I’ve seen the opposite too; those who haven’t saved and are now spending their “retirement” fighting paycheck to paycheck just to make ends meet.

Truly, it is important to be somewhere in the middle. Enjoy our lives and all the series of events that happen start to finish. I met an Australian on my first trip to Spain. I was fifteen and fell in love with the country of Spain on a high school exchange. In the subway station I got to talking with this Australian and he told me that what made Spain so fascinating (as well as many other countries) is that there they work to live and in the United States, we live to work. I thought his words interesting then but many years later, I understand them much more and have to agree with them. Neither way is necessarily bad, just different culturally.

I definitely am not saying it is not important to work. We must all have something to work for, to stretch and grow us. I consider myself having two jobs between my day job and the writing but I enjoy them both so I wouldn’t have it any other way. Still, I also make a conscious effort to pause and enjoy life’s little events so that no matter what the future holds, I can say I enjoyed a full life. And as for my family friend, I’d like to say thank you for always being so generous and working hard for others too. We appreciate you.

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

A Day in the Life by Leia Shaw

It always surprises me to learn people are interested in what a writer’s daily life is like. I can’t possibly see how it’s any different from anyone else’s. Do you think I have a live-in nanny and personal chef like a celebrity? Do you think I eat magic mushrooms to get inspired to write? To prove to you how ordinary my life is, I’ve written below, A Day in the Life of Me.

I write two full days during the week (and on weekends) so this is a typical writing day. On the other three days, I have my 3 year old home with me. And we do fun activities like play dates and puppet shows and wake mommy with a baseball bat when she falls asleep during Dora.

DS = dear son age 6

DD = dear daughter age 3

7am – alarm goes off

7:05 – wake up DS then get myself dressed  

7:10 – wake up DS

7:15 – DD stumbles into the bedroom, usually cranky

7:20 – husband stumbles out of bed, usually cranky

7:22 – wake up DS (note: no one in my family is a morning person)

7:25 – look at the clock and declare, in my super perky June Cleaver voice, “Oh crap! We’re late!”

7:25 – 7:40 – hustle everyone into clothing (bonus if they match) and urge them to shove food down their throats

7:45 – husband and DS run to the bus stop

8:00 – DD rejects first breakfast, demands second breakfast. We argue.

8:05 – make DD second breakfast (tip: never argue with a 3 yr old)

8:15 – drop her off at babysitter

8:25 – realize I forgot to put a bra on. Keep arms crossed over my chest while avoiding eye contact with other parents

8:30 – check facebook. Post something super positive and prophetic like “I will finish this goddamn manuscript today goddamn it!”

9:00 – writing!

9:05 – check facebook

9-12pm – attempt to be productive, sometimes successful. Most days drive to Starbucks and sit under vent where my fingers go numb from cold air blasting but at least it keeps me awake. I also get refills on my iced tea for $0.53 (the only thing that makes a $4.00 drink somewhat redeemable. Yes, I park in the 1 hour only slot and sit there for 2 and I drink three refills of iced tea so suck it Starbucks!)

Noon – drive home, check facebook, and eat lunch

1-2 – editing and revising what I pretended to write in the morning

2-3 – write super informational and always entertaining blog posts like this one

3 – peel my lazy ass off whatever piece of furniture I’ve been stuck to for the last three hours and get DS from the bus stop

3:30 – feed him 1st, 2nd, and 3rd snack then watch him bounce around the house like a cocker spaniel on crack

4:30 – pick up DD from babysitter. Say “aww…” when she runs to me and gives me a big hug

5:00 – Look at hungry kids and say, “What? You’re expecting dinner?”

5:05 – attempt to cook dinner while children make me want to kill myself by saying things like, “He breathed on me!” “She blinked her eyes at me!” and “The dog just threw up on the carpet.”

5:30 – Hubby comes home and I point to the kids and say “This is all YOUR fault!”   

6 – 7:30 – I’m not really sure what happens here. It’s all a blur.

7:30 – bedtime!

8:00 – No, really. Bedtime.

8:15 – I said bedtime!

8:30 – Pretend to write while I stare mindlessly at whatever hubby is watching on TV

10:00 – “Oh, hi, hubby. How was your day?”

10:01 – Hubby grunts. “Bedtime.”

 

Filed under: romance

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.   In many ways, so are you.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Orcs are on the war path.  Take another path.

Taurus

Into every life a little rain must fall.  Mermaids are here to help you swim.

Gemini

Your trees are outgrowing the neighborhood Ents.  When it gets hot, you will have shade.

Cancer

Hobbits are great friends to have, very focused on home and hearth.  So should you be.

Leo

Wood elves are great looking at the bigger picture.  Get another opinion before acting.

Virgo

Werewolves sometimes have trouble with fleas.  Sometimes you have to scratch the other guy’s back.

Libra

Shapeshifters always have a home base and a form of preference.  Think about re-evaluating what you want out of life.

Scorpio

When a friend broods, it’s time to got out and let your hair down.  Like Rapunzel, don’t be caught off guard and stuck in an isolated place. Be watchful.

Sagittarius

A vampire alone is not too much of a problem.  Keep an eye on the loner.

Capricorn

Fairies love to dance and have invited you to party.  Come on.  It’s Spring.

Aquarius

Okay, so you missed Beltane and didn’t get to dance under the moon naked.  You can still rejoice over what you have.

Pieces

An elf lays a love token on your door step.  You will be protected and adored by someone you least expect.

–Susan Susan Hanniford Crowley http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Re-Reading Little Women

by C. Margery Kempe

I re-read Little Women this weekend. One of those chance remarks on social media added to the luxury of my flexible schedule, led to me sitting down and reading it cover to cover. Despite reading it on the Kindle app on my iPad, it took me back to all the other readings of the book. As my friend Karen said on Twitter, it’s one of those “sacred books” that holds a special place in many hearts.

Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy — how many of us have laughed and cried over their adventures since Louisa May Alcott published the first volume back in 1868? Countless numbers. I first read it in what I discovered later was an expurgated version that had all direct references to religion removed. For such an essentially moral story, the actual references to religion are few, but still jump out at me because of that novelty.

I suppose an awful lot of writing women first got their courage for the art from the lively adventures of Jo. Does “genius burn” for you, too? I always loved her wild tales for the Daily Volcano — I suppose my own racy romances and lately gruesomely dark crime stories are equally sensational thrillers. Unlike Jo, I don’t feel guilty about my lurid tales or feel they put me in any kind of moral jeopardy.

But I sighed and cried all the way through the book: the impossibly kind family especially Marmee — always understanding, always so wise — the painful lessons of poverty, the envy of those who had an easier time of it and the ambition for a better life — and yes, finding true love. I think there was an extra level of interest for me in the idea of sisters, having only brothers. Sometimes I really longed for a sister or two to confide in.

What are your Little Women memories? Who’s your favourite character? Did you sigh for Laurie — or for Professor Bhaer?

Black Rock Pier, Salthill, Galway

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, Characters, Emotions, erotic romance, inspiration, Kit Marlowe, What Are You Reading?, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

It’s Cinco de Mayo, Let’s Have Margaritas by Gerri Brousseau

Cinco de Mayo.  It’s not Mexico’s Independence Day.  It is a celebration on May 5th (genius because Cinco de Mayo means the 5th of May) in both the US and Mexico.  In Mexico it is called El Dia de La Battalla de Puebla, which is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

See, back in the day (1846-1848) there was this little war called the Mexican/American War, which was followed by the Mexican Civil War of 1858, and then there was the 1860 Reform Wars.  All this fighting left Mexico nearly bankrupt (pay attention American politicians).  The Mexican President, Benito Juarez, issued a memorandum saying all foreign debt payments would be suspended for 2-years.  Well, as you can imagine, the countries Mexico owed money to were none too happy and so France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand payment.  Britain and Spain negotiated settlement and withdrew, but France saw this as an opportunity to establish their hold in Mexico.  Late in 1861 a well armed French fleet stormed Veracruz and then moved on to Mexico City where they encountered heavy resistance from Mexico’s Army near Puebla.  The French Army was 8,000 strong and here at Puebla was attacked by a poorly equipped Mexican Army of half the size.  The Mexicans rose up and defeated the French at Puebla on May 5; thus the celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

Here in Connecticut many restaurants will be offering Mexican cuisine and drink specials.  I have seen restaurants in my town decorated with piñatas and streamers and boasting exciting menu choices.  (I’m getting hungry thinking about having a fajita)  I know there will be lively Mexican music playing and good times will be had by all.  Yes, I’m looking forward to doing my part to celebrate Mexico’s defeat of the French at Puebla … but honestly I’m really looking forward to having a frozen Margarita!

Will you be going out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?  Will you be having a Margarita?  How will you celebrate today?

Filed under: romance

What A Writer Needs, Part 13 – Just Breathe

Courtesy of AboutLandscaping.com

Have you been writing like a maniac unleashed?  I have, not always organized, but definitely unleashed.  The thing with being so focused, so plugged in, so entrenched in the world you’re creating is that you forget to breathe.

At times, it’s good to just take a day off.  Do something to soothe your fevered brow–something restful, peaceful, calming.

Why is this necessary?

When we are involved with our own characters and their world, we step out of ours.  It’s refreshing and invigorating to go out with friends, visit family, or just go to the movies.  Today I visited one of my daughters and paused as I was leaving.  Her white lilac bush was in full bloom.  She has lived there for two years, and I never noticed the lilacs before.

I paused to breathe in their heavenly scent.  It’s the moments like that which add sweet endearing details to our lives and the stories we create.  Recently I was reading Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris.  There was this part where Sookie is driving in the car and singing with the radio.  Sookie admits to herself that she can’t sing.   That one sweet moment endeared the character of Sookie Stackhouse to me all over again.  The way to write such moments for our characters is to live them.

Tomorrow leave the house and just breathe.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Characters, Emotions, Helping Other Writers, problem-solving, stress, writing, journal, diary, resolve, worked, relax., romance, romance novels, Settings, Susan Hanniford Crowley, True Blood, What A Writer Needs, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Lookin’ For Love in All The Wrong Places by Gerri Brousseau

I just saw a news magazine program discussing on-line dating.  This program targeted e-Harmony because e-Harmony states they use a scientific formula to find your match.  Yet, when asked to profide the details of their method so that a scientific study could be done, they refuse saying it’s a secret.

The news magazine talked about how e-Harmony asks you to fill out an extensive questionnaire.  The young woman featured in this program said it took her two hours to complete the form.  She went on to say she had received several matches and went on several dates, but felt none of the men selected for her were good matches.

I have no recent experience with online dating, but about 10 years ago I did try e-Harmony.  Yes, the questionnaire took hours to complete and they refuse to provide you with a photo of your potential mates.  They told me my perfect match was a guy whose main interest was Austrian economics.  Seriously? I mean – seriously?  zzzzzzz …. zzzzzzz

Then we have Match.com, which after a quick preview seems like it has the same pictures up it had up 10 years ago.  So sad, if you really think about it.  I know romance can be found anywhere and I’m sure some people have found their soul mates on one of the many dating sites, but do you think a computer using a secret scientific method could find someone who would be more compatible than someone you could find?

And, these on-line dating services are not free.  Of all the people who subscribe to these sites, what do you think the success rates are?  Are these on-line dating sites much like those health clubs who charge your credit card monthly for services you do not use?  Are on-line dating services a success or a sham? Could that many unhappy and lonely people be looking for love in all the wrong places?

Filed under: romance

The Lottery

If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say, “If I won the lottery, I’d…” I’d be rich with my own lottery. A few weeks ago, the Mega Millions jackpot reached over six-hundred or so million and was won by several players in different states. I can only imagine what those winners have planned to do with their winnings, but I will say that I also believe it is easier said than done.

In my day job, I work for a financial firm and I watch people pull money out of retirement accounts every day. I see other accounts too but I point out the retirement accounts specifically because many do not treat them as such, even with the 10% penalty the IRS assesses for pulling funds out before the age of 59.5. Many times, without asking, clients will go into lengthy explanations about why they need the money. Presents, a new car, a house, credit card debt, a boat, medical bills, I could go on and on. The point is they always feel a justification to withdraw their funds.

One would imagine those who win end up living the “good life.” According to a Fox News report on March 29th, many of lottery’s biggest winners don’t necessarily end up with better lives. Many winners may start out buying houses for their family, putting money aside for family members’ educations, maybe even following up with some long time dream of theirs. What I never understand is why we need to wait until retirement or winning the lottery to achieve our dreams. Granted, if you want to use money to travel or buy your dream car, perhaps your retirement account is not the best source, especially if you aren’t at the retirement age; however, that’s my point. We can achieve dreams before retirement and without winning the lottery. We just need to be smart about planning our dreams and going for it. In finance we always say that without risk there is no reward—and that is completely true!

Writers are proof that people can work toward their dreams without winning the lottery. Most writers I know are not making millions but they are still working toward their dreams or living them. We writers also have a lot of power in numbers which makes us great for supporting causes or organizations or each other. So the next time you hear someone say, “If I won the lottery, I’d…”, ask them what is stopping them from working for their dreams now.

Okay, that’s it for this week.  Happy writing to you all and don’t forget to follow your dreams!

Filed under: Business, Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

Why Women Hate Me for Being Talented by Leia Shaw

Inspired  by the brave woman who wrote this article a few weeks ago (Why Women Hate Me for Being Beautiful), I’ve decided to come out of the closet and speak out about my own suffering. So here it is. Why it’s so hard to be talented.

When I was six years old and first used my talent, my grandmother told me, “you’re so talented.” Ever since then, people have gone out of their way to do things for me.  Waiters are always bringing me complimentary water at restaurants. People return things to me I have dropped or say “excuse me” when bumping into me. You might be thinking that’s a wonderful surprise. But it’s not. Not for me. It’s not a surprise, I mean. It’s wonderful, sort of, but the wonder isn’t because of the surprise because it’s not a surprise at all. Let me clear that up. Yes, wonderful. No, surprise.

Anyway, I don’t even bother to ask why they do these enormous favors for a stranger – a woman they don’t know, which is what a stranger is. I already know why. It’s because of my talent.

You may be judging me as you’re reading this, making your own determination about my talent. But I’m not arrogant or superior – I’m just better than you.

But as great as I am, I’ve also lost many friends because of it. They’re jealous because, while their talent has gotten old and flabby, mine has stayed young and taut.

Doors have been slammed in my face. Literally. Usually by mothers of small children. They whisper “delusional” behind my back. The mothers, not the children. The children say silly, nonsensical things like “get a life loser” and “I hope you drown in a pool of your own vomit.” Poor kids. They’ll never be as talented as me.

I asked a lady on the bus if I committed some crime that made people hate me. She said “they hate you because you’re a stuck-up bitch.” I smiled and nodded cause she’s just a lady on the bus and doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Then when she turned around, I spit in her coffee.

I don’t work or else I’d have more examples of how hard it is to be talented.

Men never ask me on dates because they think “how can I ever keep up with her talent?” They even go out of their way to ignore me so their wives and girlfriends don’t get jealous.

I was following my best friend around the mall one day and she started giving me dirty looks. Later, I realized her talent had been one of those that got droopy parts and those little creases around the eyes everybody calls laugh lines because they don’t want to come right out and say wrinkles. Before that, she would barely tolerate me, now she was downright rude. Do you see what I mean? Do I have to water down my talent to be like everyone else? Is that what it will take to have friends?

One time I was at a wedding and someone noticed my talent and, in a fit of jealousy, said, “who are you? You weren’t invited to this wedding.” I burst into tears and ran into the bridal suite where some men in blue uniforms came to console me. They were even kind enough to escort me off the property. Another example of strangers treating me better because of my talent.

I’m probably one of the only people who’s looking forward to the decline of my sanity. Then maybe people will stop judging me on my talent and look at who I am instead. Which is, and will always be, better than you.

Filed under: romance