C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 220

A Benefit of Tea

Lately, I've been drinking a lot of tea.  Being sick will do that.  Being heartsick over some of the events in the world like what's happening in Japan will do that too.  There's something soothing about tea.  I've read there are health benefits to green tea.  I'm not a medical expert, but I have years of tea drinking behind me and how know that a good cup can curl your toes and make you smile.

Tea can make you feel serene, change your perspective on things, even bolster your courage at times. 

A few years ago, I was in Scotland at the international conference for science fiction and fantasy.  I went to a round robin writing game at midnight.  It was in the horror genre.  The group decided to write a zombie story together.  I got the story and had the hero surrounded by zombies and passed it on to my friend Dan.  He has a lovely sense of  humor.  He immediately had the hero sit down and have a cuppa.  I was astounded.  I should explain that he's British.  To him, having a cuppa is a natural way of regrouping to evaluate the situation.  It reminded me of when terrorists blew up trains in the London Underground and a double decker bus.  One news reporter showed this woman who came out of her house and set up a little table.  She handed cups of tea to people who stumbled out of the train station.  In an atmosphere of great pain and chaos, she rushed out to give them just that little moment of something familiar and calming.  

Tea warms the heart.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Filed under: romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Writer's Life

A Little Reflection

Unless you've been in a box the past week, you've all seen pictures of the devastation the quake and tsunami caused in Japan. As I sat at the breakfast table this past weekend, I couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness grip my heart. Sad of course for the people living in this region and for anyone experiencing such devastation, but also sad that the world may forget too soon.

I thought back to September 11, 2001, to Katrina, to the earthquake in Haiti and then returned back to present day Japan; all disastrous events with many still living the consequences. Perhaps "forget" is not quite the right word as I doubt that will happen for many of us, but more importantly, it feels as if immediately after these tragedies, we change—only for many around the world watching, it is a short-lived change.

As I thrummed through the web, I sat there thinking of how I could help and stumbled onto a link on the main yahoo page titled: Help Japan. On this site you will find a list of organizations through which you can make donations. I've decided that for now that is what I am going to do. A part of me (a very tiny part) hopes this does help, and a larger part of me feels this is hardly enough. The truth is all the little efforts we make, add up to one big effort and it is the world coming together that makes the difference in time.

Some of us will try to help a little more by flying over to the region and volunteering our hands, tears and smiles of hope. Others will support and lift those hurt, through prayer. The point is just to do something and if that simply means waking up each day to reflect on those who have experienced tragedy, then so be it. Our world is one world and we are all human beings. No one lives in a protective bubble although sometimes we like to think we do. Lastly, in light of Japan and all those going through any type of hardships, remember that life is short and should be appreciated at more than just face value.

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

Finding Fitness

So how many of you are fit?

I admit that I am not. It is sad really. I was once a Marine.

Now, I couldn't run to the end of my street if a pack of wild dogs was after me!

However, all of that is about to change.

I am officially on a fit kick.

I have spent the past four days revamping my eating habits and it has been successful so far. I have learned to prepare meals from a cookbook that has simple directions and ingreedients.

I am committed to working out.

So why teh change?

Hashimoto.

Well, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I have it. I am not fond of it. The only way to battle it until it wins the battle against my thyroid is to adhere to a strict, (yes I don't like that word either), diet and exercise program for the rest of my life.

Delightful!

So under doctor's orders I am off to be teh wizard. The wonderful Wizard of Me.

I'll follow the plan and see how it turns out.

Anyone else out there on a fitness kick?

Filed under: romance

Mason's weekly Paranormal-Scope

As you know, I'm not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets. I do however; have practical advice for those of you that might encounter paranormal of some sort.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde have taken control of your body.

Taurus

You've had a few too many sips of love potion no.9.

Gemini

Watch out for the vortex.

Cancer

The voice in your head is a demon trying to help you out. Unless he's telling you to do illegal or dangerous things. Then ignore him.

Leo

You are a hot shape shifting lion or lioness. Yum.

Virgo

Hang out with the undead it's good for you.

Libra

Roll with the dead bodies.

Scorpio

A graveyard is a good place for "you" time.

Sagittarius

A little taste of what you got can keep a fiend coming back so don't provide samples.

Capricorn

Too many pods in one basket leaves you with a hatched basket. Increase your baskets and put a few pods in each.

Aquarius

Staking bad vamps is a good way to let off steam.

Pisces

Once again, you are the chosen one.

Mason

a.c.Mason

Darkness ♀♂ Desires

www.acmason.com

Filed under: a.c. Mason, Mason's Paranormal-Scope

Classical Inspiration

My trip to Rome included an awful lot of statuary, most of which was ancient, often damaged by the ravages of time although sometimes outright vandalism. There's no city more permeated with history than Rome. The ancient and the modern (and all times in between) exist cozily side by side — and sometimes literally in the same place. Ancient temples lie under Christian churches and classical columns get incorporated into the mortar of modern office buildings.

This particular sculpture is from the 17th century by the Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. While I had known of Bernini before this (he was also a painter) this trip really made me fall in love with his work which is everywhere in Rome. Several of his pieces rest in the Borghese Gallery, which takes up a good part of that wealthy family's ancestral home. It is a wonderland of extravagant beauty, not least of which for my beloved Caravaggio's paintings and Bernini's paintings and sculpture.

The story of Apollo and Daphne has been told and retold many times. The basic elements include Apollo sneering at Eros' little bow and arrow, arrogant about his own might. Eros, however, takes umbrage and this and selects two arrows, one lead and one gold. He shoots Apollo with the golden one and he falls instantly in love with the nymph Daphne. Eros shoots her with the leaden arrow and she instantly loathes the warrior god. Daphne had already lived in admiration of the goddess Artemis and wanted to follow in her independent mode, but her father laughed at the idea that her beauty could withstand the force of lovers.

Maddened by his overwhelming love for Daphne, Apollo pursued her endlessly and she ran from him just as assiduously. When Eros helps Apollo in his chase, she cries out in despair to her father for help and suddenly transforms into the laurel tree. Distressed by her desperate escape, Apollo vows to steadfastly tend the tree. His immortality fed the branches and thus the laurel is ever green. To honor her, Apollo has the leaves of Daphne crown leaders and decorate weapons.

I love how Bernini's sculpture captures the moment of transformation, arrested action. It's absolutely breathtaking to see this. I stared at it from all angles, mouth agape. A pity you can't touch it; I wanted to run my hands all over it and feel every detail. My friend Alessandra and I were talking about the uncanny ability of a sculptor to see inside a blog of marble something as magnificent as this — I can't imagine having that power! These are idealised figures, sure, but how much more human they are than the sexless sticks and plastic excesses of our time. Daphne is not emaciated, but strong. You can believe her giving Apollo a good run. The hair! It's so astounding in its liveliness. The roughness of the bark contrasts so wonderfully with the polished marble of their skin. I can see how stories like that of Pygmalion and Galatea get started: you'd swear they were breathing.

Ah, Rome!

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, erotic romance, historical romance, inspiration, Kit Marlowe, mythology romance, paranormal, romance, What inspires you?, Writer's Life

Where's Vampire David? More?

I went downstairs to my computer and found a letter propped up against the screen.

Dear Lily,  (That's what the New York vamps call me.)

Laura and I have gone to Paris for Spring Break.  Max has gone to Iceland, but he asks that you keep writing his book.  He knows you are not well and wishes that you would use his gift.  I told him that you are stubborn and Irish, so you'll probably live.  LOL  Okay, that is a joke.  Do not be mad.  I will bring you something wonderful from Paris. 

Please, tell my readers that I have gone to Paris to do research, so I can better answer their questions.  "Dear David" will return next week.

Love,

David.

Sigh. Well, all I can say is he better bring me something fabulous from Paris.    

I want to thank everyone who dropped by on Thursday including those that commented with excellent advice and wonderful wishes how very much I appreciate it.    

It's raining today and I fell grandly inspired.  It's odd that even though my preception is that I'm doing everything slowly.  Somehow I've managed to write a 1,000 words every day.  And I'm extremely happy about Vampire Max's book.  He's my most riviting hero to date.  I absolutely love his adventure and can't wait to finish.  I keep lingering in the love scene.  Gee, I don't know why that is.  LOL

Right now, I'm pausing to watch "Julie and Julia".  It's a lot of fun.  An amazing use of parallel stories. I've got to prepare for an upcoming party at The Romance Studio for Mrs. Bright's Tea Room.  There'll be a contest too.  Stayed tuned with Nights of Passion to get the details.  You can join my newsletter by emailing me at onlyladyknight@yahoo.com  with Newsletter in the subject and get a special invite.  I'm off to write now. 

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Filed under: Adventures of Lily A. Snow, Characters, Dear David, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampires, What are you watching?, What inspires you?, Writing Topics

Fun Day Friday: Blurb is the Word

Hi all, how is the writing going this week? I imagine many of you are coming off a very busy week and your minds are tired. Mine too, but we are writers and as such, we continue writing. For this week's warm up, brainstorming session, I'm going to give you all the tools to either write a blurb or fix a blurb (see below). It all kind of depends on how much warming up you need to do. Try timing yourself and feel free to put your version and/or thoughts in the comments or not. The point is just to get the juices flowing and those minds working so you can have a very productive weekend of writing your wip. Blurbs are a big deal. Learn to right good ones and you'll nail down those queries and have a high-level overview of what you want to write. So let's get started…

Heroine: Edgy Detective Jade Simmons

Hero:  Bar owner Maxwell Williams

Setting:  Kansas City

One line summary: A detective sets out to prove that a bar owner with a record has been framed in the murder of two women.

Original Blurb: When the beaten bodies of two women are found behind his bar, The Keg, Maxwell Williams is determined to do everything necessary to help Kansas City law enforcement catch the culprit. After all, he's had his share of run-ins with the law and doesn't need the bad publicity.  Problem is, all the evidence points to him as the murderer and the only person who could possibly clear his name would probably rather see him rot in jail.

Jade Simmons enjoys bringing those who break the law to justice on a silver platter. When her ex-husband is framed for the rape and murder of two women, part of Jade wants to walk away from the only man she's ever loved, but the other part knows Maxwell would never be capable of such a cold-blooded act. When Maxwell approaches her for help, Jade stipulates one condition—that he never contact her again once they prove his innocence. Maxwell agrees and the two work together to find a brutal killer. The more they dig, the higher the stakes grow until Maxwell must choose between his love for Jade or his life—outside of bars.

 So what do you think? Where could you shorten it up? Or improve it and why? Is it catchy? Do you get an understanding of the book? If so, does it sound interesting? All questions to ask yourself about your own blurbs. Good luck!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

A Wake Up Call

My health recently took a nasty turn, and my recovery will be slow. Unfortunately that means everything will be slow. I'm not a slow kind of girl. If you've read my Facebook profile in the past, you know I've been traveling at lightspeed. Well, now I have to slow down and smell the flowers.  On that note, my sweetie gave me roses today.  I've had to give up some things I really wanted to do. I've also made goals.

I want to go to FictionFest in May: http://ctrwa.org/ignite-your-muse/

I want to go to Authors After Dark in August:  http://www.authorsafterdark.net/

Those two conferences, by the way, dynamite!  That's why I don't want to miss them.

I'm keeping my goals simple:  I want to write.  Feel warm again.  Enjoy eating food. 

On the up side, being that I have chosen not to become a vampire LOL, I'm going to try to get my human act together.  I want to play more.  Work smarter.  Learn to relax. Let myself heal and not fret the tests. 

I"m open to all suggestions on how to do that?  I want to thank you for being a friend of Nights of Passion.  We enjoy hearing from you. 

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

author of the Vampires in Manhattan series

Filed under: paranormal romance, Readers Conferences, romance, romance novels, RWA, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampires, Writer's Life, Writers Conferences

What Do You Trade In?

I work in finance. We have a saying when it comes to the stock market; no risk equals no return. I thought about this as we headed off to the casino this weekend. I'm not a big gambler when it comes to cash in hand, at least not at the Blackjack or Poker tables. For some reason, taking risks with my retirement investments is a different story. I figure I'm fairly young now so I can afford to be riskier with my investments.

Either way, it got me thinking about writing and how I am pretty conservative in my risks with writing. I've been determined to write more this year, and so far, I have. But I've also aimed to make writing more of a priority and while the desire is there, I still don't carve out enough time in my busy life. I work another job during the day; I am good at it and it pays the bills. But it is not my passion and if I could instantly receive a check as a writer of novels, I would do that in a heartbeat. Alas, a familiar predicament?

The truth is I will not leave my day job to spend time trying to make it as a writer because I can't afford to "risk" not being able to pay my bills. In some ways, I could say this means I don't have enough faith in my abilities to get the job done. Then again, writing is like nothing else I've ever done. In my day job, I got paid to go through training and learn how to do my job. No one pays a writer to learn the craft, which is what make those who are willing to do so, exceptional. You have to truly love what you are doing.

In my opinion, there is no right or wrong way to reach your goal as long as you have a plan and you stick to it. Some make it "happen" in a matter months while others take years. If I were looking at a graph of my writing career, I personally want a long term sustained output. It should start small and the curve up as I go along. Sure there will be ups and downs but I hope to be consistent enough that its overall output is climbing up.  What does your graph look like (or what do you want your career to be like)? Are you trading in things each day to write and if so, could you afford to be a bit "riskier"? The reward may be worth it.

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Anxious

Does everyone get anxious before new books release? I do.

I am anxious for the cover art for the Cara North and the Cali Kent releases in April.

I am anxious for my dear friend, Megan Grooms who will release her first book, Finding Samantha, on the 15th of March!

What do you normally do to pass the time when your mind keeps flipping to the e-mail to see if the cover has been sent?

What do you do to keep from checking the release site every day to see if a book is up for pre-order yet?

For me, well, I wrote this blog to share my anxiety with all of you and to see, am I the only one who gets anxious about all this?

Filed under: Cara North, romance, Writer's Life, Writing Topics