Eden Baylee's Blog, page 89

Harmonica Monday with The Pretenders

Many thanks to reader, writer, and reviewer, Lance Smith for suggesting The Pretenders for this week’s music post.

I’ve always considered Chrissie Hynde a talented singer and guitarist but did not know she played harmonica as well.

Enjoy “Middle of the Road” and Ms. Hynde’s sexy harmonica finale.

If you like your stories with sensuous women and music, pick  up Fall into Winter, which includes harmonica in the first story, “Seduced by the Blues.”

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Buy links: 

US | UK | Canada | Germany | France | Japan | Italy | Spain

Filed under: Musical Mondays

Get Inside the Mind of Jessica McHugh (@TheJessMcHugh)

Please welcome the gorgeous Jessica McHugh to my interview series.

Along with me, she’s one of 22 authors featured in the Allegories of the Tarot anthology, which just released yesterday and is climbing the charts!

Learn more about this fascinating woman, and be sure to connect with her.

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Jessica McHugh is an author of speculative fiction spanning the genre from horror and alternate history to young adult. A member of the Horror Writers Association and a 2013 Pulp Ark nominee, she has devoted herself to novels, short stories, poetry, and playwriting. Jessica has had thirteen books published in five years, including the bestselling “Rabbits in the Garden,” “The Sky: The World” and the gritty coming-of-age thriller, “PINS.” 2014 will see the release of three more novels, including the start of an edgy YA series. More info on her speculations and publications can be found at: JessicaMcHughBooks.com.

Buy from Amazon

Telemarketing is a drag, and serving jobs are exhausting. Luckily, strip clubs are always looking for new blood. Eva “Birdie” Finch is fed up with the slim pickings in local employment, and the gentlemen’s club/bowling alley called Pins seems to be the only option left. But learning how to strip for strangers isn’t Birdie’s only obstacle, especially when fellow dancers start turning up dead. From Jessica McHugh, author of the steampunk adventure The Sky: The World and the bestselling psychological thriller Rabbits in the Garden, PINS is a post-modern coming of age thriller certain to titillate as much as terrify with a candid look at a dancer trying to find herself on a blood-drenched stage.

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Inside Jessica’s Mind

[eden] Welcome Jessica, great to finally learn more about you! Please tell us what turns you on creatively.  

I’m a story slut. Nothing turns me on creatively more than a new idea. So, I’m constantly cheating on stories with other hot, new stories. But I still have to keep my original tales satisfied while rocking a new book like its body ain’t got no spine. It’s a tough life, but someone has to do it.

In case you’re wondering, yes, I had a few drinks before this interview.

[eden] Even better!

Tell us your idea of perfect happiness. A month in a secluded cabin with my husband, a neverending stash of craft (but calorie-free) beer, and a stack of stories to fill the times we’re not eating, sleeping, or making sweet, sweet love.

Or writing books and drinking rum while crammed into those secret underground Disney World tunnels. Whichever’s cheapest.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Whisper. Groan. Jessica McHugh.

What quality do you most admire in a man? The ability to deal with me, even love me, after all of my annoying writing talk. My husband is quite adept at this. I’m convinced he’s superhuman.

In a woman? I love a gorgeous smile on a woman—one of those sparkly, toothy killers that leave you questioning your sexuality. I also admire when a woman doesn’t mind if I tell her she makes me question my sexuality.

[eden] Nice. I think it takes an open mind to question about oneself, especially about one’s own sexuality.  

Do you have any big regrets? Not taking my writing seriously earlier. It’s not a huge regret, because the time I spent writing stories but not submitting for publication was used getting to know my voice and style and bettering my skills. I think that time of learning and exploration was probably more important than being published before 25.

[eden] You’re way ahead of the crowd, Jessica. 

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My body would process alcohol as protein.

[eden]  I love this picture of you below and thought it apropos to insert here. 

What is your greatest fear? Facial disfigurement. When I was a kid, I was thrown off a bike and slid over gravel for several feet on my face. I only have a few scars from it, easily covered by makeup, but it definitely stuck with me. If you read my horror stories, you’ll find facial disfigurement is a common theme.

[eden] I admire how you turned a traumatic childhood incident into something that influences your writing. 

Which living person do you most admire? It’s a tie between two people from my life: Britt Hill Saunders and Melissa O’Brien. Both of these women are intelligent, funny, beautiful, and most of all, they go after what they want, no matter how arduous the effort.

While Britt claims I inspired her to quit her job and pursue her passion as a photographer (please check out LAM Photography!), she really inspired me to quit my job to pursue writing full-time. She’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, and I’m so glad we became friends. She has been a major artistic support to me over the past few years. I could never repay her for the strength and peace of mind she’s given me.

Melissa is someone I’ve known since I was 16, but as most people do as they age, we fell out of touch. Thank criminy we rediscovered our friendship because I don’t know what I’d do without her in my life today. She’s a multi-talented superstar, succeeding at everything she does. But she’s totally down to earth. There’s no one I’d rather get dolled up and drink cheap wine with.

What profession would you like to attempt? I always wanted to be Indiana Jones. So, I’d say I want to be an archeologist/teacher, but I don’t. That’s not what Indiana Jones really was. He was a badass, handsome, adventurer dead-set on finding “important” historical artifacts, saving the world from villains, and leaving tons of hot chicks in his wake. I want that job.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A (beloved) housecat. Sleeping, eating, playing, being scritched and petted. Yeah, I could deal with that.

[eden] Of all the people I’ve interviewed, “cat” is definitely the most common answer.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? This might sound cheesy or TMI (but if you’ve gotten this far, you’ve stopped minding my bluntness), but my greatest achievement is learning how to hug the people I love. My family was not big on sharing emotions, and we never hugged. It became so that casually touching my best friend since 7th grade weirded me out. I hit a point in life when I thought, “This is stupid. You love these people. Hug them. It’s normal.” For years, it was something I had to tell myself to do: “Hug her. Hug him. You love them. It’s normal.” I’m not saying that not hugging people isn’t normal—it was normal for me for a long time. But I wanted to be closer to my friends. I wanted not to feel awkward when they did what was normal for them; ie hugging. After a few years, it did become natural for me. Now I hug my best friend when I see her. I lean against her when we’re sleepy. I play with her hair. I have the intimacy I wanted for so long. It’s now part of my instincts. That’s my greatest achievement.

[eden] Great, honest answer and not cheesy at all.

Who is your favorite writer/musician/film director? Because most people know my favorite writer is Roald Dahl, I’ll speak about my favorite director. It’s a tie between Wes Anderson and Guillermo Del Toro for very different (likely obvious) reasons. Wes Anderson is the epitome of the wacky human nature storybook brought to the real world, and Guillermo Del Toro is the gritty genre story brought to a dream world. I dig a writer/director, which these guys tend to do most of the time. They’re both adept at creating their own worlds and sticking to their guns.

[eden] Let’s do a lightning round … go!

Trait you most deplore in others … Close-mindedness or ignorance, which are usually the same thing.

Your greatest extravagance … Beef wellington and champagne. Granted, the former is homemade (by my loverly husband) and the latter is the cheapest I can find, BUT I feel quite extravagant when I indulge in both.

The one thing you want to do before you die … Take an Alaskan cruise. Or go to Italy. Basically, I’d like to go somewhere with pretty things.

Your favorite curse words … “Jesus Fuck.” I learned it from Perry Samson, the main character in my novel “The Green Kangaroos.” Once he started saying it in the manuscript, it leaked into my normal life. I also like “cunt,” and although it’s not technically a curse word, I do say “balls” A LOT.

Finally, your motto in life … Think in Ink. I’m one of those hand-writers, so ink is my lifeblood. If I need to express something, whether it’s intended for a story or just word vomit, I head straight to a notebook and pen. Writing fiction has taught me so much about myself. It helps me manage and vent my emotions, and oddly, it’s also improved my interaction with non-fiction people. It’s probably better for the world that I frequently think in ink.

[eden] Fantastic way of seing things, Jessica and thanks so much for your honest sharing. 

Readers, please say “hi” to Jessica and learn more about her. All her links are below. 

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Connect to Jessica

Website | Amazon Author Page | Facebook 

Twitter: @theJessMcHugh |  Google+

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Filed under: Author & Artist Interviews

Allegories of the Tarot Anthology releases TODAY!

Wheee! The anthology I’m a part of launches today! Read more about it and find out how you can buy your copy. Thanks to everyone who supported this book, especially to the the woman who created the idea, our wonderful editor, Annetta Ribken.

I am sure I speak for everyone on this project when I say I love you, Netta. ♥

Get the Allegories of the Tarot anthology on Amazon and Smashwords. 

Add the Allegories of the Tarot anthology to your Goodreads to-read shelf!

Swing by the Allegories of the Tarot Facebook page and enter the release-day giveaway. Win a custom Tarot box–complete with Tarot deck!

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Who hasn’t been fascinated by the mysterious Tarot, writer and reader alike? For centuries, fortune-telling by the Tarot has caught many an imagination, but nothing like what will be presented here.

22 cards… each an individual splinter of the human psyche.

22 writers… honing each splinter into a story of triumph and decay, arrogance and humility.

Stories of the brightest lights and the darkest corners of the weirdest minds.

22 cross-genre worlds.

22 portals into the Universal.

Only one way to get there.

Come with us. Cross the portals. The Universal awaits.

About the book

Once upon a time, there was an editor with a fascination for the Tarot. She was struck one day by a crazy idea. “Hey,” she said. “What if twenty-two writers each wrote a story about the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana of the Tarot and were fashioned into an anthology?”

The idea would not leave her alone.

And thus, the Allegories of the Tarot was born.

Crowdfunded by a campaign on Indiegogo with the help and support of an amazing group of writers, twenty-two stories were crafted around the mysteries of the Tarot. The group includes a Pushcart Prize nominee, a Pulp Ark nominee, a former Bigfoot researcher, a journalist, an award-winning YA author, and a Rhysling Award winner. Professional writers, new talent, and a range of genres boggling the mind:†Horror, Speculative Fiction, Bizarro Fiction, Erotica, Mystery, Humor, Paranormal, Epic Fantasy, Literary, Romance, and Historical Fantasy.

What has emerged is an outstanding collection of fiction, unique and mysterious. Stories that will make you cry, make you laugh, and make you think. Stories that make you feel the touch of the Universe.

Dare to step through the portal to shadowy realms and emotional journeys.

Early readers have fallen in love with Allegories of the Tarot

“Allegories of the Tarot Anthology is a magical book. Magic that will keep you turning the pages. There are muses, demons, psychics, evil, and more! I shivered, I laughed and I even cried. Magic, I tell you. Magic.” – Julie Affleck

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“Reviewing an anthology is slightly more difficult than discussing a book or comic because the tone varies from author to author. However, Allegories somehow flowed together as a well-matched whole. The project ended up feeling like several beads strung together to form a beautiful necklace that were more amazing for being paired together.” – Jodi Scaife

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“All twenty-two stories in this volume are, in a word, superb. I found myself scouring the Internet as I read it; every story made me want to go find more work by its author. The ultimate compliment I can give Allegories is to say that when I finished it, I thought how I envy those who haven’t read it yet.” – Lisa Millraney

Get the book!

Allegories of the Tarot is available in e-book and paperback format on Amazon, and in multiple e-book formats on Smashwords.

Don’t forget to add Allegories of the Tarot to your to-read shelf on Goodreads.

Connect with the Allegories of the Tarot Anthology on its website, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Filed under: Author Promotions, Important Announcements, Writing Joint Ventures

Harmonica Monday with the Piano Man @BillyJoel

This Billy Joel classic has one of the most recognizable harmonica riffs played throughout the song.

For me, the lyrics are both beautiful and melancholy … but life’s like that. I’m learning to play the song through on the harmonica this week.

If you like your stories with a touch of melancholy, pick  up Fall into Winter, which includes harmonica in the first story, “Seduced by the Blues.”

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Buy links: 

US | UK | Canada | Germany | France | Japan | Italy | Spain

Filed under: Musical Mondays

Get inside the mind of author and publicist @AnneChacanos

Friend and editor, Annetta Ribken, introduced me to the multi multi-talented Anne Chaconas. That’s right, she’s got so much on the go, she’s redefined what it means to be a mult-tasker. Considering she has two very young children, I’m amazed by her ability to do 10 things at once (if not more) on no sleep.

Anne is the marketing brains behind Badass Marketing (BAM), which launches the month-long promotion for Allegories of the Tarot anthology, releasing Oct. 31st. We both have a story in it too.

Hold on to your hat, and please welcome writer, author, publicist, mother, Master of snark, Anne Chaconas.

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So … Who the heck is Anne Chaconas?

Anne Chaconas was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and made it her mission from around the time she was three years old to move to the United States (where, she told anyone who would listen, all the music was in English, which automatically meant life was better–FLAWLESS TODDLER LOGIC, PEOPLE). She fulfilled said mission at eighteen when she moved to Connecticut to attend a small private university in New Haven. There she bounced from major to major, finally landing on Literature (thus guaranteeing herself absolutely no job prospects upon graduation but absolutely exceptional cocktail party conversational skills).

After realizing people down South were much nicer (and the food was much more fried), she moved there in 2007. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, two kids, four cats, two dogs, and entirely too many books. She is a work-at-home mom, and spends her days making things in the Crock-Pot, changing shockingly awful diapers, getting sunburned at the park, and working on her prose and for her marketing clients during those 45 minutes when the kids’ naps overlap and those fleeting hours after they go to bed.

She writes many things, but has found her true love in humorous non-fiction and parenting essays. She is currently working on two books, EMBRACE YOUR WEIRD (a how-to guide on how to be happy from someone not academically qualified to write such a guide) and A STORK FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (a collection of essays, limericks, and assorted musings on pregnancy, childbirth, parenthood, and other unnatural acts). On the fiction front, she is currently outlining a humorous mystery/thriller series with a kickass stay-at-home mom heroine. Because art should imitate life sometimes, right?

She also swears. A lot.

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Inside Anne’s Mind

[eden] Anne! Welcome. Please tell us your  idea of perfect happiness. Is there such a thing?

You know, that’s an interesting question (well, to be perfectly honest, these are all interesting questions—so thank you for that!). I tend to think of happiness in the same way that I think of love—they are states of being that are constantly morphing, melding, changing in the mind and life of whom they live. Their only constant is their metamorphosis. Which is my very philosophical way of saying that what I may say today is my idea of perfect happiness may not be my idea of perfect happiness tomorrow, or next week, or next month—and it almost certainly not going to be what my idea of perfect happiness was last week, last month, last year, or last decade (because, alas, I count my life in multiple decades now. Sigh). Anyways, my idea of perfect happiness right now? Sleep. Sleep. Sleeeeeeeeep. Blissful, quiet, uninterrupted sleep. At least eight hours of it; preferably twelve. Because, you see, I have a toddler and an infant. Whom I love. Very much. Very, very much. But who are also out to destroy me via a complex regimen of multiple middle-of-the-night wakeups, broken naps, simultaneous tantrums/crying jags, and sidelong giggling glances which are both endearing and completely petrifying (because what are they plotting now?). So the thought of being able to sleep without being woken up every couple of hours, without having to worry about what they’re getting into or what kind of world domination via diaper blowouts they may be plotting—well, that just sounds divine. 
Outside of that, my idea of perfect happiness is, funnily enough, the exact opposite: Hanging out with my family, being used as a human jungle gym.

How very catch-22 of me.

[eden] Indeed

Is there something that turns you on creatively? Sleep.

Just kidding.

I love new ideas. The ones that come unbidden in the middle of the night, or while you’re washing dishes, or when you’re making dinner or tying your shoes or jogging. The ones that appear as if from nowhere, that make you stop whatever you’re doing and make your heart race with the knowledge that this could be really fucking cool. The ones that make you stop whatever you’re doing and scrabble to find a pen and paper to chicken-scratch it down before your forget it (that is, until you wisen up and start carrying a small notebook and mini-golf pencil in your back jeans pocket wherever you go). New ideas filled with promise and potential and awesomeness, that could go anywhere (even if most of them go nowhere)—because they’re the Big Bang of creativity.

Any words or phrases you overuse? I swear. A lot. So pretty much all swearwords are overused, particularly fuck and motherfucker. (I should point out, however, that I do most of my swearing online these days, in a feeble attempt to make it so that my kids don’t say, “Mommy can I have a motherfucking snack? I’m fucking hungry.” And they don’t! …well, so far. WEEE for me!) I also overuse awesome and badass and kickass. In my actual writing, I overuse the word “that” quite a bit, enough that I always run a check for it once I’m done writing and delete all unnecessary instances of the phrase.

[eden] I used to swear much more, I’ve tempered with age, I think. I hardly ever use the word ‘awesome’ for the very reason that everyone does.

What do you most admire in a man? Honor. If you’d asked me this when I was in my 20s, I would have said “the tightness of his abs” and probably added “his smile” as an afterthought. However, now that I’ve stopped jonesing for assholes and have spent the last 5 years married to an actual nice guy, I would have to say “honor” is the quality I most admire. Honor encompasses so many things—courage, reliability, respect, work ethic, a sense of what is just and right and good. Abdominal tightness comes and goes, but honorability is forever.

And in a woman? The ability to not be so goddamn serious about being a woman. Look, I get it—we’re women, we’re powerful, we’re still not where we want to be, we need to take the world by storm, we need to bond together, we need to make a change. But I don’t need to hear it all the time, and I don’t need you to tell me about it all the time. Trust me, I’m all about female empowerment, education, and progress—but I’m also about being able to laugh at myself and not taking myself so damn seriously.

[eden] So true, I don’t think women accomplish more by being hard line.

Do you have any big regrets? Having spent most of my 20s trying to be someone I was not. I wore so many hats trying to find one that was “cool” and “hip” that I basically spent the better part of a decade being a volatile asshole. And, the funny thing is, once I stopped giving a shit about being cool and hip—well, that’s when other people started telling me how cool and hip I was. Who knew it was that easy? Very infuriating. But so very textbook when it comes to human development. And I hate the thought that I was textbook anything but, alas, I was. So, yes, I regret my behavior during most of my twenties—but only to a degree. Because if I hadn’t spent all that time desperately attempting to be fucking awesome, I wouldn’t have given up in sheer mental exhaustion, and therefore wouldn’t be the fucking awesome I-don’t-give-a-shit individual I am today.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My inability to fly (like Superman, that is. I can fly in an airplane no problem). Man, I want to fly so bad. Just do that whole Neo in The Matrix: Reloaded thing, and WOOSH LIKE A MOTHERFUCKER.

[eden] I’d love to see that.

What is your greatest fear? That I’ll die without making an impact. Even a small one. I don’t care so much if I’m remembered, but I want to make a dent, however wee, on the surface of humanity. A dent for the good. 

This is closely followed by a fear that I’ll wake up one day being allergic to chocolate. Because that would fucking suck.

[eden] Ha! It would.

Which living person do you most admire? My 2.5-year-old daughter. And it’s not because she’s beautiful, or smart, or even really, truly funny at such a young age (all of which—shameless parent proudness moment—she is). I admire her complete lack of self-consciousness, her fearlessness, her willingness to try new things, her ability to unequivocally say NO to things she doesn’t want to do and YES to those she does. Adults are so full of neuroses and quirks and bullshit—it’s so refreshing to see her just take the world by storm every day, doing exactly what she wants to do exactly how she wants to do it. My aim, every day, is to make sure she doesn’t lose that—I want her to always pee into the wind and laugh while doing it, and not give a shit what others may say or do. She inspires me to be fearless.

[eden] What a great answer. I love the thought of staying childlike and fearless all our lives. If only …

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Magician. Specifically, card tricks. Sleight of hand fascinates me, probably because I am so not subtle.

[eden] Really? I haven’t noticed.  

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A world-class athlete in a truly physical sport like swimming, or football, or gymnastics. I wonder what it would be like to have that kind of body control, that kind of strength. My husband is extremely athletic, and it blows my mind, because I trip over my own toes (seriously).

What do you consider your greatest achievement? I can burp the alphabet. Also: My kids.

[eden] Sweeeeet. I can’t do the alphabet, but I can burp five times in a row after a pint of Guinness. It’s not pretty.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Fakery. Being one way in public, or online, and a very different way in private. I fucking hate that shit. Just own who you are, even if you think it would be perceived as “bad” by others—or even if it is, empirically, bad. Just own it. OWN THAT SHIT AND ROCK IT.

What is your greatest extravagance? It used to be shoes and purses. Now it’s probably the occasional steak-and-baked-potato dinner. 

…Actually, you know what? My haircuts! I finally have a stylish haircut after years of just letting my hair grow, and so I spend anywhere from $50-$100 (depending on if I get any products) every six to eight weeks attempting to look like a MILF.

[eden] You are the poster girl for a MILF, even without the expensive haircut! 

What is one thing you want to do before you die? CLICHÉ TIME! Hit the bestseller lists. Not just the Amazon bestselling lists in a category or something (although, trust me, that’s also pretty fucking badass)—no, I want to hit the bestselling lists: New York Times, USA Today, national. Because, uh, AWESOME.

Who are some of your favorite artists? 

Writers: I have a lot. Margaret George, Ken Follett, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, Federico Garcia Lorca. Stephen King. Michael Crichton. They’re all wonderful in different ways, and have influenced me and made me happy at different points in my life.

Musician: I really, really enjoy Poe. And Def Leppard. 

Film director: I gotta be honest—I don’t really keep up with different directors and their different styles. That’s something that’s more my husband’s speed. However, I will say this: The Godfather trilogy of movies KICKS FUCKING ASS (yes, even The Godfather III; so sue me), so I’ll just go ahead and say Francis Ford Coppola. Because “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” I mean, come on.

Do you have MORE curse words you’d like to share? If you still have to ask me that after reading this interview, we may have to work on your reading comprehension skills. However, just because I love them so much: fuck, motherfucker, shit. And also craptastic. 


[eden] Just wanted to give you one final chance to vent!

Finally, your motto in life is …. “Don’t be a douchecanoe.” Because it is really sound advice, applies to everything and everyone, and uses the word douchecanoe. Win/win/win. 

[eden] It’s been a slice, Anne, as I knew it would be. xox

Readers, please say “hi” to Anne and learn more about her services through Badass Marketing. The woman is badass terrific!

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Connect to Anne

Stalk Anne at: About Me

 Google+ | Twitter @annechaconas

Badass Marketing

Website | Facebook | Twitter @badassmktg

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Filed under: Author & Artist Interviews

Charles Bronson plays Harmonica in – Once Upon a Time in the West

The sound of the harmonica follows Charles Bronson’s character in the film, Once Upon a Time in the West. 

His character is also known as “Harmonica.”

Sincere thanks to author friend, Tim Dittmer who alerted me to this terrific film. He knows I’ve been taking harmonica lessons over the past months, and this haunting theme is a great example of what the instrument can do, so I’m learning it. C harp, bend on the 6 hole draw, not easy.

Watch this incredible scene from the film on Youtube. I don’t like guns, but I love old Westerns and gunfights … and of course, Charles Bronson.

The music is by Italian composer, Ennio Morricone.

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Filed under: Musical Mondays

Get Inside the Mind of Jennifer Wingard (@Independent_Pen)

I met Jennifer Wingard on Facebook through good friend and editor, Annetta Ribken.

Her company, The Independent Pen provides writing and editing services, including copy editing and beta reading.

Along with me, she’s one of 22 authors featured in the Allegories of the Tarot anthology, and I’m thrilled to write with her!

You will find Jennifer’s answers spare and to the point, probably like her editing style. Mixed in there is a sense of edgy humor and a genuinely, warm person. I hope you enjoy learning more about her.

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Jennifer lives on Virginia’s coast and spends most of her time copy editing for some amazingly talented authors. When not editing for her business, The Independent Pen, she usually writes, sews, or knits in the few minutes she can snatch that aren’t filled with homeschooling or chasing the kids and pets. During the summer, she can often be found at one of the many local beaches, books and knitting in tow.

Jennifer is currently at work on a series of novellas, Brides of Sam, and a mystery novel (or series of novels). Her short story, “A Body for Your Birthday” appears in Allegories of the Tarot, an anthology scheduled for release on October 31st.

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Inside Jennifer’s Mind

[eden] Thrilled to have you here, Jennifer. As a busy woman, what makes you most happy?

[Jennifer] Days with a balanced blend of work, family time, and personal time.

[eden] Nice  

What turns you on creatively? All of my free time is spent in some creative pursuit or another so it could be anything from a particularly gorgeous stitch pattern on someone’s knitting to a brilliant turn of phrase I overhear. People watching usually meets all my creative inspiration demands.

[eden] Same here.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Just, only, and actually

What quality do you most admire in a man? Dependability

In a woman? Independence

What is your greatest regret? Something I can’t share here. Yes, I have deep, dark secrets.

[eden] Hmm … fodder for a story?

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Boob size, for certain.

[eden] I know what you mean, I need mine reduced too (sic)

What is your greatest fear? Having one of my kids die before me.

Which living person do you most admire? A dear friend of mine who has been an unflagging mentor and a continual encouragement. And she’s fun, too. An all around winner for my admiration.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I’ve had a few jobs that never came close to providing the satisfaction I have with my current career path. The only one I think may come close would be paid assassin. It’s been tied with editing and writing since I was a child.

[eden] Paid assassin, eh? I can see that. They would never suspect you.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A ninja. A ginger ninja.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Teaching my kids to read

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Laziness

What is your greatest extravagance? Fabric and yarn, without a doubt. I hoard fabric and yarn enough I should probably join a support group for hoarders.

[eden] Can you make me a hat for Christmas? haha

What is one thing you want to do before you die? Publish a book (or many books) of my own.

Who is your favorite writer? Charlotte Bronte. It blows my mind she created such amazing characters without knowing the world herself.

What are some of your favorite curse words? Really? I can do this here? Mine is a phrase I reserve for when someone’s really done a no-no. “Goddamn motherfucking son (or daughter) of a syphilitic bitch and a flaccid-peckered jackass”

[eden] Ha, I would pay to hear you say this! 

Do you have a motto? It changes based on my mood, but one I come back to repeatedly is “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

[eden] I like this one, very much. Thanks Jennifer for coming on my blog.

Readers, please say “hi” to Jennifer and learn more about her services through The Independent Pen. She’s a wonderful resource for all writers.

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Connect to Jennifer

About Me 

The Independent Pen

Website | Facebook | Twitter @Independent_Pen | Google+

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Filed under: Author & Artist Interviews

Be part of the book launch for @AllegoriesTarot Oct. 31st

Allegories of the Tarot, the anthology spearheaded by friend and editor, Annetta Ribken, is launching October 31st!

The incredible Anne Chaconas of Badass Marketing is running a month-long release day and blog tour for the book, starting Oct. 31st.

If you’d like to get on board, please sign up now! Many more slots available.

It’s a great way to connect with a stellar group of writers, and you get to see how a book release is done professionally.

My story called “A Modern Affair” is inspired by the Tarot card: The Lovers. It’s just one of 22 in this cross-genre compilation. Find out who the other authors are here.

Many thanks for supporting this project, and see you again on release day Oct. 31st!

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Stay in touch with Allegories of the Tarot

Website | Google+ |  Facebook |  Twitter

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Filed under: Writing Joint Ventures

Harmonica Monday with Bob Dylan

It’s Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, and I was north of the city practising my harmonica while kayaking.

“Blowin’ in the Wind” is one of the tunes I played while contemplating the world.

If you love Bob Dylan, pick up Fall into Winter, one of my books that includes harmonica and mentions Bob Dylan too.

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Buy links: 

US | UK | Canada | Germany | France | Japan | Italy | Spain

Filed under: Musical Mondays

Author Matt Posner interviews me on @SchooloftheAges

Matt Posner is a novelist, speaker, and teacher. He invited me on his popular author interview series, and I was honoured to answer his questions.

You may read the interview here.

Look for Matt on my blog in the next few weeks, when I learn more about him and his writing life.

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Connect to Matt

Website | Facebook | Twitter @schooloftheages | Pinterest

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Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Important Announcements