Barbara Edwards's Blog, page 32

Do you see what I see?

Old cemetery

We all have psychic abilities, but something inside convinces us it's safer to say it's only 'imagination'.  I've seen the flicker of movement from the corner of my eye when nothing is there. I know it's silly to worry about an open closet door or to check under the bed. I'm afraid to walk across a cemetery in the dark.

Is this what makes a story scary? I'm not sure I know. I know what frightens me, but it probably isn't the same for others.

I use my fear to make my story real for the reader. That

shaky feeling in the middle of the night when I'm not sure what woke me can be

the same fear my heroine feels. Try to drag me to the edge of a cliff and I'll

fight every inch of the way.

Have I seen ghosts? Depends what you mean. As in a light floating in the dark or a dark silhouette where no person exists? Yes, I've seen both and been frightened.

 

Does that show in my books?

I've been told that it does.

Here's an excerpt from Ancient Awakening:

Paranormal romance

Legend gave him many names, but the wide halls of his mountain

retreat no longer echoed with countless worshipers. He could have ruled the

world had his ambition not died with the passage of time. The endless whispers

were from the cold winds and the few praying priests. He didn't care that he

couldn't remember his real name or birthplace.

For an eon he'd regretted the loss of softer emotions. Love had

been the first feeling to die, along with the woman who had insisted he would

never harm her. He couldn't recall her features just the merry tinkle of her

laughter and the bright smile she had greeted him with every morning. He licked

his lips. She'd tasted sweet.

Fierce need flared in his gut and he sniffed the air. Outside

his chamber a single acolyte in long brown robes waited to escort him. His mouth

curved with a mirthless smile. The silent servants had ignited the flickering

wall torches. Shadows jumped and shivered in the drafty halls like nervous

virgins.

 

Visit my website at http://www.barbaraedwards.net  for more.

I'll be at Write Angles Conference 2011 on Oct 22, 2011

By writers, for writers — in our

26th year in Western Massachusetts Mount Holyoke, East Hadley MA

PANEL SESSION II – 11:15 am to

12:30 pm (Choose one)

Exploring the Avenues and

Lanes of Sci-Fi/Fantasy (Andreola Room)

Moderator: Tanya Shersnow

Panelists: Holly Black, Corrina Lawson, Barbara Edwards

This panel will explore the sub-genres within this ever expanding genre, giving

attendees a sense of what's new in 2011, and offer advice and inspiration about

associations and publishers within this genre.

Author Web: http://barbaraedwards.net

Facebook: http://facebook.com/BarbaraEdwards

Ancient Blood http://on.fb.me/naHRY5

Twitter: http://twitter.com/barb_ed

Authors Den: http://authorsden.com/barbaraedwards

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F6ZK1A

Buy link http://tinyurl.com/3f627vh

 

 

Filed under: psychic ability, writing Tagged: Ancient Awakening, Barbara Edwards,, cememtery, fear, ghosts, psychic

One from the bucket list-Horseback at Gettysburg

The horse and me

I admit I have a long list of things to do before I die. I finally did this one and am so pleased that it went well.

After visiting Gettysburg battlefield more than a dozen times, I finally got to take the Gettysburg Battlefield tour.

I admit I'm not the best horseman in the world. I don't like heights, horses are way too big and I don't juggle. Meaning I had to hold the camera, the reins and the saddlehorn for most of the two hour tour.

The guide has to be licensed by the National Park service and he did a wonderful job describing the battle as we commenced our journey.

If you've been to Gettysburg, you know the road winds through the park with thousands of places to stop. You can read the monuments, note the markers, or stop to take a photo. I didn't realize how different the perspective is from the center of the conflict. The fence lines have been replaced according to census records from the 1850s. Crops and orchards

are being replanted to show how the farming community looked at the time. Even the kind of fence was recorded and copied.

When the guide described how the fences halted a company until it could be torn down and how this knoll was vital to the taking of Little Round Top my heart leaped with excitement. I could actually 'see' the action in a way driving the roads hadn't revealed.

Although my butt hurt after an hour, I snapped pictures and kept my horse from lowering it's head to graze. I loved it and would do it again anytime.

 

 

Filed under: Re-enacting, writing Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, Gettysburg, horseback, tours

Raining, again

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry this morning. The rain and wind were a reminder of Irene's downpour. Luckily we go the grass mowed since it was up to our ankles. I stayed home. I'm tired of being wet and feeling moldy. I'm not a person who does well without sunshine. I'm listless and drowsy.

I stare at my computer screen and don't have a thought in my head. Hope you're doing better than I am.

 

Filed under: writing

Gettysburg Battlefield living history

The Gettysvburg Battlefield is known worldwide. On the third weekend in August our reenacting grup, The Liberty-Greys takes on the task of presnting a living history. For a reenactor it is a dream come true.

The national park service allows the group to stay overnight on the field, to actually sleep in the most haunted place in the world.

We set up tents on Friday and sent into town for dinner. My husband and I ate at The Farnsworth House, a period mansion used by Confederate sharpshooters then for a field hospital. It is a lovely place and the food excellent, especially the game pie and bread pudding.

Saturday we spent the day talking to tourists. Its interesting when a person from Germany or France asks for a reason why we fought the War. Not something for a five minute speech.

In camp

The soldiers acted as soldiers did in camp, cleaning rifles, drilling, playing cards or just taking a nap.

There was music provided by Miss Liz. She played period songs and sang softly so she didn't disturb any of the speakers. It was a lovely background for both days.

Miss Liz playing the guitar and singing period songs

I talked about women's roles during the Conflict, especially women in the South. It was a wonderful weekend despite the few rainshowers and needing to dry our tent anfter we arrived home.

Barbara Edwards dressed in half-mourning garb.

Filed under: Re-enacting Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, Gettyburg, Liberty-Greys, living history, reenacting

Birthdays

At the petting zoo

A calender reminder popped up to say "My daughter-in-law's birthday." too late to send a card, and they were away on vacation, so it was a phone call and happy wishes.

I forget birthdays. I have no excuse. I never did. I write them down, note them on the wall calender and recently have been adding them to the on-line calender. When the little bell ring, I jump out of my skin.

oh no, another one.

I even bought a box of cards to have on hand. Only they don't fit the person- I can't send one of those cute, impersonal messages to someone so special, can I?

My youngest son claims I have never remembered his birthday. Of course one of the reasons is he tells me I'm calling on the wrong day: even if its right.

One year I decided to make it easy on myself. On January 1st I sent out every card, with a note on the back of the envelope: Do not open until birthday. I thought it was a great idea. No missed birthdays this year! What a howl of outrage! You'd think grown-ups could follow simple instructions. And the youngest asked if it was a late card for his previous December birthday.

Filed under: family and friends

After the Battle of Manassass

Barbara Edwards

The sad part is leaving all my friends. It takes a few minutes to drop the tent, a couple hours more to pack and load everything into the vehicles. The memories stay forever. My good friend took these pictures and gave me permission to post them. The sepia tone adds a golden glow to this sad time.

I can't describe the feelings during this re-enactment. Excitement at the beginning of the five year cycle, sadness at the terrible losses suffered during the Conflict and the echoes of longing for a time lost in the fog of destruction and recovery.

We've come so far as a nation. I hope the lessons learned by the participants help all of us.

Thinking strategyStacked rifles, ready for tomorrow

Filed under: Re-enacting Tagged: 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. Battle of First Manassas, Army of the Gulf, Arrtillery. cannon, Barbara Edwards,, Medical corps, reenacting

Battle of Manassass

I arrived at six am with the Army of the Gulf Medical corps. Because of the extreme heat, I sat on the sidelines. I was happy to be with my friends and I prayed none of the participants would suffer heat prostration. I watched the artillery set-up cannon.

Safety check

ready to move

Ambulance

Amblance drawn by mules arrives to load with wounded and dead.

People filled the stands. Over fifteen thousand sit in the beachers in the blazing sun.

spectators They listen to an announcer explain the action.An ambulance pulled by mules arrives. It will haul the dead and dying from the field. The armies gather. To the field of battle

Cavalry lead the way. The anticipation is high.

Facing forward

Flags flutter in the breeze. It's too early in the war to display the battle flag, that came later.

Confederate Pride

Halting under the trees for water and rest. Soon they'll face bullets and cannon fire.

Sweat and anticipation shine on faces

Cutting through the crowds to get on the field.

shortcut to the rendezvous

Ready to Advance into battle. The rowds cheeer.

ready to advance

Keeping strong in the face of horror.

Onward

March into the faces of the foe.

Togher

Advancing across the field. Cannon smoke billows over the fighting.

The bsttle rages

Too many to see who is on what side.

Confederates ready to join their comrades

Can you see? Who's fallen? Where are the doctors?

Friend or Foe

signal corpsThe signal cops, vital in the time before radio, cello phones is on the field. the winners

Now the only thing left to do is to find the medical tents.

aid for the wounded

After many battle, both sides lost a generation of vital young men.

the South was decimated and the western emigration was born.

I saw this at the Manassass Battlefield Visitor's Center.

It is an epitaph worth remembering.

"I had a dim notion of the 'romance' of a soldier's life. I have bravely got over it since."

Remember

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. Battle of First Manassas, Army of the Gulf, Arrtillery. cannon, Battle of Manassass, Medical corps, Signal corps