Ingrid Hall's Blog, page 51

Interview with CM Barrett

I am going on a little break to Scotland with my family in a couple of days so won’t be posting as much as usual this week, however before I can go there are a couple of people that I needed to talk to first.   Thankfully, I have just managed to get my hands on the quirky and imaginative CM Barrett…Watch out for Lenora’s review of Cats in Charge which will be coming very soon!  Hey, great to have you here, why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?    

 Hi Ingrid, well,   I presently live in upstate New York. I have also lived in Maine, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and was born in northern New Jersey. I have worked as a nurse’s aide, gatherer of eggs, typographer and metaphysical storeowner, teacher, and counselor.  In addition to writing I paint watercolour.  This non- career began when I moved to the country after living in New York City for 22 years.

You sound like my kind of person, I love those little spooky shops and I don’t think I have ever met anyone (at least in this life time) that cites the gathering of eggs as a former occupation…Is writing your full time career?

   I am retired, and I do spend a lot of time writing

   What Genre is your work – Do you have any plans to work outside of it?

   One of the nicest aspects of being an indie author is the freedom to write about what engages me.      I’ve written most in the fantasy genre. My series, A Dragon’s Guide to Destiny, has three volumes, with a fourth coming out this summer or fall. I love the freedom the fantasy genre provides to create worlds and also to develop non-human characters.      I am working on a dystopian series that deviates somewhat from classical fantasy. In addition, I write what might be called self-help books. One is Animals Have Feelings, Too: Bach Flower Remedies for Cats and Dogs. This is based on my work consulting for companion animals.       The other is Renew Your Life the Natural Way: Balance Your Chakras With Crystals and Essences.

I agree that in terms of being able to totally be yourself then being an indie author is great…I am sure I will probably turn into some mad old woman that spends her whole time in the attic writing.  I have to say all of your novels appeal to me, I will definitely be reading a Dragon’s Guide to Destiny at some point… Do you ever get ideas at random moments, and if so how do you hang onto them?

I often get ideas when I’m going to sleep or when I wake up in the middle of the night. I have trained my mind to remember them.

  Do you have a structure when you are writing, and if so what?

I don’t do a lot of planning when I’m beginning a book. The initial idea comes from out of nowhere and becomes the foundation for the story.    I start a book with a general idea about it, who will be the characters and not much else. I rarely have more than 2,000 words of initial notes, plus character sketches. My ideas get more structure as I work on the book. The story builds organically, with plot and characters influencing each other.

Which was your favourite character to write, and why?

I don’t include any characters in my books if they don’t at least interest me deeply. Even minor characters have to earn their keep in that way.   That said, the four main characters in my series, A Dragon’s Guide to Destiny, are my favorites so far. They are:

Druid, a depressed dragon who has no clues about his purpose in life,

Tara, a wise kitten (later upgraded to cat),

Serazina, a deeply intuitive young woman who hides her gifts in a country where emotions and intuition are feared,

Phileas, ruler of the country, who’s finding that logic and reason take him deeper into a maze with no exit.

They all sound fascinating!  Do you read for pleasure or out of habit?

Reading is a great pleasure for me. Having a kindle makes it even more enjoyable, but sometimes I like to sit down and enjoy an old-fashioned hardcover or paperback.

I don’t have a kindle at the moment – So I have to read my E books on my laptop which can be a pain in the bum.  Hopefully Santa Claus will take pity on me and bring me a kindle for Christmas!  I definitely prefer paperbacks to E books though…  What are you reading at the moment, and why?

I bought Cry, the Beloved Country because it was on sale and because I hadn’t read it for so long. I loved it as a teenager and am finding it even more amazing than when I first read it. The language is breath taking, the feeling for the country (South Africa during apartheid) transports the reader there, and the author handles the huge political issues in the story with grace and in a way that makes them very human problems.

  Snow or ice and why?

Neither, thank you. Living in the Northeast has literally dumped far too much of both into my life.

North East America…North East England…Sounds pretty familiar!!!  What is your favourite movie and why?

It’s a very difficult choice, but I’d say anything with Peter O’Toole because his acting is brilliant. I particularly enjoyed Becket and My Favorite Year.

When you eat out would you choose Chinese, Indian or Italian, or other, if so what?

I would choose French or Italian food—especially in France or Italy.

London, Paris or New York and why?

I lived in New York for 22 years and it will always be my favorite city, but Paris is pure magic in terms of architecture, food, wine, and for being a wonderful city in which to walk. I would consider living there. I have enjoyed London, but I don’t adore it.   My favorite country is Ireland, where my mother was born. I have been there seven times and still consider living there permanently.

I LOVE Ireland, it is such a beautiful country and one of my dearest friends lives there. We are hoping to get over there for a visit sometime next year… What inspired you to be a writer?

Reading opened worlds for me and taught me the desire to create my own worlds to share with others.

How do you overcome writers block?

If I’m having trouble with one project, I switch to another. This seems to cause a corresponding brain shift.

Where would you like to be in 5 year time?

I would like to be living in a more temperate climate at the height of my writing powers.

  If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?

Thank you to everyone, human or animal, who has enriched my life.

I love how you treat animals like equals, I am guessing you must have lots of pets?

I currently have 2 cats. More accurately, they have me. That number is always subject to change.

What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

It gets better.

Thank you for a slightly different interview today! You truly are unique and I am looking forward to Lenora’s upcoming review…You can find links to CM Barrett and her books below…

Big Dragons Don’t Cry (Book I of A Dragon’s Guide to Destiny)

1. http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Dont-Guide-Destiny-ebook/dp/B004MYFND4

2. Dance with Clouds (Book 2 of A Dragon’s Guide to Destiny) http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Clouds-Dragons-Destiny-ebook/dp/B005MKJYYQ

3. House of the Moon (Book 3)

House of the Moon (A Dragon's Guide to Destiny)

Frigg: Trophy wife or force majeure?

Picture of Frigg via http://www.paganpages.org

Lenora initially asked me to write this article for her blog http://hauntedpalaceblog.wordpress.com and I admit, it’s taken a little longer than planned due to everything else that I am doing at the moment however I plan on making this a regular feature…

When I first began researching the Norse Gods and Goddesses for my series Granny Irene’s Guide to the Afterlife I quickly became fascinated by the potential for ambiguity that surrounds them.  As a woman who has always struggled with the concept of “conforming” and has constantly resisted the stereotypical expectations that still unfortunately exist in what in essence in spite of half-hearted mutterings to the contrary, remains a patriarchal society I found myself drawn to Frigg:  Wife of Odin and Goddess of Domesticity and Marriage. Because of whom “she” is married to and her affiliations with marriage and childbirth, Frigg is also frequently associated with love, however I have done a lot of research and do not believe that she should be mistaken for FREYA, (FREYJA) whom I believe to be the ultimate Goddess of Love.   

On the surface Frigg (Or Frigga as she is sometimes known) ticks all of the “wifely” boxes.  She is blonde, she is beautiful and she lovingly carries out her midwifery duties, successfully delivering bouncing baby after bouncing baby into the world all the while ensuring that her husband’s palace is kept pristine and that he arrives home to a hearty home cooked meal every night.  Scratch a little deeper though and you will see that maybe, just maybe all is not as it seems: That there is more to Frigg than first meets the eye.

First of all, Frigg is frequently cited as being the only one other than Odin that is permitted to sit on his high seat or throne and gaze out onto the universe: The perk of being Queen? A sign that Odin, in spite of his numerous extra marital dalliances truly loves his wife: Or an indication that Frigg’s power and influence extends further than simply being the trophy wife and that she is a force majeure in her own right?

Then there is the legend and the myths which surrounds the DEATH OF HER SON BALDR: Following a series of ominous dreams foretelling his own death, Baldr consults with the powers that be and Frigg instantly steps up and assumes a central, decisive position by taking an oath citing every imaginable cause of his death (Including disease, poison etcetera) and by weaving her magic ensures that everything cited is rendered harmless to her beloved son.  Cue the malevolent entity, Loki who by using his shape shifting abilities turns himself into a woman and inveigles his way into Frigg’s confidence.  Her guard down, Frigg reveals that out of every possible menace in the world the only thing she didn’t guard against was the harmless little mistletoe.  Loki then disappears emerging a short while later at “The Thing” (The Viking equivalent of Parliament or government assembly) In order to prove that Baldr has now been “cured” of the curse which was hanging over him the Gods are shooting everything imaginable at him.   Loki then tricks Baldr’s brother Hoor, who is blind into shooting him with the dreaded mistletoe and Baldr is killed!

Frigg as any mother would be, is devastated and grief stricken by the sudden loss of her son in these circumstances. It is also worth bearing in mind at this point that we are talking Gods and not mortals here and that they have a completely different perspective on death to what we do, for whilst the Norse pantheon do not automatically have the luxury of immortality like most of the other pantheons, they do still at least have a little wiggle room and I find Frigg’s reaction to her son’s death extremely interesting because I feel it shows instincts and traits which are almost human, giving us an invaluable insight into her mind and way of thinking, whilst at the same time clearly demonstrating the extent of her influence and power.

Playing to the elders and senior ranking Gods (who are of course male) Frigg turns on the charm and mindless of her husband Odin, she brazenly asks those gathered who would like to earn all her love by travelling to Niflheim in search of the Queen of the Dead HEL where they are to offer a ransom in exchange for the release of Baldr. Frigg gets her wish and a delegation sets off for the underworld. However the evil Hel imposes a condition that all things must weep for Baldr before he can be released knowing full well that her shape shifting father Loki will throw a massive spanner in the works by assuming the identity of a giantess who refuses to weep.  Baldr is not spared, the Gods vow revenge upon Loki, and the seeds for Ragnarok (Norse Armageddon) are sown.

Throughout the course of my Granny Irene series I plan on teasing out the many hidden layers of Frigg and will be fully exploring her somewhat dysfunctional relationship with her son Baldr and friendship with Skuld Queen of the witches (NORNS) I also show all of the major Gods in a different light and everything is played out against the cataclysmic backdrop of Ragnarok.

Baldr’s death by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg

Author 2 Author Services from Jack Scott

I have been meaning to start actively promoting affordable, reliable services to authors for some time on the blog as I believe that all indie authors need as much information and as many resources in their tool kit as possible.  I am starting today with these web services from JACK SCOTT – check out Lenora’s review of Perking the Pansies here!

Don’t forget, I am also currently offering a full ghost blogging service – for details click here  If YOU are an author that would like to promote your services please contact me using the form on this blog.  At present there is no charge for pimping your service on my blog. My only criteria is that your prices MUST be AFFORDABLE and the service that you offer must be HIGH QUALITY and RELIABLE

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Interview with Taline Spiritual Medium

It feels like an eternity since my spotlights on Ashley Gypsy Lee and Atlantis Angels so imagine my sheer delight at finally getting to do a full interview with the wonderful TALINE…  

Taline, I am like a child at the moment I am soooo excited at getting to do this interview with you, why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about yourself and how you work with spirit?

Hi Ingrid, well, I am a Spirit Medium, a counselor and a Kundalini Reiki Master with a background/experience in clinical psychology. In all areas of my work, I use my psychic abilities, my intuition and my professional skills together. I don’t see any real separation between the fields of healing, reading and mediumship. They all serve to ultimately bring more understanding, comfort, and love into our lives.

My work with Spirit is the expression of my connection with the Spirit world. I do Spirit and Angel readings, inspired writing, channeled messages and healing sessions.

Do you work with spirit full time or do you have another job as well?

I currently work with Spirit full time. When I say work with spirit, that includes my healing work and inspired messages. I will be starting my PhD this coming September and will have to manage my time differently, but this work will always be part of my life. It’s more than work, it’s who I am.

Yeah, that is certainly going to be a major shift for you.  I hope you have an effective means of stopping spirit pecking in your ear! Clearly your PhD will open new doors for you..without breaking any confidences what is the worst reading you have ever done, and why?

A while back, when I had just started to work with Spirit, I did a reading for a lady who had lost her brother. She didn’t tell me how he had passed, only that it was a recent loss and that she was being unable to overcome her grief. I was very careful throughout the reading because I didn’t want to revive her pain in any way. Her brother came through with lovely evidence and detail, and then at one point he showed me a rope, and he impressed the thought on me “suicide”. I didn’t say it because I thought I was imagining it. I was very new to this work and still had moments where I doubted myself. The rest of the reading went very well nevertheless, but when we finished, she said to me “I’m surprised he didn’t tell you that he committed suicide”. I got upset with myself because that piece of information was evidence that should’ve been passed on and I hadn’t. I did explain to her what I had been given during the reading and she confirmed that her brother had hung himself. It was a great lesson for me, not to doubt the information coming through my link with Spirit. Trust grows with practice and time.

 Who inspires you?

To be honest, everyone. I am always in awe of everyone in this physical realm. People don’t realize how amazing they are, how everyday choices and actions make them special and unique, and bring more light into the world. This is my greatest source of inspiration. There are of course many authors, Spirit channels, speakers etc such as Eckhart Tolle, Abraham-Hicks, Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, James Van Praagh … it’s a long list and I love listening to their particular words about the Truth, which is Love. Then there is Spirit and the Angels, who are a constant source of inspiration.

When did you first discover your gift?

I like to think about it in terms of “remembering” this ability, because I know we are all born with it, we just forget how to use our psychic senses as we grow up, because society is focused on the rational mind and the physical senses. I remember seeing spirit when I was a child, and reading any book I could find on spirit when I was a teenager. I couldn’t tell you when was the first time I rediscovered this awareness because it’s always been there. Even when I had my private clinic as a counselor, I knew there was so much more than just the mind at work. It was only a matter of time until I brought all my skills together and now I enjoy every aspect of it.

I agree our ability to use our psychic abilities is definitely there as a child and we are often conditioned by society to block it out because it doesn’t conform with the accepted norms of religion.  I was struck at a reading that I had several years ago when the medium brought forward a female relative on my fathers side who she said used to communicate with me from the world of spirit whilst I was still in my cot. From the age of around 6/7 I developed the usual childhood fear of “ghosts”  I went to church because my mam did and it was only when I hit about the age of 18 that I started to accept that my spiritual beliefs differed and started to tap into my own ability…anyway, enough about me, I am rattling on again.  Tell me Taline, how do you switch off from spirit?

I don’t really switch off from Spirit, I only tell them when I’m working and when I’m not. I am aware of them all the time, but I don’t actively link with them unless I’m going to do a reading, a healing or channel a message. The rest of the time, I can see and feel them around me and others, but my focus is on my physical life, and Spirit always respects that.

Do you have a spirit guide, if so tell us about them?

Yes I do, as we all have spirit guides. My main guide is Alma, who presents herself as a High Priestess from Atlantean times. She is a beautiful source of inspiration and I love passing on her messages, they are always full of light and wisdom. I have a healing guide who is a Native American Shaman lady, a medicine woman if you will. There are other guides who work with me for clairvoyance and teaching. Angels are always there. And I have animal guides, a black panther and an eagle that I really enjoy linking with.

They sound amazing, I think there are lots of souls presently living fresh lives on earth who were here during Atlantis…

Do you have any messages that you would like to share now?

The core of all messages that come through from Spirit and the Angels: Everything is experience and the soul is a powerful creator on Earth and in all dimensions. We are all children of the Divine and we only need to remember that separation is an illusion that serves our growth and expansion as spiritual beings. Love is all there is and we are all One, and Love, like Life, is eternal.

What is your favourite tarot deck to work with and why?

Definitely the Witches Tarot deck, at least so far. I read Tarot intuitively and I can do that very easily with this deck. I also have a past life experience as a witch and that might be another reason why the interpretations that this deck offers resonate with me.

WOW, WOW, WOW, Lenora will LOVE you! I tried tapping into a past life once during a regression session, although it didn’t really work out all that well and whilst I regularly visit mediums I have never attempted another regression…maybe I will…My favourite deck is Diana Coopers Angels of Light and I never in a million years thought you would say witches! How do you deliver bad news?

There is no such thing as bad news, only possibilities of future manifestations that can be changed at any point in time through our choices and intent. I only point out that their current course might not be serving them very well, and tell them why I feel it is so. It is up to each individual to follow that guidance or not. Each person is in charge of their own life and path and I believe the purpose of my work is to help them embrace their own power.

Yeah, kind of like a guiding light…Do you ever get a negative reaction to what you do?

Some people don’t believe in Spirit, and others feel I shouldn’t charge for this work. In both cases, I don’t take it as a negative reaction, it’s just the expression of their own perspective and it’s completely fine. It doesn’t have to become part of my experience. I just listen and let go, because I feel at peace with my choices, and I respect theirs.

You have a right to earn a living hon…When you eat out would you choose Chinese, Indian or Italian, or other, if so what?

It would be either Chinese or Thai.

If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?

I would say thank you to as many people as possible who have crossed my path on Earth. They are all teachers and angels in my life.

What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

The only real responsibility that you have is to be true to yourself.

Thank you TALINE for spending time with me today…I can feel a hunt for a deck of witches cards coming on…

You can find more about Taline by clicking the link below:

http://www.almaspiritual.com/readings

Are YOU a spiritual medium/healer/clairvoyant?  If you would like a FREE interview/spotlight please get in touch via the contact form on the blog or email ingrid@grannyirene.com

Review of The Prophecy of Three the Keys of Time by Sam Whitehouse – Reviewed by Amanda Haury

This is Amanda Haury’s first FABULOUS review for us.  You can find Amanda at

http://achaury1.wordpress.com/

In case you missed my interview with Sam you can find it here

I received the eBook The Prophecy of Three the Keys of Time by Sam Whitehouse a few weeks ago, and once I dove in, I was absolutely hooked. I was a little skeptical when I read the synopsis, where The Prophecy of Three the Keys of Time  was being compared to the likes of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. Being a huge fan girl of both book series, I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high, but after reading it, I can certainly vouch that The Prophecy of Three the Keys of Time definitely lives up to the hype. The plot was very exciting, and I think that it will definitely appeal to Potter and Percy Jackson fans, but it is not limited to the YA category. Whitehouse’s novel with certainly appeal to fans of fantasy , sci-fi and action novels as well. Whitehouse does an excellent job creating an engaging and exciting plot that kept me reading until the end. I felt as if I knew the characters in this book personally. Simon, Evelyn, and James reminded me of some of my own friends, and I grew to absolutely despise Morgana, the evil witch who is out to destroy them. My only critical recommendation to the author would be to watch out for similarities in character names to other popular fantasy works. For example, the name Falamir, who is a descendant of Merlin’s apprentice, reminded me a bit too much of Faramir from the Lord of the Rings Series. I thought this was a great read, and I cannot wait to read Sam Whitehouse’s future works.

The synopsis for The Prophecy of Three the Keys of Time reads as follows:

A new darkness is rising. Myth and legend will become reality. Three teenagers must embrace a new destiny. Join them in an epic battle.
Not many fourteen year olds can say that they are the subject of an ancient prophecy. Fewer still can say that they have inherited the powers of a wizard and a responsibility for the fate of the world. Simon, Evelyn and James are three who can. From the moment they learn that they are the subjects of a prophecy made by Merlin long ago, they are thrown into a war against the nefarious witch, Morgana. A witch whom prophecy states they will one day defeat.
Now, the three new friends must learn to harness their newly discovered magic under the guidance of Falamir, a descendant of Merlin’s apprentice. If that wasn’t enough already, the portended three must hunt down the keys of time that are hidden across Britain. For with these keys, Morgana will gain the ability to travel to the past and eliminate Simon, Evelyn and James and alter the course of the future. Pursued by the witch and the dark forces that ally themselves with her, the three friends must battle for their lives, for the future of the fracturing magical world and the world they left behind.
Magic, power hungry witches, terrifying creatures, time travel, averting an impending magical apocalypse: not exactly the life of your average fourteen year old.
If you love Harry Potter and Percy Jackson then this action packed new

series is for you.
Look out for book two, The Demon’s Hunt, coming Winter 2013…

I thought that this book was an excellent, fast-paced read that definitely quenched my thirst for action, adventure, and fantasy. I definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait to read more by this talented young voice. Kudos for a job well done!

-Amanda

Cocktails with Andrea Buginsky

On a sizzling hot day like this what better way to kick off our interview than with a cool cosmopolitan cocktail or three? Andrea, it was lovely reading the week in the life of article that you submitted recently for those folks that might not have seen it yet, why not start by telling us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a freelance writer and author. I’ve written three books that have been published, a fourth that is on the back burner, and a fifth that I’m about to start editing. I’m still learning the craft and business of writing, but I’m loving every minute of it!

Indeed, like witches we must all learn our craft! Is writing your full time career?

Absolutely! I only work part time, and my work includes writing freelance articles for different websites, working on my books, and marketing.

Part time, yet you’ve still published three books!! That must take some doing – You will have to let me in on the secret! What is the worst job that you have ever done, and why?

Telemarketing. Yuck! I can’t stand talking on the phone, saying the same thing over and over, and trying to get people to buy things they’re really not interested in.

Yeah, I’ve done more than my fair share of telemarketing in my time – It’s okay when you are selling a product that you know sells and you believe in, otherwise you may as well just pack up and go home… If you could have written any other book by any other author, what would it be, and why?

Harry Potter. I LOVE that kid! I would have loved to claim him as my own.

How would you think your parents would describe your book? Does this differ from how you would describe it?

Wow, hadn’t thought of this. I know they think it’s for younger readers, what we call Middle Graders. I always thought my books were aimed at older teens, or Young Adults. I’ve learned since that my parents are not alone in their thinking. See, still learning.

Testing the market and the water is all part of the job…What Genre is your work – Do you have any plans to work outside of it?

I love to write fantasy. I tried to write adult romance once, but it didn’t go anywhere. I’m much more comfortable writing for teens because I still feel I have the mindset of a teen. I definitely plan to keep writing for this age group, both the younger ones and older ones. But I don’t see myself writing anything but fantasy. I love “Once Upon a Time” and “Happily Ever After” stories.

I like those types of books too but with a gruesome gory twist! What inspired you to write your first book?

It was something I always wanted to do. When I finally came up with the idea of a YA fantasy, and the concept for my first book, “The Chosen,” I knew I was finally doing what I was meant to do.

Do you ever get ideas at random moments, and if so how do you hang onto them?

All the time. If I’m lucky, I’ll have something to write it down on. If I’m not so lucky, I may lose it. But it does sometimes come back to me later when I do have something to write it down with. I know authors are supposed to carry a pen and paper around with them everywhere, but for some reason, I just haven’t picked up on that habit yet.

If you have a smart phone you can try making notes on that…Do you have a structure when you are writing, and if so what?

I don’t currently have a particular structure set up, though I am working on setting a set schedule for my writing. When I do write, I tend to write in batches, a little here and there. I try to write the first draft completely without editing, then go back and do a first, second, third, etc. edit before showing it to my beta readers.

Which was your favourite character to write, and why?

Halli. I liked taking this innocent, shy girl and showing her the world and then have her completely embrace it.

Do you read for pleasure or out of habit?

Pleasure, though I don’t read as much as I used to. That’s another habit I really need to pick back up.

What are you reading at the moment, and why?

Priscilla the Great: Bring the Pain by Sybil Nelson. It’s the fourth book of the series. I love it!

Meat eater or vegetarian?

Definitely a meat eater. I love burgers!

Snow or ice and why?

Snow. It’s very pretty, and I love to watch it. I recently moved from Florida to Kansas, and saw my first snowfall in over 30 years on May 2, of all days. It was beautiful! I stared at it for hours.

What is your favourite movie and why?

Dirty Dancing. I was twelve when I first saw it, and I fell in love with it. Why? I’m not sure: the story line, the music, the dancing, everything. Oh, and Patrick Swayze, of course! Love him, and miss him.

Yeah, Dirty Dancing is one of my all time favourites too – It’s timeless! Seeing as I am into all things ghostly do you have an opinion on life after death, and if so what?

I believe we, or at least our souls, go to Heaven. I think it’s a real place up in the clouds, or all around us, or both, and everyone we’ve loved and lost is there. I know I will see my lost loved ones again when it’s my time.

So, kind of like a conventional Heaven, then…Totally random question but I love to jump from one thing to another, when you eat out would you choose Chinese, Indian or Italian, or other, if so what?

Italian. I LOVE Italian food!

London, Paris or New York and why?

All 3, but if I had to choose one, I’d pick London. I was born in New Jersey, and have been to New York. Paris would be nice to see, but there’s something about London. I’d love to visit, ride a double-decker bus, and see all the sights.

What do you have in the pipeline?

My new YA fantasy series. Draft one of the first book is done and I’ve even started draft one of the second book.

Go girl!! What inspired you to be a writer?

My sister. When I was about to earn my AA degree and transfer schools for my Bachelor’s, I had to switch majors because I just wasn’t meant for the one I selected. Suddenly, I was faced with, “What do I want to be when I grow up.” My sister said, “You love to write. Why don’t you do that?” I’m more grateful to her for that than I think she knows.

Do you write poetry or short stories as well? If so what?

No, neither. I can’t write poetry at all, and I have too much to say for short stories.

What is your earliest childhood memory?

Unfortunately, a bad one. My mom had broken her fingers closing our garage door. I remember seeing her crying over our kitchen sink while my aunt helped her rinse them off and check to see if they needed to go to the ER. Of course, I didn’t know all this at the time: I just remember mom crying and I didn’t know why.

Aw that must have been really unsettling for you…Total randomness again, but how do you overcome writers block?

I usually just decide not to write if nothing comes to mind. I’ll watch TV instead. Eventually, the urge comes, and I find myself back at my computer. I find that if I watch a movie about a writer, it inspires me. My favorite is “Little Women.” I love watching Jo work in her nightcap.

That is definitely a unique way of overcoming it – I have never known anyone else do that!! Where would you like to be in 5 year time, Andrea

Still writing more books in both of my series, and maybe some new ones as well. I’d love to be receiving mail from fans telling me how much they love my stories.

If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?

I would tell my husband how much I love him.

Do you have any pets – If so what?

Yes, two adorable doggies. They are my babies.

Chocolate or pizza?

Can’t I have chocolate pizza? No? OK, then chocolate!

Nice try Andrea..Methinks maybe these cocktails are going to your head! Finally then, what advice would you give your 18 year old self?

What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

Get your A.A. in Mass Communications!

Andrea, you are absolutely radiant – Thank you for cheering me up today with our animated conversation!

You can visit Andrea at her blog https://andisrealm.blogspot.com/

OR follow her on twitter @andreabuginsky

If like us you fancy whizzing up a cheeky cosmopolitan then you will need:

Vodka – Cointreau – Cranberry Juice and Lime Juice.

First of all chill your glasses in the freezer, then simply pour all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker, fling in some ice, shake, pour and garnish with some orange peel – As for quantities, well as always I will leave that up to you!!!

Review of Clarinda Cloud by Jodi Desautels

Jodi Desautels is the author of several educational children’s books. She has created an amazing resourceful website which is an absolute must visit for parents with young children and in addition to her writing Jodi also offers an excellent online tutoring service.  You can find out more at http://duolearning.weebly.com

 In case you missed it you can also find my interview with Jodi here.

When asked to review this book I was instantly struck by how beautiful the title is.  Clarina Cloud is memorable and instantly rolls off your tongue.  The book is instantly engaging and is written in a clear, concise and easily accessible style with gorgeous illustrations and I could see how it would be attractive to young children.

I like the fact that each page only contains a couple of sentences and think that the manner in which the author encourages young children to think about how they express their feelings is very clever.

My only tiny niggle with the book is that I wouldn’t instantly associate the colour black with pride.  I am however nit picking here and all of the other colours work beautifully for me!

In short, this book is beautifully written, well thought out and if it had been available when my children were younger then I would definitely have bought it for them.   There is also now an activity book which you can either purchase with your copy of Clarinda Cloud or as a stand alone product.

There is no place for ego in healing – An article by Jeff Donovan

Jeff recently submitted this article to me and I am happy to post it on his behalf. (If you have an article that you would like to submit then please get in touch using the contact form – I will consider anything so long as it fits the general ethos of my blog…

THERE IS NO PLACE FOR EGO IN HEALING BY JEFF DONOVAN

As a Reiki Master people often come to me and ask me to heal their pain, heal their ailments, fix their finances, cure their addictions. I hate to tell you, but this isn’t how it works! A ‘healer’ doesn’t actually provide the healing, but the pathway for the healing to take place. It doesn’t matter what kind of healing you’re talking about, the concept is the same. If you break your arm and a doctor sets your injury, you aren’t healed are you? Of course you aren’t but he certainly did lay the foundation for the healing to occur. The same can be said about energy healers.

The body is a perfect machine, designed to heal itself. It is sustained imbalances in the energy field, which causes illness and/or dis-ease. An energy healer is nothing more than a channel and/or facilitator to help bring the energy field back into balance so the body can heal itself. I don’t need to know what is wrong with my client to deliver an effective healing. I am, after all, not the healer. I am merely a vessel for healing. Teaching people to get out of the way and drop their attachments to the outcome of a healing is for me, the hardest part of teaching Reiki. I can teach anyone how to do a healing, I cannot however,teach someone to drop their ego…that is a journey each person, healer or not, must take for themselves. And that is really what we are talking about when we are trying to direct a healing…Ego. We essentially are assuming we know better than God, Spirit, Source, the Universe or whatever you want to call it when we try to direct the healing.

When someone gets a headache and becomes stressed, they’ll often take an aspirin to treat the symptom. That is the world we live in, treat the symptom, but what they don’t understand is that the underlying cause (the stress that caused the headache) is still there. Similarly, if your client comes to you with a headache (and unbeknownst to you, their appendix was about to burst) and you try to direct the healing, focusing only on their headache you as the ‘healer’ would be getting in the way of what it is that they really need…at this point, you’re doing them a disservice. When we are new to healing, we so badly want to see results that we become tied to the outcome. It’s ok to get excited when we see results. It is normal to want to see people heal through our efforts, but at some point, we must learn that we can’t heal everyone. There are many things that factor into a healing taking place. Besides the fact that we are not actually providing the healing, people must be willing to heal. They must co-create and participate in their healing as well. I hate to say it, but some people don’t really want to be healed. They might think they want to heal, they might say they do, but at a deeper level, it isn’t always true. Some people become so attached to their illness, so attached to their story and the attention they receive by telling their story, that the illness actually becomes their identity. I once did a healing for a woman with lupus. After the healing, she raved, telling me that she had spent more than $100,000 in treatments and never felt as good as she did in that moment. I encouraged her to learn Reiki so she could empower herself, take charge of her own health and feel that way every day…she never called me again. Why? I can’t say for sure because I’m not in her shoes, but the fact remains, she found something that worked and didn’t pursue it.

There is also a bigger issue at hand as to why some people do not heal. We do not know what anyone’s life path is. We don’t know when someone’s time is up and we don’t know what their life lessons are. Some are here to overcome and learn from their illness, some are here to learn by succumbing to their illness, while still others sacrifice themselves early so others can learn, or to clear a karmic debt. There is no apparent rhyme or reason why some die young while others live to be very old, why someone smokes two packs a day for fifty years and dies of natural causes while someone who never smoked dies of cancer…actually, there is a very good reason as to why, but few of us actually have the insight to make sense of it. But the point is, we don’t know anyone else’s destiny, so we must learn to detach ourselves from the results, and we certainly cannot play God and try to force a healing. Experience has taught me we don’t need to know what someone’s issue is to deliver an effective healing. The best thing we can do as healers is to deliver the healing, get out of the way and let Spirit deliver the very best healing for each person at that moment in time. A healer after all, is just a vessel for the healing…a healer is not really THE healer, so drop the ego and do your best. That’s all anyone can ask. Jeff Donovan has been a student of energy since 1993, began studying Reiki in 2001 and received his Reiki Master’s certification in 2003 and has been teaching ever since. In addition to Reiki, Jeff has studied DNA Healing, Reconnective Healing, Crystal Healing and more. He teaches Reiki in person, but primarily through his Home Study Course. For more information: http://www.HomeStudyReiki.com Jeff also performs free healings each month for all members of his > Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/LearnReiki.HomeStudyReiki >

Tea and Scones with Patricia Lynne

Well, we’ve had a few mishaps this week and have already had to re-schedule our little soiree once.  So I was OVER THE MOON the other day to finally get the chance to sit down over a very old fashioned Girdle (Griddle) scone and a nice pot of tea… Patricia why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born and raised in Michigan, which is the coolest state because you can point to your hand and say, “I live here.” Take that Colorado, you’re just square! Haha. When I was younger, I actually thought I was a horrible writer. Art was more my thing due to my Grandpa Beaudin. He was an amazing oil artist and I wanted to paint just like him. Unfortunately, I never had much patience for painting unless it was abstract. I went to college, majoring in art, but eventually dropped out because I didn’t see where an art degree would take me aside from teaching and I did not want to do that. I always had stories in my head, and one day, I thought I’d write one down just for fun. I was bored and wanted to do something. It blossomed from there. When I got the idea for my first novel, Being Human, I thought the story was really interesting and other people would enjoy it too so I started looking into publishing. Now, here I am, 5 years later and I can’t imagine not writing.  So is writing your full time career then?

 I wish! Wait, no I don’t. Well, I kind of do, but don’t. It’d be awesome to write full time and make enough to pay my bills, but having a day job is nice because it gets me out of the house. I guess I’d say I’d like to write full time with a part time job on the side so I’m not sitting around the house all day. Or I could volunteer to get out of the house.

Yes, it is a challenge juggling the need to unleash the creative genie with the need to put food on the table. – My husband is self employed and sometimes when things get a little too close to the knuckle for comfort I find myself thinking maybe I should take a part time job on top of my writing…but then I think Nah!!! Since you have got me on the subject of jobs, and normality, What is the worst job you have ever done and why?

My worst job has actually been working in a restaurant (what I do now and have done since I was 18.) It’s crazy how the same job can get such different responses from me based on how the business is run. I worked at a hotel/restaurant doing the breakfast shift. What I had to do was have coffee and the breakfast bar ready for the guests. I had to get up around 5am. It was real easy, but just getting up every morning (because I kept getting called in on my days off) was exhausting. I’d get home around noon and sleep all afternoon, wake up for dinner and be tired all evening, falling asleep by 10 or 11. I was like a zombie. No writing got done either. I know, you can see why I quit.

Absolutely.  The thought of not having any time to write gives me the jitters.  It’s not just the writing, it’s the marketing too and then there are the million and one things that need doing around the house…and family commitments…I can definitely see why you quit.  Crikey, these scones are so moreish…I haven’t had a chance to read any of your books yet – What genre is it?

I love writing Young Adult paranormal, but I am dabbling in New Adult right now with a short story paranormal/fantasy series. I like my creatures and monsters, so writing something without isn’t appealing. Once, I even had an idea that had no creatures and, I kid you not, I didn’t want to write it because of that.

That is so funny! I am fond of my serpents, my dragons and my banshees too! Although I definitely think it’s a good idea to constantly push your own boundaries, see what you can really do!  What inspired you to write your first book Patricia?

 I remember this like it was yesterday… he he It was while hubby and I were visiting his parents and we went to the book store. I bought about 80$ worth of books, one called Thirsty. This book didn’t have a happily ever after; it’s ending was dark and stuck with me. I kept wondering what would happen next. This idea started to form about a vampire, newly turned. Humanity knew about vampires and hated them and wanted this one dead. But he had eluded capture. He was determined to survive because of his brother. The idea really had a hold of me so I started writing it down and it became Being Human.

Sounds like a fab book – Lenora and I would probably both like to read that one… Do you ever get ideas at random moments, and if so how do you hang onto them?

All the time. If I’m smart, I make a note in my cell phone or find some paper. If I’m being dumb, I hope to remember – which never happens.

Yeah, I am good at noting down the ideas that spring up during the day but terrible at chronicling my dreams.  I have had so many vivid dreams lately where I have woken up in the dead of the night but then I have been so tired that I just couldn’t face jotting them down.  Some of them are still flitting around in the dark recesses of my mind. I am hoping that they will just bubble and simmer away until the time is right to unleash them!  Tell me Patricia, do you read for pleasure or out of habit?

I read for pleasure. When I open a book, I get lost in the world and tend not to come out until I reach the end. I’ve missed appointments because I’ve been caught up in a book and lost track of time.

Meat eater or vegetarian?

My hubby and I tried vegetarian at one point, but living in a little town, it’s hard to go veggie because there’s so few options. I can do it though! Maybe one day we’ll live in a city that has a great organic store and we can go back to being veggie heads.

Left or right and why?

Left because I’m left handed and we know how to do things.

Favourite movie and why?

The Little Mermaid. When I was little I loved the songs and Ariel and wanted to be a mermaid (but let’s face it, what little girl doesn’t?)

Yeah – The Little Mermaid and Tinkerbell always do the trick!! When you eat out would you choose Chinese, Indian or Italian, or other, if so what?

I’ve never had Indian food because I’ve never lived in a place that had a restaurant that specialized in it. I do love Chinese and Italian, so it’s hard to pick just one.

I can’t believe how many Americans have never tried Indian food!!! Over here we just take it for granted that we can walk into a restaurant whenever the mood takes us.  I can’t imagine a life without it! London, Paris or New York and why?

Paris because they have the Louvre which has some of the artwork I learned about in art history and would love to see.

What do you have in the pipeline?

Right now, I’m editing two different stories. One is a YA LGBT paranormal story called Out of Secrets, and the other is my attempt at New Adult, called Path of Angels and is a short stories series. I’m hoping to get Out of Secrets published by the end of the year. I’ve been working on the blurb in hopes of revealing it soon. *crosses fingers*

Good luck!! How do you overcome writers block?

I take a nap. Honestly, I’ve only had writers block one time and didn’t write for two months. I think my muse just wanted a vacation and forced it on me. She’s mean like that. I didn’t try to push it either, I just let myself relax (while thinking about writing) and eventually the words came back. It was refreshing too because once I started going again, I had the excitement of writing I had when I first started writing.

Where would you like to be in 5 year time?

I don’t even know where I’ll be next week (aside from the day job.) Planning isn’t my forte.

Can you write on demand and under pressure, or do you need time and space before the creativity starts to flow?

I can’t write under pressure, my mind freezes and all I think about is how I need to get this written by this time and it’s not happening!!!! I guess since I’m such a mellow person, my writing flows better when I’m relaxed and calm.

Yeah, I am a bit like that.  I can pretty much write every day (time allowing) but and it’s a BIG but I need to be in a room by myself, I need silence, and I need a couple of hours clear.  Nearly time to head off, before we go what  advice would you give your 18 year old self?

Other than dump the guy I was dating at the time? I’d tell myself to not worry about others so much. I’m horrible about being afraid of how others will react to something I say or do. Just because I make someone mad doesn’t mean the world will end.

Refreshingly honest!!! Patricia you are a GEM.  I have totally enjoyed our little girlie get together and I hope one day you achieve your dream of being able to quit the day job…  What are you waiting for peeps, hop on over and show Patricia some love NOW!!

http://www.patricialynne.com

Twitter -  https://twitter.com/patricialynne07

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/patricialynne07

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/635444.Patricia_Lynne

With mam beings so ill I wanted to share a recipe for girdle scones – straight of my mam’s old fashioned be-ro book and made exactly like mam and my grandma before her used to make…

Note you will need a girdle or “griddle” as they call them in the Northumbrian/Scottish Borders. You should be able to buy one online or from most good hardware stores…I know Smails of Morpeth sell them!!

YOU WILL NEED:
80z Self Raising Flour
a pinch of salt
1 oz lard
1 oz sugar
1 egg beaten with enough milk to make 1/4 pint

NB 25 g equals 1 oz

Mix the flour and salt and rub it into the lard

Mix in the sugar and mix to a soft dough with the egg and the milk

Knead lightly, divide in three and roll each piece out to about 5 mm in thickness.  Cut in four

Bake on a moderately hot greased girdle for about 3 mins each side.

Then ENJOY…LOVE INGRID

Navigating Infinity

Reblogged from Of Our Own Design: