Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 48

February 27, 2020

Another diet? Not me. #mfrwauthor




Welcome to Week 9 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Diet before summer? How seriously?" The prompt brought up images of tanned, lithe bodies on the beach in bikinis or in leotards exercising at the gym. Get in shape before summer, they entice. Be ready for bikini season.



I have never been a bikini person, beach bunny (or sand lizard in some areas) so the concept of a summer diet for weight loss was never in the plan. Summer diet constituted taking advantage of the seasons fruits and vegetables.

I see no reason to start a diet just because the calendar flipped to a certain date? If you already are on heart-conscious, low-salt, low-fat, low-sugar, low carbohydrate diets, who needs another one.

Not me.



~till next time, Helen


Be sure to see how the other authors answered the question. https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/
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Published on February 27, 2020 22:00

February 20, 2020

Escape into a fantasy #mfrwauthor




Welcome to Week 8 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Reading outside your comfort zone, what is it and why?"

I read for pleasure, to escape the realities of daily life, not to relive the worst aspects of it. As a result I don't read either fiction or non-fiction that deals with addiction, mental illness, dementia, cancer, loss, or people on their journey through their bucket list. It doesn't matter if it is a touching memoir or a  gritty 'how I survived xxx,' I'm not interested in reading it. It also doesn't matter if the book is a best seller or recommended by some celebrity.

I like to fly with dragons and hang out with wizards. When I read for pleasure, it's to escape into a fantasy.



~till next time, Helen

Be sure to stop by the other authors to see how they answered the questions.

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Published on February 20, 2020 22:00

February 13, 2020

Too Late, They're Gone #MFRWauthor




Welcome to Week 7 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Who's memories in your family do you wish you could discuss."

I admit to being of an age where you wonder what heritage you are leaving behind. Old enough to want to ensure your own memories are passed on, but also aware that the time is sooner rather later to capture the life stories of the remaining elders of the clan. 

So how to answer this question of "who?"

Maybe the discussion would be with family members about their time in uniform. In a way, the first person on this list already did. His collection of letters written during the Civil War have been transcribed and distributed to the family. 

But that still leaves the veterans of WW I, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. A picture from WWII has been unearthed, but it was only recently that I learned of a grandparent's service in WWI. But most of those on the list didn't talk about it in life, so I don't think they will in death.

When someone is the last member of their generation, their memories are extra special. But age and illness has stripped the ability to recall many of them. Maybe have them tell about the beehives at the edge of the woods and spinning honey. Or the youthful excursions into the farm fields for a bonfire and roasting ears of corn.

I'm off to jot down the tale of instead of doing the dishes slipping away after-dinner to visit to the outhouse. While the original excuse garnered a temporary delay, the story goes that more than once the person conveniently forgot to return to the kitchen to finish their chores and instead stayed outside to play.


~till next time, Helen





Sidenote: a collection of poems and short stories written in tribute to family members who served was published as Heart and Sand: Stories From The Front Lines and the Homefront.)

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Published on February 13, 2020 21:30

February 12, 2020

Out and About at the Crafty Killers

Who says characters don't become real to their authors or a reader? One of my characters. Iol of the House of Cszabo, escaped the pages of Windmaster Legend. Then he turned around and gave an interview at Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers and puts me in my place. Hope you'll stop by.

https://anastasiapollack.blogspot.com/2020/02/meet-author-helen-hunts-windmaster.html

~till next time, Helen

 
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Published on February 12, 2020 13:36

February 11, 2020

Out and About at the Nomad Authors

Windmaster is a sail into fantasy! More on the story and I share some about the writing life at the Nomad Authors Blog. Hope you'll stop by.

http://www.nomadauthors.com/blog/2020/02/10/windmaster-helen-henderson/




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Published on February 11, 2020 15:08

February 6, 2020

Friendship, Respect, and Four Feet?




Welcome to Week 6 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Best Super Bowl Ad." As soon as I read it, I knew what company, but not necessarily which commercial. So it was time for research and to go back and Courtesy of Parade Magazine re-watch some. Before you see my choice, let me say I like dogs, cats, and horses. Can you guess who made my favorite commercial(s)?  In no particular order of choice:

Snowball Fight - a bump of a rump ends the fightAmerican Dream - a colt with a dream gets some helpTeamwork - reminded me of RockyPuppy Love and Lost Dog - so similar I included them as one itemStick - sometimes a stick is not just a stick Fence - a change of pace, but still speaks of friendship and loyaltyRespect - I've seen these great, gentle creatures in person, and marvel not at their training to kneel, but to do so while in harness.And lastly, Bud...Weis...er.. by the Croaking Frogs.

If you read last week's post, you'll know I don't discuss politics. However, this next mention has nothing to do with who created it or even why . It is the content, that like the commercial called, Respect, that earns this final entry its place on this list. Super Bowl LIV | Johnny Cash's "Ragged Old Flag" | Tribute to America



~till next time, Helen







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Published on February 06, 2020 22:00

January 30, 2020

Not at the table #mfrwauthor




Welcome to Week 5 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Can you talk politics with family and friends?"


As a rule I don't discuss politics with friends. Many of those whom I'm close enough to do so with don't live in the same town, but in other states or over the border in Canada. Pride in country no matter how stupid people are would keep me from venting or sharing personal knowledge.


Then that leaves the second part of the prompt--family. Politics and especially politicians can be a volatile issue. For many years a family member was quite active in the local politics of the town. Things were for the most part civil, in part because almost everybody knew everybody. A council seat was not seen as a means to a higher position, but as community service.

On the few occasions when an acquaintance or out-of-state friend asked for an opinion on one of the politicians from my state who were campaigning at a national level my answer is usually a simple. "No comment."


~till next time, Helen

Be sure to see how the other authors answered the question. https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/

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Published on January 30, 2020 22:00

January 23, 2020

Song Lyrics Say It Best #MFRWauthor



Welcome to Week 4 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Best trait in a bff." I did a mental inventory of friends. Relationships can change over the years. A playmate from childhood could blossom to a supportive friend.
With the change of culture, the relationships between women of all ages has radically changed--yet remained the same. They can be lovers or best friends. And no, I don't mean the two aspects are mutually exclusive. One site describes a girlfriend as "the ones that are there for you. These friends are the ones that you want to spent time with, share your secrets with, cry on their shoulders, go shopping with, get a pedicure with, drink a glass of wine with and etc.; your girlfriends!"

 But, I write fantasies, sword and sorcery tales. I admit my heroines are not the kind to share feelings or curl each other's hair. Rather they are hard riding, hard fighting equals of the male characters. That doesn't preclude a more feminine side or a more traditional relationship.

Anastasia of the Dragshi Chronicles wanted a formal birthday celebration complete with music and dancing. An event made possible by a friend. In another of the chronicles, the price of one woman's friendship with her girlfriend was to submerge her identity and pretend to be a man--and her friend's bodyguard.




As to the answer to best trait in a friend? Maybe the lyrics by Casey Beathard and Ed Hill in Tracy Lawrence's song, "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" says it best.
~till next time, Helen


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Published on January 23, 2020 22:00

January 21, 2020

Hooked On Windmaster, Consolation and Hope #MFRWHooks #MFRWauthor

Windmaster
(Book 1 of the Windmaster Novels

Prophecy decreed Ellspeth marry the Archmage. However, despite the attraction to him, Ellspeth’s heart fought the announced destiny. For to be with Lord Dal meant she had to take all that came with him, including magic. Love meant the loss of her ship and crew because to a mage the sea meant death.

To set the scene, Dal is taken to the kapuna tree, the heritage of all mages. His friend and mentor, Semelen, tries to console the Archmage.  A description of this magical tree can be found in the book hook, friends lost.

Excerpt:

Something shimmered at the end of a branch. The leaf’s vein was a vibrant pure red. Instead of the stillness of the other leaves, this one pulsed. Even before he spotted the rune that symbolized his own name, Dal realized the leaf’s rhythm was that of his own heartbeat. The leaf marked his lifeline.
 

At the end of the branch, a leaf without a symbol also vibrated. He ran a finger along of its main vein. Despite the feather-light touch, a shock numbed his arm. Ellspeth’s face appeared then faded, leaving behind only an undefined yearning.

The flicker of the adjacent leaf was noticeably slower, and with each passing second, the color turned darker and darker. Its small veins had already shifted into deep red. Dal knew without even looking that the name marked on the leaf was Semelen’s.

Semelen’s hand felt warm on Dal’s shoulder, despite the coolness of the glade. “It was not your fault, my friend, that you were away when it happened. The poison spread so quickly not even the most skilled healers among us could have saved those on the island. We’re just fortunate you survived to carry on the work... and to rebuild the council.”

Dal wrenched away from the intended comfort. “There is no council anymore. Everyone is dead. I built the pyres myself.” His voice grew quieter with each word, until it was almost a whisper.

Semelen spun Dal around, his grip firm despite his impending death. “No. You always were the strongest of us all. If not, you would never have been made Archmage. You have Voan and Jesmen to help. In time, there will be others.”

“It took five score of us to make a school.”

The old islander gestured to the tree behind them. “Your strength is that of the kapuna—the strength of all who have gone before. You still have access to the books of knowledge. They date back to when Belrum came out of the desert and settled on the island. The council has to be rebuilt. The prophecy has begun. You know the beginning is cast. Only the ending remains shrouded.” Semelen moved closer. Although the old man’s face remained expressionless, Dal heard the urgency roughen the other’s words. “Mages will have magic, whether good or bad.”



BUY LINKS:
US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IU973HA
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IU973HA




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Published on January 21, 2020 19:37

January 16, 2020

I Prefer Dreams #MFRWauthor



Welcome to Week 3 of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The topic is "Writing or plot programs, use them or not?" Even though I use a structured writing approach, I don't use any plotting sites or software. I prefer the plot to come more organically. Capturing a dream helps keep the voice fresher.

I've tried various ones that were recommended either directly by other authors or in their newsletters. No matter which software or site I experimented with they always seemed like more effort. Since I don't consciously plan out the story arc, character arcs, or plot points, the programs never seemed to work for me.
I have a stable of forms that tracks character descriptions, the plot, and the rules/description of the fantasy worlds I create.Another reason I don't use plot software is that at least at the start of a project, I tend to do most of my drafting and storyline design the old-fashioned way with pen and paper. Using a labtop isn't always practical in doctors' offices or in parks.

There is a different category of writing programs that I do use--editing and proofing software. The cold scan of the computer can help overcome the author's familiarity with the work or compliment an author's weaknesses. Although algorithms are not a substitute for a experienced editor, they can help with an initial polish.

I also like to use text to voice programs. Having the computer read the story to me, either while I listen with closed eyes or read along helps point out a variety of issues.
What software do you use? Hope you'll visit the other authors to see their answer.
~till next time, Helen

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Published on January 16, 2020 22:00