Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 61

2018 challenge observations

Another year is over. Wait... give it back. I haven't finished my WIP, holiday projects, crafts, baking apple pie, decorating Christmas cookies, and a million other things I still need to do. Oh well, someone flipped the calendar so I'm stuck with it. Here's a few reflections on the MFRW author 2018 challenge. Some topics were easy. Either they didn't require much thought or they were a repeat (or near repeat) of a topic from last year.

Worst Writing Advice - two main themes arose. A number of posts explained why the advice, "Don't edit while writing," didn't work for them. A close second as far as advice that the poster did not agree with was "Write what you know."




Week 11 topic was to reveal a task we would never want to do again. Vastly personal experiences were revealed varied from watching the Twin Towers fall, to telling someone a dear friend or loved one had passed to another plane of existence, or insight into a toxic job. You could tell who had lived in snow country at some point in time as shoveling large amounts of the white stuff made quite a few lists.

However, two tasks competed head to head with no clear winner. Cleaning, whether of the house or dishes, was one of the disliked tasks. The other was cooking which got even more votes when you add in the corollary carrying in groceries. Which has to be done so that there is something to cook. No comment as to whether or not the most disliked had something to do with the fact most of those participating were women.

Week 12 was another topic where a common response was achieved. Regardless of their experience levels, most of the authors stated either they don't enter contests or tried a few and don't any longer.

Mid-year, at week 24 two items topped the majority of the lists of things we couldn't live without. Books held sway as one item. Not surprising since those writing the list make their living creating them and the majority started out as book lovers before they became book writers. Communicating with loved ones helped phones vie for the next spot. Another electronic device that was once only found in climate-controlled rooms with raised floors for miles and miles of cables, but that is now ubiquitous, was also in second slot.

Favorite indulgence was week 26 topic. Time alone, either to read or just to be alone, was a popular item. Pampering by facial, pedicure, or long soaks in a tub received the most votes.

Not all the topics were enjoyable. Irrational and greatest fears evoked some strong responses. Fear of failure, of losing our eyesight, or being trapped in a body we can't control were among the fears revealed. A piece of advice I've decided to take to heart came in one of the comments. "Not all fears need to be faced." 

Week 39 provided unexpected insight. Although the number of participants was fairly small, a common theme was that they don't have intricate writing rituals. In fact there was a lack of writing rituals such as favorite pen, favorite clothes, or special sequence of things to do to prepare to write.

The prompt, "Grateful for," generated two distinct sets of answers: Friends, family, and health formed one group. In tribute to the writing profession, their readers formed another popular answer.

An unusual question was "my wedding disaster." I took the opportunity to mention the handfasting ceremony from one of my novels. It was a difficult choice between the glittering sword arch for Lady Ellspeth and Lord Dal, or the high-mountain event that celebrated the official joining of Glynnes and Talann. 

The year ended with dream journeys. The Scottish highlands and the British Isles remained popular. 

If these topics and their accompanying reveals intrigues you, (or if you need an interview question or an idea for your own blog,) here's a link listing the posts in the 2018 challenge.


~till next time, Helen

Disaster? Not Really #mfrwauthor

We're at week 52. Where has the year gone? The year is now over and this is the final post of the 2018 challenge. We are supposed to write about "my wedding disaster." Now that is hard to do.

My wedding (lo those 40-plus years ago) was what might be called a non-existent affair. The bridal store didn't go out-of-business so I had my gown. The plane taking me south was on time. I was married on a holiday weekend because that was when my future hubby could get a three-day pass. After the ceremony in the chapel, the two of us went to dinner at the roof-top restaurant of the local hotel. (Since I was still in my gown and he his dress blues, we had great service.) Then while transferring from one post to another we had a reception on my family homestead.

So how to write about a "disaster." Maybe out the person who ran a finger along the back of the cake before we cut it? That didn't constitute a disaster because a little work with a knife removed the evidence so I'll have to write about the handfasting ceremonies I've written.

Besides difficulties in getting the bride-to-be or the groom to the wedding, or the tension during the formal proposal to the bride's ruling council (which could have scuttled the wedding), what one bride thought was a disaster was an interruption during her ceremony. As Broch walked down the aisle, people turned their attention from her to dragons a'wing. But the dragons flew on and the event continued so not really a disaster.

After reviewing the Windmaster Novels and the Dragshi Chronicles, here's a snippit from the reader's bonus of the handfasting of Glynnes and Talann. She has come into the room after the last of the meetings to plan their upcoming nuptials.

Excerpt from the Reader Bonus from Hatchling's Vengeance

Talann could feel her anger directed at him. “Glyn, my love, aren’t you pleased with the plans?”

She hesitated. “Yes."

He enfolded her in his arms. “The ceremony is for you, darling. My job is to do what I’m told, to look handsome. And…” A corner of his lips lifted in a smile and laughter danced in his eyes. “Not to disappoint you on our wedding night.” 

An innocence at odds with the earlier mischievousness smoothed his features. “I’m doing the best I can.” He held the disarming pose until some of the tension left her body. 

“Who told you that?” Glynnes growled.

Talann waited a heartbeat, then started holding up fingers. “Ranald, my father, Liam, Kynan, and that is just a few of the men from Cloud Eyrie.” He held up a second hand. “Vivel, every married master of the Ceoltier Guild who ever lectured me on protocol, my Uncle Eroh of Clan Weiss, Uncle Elem of Clan Miller.” He waited and added, “Uaine threatened me with dismemberment if I make you unhappy.”

Before his mate could react, he flicked up another finger. “Our illustrious lady ruler, my mother, Lady Dealan, Lexii.” He paused as if taking a breath before continuing.

“All right, I yield,” Glynnes said, holding up a hand. “No one can fight that horde of relatives and friends.”

~ ~ ~

You'll have to read the readers bonus included with Hatchling's Vengeance for the actual ceremony. Start here for buy links to Amazon, Kobo, and others. Or if you prefer, Hatchling's Vengeance is now available this holiday season at Walmart.com.

And don't miss the other posts in this final week of the challenge. Thanks for hanging out with me for the year.  Helen

Christmas Wishes

Thank you for visiting my blog in 2018.
I hope you enjoyed my posts and will return in 2019!
From the world of Windmaster,
and the high mountain hold of Cloud Eyrie,
have a very Merry Christmas,
(or whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year)
and wishing you a happy turn's end,
and all the best in the New Year!

Fantasies? Are they Real? #MFRWauthor

We're at week 51. Where has the year gone? Just one more post in the 2018 challenge. We are supposed to write about "my fantasy vacation." Now that is hard to do. It's been a while since I've been on a vacation. And those were not round-the-world cruises, but simpler things, usually a camping trip.


I could write about a trip I'd like to take. Dreams can be good or bad, a fantasy or a nightmare. So I could write about a vacation I'd like to take. But the topic was met by the dream journeys post in the 2017 challenge. 

To answer the question of a fantasy vacation? I don't know if there is such a thing. You can plan everything, then have an unexpected illness throw them into a cocked hat. Hotel rooms booked months in advance are double booked and your suite becomes the single next to the elevator. Storms delay takeoff. You don't miss the connecting flight, but end up spending an extra four hours on hard chairs in the airport.

So I'm back to the 2017 post. As a writer of fantasy, my fantasy vacation will be to the British Isles to see the Emerald Isle, Wales, and the heart-home of my Scottish heritage.

Photo by Emily Roesly at Morguefile.com

There's just one most post in the challenge. Congratulations to the other authors in the challenge who have made it to this point.
~till next time, Helen

Answer, From Imprisoned in Stone, #MFRWHook

In response to the comments about the Question, for those who haven't read the book, the answer of who is on the other end of the ethereal link.

From the dark fantasy, Imprisoned in Stone.

She stood, sword point on the floor while she awaited his call for the next exercise. A hint of a foreign thought reached through her concentration. She did not know whether she felt the faint call because her senses were extended or if her powers had grown. All she knew was that another mind, a man she did not know, beckoned. With the practice of long hours working with both Gareth and Tralin, Maerva hardened her defenses. Although tired, she sent out her own summons.

Instead of the usual courtesy of the one being called identifying himself or projecting an image, all Maerva received was surprise. An astonishment that was suddenly cut off. Maerva repeated her request for information. This time the only answer was the silence of the cosmos. Combined with the earlier efforts, weakness crept up her legs and she clutched at Gareth’s hands.

““Did you?” Maerva blurted out.

“What?” Gareth’s soft drawl queried.

His expression told Maerva the newcomer had only touched her mind.
 

~ ~ ~
Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers Walmart
Paperback at Amazon / Barnes&Noble

Friends, family, health #MFRWauthor

There are only two weeks after this one and the official topic is "things I'm grateful for."

As you move through the years, the things you are grateful for change. A child is grateful for the warmth and friendship of the puppy lying next to him. In the teen years, whoever is your BFF at the moment, is the choice. Later, a spouse or children, or a career you love top the list.

When you reach the twilight years, health or another day on earth are added to the things you've been grateful to have over the years.

Since the year is almost over, a wish for my readers. Whatever you are grateful for, whether health or wealth, family or friends, may you have it in abundance.


There's just a few more posts in the challenge. Hope I make it. 
~till next time, Helen

A Holiday Share

In the midst of the holidays, thought I'd share a couple of holiday traditions from one of my favorite worlds. It's on the BooksWeLove Authors Blog. Also, there's a special wish for my readers and an introduction to the newest of the Windmaster Novels, Windmaster Legend (Coming March 2019).

https://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/2018/12/sharing-holiday-tradition-by-helen.html

In the midst of the holidays, thought I'd share a couple ...

In the midst of the holidays, thought I'd share a couple of holiday traditions from one of my favorite worlds. It's on the BooksWeLove Authors Blog. Also, there's a special wish for my readers and an introduction to the newest of the Windmaster Novels, Windmaster Legend (Coming March 2019).

https://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/2018/12/sharing-holiday-tradition-by-helen.html

My specialty is?? #mfrwauthor

We're at week 49. And I'm supposed to share the recipe of the best dish I cook. If you've followed the challenge you know about me and cooking. That I prefer to bake. Although I've created my share of meals, I don't claim to be a gourmet cook. There are some heritage recipes I'm still trying to master, others I've dabbled at. But, I know they'll never be as good as those lovingly prepared by my ancestresses.

But I digress. Before I answer the question, I have one of my own that has to be answered first. Who determines what qualifies as "best?" 

Is it the cucumber and onion salad at a church potluck dinner or the ambrosia taken to the historical group's picnic?  The family might claim the Yankee pot roast on a cold winter night followed by warm apple pie topped with a scoop of ice cream might be the best thing I cook.

Now I'm hungry. Maybe I"ll answer the question after a snack.
~till next time, Helen

Bookqw NOTHING from Windmaster #mfrwhook

A book hook using the quote word of the week "NOTHING."

From the sword and sorcery, romantic fantasy, Windmaster.

Excerpt:


Dal woke with a gasp. A feeling of foreboding hung in the air. Cast outward into the jungle darkness, his senses touched nothing beyond the usual low-throated calls of tree frogs. Yet the impression of imminent terror grew.

“It can’t be Ellspeth,” he mumbled, though he wasn’t sure how he knew it. Just that he did with a certainty beyond any he’d ever known before. “It’s too early for the prophecy to start. We haven’t even been handfasted yet.”

But you are, an inner voice retorted. Tapping her magic built an ethereal path—one that grows stronger every day.

“No!” Dal’s mind and body, usually in harmony with each other, strained with conflict.

~ ~ ~
Buy Links: One click to ebook sellers
Paperback at Amazon / Barnes&Noble