Rumer Haven's Blog
August 17, 2024
August 12, 2024
SEVEN is TEN! Happy Anniversary to 'Seven for a Secret'
Well, isn't this just the bee's knees... My debut novel, Seven for a Secret turns 10 years old today! In celebration of this anniversary, my other paranormal books, What the Clocks Know and Myths, Mothers, and Mystics, are FREE on Kindle this week through Friday. So snatch your copies up and leave that scathing review of my work that you've been dreaming of! 😉
Since 10 years is a long time, here's a little refresher on Seven for a Secret if you need it:
It's the year 2000, and twenty-four-year-old Kate moves into a new apartment to find a new state of independence in a new millennium. Almost immediately, she starts crushing on a hot guy who lives in her building. Deciding to take a break from her boyfriend Dexter, Kate believes the only thing now separating her from the fresh object of her sexual fantasies is the thin wall between their neighboring apartments.
A former 1920s hotel, Camden Court has housed many lonely lives over the decades--and is where a number of them have come to die. They're not all resting in peace, however, including ninety-year-old Olive, who dropped dead in Kate's apartment and continues to make her presence known.
For Olive has a secret she's dying to tell. One linking her to the sex, scandal, and sacrifice of a young dreamer named Lon. As the past haunts the present, Kate's romantic notion that the thrill-of-the-chase beats the reality-after-the-catch unexpectedly entwines her modern-day love life with Lon's Jazz Age tragedy.
With a little supernatural and a lotta' razzle-dazzle, Seven for a Secret is where historical fiction meets contemporary rom-com--from the Roaring Twenties when the "New Woman" was born, to the modern Noughties when she really came of age.
This story was my homage to sweet home Chicago and, more specifically, my single days living there. To quote from my acknowledgments at the end of the book:
To the Twenties and my twenties in Chicago. They were both roarin' times, and had the former been any less dodgy and the latter less douchie, I wouldn't have had so much material to work with.
Someday, I've gotta reread this book myself and note all the Easter eggs I hid in it. Those have become fewer and fewer the more I've written over the last decade, but there's no question that my earliest stories contain a lot of autobiography--highly fictionalized, of course, and kinda broken apart and reconfigured into something new and decidedly not mirroring my life. I think that's a lot of what writing's about: observing life, reviewing it, taking what we know and combining it with what we don't to turn it into something else entirely... It's a beautiful and mysterious alchemy.
And so ultimately, no, I am not Kate, the protagonist of this novel's Year 2000 story thread. And yet I am in certain ways, or should I say that she is me in those ways. It's been so long since I wrote this story, but what I do vividly remember is how much it brought me back to my earlier years living on my own in Chicago, even the fanciful ideas I'd have of certain locations while there, which appear in the 1920s story thread involving Lon. The Hughes mansion especially, which was based on the real-life Dewes mansion down the street from where I lived in Hampden Court, the inspiration for the book's Camden Court. If you're interested in other real-life locations, check out my Settings page here: https://www.rumerhaven.com/my-kind-of-town
Anyway, there are so many ways this tale is near and dear to my heart. Whether it got published or not, it was a story that wanted to be written, and I just got lucky that it got to be published, too. Many thanks to Omnific Publishing and Simon & Schuster for giving it a home and me the confidence to keep on goin'. While I largely stepped away from writing the past few years to prioritize editing instead, this anniversary finds me in the writer's seat once again as I attempt my first book series. It's an idea that I've had for quite a long while now, and at last, it's go time. More on that in the near future.
But in the meantime, among the wee bits I've written in recent years, this anniversary week (which includes the book sale, don't forget--FREE EBOOKS 'til Friday!) shall culminate in the standalone release of a novelette that originally featured in the anthology Ghosts & Gravity. My story Ghosted, is already available NOW for pre-order on Kindle, and both the ebook and paperback will be released this Friday, the 16th.
Not all doors…meant to open.
It’s 1972. Manhattan. The Wellraven apartment building. When Keith wakes up in Apt. 801 to find himself alone—again—all he can do is cling to his dreams, where it feels so real that he’s not alone…
An up-and-coming actor, Keith has so much to live for. But he’s had his heart broken by his agent and lover, Roderick, who wouldn’t commit when Keith wouldn’t come out. Leaving him for another client, Rod has vanished from his life, closing the door on a history that still haunts Keith day after day.
Yet night after night, another door opens…to a room in Keith’s apartment seen only in dreams. There, a mysterious presence waits for him, a force that strengthens as Keith’s will weakens. Crossing the threshold into his waking life, something—someone?—begins to haunt Apt. 801 with more than just the past. To shut the door on what torments him, though, is to lock himself deeper inside with it.
Only when the veil thins—and the door opens—can Keith confront this lost soul and set his own free.
So anyway, that's my update. Finally! After all these years, back in the saddle. And my monkey alter ego is equally pleased, already screeching about the books to come...🐒
Until then, I'm so proud of those that have come before and continue to inspire me to not give up. Much gratitude to any of you who join me along the journey, whether it was 10 years ago or now for the first time. 🤍
~ Rumer
November 11, 2022
Available Now: GHOSTS & GRAVITY Launch Day!
Title: Ghosts & GravityAuthors: BT Urruela, Anne Malcom, Morgan Locklear, Jennifer Locklear, Shani Struthers, Becca Vry, Susan K. Swords, Kris Babe, Rumer Haven, Ai Tran, A.S. Orten, Christopher Winks, and D.L. HartmanGenres: Short Stories, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Cozy Mystery, Historical Romance, Ghost FictionRelease Date: November 11, 2022
New York City, 1972.Between Central Park and the East River sits an apartment building as tall as a castle and as orange as a sunset. The Wellraven barely pricks a skyline so grand, but its curious history reaches out through occupants, young and old.
Eleven stories chronicle the life and times of characters who cross paths and share destiny’s fire escape. Ghosts, gravity, romance, and secrets weave the communal narrative.
Step into the elevator. Push any button, but try to remember your way back out. Not everybody makes it.
Proceeds from this limited edition anthology will benefit VETSports, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Veterans with continuous opportunities to reintegrate into their communities through sports, community service, events, and partnerships.
BT Urruela: Author. Filmmaker. Model. Songwriter. Photographer. BT Urruela strives to promote a positive and healthy lifestyle through his work and contributions to various charities, as well as his commitment to the arts. http://www.bturruela.com/
Anne Malcom: Anne Malcom has been an avid reader since before she can remember, her mother responsible for her book addiction. Finding writing about alpha males and happily ever afters more fun than reading about them, Anne is not about to stop any time soon. https://www.annemalcomauthor.com/
Morgan Locklear: Morgan Locklear is a novelist and musician living on the Oregon coast. He writes romance adventures with a focus on humor, and a few ghosts thrown in from time to time. https://www.locklearbooks.com/
Jennifer Locklear: Jennifer Locklear writes the “wildly erotic” Constellation series in addition to Exposure, a Hollywood based romantic comedy, co-written with her husband, Morgan Locklear. https://www.locklearbooks.com/
Shani Struthers: Born and bred in Brighton, UK, Shani Struthers is the author of twenty-four supernatural thrillers (so far), some set in various locations in England, others in more far-flung destinations such as Venice and America. https://www.shanistruthers.com/
Rumer Haven: I've grown up (sort of) as a lover of books, Buffy, travel, and tarot. I'm an old soul with a penchant for the past and paranormal, and am probably the most social recluse you could ever meet. My writing loves to creep inside those interiors, spelunking through dimensions of time, love, and the soul. https://www.rumerhaven.com/home
Becca Vry: President & Founder of Muse Creative Consulting LLC, Best-Selling Author, Copywriter, Speechwriter, Artist, Soul City Corridor/Creative SOULutions collaborator, and Creative Consultant. https://musecreativeconsulting.wordpress.com/
Susan K. Swords: Susan is a lifelong reader and a lifelong aspiring author. She is also currently writing a sci-fi/fantasy novel. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. If you work for it, they’ll come to you. https://tinyurl.com/ypd5yb7z
Kris Babe: Reader, writer, editor. Marketer by day. Politically opinionated. Not fully dressed without a scarf. So many books, so little time. https://tinyurl.com/yadhhhyz
Ai Tran: Ai is from a family of historians, philosophers and story tellers. A Bay Area native, if she isn’t exploring the city or hiking in the woods, you can find her behind her notebook free-writing paranormal comedies. https://tinyurl.com/yckejd65
D.L. Hartman: Deb has been writing poems, short stories, and just nonsense since she could hold a fat Crayola. She always dreamed of someday being published. Now, her dream is coming true. She has spent much of her life moving around the USA, 43 times in her 65 years. She is an avid reader. https://tinyurl.com/muwzs5dp
A.S. Orten
Christopher Winks
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October 14, 2022
Pre-Order Blitz! GHOSTS & GRAVITY Anthology
Title: Ghosts & GravityAuthors: BT Urruela, Anne Malcom, Morgan Locklear, Jennifer Locklear, Shani Struthers, Becca Vry, Susan K. Swords, Kris Babe, Rumer Haven, Ai Tran, A.S. Orten, Christopher Winks, and D.L. HartmanGenres: Short Stories, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Cozy Mystery, Historical Romance, Ghost FictionRelease Date: November 11, 2022
New York City, 1972.Between Central Park and the East River sits an apartment building as tall as a castle and as orange as a sunset. The Wellraven barely pricks a skyline so grand, but its curious history reaches out through occupants, young and old.
Eleven stories chronicle the life and times of characters who cross paths and share destiny’s fire escape. Ghosts, gravity, romance, and secrets weave the communal narrative.
Step into the elevator. Push any button, but try to remember your way back out. Not everybody makes it.
Proceeds from this limited edition anthology will benefit VETSports, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Veterans with continuous opportunities to reintegrate into their communities through sports, community service, events, and partnerships.
BT Urruela: Author. Filmmaker. Model. Songwriter. Photographer. BT Urruela strives to promote a positive and healthy lifestyle through his work and contributions to various charities, as well as his commitment to the arts. http://www.bturruela.com/
Anne Malcom: Anne Malcom has been an avid reader since before she can remember, her mother responsible for her book addiction. Finding writing about alpha males and happily ever afters more fun than reading about them, Anne is not about to stop any time soon. https://www.annemalcomauthor.com/
Morgan Locklear: Morgan Locklear is a novelist and musician living on the Oregon coast. He writes romance adventures with a focus on humor, and a few ghosts thrown in from time to time. https://www.locklearbooks.com/
Jennifer Locklear: Jennifer Locklear writes the “wildly erotic” Constellation series in addition to Exposure, a Hollywood based romantic comedy, co-written with her husband, Morgan Locklear. https://www.locklearbooks.com/
Shani Struthers: Born and bred in Brighton, UK, Shani Struthers is the author of twenty-four supernatural thrillers (so far), some set in various locations in England, others in more far-flung destinations such as Venice and America. https://www.shanistruthers.com/
Rumer Haven: I've grown up (sort of) as a lover of books, Buffy, travel, and tarot. I'm an old soul with a penchant for the past and paranormal, and am probably the most social recluse you could ever meet. My writing loves to creep inside those interiors, spelunking through dimensions of time, love, and the soul. https://www.rumerhaven.com/home
Becca Vry: President & Founder of Muse Creative Consulting LLC, Best-Selling Author, Copywriter, Speechwriter, Artist, Soul City Corridor/Creative SOULutions collaborator, and Creative Consultant. https://musecreativeconsulting.wordpress.com/
Susan K. Swords: Susan is a lifelong reader and a lifelong aspiring author. She is also currently writing a sci-fi/fantasy novel. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. If you work for it, they’ll come to you. https://tinyurl.com/ypd5yb7z
Kris Babe: Reader, writer, editor. Marketer by day. Politically opinionated. Not fully dressed without a scarf. So many books, so little time. https://tinyurl.com/yadhhhyz
Ai Tran: Ai is from a family of historians, philosophers and story tellers. A Bay Area native, if she isn’t exploring the city or hiking in the woods, you can find her behind her notebook free-writing paranormal comedies. https://tinyurl.com/yckejd65
D.L. Hartman: Deb has been writing poems, short stories, and just nonsense since she could hold a fat Crayola. She always dreamed of someday being published. Now, her dream is coming true. She has spent much of her life moving around the USA, 43 times in her 65 years. She is an avid reader. https://tinyurl.com/muwzs5dp
A.S. Orten
Christopher Winks
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HOSTED BY:
September 30, 2022
Cover Reveal: GHOSTS & GRAVITY Anthology!
Title: Ghosts & GravityAuthors: BT Urruela, Anne Malcom, Morgan Locklear, Jennifer Locklear, Shani Struthers, Becca Vry, Susan K. Swords, Kris Babe, Rumer Haven, Ai Tran, A.S. Orten, Christopher Winks, and D.L. HartmanGenres: Short Stories, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Cozy Mystery, Historical Romance, Ghost FictionRelease Date: November 11, 2022Front Cover Design: Krys JanaeInterior and Back Cover Design: Lindsey GrayPublished by Locklear Books 
New York City, 1972.
Between Central Park and the East River sits an apartment building as tall as a castle, and as orange as a sunset. The Wellraven barely pricks a skyline so grand, but it’s curious history reaches out through occupants, young and old.
Eleven stories chronicle the life and times of characters who cross paths, and share destiny’s fire escape. Ghosts, gravity, romance, and secrets weave the communal narrative.
Step into the elevator. Push any button, but try to remember your way back out. Not everybody makes it.
Proceeds from this limited edition anthology will benefit VETSports, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Veterans with continuous opportunities to reintegrate into their communities through sports, community service, events, and partnerships.
BT Urruela: Author. Filmmaker. Model. Songwriter. Photographer. BT Urruela strives to promote a positive and healthy lifestyle through his work and contributions to various charities, as well as his commitment to the arts. http://www.bturruela.com/
Anne Malcom: Anne Malcom has been an avid reader since before she can remember, her mother responsible for her book addiction. Finding writing about alpha males and happily ever afters more fun than reading about them, Anne is not about to stop any time soon. https://www.annemalcomauthor.com/
Morgan Locklear: Morgan Locklear is a novelist and musician living on the Oregon coast. He writes romance adventures with a focus on humor, and a few ghosts thrown in from time to time. https://www.locklearbooks.com/
Jennifer Locklear: Jennifer Locklear writes the “wildly erotic” Constellation series in addition to Exposure, a Hollywood based romantic comedy, co-written with her husband, Morgan Locklear. https://www.locklearbooks.com/
Shani Struthers: Born and bred in Brighton, UK, Shani Struthers is the author of twenty-four supernatural thrillers (so far), some set in various locations in England, others in more far-flung destinations such as Venice and America. https://www.shanistruthers.com/
Rumer Haven: I've grown up (sort of) as a lover of books, Buffy, travel, and tarot. I'm an old soul with a penchant for the past and paranormal, and am probably the most social recluse you could ever meet. My writing loves to creep inside those interiors, spelunking through dimensions of time, love, and the soul. https://www.rumerhaven.com/home
Becca Vry: President & Founder of Muse Creative Consulting LLC, Best-Selling Author, Copywriter, Speechwriter, Artist, Soul City Corridor/Creative SOULutions collaborator, and Creative Consultant. https://musecreativeconsulting.wordpress.com/
Susan K. Swords: Susan is a lifelong reader and a lifelong aspiring author. She is also currently writing a sci-fi/fantasy novel. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. If you work for it, they’ll come to you. https://tinyurl.com/ypd5yb7z
Kris Babe: Reader, writer, editor. Marketer by day. Politically opinionated. Not fully dressed without a scarf. So many books, so little time. https://tinyurl.com/yadhhhyz
Ai Tran: Ai is from a family of historians, philosophers and story tellers. A Bay Area native, if she isn’t exploring the city or hiking in the woods, you can find her behind her notebook free-writing paranormal comedies. https://tinyurl.com/yckejd65
D.L. Hartman: Deb has been writing poems, short stories, and just nonsense since she could hold a fat Crayola. She always dreamed of someday being published. Now, her dream is coming true. She has spent much of her life moving around the USA, 43 times in her 65 years. She is an avid reader. https://tinyurl.com/muwzs5dp
A.S. Orten
Christopher Winks
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HOSTED BY:
April 18, 2022
April 8, 2022
From Blogging to Vlogging
'Tis been ages since I've reported back here, so I thought I'd share what in heck I've been up to the last couple of months!
New YouTube subscribers are so very welcome at my little corner of cyberspace. 😊
~Rumer
October 14, 2020
NEW RELEASE: Myths, Mothers, and Mystics!
A goddess brings a statue to life
so it can become the sculptor’s wife.
A mirror reflects more than what should appear
as a holiday toy spreads less cheer than fear.
New tech revolutionizes reproductive rights
while ghost hunters fill an innkeeper’s night with frights.
And just when she falls out of love’s blinding spell,
a tattoo artist checks into a haunted hotel.
In this speculative fiction collection, feminism meets folklore, fantasy, and science fiction as Rumer Haven shares some of the more random yarns she’s spun over the past decade. From ancient Cyprus to modern Sedona, Myths, Mothers, and Mystics tells the tales of women who must find—if not fight—their way against the natural and supernatural.
AVAILABLE ON KINDLE + IN PAPERBACK!
November 27, 2019
Creative Woo-riting, Part 4
Hello, hello, everyone! I'm back with another installment of my "Creative Woo-riting" series, specifically discussing how I used tarot to write my recent story "Revolve Her" (currently available in the
Paperback Writers
anthology by Locklear Books). In my previous posts, I shared how I used a tarot ritual and spread to prepare for the story. Today, I'll talk about how tarot factors directly into the plot.
So. I knew I wanted to write a scene about a tarot reading, but it felt too contrived if I were to hand-pick the cards myself. As the designer of the story, I obviously could've just selected the tarot cards with meanings coinciding with exactly what I wanted to convey. But where's the fun in that? If there's one thing I've learned about the tarot, it's that it's a lot wiser than me--even if it's only unearthing answers that I already know anyway! Sometimes we don't consciously know what is best, even if on some subconscious or unconscious level we do. So, I decided to leave this one to the cards and, honest to God, shuffled and drew a few at random, with the intention of unlocking the message my protagonist, Ellie, needed to hear.
This is what resulted:
And here's how I interpreted and wrote it into "Revolve Her"...
~ * ~
After giving the cards one last good shuffle, she knocks on the deck with her knuckles three times, as Beverley directs before next asking for her birthdate.“Fifth August,” Ellie says before she can correct herself, watching the other woman flip the deck face-up and thumb through it.“Ah. A Leo,” Beverley says, casting an eye on Ellie, who knows she’s really a Pisces. If the psychic detects the lie, though, she doesn’t call it out, simply plucks a card from the pile and lays it on the cloth for Ellie to see. “Here’s our gal. She represents you in this reading. Your significator. And let me tell you, she is something fierce.”“I’d say so,” Ellie agrees as she hovers over the image, getting a closer look in the dim, flickering light and admiring the fiery hotness of the Queen of Wands, whose golden mane is like Ellie’s, just glossier. Also like Ellie is the tattoo on the queen’s soft-looking skin; her dark, defined brows; and full, luscious lips. This queen’s eyes are blue, but damn if they don’t match Ellie’s determination.“Then we do have a fit.” Beverley smiles. “There are other court cards of different suits in the deck, but this one in particular reflects a creative, passionate, driven individual. She’s confident, sensual, and feels good in her skin.”Just as she starts to feel a fire welling within, Ellie’s dowsed in cold water at Beverley’s next question. Which is, simply, what Ellie’s question is—for the cards.She draws a blank. Question? She didn’t think she needed one. Her only question now is what’s her question?“Personal? Professional?” Beverley prompts, which sends Ellie’s mind whirring. The parlor’s business has been solid lately and their newest artist only exceeding expectations. Ellie feels good there. But personally…Bollocks. Where to even start? Ellie isn’t sure anymore if she wants to talk about Robert, and like hell if she’s going to bring up what she experienced at the motel. As hard as she tries to consider other topics, however, Robert keeps returning to the forefront—the image of him, anyway, lying bloodied on the floor. All she wants all of a sudden is to see him, be sure he’s really okay. And if so, to just…leave things on a better note than they did. Does Robert want that, too? After dumping her off last night, does he have any intention to return? Does he want anything to do with her? Does she want him to want to?Stewing in discomfort and indecision, Ellie returns her roving eyes to Beverley when the psychic leans forward onto her elbows and laces her fingers together. The polish on her long nails matches her lipstick.“Is it about the guy you just saw again? Is that the one?”The one, as if Beverley could see the flurry of questions swarming Ellie’s head and seized on “the one” that kept pushing its way to the surface.“Yes,” Ellie says before she can think about it. “Yes,” she repeats in lieu of further detail.“Thought so” is Beverley’s only comment before giving the tarot cards a quick overhand shuffle and asking Ellie to cut the deck. Ellie does, and Beverley pulls three cards from the top of the re-stacked pile. “Huh.” Laid before Ellie are deep jewel-toned drawings rendered in the style of tattoo art, their rich color and symbolism popping out from a vintage cream background. Reading from left to right, the cards’ captions say “Judgement”, “The World”, and “The Emperor”.“All Major Arcana,” Beverley says. “That’s significant. The Minors deal in day-to-day stuff, but the Majors are more ongoing, overarching issues, you know?”“Okay,” Ellie says with furrowed brow, studying the pictures but unable to make meaning from them. Other than that, in profile, the brunet Emperor kind of reminds her of an unshaven Robert—what isn’t reminding her of him today?—and that the religious overtone of Judgement—depicting an angel blowing a trumpet above people rising from graves—puts her ill at ease.“This is big-picture stuff. In your relationships, romantic or platonic, you’ve grappled with the judgment of others and yourself. Most recently, you might’ve done something you’re not proud of, behaved in a way that let you down when you know you’re better than that. Were you too harsh on this guy? Channeling how others have treated you, maybe? Quick to label and cut off?”Ellie sucks on her lower lip.“Don’t beat yourself up over it. See that?” Beverley taps on a woman who’s standing up from inside her coffin. “It’s like you’ve had a rebirth. Just learn from missteps and heed your soul’s call, which in the present seems fulfilled. You may not fully realize it, but you have achieved completion when it comes to your heart. Look at how free this woman is,” she says, pointing to the World card now, “naked but not vulnerable. She, too, is comfortable in her skin and just owns it.“Nothing is finished forever. Life’s a turntable, and you’ll cycle through insecurity and heartache again, as we all do, like a record spinning round and round, skippin’ on the same scratches. But each time, your needle wears down those imperfections more and more.”Ellie automatically thinks of her tattoo needle, how the concentration and repetition of her craft ever more effectively imprints everyone she serves with a piece of her, living on in new flesh.“With enlightenment, you’re bringing something finer and fiercer to the table, Queen of Wands. You’re in command of your fate here, and it seems by putting yourself out there in a truly vulnerable and authentic way, you really have managed to find the real deal. This man, he’s showing up here, in your future.” She points to the Emperor. “He might seem all powerful and patriarchal on his throne, but see how he’s looking at you. He’s facing the first two cards—looking back at where you’ve been and where you are—and seems to glow from your radiance. This guy’s besotted. Even your queen here” —she points to the significator card— “is looking down at him like da-amn. She wants him, and she’s holding that wand, that tool for directing her power, willing it to do her bidding. You’re in more control here than you think.”
Ellie’s been listening attentively up to this point—rapt, in fact—but the morning’s big breakfast and Bloody Mary are catching up with her. She yawns before she can help it.Beverley stops mid-soliloquy. “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I boring you?” She only manages the straight face for so long, laughing robustly at her own act. Ellie is so enamored with the good-natured sound and smile that she reciprocates.“Listen,” Beverley continues, “I don’t know who we’re talking about here, what’s happened between you two—like, really happened, not what’s in your head.” She’s no longer looking at Ellie but the space between them, her eyes appearing unfocused. “But you’ve got something there that isn’t over yet. I’m seeing unfinished business, heat that needs releasing to find closure. Someone needs to move on.”“Someone?” Ellie asks. “As in me? I need to confront him and get over it?”A sound catches in Beverley’s throat, and she swallows. Her eyes meet Ellie’s, slightly widened. If it weren’t so cliché—and truly creepy to contemplate—Ellie would think the psychic has just seen a ghost.“You?” Beverley says at last. “No, no. You both.”Her voice is as distant as her stare, but even in the candlelight, Ellie sees the light come back into her eyes. Beverley clears her throat. “You and the—the guy,” she says, as if Ellie couldn’t already figure that out. “And even though you’re still seeking that completion, with him, what will help you find it is your current state of wholeness. You’re embodying who you are. You don’t need this man to be complete. But he’s a key factor somehow in a new cycle you’re starting. Maybe more conventional than expected, but not like what you’ve left. He offers a healthy stability, in which you’d continue to flourish. He wouldn’t—” She blinks her eyes, which have become glassy, and shakes her head. “He wouldn’t treat you as less-than. He only sees you for who you are, and… “And I’m jealous as fuck.” Beverley chuckles toward her chest and wipes her eyes. “I’m sorry.” She looks up, her expression almost sad if it didn’t also look a little scared. “I don’t mean to monologue at you. That’s just what I see, in this moment, so why don’t you take it from here. Tell me what did or didn’t land with you.”In all the time she’s been listening, Ellie would swear she stopped breathing if not for the shallow inhales of sage-spiced air that she’s felt caressing her nose. She feels light, dizzy but light, and morbidly relieved to hear Robert still spoken of in present tense. Yes, she needs to see him again. But for now, how much should she tell Beverley?She decides to tell it all. At least, up to the part when she first discovered Robert was married and attempted to high-tail it back to London via Phoenix. The coming-back-to-Sedona part was still a little fuzzy for her.
[...]
“Which brings me to this wretched morning,” she says, “when I woke with a thumping headache, empty stomach, new vegan holster” —she lifts her purse from where it hangs on her chair— “and a dash of wishful thinking, which must have brought on a psychic break indulging a sick fantasy I never actually had.”“It wasn’t that.”That’s all Beverley says.“Well, all the same, I probably ought to consult a medical professional, don’t you think?”“Wouldn’t help.”“Why not?”“Eleanor…”“You can call me Ellie.”“Ellie.” Beverley flashes her lovely pearl teeth before the misgiving reenters her lovely onyx eyes. Picking up the remaining pile of cards, she does another quick overhand shuffle before setting the deck down in front of Ellie and spreading it out, facedown, in a long line. “Mind drawing another one?”“All right.” Scanning the fan of cards, Ellie instinctively zeroes in on one and pulls it out to present it to Beverley.“Ace of Wands,” its caption reads. Ellie sees a disembodied hand holding a wand like her Queen of Wands. This wand projects so much more energy, though, as if channeling the very power of the sun’s rays. And though the tattooed hand that holds it seems feminine and similar to the Queen of Wands’, on some intuitive level, even Ellie knows it isn’t. It doesn’t belong to her—the queen or Ellie. Someone else is conducting this mad music, changing Ellie’s life with a wave of her hand.Watching Beverley inspect the card for some time in silence, Ellie senses a big So, here’s the thing coming. She doesn’t know why, she doesn’t understand how, but true to expectations, Beverley finally opens her mouth to say, “I don’t know quite how to broach this delicately, so I’ll just come right out and say, well, suggest…”Ellie tips her chin down into her neck, her raised brow encouraging Beverley to out with it.“It’s just that, our time, for the tarot reading, is up. And I don’t care what you have and haven’t paid for, Ellie. If I had the time today, I would ask you to stay a while longer, free of charge. But since I don’t, and you might not anyway—” she pauses for an inhale, though she herself seems to loathe the unnecessary drama that adds “—Ellie, would you please consider scheduling another session with me? For a medium reading. Tomorrow. As soon as possible?”<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS Mincho"; panose-1:2 2 6 9 4 2 5 8 3 4; mso-font-alt:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:modern; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 134217746 0 131231 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\@MS Mincho"; panose-1:2 2 6 9 4 2 5 8 3 4; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:modern; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 134217746 0 131231 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} </style><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~ * ~</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So there we go! A real tarot-reading for a fictional character. It was SUCH fun offering up a part of my writing process to something out of my control. I honestly think it resulted in something better than I could've come up with myself!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By the way, the deck pictured above is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tattoo-Tarot-I..." target="_blank"><i>Tattoo Tarot: Ink & Intuition</i></a>. This is the same tarot deck that features in "Revolve Her" and that gave its name to Ellie's tattoo parlor. :) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My little series here is almost at an end, but coming up next is the inspiration for my story's spiritual setting in Sedona. See ya then!</div>
So. I knew I wanted to write a scene about a tarot reading, but it felt too contrived if I were to hand-pick the cards myself. As the designer of the story, I obviously could've just selected the tarot cards with meanings coinciding with exactly what I wanted to convey. But where's the fun in that? If there's one thing I've learned about the tarot, it's that it's a lot wiser than me--even if it's only unearthing answers that I already know anyway! Sometimes we don't consciously know what is best, even if on some subconscious or unconscious level we do. So, I decided to leave this one to the cards and, honest to God, shuffled and drew a few at random, with the intention of unlocking the message my protagonist, Ellie, needed to hear.
This is what resulted:
And here's how I interpreted and wrote it into "Revolve Her"...
~ * ~
After giving the cards one last good shuffle, she knocks on the deck with her knuckles three times, as Beverley directs before next asking for her birthdate.“Fifth August,” Ellie says before she can correct herself, watching the other woman flip the deck face-up and thumb through it.“Ah. A Leo,” Beverley says, casting an eye on Ellie, who knows she’s really a Pisces. If the psychic detects the lie, though, she doesn’t call it out, simply plucks a card from the pile and lays it on the cloth for Ellie to see. “Here’s our gal. She represents you in this reading. Your significator. And let me tell you, she is something fierce.”“I’d say so,” Ellie agrees as she hovers over the image, getting a closer look in the dim, flickering light and admiring the fiery hotness of the Queen of Wands, whose golden mane is like Ellie’s, just glossier. Also like Ellie is the tattoo on the queen’s soft-looking skin; her dark, defined brows; and full, luscious lips. This queen’s eyes are blue, but damn if they don’t match Ellie’s determination.“Then we do have a fit.” Beverley smiles. “There are other court cards of different suits in the deck, but this one in particular reflects a creative, passionate, driven individual. She’s confident, sensual, and feels good in her skin.”Just as she starts to feel a fire welling within, Ellie’s dowsed in cold water at Beverley’s next question. Which is, simply, what Ellie’s question is—for the cards.She draws a blank. Question? She didn’t think she needed one. Her only question now is what’s her question?“Personal? Professional?” Beverley prompts, which sends Ellie’s mind whirring. The parlor’s business has been solid lately and their newest artist only exceeding expectations. Ellie feels good there. But personally…Bollocks. Where to even start? Ellie isn’t sure anymore if she wants to talk about Robert, and like hell if she’s going to bring up what she experienced at the motel. As hard as she tries to consider other topics, however, Robert keeps returning to the forefront—the image of him, anyway, lying bloodied on the floor. All she wants all of a sudden is to see him, be sure he’s really okay. And if so, to just…leave things on a better note than they did. Does Robert want that, too? After dumping her off last night, does he have any intention to return? Does he want anything to do with her? Does she want him to want to?Stewing in discomfort and indecision, Ellie returns her roving eyes to Beverley when the psychic leans forward onto her elbows and laces her fingers together. The polish on her long nails matches her lipstick.“Is it about the guy you just saw again? Is that the one?”The one, as if Beverley could see the flurry of questions swarming Ellie’s head and seized on “the one” that kept pushing its way to the surface.“Yes,” Ellie says before she can think about it. “Yes,” she repeats in lieu of further detail.“Thought so” is Beverley’s only comment before giving the tarot cards a quick overhand shuffle and asking Ellie to cut the deck. Ellie does, and Beverley pulls three cards from the top of the re-stacked pile. “Huh.” Laid before Ellie are deep jewel-toned drawings rendered in the style of tattoo art, their rich color and symbolism popping out from a vintage cream background. Reading from left to right, the cards’ captions say “Judgement”, “The World”, and “The Emperor”.“All Major Arcana,” Beverley says. “That’s significant. The Minors deal in day-to-day stuff, but the Majors are more ongoing, overarching issues, you know?”“Okay,” Ellie says with furrowed brow, studying the pictures but unable to make meaning from them. Other than that, in profile, the brunet Emperor kind of reminds her of an unshaven Robert—what isn’t reminding her of him today?—and that the religious overtone of Judgement—depicting an angel blowing a trumpet above people rising from graves—puts her ill at ease.“This is big-picture stuff. In your relationships, romantic or platonic, you’ve grappled with the judgment of others and yourself. Most recently, you might’ve done something you’re not proud of, behaved in a way that let you down when you know you’re better than that. Were you too harsh on this guy? Channeling how others have treated you, maybe? Quick to label and cut off?”Ellie sucks on her lower lip.“Don’t beat yourself up over it. See that?” Beverley taps on a woman who’s standing up from inside her coffin. “It’s like you’ve had a rebirth. Just learn from missteps and heed your soul’s call, which in the present seems fulfilled. You may not fully realize it, but you have achieved completion when it comes to your heart. Look at how free this woman is,” she says, pointing to the World card now, “naked but not vulnerable. She, too, is comfortable in her skin and just owns it.“Nothing is finished forever. Life’s a turntable, and you’ll cycle through insecurity and heartache again, as we all do, like a record spinning round and round, skippin’ on the same scratches. But each time, your needle wears down those imperfections more and more.”Ellie automatically thinks of her tattoo needle, how the concentration and repetition of her craft ever more effectively imprints everyone she serves with a piece of her, living on in new flesh.“With enlightenment, you’re bringing something finer and fiercer to the table, Queen of Wands. You’re in command of your fate here, and it seems by putting yourself out there in a truly vulnerable and authentic way, you really have managed to find the real deal. This man, he’s showing up here, in your future.” She points to the Emperor. “He might seem all powerful and patriarchal on his throne, but see how he’s looking at you. He’s facing the first two cards—looking back at where you’ve been and where you are—and seems to glow from your radiance. This guy’s besotted. Even your queen here” —she points to the significator card— “is looking down at him like da-amn. She wants him, and she’s holding that wand, that tool for directing her power, willing it to do her bidding. You’re in more control here than you think.”
Ellie’s been listening attentively up to this point—rapt, in fact—but the morning’s big breakfast and Bloody Mary are catching up with her. She yawns before she can help it.Beverley stops mid-soliloquy. “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I boring you?” She only manages the straight face for so long, laughing robustly at her own act. Ellie is so enamored with the good-natured sound and smile that she reciprocates.“Listen,” Beverley continues, “I don’t know who we’re talking about here, what’s happened between you two—like, really happened, not what’s in your head.” She’s no longer looking at Ellie but the space between them, her eyes appearing unfocused. “But you’ve got something there that isn’t over yet. I’m seeing unfinished business, heat that needs releasing to find closure. Someone needs to move on.”“Someone?” Ellie asks. “As in me? I need to confront him and get over it?”A sound catches in Beverley’s throat, and she swallows. Her eyes meet Ellie’s, slightly widened. If it weren’t so cliché—and truly creepy to contemplate—Ellie would think the psychic has just seen a ghost.“You?” Beverley says at last. “No, no. You both.”Her voice is as distant as her stare, but even in the candlelight, Ellie sees the light come back into her eyes. Beverley clears her throat. “You and the—the guy,” she says, as if Ellie couldn’t already figure that out. “And even though you’re still seeking that completion, with him, what will help you find it is your current state of wholeness. You’re embodying who you are. You don’t need this man to be complete. But he’s a key factor somehow in a new cycle you’re starting. Maybe more conventional than expected, but not like what you’ve left. He offers a healthy stability, in which you’d continue to flourish. He wouldn’t—” She blinks her eyes, which have become glassy, and shakes her head. “He wouldn’t treat you as less-than. He only sees you for who you are, and… “And I’m jealous as fuck.” Beverley chuckles toward her chest and wipes her eyes. “I’m sorry.” She looks up, her expression almost sad if it didn’t also look a little scared. “I don’t mean to monologue at you. That’s just what I see, in this moment, so why don’t you take it from here. Tell me what did or didn’t land with you.”In all the time she’s been listening, Ellie would swear she stopped breathing if not for the shallow inhales of sage-spiced air that she’s felt caressing her nose. She feels light, dizzy but light, and morbidly relieved to hear Robert still spoken of in present tense. Yes, she needs to see him again. But for now, how much should she tell Beverley?She decides to tell it all. At least, up to the part when she first discovered Robert was married and attempted to high-tail it back to London via Phoenix. The coming-back-to-Sedona part was still a little fuzzy for her.
[...]
“Which brings me to this wretched morning,” she says, “when I woke with a thumping headache, empty stomach, new vegan holster” —she lifts her purse from where it hangs on her chair— “and a dash of wishful thinking, which must have brought on a psychic break indulging a sick fantasy I never actually had.”“It wasn’t that.”That’s all Beverley says.“Well, all the same, I probably ought to consult a medical professional, don’t you think?”“Wouldn’t help.”“Why not?”“Eleanor…”“You can call me Ellie.”“Ellie.” Beverley flashes her lovely pearl teeth before the misgiving reenters her lovely onyx eyes. Picking up the remaining pile of cards, she does another quick overhand shuffle before setting the deck down in front of Ellie and spreading it out, facedown, in a long line. “Mind drawing another one?”“All right.” Scanning the fan of cards, Ellie instinctively zeroes in on one and pulls it out to present it to Beverley.“Ace of Wands,” its caption reads. Ellie sees a disembodied hand holding a wand like her Queen of Wands. This wand projects so much more energy, though, as if channeling the very power of the sun’s rays. And though the tattooed hand that holds it seems feminine and similar to the Queen of Wands’, on some intuitive level, even Ellie knows it isn’t. It doesn’t belong to her—the queen or Ellie. Someone else is conducting this mad music, changing Ellie’s life with a wave of her hand.Watching Beverley inspect the card for some time in silence, Ellie senses a big So, here’s the thing coming. She doesn’t know why, she doesn’t understand how, but true to expectations, Beverley finally opens her mouth to say, “I don’t know quite how to broach this delicately, so I’ll just come right out and say, well, suggest…”Ellie tips her chin down into her neck, her raised brow encouraging Beverley to out with it.“It’s just that, our time, for the tarot reading, is up. And I don’t care what you have and haven’t paid for, Ellie. If I had the time today, I would ask you to stay a while longer, free of charge. But since I don’t, and you might not anyway—” she pauses for an inhale, though she herself seems to loathe the unnecessary drama that adds “—Ellie, would you please consider scheduling another session with me? For a medium reading. Tomorrow. As soon as possible?”<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS Mincho"; panose-1:2 2 6 9 4 2 5 8 3 4; mso-font-alt:"ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:modern; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 134217746 0 131231 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\@MS Mincho"; panose-1:2 2 6 9 4 2 5 8 3 4; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:modern; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 134217746 0 131231 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} </style><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~ * ~</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So there we go! A real tarot-reading for a fictional character. It was SUCH fun offering up a part of my writing process to something out of my control. I honestly think it resulted in something better than I could've come up with myself!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By the way, the deck pictured above is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tattoo-Tarot-I..." target="_blank"><i>Tattoo Tarot: Ink & Intuition</i></a>. This is the same tarot deck that features in "Revolve Her" and that gave its name to Ellie's tattoo parlor. :) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My little series here is almost at an end, but coming up next is the inspiration for my story's spiritual setting in Sedona. See ya then!</div>
October 11, 2019
Creative Woo-riting, Part 3
Hello, hello! I'm back with more behind-the-scenes brainstorming of my latest short story, "Revolve Her," inspired by the lyrics of the Beatles album Revolver. As it was a rather metaphysical story, I decided to approach it in a rather metaphysical way, especially since I'd had major writer's block and needed some help however I could get it!
As mentioned in my last post, to get an initial, intuitive peek at my main characters, I conducted a tarot reading. Because...why not? I knew I wanted tarot to feature in the story somehow, so it felt appropriate to use it as an actual tool in crafting the story.
In my previous post, I shared the reading results for my protagonist, Ellie. Today I'm sharing another cursory character sketch using the same method. Once again, I used Ethony Dawn's Story Tarot Spread and the Tarot of Haunted House deck to learn a bit about my secondary character Beverley:
This photo is a re-creation of the original reading, but drat! I accidentally positioned the 4 of Swords upright when it had actually been reversed. Due to laziness, I am using this photo anyway. Just flip the image in your mind. :)
1. Significator: 5 of Pentacles. [Unlike the significator I deliberately chose for Ellie, I think I drew this card at random because I really didn't have a clear idea of this character.] She is destitute, working here to make what money she can, though has a true gift for spiritual connection and insight. Has to fend off a lot of creeps and skeptics, though, that threaten this livelihood.
2. Challenge: 9 of Wands (reversed).She's been through some hard knocks, but her defenses are down, and she's starting to fear this will never end--the way things have been--overwhelmed by what opportunities could be passing her by. What's her next step, and should she get a plane ticket out of town for a completely new start elsewhere?
3. Opportunity: The Moon (reversed). The Protagonist's challenge is the Psychic's opportunity. [See previous post, where the Moon reversed also showed up for my protagonist, Ellie.] This lost soul finds her and, together, they navigate the path(s) visible to them or not yet [visible].
4. Environment: The Magician. All sorts of tools available to them in the crystal shop! Crystals, tarot, other divination, and her psychic gifts. It's all there, just takes them to use it and manifest real change.
5. The Reward: The Emperor (reversed). Overthrowing the Patriarchy. She is vulnerable to men, too. [See previous post, where this issue also came up for Ellie.]
6. The Outcome: 4 of Swords (reversed)*. Getting up and out of her situation before it can snare her in its clutches for good. She's had enough time standing still and analyzing it to death. Time to rise and step out into the moonlight with our Protagonist, facing fears and following intuition together (?). Maybe she does leave town with the Protag. or just buys a ticket and leaves it to fate [at this point I had drawn a clarifying card, the Wheel of Fortune, which added that last bit of insight]. Goes to airport and sees where the next departures are headed. Standing up to men fires her up for positive change.
* To repeat my caption above, yes, the 4 of Swords was actually reversed. Ignore my shoddy work in re-creating the scene for the photo.
In my journal I then went on to look at the overall trends in the cards, particularly that out of six cards there were four Major Arcana and four reversals. I took this to mean: "This is a massive, ongoing issue for her with significant impact on her future. She's low energy and vulnerable, scared, and hesistant/resistant, though."
And I LOVE THIS: I next asked what the story's heat level should be, not sure how far I wanted to go with romance yet also not certain that a tarot card could give a clear answer on that...and then I drew this:
HA! BURN, BABY, BURN!!!
As mentioned in my last post, to get an initial, intuitive peek at my main characters, I conducted a tarot reading. Because...why not? I knew I wanted tarot to feature in the story somehow, so it felt appropriate to use it as an actual tool in crafting the story.
In my previous post, I shared the reading results for my protagonist, Ellie. Today I'm sharing another cursory character sketch using the same method. Once again, I used Ethony Dawn's Story Tarot Spread and the Tarot of Haunted House deck to learn a bit about my secondary character Beverley:
This photo is a re-creation of the original reading, but drat! I accidentally positioned the 4 of Swords upright when it had actually been reversed. Due to laziness, I am using this photo anyway. Just flip the image in your mind. :)1. Significator: 5 of Pentacles. [Unlike the significator I deliberately chose for Ellie, I think I drew this card at random because I really didn't have a clear idea of this character.] She is destitute, working here to make what money she can, though has a true gift for spiritual connection and insight. Has to fend off a lot of creeps and skeptics, though, that threaten this livelihood.
2. Challenge: 9 of Wands (reversed).She's been through some hard knocks, but her defenses are down, and she's starting to fear this will never end--the way things have been--overwhelmed by what opportunities could be passing her by. What's her next step, and should she get a plane ticket out of town for a completely new start elsewhere?
3. Opportunity: The Moon (reversed). The Protagonist's challenge is the Psychic's opportunity. [See previous post, where the Moon reversed also showed up for my protagonist, Ellie.] This lost soul finds her and, together, they navigate the path(s) visible to them or not yet [visible].
4. Environment: The Magician. All sorts of tools available to them in the crystal shop! Crystals, tarot, other divination, and her psychic gifts. It's all there, just takes them to use it and manifest real change.
5. The Reward: The Emperor (reversed). Overthrowing the Patriarchy. She is vulnerable to men, too. [See previous post, where this issue also came up for Ellie.]
6. The Outcome: 4 of Swords (reversed)*. Getting up and out of her situation before it can snare her in its clutches for good. She's had enough time standing still and analyzing it to death. Time to rise and step out into the moonlight with our Protagonist, facing fears and following intuition together (?). Maybe she does leave town with the Protag. or just buys a ticket and leaves it to fate [at this point I had drawn a clarifying card, the Wheel of Fortune, which added that last bit of insight]. Goes to airport and sees where the next departures are headed. Standing up to men fires her up for positive change.
* To repeat my caption above, yes, the 4 of Swords was actually reversed. Ignore my shoddy work in re-creating the scene for the photo.
In my journal I then went on to look at the overall trends in the cards, particularly that out of six cards there were four Major Arcana and four reversals. I took this to mean: "This is a massive, ongoing issue for her with significant impact on her future. She's low energy and vulnerable, scared, and hesistant/resistant, though."
And I LOVE THIS: I next asked what the story's heat level should be, not sure how far I wanted to go with romance yet also not certain that a tarot card could give a clear answer on that...and then I drew this:
HA! BURN, BABY, BURN!!!
