Author Showcase Guest Post – Gary Starta: A Day in the Life of Caitlin Diggs
Welcome to the first in a series of Author Showcase guest posts. The posts will be by authors from around the world, sharing their tips for writers and readers, discussing their books and careers, and generally sharing any nuggets of wisdom and useful information they may have.
The first author to be showcased is Florida author Gary Starta. Gary is the author of Gods of the Machines, a top ten finalist in 2010’s Preditors and Editors Poll for science fiction. He is also the author of Demon Inhibitions, and in his post today he takes us through a day in the life of the book’s protagonist, Caitlin Diggs. The follow up novel to Demon Inhibitions, 9 Incarnate, will be released in January 2014 by Whiskey Creek Press.
A day in the life of Caitlin Diggs…(before the parallel universe)
I always start the day squinting into my bathroom mirror. It’s been a ritual of my 30’s and each day I don’t uncover a new wrinkle or line is equivalent to the delicious sensation of biting into a chocolate chip cookie. Well, almost. I discover and uncover things, mostly people, for a living. My career path is rocky and winding, including a long stint as a Special Agent for the FBI. Now I’ve shifted careers into the private sector as a PI. I’ve also traded homes, leaving Manassas, Virginia for Salem, Massachusetts – a bewitching town if there ever was one.
I hope that sensation, the thrill of stopping a killer, will return in my new line of work. So far, the clients aren’t exactly pounding down the door but I’ve had one strange man solicit my services. It involves a case the local PD can’t crack.
As I continue standing in front of my mirror, the beginning of all my days lately, I look really hard into my sapphire eyes and try to decode the change I recently experienced. It happened after encountering an artifact. It gave me telepathy and telekinesis. The kind of gifts you don’t give as stocking stuffers at the FBI Christmas parties. It was the very thing that made me quit the Bureau because I can’t expect their protocols to fit my new and unexpected, alternate life style.
You would think a person who recently acquired abilities would be less concerned about crow’s feet or gaining a pound or two. In truth, I still consider the more simple things of life as most precious. I love my adorable Tonkinese cat, Celeste. She has the prettiest blue eyes and sweetest disposition until her Alpha senses kick in. In a way, she’s kind of like me because we both have soft underbellies beneath our hard veneers, the two sides usually competing for dominance. I actually used to practice leering so I could intimidate suspects. It comes automatically now so it’s one more thing I can check off my ‘to do’ list.
So is it weird I see some of myself in my cat? I guess I rely on Celeste as a crutch because I’ve left my sister behind in DC. I miss her although she can drive me crazy. I am career-oriented where she is couch-oriented. She is lucky she doesn’t live for the precarious types of thrills I seek.
Avoiding sugar for breakfast is another major plus. Celeste usually mewls at this point either in sympathy, adulation or just plain hunger. She loves salmon and I’m happy to provide for her.
After her feeding, I usually experience a knock on my door from the next door Wiccan, Briana McFadden. She talks shop about the locals and I listen because I am an inquisitive investigator, not some nosy, gossiper. I hope I’ve made myself clear.
Well, time to get down to work. Celeste is fed and Briana is off to the shops to buy herbs and all things holistic. I start surfing the Internet, looking for job leads. I ignore my sister Tara’s email urging me to improve my fashion sense. I am quite certain dressing in Earth tones is a fashion sense somewhere on this planet.
I answer my phone and it’s a call from my old friend Det. Stanford Carter. He needs my help to chase something he believes might be paranormal. He is the one of the few people I’ve taken into confidence. He is aware of my abilities and he thinks they might aid in the man hunt – or should I say demon hunt. I am yet to learn - despite my psychic ability - that this chase will literally change my universe and my usual routine will rarely involve staring into a mirror because in an altered reality I will meet my doppelganger and she will act as a living reflection of who I am.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ON CAITLIN and her cat:
CAITLIN DIGGS - STATS
Age - 38
Eyes - Sapphire
Hair - Black
Ht - 5'11'
Wt - Negotiable
Disposition - Inquisitive, Suspicious, Doubtful
Work History: LA Field Office FBI, FBI Washington DC Bureau
Private Investigator - Salem, MASS
Fashion Sense - Conservative
Goals - Deal with my newly acquired paranormal abilities, decrease junk food, catch more villains, get over death my partner/boyfriend, make a new home in alternate universe...
BASTET - The Tonkinese Cat
AKA Celeste in other universe
Eyes - Blue
Fur - White
Wt - 1 lb. of fury
Favorite Food - Salmon
Conversation Starter - 'Food's Ready'
CAITLIN'S HAPHAZARD JOURNAL FROM THE ALTERED UNIVERSE:
* Don't fight the preternaturals with conventional weapons. Use your wits and paranormal abilities if available.
* It's hard to date in a parallel world. Some will see you as your other self. Being social in an alt world is tricky.
* So far I trust the Witch and Mage, but the Incubus is another story. How can you trust someone with such a sexual appetite?
* Enjoying the upgrades. Yes, my home and car are classier along with my wardrobe.
* Fearing the supernatural shoe will drop. Yes, the super demon is on my mind.
* Enjoying the entertainment. A singing mage keeps demon urges at bay. But not everyone is singing her tune. I've got to protect her.
*How will I get home? I may have to plan for an extended stay in this universe. My new boss seems attracted to me but he thinks I'm the 'other' Caitlin.
*Warning: be careful of portals. They can be everywhere. Even in New Jersey.
Find more on Gary Starta at http://www.garystarta.net, follow his sci fi fan page at http://www.facebook.com/GaryStartaSci..., or follow and guest post on his blog at http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/ga...
Natasha Ewendt is the author of This Freshest Hell, a vampire novel released in 2013 by Lacuna Publishing. Also a journalist at the Port Lincoln Times and the director of Port Lincoln Copywriting Services, Natasha is reluctantly addicted to coffee and The Walking Dead.
The first author to be showcased is Florida author Gary Starta. Gary is the author of Gods of the Machines, a top ten finalist in 2010’s Preditors and Editors Poll for science fiction. He is also the author of Demon Inhibitions, and in his post today he takes us through a day in the life of the book’s protagonist, Caitlin Diggs. The follow up novel to Demon Inhibitions, 9 Incarnate, will be released in January 2014 by Whiskey Creek Press.
A day in the life of Caitlin Diggs…(before the parallel universe)
I always start the day squinting into my bathroom mirror. It’s been a ritual of my 30’s and each day I don’t uncover a new wrinkle or line is equivalent to the delicious sensation of biting into a chocolate chip cookie. Well, almost. I discover and uncover things, mostly people, for a living. My career path is rocky and winding, including a long stint as a Special Agent for the FBI. Now I’ve shifted careers into the private sector as a PI. I’ve also traded homes, leaving Manassas, Virginia for Salem, Massachusetts – a bewitching town if there ever was one.I hope that sensation, the thrill of stopping a killer, will return in my new line of work. So far, the clients aren’t exactly pounding down the door but I’ve had one strange man solicit my services. It involves a case the local PD can’t crack.
As I continue standing in front of my mirror, the beginning of all my days lately, I look really hard into my sapphire eyes and try to decode the change I recently experienced. It happened after encountering an artifact. It gave me telepathy and telekinesis. The kind of gifts you don’t give as stocking stuffers at the FBI Christmas parties. It was the very thing that made me quit the Bureau because I can’t expect their protocols to fit my new and unexpected, alternate life style.
You would think a person who recently acquired abilities would be less concerned about crow’s feet or gaining a pound or two. In truth, I still consider the more simple things of life as most precious. I love my adorable Tonkinese cat, Celeste. She has the prettiest blue eyes and sweetest disposition until her Alpha senses kick in. In a way, she’s kind of like me because we both have soft underbellies beneath our hard veneers, the two sides usually competing for dominance. I actually used to practice leering so I could intimidate suspects. It comes automatically now so it’s one more thing I can check off my ‘to do’ list.
So is it weird I see some of myself in my cat? I guess I rely on Celeste as a crutch because I’ve left my sister behind in DC. I miss her although she can drive me crazy. I am career-oriented where she is couch-oriented. She is lucky she doesn’t live for the precarious types of thrills I seek.
Avoiding sugar for breakfast is another major plus. Celeste usually mewls at this point either in sympathy, adulation or just plain hunger. She loves salmon and I’m happy to provide for her.
After her feeding, I usually experience a knock on my door from the next door Wiccan, Briana McFadden. She talks shop about the locals and I listen because I am an inquisitive investigator, not some nosy, gossiper. I hope I’ve made myself clear.
Well, time to get down to work. Celeste is fed and Briana is off to the shops to buy herbs and all things holistic. I start surfing the Internet, looking for job leads. I ignore my sister Tara’s email urging me to improve my fashion sense. I am quite certain dressing in Earth tones is a fashion sense somewhere on this planet.
I answer my phone and it’s a call from my old friend Det. Stanford Carter. He needs my help to chase something he believes might be paranormal. He is the one of the few people I’ve taken into confidence. He is aware of my abilities and he thinks they might aid in the man hunt – or should I say demon hunt. I am yet to learn - despite my psychic ability - that this chase will literally change my universe and my usual routine will rarely involve staring into a mirror because in an altered reality I will meet my doppelganger and she will act as a living reflection of who I am.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ON CAITLIN and her cat:
CAITLIN DIGGS - STATS
Age - 38
Eyes - Sapphire
Hair - Black
Ht - 5'11'
Wt - Negotiable
Disposition - Inquisitive, Suspicious, Doubtful
Work History: LA Field Office FBI, FBI Washington DC Bureau
Private Investigator - Salem, MASS
Fashion Sense - Conservative
Goals - Deal with my newly acquired paranormal abilities, decrease junk food, catch more villains, get over death my partner/boyfriend, make a new home in alternate universe...
BASTET - The Tonkinese Cat
AKA Celeste in other universe
Eyes - Blue
Fur - White
Wt - 1 lb. of fury
Favorite Food - Salmon
Conversation Starter - 'Food's Ready'
CAITLIN'S HAPHAZARD JOURNAL FROM THE ALTERED UNIVERSE:
* Don't fight the preternaturals with conventional weapons. Use your wits and paranormal abilities if available.
* It's hard to date in a parallel world. Some will see you as your other self. Being social in an alt world is tricky.
* So far I trust the Witch and Mage, but the Incubus is another story. How can you trust someone with such a sexual appetite?
* Enjoying the upgrades. Yes, my home and car are classier along with my wardrobe.
* Fearing the supernatural shoe will drop. Yes, the super demon is on my mind.
* Enjoying the entertainment. A singing mage keeps demon urges at bay. But not everyone is singing her tune. I've got to protect her.
*How will I get home? I may have to plan for an extended stay in this universe. My new boss seems attracted to me but he thinks I'm the 'other' Caitlin.
*Warning: be careful of portals. They can be everywhere. Even in New Jersey.
Find more on Gary Starta at http://www.garystarta.net, follow his sci fi fan page at http://www.facebook.com/GaryStartaSci..., or follow and guest post on his blog at http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/ga...
Natasha Ewendt is the author of This Freshest Hell, a vampire novel released in 2013 by Lacuna Publishing. Also a journalist at the Port Lincoln Times and the director of Port Lincoln Copywriting Services, Natasha is reluctantly addicted to coffee and The Walking Dead.
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