A to Z Challenge Day 4- Damien Rice

Welcome to Day 4 of the A to Z blogging challenge, where I continue to expose you to Songs I Like.  Today it's the third rainy day in a row, the sky is gray and the daffodils are looking a little dejected.  In my novel, on which I've made a huge amount of progress this month, my protagonist is feeling a little dejected.  And, to be honest, I'm feeling just a wee bit dejected as well.  It's a good day for Damien Rice.
I was introduced to Damien Rice at a pretty rough time in my life by a friend who was, in turn, introduced to him when he was going through a rough time.  This is not a coincidence; Rice's music sits gently, it's a balm to the soul.  Unlike some other performers whose music is a level of hopelessness that makes me feel like leaping off of a tall building would be a good idea if it wasn't just so damned much work, this dude perfectly nails melancholy.  And he does it so incredibly smoothly. The lyrics, the voice, the guitar, man it all goes down like a nice bourbon, and you can apply them all as liberally as you like without any worries about how you'll feel the next morning. There's nothing that he sings that I don't like, and his performance of "Hallelujah" at the Leonard Cohen tribute is one of the best I've heard, but today I'm going to introduce you the same way that I was introduced.  With "Cannonball."

Oh and for a different take on music and the A to Z challenge,  visit newbie blogger Cassie Ray Clark.   In the meantime, who do you snuggle when you're a 'lil down?

Blogging A to Z - April 2

Yawn. Stretch. Moving kinda slow this morning, how about you?  Feeling kinda melancholy.  Which I guess is fitting because of today's song.  Today on Blogging A to Z (where we have been joined by the amazing Dani J. Caile so go check out his alphabetical proweress when you get a chance) I will be introducing you to the second best break up song of all time: Both Hands by Ani Difranco (the living in clip version).  It perfectly expresses the pain when a relationship is ending, you know it's ending, you can't stop it, but you don't want it to. I once had a friend refer to her as "every man's worst enemy" because during a break up the male suddenly becomes, in the mind of the woman, every dude in every Ani Difranco song.  I don't know if I'd go that far,though she does, in my mind, hold the title for best break up song as well, with Untouchable Face (don't Google that if you're squeamish about profanity). But I digress.  I "met" Ani when I was driving around in my little 5 speed Escort Pony (named Mony) and rocking to a single of 32 Flavors by Alana Davis.  My friend says "you know this is a cover, right?"  I didn't.  I was woefully Top 40 at that point, but all of that was about to change. So I dropped her off and she said "wait a minute" and brought me a copy of Ani Difranco's "Dilate" and "Little Plastic Castle" to borrow.  It was love at first play.  I had several amazing times at Ani concerts after that, and some amazing-in-retrospect angsty teenage times angstily shouting the lyrics to various songs after  angsty, angsty, breakups.  We differ a little politically nowadays, though she is a homebirth devotee which as a former midwife makes me really happy.  Even so, her music never fails to make me happy.  I mean, where can you go wrong with someone who plays an acoustic guitar with acrylic nails taped to her fingers to get a grittier sound?

          There are several versions of Both Hands, but I love the Living in Clip version because here she is accompanied by an orchestra, which makes it just that more awesome.  What is your favorite break up song?

I do not own the rights to this song.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - April 1

It's April, which means it's time for the A to Z Blogging Challenge, which is boasting over 2300 participants this year including my dear friends Marian Allen  and my favorite steampunk warrior Jay Noel.  I've pondered long and hard about joining this challenge, mostly because I'm fairly notorious for starting a challenge and then petering out halfway through due to technical issues, birthing livestock, sick children, or just your average artist-inspired ADHD (look, something shiny!).  Also, I'm also doing Camp NaNoWriMo this month and really want to finish one if not both of my almost done novels.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained, though, and someday I will see one of these through to the end.
After much pondering, I've decided to choose Songs I Like as my theme.  I figure as I'm going to be writing I'm going to be abusing my playlists and thought I'd share some of the gems within with all of you.

Today's Song I Like is As Cool as I Am by Dar Williams.  I learned about Dar at Van Buren Youth Camp, the gateway to most of my music obsessions even today.  I was able to meet Dar at her concert at the historic and gorgeous Kentucky Theatre, and she was amazingly gracious as I babbled in my best angstypoetreefangirl style. 20 years (erhem) after I first heard this song I still think it's a song every woman should hear.

Excerpt from H.M.S Irene

I've been chattering quite a bit on Facebook, twitter, and the rest about the kraken story I am attempting.  I have to admit, it's a bit of a challenge; a steampunk themed tale including a kraken and based on the horrible prideful mentalities that lead to such tragedies as the events surrounding the downed Blackhawks in Mogadishu and the sinking of the Titanic, all taking place on a submersible modeled after the Hunley. This story was intended to be a part of, Brink, my upcoming collection of short stories that take place on the edge of an event horizon (You can read more here and here).  I'm not sure if that's where it's supposed to live, though.  We will see.  At any rate, I think it's been way too long since I've posted some writing on here.  So, here's a bit of my newest short story: HMS Irene.  I hope you enjoy. 

HMS Irene
      The docks were crowded, as was the air above, thick with everything from dirigibles to their humble cousins the balloon.  Waitresses clad in skin tight mockeries of sailor's uniforms circled the crowd with plates of delicacies, squid featured heavily, much to the delight of the crowd.  Even the band was there, majestic and miserable in their full dress regalia, and almost able to mask the din of the factories up the street.  Lieutenant Dominique Brusad eyed their sweaty, flushed faces with a combination of empathy and jealousy.  Dressed in her deep water gear, Dominique was sweating as much as they.  They, however, would get to return to base once this was over.  If it ever did get over.  Dominique glanced surreptitiously at the intricate dials and gears that made up the face of her watch, a gift from her mother and father when she graduation from the Academy. What was taking so long?
     On board the HMS Irene three large men were crammed into the cabin of the submersible.  Their shoulders were hunched and their proud, out thrust chests nearly brushed one another, medal on metal as it were.  The cabin had been designed to hold only two, and two navigators at that.  Navigators were selected partially because of their petite frames, elected officials and Generals were not.

Tasty Reads Blog Hop

As you know, I spent last weekend with some amazing writers.  One of them, a woman on whom I have developed this strange fangirl crush, is named Marian Allen and is the author of the Sage series.  She tagged me to be a part of the Tasty Summer Reads Blog Hop.  To participate I am to post the answers to some "tasty" questions, an excerpt from my book, and a recipe.  So, without further ado. . .

Here is the blog hop general blurb:

Welcome to the Tasty Summer Reads Blog Hop! Each participant invites a number of others to answer five questions about a recent or forthcoming release, and a recipe that fits with it. Links to the participants I have invited may be found in a while, just above the extract and recipe. Their contributions should be in place soon after this, so check out their blogs over the next few days.

Now for the Random Tasty Questions:

1) When writing are you a snacker? If so sweet or salty?

Yes I am a snacker.  I'm pretty much a snacker all of the time as I haven't had time to actually sit down for an entire meal in nearly seven years.  I am a salty snacker unless it is after 7pm in which case it is nearly always some kind of fruit or sugar laden, tasty, and nutritionally bereft cereal.  There is always something caffeinated nearby as well. 

2) Are you an outliner or someone who writes by the seat of their pants? And are they real pants or jammies?

Oh gracious, outline.  When you have an outline it doesn't matter if the excitement, if your "muse" is present or not, you just have to follow the dots.  I am not a fan of "blue leg syndrome" so I am most likely in some sort of skirt. 

3) When cooking, do you follow a recipe or do you wing it?

I will follow the recipe the first time, alter it a bit the second, and do it entirely by feel from that point on.  I LOVE to cook, and so can make anything from cookies to curries.  I once made and served a seven course meal to fourteen people entirely by myself.  I don't care to ever do that again.

4) What is next for you after this book?

Yikes.  I have fourteen book related events scheduled between now and November.  In between those I will be finishing my collection of short stories called "Brink" that take place on a planet on the edge of an event horizon.  I will also be working on a dystopian zombie novel and the sequel to "Hunter the Horrible." 

5) Last question…on a level of one being slightly naughty and ten being whoo hoo steamy, how would you rate your book?

Negative 23.  I write children's novels and I'm very into letting kids remain kids.  So there's precious little violence and NO sex.  Even my vampires are the unsexy kind.

Here is an excerpt from my recently released, bestselling children's novel, Hunter the Horrible. 

Now for my recipe:
Laura's Garlic Roast (Great for keeping vampires away!)
Ingredients:  One beef roast 2-3lbs
                      12 cloves garlic
                       2 Tablespoons fresh parley, chopped
                       1 teaspoon black peppercorns
                        4 cups beef broth
                        4 Tablespoons olive oil
                        Splash of red wine
                         Salt to taste
Directions:  Place garlic, parsley, and peppercorns in a small skillet and cover with water.  Boil until the garlic and peppercorns are soft and most of the water has evaporated.  Pound into a mush.  Place roast into a large dish and pat dry.  Spread mush over the roast, cover and let rest for at least two hours.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Sprinkle salt over roast and drizzle with oil.  Sear in oven for 30 minutes.  Add broth and wine and cover.  Reduce heat to 300 degrees and continue to roast until appropriate doneness is achieved.  Carve against the grain and enjoy!

Here is an excerpt containing one of my favorite members of the adorkable Hunter crew, Peyton.  Peyton intended to stop while he was behind; he really did. He had given it his best shot, and all that he’d gotten was in trouble. The sight of Miss Hunter enraged had been fearsome enough that he didn’t care to make her angry again anytime soon. Besides, it was miserable being right up against the radiator, which had been stuck on high since the beginning of the school year and constantly belched out really hot air that smelled like burning hair. He probably could have stayed quiet, and therefore kept from making the situation worse, if only he could have held still. Sadly, something on Peyton always had to be moving. That afternoon, it was his feet. He swung his dingy, tattered sneakers back and forth, kicking the dusty radiator every now and then. He liked the sound it made, a deep, satisfying thunk that sent dust motes flying up into the air. Before long, every now and then became every swing. Thunk thunk – pause – thunk thunk – pause. Soon after that, Peyton began accompanying himself by knocking his knuckles on the desk. Thunk thunk – knockknock – thunk thunk – knockknock. Suddenly, Peyton had an idea. KnockKnock. Knock knock. Knock knock jokes! They were what he was best at, next to juggling. He had books and books full of them on his bookshelf at home. In fact, they were pretty much the only books on his bookshelf at home. Surely, that would make Miss Hunter smile, maybe even make her laugh. Peyton searched his memory for the perfect knock knock joke, and when he’d found it, leaned back from his desk triumphantly. Miss Hunter sat at her desk, grading papers with a thick red marker. “Oh Miss Hunter,” Peyton called out. “Knock, knock.” Miss Hunter didn’t answer. She also didn’t smile. After a moment, Peyton tried a second time. It was possible that she simply hadn’t heard him. “Knock Kno-ock,” he said in a sing song voice. She didn’t even look up. Well, the third time was the charm, that’s what they always said. So, Peyton tried once again. This time he “Knock knocked” with a couple of raps on his desk for emphasis. When several more seconds ticked by and Miss Hunter continued to say nothing, Peyton decided to go on as if she had replied appropriately. “Interrupting cow,” Peyton yelled, already starting to laugh. This was going to be great. He went straight for the punch line. “Moooooooo,” He bellowed. Nobody laughed. In fact, some kids were glancing nervously back and forth from teacher to student. Clearly, they didn’t get it. Peyton decided to help them. He leapt to his feet and then fell to his hands and knees. “Get it?” he said, laughing wildly, “Interrupting cow – mooooo!” He pawed at the ground with his hands, mooing over and over. “See, ‘cause you say who’s there and he interrupts. Mooo! Mooooo! MOOOOOOO!” At this point, Peyton lost all control. He ran around on all fours, bellowing and kicking out his back legs. He reared back and charged DeAnna’s desk so hard that it fell to one side. He snatched one of Clara’s unicorn drawings off the side of her desk and began chewing noisily. Suddenly, a sharp pain burst forth from the side of his head. Miss Hunter had his ear clamped between her bony, wrinkled forefinger and thumb and was lifting him to his feet. She bent over and put her face inches from his. It would have been a perfect time to examine her teeth, if Peyton had been clearheaded enough to think of it. Instead, he felt his eyes lock with hers: bloodshot whites, with irises so dark they were nearly black.“To the Principal’s office,” She hissed through clenched teeth. “And if you make so much as a peep on your way there you will wish you were in a graveyard without a stake.’

  

I’m tagging: Nicole Storey, Greta Burroughs, and Jenn Nixon

Here is the list of people who have participated to date, so far as I am aware:

• Christy English
• Donna Russo Morin
• Nancy Goodman
• Lauren Gilbert
• Lucinda Brant
• Prue Batten
• Anna Belfrage
• Ginger Myrick
• Jo Ann Butler
• Kim Rendfeld
• Cora Lee
• Jessica Knauss
• Susan Spann
• Patricia Bracewell
• Kathleen Rollins
• Richard Abbott
• Marian Allen 
• Eric Garrison
• Joanna Foreman

The Seven Most Amazing Books of All Time

A month or so ago, motivated by yet another mournful discussion amongst friends regarding the end of Stephen King's Dark Tower Series, I wrote a blog post entitled "The Six Most Disappointing Books of All Time."  It's true; those books were horrible disappointments and best set aside for kindling in the event that we find ourselves having to huddle around fires for heat.  However, for every disappointing book, there are at least three that leave me either curled on the couch in the bliss of time spent in good company, or turning back to the beginning in a voracious attempt for more.  In fact, it has been scientifically proven* that were I to generate a compendium of books that I've loved it would stretch around the Earth 4 and 4/5th times.  I have read everything to picture books to tomes whose weight nearly gave me carpal tunnel, from lauded pieces to Lit-Er-A-Tooooooore to mass-produced, hastily written, formulaic brain candy and have thoroughly enjoyed them all.  Even so, there are some that were able to achieve the Trifecta (Win: Wordsmithing, Place: Plot, Show: Characters) that leaves them walking from the Literary Derby with their purse strings bulging.  (Can you tell I spent last weekend in Louisville?)  They are, in no particular order:

Madame Margot: by  John Bennett
I found this tiny gem in an equally tiny bookstore in Charleston, South Carolina, easily one of my favorite places in the world.  It was under a hand-lettered sign that read "Local Works," and from the first line I was enraptured.  "Much has been said of Old Charleston," it reads, "of its antique beauty, patrician arrogance, and courtly hospitality, much written, in praise and blame, both false and true, and the warm charm of the commonplace harped on until frayed threadbare."  Delicious.  By the time the titular character had given into a soulless madness I was unable to tear myself from the page.  The rhythm and beauty of the language is hypnotic and the millinery based allegory is among the best I've read.  I hope to return to Charleston very soon for a sweet grass basket, some she-crab soup, a pint at the Blind Tiger, and another trip to that bookstore.

Watership Down by Richard Adams
To create a civilization and everything that goes with it; the language, the mythology, the social structures and rituals, takes an astute and creative mind.  to do so with a commonplace and incredibly familiar creature, in this case rabbits, and to do so with so deft a hand that the rabbits don't seem human but you start to feel like some woodland creature, is phenomenal.  Add to that Bigwig, one of the best literary characters ever created, and this is a masterpiece.

Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes
I first read this book as a preteen, and have revisited it often in the decades that have passed since.  It has a different effect on my every time I read.  I am always mad at the scientists; sometimes I am mad at Charley. Sometimes I cry; sometimes I am nauseous at the horror that his knowledge must have brought about. It is often hard for me to read nowadays, as I parent a child who is aware enough to know that he is different but unable to figure out how to change. As I struggle with depression and the feeling of being pulled in myriad directions  I understand more how his situation affected his intimate desires.  I think as science progresses and the ability for human interaction is further degraded this book will become more and more relevant.

'Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
This novel was Jack's last, and is a retelling of the story of Cupid and Psyche from the perspective of Psyche's older sister.  The emotions described and shown in this book are so familiar to each of us and are described in such a way that I found myself cheering, nodding, and hanging my head in shame.  The language is all Lewis, but a mature and uninhibited Lewis that we rarely see in his works of fiction.

Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck
I love Steinbeck.  I love what he has to say and how he uses rich but simple characters to say it.  They stop just short of caricature, and it is this restraint that makes them so effective.  However, I have never enjoyed a tale more than from the eyes and mouth of the ultimate character, Steinbeck himself, as he travels with his faithful companion.  I find especially interesting the predictions he made and seeing how very true they are in our world today.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
I have to admit that I enjoyed this book more before I spent as long immersed in Armed Forces protocol as I now have.  I find myself getting frustrated with the Lieutenant in this book to a degree that it distracts from my ability to enjoy the story.  That being said, this book is the most brilliant example of meta fiction I have ever read.  It also eloquently expresses so many of the things that were wrong with our country and the way the Vietnam War was handled, and brings to light some of the uncommon horrors and effects of a guerrilla war situation.

A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott
Again, the words in this novel are absolutely gorgeous and the twist on a familiar tale is haunting.  This novel was not released until long after Alcott's death, as it was considered far too scandalous for the times in which it was written.  It is, in fact, scandalous, with deceit, fornication, death, lust, and rage all fighting with one another.  Still it is a beautiful, intriguing piece that I think is far above that which was deemed suitable.

What are your favorites?

Fandom Fest

This weekend marked my first Con on the other side of the table and I had an absolutely amazing time.

 My favorite part of any Con weekend has always been meeting other like-minded individuals (read: Geeks), and this weekend was no exception.  From the other vendors and artists,

 to the cosplayers,

 to aspiring writers (who I truly hope check out my blog regarding upcoming contests), I met some incredible people.  One young lady named Annie shared my adoration for Rupert Grint, a handsome gentleman by the name of Thomas knew of the inherent masochism of writing, and I got to hang out for a long time with a professional harmonica player.  Still, though, my favorite part was the kids.

 I can't tell you how many scared, overstimulated, and overtired kids were made to smile by a glow stick and some vampire teeth, and how many hilarious and adorable stories I heard from tiny, lisping voices.

 I did go spend some time on the other side of the curtain, though.  I bought an awesome hat, and spent some time with the cast of the Firefly. Alan Tudyk was as hilariously snide as you would imagine,

and Adam Baldwin was the nicest guy you could hope to meet.

   I also gave a book to Jason David Frank for his daughter Jenna, and we took a second to shoot a video together.  I'm going to pretend I'm not jumping up and down while I type that.

This weekend was something that I have wanted since I was a very small child.  There I was with my publisher, hanging with my kind of people, selling my book.  It truly doesn't get any better than that.