Ups and Downs in the microcosm of my existance.

Definition: mi·cro·cosm

/ˈmaɪkrəˌkɒzəm/ Show Spelled[mahy-kruh-koz-uhm]  (noun)

a little world; a world in miniature ( opposed to macrocosm).

 

We all live in our little microcosms, the situations, the places that we move about in throughout our regular day. Here is a little look in to my microcosm this morning...

You know some days you just wake up and know it's going to be a trying day? Today was like that for me. I have a University English Assessment due, my child's assembly item was today  so we had to be at school early, and to make matters more awkward the mums were kindly invited up to dance with their children... in front of the school, and of course I was emotionally blackmailed to do just that! Then to top the icing on the proverbial cake... my very fluffy cat appeared to have an attack of diarrhoea during the night and plastered my bathroom with her feces.

When faced with dilemma upon dilemma (as insignificant, large or shitty as they may be) how would you deal with it?
This is what I did... first things first, I washed my fluffy cat, and cut off all the soiled hair... she's going to look a little odd for a while, I'm afraid.  Then I nuked my bathroom with copious amounts of bleach and disinfectant to clean it. This unfortunately left me with absolutely no time to dress appropriately for my debut dancing performance at my child's assembly, so we rushed from the house with my hair akimbo, unfortunate pimple blatantly displayed without time for make-up -  in a rather creased looking tee-shirt and jeans.

For the record, I did do the dancing with my son, twice in fact. Even my son seemed somewhat embarrassed by my gauche, inept attempt at the dance. I'm sure the other parents were wondering if I had lost my mind. Scruffily dressed, uncoordinated and writhing in time to the music as I was in front of several hundred parents and students... It was too much to hope that no one would recognise me... It's not a particularly large school and I'm friends with a lot of the other parents. I did however hope I didn't look that bad... Alas, a comment from another mother confirmed that I had. "You were very brave going up there....a bit uncoordinated, but brave..." Thank you! I hurriedly explained that my son had insisted I dance with him and I simply couldn't refuse. Her reply was "Oh so did my daughter... but there was no way I'd go up and embarrass myself dancing like that..." Cheers.

[this isn't my cat, but Whimsy looks very similar]

I then remarked that, I wasn't exactly dancing anyway, and we had a laugh. Then I went on my way, only to return to the house which reeked like chlorinated swimming pool , my sodden cat and the looming presence of my unfinished assignment.

So here I now sit, in my study, gagging for another cup of strong brewed coffee waiting for inspiration for my assignment. It's not happening (as you see).
So I shall stroll to my kitchen, make another coffee, trying to find my sodden cat in order to brush her (something she isn't overly fond of) and perhaps after, I will attempt some assignment in the hope I will finish it early and get some much neglected writing done.

Enjoy your weekend everyone, I hope your day began better than mine!

Man-spiration

It happens to me often and I like to call it 'man-spiration'.

Manspiration is: when I am inspired to write heroes by seeing or watching some gorgeous guy on telly or searching on the net for models... all in the name of research people!

 I love this job!



*Disclaimer: my husband is my biggest bit of manspiration. LOL.

I am always interested in seeing who inspired (if anyone) my favourite author's heroes... So today I'm telling you about my latest manspiration.

Welcome Ben Mansfield acting as Captain Becker in Primeval (which I am totally enamored with at the moment).

Rather dishy isn't he?
[Image courtesy: Fanpop]

[click image for youtube clip]

[Image courtesy: fanpop]

 Due to my latest bit of manspiration and his love of guns, I've found my self pondering how I could work guns into one of my WIPs - LOL and I think I've found it. Oh, and if you're wondering which hero Ben Mansfield would be, I think he'd make an ideal Cain, in my WIP "Able as Cain".

 Of course, when I write, I don't base my character solely on my manspiration. I use the bits and pieces I find attractive, discard things I find less attractive and make up the rest... I do take the time to study male faces for expression in movies and photos. This helps me to see where creases occur, so I can realistically relate expressions back to my written characters. You'd be surprised how differently some men grimace, how tension is expressed in either a clench of the jaw or a thunderous swoop of the eyebrows... research in the name of manspiration is very useful for this, I recommend it. :D

Gallery of of my other 'manspired' heroes.

Omeed Isari as Omar, Magical Creations

Gabriel Aubry as Bo, Mimosa Black

Jay Byers as Lucian, Magical Redemption

Burak Ozcivit as Imran, Magical Gains

Enjoy your week.

The Tarasque

The Tarasque

[Image courtesy: Finlay Cowan]

Unless you come from Tarascon in provincial France, are a fan of Warcraft or Dungeons and Dragons, you're probably unlikely to have heard of it.

[image courtesy: The Paradise Post ]

This is a somewhat sad mythological tale, but one that intrigues me. The Tarasque was predictably perhaps, a beast that roamed Provincial France, laying waste to fields and villages. Described as a strange chimaera type creature, it was said to have six short legs (something like a bears) an ox like body covered by a turtle shell, a scaly tail, topped by a scorpion sting and a leonine head. Which you'll probably agree is fairly bizarre even for a mythological beastie. Everything the Tarasque touched, it burned.

The king of the area had sent several knights to kill the beast, to no avail. Finally, St Martha ventured forth to help the people. She came across the Tarasque in a forest, eating a man. She approached the beast, sang hymns to it, prayed at it and sprinkled it with holy water. The creature then became as docile as a lamb. Using her own girdle (as you do?!) , she lead the beast back to the village.

The villagers were horrified by the beast and brutally slew it - despite it no longer being a threat. St Martha reprimanded the villagers and told them they were wrong to kill the beast. Once they realised their error they were very sorry, and converted to Christianity for forgiveness, and re-named the village Tarascon in memory of the Tarasque.

[Image courtesy: Wikipedia]

In mythology there is a reoccuring theme of women calming the beasts of the world. St Martha and the Tarasque, the Unicorn who can only be tamed by a virgin, even King Kong is calmed by a woman. Other more bloodthirsty beasts can only be calmed or sated by sacrificing maidens to them. 
The symbolism of virginity and purity in "calming the beast" can be found in almost every culture. It is a theme often played upon in paranormal romance itself.
It is perhaps interesting that in our era of kick-ass heroines that the virgin calming the beast is a theme that dares be repeated. Yet it is, over and over again - but it has evolved with the times. The latest development I've noticed in my readings of paranormal/fantasy romance is of the fiesty virgin. These are women who are virgins by choice, and can still be 'kick-ass' when they need to be. One of my favourite authors, Kresley Cole, frequently has feisty virgin heroines and brutishly male heroes...and I highly recommend them all!

Enjoy your weekend

Magical Redemption is on its way!

1^st NOVEMBER 2012

"Magical Redemption"

Would you trade your soul for love?

"How did a woman as good as you, ever get stuck with a devil like me?"

When Jinx finds herself the Genie of the coldly handsome Lucian, she knows she's in for a rough time.

Lucian is being hunted by the Magical Mafia, otherwise known as the "Family". Years ago, he pledged himself to serve but in a moment of weakness betrayed them. Now, unable to love or live freely, Lucian finds himself falling for Jinx, but knows a future between them is impossible. As they hide from incredible and malevolent magical beings, they search for a way to be together, before fate and the Family separate them for ever...

Here's the lo-down.
Word count: approx 75, 000 words
Main Characters: Lucian & Jinx
Some of the beasties you'll encounter; Chupacabras, Nagas, pelesit and yes, I know you've been waiting, Satyrs.

Eeny Weeny Teaser...

Lucian felt his body crash with hers. Somewhere, above the sudden roar of his blood he heard her swear. He inhaled, but his brain was full of her exotic scent . Her intoxicating smoke was everywhere. He knew this was bad, but it smelled so good. He closed his eyes trying to steady the screaming hunger that howled like a ghoulish wind through the deepest fibers of his being. One kiss was not enough.

Have a super week.

Dryads...there's more than one kind.

I love trees, I think there is nothing lovelier than a grand old tree standing strong in a storm, or a gorgeous small sapling bursting forth from fertile soil... *sigh*

 Therefore I find it completely unsurprising that there are many (and I do mean many) magic myths surrounding trees.

The most commonly known mythological creature related to trees would be the Dryads and Hamadryad. As they are the more commonly known mythological creatures - I'll keep my description of them fairly brief.

[Image (how cool is this?!) courtesy :laughingscared.blogspot.com]

Dryad

Dryads are tree-nymphs from ancient Greek mythology. They are generally carefree female spirits that watch over trees and forests. They protect trees and punish careless humans who may harm their forest. If the dryad lives alongside or (in some cases) inside the tree, then they are referred to as Hamadryads. The Hamadryad's life is so intrinsically linked with its tree that if the tree dies the nymph will die with it. In mythology the Dryad nymphs are often hotly pursued by their lusty counterpart the Satyr.

Moss Folk

[image courtesy: mindscapefx.com]

I had not heard of these until I began pawing through my new set of mythology books *joy*. The Moss Folk are also known as Moosleute or Holzleute, Eschenfrau in German. Similar creatures also appear in  Scandinavian folklore as Askafroea. They are often considered to be forest dwelling Fae or Fairies. According to myth they sometimes borrow items from people but always repay the favour. In a number of myths they are said to approach human lactating women and ask for their milk in order to feed their young.
 In southern Germany in particular they are considered to be tree spirits referred to as 'wood people' and 'moss maidens'. Their descriptions vary. Sometimes described as being small and gorgeous with faerie wings, and at other times depicted as being old, hairy and covered in moss. There is also some link with the moss people and the "Wild hunt", the moss people apparently targeted in this hunt and therefore hide in the trees. Like the Hamadryad, their lives are often entwined closely with a particular tree and if the tree dies, then so does the fairy.

Lunantishee

[image courtesy; celteros.tumblr.com]

These are an interesting group of mythological faeries that hail from Irish Folklaw. The Lunantishee are the guardian's of blackthorn bushes, from which traditional Irish walking sticks are made. Apparently the Lunantishee absolutely hate humans for damaging their blackthorn bushes. Legend has it that you are not allowed to cut a blackthorn bush on May 11th or November 11th without some dreadful accident befalling you.

[image courtesy; knittingsexandgod.blogspot.com]

Ghillie Dhu
This is the one I really wanted to look into because in my new mythology books *double joy* there is a truly awesome picture of one. Alas my scanner is not working so I am unable to share that particular image, but I sourced this one from the net to give you an idea. The image I have in my book is of a much more romanticised version, who would potentially make a great hero for a book... if you increased his size...just a tad.
 
 Anyway. A Ghillie Dhu is from Scottish folklore.
They are said to be solitary Fae creatures, around 7 inches tall with long limbs and pale green skin and wild black hair. They wear clothes of moss and leaves and are said to be protective of certain trees particularly Birch. The Ghillie Dhu were considered very shy and docile, living on berries and nuts. However as their natural habitat in the Scottish forests was destroyed for farming/development they became more accustomed to man and began emigrating out to other countries! Some ended up in Canada and France. Some of course, remained in the remnant Scottish forests. It is said that the Ghillie Dhu were very adaptive and the modern Day Toothfairy is actually one of the roles they have adopted in modern day society. If you want to read more check out this link. I think its a very sweet little myth.

There you have it if you're considering writing about Dryad's be aware there are so many more (I've just shown you the tip of the iceburg!) that you might want to consider a lesser known Fae instead.



 

Ugly Heroes... ever read one and suddenly found him HOT?!

We're all fairly familiar with the ugly/plain heroine aren't we?

We've got Bridget Jones (slightly chubby, socially awkward), Ugly Betty (dorky hair and braces), and  Mary Balogh's "One of the Slightly" series also has an ugly heroine. In fact, my latest Heroine Jinx (in Magical Redemption) is definitely not conventionally attractive...

Danny Quinn

However! What I'm interested in today is the unconventional looking hero. I am absolutely taken with the TV series Primeval, it's been around for a while, but we've only recently discovered it. I'm into series three, and they have replaced one of the main characters Nick Cutter (Douglass Henshall) with Danny Quinn (Jason Flemyng). Admittedly initially I didn't find the character of Nick Cutter at all attractive (physically or personality wise). Yet I grew to like him. Now he has been killed off, and the directors have introduced Danny Quinn, and most people will agree he isn't your conventionally attractive actor.

So I'm interested to see if my opinion of him changes throughout the series. Can his personality win me over, and will he grow on me? (hopefully in a good way and not like a fungus).

Douglass Henshall

In all my novels, my heroes are what I would call universally attractive. Their appearance, personality and body type fit with the general concensus of what makes someone attractive. (Having said that, a friend infomed me the other day that she didn't find Lucian particularly attractive *gasp*)
Anyway, my question is this, have you ever read a character who you initially found revolting, but then grew on you?

I read a book some time ago, in which this was the case. For the life of me I can't remember which book it was. Which is a shame. I remember being completely revolted by the hero but by the end couldn't put it down and thought he was was Adonis, (just without the good looks).

So what makes ugly to you?

Here's my ugly list. These are the three points that I think really affect my judgement on what physically attractive is. You'll notice my 'ugly list'  doesn't contain things like; weight, facial symmetry, missing limbs etc, because I think characters can still be appealing in the romantic sense with them. The points on my ugly list are pretty much all rectifiable - and thus, having these traits is less attractive, because you don't need to have them.

1. Diseased and damaged skin - this is fairly undestandable, I think healthy skin is fairly symbolic in our culture of good health and generally our heroes are healthy inorder to be heroic.

2. Rotten teeth, bad breath - again, healthy teeth/breath symbolise healthy everything else.

3. Lank greasy hair - I think this reflects the heroes ability to care for themselves as well as care for others. If their hair/body is disgustingly unkempt and particularly dirty, then they clearly are unable to look after themselves, and therefore how can they rescue/look after/ help the heroine?

Do you think you could grow to like a hero  had had halitosis and rotten broken teeth? (I'm talking about 'like' in the romantic heroic sense not about 'like' because he's a "nice guy despite his unfortunate acne" kind of way).

I would love to know if you've read of a male character (with at least one of the ugly points) and you still managed to find him attractive in the romance stakes.

Anyway, have a great week.

Interview with Lugh

Yep it's up. My 'interview' with Lugh.

For all of you unaware Lugh is a sub character who makes an appearance in "Magical Gains" "Magical Creations" and "Magical Redemption" - (Hopefully coming soon!)

Here's the link, I'm also giving away an e-copy to someone who follows me on FB or Twitter .

Cheers!

Enjoy!

http://www.identitydiscovery.net/2012/03/magical-creations-interview-with-lugh.html