What's up?

My apologies for paucity of blog posts of late but I have been writing like a maniac.

 I am currently working on 3 WIPs as well as the day job and family commitments -so, I've been uber busy.
There are several happening at the moment with my writing, and I will keep you posted if and when things become official.

Nicola E. Sheridan & Shona Husk at ARRC 2013 Brisbane.

A fortnight ago, I spent the weekend in Brisbane at the Australian Romance Readers Annual Conference. I had a blast. Along with meeting lots of awesome Aussie writers, I got to meet some great readers too. I can't recommend it enough - if you're an avid reader or aspiring writer these are the places to go. During ARRC, my friend and I did a tonne of brainstorming on future WIPS and I am totally inspired.

Then last week had the great fortune of going to the Australian Comic Conference, (Perth) which was terrific and as I'm sure most of you are aware, I actually got to meet Jason Momoa a huge manspiration for my writing.

I didn't take this photo, but that's what greeted me in the signing line....

In August 16-17 this year, I will be attending the RWA annual conference in Fremantle Western Australia - where I will be co-presenting a session with my great friend and fellow writer Shona Husk.

 

Our session is titled "Beating the Tsunami: Getting Ahead on Paranormal Trends" (we didn't choose the name!)

Here's the blurb for our session;

We’ve had sparkling vampires and alpha werewolves… So what else is there? Publishers are always looking for something new – so jump on board and explore the continents. Together we’ll discover new and exciting creatures that still hide in the mists of mythology – in the hope that they might just be the next big thing.

I will guarantee you, it will be fun... how could it not be when I'm there?! 

 Have a happy week!

 

Comic Con 2013 Perth

Nicola E. Sheridan (author) and Jason Momoa (actor)

The highlight of my year so far....

 

I  met my number one Manspiration for my hero Lucian in Magical Redemption. Jason Momoa (you may or may not have noticed, has appeared several times on my FB manspiration posts usually in the form of Khal Drogo.... *sigh*) and today I met him (and incidently gave him a copy of Magical Redemption - which was only fair because he was the inspiration!). I then (as I am want to do) embarrassed myself by shaking his hand and proceeding to tell him "You are a very sexy man." To which he replied "Oh, thank you sweetie."

You may be able to note from the image he is a big man. His hands were massive (all the better for holding his sword my dear!) Frankly my smile couldn't have got any bigger. I only wish I had I thought to ask him to pick me up and do  a cool pose for the picture - alas, I did not think of it at the time... though some other ladies at Comicon had the right idea!

He also signed my Khal Drogo doll, he'd never seen one of the "Pop" figurines before, so that was cool.

Although Comicon was great and the stalls and artists fantastic, I have to say I spent most of my time in lines. I've never been a fan of bovine cuing - so it did put a bit of a dampener on my excitement - not to mention that of my long suffering husband.

There were however some totally awesome costumes, from the requisite Jedi's to a large Bender (from Futurama). I even had the honour of spraying Leela's (also from Futurama) hair purple.
I was going to post some up here but they all seem to be uploading sideways....

I wanted this... autographed picture of "Al Swearengen" from my latest favourite show to watch "Deadwood"

Very cool stall!

  Anyhoo, I am now going to do some writing. Lordy me I'm inspired again.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Manspiration II

Beards, brow ridges and brute strength... PWHAH!!!

Allow me to introduce Khal Drogo!

Well, I've just watched the complete first series of "Game of Thrones", having not yet read the books.

Firstly, I loved the series. Secondly, I am devastated my favourite characters were killed off.

In the very first episode, we are introduced to Drogo, Khal of the Dothraki, fierce "barbarian" warriors. Despite a SHOCKING  introduction to the character (in the TV series at least), Drogo quickly has become one of my favourite heroes. His romance with his very young, reluctant bride, Daenerys, was one of the loveliest romantic developments I've seen on screen for a long time. Although in the TV series (which is apparently different from the book), the marriage is consumated rather... uh...aggressively, and not particularly nicely. However, despite initial appearances the marriage ends up being a very beautiful one, even if it ends tragically.

It's the combination of brute force and tenderness in Drogo that makes him a really great hero. His tragic end has really crushed my little romantic heart!

Subsequently, Drogo, played by the delectable Jason Momoa, has become my latest 'Manspiration' and fodder for the muse.

Like most Dothraki, Drogo has copper-colored skin, black hair, and black eyes. He is tall and muscular, and moves gracefully. He has a long, drooping mustache and a long braid hung with tiny bells that hangs down to his thighs, symbolizing his status among the Dothraki as an undefeated warlord.
Drogo's favorite horse is a lean red stallion, called simply "the Red," as it is not a Dothraki custom to give individual names to animals. (Reference: Wiki of Ice and Fire)

Jason Momoa's rendition of Drogo on first sight made me wince and think"ugh!". He seemed too big, brutish and wild, but as the the story progressed... well, that all changed and he is now one of my favourite characters of all time.

So, if you haven't watched "Game Of Thrones", I recommend it, but be warned the sex scenes are  explicit, the violence is gross and many of the stories are tragic...but Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo is worth it all!