#12 Rhubarb Road

A decision maker I am not...(Aka: Art)

2009-09-04T11:22:00.014-04:00

I'm attempting to decide which artwork I'd like to put in my new place. My colors are brown and green...which of these sets do you think I should go with?

First, there's the Fairy Tale "shoe" collection:

And, there's a few of these that I like. They are like signs with wooden frames:

Finally, I also really like these odd prints that don't match any particular other ones:

Lands of Magic:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28763236

Snow White:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27620642

Red and the Wolf:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28068200

Let me know which you like! :) I'm interested to see what others think!

Kiley

a good word

2009-04-13T16:25:00.001-04:00

I saw this word and thought it was a very good word:

susurrus: a whispering or rustling sound.

Wheel: The What, Why and Who

2009-03-24T16:13:00.004-04:00

Most of you don’t know me and I can only imagine what you might think of me, the girl who cherishes her upcoming Con-adventure like others would a trip to the beach.

In fact, some might pose the question: “What in blue blazes would make a pretty (that’s what my fiancé tells me, anyway), non-socially inept, professional woman in her early twenties travel to Georgia to put on a costume, chat about things that don’t really exist and listen to a bunch of people talk about books?”

My answer to you would be: Brilliant story telling.

Most writing I’ve ever encountered – fiction and fact – pales in comparison with the Wheel of Time. The late Robert Jordan (a fantasy legend - his real name was James Rigney, but I like to refer to him as “The Master”) created a world so rich in detail that it’s hard to believe he wasn’t writing from experience. When a character enters a room, you enter that room with him and you know what the tapestries look like, which nation they were imported from and perhaps why the occupant chose them. You see gilded mirrors and sparkling columns chipped with age and mismatched teacups and tiled floors and board games native to this land or that. What sorts of books do the characters like to read? Who are their heroes? What songs do they sing and how do they differ in words from one land to another? It is fantasy, but it is also the most realistic fiction I’ve ever read.

Jordan’s Wheel of Time series is so far comprised of 11 of the 12 books he intended, though Jordan became a tragic hero in his own story in the Fall of 2007 when he succumbed to amyloidosis, leaving the series unfinished but a plethora of notes behind. The last book is currently being written by author Brandon Sanderson.

But I don’t want to dwell on his passing. It is what Robert Jordan did with his life that propels my cousin and me to leave behind our lives and join others from across the world in celebrating his life and the world he created, the world of the Wheel of Time.

In the series, the source of all magic is called the One Power. It is divided into saidar, which only women can channel, and saidin, which only men can use. The Power turns the Wheel of Time. The story takes place in the Third Age, an age where saidin (the male half) has been tainted by the Dark One, so any man wielding the Power slowly goes insane and eventually dies of a wasting disease (sometimes lashing out with their magical abilities and harming others in fit of insanity).

One of the most powerful male channelers from approximately three thousand years ago named Lews Therin Telamon (also known as The Dragon) is prophesied to be reborn so that he can sacrifice himself in order to save everyone from the return of Shai'tan (the Dark One) at Tarmon Gai'don (the Last Battle).

The Aes Sedai are a group of powerful women (long ago, men were members as well, but that ended when saidin became tainted) who use the One Power, supposedly in the name of public good. The Aes Sedai are aided by their Warders, strong men who choose to share a psychic bond with the particular woman to whom they are bonded. Although the Aes Sedai could use their magical abilities to force the Warders to do whatever they wish, each Warder acts as a trusted co-worker and loyal friend to his Aes Sedai.

Additionally, the Aes Sedai divide themselves into seven different Ajahs. The Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah concern themselves with their individual causes and interests; Browns are devoted to the acquisition and preservation of knowledge; Grays mediate disputes; the Green Ajah holds itself ready for battle; Reds focus on preserving the Tower and preventing another breaking; the White Ajah is devoted to logic; and the Yellow Ajah is devoted to Healing.

The story begins with five naïve, young people who flee their country town with an Aes Sedai and her Warder. As these young men and women begin to explore the world, it is obvious all are much more than what they seem – one of them the Dragon Reborn, as the Aes Sedai expected from the first. (Synopsis courtesy www.TarValon.net)

At its heart, Wheel of Time is the story of a good man given a tainted power, the One Power, the knowledge that he’s supposed to destroy the Dark One and save the world in the Last Battle, and the knowledge that he will not survive the encounter. But, Robert Jordan reflected in an interview once that if this were to really happen, people of the world would most likely begin plotting and scheming and fighting for their own ends, and so this savior would have to contend with these politics as well.

Throw in several love stories, lots of sword, knife, bow and hand fights, nasty creatures, villains that could give you nightmares for a week and some pretty clever one liners and I think even you might want to register for JordanCon.

So, read the books this year. Next year we’ll discuss exactly which nation you’d like to come from and whether or not you channel the One Power, which Ajah you are if you’re Aes Sedai, and what you’ll wear to the Cairheinin Ball.

Or, just tune in next time and I’ll discuss all of that then.

Time Out to Talk "Damselle"

2009-03-09T11:28:00.003-04:00

Behold, an interview with little old moi at Supernatural Fairy Tales thanks to Dorlana, a fellow author and fairy tale aficionado.

Be sure to peruse her site and take time to read her stories. She's very talented!

The Con - A Right of Passage

2009-03-05T09:45:00.009-05:00

On April 16, I'm so out of this world. I am leaving the life of cubicles, high heels and conferences behind. Oh, I suppose I'll miss my cat and the privacy of my sunshine-yellow bedroom, but when that glorious April day arrives, Elaine and I will hop into her Ford-Focus-of-a-time-machine and be on our way to Alpharetta, GA faster than you can say "Dragon Reborn."

Why, asks ye? For JordanCon, says I, the first convention dedicated solely to exploring Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series and all of the marvelous trappings associated with it.

Yep, it's a Con - not dissimilar to GenCon in Indy, although probably much smaller, and I'll wager that the attendees of JodanCon are more put together/less socially awkward. Still, we're thinking on a grand scale: costumes, jewelry, new identities for the weekend - you name it.

You must know this: It's my first Con, and the very first JordanCon ever, preceding by mere months the release of the twelfth and last book in The Wheel of Time series -arguably the most detailed, realistic and enthralling fantasy series there is. As a fantasy fan, bookworm, aspiring librarian and self-proclaimed geek, a Con of any kind is like a right of passage. It's like a reunion, albeit one full of strangers; you are filling a temporary home with a family of people who understand you and share your beliefs and love. Because, if I tell my best friend I'm an Aes Sedai, she'll be clueless, but the lady three people behind me in the registration line on April 17 - she'll probably reply that she is, too.

So, it is with this brief that I begin my series of articles leading up to and through JordanCon, because as always, there is much preparation that can be shared. For instance, which of the numerous nations in the world of The Wheel of Time do I want to be from? And what do women of that nation wear, usually? What will my name be for the weekend? Should I be an Aes Sedai or an Average Jane, or perhaps a Maiden of the Spear (because they kick some serious Darkfriend derriere)? And, seriously, will gas prices stay low for our trip?

All the while you're asking, what in the bloody hell is a Dragon Reborn, Aes Sedai, Maiden of the Spear, and a Darkfriend? Why travel all the way to Georgia to play dress- up with a bunch of bookworms?

Ah - fear not - these answers and more shall I share with you, as well as the trials and tribulations of shopping for fabric (with my mother! Curses!) to make my gown and the task of searching for dresses and jewelry that exist perfectly only in my imagination.

this is

2009-01-11T20:49:00.002-05:00

the hardest thing I've ever done in my entire life.

Period.

"It takes great inner strength to spend the time and energy, to outlast the pressure to simply stop, to keep on pushing even when you don’t feel like it, when you’d rather be doing anything but writing. At those times you need to be tough on yourself." - Tom Monteleone

so chapter 4 is...

2008-12-20T15:50:00.002-05:00

really hard to write for some reason.

Not sure why. I guess because it's a turning point? Those are tough. Or at least, I'm trying really hard to make it a turning point. THE Act I turning point. The major, "let's flip this main character and his side kick on their ears" turning point. And I'm trying to lead up to that. And it's hard.

Oh, and it's tough to find time to write, Christmas and all.

Nonetheless, I'm at 70-some pages. 24,668 words.

i'm trekking onward

2008-12-05T16:26:00.002-05:00

through the marshy swamplands of my imagination.

I say this mainly because I've just written through one of those parts that I'm not particularly fond of but that I had to get through to reach the beauteous realm on the other side.

It all began with a character that utterly surprised me with his dropping into my novel. He really just came out of nowhere and I liked his arrival, but he made things quite difficult, indeed.

This character is only with us for a short time, but exhibited an immensely large personality and required a lot of thinking time on my part (and a little bit of research, too, might I add). And, of course, Max had to interact with him and that in itself is exhausting. What's a girl to do?

This small scene took me a while to complete and I dare say it will be deleted, replaced or, at the very least, heavily revised, at some point. However, the main point is that I've now got to a minor but reoccuring plot detail.

And, as of right this very moment, I'm at 22,567 words.

when you have too many things on your plate

2008-11-21T16:39:00.002-05:00

it's easy to get full.

Between a solo at church, the writers groups, work, a social life (what?), and Mightier Than the Sword work when I can manage it, I've neglected Damselle for a long while now.

This makes me feel guilty, even though I don't have a massive following of readers. I left her in a precariously dangerous spot and haven't had a chance to pick her tale back up.

Truth be told, when I do get a chance to write I want to work on Max if I can. I'm like a proud mother choosing one favourite child over another. It's sad for the neglected child, great for the chosen one, but difficult for me in general.

I have a guilty conscience about this issue and I felt the need to get it off my chest. The only consolation is that Max revisions and progression has been going well and feedback has been great. I'm now ready to move onward and upward, take the bull by the horns and plow ahead! [[mixed cliches intended]]

So, Damselle my Dear, I will come for you eventually, I promise. Sit tight. I haven't forgotten you, but right now I must spend some time with Maxwell and give him the long-overdue attention he deserves.

this weekend

2008-11-18T13:39:00.002-05:00

while lazy, cold, exhausting, productive and a number of other random adjectives, was also very educational.

About myself I learned:

1.) I talk to myself when I shop alone.
This is a very curious phenomenon. I squeeze myself through the racks of clothes, overloaded with haphazardly hung sweaters and naked hangers waiting to stab passersby. And, when I see something awful I say things like, "Ugh, never!" and "Why would anyone?" and occasionally "Maybe if I was 10 pounds ligher!" Then, if see something I like I utter little things like, "Oh, good" or "I have one similar already" or "Never in my size!" I think I might have actually frightened a Kohl's attendent the other night, as I was browsing the racks and she said, "Are you alright, Ma'am?" But, if you're shopping alone and you need a second opinion, who better to ask than the one who understands you best? Yourself!

2.) I prefer to see movies in the theatre alone.
Fortunately, I cannot talk to myself (outloud) in the theatre, since all must be quiet. But, try it. Go to the theatre at 10:00 on a Sunday night and enjoy having the entire theatre to yourself. No interruptions, just you, yourself, and Daniel Craig. Er, or whoever.

3.) Coffee houses are advantageous to my creativity.
Every time I visit one, I am surprised all over again. There is something reassuring about leaving home and working away from one of the two places you spend all your time. Whether I get a cup of the potent Joe or not, my mind somehow works better in public than it does with the everpresent mother scurrying around ranting and raving.

I think that it is very good to learn things like this about yourself. I learned that I love Danatos pizza, I hate Higher Grounds house decaf, and I can survive pretty darn well on 4 hours of sleep.

Of course, I've always talked to myself. I talk to myself all of the time in my head, but I don't let it slip out too often. Just when picking out new work clothes.

i planned to sneak out of my house tonight.

2008-11-15T17:54:00.003-05:00

I knew my parents were going to be gone this evening. And so, as 5:15 drew nearer I began to think about what I would wear, where I would go, what I would take, what drink I would order.

It would be my night, baby.

Of course, perhaps nothing could define me more than what tonight had in store and I can tell you about now. As it happens. Because nothing, and I mean nothing, depicts my extreme bookishness more than my Saturday night and, as far as I am concerned, it's perfect.

I didn't tell my parents that I was planning to leave home as soon as they did, but as soon as they pulled out of the driveway, I ran to my closet and pulled out my most distinguished turtleneck. Why? Because I decided that this evening I was going to pack up my laptop and notes, drive to the nearest coffee shop, and write.

When you go to a club to dance, you dress appropriately. You find a shirt with a plunging neckline and jeans, uncomfortable shoes, and matching accessories. Well, if you are spending your Saturday evening at a coffee shop, a small cuppa at your side and your laptop at your fingertips, what do you wear? You wear a snug turtleneck and mary janes. Duh.

I looked forward to this event like other 20-somethings look forward to a night out on the town. Sure, it's completely dead in said coffee shop and the only voices are those from the telley and the ones in my head (the one that reads to me is British).

Of course, I won't have a hangover tomorrow, so I think I'll come out ahead there, don't you?

I simply cannot write at home, though. I cannot write at my house. It's becoming a terrible problem, my worst form of writer's block. I can tell you exactly what blocks me, too. It starts with M and ends with OTHER. She hampers my creativity and stifles my ability to work. She does not understand that I need to do this. I need to write my novel. Yet, while I try, I'm constantly interrupted with cries to fold clothes and wash dishes. I can't finished a paragraph without being urged to put another load of laundry in the washer.

I stay there to save money. I do what I do out of need, but I am beginning to feel that what is best for me logically isn't necessarily best for me mentally. If I were to move out, if I were to find my own place, I could write any time I wanted and do my laundry any time I wanted and neither would interfere with the other!

It's amazing how that happens? I could do laundry on a Tuesday and write on a Saturday. What a novel idea!

i'm a modifying maniac

2008-11-13T09:23:00.004-05:00

And I just can't stop.

I've written and rewritten Chapter 1 so many times I could probably have finished the book several times over.

Thing is, I can't move forward until Max comes from exactly the right place. It's sort of like trying to plot out a destination on a map when you don't know where you are or where you've been. I feel the compulsive need to make Max's beginnings perfect. And, being a perfectionist, I think I've gone overboard.

But, I've finally created a Chapter 1 I can live with - at least for now. It conveys Max's wit, curiosity, abilities and interests and also moves the plot towards Ashbury Ridge quickly, while keeping the mystery of Theodore Ford alive in the mind of the reader - and Max. Max doesn't know his grandpa very well, but he feels a sort of kinship with him due to their similarities, just as I do with other Harry Potter fans, or two Colts fans might feel during a Super Bowl party. When Max learns of his grandpa's plight, therefore, his natural curiosity is heightened by concern.

However, the chapter ends with yet another "gold coin" - the old pen. I hope that by saying Max is now in a lot of trouble by gaining the notebook and the pen, people will be curious as to why.

In essence, I feel pretty good with this Chapter 1, although, I've felt good with other Chapter 1's that have been thrown by the wayside long ago. I need to move onward and upward, though, keep on working over Chapter 2 and solving my next problem: making Max's adventure's into his stories quite as exciting on paper as they are in my head.