Apr 30, 2013 |
I have a great writing partner. The kind who knows timing. She knows when it’s a good time to write, and when I’ve too much on my plate. She knows dialogue timing and action writing. She is my perfect writing partner. She. Is. Awesome!
We’ve been working on our series for nearly two years now. “Working” is quite the misnomer, however. The last year has kept us unavailable. But now we’re back on track. We’ve been editing and creating new characters. Ever heard of a Sleight? Or a Marnavo? What about a Weonae? You’ll meet them, in good time.
As a bit of an instigation to keep us on track, and to keep you interested, we’ve decided to post little teasers on Twitter. That’s right: a short, succinct storyline in 140 characters or less. Like this:
We’re tentatively naming our series The Grenalia Chronicles. Grenalia is an imaginary land I made up as a child, where my stuffed animals came to life and ruled over neighboring kingdoms, protecting the weak, fighting with swords and casting magic. I told Megan about it and she liked it. So until (unless) we come up with something better, our series is now The Grenalia Chronicles.
Our first story, Amara’s Light, is the first novel. Accordingly, it’s where you first meet our characters. Humans, dragons, a few Elves and Dwarves, and a few other creatures you didn’t know existed.
Amara is our heroine. I can’t tell you much about her now, but I can tell you she’s worth knowing! Megan brought Amara to life long before we started writing together, and her fullness of character and determination are strong and lifelike.
Now that the Cookbook Project has wrapped up, it’s time to get back to the drawing- err.. writing board. I say, bring on the dragons! And the Elves! And the Sleights! And other mystical, magical creatures who will, in time, introduce you to worlds you never knew existed… and will never want to leave.
Follow New Inklings Press on twitter and Facebook for updates and, you know, other fun stuff!
~From Grenalia,
Molly & Megan
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Apr 20, 2013 |
I love Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores. I especially love their Garden Centers.
I Love Lowe’s
This morning, we drove over to get yard plants. There’s a feel to walking through Lowe’s Garden Centers. The sprinkler-induced humidity. The welcome birds being chased by feral cats. The families planning together. The newlyweds picking their first flower pot.
I love walking through Lowe’s. Away from computers and electronics. Away from televisions and radios and outside interferences. It’s a way to briefly reconnect with reality. Earth. Nature.
I love breathing in the pungent aroma of Privet followed by the fragrance of Jasmine. The color explosion on each display table brings together possibilities I wouldn’t think of on my own.
Garden Centers are my Happy Place.
And now, they’re my Nature Field Trip.
As we walked past tables of flowers I saw a small bird. Only it wasn’t a bird. But it could have been. I was confused. I’d never seen anything like it. I didn’t know they exist. It was like that scene in Jurassic Park when the gates first open and the scientists enter another world. A world they knew about, dreamed about, but the real experience was far beyond any expectations.
I. Saw. This.
Hummingbird Moth
It’s a Hummingbird Moth. And yes. It looks exactly like a Hummingbird. And exactly like a Moth. It captured my attention for a quarter of an hour as I watched it flit from bright flower to bright flower, sucking the nectar and pollen. It wasn’t afraid of the people walking by. It wasn’t distracted by my stretched-out hand. It had one job: to help pollenate the flowers and drink the nectar.
And while I enjoyed my morning at Lowe’s picking up Photinia to plant under the picture window, it’s the Hummingbird Moth I’ll always remember.
Hummingbird Moth
Next paycheck, I think red flowers are on the shopping list. My yard could use a Hummingbird Moth.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Apr 20, 2013 |
You know those moments that you think, well, I missed that boat by a mile, and so you quit thinking about the trip? Yeah. So that happened.
Last year when I was otherwise unemployed but had a great amount of time available, I began writing short reviews for Trekaroo. You know Trekaroo. I’ve mentioned them here and there.
So after a few reviews, I received an email. Would I like to become a Superoo? A sponsored reviewer. Well, heck. I get to write. I get to travel (even locally). And they give me an outlet for my creative musings? Who wouldn’t want that. Sure, I said. I’m interested.
Good, they said. We choose our Superoos once a year. In Spring.
Darn, I said. I dislike waiting.
But wait I did. And then, my reviewing slowed. Not because I wasn’t interested. But because I had a Cookbook to produce. And I was still unemployed which meant the wallet wasn’t conducive to excursions. When I did start working, well, you know. There’s these things calls bills I needed to concentrate on.
So. I waited on Trekaroo. And they waited on me.
I was sure I’d missed my chance. That ship has sailed. That plane has flown. (Are you picking up on the travel metaphors here? It’s not intentional. But hey, whatever floats your boat…)
I haven’t written a review for months. Out here in Southern California it’s practically summer. Yup. I’m not gonna be a Superoo this year.
Darn.
Or… am I?
Enter the Email.
Congrats! Your contributions to Trekaroo have caught the eye of our Superoo Council. You have been awarded coveted Superoo status.
After pouring through thousands of Trekaroo passports, the Superoo Council was particularly impressed by your reviews and other contributions to Trekaroo over the past year. Without you, Trekaroo wouldn’t be the top resource for families who love to explore and travel. We are proud to announce you as one of our 2013 Superoos today on our blog.
How. Happy. Am. I!!!
Yes. That’s right. I’m THAT happy! It’s wonderful, as a writer, to see long term efforts pay off. It’s even more wonderful to be recognized when you thought you were buried under the mud.
Thanks for pulling me up and out, Trekaroo.
And now… TheRealMojo68 is ready to fly! Or… drive. Or… eat. Or… play. Or… oh, heck! Just send me somewhere fun!
LET’S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!!!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Check out my Trekaroo Profile and Reviews!
TheRealMojo68
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Destination: Mission Inn, Riverside, CA
Destination: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
