Blog Archives

To Research or Not To Research...

27/10/2014

Places like: The Internet Guide To Scotland have wonderful information

    As a reader I am one of those that will look places up if they are supposed to be set in a real world setting. I find it very disappointing that some authors will just completely make things up because they do not want to take the time to do a little research.
    Now, don’t get me wrong I’m not saying research is easy by any means! I myself am having a very fun time researching Scotland during the last 1920’s… NOT. It is rather challenging to get things accurate and I am doing my best to have things like that correct even though it is for a Forever Fey story.
    Things like certain roads that are in place now or bridges were just tracks back then or you had to take a ferry! I don’t want to have my characters going over a bridge that was not in place until 20 years later than what the setting is for them. This is where I get frustrated as a reader with some authors.
   Places where there are standing stones in Scotland, England, Wales and such is NOT going to change… no one is going to move those.
Why not choose one of those locations for the scene in your book especially if it is going back in time—quite far back I might add. Or if you are going to mention a castle why make one up? Places like The Internet Guide to Scotland have wonderful information about Standing Stones and where they are all over Scotland.
   As a reader do you prefer places that are in real locations to be actual places or does it not make a difference? Please let me know in the comments or send me an email with your thoughts on this.

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Home Invasion and other things...

19/10/2014

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Despite living in a relatively quiet area we had some dangerous excitement in the neighborhood a couple days ago. I am very grateful that no one was injured and that the one lady was brave enough to run and ask for help. Two armed men broke into her home and had not only her but her mother –in-law and two children held at gun point.

From what I understand she managed to get away when they were moving the family members from one room to another. She managed to get down the street to a local business and ask for help. The speed at which the local police department responded was amazing. Let me say one thing seeing a armed S.W.A.T. team responding to a threat in a quiet neighborhood in reality if a far cry from how it looks in movies… thrilling and disconcerting all at the same time.

The officers were in the area searching for a few hours, they even called in a couple of search dogs. They did manage to apprehend at least one of the perpetrators soon after the incident I have not heard if they have found the second young man involved or not.

I am extremely thankful that no one was physically injured during the encounter though sadly I am sure that there will be nightmares happening for a while. Things could have turned out very differently for the family than what it did. One never dreams that they will be so close to something like this happening but it can happen anywhere at any time. Be safe out there and lock your doors.
~~~
On a brighter note… I went with my best friend and heart sister Jann up to the Bellingham ComiCon to see one of our favorite authors Patricia Briggs. I took a couple copies of her books with me and am happy to say they are now signed. Patricia is just as wonderful in person as she is in her writing. I couldn’t help but laugh as Jann and I walked up to where Patricia was sitting, we overheard her telling someone else that she gets paid to listen to the voices in her head, this is similar to what I myself tell people about my characters talking to me.

I wish you all a wonderful day and upcoming week, may you each be blessed with happiness and safety.

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Seven Year Itch

5/10/2014

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Married July 2010

Last night I realized that this Monday will be seven years since one of my best friends and I decided to take our friendship to the next level… and we have never looked back. We promised that no matter what happened we would stay friends and we have gotten so much more since that first date.
People say to beware of that dreaded ‘Seven Year Itch’ and I just have to laugh about that. I know that people do have a difficult time in their relationships and I am not saying it has always been peaches and cream for us. But there truly is a lot to be said for talking things out with your partner.
If you remember to talk to one another, let me repeat that… talk TO one another it can truly make a difference. I think part of the problem some people have is that instead of talking to they talk at and that makes a huge difference.
Another thing that helps is to never fall out of love with your partner. There are still times where I get overwhelmed by my feelings for my husband. My heart starts to hurt, throat closes off and tears spring forth. Sometimes all it takes is the flicker of a memory, seeing an old photo, that special sweet smile on his face, or just hearing him say my name.
We both still laugh at the memory of our first all clans fall banquet that we went to as a couple and the reactions that we got from people. I think one of our favorites is the reaction from Rachel, a.k.a. Momma Rachel. She was so funny that night she put us both in a choke hold with the way she was hugging us and laughing telling us both “It’s about time you two!” We heard that from quite a few people that night.
Robert went from being one of my best buds to being my very best friend, my husband and the love of my life. We still enjoy spending our free time together and encourage each other to do things. I don’t think that we have to worry about that dreaded seven year itch.
Robert, I love you more and more every single day and still thank the goddess for bringing you into my life happy anniversary a thaisce.