Quote of the Week

Captain America is my favorite Avenger. He's an all-around good guy. Honest, loyal, noble, dependable. A champion of freedom. An inspiration. A true hero.

He's selfless, willing to help others despite the risk. When the colonel throws a grenade at the recruits, pre-serum Steve Rogers jumps on it, not knowing it is a training grenade. He protects his fellow soldiers by his willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice.

He's determined. In the face of adversity, he gets up each time he gets knocked down. He is rejected by the army five times before Dr. Erskine sees him as a potential super-soldier serum candidate.

He's a natural leader. His integrity and strong convictions inspire his teammates. He encourages them to work well, train hard, and get along. He understands the strengths of each team member and helps them succeed. He commands loyalty and is loyal in return.

Captain America has a strong moral code and does what's right. He believes in using his powers for good. He's the first to stand up and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

#TirgearrTuesday

If only your dreams could come true with a Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo…

Becoming the legal guardian for his half-sisters puts a wrench in Drew's college plans. Photo-shopped nudes of Seraphina threaten her promising singing career.

 

Sounds like a job for a Fairy Godmother.

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Quote of the Week

Julia Roberts romanticized the world's oldest profession in Pretty Woman. In this modern Cinderella story, a chance meeting between prostitute Vivian and wealthy but ruthless businessman Edward has life-changing consequences. In this iconic scene, Vivian was judged by her appearance and shunned by the salespeople of Rodeo Drive, but they soon learned that they made a huge mistake.

Never judge a book by its cover.

#TirgearrTuesday

Fairy princess Alina Lehrer sets out to reclaim the crown stolen from her family more than a century ago. In order to complete her quest, she must face her demons and win over the assassin Rylan Jackson assigned to eliminate her. Fate has placed Alina and Rylan on opposing sides, but fate is not set in stone.

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Quote of the Week

For ten seasons, six friends visited the living rooms of nearly twenty-five million viewers each week. There was something special about this quirky group of twenty-somethings. We watched them navigate life. We laughed when they laughed. We cried when they cried.

In an era before smart phones, the internet, PVR, and TV on demand... We had Friends. And they had each other.

#TirgearrTuesday

Dreams or duty? Leaving The Circle would give wizard apprentice Kurtis Warde the freedom to follow his own dreams, and to pursue vampiress, Dee. But there is unrest in the magical world—a long-time feud between wizards and fairies—that threatens everyone Kurtis cares about.

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Quote of the Week

There is a line from The Princess Bride to suit every occasion. I mentioned this in last week's post, and I maintain the complete and utter truth of this statement. I quote this movie more than any other... and—this is the best part—my kids get the references. I wonder if they'd enjoy the book?

Grandpa : Nothing gave Buttercup as much pleasure as ordering Westley around.

Buttercup : Farm boy, polish my horse's saddle. I want to see my face shining in it by morning.

Westley : As you wish.

Grandpa : "As you wish" was all he ever said to her.

Buttercup : Farm boy, fill these with water - please.

Westley : As you wish.

Grandpa : That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying "As you wish," what he meant was, "I love you." And even more amazing was the day she realized she truly loved him back.

The Latest New Year

We welcomed 2022 into the fold a week ago. It doesn't seem that long since we exchanged 2020 for 2021. It usually takes a few tries before the new year sticks. Thanks to my digital calendar, notes app, and email, I haven't had to write the date on anything yet.

The last few years (since the end of 2019 and the onset of COVID-19) have been more interesting than I prefer. The pandemic and ensuing fallout seems like the beginning of an apocalyptic movie (or book) which makes me wonder how this story will end. I also wonder about its impact on art and culture. Can we anticipate a surge of pandemic-themed books in the next few years?

My books take place in the very broad contemporary time period (1945 to present) where my present time ranges from the 1990s to 2010s. I have thus far avoided 2019 to 2022, although that choice was not a conscious one. Some of the events in my books relate to real world events, like World War II, so my timetable also has to correspond accordingly. In The Magicals Series, the wizards assisted the Germans with their war effort while the fairies joined the French Resistance. During, and after the war, characters from both groups immigrated to the United States. One character, Amelie Ricard, was a baby when her family fled Europe shortly after the Battle of France which meant she was born in 1940. She became pregnant with her son Kurtis in 1968, and he was born in 1969. If he was thirty years old in the present, then the year would be 1999. The years 1940 and 1968 are referenced specifically while the present is identified as present day.

The portrayal of time in books can be confusing (to read or write). How many time references does a reader need to follow the storyline? How many jumps in time can the author use to propel the story forward? Time is an important component of my stories. I use an adaptation of Archplot three-act structure and Save the Cat Beat Sheet, incorporating a timeline of the events.

My existing books dodge the COVID-19 bullet, but could my upcoming stories be susceptible? What will the future hold? Only time will tell.

#TirgearrTuesday

A Vampire's Tale is about Marisa Clements, a struggling writer. Unknown to her, an ancient and powerful vampire, Corgan Halton, has been influencing her life path. Corgan wants to tell his story, before ending his existence, and chooses Marisa to author his tale. But it’s complicated. Corgan can see the future. He knows Marisa will be instrumental in his plan, but his request will place her in grave danger. Marisa is unaware of the risks, seeing Corgan’s story as a great opportunity. Will the story of a lifetime cost her life?

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Quote of the Week

January's theme for Quote of the Week is movie quotes. I love movies and often quote my favorites... There is a line from The Princess Bride to suit every occasion.

This past week, we watched the latest Matrix movie. I remember seeing the first movie in the franchise in 1999, leaving the theatre thinking "What if?"

And our world today—surrounded by and very dependent on technology, with smartphones and wifi and VR—seems more similar than ever to the dystopian portrayed in The Matrix. Makes you wonder, right? It's not much of a stretch to believe that we could be living in a virtual world. If digital real estate takes off like predicted, then we could all live in the metaverse someday.

Which brings me to this week's quote... From The Matrix: Reloaded.

Happy New Year