Attitude.

Attitude is everything. In fighting cancer, in running marathons, in finishing novels, and in surviving the slings and arrows of outrageous Fortune. To survive is to prevail.

There are those who constantly complain about feeling tired,  being unable to lose weight, not being able to find a mate–and guess what? Those things continue to be true for them.

In July, 2010 a remarkable young cyclist in the Tour de France broke his elbow in a crash. The very next day, he rode to win the Maillot Jaune (the yellow jersey for that day’s winner). His determination and courage were greater than his perception of pain.

Thoughts become things. Choose the ones that empower you.

Back from the Underworld

Two days ago, I finally created a Facebook Author page. This prompted me to seek out my long-neglected Blog. Neglected for how long? 3 years.

Why didn’t I blog during that time? Because, in the process of writing my Great American Vampire Novel, I went down the Rabbit Hole of Research. Which is, I must say, far more dangerous than the Long Dark Teatime of the Soul.

That trip led this Alice into a dark wonderland which has changed my path in life–and now I’ve come full circle to reclaiming Writing as the central part of my identity. That said, I’m going to use the name adopted while I researched, lived, and wrote my dark novels. Anya Rakoczy.

I’m baaaaack….

Aha! moments and forks in the path of story

As I progress through the final–I hope–revision of the second half of my novel, I continue to think of interesting twists in the plot, additions to the mythology, and other ways scenes could have played out.  I’ve talked with a lot of other writers who don’t seem to have these sorts of issues. They either are dedicated plotters who don’t deviate from an outline, or pantsters with enough confidence not to second-guess themselves.

Having tried everything from outlines to plotting boards to snowflake maps, I’ve developed a rough method to come with an overall story arc based on the key events of the story.  It’s when I sit down to revise that my fevered brain thinks of all the alternative paths the story could have taken in each scene. Like many writers, I am somewhat amazed when people ask “Where do you get your ideas?” A better question would be, “How do I shut them off?”

A character in one of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels discusses alternate realities, saying that the Universe could either go down “one pants leg” of the space-time continuum, or another. A good writing friend has told me to “choose one pants leg” in my plot and not look back. Excellent advice, and like a lot of advice, easier to understand than to execute.

My goal this week is to stay with the thread of my story, refining whatever gold is there, and ignoring the siren call of all the other “what-if’s” that are  preventing me from getting to the finish line of this novel and moving on to the next one.

Realization dawns

Marie drew back. “If this is true … if you are…”

“Vampire,” he said, softly. “Strigoi. Kyugetsuki. Every culture has a word for what we are. What I am.”

Truth was in his voice. And in his eyes. No human had eyes like that.

She covered her face with her hands for several seconds. Slowly she lowered them and met his gaze. “What happens now?”

Jealousy

“Carry her up to bed, Hank.”

“You’re the one who needs to be in bed. We just pulled a stake out of your chest.”

“Take care of her first. She gave me a great deal of her essence.”

“You’re the boss.” Hank reached under Marie and scooped her up. Shifting her weight in his arms, he turned to go upstairs.

Richard watched Hank start up the stairs with Marie. His expression darkened and he swung his legs down. He stood, holding the table for strength. “Hold it right there. Don’t take another step.”

Hank looked over his shoulder. “What the hell are you doing? Stay there until I come back.”

“Negative.” Richard slowly made his way to Hank’s side and put his arm around the bodyguard’s shoulder for support. “I’m coming with you.”

Hank stared up at Richard. “Is there a problem?”

Richard looked grim. “Go.”

Hank shook his head. “Man. I don’t believe this. You don’t trust me to carry your wife up to bed.”

“Oh, what you just said.”

Marie half-woke and turned her head into Hank’s chest. “Richard,” she murmured.

Hank eyed his friend. “This something you do on a regular basis?”

“Concentrate on the task at hand. When she’s in my bed, you can leave and fantasize to your heart’s content.”

“Okay, tough guy.” Hank started up the stairs, stopping on each one for Richard to summon his strength for the next. “You know how ridiculous this is, don’t you?”

“What I know is how you feel about Marie.”

“She’s your wife!”

“Yes. And I have a link to your mind. Upstairs. Now.”

The Ultimate Cougar

Richard took the dark-eyed beauty’s hand and circled a thumb in her palm.
She shivered and arched her back.
She was ready, so ready.
He forced himself to say the words. “Before I go home with you, I need to see your ID.”
“My…ID.”
“I have to be sure you’re over 21, darling.”
Arianna tilted her head back and loosed a stream of silvery laughter. “Trust me. You need have no fear on that account.”

Excerpt from Chapter One

“We have a visibility problem, my lady.”  Theodore frowned at the male tied to the bed and handed a newspaper clipping to Arianna. “This Cromwell is a decorated war hero. His father is a U.S. senator, and the man himself is being groomed for high office.”
Arianna crumpled the clipping. A smile crept over her pale, exquisite features. “He is vampire now, and mine. What does it matter who he was?”

The Power of Attitude.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/tourdefrance/2010-07-13-cadel-evans-injury_N.htm

Attitude is everything: in fighting cancer, in running marathons, in finishing novels, and in surviving the attempts of the Fates, the gods–call them what you will–to amuse themselves at our expense.

There are those who constantly complain about being trapped in a dead-end job, or about being tired, or about their inability to change anything in their lives–and guess what? All of those are true for those people.

And then there’s Cadel Evans, the remarkable  cyclist in this year’s Tour de France who broke his elbow on July 13th and the very next day rode to win the Maillot Jaune. He is still in the Tour. Why? Because his determination and his courage are greater than his perception of pain.

Thoughts become things. Choose the good and the powerful.

Re-"Vamped" Story Concept

“An enslaved Conservative vampire returns to his human birthplace to avenge his father’s death and save the family legacy. A young Liberal historian encounters him at his darkest moment, beset by enemies both human and supernatural. The attraction they feel for each other is far more than physical. Her own unique supernatural heritage is revealed when they fall in love and experience a communion of souls. The bond between them could heal them both if they can overcome their political differences, win his release from his maker, and defeat the conspiracy of master vampires determined to acquire her.”

Working title: Eternally Right

A teenage daughter has no place in a story like this. So, I have removed Elli and put her into a file, where she may someday become a YA novel.