Santa Claus Argument

Is it okay to lie to your children?

Is it okay to let your children believe in a fantasy being as part of a holiday celebration?

If you answered "No" to the first question and "Yes" to the second, then you are a participant in the Santa Claus Argument.

My Parents didn't believe in lying to us, so we grew up knowing that Santa wasn't real, the Tooth Fairy didn't exist and the Easter Bunny was just an artistic representation for life's renewal and not an actual critter.

But there is a part of me, deep down inside that believes, that knows intuitively that Santa is Real! I see it every winter as the darkness closes in on us and the nights get longer, people light up the night with candles in windows and lights on house trim, giving that hope that the sun will come back. People give of themselves at homeless shelters, buying gifts for needy children and celebrating long after the belief in Saint Nick compelled us to be "Nice."

If anything as we age the simple winter celebration becomes more important.

The End is Near!

As the end of the Mayan Calendar gets closer I find I can no longer be blasé about it.

I thought that it would be like this last decade's Y2K a lot of build up with nothing to show for it.

Even my earlier argument that its going to be the end of an age, not the end of the world.

But there is a lot going on Celestially that hints that it could be a very bad thing for humanity this Winter Solstice. I don't have a lot to write, but I hope that if it does come about that the solar storm they are expecting does happen it only knocks out the power grid and doesn't kill us.

I hope that it is just the end of an age and not an Alien invasion.

Learning from what you Read: V

Character Creation. Jill suggests in building your characters, the protagonist in particular should be slightly off the beaten path, original, the type of person that is just shy of mainstream, "Square Peg in a Round Hole" sorts as she says.

Looking for a way to represent that character type she suggests an open expression of an uncommon opinion. And I hesitate, bursting to my tongue and dancing like pop-rocks is a singular question:

"What makes an opinion uncommon?"

Opinions are governed by perception, you can put two hundred people in a room with a painting and each person will perceive something different, that perception will aid in the forming of an opinion. Logically that infers that each persons opinion will be unique even if they are in agreement.

But I digress and am now arguing with myself.

Rules to govern Square Pegs: I laughed when I started reading this, as I am more than a little unusual (per my peers, friends and colleagues) I decided to forgive and continue reading. Now first I will cite Jill, then I will give my interpretation.

• "The character's square-peg nature has to be believable, not just something you tacked on to make them stand out.."
• "Know why you're character is an outsider."

 Schizophrenia runs in my family. My Grandmother was diagnosed in the early '60's... That sort of influence compels my siblings and I to step out of the box when listening to what others have to say and makes people look at us and judge us on how we act or what we say. Now it creates a problem when you are scrutinized like that you either become hyper sensitive to other peoples opinions or you stop caring completely, so I stopped caring and started saying and acting in a way that I can live with and not how society thinks I should.

• "Does your character know that they are different?"
• "Over time are the assimilated or adapted into society?"

Its not socially acceptable to say what you think and mean what you say, but I do, so I'm careful to make certain that I don't say anything in the heat of the moment, this removes the need to apologize. I resent apologies I feel that the lowest form of subjugation is forcing someone else to change who they are, and even if you regret your actions later, at the time you acted you were passionately vested in what you were doing. Its easier for me to accept, "It was never my intention to hurt you." Than "I'm sorry that I offended you." for some people its saying the same thing, but the second statement implies that if you could go back and undo what you did you would while the first acknowledges how their actions impacted another and clarifies that any pain caused was accidental. I know that this puts me in the minority but its an example of an acknowledged character quirk.

I know I am different.

Over time society, or at least my peers have accepted me, but I would not say that I have a great many close friends.

Ice Queen

I have never understood people with fast hot tempers that blow over quickly. My whole life it has been my preference to walk away and digest the situation, let my temper cool and then like my mother in time or over time I strike back and hit three times as hard.

I think I mentioned the abusive relationship my friend is in, the reason I moved to MD, I was right things have escalated and now its time to get her out. Applying for work in a different area again, just need 5000.00 to help us get back to Utah and get first and last months rent. Dreading how that will impact my health, I have been better here but we need to be close to family.

Trying to get her to play it cool through the end of the month will be hard.

If you want to help:

Snippet

The sword slipped between her ribs and the boning in her corset, only to be quickly withdrawn leaving a swift burning arc in its wake as she folded in on herself and sank to the floor, deep crimson blossoming from the pale muslin.

The sharp chime of boot heals on the once rich marble rang through the hall as the dark man moved on, leaving her in the slowly growing pool as the warmth fled.

Like an echo in the night the old words swelled forth...

Bonds of Blood
Bound by Blood
Hand and Foot
And at the Root
A hundred years
A thousand more
What now we mourn
Shall be reborn...

Learning from what you Read: IV

Back on July 25th there was a post on Writing as a Sacred Path, that I just didn’t understand, so I let it sit in my email inbox where I could re-read it and think on the subject.

Jill talks about an experience in Italy where she is crushed by a sense of social correctness, stopping her from enjoying herself and causing an awkward situation over a cough that gets gradually worse, people stare at her and ignore her and it gets worse as she leaves.

Fear and social stress impact.

Stress can effect some people physically and no two people are affected the same way. Our upbringing (nature versus nurture) has a large impact on who we become in life, what we do, how we react.

I am a very analytical person, I think I am the way I am because of my parents and siblings when I was reading Jill's soliloquy at first I scoffed, I admit I almost erased it from my inbox after the first reading but her brief explanation was almost terse when she mentioned her mother and spoke volumes of why it was so important for her to set her thoughts and feelings into words even if I can't internalize the experience. I see the older of two or three children in an upper middle class or moderately affluent family, her mother was likely overly controlling given her need to stretch her wings later in life. The psychological impact fascinated me and made me reflect on a Sociology class I once took.

See, analytical to a fault.

Interesting reading though Birth Order and Personality.

Confessions of a Geek

Revisiting an earlier topic The mind to write? III I talked about using props and told you that I play RPG's, and not just video games the old fashioned table-top variety.

Well when I moved I started playing AD&D: Pathfinder every other Saturday with a group, its odd having something that resembles a social life. Not traditional D&D, the storyline that we are playing with is more than just sword and sorcery, its Steam-Punk, which makes me smile as another favorite genre.

As a veteran gamer its hard to give me a challenge or something new, Pathfinder is doing both, new worlds and new toys in different setting with the great lore that I have come to love. More than a new world I'm playing a character class that I have admired but never played before. Bard: as many people know these characters are a type of magical musician, what I didn't really understand is that they are a subset of Rogues (Thieves) but she, my character is dual classed with Fighter so I haven't completely left my comfort zone. For a gamer its like training wheels.

But I like my props, I don't just mean dice and a little pewter figure. When I explained that it helped me set the mood or get into the role. When I started thinking about setting up my gaming kit for Tara I though back to what I wrote before and thought I could share another example.

Tara Songwind
Bard/Fighter: Enchanted Lyre, Longsword

Bards: Song Book/Hymns (spell-book), instruments
Fighter: Armor, weapons.

Since I am not LARPing I don't want any large props, so no sword or lyre. Small things that I can play with without being distracted from my game. Since D&D Bards use there songs as a type of spell casting a songbook is a great option.

Songbook: Small Music Notebook I can print copies of the bard spells and secure them inside the notebook.

Tin Whistle: Irish Penny Whistle Its a small, easily portable instrument, as I don't play I'm not looking for a major investment.

Chain-mail: A type of armor quite popular, and fortunately something I am adept at crafting myself, a quick set of bracers.

Thick Leather Belt: Bridle Belt I know I said I'm not interested in costuming... But I can't help it, holding this idea and the bracers for the fighter aspect. Its just not smart to use weapons in costuming, it gives the illusion. I probably won't do this, but sharing.

Pewter Miniature: Anwyn Female Bard Nobody does it better than Reaper.

You can guess I could keep going but I think I'm done for now. 

Election Day

Its to be expected that I'll be a little political. It's inescapable, politics was the stone and mortar for most conversations in my family when I was growing up, and in large families you can imagine that meant conflict.

So what are you waiting for? Get out and VOTE!

Today's observations:

For the first time in my life I am living in a State where my vote may actually count. I spent the first half of my life in the VERY Democratic western Washington State, the second half in the VERY Republican Utah. Now, while I am working in Maryland, I LIVE in Pennsylvania, my very first Swing State.

Now for me, I love it. I am an Independent 'Un-declared' voter. Roughly translated I vote based on issues, not people, in my mind it isn't a popularity contest or pep rally. Once I determine my own opinion on a topic I examine the candidates, their family life, their political and community background and their declared platform before mixing and matching my opinions with people. Sometimes this puts me Dem, sometimes Rep, maybe Libertarian, Constitution or Green.

With the surge of energy surrounding the election in PA, I feel involved, and let me tell you I had a lot to educate myself on before casting my ballot on local issues.

Now there is a lot more that I could write about. The energy that fills the community, the great arguments but not today. I woke up early and made my way to my local voting station early enough that I was fifth in line and now I'm going to relax, do laundry, write a little and wait for the polls to start closing.

Blurb

There are times when we are forced to confront the things in the shadows of our own minds. Like god hitting you over the head.

For me, thats when the rain falls.

As I get older its easier to hide behind a smile, an easy glance or polite comment. Until something happens or someone says something and I calmly hide my response like stained glass, ready to shatter. Thousands of colorful pieces held together with lead...

WOW! Looking busy.

Its been a whole month!

In my defense while I have internet my computer is offline, when its back up then I'll knuckle down again.
Anyone still checking I am still writing and grateful for everyone who is reading. This whole moving thing is exhausting in so many ways but most recently I would like to give a shout out to Hurricane Sandy.

Talk about drama laden MATERIAL.

In my normal fashion that means that I am interrupting myself again but only briefly and I'll post a blurb.

First Day

I know i am a little off schedule, the move and all, you understand.

I had my first day at work in MD, at the risk of sounding racist... after years in Utah, I was startled by the large numbers of black people! No, I don't have a problem with it but it was my first touch of culture shock.. ever I think.

I enjoyed getting to know, knew people and a slightly different view on the things that I already know.

Pour grammar aside, I think I might like it here.

Journal: Tension II

Hey guys, I am writing as much a "Dear Diary" as for this "Tension Journal" this again comes back to learning to describe what I observe, especially in those moments of tension. My last entry sort of touched on an introspective angle, and like Jill says "Its all material." I agree so I am going to follow that angle for a little while.

Since my move I am living with my best friend and her boy friend. The boy friend "E." For the case of this Blog, wanted me to move, and my best friend "A." happily encouraged me with his support.

Three days after I arrive he is telling A. that he feels like a third wheel and she is just disgusted by it.

What I see is different, what I want to say is different.

In my introverted little world, he couldn't be more transparent.

And this is where it becomes apparent that I am a rare female, having grown up with more males than I can count on both hands... When A. told me about this, I understood completely, and this is the break down, its up to him to prove that I am wrong.

E. wanted me here, not so A. wouldn't be alone, and not because he likes me at all. He wanted me here for money, with me here he doesn't have to take care of A. who he won't let work, he knows that I'll buy her things, I'll take on half the apartment expenses, and help take some of the stress off her by doing chores and he'll get laid more often. He plans on guilt-ing her into not spending time with me, or specifically unsupervised time. E. tell's A. that he wants me to have the same days off that he does so we can "do things together on the weekends." I hear "I don't like you being alone with her." He is muscling in on my time with her so that she won't have any freedom, so A. won't have any friends outside his little domain. But I see, I can call it what it is, sabotage, abuse and jealousy.

The Tension is thick enough around him that I can cut it with a knife.

Journal: Tension

As a lot of you already know I just moved from Utah to Pennsylvania because I'll be working in Maryland.

Well my Flight was Saturday the 22nd of September at 9:55 AM MDT (Utah Local Time) from Salt Lake City International Airport to Arrive in Baltimore Maryland at 4:10 PM EDT (Maryland Local Time).

My Day started and I was already behind, I didn't get everything packed (I'll have to have things shipped to me). I Had to Shower, forgot to pack my make-up. Was traveling with my Cat and he had to be sedated, my luggage was too heavy... The list goes on.

Now observing tension and putting myself in other peoples shoes is really hard for me, I'm a pretty unflappable person. I chat with people, I smile or I sit back and read, I'm low key.

But at the airport I really paid attention, I looked for those moments. Now my attention was split, I was watching my carry-on and Titan, my cat was my personal item, not as much flexibility as when I usually travel. But in soul searching and combing through the people and setting I observed I realized that my own was most prevalent.

And while being able to write what you see is important, its also important to be able to put what you are or what you have experienced into words.

Arrived!

Hey people.

As of yesterday afternoon I am on the East Coast, I was going to type up something yesterday but things just got way to hectic setting up house, and today was almost as bad, I'll put something together about what I saw in a couple days when things slow down. For now I just wanted to give the shout out and let everyone know that Titan (my cat) and I are getting settled.

I wish I could say that it was the nicest place I have ever been, but that would be lying.

More for you soon.

Learning from what you Read: II

Hey Guys; thought I would get in one more entry before I leave.

This one I may focus on a bit more while I'm traveling; in Writing as a Sacred Path, on July 23rd Jill wrote about observing and handling tension in writing and real life. Writing her observations as a peer was ignored during a recital before the rest of the class, by her professor. She brought up a few interesting questions.

When observing something like this we ask "What is he doing?" or "What do I do?" There is confusion, doubt and so much more!

Jill suggested Homework:

Try this: spend at least a week keeping a journal of small moments of tension. Train yourself to become aware of them and jot them down when you experience them or witness them in others. Then work on creating scenes around those moments. What gave rise to the miscommunication or discomfort? How did you and others feels when it happened? What do people's reactions to the small moments tell us about them?

So I'm going to do it; at worst it will help me improve how I communicate and since I am starting my job on the 1st of October I'll have a lot to observe. At the least I'll post that sort of exercise entry as "Journal: Tension." If I post it here, I'll likely scribble it out long hand.

Getting ready...

Spent the weekend packing, and still have things that will need to be sent to me. 

Okay so my life is a little chaotic, I am getting ready to move across the country and I am excited for the same reasons that I really don't want to go.

Family.

I have a huge family, that I have never been more than an hour away from. I am excited to have this chance to break the mold I have become so comfortable with but it terrifies me, once I move my nearest relative will be my cousin in the DC area.

But primarily I am thrilled to be getting out of Utah. The separation anxiety I can handle, and it won't even be all that bad once I'm actually on the east coast.

But for now...

Deep breaths. I leave Saturday.

Learning from what you Read: I

This is my experiment in writing, a few days ago I said that I was playing with the idea of writing responses to one of the blogs I follow. See the title, this will be a series, like my other serial bits I may interrupt myself, but that's okay because as long as I am writing we have forward momentum.The Blog's name spoke to me and is why I began reading her work. Writing as a Sacred Path (the Blog), The Web Site, and while I haven't read it, I plan on reading Writing as a Sacred Path: A Practical Guide to Writing with Passion and Purpose Jill has completely won me over; as such I want to share that part of me with you. I have mentioned numerous times that I am a spiritual person and I have endeavored to share that with you. While I have focused on writing as myself, of myself and for myself... I am not a selfish person, having someone or something else to focus on helps me to become better, and I want to help you.

I think that I want to discuss the name of her blog in terms of the importance that is placed in a Title. The cover of a book catches our eye, the Title has us picking it up. Now in a guide to getting published I read that where it really counts is that first sentence, if a person doesn't like the first sentence they won't read the first page, if they don't read the first page they won't read the first chapter.. and if you can't hold your audience that long then they definitely won't finish the book. But you have to convey that to your reader in a sharp intriguing and eye catching Title. Lets examine the Title of my blog, "Summoning Genesis" What does that mean? Its a bit more esoteric than you want a Title to be under normal circumstances but for me and the other options I was looking at (most of which were already in use) "Summoning" is calling on something outside of yourself, its that spiritual connection and "Genesis" is simply Creation, and creation is writing. I know I'm really vague but since I am writing for myself and my topic will shift quite a bit, I am the only one I need to please.

If I am in a book store or shopping the long academic titles usually blur one into the next, I want short and strong. In a Romance Novel I might single out authors like Amanda Quick with her subtle covers and Succinct Titles like Desire. Or in Fantasy reading which I do quite a bit of Mercedes Lackey with her finely done art covers and Descriptive Titles such as Magic's Price.

Food for thought on naming a story.

Running out of steam.

Hey guys. I'm tired today but I had a good idea.

I've been following another writers Blog for about the last three months, her posts have been going to my email. I think I am going to start writing replies to some of her posts. I think it will be fun to find out who and where I am psychologically. What do you think?

9/11 - Also a minute of silence for our everyday heroes who gave so much of themselves 11 years ago today...

The mind to write? III

Okay so section two carried on a little long too. *grin* Maybe I just like to write?

I was talking about Props and why you want to take care with what is on your desk. What brought that to mind was another favorite hobby of mine, Roleplaying. Yup, like Dungeons & Dragons (and all other Wizards of the Coast games) and Vampire the Masquerade (and all other White Wolf games), GURPS and Paladium... You get the idea. I'm a Geek.

Props though, are what make the game, you get excited you look and examine and ask questions... Its in those questions that your character develops, and as the character grows so does the story.

Suggested Desktop Props for Fantasy Authors

• Runes
• Crystals
• A Dagger
• A Dragon or Forest Print
• A Chain-Mail sample
• Heavy ornamental rings and jewelry
• Parchment Scroll and Quill

 You see how that works? Physical objects that can help you focus on what your characters are doing,seeing and experiencing. And effectively aid you in changing your mind set.

Distractions

I've been put in charge of my team's Sale's goals and targets and incentives at work and it has me really distracted. I am working on net letting it intrude on my personal time but I am a very focused person (when it comes to helping others) I'll admit I get distracted from things I am doing for myself like writing; however I am putting a lot of focus into this Blog.

My writing partner has asked me to track down our notes for a story we came up with years ago and get them typed up so she can have access (they were written long hand and are in a box somewhere). I have to get around to doing that. I have to straighten out my own plans and writing and of course I have you guys plus my day job and trying to get that transfer across the country.

I'm not busy at all!

So much to do and so little time, things might slow down around here.. I hate that because for me if I slow down every grinds to a stop. I still have a few posts scheduled and I'll try to keep a few entries logged in draft even though I have no set number or schedule for my writing here I like to do it, its cathartic and helps clear my mind to get me writing.

The mind to write? II

Okay so I was talking about mindset's. I cut myself short because my last entry was getting a little wordy, but also because I was going to change directions within the same topic.

As I was saying, your state of mind can be impacted by your environment. But you have some control over that.

(Yes this is going to get on a bit of New-Age stuff.) I don't like the term New-Age, I prefer old-world approach. In the last two decades the use of Feng Shui has become familiar to many of us. The term many people already understand refers to reorganizing your physical possessions to affect the energy of your area by directing flow. Now the funny thing is, psychologists do something very similar when they look into you in your home, they look at the state of things, in your organization and clutter, lack of clutter etc. To determine your state of mind and how well adjusted you are. (Yes I know it sounds hokey, but it works.)

My focus is on your work area. To make certain that you are in the best state of mind to write.

• When starting something new, start clean. Not just new paper, clean room, desk, organize your drawers. So you start knowing where everything is.

This helps to keep you from getting distracted to soon after you start. But it also clears any energy that might slow you down.The effect of clutter on your health, your energy levels and the overall quality of your life is obvious - clutter drains your energy and dampens your very best intentions whether or not you call it Feng Shui this is true. Even though we all agree about the feng shui effects of clutter, starting to clear your clutter is never easy. One look at the stuff piled on bookcases is enough to make you urgently find something very important to do. But, open a window, bust out your favorite play list or album, sing along and clear the clutter. Anything that you don't need anymore is clutter and as painful as that is to admit, you may want to box up books and take them to your local library or donate them to the Salvation Army.

• With your blank slate, start setting the scene at your desk, you don't want too much that can distract you, so avoid toys, but having something you can look at and rest your eyes is important. Think about what you are writing about and get yourself some props.

 Props let you bring in the energy and flow that you want, not what the world throws at you, you can stick with the Feng Shui approach and try to use your Bagua Map to incorporate your elements or you can take a step back and make it pleasing to you. The things on your desk should allow you to immerse yourself in the world you are manipulation (Fiction) or inspire you (Non-Fiction.)

Let me interupt...

Hey people I know I was in the middle of writing another chain of writing relevant posts, but you know... ADD and all that.




The day started, and I had a confrontation with my Father about some money I loaned him... It was not pretty, and I was grumpy. I was dreading my day, I had a training to conduct at work and hadn't had any time to prep for it, family B.S.....

But then, magically things started to just fall into place, I decided.. I would do my best and if it wasn't good enough, oh-f-ing-well..

Back about a week ago I told you about my job interview, and how I thought the interview went well and everything had a very positive feel to it, glowing fluffy bunnies and all that.. Today, no joke I got a call from Maryland HR five minutes before my normal shift to officially offer me the job.

*Tosses confetti.*

Its not everyday you see someone happy about a 4.00/hour pay cut. But I am, sometimes its more about the job than the money. The more practical aspects like my budget can wait, I fully intend on not staying at a lower pay grade long, I'm not merely good at my job, I am GREAT at it, I just have to show that to the Leadership in MD.

Then the training I was going to conduct got pushed out until tomorrow so I had a chance to look over my notes..

Also, I am an Aunty again. This morning while I was getting my job in MD my older brother and his wife welcomed my nephew Devlin into the world.

I cannot begin to tell you what a fantastic day I had.

The mind to write? I

Hey folks, I read a really good article (I know shocking concept that I should read).. On mindset you can read the article yourself at What is Mindset? I strongly suggest it even if you don't think I am too random and don't communicate this well.

Changing your mindset does not mean you have to change your core beliefs, just your perspective. For a writer this is usually accomplished by making subtle changes to your environment or to your work area. Not that you have to become a Witch to write about a Magic User, but lighting a few candles might help. If you are writing about an Italian family you don't have to become Catholic. Writing about an alcoholic doesn't mean you have to get drunk, but a bottle of beer or glass of wine won't hurt.

Some writers are like athletes and follow the same course of actions, an athlete might wear the same socks, wrist bands, the same brands, the same food before a game. A writer will use the same pen, the same style notepad or set the scene the same way at their desk, a mascot, cigarettes, a glass of wine or a bottle of pellegrino.

This is done to set the mood or help you take on a specific mindset.

I like having flowers on my desk, even silk ones help. I light a candle, get a package of Fig-Newtons. I drink tea, hot chocolate spiked with schnapps, coffee... If I am working my way through a hard scene I'll drink apple wine and I always have a bottle of water on my desk, it sucks being in the middle of a scene to have to get up for something that mundane. I used to smoke while I was writing but that ended when I was diagnosed with asthma, now I stick to my Personal Vaporizer (e-cigarette), it doesn't have the same aesthetic but it works.

Now if you can recognize the mind set that you are usually in, you can use slight variations in that to work through writers block (Which I plan to discuss next week).

But This post is getting a little long, I'll finish my thought later.

The Interview

So I told you yesterday that I had an Interview for (my old) job in a different location.

Today while I was getting ready for work I get a call from an HR representative for the position I applied for in Maryland. The woman on the phone was very nice and calmly informed me that she was calling about my interview the previous day, she had a very soothing voice and that demeanor that implied she was going to give me some bad News.

Since I was packing my lunch I was casual and not ready to let my day be ruined yet.

Well this woman (you could tell had been in HR a while) very gently asked me if I knew I was coming from my current position, down 2 pay grades.

I appreciated her contacting me, so I confirmed that I knew that the position I applied for would mean a pay cut, I said that right now getting out of Utah was more important to me and I could always re-advance. She was much more relaxed when she said, they said "when could I start" and I said the end of September, they said I would hear back in 4 to 6 (business) days.

Things are looking optimistic for the first time since March.

Life Changes

Hello again! Time for another Trivii update.

I am so nervous I have a huge knot in my stomach and I have already hit on my inhaler twice. I am interviewing for my old job (same company) just giving up the promotion they gave, including the pay, which doesn't make me happy, so that I can change locations and get out of Utah.

It makes me sick to think about everything to do with the job change but I have tried every other imaginable option since February. What worse is knowing that if this doesn't pan out I'll be turning in my resignation and jobless in a new city, 200 miles from my nearest relative.

So I mailed a Poppet of myself to a friend that lives out there and made my offerings today. Any luck and I'll be in the North East at the end of September.

Wish me luck, all positive thoughts and prayers are welcome. (The Interviews in an hour.)

Muse Incense

Laugh, go ahead. I warned you my process might be erratic. I'm still writing. Just jumping back to an earlier topic. Back at the beginning of this Blog I said that I would be building an altar to my Creative Muse (It has a yellow candle burning on it as we speak) but I said that I would post more as it came to me. Today I'm thinking about my incense. It's my own recipe and I thought its so nice I should share it!

Aren't I generous? I know, I thought so too.

First a Mythology Lesson: The Muse are traditionally the daughters of Zeus (King of Olympus) and Mnemosyne (Titan/Goddess of Memory) there were nine of them (according to myth) and they became the sources of inspiration for humanity. Their temples are the museums, libraries and other centers of learning.

So in writing my recipe I wanted to capture that combined influence that went into the birth of the Muse.

Zeus was easy, being the King of Olympus he has hundreds of things documenting his scared existence. So I checked out my herbs and resins and grabbed an old favorite:

White/Manilla Copal - Ruled by the Planet Jupiter (Zeus). Like many Jupiter scents, this resin is frequently used in ritual purification of both objects and people. Perfect for an Altar.

Mnemosyne being lesser known, or at least lesser documented gave me a hard time, I scoured for hours. No exaggeration, and came back with nothing. So I searched for herbs and resins connected mystically and medicinally to Memory. Cardamom, Gingko Biloba, Nutmeg and Rosemary were what I came back with. I like Chai tea but have never added Cardamom to incense so that got put on the back burner to try later, Gingko smells like a grass fire so that is a no. I use Rosemary and Copal in my study incense and didn't want an exact repeat. So I opted for smaller measurements of both Nutmeg and Rosemary.

Nutmeg - Ruled again by Jupiter, added for luck in the sense of memory the oils are used to anoint the your temples.

Rosemary - Ruled by the Sun, the fragrance of Rosemary is said to be of benefit as far as emotional spirit, youthful outlook, and pleasant memories.

Creativity and Inspiration is something hard to pin down its been so highly sought after for centuries.So I found a half dozen that were connected to Inspiration that I didn't like the smell of and few more aromatics, what I chose was Ginger, its another old favorite of mine that I don't get to use often.

Ginger - Ruled by Mars, When you need to add a little heat (Inspiration) add Ginger.

Muse Incense Recipe

• 1 ounce Copal (Powdered)
• 1/2 whole Nutmeg (1/4 tsp Ground)
• 1 tsp Dried Rosemary (Finely Ground)
• 1/2 ounce Ginger (Finely Ground)

Note to Self: Try adding Candied Violets (Crushed) - The scent of violets is known to soothe, clear the mind and relax. OR Substitute Ginger with Candied Ginger... Candying process is supposed to make it burn more like resin and less like a plant. (small scale sample batch).

A Poem

Hey group, trying to record inspiration as it comes. Getting it down on paper so to say. Capture the process since I'm getting back to basics I've already discussed how my earliest writing was Poetry. This started out life while I was writing (of course) yet another small project, that I'll talk about later I'm sure. My thoughts were interrupted by an argument (not one I was participating in) and the words just flowed. 

Anna

It was another blue sky day, she couldn’t go out to play

A Princess alone in her tower, as hour passed into hour.

A voice raises, sharp and shrill, crystal shattered singing in peril.

A door closes, shaking and rattling, a man’s voice raises, mocking..

The atmosphere is heavy, the air gone as the hate became handy.

Above she twirls in her lace, with her dolls, in a place that is no place at all.

Hearing her Momma tell Pappa to die, Pappa shouting he was done with her lies….

It was another blue sky day, she couldn’t go out to play.

A Princess alone in her tower, as hour passed into hour….

~Written - 08/08/2012~

Links to help you Write

Creative writing does require a basis in fact to be convincing.

Creative Writing 101

Naming: Not as easy as you might think, not every hero can be named Jack and not every heroine can be named Elizabeth. And everyone deserves a name, don't fall subject to creating a character as a secondary character without naming them. Pay attention to your names, there is more than one book that I have read where a child was named David in book one and Micheal in book two. I pay attention and it sucks me right out of the story.

BabyNames.com
Name Generator

Describing; be consistent but not redundant. My favorite thing to argue is eye color, as the windows to the soul how you describe a characters eyes will say a lot about the character.

Eye Color List

A sensory experience; Scent, smell and texture, laying on the grass with your love, or on the concrete bleeding, the physical needs to be put into words. The sensual; what's in a kiss, in a touch? What sensations accompany heartbreak, how do you describe ecstasy?

The Sensual Life
Words
Exercises

Science of Writing V

"Show don't Tell."

Sound familiar? It should, as a writer you are using words to evoke a response from your reader, to paint a picture in their minds eye. As a reader would you rather see:

Terror washed over Jim's features, catatonic he stood still.

Or:

Jim's pupils dilated and he drew in a sharp shuddering breath as first the scents hit him then the terrible sight took form, something had lade waste to the valley. Taking in the carnage before him, pulse racing he couldn't force his limbs into motion.

This sort of description is referred to as Sensual. It paints a picture, it evokes a natural response from the reader, if you do this right then the reader will naturally feel for your character and you won't have to hold their hand and tell them everything.

Some great advice on writing emotion; Writing as a Sacred Path or eHow.

Writing and my Mother

Hello again!

So after having had some time to think about what I wrote on Grammar and the Mighty Thesaurus I wanted to share some personal examples.. err anecdotes? Whatever.

My Mother (yes I'm going there) is the probably the most intelligent person I can think of, creative in a way that is just unheard of, a little psychotic but in a way that makes my sibs and I grin. She would make up stories on the fly, really good ones and she is so witty and snarky if she ever put pen to paper with her writing she would be a best seller.

I asked her about a year ago why she never wrote her stories down, why she never tried to get published. She said, "I'm just not smart enough." Well I called her out on that, and she said, "I have terrible grammar." I personally have to admit that my punctuation sucks, and I couldn't tell you the difference between a verb and a noun but I know how to write a sentence... They usually start out as run-on and then get cleaned up while I'm proofing. So I paused and remembering a creative writing class I took I smiled and said to Mom, "Just write how you talk, you can get an editor to help you with grammar and I can help you proof."  Mom said she'll think about it... which in Mom-speak means 'No.' or 'I don't want to, lets procrastinate and see if they forget.'

Write how you talk. It gives your writing flavor.

I also wanted to mention, I am an avid reader, I read over 1500 words a minute and 300 pages will barely last me an hour so I read a lot of the little self published things on Amazon for Kindle. Last week I was reading this enchanting little romance novel (yes I know) the heroine was a fifth grade teacher and the hero was a billionaire (a little cliche but women like the fantasy of it) and two or three times a chapter the writer grabbed me by my sloppy ponytail and yanked me out of my reading by, only one mistake in the whole book but it was over and over again. She used 'meet' instead of 'met' its a tense issue and made me grit my teeth.

If you want to read it yourself it was a very good book, if you can get past wrong tense in a book that stars a teacher: The Teacher's Billionaire: The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 1

I confess I am a Grammar Nazi.

Science of Writing IV

I know you are here because you want to hear what I have to say about writing and the long and the short of it is, choose the right word at the right time, mind your grammar but be real. It could be some small slip that pulls your reader out of the story.

We joke about “Grammar Nazi’s” but there are easy assumptions that can be made about you that can be entirely incorrect if you make the right slip up.

Then or Than. Hale or Hail. Grate or Great. Steak or Stake. Steel or Steal. Rain or Reign. Ad nauseam.

I can go on but I expect you understand. We all know we should proofread, but sometimes… we slept through that class in High School. So I have resources for you! First is a Magical option that I suspect no-body knows how to use anymore, I have it on good authority that my adolescent nephew has never seen one.

The Mighty Thesaurus! No, its not a dinosaur. Yes it is so important as to get this many words.

A Thesaurus (Per Google) is "A book that lists words in groups of synonyms and related concepts" vaguely translated it is a book for writers that will tell them when they are using the wrong word or the right word in the wrong context. It also helps with correct pluralization and tense. The best thing my Sixth grade teacher did was give everyone in class a paperback Thesaurus, I still have mine.

If you are the type who scribbles at length long hand from park benches or while in bed you will want a physical Thesaurus. I recommend the best you can get your hands on, for me that is Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus. If you are a cyber junky the I suggest you bookmark Thesaurus.com and Merriam-Webster.

The reason for this, is not because you cannot tell a good story, it is because you pay editors by the word, so you want to avoid having to go through too many revisions. Editors don't fix your mistakes, they just tell you about them. A lot like your High School English teacher.

Science of Writing III

As a writer you need to choose your Point of View. You should use particular points of view in particular situations.

First Person: Indicates personal experience, evaluation, and/or opinion.

Second Person: Instructs or Addresses the reader.

Third Person: Generalizes the experience or situation.

With few exceptions it is a good idea to write in 3rd person whenever possible. This way, you avoid shifting points of view and confusing the reader. Some fiction authors have made a quite successful effort of capturing a story in the First Person namely Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton , if you follow either link it will take you to an example book on Amazon; and personally I find First person very enjoyable when used by Horror Genre writers.

Here are some examples of the same passage written in the three different points of view.  Read them to understand the difference in tone and purpose borrowed from another website a while back, I'm afraid I can't provide a cite.

First Person, indicating a personal experience - "I have found increasing my workload is taxing on both my physical and mental health. Unless I am in a physically-intensive profession, my body is wasting away while I work.  Additionally, my diet has also suffered as I have spent more time at work.  No longer do I have the time to prepare healthy meals at home or even worse; I sometimes do not have time to eat at all."

Second Person, instructing the reader - "Increasing your workload is taxing on both your physical and mental health. Unless you are in a physically-intensive profession, your body is wasting away while you are working.  Additionally, your diet also suffers as you spend more time at work.  No longer [do you] have the time to prepare healthy meals at home or even worse, you may not have time to eat at all."

Third Person, addressing a general situation - "Increasing workloads tax both physical and mental health.  Unless a person is in a physically-intensive profession, a body will waste away with inactivity.  Additionally, diet suffers as more time is spent at work as people do not have the time to prepare healthy meals or, even worse, may not have time to eat at all."

You can see the difference in tone for yourself.

Cookbook

For about a year I have been working on putting together a recipe book, something to fill with Heirloom recipes and simple cheats, my family knows about it, and I have shared a few progress updates on Facebook. But last week I shared my first (well not exactly first, first share not first recipe) original recipe online at AllRecipes I wanted to share. I am really excited. I wanted to solicit people to go take a look and try my ICED Chai for Cheaters.

It fuels me and keeps my appetite down on hot days, allowing me to get my writing done in peace!

Science of Writing II

As a writer you here a lot about "Voice." This is the flavor from you that flows over into your writing, but beyond that when editing your own work before submitting you should know when and how to recognize what flavor or Voice you should use.

There two types of a “Voice” when writing.

Passive Voice: This is a lecture, an instruction it has little flavor or personality and is most often used for business presentation, academic writing or articles.

Active Voice: This is interactive, involved and encompassing it has flavor and style and should be used in story telling, poetry or when you are looking to engage the reader.

Science of Writing I

From my perspective there are three ways of writing, people can argue, but my approach is simplified and any written work can fall into one of the three categories.

Method Writing: This is the Process that is used by many writers early on. Many Refer to it as “Write what you know.”

Creative Writing: This is an Anything goes writing style, where its your world and what you say goes.

Biographic Writing: Where you put yourself in another person’s position and write from their point of view about their life.

Now when I write I may combine any two methods but my standard rule is "Never the Three shall Meet."

Update on My Life

On Sunday I took the time and smudged my house, I went around through every room with Sage and Salt-Water. It was like lifting a veil. I felt grounded for the first time in weeks.

I think I have a clear course of action and direction to go with my life, I have figured out how to handle Roulette, that situation has caused more stress than it should have.

I'm working on a change of scene for my life personally. I will be moving soonish if my job cooperates I will transfer, if not then I'll quit. Hard to leave a 60k a year job during a down economy but I feel that Utah is suffocating me. Literally these last few weeks with it being the worst Fire Season on record, I'll post pictures of the Fire here in Tooele as soon as I can.

Beyond saying that there isn't a lot going on in my life.

The Sea Shift

Sea Shift: A term used in writing to describe a sudden change in direction.

Like an undertow which often appears calm on the surface is deadly just out of sight because of the returning current off the waves. "An underwater current flowing strongly away from the shore, usually caused by the seaward return of water from waves that have broken against the shore." This is not unusual in water. But the redirection or sudden shift is what I'm talking about.

One of the greatest tools available to a writer is misdirection. Making your villain the childhood friend or business partner. Look at the right hand so the audience can't see what the left hand is doing. It builds suspense.

Why do I bring this up?

Well I wanted to include writing tools with my process so I was thinking that I would marry termonology and definitions with the Blog. But this particular addition is because in a recent Google search all the results were about the tidal changes in the North Atlantic, that's off the North East coast of the United States. When I use the term, I could care less about geography.

My Tunes Yo

Everyone knows that writers (for the most part) have playlist's or music that help them evoke the right tone for whatever they are working on. I am eclectic and have many types of music, artists and sounds that I enjoy depending on what I'm working on. At the moment I have put together a collection (No particular order) of songs that are helping me set the pace for my current project.

My YouTube Playlist

Poetry Practice

I said I would be practicing and meant it its taken me better than two weeks to work up to sharing it but here is my first Piece of Poetry in Four Years! Not my best but I'm not looking to share my old work (unless you want to read it).

"Beyond Sight and Sound"

In the intimacy of my mind, I find that thoughts can bind.

My heart pounds in the shadow of my souls wounds
With every Pulse comes my last breath
That gentle sound pulling me into the ground.
Still my chest rises with each trial that passes
Still there is more...
Like a hawk in hood and jesses.

In the Intimacy of my mind, I find that thoughts can bind.

The well is empty, a pressure builds from within
An ache that I crave
Still I have fallen in that heady tailspin.
Dancing and spinning whirling through life
Like a bottle in the tide
A trapeze act bound and tied lifted in strife.

In the Intimacy of my mind, I find thoughts can bind.

~30th June 2012~

PRACTICE!

So I am practicing at least, I have started writing a story that has been clinging to my peripheral thoughts for a few years. I decided my start should be a little cliche, so I wrote a prophecy for the main character(s) I'm not entirely pleased its not as lyrical as I wanted but the content is there, I can clean it up later right?

I mentioned that I need to get back into high gear with my Poetry and I think that as I work on it I'll be able to revisit the prophecy. All the content I wanted is there and that's what a rough draft is about. This story has needed to be told and has been taunting me for a while but it's achingly complicated and will be an exercise of skill for me. I'll likely be pulling every tool I've ever heard of out of the Writer's Work-chest.

Here is a snippet:

"Even now as the great reside
Within shining palace hiding whats inside.

Shadows grow long and whisper in Darkness
Talk of what was, what is and what will come!

As the lands of the Nine, glory and green
Come to Bended knee that the Palace may glean."

Sort of the Prologue or introduction portion of my Prophecy, the finished verse is much longer and while I'm not fully happy with it I'll still have time to refine it. I'm following the basic outline for creative prophecy. The Situation, Bad Outcome, The Solution (Prophesied happening/person), Good Outcome. We'll see how it works while I go burn incense to my Muse.

Poetry that Use to be

I know it sounds trite, but at one point I was a fairly good poet. In getting back to my writing I thought that would be a good place to start, its been more than four years, since before I started at my current job, that I was able to sit and write poetry.


Now I know this thoughts Genesis,stems from recent changes in my life. That doesn't make the observation any less valid. I was thinking over where I am and how much I have changed. Trying to reclaim the person I was without losing the person I am. I have hit some low points recently, but I know I am stronger than those depressive impulses.

Trying to find that creative spark to get my Writing on the move again, I was reading some of my old college assignments from English. Now to put it in perspective I have always loved poetry but I didn't think I was any good at it until my English professor lavished some pretty exalted praise in the margins of my papers. When I diagrammed someone else's writing and waxed poetic about what it could have meant and when I wrote poetry as part of a class assignment.

I don't know when I stopped writing Poetry, but I think that is going to be one of the first steps I take towards reclaiming my Voice.

Altar de Muse

Okay! Okay... I admit I am a spiritualist by nature. As such no true quest could begin without inference to the Gods! Well in this case a Muse if you will. Not one of the Nine maidens from Greek myth, this one is special, because you see... She's mine.

I'm not so vain as to think that I have one of Zues's daughters at my beck and call but maybe a great grand-daughter or perchance a great-great-great grand-daughter or other such nonsense.

 Her name is unknown to me, likely because she has no many. But in her honor I will build an altar. This is something that I will have to think about.

The Colors, the textures, the candles, the statuary. Will I have a plant? Will I have a fountain?

I have an idea for something of blue and gold. Satin overlaid with lace... Candles one for darkness and one for light. A goddess statue.. I don't think there will be a fountain or a plant. Not to start. Since I am a write then so is she, an inkwell steal pen and scroll.

Rambling and Talking to myself now, I'll post updates as the idea ferments. Since I'm in the process of moving it might be a little while.

A Proposal

My mind is realing.

I haven't had much sleep recently with the emotional mess that is my life, I went to bed last night, well this morning at about 2:30 am MDT and was woken up 2 hours later by a dear friend from back in the day. I respect him too much to put his name in this post, for the record we'll call him Roulette.

I was woken up after two hours of sleep by Roulette looking for "The Good Witches of Tooele."

What kind of guy drops by at 4:30 AM you ask?

One that knows time has no meaning when you need a friend. He's been around for a good 15 years of my life. He took shirtless pictures of me in High School, we skipped class together and always had something special, partying every once in a while but for the most part we were each others "down time." He was always... special loved music, loved people but very shy with his own ability to express. I was always the irreverent one, the city girl thrust on a small town. I made the most of it, I drank and occasionally smoked M.J. (like any self respecting HighSchool student) for me it was all casual. At school I was "The girl that was never there" socially if you hadn't seen my titties at least once then obviously we hadn't had the chance to meet. At parties I kissed everyone (Yes Guys and Girls Both). I had a good time and Roulette was there for most of it. As a FRIEND. We never dated. We'll talk about my then love life in later flashbacks I'm sure.

Off and on over the years he has shown up as our orbits crossed paths and we have always been able to pick up right where we left off. There was the occasional flirting or a kiss, but I'm just that way.

The last time was a long all-niter on the patio which involved Mary Jane, a lot of tobacco and a hit of cheap rum. It was lovingly referred to by the six of us who were there as a "Drop Out Class Reunion." We spent the night talking about Roulette's marriage, he had a brand new daughter who we will cal Luna for the record and his wife... I find it hard giving her an alias >.< but we'll call her Janet (Since I won't be talking about her much or often)... Then his marriage was falling apart.

Tonight... This morning really... It's been two years since I last talked to him... I knew he needed me or he wouldn't have dropped by, so I hugged him and sat with him in the living room and we talked about nothing important (Mostly my plans for world domination) for at least an hour. Then I plead exhaustion and we stepped out on the patio so he could finish his beer and have one last cigarette.. I should insert that Janet has since left him to crash with a pot-head twice her age somewhere in Wyoming.

We get outside and he takes my hand as the sun is coming up over the mountains, goes down on one knee.. My heart stopped.

Yeah... so apparently I'm "the Bee's Knee's, the Cat's Meow" and he says he has loved me since he first met me, he was a friend of my brothers first, he said that he would ask anyone's permission jump through any hoops and follow me from this life to the next if I would marry him..

I have been in that position before. Not with Roulette, another musician, another life on a midnight walk through a park in the middle of winter I broke his heart. That was just before I moved to Utah. This morning looking into Roulette's brown eyes kneeling before me, I remembered saying "Its just infatuation you'll get over it" I couldn't do that again.

He's not in a good place, He's only just getting over the epic fail of his marriage 2 years ago. I think he wants the security of marriage. But he said that he has always loved me.

I just didn't want to answer him without knowing his mental state, the alcohol softened my answer. I told him to sober up and I would give him an honest answer that I couldn't promise yes or no. He said he would come by next Saturday, sober as a judge, I don't think that'll happen.

Help? Advise?

A New Low

I don't like thinking of myself as mopey. Even worse is the way I think of others who dwell only on the negative. But I promised myself that this Blog would be an exorcise in honesty, with the world and also with myself. Searching for catharsis as I rediscover my Voice.

I am currently in a state that I haven't been in since I was an adolescent. And no its not PMS, its not "just being a girl" or trying to be dramatic.

Once upon a time I battled with Cutting, it was never a cry for attention the way a lot of little goth girls do who flash the shallow scratches on their wrists. I went out of my way to hide it, cutting my thighs, hips and in winter when sleeves could hide it, tiny notches in my wrists. As with most examples I stopped as my life became more fulfilling, just about the time I started college.

A significant amount of time later, an adult. Recent changes in my life are driving me back into the well, where I want to isolate myself, bursts of irrational thought and reaction to things are driving me into depression, not clinical, just a hard time mentally and as I sit crying and unable to make sense of my own worth.

I feel empty and ignored. Like furniture and completely of no importance to the world. Its an aching void in my chest that I just lack the ability to voice. My words are cut off in my throat and I am overwhelmed.

I want that relief that comes with the gentle swell of blood. That feeling that I can't put to words is released. Not because I don't want my life, because I want to let go.

Starting Out

This is going to be my lazy Blog. I have no set goals on when or how much I'll write. You will notice I didn't explain what I'm doing in the description, that's because this is an adventure.

I am searching for my Muse in my own way and in my own time.

I don't think they are limited to the Nine of Ancient Myth, yet I also don't think that everyone gets one, so I am prepared to work.

This particular Blog is all of my trials, all of my goals in a Year Round effort to be a better writer. Sometimes I'll share something personal, sometimes I'll post research snippets, sometimes I'll post tips.

Working towards publication and NaNoWriMo.

I would like to know that I am being read so please post comments, no Flames, and Troll posts will be deleted. Please don't site the Bible at me. I have read it and this is not the right venue for my awesome arguments.