I enjoyed this podcast chat with Cindy of Opal Writers Magazine. We talked about my recent article in regards to being a panelist at a conference. There are many aspects to not only accepting an invitation to attend, but also what you should and shouldn’t do during the panel.
On Friday I discovered another free library. This one is dedicated to a school principal, which is a wonderful idea. Unfortunately, there was no protective door, even though there are hinges for one, so I’m hoping the books are taken inside soon. I gifted copies of Life in Slake Patch and The Rython Kingdom for it’s readers.
Four author friends and I went to Daisy Chain Book Co in Edmonton on Saturday night. Our gracious host and bookstore owner, Brandi, was very accommodating and had set out display tables and chairs. As you can imagine having access to a whole bookstore was too tempting. We may write books, but we are also voracious readers! Purchases were made.
I am continuing with the November writing challenge and as of November 12th my total was 22,531words. The third book in the crime series is, of course, the culmination of the trilogy series. It is exciting to create the investigation, the missteps and ultimately the resolution.
As secretary of the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, not only did I help plan, set up and tear down this event, but also attended as an author. It was an early start at 7 am to ensure the volunteers and all the display items were organized and in place prior to the opening at 9 am. As they say many hands make light work and the set up and tear down were completed in record time. The event celebrated it’s 15th year, which is a great milestone and this was the first in-person for 2 years.
It felt good to get my author table set up once again, and have the interaction with readers, and local authors too.
Another part of the day was author readings, and all the local authors delighted us with chapters of their chosen book to read. I read part of The Rython Kingdom – it felt good to reading out loud again after so long.
Of course, as a reader, I couldn’t resist buying a few books! So my TBR is now quite an impressive height! It will be difficult to pick which novel to read, after I finished Fairy Tale by Stephen King. Maybe I can write the titles on slips of paper and pick one out of a hat?
We were set a prompt at our writer’s meeting, and I thought you may enjoy the story I created from it.
This was the prompt: What’s in a Name? Build a character’s traits based on the meaning of their first or last name. Look up name meanings. Write a scene or story starring your new character.
First name, female: Keara – dark one
The first time the baby opened her eyes, her mother, Krystal, knew she was different. Not just special as all babies are, but unusual and rare. Her daughter’s eyes appeared black, but when she looked up in fear, worrying there was something wrong, the doctor assured her they were actually very, very dark brown, caused by an abundance of melanin. The baby’s eyes were mesmerizing, and many visitors were both troubled and fascinated in equal measure. For days Krystal pondered what she should call her daughter. The names she thought of before the birth now seemed common and usual, not fitting for this remarkable babe.
It wasn’t until four days after the birth that Krystal’s grandmother came to visit. A woman of Irish descent and somewhat of a believer in ancient wisdom. She picked up the baby and stared into her eyes for a long time. The baby held still and silent, even though Krystal knew she was due a feed. It seemed grandmother and granddaughter accessed each other, became known to the other and an understanding reached. When her grandmother lowered the baby into Krystal’s arms, she spoke in a whisper.
“You will call her, Keare, the dark one. She is of another time in her soul.”
Krystal instinctively embraced her baby a little tighter. “Gran, what do you mean, what are you saying?”
“Her previous incarnation was a powerful warrior, leader of men and fearless in battle. She will remember nothing in a few months’ time, but for now she is struggling with her new body, time and place. Be respectful and do not talk down to her. You are so fortunate to have brought her into this world.”
“How is that possible, Gran?”
“Such powerful and forceful soul’s do return, some because of unfinished business, others to continue a task. I cannot determine which one is Keare’s path. Time will tell. As I said she will lose her past life memories soon, however her mission will come forth and be revealed as she grows.”
“What am I to do, Gran? How do I ensure Kaere finds this path?”
“Her nature will come through, her likes and dislikes, her passions. Guide her and make note of what appeals and interests her. You are her guardian in more ways than one my dear.”
“I don’t know if I am up to the task, Gran. Can you help me?”
“Of course, I will help you and the child. Her future may be unknown as yet, but it will become evident as she ages. Do not stress, for now, she is a baby and only requires your love and care.”
Two decades later, Kaere, has grown into a dark haired, dark eyed beauty with a forceful personality, who never suffers fools gladly. Free from the conventions and expectations of her childhood, she finds her true core value. She showed little interest in the usual girly pursuits of childhood, such as dolls and pretty dresses, favoring walks in the forest, comfortable and practical attire and the company of boys. Now, she has a company of young men, who blindly follow her lead, unsure of what propels them to do so, but unable to resist. Not a lovesick infatuation but a certainty she is a leader, someone who takes charge. Her male university colleagues, professors and lecturers are all under her spell, making the female population both jealous and wary of her.
Kaere finds her purpose in her twenty first year. A chance encounter and forceful discussion with a political science lecturer propels her into a meteoric advancement into politics. She is seen as not only strong but fearless in her ambitions with the backing of numerous powerful and rich men following her without question. She is focused, determined and above all completely believes in her path – a path foreseen by her grandmother. She will make a difference in this world as she did in the last.
:et me know what you thought of this story. I always love hearing back from my followers.
If you have ever watched the movie Cloud Atlas, you will have struggled to keep up with the reincarnated characters and their separate journeys in each life. For example, Tim Hanks plays these multiple roles: a doctor, a hotel manager, a physicist, a roughneck author, an actor, a cowardly goatherd and a representative of the last vestiges of advanced civilization who reside on an off-world colony. Halle Berry and Jim Broadbent also take on multiple roles adding to the complexity of the stories set in timelines from 1800’s to 2144. It is a movie you need to watch several times to really understand it.
When I decided to write my own reincarnated romance novel, The Twesome Loop, I had to decide on the time periods and how many characters would actually reincarnate. To achieve the similarities of these characters in each of their lives I needed certain personality traits to ‘echo’ in each life. Then it was a matter of writing two time periods, which followed similar paths for each character and their relationships chapter upon chapter.
Once I wrote the whole story, I printed it out, then laid out each chapter across the living room floor. Then took time to arrange them into a sequence with each time period echoing the other. As you can imagine this was a complex task!
Although, there are other characters within the story these are the main ‘reincarnated’ souls and their journeys.
Eighteenth century William Folkes is an older rich, egotistical and depraved man, using his powerful position in society to take what he wants. In the twentieth century, Brett Shaw is a gold digger, womaniser, and morally corrupt.
Folkes arranges to marry a young woman, Gabriella, in exchange for high society favours for her father. She is innocence and helpless to refuse this marriage. Twentieth century Melissa Shaw is a spinster with a good inheritance, she is Brett’s target for a good life for himself.
William’s younger brother, Arthur and Gabriella fall in love and are thwarted by William until they conceive a plan. Twentieth century Gerald Conway-Smythe is a successful business man with a obsessive interest in reincarnation. A chance encounter with Melissa sparks a past life link.
Eighteenth century Vessy is a ‘special’ servant to William and sates his depraved behaviour, although she has a plan of her own. Twentieth century Nancy Beecham uses her rich parents to live comfortably, while pretending to search for the perfect career, but indulges her appetites as a cam girl.
As you can see the characters past and present have similarities, it is these that allows you, dear readers, to identify whose who. I hope you will enjoy the story and leave a review once you have read The Twesome Loop.
If the book is ever made into a movie it is these four characters who will be highlighted.
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 