Sunday Snips & Stuff

Oh, Mercury retrograde. You are here, AGAIN. You have arrived on our collective doorsteps in all your messy glory. 

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, here we go. The planets are swinging around at all times, and their movements affect us all in different ways. All planets go retrograde, but Mercury’s journey seems to impact people much more than any other. (Even people who “don’t believe in astrology” often “believe” in the crazy aftershocks of Mercury retrograde!)

Why is that? It’s because Mercury rules communication, clear thinking, truth and travel, so when the planet goes retrograde — which means that it looks like it’s going backwards in the sky — all those things go backwards. They start to get ugly and tangle up. Mercury isn’t really going backwards, it’s just hanging out by the sun, but from Earth, that makes it look like it’s in reverse. It typically runs for a couple of weeks, a few times a year.

Check out these dates below and put them in your calendar!

In 2016, Mercury is retrograde from…
January 5th to January 25th
April 28th to May 22nd
August 30th to September 22nd
December 19th to January 28th (2017)

Note: We sometimes start to feel the effects of Mercury retrograde a few days early. It’s nice to give yourself a bit of leeway on either side of the prescribed dates!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MERCURY GOES RETROGRADE?

All sorts of things! It’s like everyone you know has suddenly gone mad! You might find yourself getting into bizarre arguments about nothing at all, being unable to finish sentences or barely even able to form a coherent thought. Your computer and other electronic equipment is more likely to go on the fritz. You could experience travel delays, too. Double-check your flights and take a book with you to keep you occupied while you wait for the train! We don’t tend to get all the information we need at this time, so it can be hard to make big decisions and it’s not always the best time to sign a contract, either.

Expect to hear super-loud complaining from your friends who are Gemini (me!) or Virgo, since both are ruled by Mercury! Mercury also rules a lot of industries like publishing, writing, editing, advertising, sales, public relations and anything to do with transport, like airlines, the post office and cabs! This means it can be particularly rough for Gemini train conductors and Virgo magazine editors, so be kind to any you know!

I often find that Mercury retrograde makes me want to go into hermit mode. I feel like half my brain is missing so I’m really not that interested in interacting with anyone, plus every conversation seems to go in an unusual, confusing direction. I feel much more irritable and frustrated and things just don’t seem to go how I want them to.

So that’s the bad news. Mercury retrograde can be a total kick in the teeth for those of us who normally pride ourselves on having our karmic shit together! The GOOD news is that Mercury retrograde provides us with lots of beautiful opportunities if we can just tilt our head and squint.

Mercury retrograde wants us to move back spiritually. It is providing us with a chance to re-examine various areas of our life which may need a little more work, so that we can move forward to a bright new dawn. Now, more than ever, the time is right to look at things with clear eyes. 

It’s also a terrific period in which to tie up loose ends. So many of us have unfinished projects… Maybe that door just needs another lick of paint, or you’ll decide to put away your ex-boyfriend’s love letters once and for all. 

One of the best ways to cope with it — as with anything, really — is to just “go with the flow”. When you fight Mercury retrograde, that’s when life gets really ugly. Just take some time, go slowly, be careful, don’t freak yourself out by expecting to be uber-productive-perfect right now. Be good to yourself and the people around you, now more than ever!

A QUICK GUIDE TO

SURVIVING MERCURY RETROGRADE!

 Be sure not to take things too personally. People will often say offensive things they didn’t mean around this time, because their thinking is clouded and their communication skills are on pause! If your best friend suddenly became the most insensitive person in the world, give her the benefit of the doubt.

 Back up your data!

 Don’t purchase any big ticket items, because they will often have flaws or issues that you weren’t aware of! Of course, life doesn’t stop just because of wacky planetary movement, so if you absolutely have to get that car, computer or iPhone, TRIPLE-check all the paperwork, and make sure you have a warranty!

 Take things with a grain of salt. Everyone is a bit confused, and people are much more inclined to change their mind once Mercury goes direct. Mercury can be a bit of a trickster — could it be that the next few weeks are a big karmic joke?!

 Read the small print on any contracts. Ask lots of questions. Again, you can’t put your life on hold just because of some silly planet, but adapt your lifestyle a bit so that things run more smoothly. Communication can be a mess right now, but do your best to get as much information as you can.

 Finish things you started a while ago. Home improvement projects? Wardrobe re-organisation? Short stories? Love affairs?! This is an excellent time to tie up loose ends and file things away forever.

 Get together with old friends, reminisce and laugh!

 Double-check any information you’re given, especially as relates to travel arrangements! During one particularly formidable Mercury retrograde, I actually caught a cab to the wrong airport! Check times, delays, baggage allowances, reservations… everything!

 Allow Mercury to nudge you in unusual directions. If you seem to find yourself “back to the future”, don’t just try to wriggle out of it — look at what the universe is trying to show you. What can you learn from this situation? This is a fantastic time to re-examine, accept and move on.

 Use the things you’ve discovered in the past to create a dazzling new vision so that you’re ready to blast ahead when Mercury goes direct!

See you next Sunday!

Please stop by and visit the members of our weekly blog hop!

Connie

http://triciamg.blogspot.com/Tricia McGill

http://yesterdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/   Juliet Waldon 

http://mizging.blogspot.com  Ginger Simpson

Sunday Snips & Stuff.

U Confrontation.  A noun.  A hostile argumentative meeting or situation between opposing parties.

Confrontation creates powerful drama.  I am am posting one scene that I've written that shows confrontation between characters in one of novels.

This scene in from "Lynx" Rodeo Romance.   

There was an undercurrent of Lynx's statement that made Rachel feel like a branding iron was placed on her body.  "You told your mother about Carson, didn't you?"

Lynx frowned at her. "Of course I did.  Dad had already made the connection."

Rachel wrapped her arms around herself to still her trembling and stepped away from Lynx.  Betrayal vibrated through Rachel's body and her voice shook with anger.  "How could you?  You told them without even asking me if it was okay?  What else do they know?" she demanded.

"That this is important to me, that you're beautiful and sassy and--"

A bitter, sour note left Rachel's throat.  She felt lightheaded and angry--angrier than she'd ever been in her life.  "So everyone's putting on a good show for the poor, unwanted rodeo orphan, is that it Lynx?  If you're really lucky, one of your father's friends will tell everyone about Carson's drinking binges.  Should we talk about that at the barbecue, too?"

"Or how about the time Lauren left me wandering the streets of Lordsburg, New Mexico, and Child Protective Services had to pick me up?    How would that be for meal time conversation?"

This scene is the dark moment in my contemporary romance novel.  This is the scene where  Rachel Scott must confront the man she loves, Lynx Maddox, with what she preserves as his betrayal.


Please follow the links and to these talented author blogs! 

http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/

http://mizging.blogspot.com/

http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

"Lynx" Rodeo Romance

What Are My Two Writing Projects for 2016? By Connie Vines

This month’s topic:  What are one (or two) writing projects you want to accomplish this year?  What will be any obstacles you might encounter?

I would like to complete Book 3 in my Rodeo Romance Series and a YA novel I’ve out lined.
What obstacles may I encounter?

Romantic English poets of the time believed their poems magically arrived from an external source, so when their pens dried up and the words did not flow, they assumed the spirits, the gods, and/or their individual muses were not visiting them with favor.
In other words, writer’s block.

Here’s the simple truth: The very nature of the art of writing incorporates uncertainty,
experimentation, and a willingness to create art from the depths of who we are. Writing is a mentally challenging occupation, which requires hard-core, cognitive expenditure than many other lines of work.

Writing is not for sissies, and if you intend to write novels, screenplays, or plays, it will not be easy, and you will often come up against a wall of resistance. Just don’t call it “writer’s block,” call it what it is: not being prepared to move to the next level.

• It’s not “writer’s block” I remind myself, I’ve simply lost my way—for a short time.

All writers reach a point when they lose their way, their work veering off into unforeseen directions or experiencing a surprise (like when a character you didn’t anticipate shows up). Rather than permitting this to sabotage your momentum, take a day or two to rethink your story.

• Your Passion Has Waned

It happens. Because writing a novel requires immersion—thinking about it, crafting it, dreaming about it, obsessing about it—your brain may be on overload or just bored. It doesn’t mean that your writing is boring; it means that you’ve worked and reworked the material so much that it now feels  boring—to your mind.  Have a friend/ plotting partner read the chapter.

• You Are Burned Out

It is quite possible that you’ve simply tapped yourself out. We all have our limits, be they physical, mental, emotional, and all of the aforementioned. Eventually your body, brain, or emotions are going to rebel and insist on downtime, which may come in the guise of what you may call writer’s block.
Keep this in mind: You aren’t blocked; you’re exhausted. Give yourself a few days to really rest. Lie on a sofa and watch movies, take long walks in the hour just before dusk, go out to dinner with friends, or take a mini-vacation somewhere restful. Do so with intention to give yourself—and your brain—a rest. Once you’re rested, you’ll likely find the desire to write has come roaring back.

• Life Has a Way of Getting in the Way

Even though I say I have time to write, it isn’t always true.  For writers with a day job and families, there simply are not enough hours in the day.  The lion’s share of my writing is done during Winter/Spring/Summer break.  I blog several time each week and write on Saturday and several hours two night each week.

I do find I do find mini ways to write.  I jot notes during lunch.  Send reminders to myself on my phone, and use my iVoice app to come up with snippets of dialogue.
I love to write.  I love the magic of a mystical land. I love to hear how one of my stories brought an evening of enjoyment to someone’s life.

Stop by, visit the blogs of the talented writers, and see what they are planning to write in 2016!

Connie
Victoria Chatham http://victoriachatham.webs.com/
Margaret Fieland http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Connie Vines http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Bob Rich  http://wp.me/p3Xihq-Bm
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Kay Sisk http://kaysisk.blogspot.com
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Hollie Glover http://www.hollieglover.co.uk
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/

Round Robin Blog. Topic: Heroine(s)

       According to Dictionary.com :

Heroine is defined as:

1. a woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for her brave deeds and noble qualities.

2. the principal female character in a story, play, film, etc.

What type of heroine(s) traits, personality, in particular always drew you into a story?

Pride and Prejudice follows the traditional Cinderella plot, while the heroine is very unCinderella like.   During Lit class i found Austen's "heroines' have a subordinate role in the family,...their dutifulness, meditativeness, self-abnegation, and self-control" are apparent.  Still, In my opinion (not necessarily opinions of Austen scholars)  the heroine's self-awareness and awareness of the world around her a contrast to an exceedingly traditional environment-- that appealed to me,  as did her strong-will, and determined nature.  She also showed character growth in discovering the visible and hidden character traits in everyone (particularly the 'designated' villain).

While in the third and fourth grades, I read  Nancy Drew mystery novels.   Fortunately, the books I devoured were from my mother's collection, published in the 1930s. When I read the later editions I found Nancy much less appealing. It only goes to reason that fictional series characters must evolve over the decades to accommodate changes in US/international culture and tastes. (I discovered later that books were extensively revised, beginning in 1959.)  I felt the revision process changed Nancy into a less assertive and more feminine character.  I did not find this watered down version helpful in defining a girl's 'sense of self'.

I think spunky, determined, intelligent heroines that have a quirky way of viewing life have always appealed to me.  I like my heroines to have strong beliefs yet have the ability to help others whose views/beliefs are different from her own.  My heroines are strong women (often in a quiet, unassuming way), women you would like to have as your friend. And. Always, always my heroines have a sense of humor.

Has it changed with time?

A bit.  Afterall, just like are heroines, we all learn from life experiences, meet intertesting people, and try to deal with our flaws--be they physical or character (real or often imagined).  However, I think the changes are due more to the genre of the novel than the heroine herself. True gothic novels require a softer heroine, a historical novel has more constraints placed upon the heroine; scifi provides an edgier and bolder heroine, and paranormal--here  rules change with the world!

Do you write this type of heroine?

Rachel Scott (Lynx, Rodeo romance Book1) has had a lifetime of heartache.  She believes in a better tomorrow and in the goodness of others.  She is feisty, witty, and loyal.

Amberlynn Maddox ( Brede, Rodeo Romance, Book 2), is strong-willed and a bit spoiled but she is willing to protect those she loves--no matter the cost or danger to herself.

Tay (Whisper upon the Water), is vulnerable but she is a survivor and learns to adapt to her new life.  She shows kindness to others and learns to forgive.

Meredith (TBA: Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow), is quirky, gutsy, and very funny.  She navigates a world of the supernatural with determination colored by a 'how-did-this-happen-to-me' reality check.

Are my heroines like those in my favorite novels?  

No.  I think my heroines are influenced by my life experiences and my 'voice'.  I think they are influenced by the story I am writing.  But I also believe that their morals and their personal truths are like those of all memorable heroines-- entirely their own.

Thank you for joining me for this month's Round Robin Blog. And I'd like to thank Rhobin Courtright for including me in her Round Robin monthly blog.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about my heroines.  I certainly enjoyed sharing their experiences with all of you.  Please stop my next month to discover what my heroes have to say!

Next up on our Round Robin Blog is Geeta Kakade./http://geetakakade.blogspot.com/

Happy Reading,

Connie 

And just in case you'd like to explore everyone's blog from my Word Slinger weblog, here’s the full list of authors writing for this Round Robin event:

Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/

Lynn Crain at http://www.awriterinvienna.blogspot.com

Kay Sisk at http://www.kaysisk.com/

Ginger Simpson at http://mizging.blogspot.com

Connie Vines at http://connievines.blogspot.com/

Geeta Kakade at http://geetakakade.blogspot.com/

A.J. Maguire at http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Beverley Bateman at http://beverleybateman.blogspot.com/

Diane Bator at http://dbator.blogspot.ca

Fiona McGier at http://www.fionamcgier.com

Rhobin Courtright at http://rhobinleecourtright.com

 

Apps for You

1,000 Places to See Before You Die
The best-selling book by Patricia Schultz is now a free app, giving armchair travelers a high-tech tool to explore great destinations on every continent. You can tag places you've visited, or want to visit, then share that list on Facebook. Gorgeous photos and maps illustrate such bucket list contenders as Morocco's Atlas Mountains, and the Mekong River by sail. Among the features that improve on the print edition: You can filter by region or by interest (Active Travel, Vineyards, Sacred Places).

Available for iPad at the iApp Store.