Tuesday, December 27th, 2011
And then there’s The Christmas Story. Randy is a weakness of mine. My husband once used Randy’s laugh as his ring tone just to watch me dissolve into a giggle fit every time his phone rings…
Here’s a milk snorting, side-clenching, tears running scene… 
And another… here
Hope your holidays are full of love and laughter!
Monday, December 19th, 2011
After pouring over myth book and myth book, building a several page character bio and digging for her motivation – this is what I know about my Aphrodite.
She’s beautiful, but vulnerable. Yes, she can be manipulative but it’s her last resort. She’s hungry for love – feels it deeply, devoted to lovers, and faithful to those that believe in the emotion. She sees beauty in all things, not only those things that are visually beautiful. She’s generous and giving. She’s not too young, or too old. And she’s a mother – several times over.
She’s woman.
Initially I was going with Robin Wright Penn. She’s so beautiful.
But then Charity gave me the right answer! And it was was like, duh, of course…
Monica Belluci fits perfectly.
But, thank you for these wonderful suggestions: Halle Berry, Angeline Jolie, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Salma Hayek, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Robin Wright Penn and Christina Hendricks. All of them were totally valid.
What do you think?
Saturday, December 17th, 2011
Here’s my Poseidon.
Love him or hate him – Gerard Butler embodies my take on the Greek God of the Seas.
Maybe it’s the eyes…
The twist of the mouth… But he’s it. He IS My Poseidon. What do you think? Not too shabby, huh 
?
Now, I have a huge favor for you. I cannot find my Aphrodite!
I know, I know, everyone thinks sex and sensuality. And while that’s true, she’s the Goddess of LOVE. So I’m looking for a woman that embodies love, and all it’s various forms… It’s not easy. So, I’m hoping you’ll take a minute or two and share your top picks!
THANK YOU!!!
Thursday, December 15th, 2011
It might sound strange but I’ve started building a character binder. Once I find my person, I collect a page full of varying images that help me delve into each character’s facial expressions and movements. I’m a visual person, I need to see it. My boys love that they get to act out my fight scenes, in slow motion, so I get it just right.
Anyway, because I’m a little Hollywood obsessed I tent to pick actors and actresses (shocking, I know) that I see a strong character connection with.
Sometimes it’s obvious who they ‘are’.
For example, I had no problem visualizing my Poseidon. I knew him in an instant – he just was. Which is important because he’s a constant in my series. And I love to hate him. In my series, Poseidon is a devilish, charming, interesting (visually and psychologically) deity. At times terrifying, he can also be blindingly beautiful. He’s the king of duplicity. He’s the villain, always, but even I can’t help hoping he’ll redeem himself at some point. And when I say villain, I don’t mean he slices people up (only on occasion), I mean he finds people weaknesses and bleeds them dry before looking sheepish and repentant.
Any ideas who I picked? I’ll post next time – but share your thoughts on who YOU think would fit the bill. And thanks – I can’t wait to hear who you see as Poseidon.
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
I’m sick. Which means I’m in bed and fairly useless. Since I’ve given in to the germs I’ve watched a lot of movies and read two books. Here are some very short thoughts on the 5 movies and 2 books.
Cowboys and Aliens (first time) - I didn’t hate it. It was just weird. And Daniel Craig is RIPPED. Like RIPPED… In a very distracting and scene stealing way. Rachel Weisz (his wife) enjoy all of that ripped-ness
The Descent (many times) – Caves are still scarier than the monsters. Still a good movie
Return to Me (many times) – Makes me smile. Minnie Driver and David Duchovney were charming
Under the Tuscan Sun (many times) – When you’re sick and cold, this movie will make you feel warm.
Love Actually (many times) – Smiling, happy greatness
Books:
Lola and the Boy Door - read my Goodreads review for details. Bottom line, almost as brilliant as Anna and the French Kiss, meaning it should be on your TBR list. Meaning – a great idea for Christmas for all you reading fans out there. Warning – some language and scenes of intimacy, but spot on for real (no vampires, werewolves, etc) YA and adult lovers of YA.
Song of the Nile – Loved it. Will be detailing on Goodreads shortly. Suffice it say I have a writer/girl crush on Stephanie Dray and this sequel is Awesome. If you’re a historical fiction fan – READ these books.
That’s all – back to bed and meds and more movies and books…
Sunday, December 11th, 2011
I’m kind of not looking forward to this. Maybe it’s because the remake of the original was bad. It was enjoyable in it’s badness – but it was bad. I know I’m getting a little negative here, but I’m tired of copy cats. And so many big budget CGI extravanganza’s have already hit the copy and paste (you know, it’s all familiar because it’s similar to everything else being made?) mode that I fear watching them.
Nothing feels authentic or unique anymore.
That was the thing with Clash of the Titans. I know, I know – you’re all – “It was a remake, duh!” But it so wasn’t. I mean, the original (1981) Clash of the Titans and (2010) Clash of the Titans shared character/film names and a backbone (I mean bare bones here!). When you introduce wooden men riding giant scorpions and insist on making Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes (two very handsome fellows) into overgrown pompous lawn gnomes, you’re missing the boat. Use what’s ‘real’ in Greek Mythology, you don’t have to look very hard for interesting material.
The sequel promises to be more of the 2010 version. Perseus goes into the Underworld to save his father, Zeus (aka KING of the Olympian Gods) from his plotting evil brother Hades and his vengeful (jealous) God of War son Ares. Huh… Sigh. Well, alrighty then. Guess I know what not to see at the movies March 2012.
At the same time, Bill Nighy is joining the cast. And, in my opinion, Bill Nighy makes everything better !
Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Another delightfully unique creature from ancient Greece lives (or does it?) and serves the Lord of Death. With three heads and a nasty territorial streak, Cerberus is one ugly guard dog.
Descriptions vary – though he’s always three headed. (Side note – I have an explanation for the three heads in my Hades story ) Aside from his three heads, he’s had serpent tails, a mane of vipers, jaws that drip with venomous spittle, and claws capable of ripping the skin from humans with ease. His only job is to keep the Underworlds inhabitant inside the Underworld. He lets shades (ghosts) pass with ease, but doesn’t take kindly to human visitors. If you want to get Cerberus really fired up – try to leave. It very rarely happened.
Hades was fond of his dog. He must have been. Hercules last task was to bring Cerberus from the Underworld to Mycenae. When the hero asked Hades for permission, Hades said yes – with one condition: Hercules could not harm or injure Cerberus. Hercules agreed and carried the dog out or the Underworld. Cerberus was returned, safe and sound, to Hades a short time later.
All ugliness aside, he wasn’t all bad. He had a weakness – cake. Even the fearsome guardian of the Underworld would look the other way for some of this sweet goodness. Both Psyche and Aeneas gained entrance to Hades’ realm with this simple offering. A three-headed dog after my own heart. To incur Hades’ wrath, it must have been exceptional cake. For Cerberus’ sake, I hope so !
Monday, December 5th, 2011
Who or what was Scylla? Well, she/it is also from Odysseus adventures. Poor Odysseus…
A stranger monster is harder to imagine. According to Edith Hamilton, “Out of her body grew serpents’ and fierce dogs’ heads. The beastly forms were a part of her… She stood rooted to a rock…”
It’s not too hard to imagine this creature full of hate. Who would want to be cursed AND stuck to a rock. If she took out every ship that crossed her path, it might have been out of anger… Or boredom. After all, how would you fill your days stuck to a rock?
Apparently the rock she was stuck to wasn’t some isolated little thing. No, poorScylla is trapped in the middle of an ocean thoroughfare for those sea faring heroes seeking fame and fortune. Odysseus wasn’t the only one who suffered from Scylla’s fits, Jason and his Argonauts, and Aeneas did too.
Anyone know why Scylla was cursed?
In tragic mythological fashion, Scylla’s fate was determined by a woman scorned. The very beautiful witch Circe was envious when a man grew greatly enamored with Scylla (she was not covered in snakes and dogs when this affection was discovered.). Scylla, never a romantic, wasn’t interested in the man, so the man sought out Circe’s help with wooing. When Circe heard the man wax poetically about his beloved Scylla, Circe wanted him. But guess what, he wanted only Scylla.
Fast forward – Circe scorned – Circe cursing Scylla – Scylla becomes the sea monster on a rampage.
Aah, love. Ain’t it grand?
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
I’m really thrilled to announce that I’m going to be published.
While I don’t have a release date yet, I’ve signed on for two books with the wonderful Crescent Moon Press. This means my books will be available digitally and in print.
I am thrilled that I’ll get to share Medusa, A Love Story (Book 1) and For the Love of Hades (Book 2) with the world. And I hope you’ll love reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.
