Samhain Publishing Ltd. Weblog

The Wind

Why is it that we have a tendency to contemplate our life, past and future, when birthdays arrive?

Catching up to my life

I moved a couple of weeks ago into a quiet condo community. It’s not a high rise type you find in the big cities, or even the ones that are resort-like. Many of my neighbors are elder and I’ve never seen so many small lap dogs in one area. My little piece of home is two bedrooms, two baths with a view of the small man-made lake with a waterfall. The windows in my bedrooms face the water and every morning I open my shades and leave them that way all day long, whether I am around or not.

Escaping into Romance

I won’t enumerate all the economic games and political tap dancing now taking place, but I know that most of us at the end of the proverbial food chain are feeling the impact. Instead of the recent elected doing the line dance with our hard earned money, I like to watch Dancing with the Stars or let great actors investigate lying faces. Yes, I’m part of that great majority that has turned to movies and reading to take me away.

What I would like from the New Year

Starting on January 1, 2008, when Shaking off the Dust was published in E-book version, I’ve been living a duel life. The somewhat jaded, anything for a joke kinda gal, has been channeling Rhianna Samuels, a naive first time author. The former has not been naive in a couple decades, but the writer got to see the publishing world and written word from newly opened eyes.

Ten reasons why we need a telepathic, werewolf shifting, alpha female married to her soul mate - for president?

1. She will always know the innermost workings of her cabinet, DH and any visiting foreign dignitaries.

2. She will be able to put words in the mouths of the news reporters, instead of the other way around.

3. She will be a wolf in Ralph Lauren faux sheep lined clothing.

4. She feels strongly about environmental issues and often take private runs with her close family and friends.

5. She will increase taxes on the top five percent of the immortal beings that have managed to put the whammy on officials and will now pay their fair share.

In Service to the Story...random thoughts.

~The Samhain motto is “It’s all about the story.” And the reason I became a writer is to put to words what is in my imagination. Though, I am a part time writer, it would seem that what I do is in service to the stories in my head. It is all about the story and getting it out of my head and into yours.

~I often think my muse is a demanding Princess, who does not realize I have a day job and family to fit into each day. Some days she likes to try on every outfit she’s ever considered. I am not a slave to my writing, but as a loyal servant to my muse, I will bow to its power over my life. There are times I can only parcel out bits and pieces of time, but when I am with my muse, I am loyal and in the service of the story.

Are you feeling lucky?

Have you every noticed that when the planets align it’s the basis for books, movies and television episodes. Wondrous things happen. Good luck abounds and you meet your lasting love, inherit millions of dollars or win the lottery. How do you get to be one of the lucky ones?

It's Important to Me

As a reader, I was always frustrated that I had to wait nearly a year in between books by my favorite authors, especially those writing series. As an author, I understand that writing takes time. Finding those moments is an art form, for I must carve them out of my life. Whether it’s with a putty knife or a jack hammer, it is part of the craft of writing. How many times has someone come to you and told you they have great ideas for books, as if that were all you needed?

Every one who has spent innumerable hours searching for the perfect way to express a thought or vision, knows that the idea is the seed. In order for it to become a satisfying reading experience it takes time to grow into a plot, characters, word pictures on a page, revised and rewritten. In the midst of building our written worlds, reality intrudes.

Rhianna Samuels is Shaking Off the Dust

Well, here it is the end of 2007 and I’m thinking it was a grand year for me. I contracted my first book and started blogging, a new website, my space and face book. I’ve had more opportunities to put myself out there than ever in my life.

Trouble is that I don’t want to put myself out there as much as I want to put my novel out there. I am not that interesting. I lead an ordinary life with a butt kicking job, mostly my butt. I love my family and enjoy my friends. I write, I read and live vicariously through my characters. I am content in many ways. I consider myself funny as hell, but then we should be allowed to have delusions of adequacy. (Leave me mine.)

I love the holidays!

I love the holidays. The food and decorations are part of it, but for me it’s my family gathering together. My father wasn’t in the military, but his job and promotions moved us across the country many times. With five brothers and sisters, family was home, not a town.