Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly....

Writers gotta read. It's true! If you aren't reading, your writing will suffer. I once heard that a writer should read two words for every one written. I'm a greedy girl, so I go for four or five words for every one.

I've had the honor and privilege of meeting Jessa Slade on several occasions. She is intelligent, witty, and an incredible author.  I'm kicking myself for not buying her books the minute they came out, but I was able to buy her first three books and gobble them up. Now I'm stuck waiting on the fourth book. Damn! I hate to wait.




My review:

I LOVED these books. They are complicated, thought-provoking reads with excellent historical and theological research. The high stakes plot made sure I was never bored - I read all three of them in a day and a half.

Her characters have real strengths and weaknesses, the conflicts between the heroes and heroines show how love demands the best of us, and the sex! Damn, Jessa! Hot stuff all the way around.

I cannot recommend these books highly enough. Even though they are romance, they have massive crossover appeal. Sci-fi/fantasy readers and even the most macho of men would love these action packed, intelligent books.

Go! Read! Enjoy! Life is too short not to read this amazing author.

I can see!

The surgery was a success! I'm still recovering, so I can't use the computer or write on paper for very long, but I am able to get work done in ten minute increments.

For someone who just got lasers in her eyeballs, I feel pretty darn good. :)

AFK for a good reason...

as opposed to just not working on my blog. :)

Today I go in for LASIK corrective eye surgery. I'm not allowed to do any heavy visual lifting for at least a day, maybe two.

That means no movies, no computer, and NO READING!! I don't remember ever going a day without reading since I learned how.

I wonder if I'll get withdrawal symptoms....

FANGIRL SQUEE!

http://susiebright.blogs.com/I have a workshop with Susie Bright tonight!

*turning handsprings*

Men, women, and sex: It's not what you think it may be.

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Men, women, and sex: It's not quid pro quo.

A long time ago, my mother told me that men traded love in order to have sex and that women traded sex in order to have love. In other words, men will put up with cuddling and speaking gentle words as long as the woman allows him access to her vagina. Likewise, she will tolerate his thrusting for what she really wants - companionship and warmth.

My mother was a wise and generous woman.  Throughout her far too short life, she had given me a great deal of stellar advice. In this case, though, I intuitively knew this was complete bull-pucky.

This belief turns a lover's trailing caress into a transaction, bought and paid for. Not a shared pleasure, not in invitation to play or share, but an exchange best for a brothel.  I could feel it in my teenaged bones - if you treat your partner like a prostitute, it will lead to resentment, anger, and the death of something that once was joyful and a source of delight.

Quite frankly, a real prostitute gets more respect from the open exchange of money than anyone involved in the hostile exchange described above.

A brothel picture from Pompeii.

The nastiest part of that saying? It's an insidious belief, one that is not spoken of directly. Instead, it lurks in our unspoken assumptions, leading us into a starvation economy of affection, touch, and attention.

I want lovers to come to each other for pleasure, a sharing of passion and excitement.  I'm doing my best to destroy this pernicious saying.

And I want you to help me. Tell me what stereotypes about love and relationships you want to eliminate.

An army travels on its stomach.

Unfortunately, The U.S. Navy SEAL Guide to Fitness and Nutrition doesn't have any pictures of yummy men, but what an awesome resource for my straight arrow hero!

Since the Seals are a male-only force, the book is of limited use to women, but come on! How often do you get to read articles titled, "Nutritional Considerations for Endurance Activities"?  With tables named "Table 11-3. Typical Land Warfare"?

Many years ago, I read a monograph on the food needs of Alexander the Great's campaigns. I need to find it again and compare it to the statistics in here.

Dare to be Average, part two

"Ok, Ms. Smarty-Pants," I hear you saying, "How exactly does Dare to be Average work? If I don't push myself to succeed, I'd spend my time in slothful idleness, surrounded by clutter, and I'd never get anything done. This is what works for me."

Fair enough. Here's the scoop- I know exactly what you mean by "needing that motivation". Self castigation is a time-honored way of getting yourself off your duff.

The problem? Fear and self-loathing aren't effective long term motivators. A bit of self disgust might work now and again, but quite simply, it is not sustainable.

Calling yourself names (lazy, fat, disgusting, etc.) hurts more than it helps. I know that I work very poorly for a person who belittles, insults, and castigates me. In fact, I will actively avoid working for that person.

So why am I trying to motivate myself that way?

If I look at a project that I am resisting (like writing this blog post - I so did not want to do it), I realize that it is because I am using negative motivators. By thinking, "Fine. I will write an average blog post", I am freed. I can play, draft, and eventually post.

It's not a world shaking post, but it is here, it's done, and I got my point across. If I am for average as opposed to HEARTBREAKING, EARTHSHAKING, SUPER GENIUS, GUT-WRENCHING TRUTH, I have a much better chance of actually finishing something.

Next time you find yourself frozen with perfectionism, take a deep breath. Think, "Fine. Let's aim for average and see what happens."

I bet you'll surprise yourself.

The best writing advice I've gotten

I've been fortunate enough to receive some brilliant advice from a wide variety of sources. I hope to explore some of these A-ha! moments in the upcoming days.

The most important words I have are:

DARE TO BE AVERAGE!

I found this in (where else?) Feeling Good by David Burns

.

Most people write (or want to write) are perfectionists. If we don't write perfectly, then we are failures. If we don't sell a million copies, we are failures. 

You might have noticed that this doesn't lead to happy writing.What the heck? What have you got to lose? Perfectionism doesn't work, so why not try something new? You might feel awkward at first, but the liberation will stun you.

To quote:

For any activity, instead of aiming for 100 percent, aim for 80 percent, 60 percent, or 40 percent. then see how much you enjoy the activity and how productive you become. Dare to aim at being average! It takes courage, but you may amaze yourself! (p. 356)

By taking off the pressure to a staggering super genius, you and I can write with our own clear voice. Ideas become fun, instead of sources of anxiety. Mistakes become a game, not the end of the world.

Try it for a day, or even a week. Tell me what happens when you dare to be average! Do you feel less anxious, more productive, or did you have to face the fears that fueled perfectionism? 

Give-away!

A new fan for Spring! The camera read the color as blue, but it is actually a lovely deep purple with platinum colored embossing and black spokes. (I call it Maleficent after Disney's antagonist in Sleeping Beauty).

And the question for your sunshine-addled brains is:

What is the name of my heroine for my new story, Sister of God?

First to comment here wins!

My universe is constantly expanding.

There seems to be a stereotype that writers can only work in one genre for one audience, forever. We are amazed when a mystery writer attempts a foray into action-adventure. We applaud when Nora Roberts takes on the futuristic police procedural as J.D. Robb.

And one never, never crosses over from fiction to non-fiction.

Frankly, I don't do well with rules. I started off with non-fiction writing until I was hijacked by my wonderful Valerie, Lance, and John for Dracula's Secret. Sophia is running amok in my brain in Sister of God. But my passion for history is not letting me go.

There aren't a lot of American women who study Middle Eastern history. As a Western feminist who is familiar with various cultural mores, I have insight into the forces that create the image of Islam that Americans struggle with. I have things to say about how events in the 1600s still effect what everyone experiences now. As a fiction writer, I can say them in an interesting and vibrant way.

Someday, I'm sure I'll need to create a second blog for my history work and how that is going. I don't think many publishers want the author of a popular history posing in a cocktail dress with a wine glass. After all, serious writer r serious, you know. *makes serious face*

Of course, the field just might need an author who wears rhinestones. It certainly would make book talks more interesting....

I can't give up my beautiful boys and girls who search for love and passion while saving the world. I'm going to write them until I die. :)

I'm just going to add more excitement into my life. This is going to be fun!

Where the hell have you been? Part Two

The international news has been so very horrifying lately that I've had to turn inward. I had to find the place inside of me that knows that nothing lasts forever. Out of terror and fear, beauty and hope will always rise again.


I keep a picture of Winged Victory (Nike of Samothrace) by my desk as reminder.

I have found new inspiration.

Why, hello there, Guilherme Marchi, professional bull rider from Argentina!

Where the hell have you been?

I've had the marvelous Miss B as a guest this past week, and well....I certainly wasn't up for blogging. We were too busy roaming the Pacific Northwest in search of delicious pastry, excellent shopping, waterfalls, and bonding time.

And here's a picture of one place we went:

Voodoo Donuts' Cock and Balls Donut

These things are huge. And tasty.

Now for something completely different...

Belly Dance Flash Mob!!!

Location, location, location

I've started a brand new book. Tentatively titled Sister of God, the story takes place all over the Northern Hemisphere. The story starts in Seattle, moves to Las Vegas, then to Glastonbury, England, Paris, France, Budapest, Bucharest, and Istanbul.

The next few posts are going to discuss each of these locations and how I'm doing research to make sure I can bring each city to life.

As a teaser, here is an image of Doheny Street Synagogue in Budapest. This is one of the places my intrepid heroine and hero must go to prevent the end of the world.

This is going to be a fun ride!

Celebrating the masculine.

As another thank you to the wonderful men out there, here is a special two for one give-away.

May I present:

The Zombie Apocalypse, #2 and #3

Proudly display this sanguinary mess over your computer when you play Left for Dead!  Both fans go to the first commenter. For everyone else who comments, you will get a single fan for the Zombie Apocalypse!

Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Thank you to all the beautiful men out there who responded to me publicly and privately. Thank you for reminding me that hate will always lose. Thank you.

I am not the world's best dancer, but I am a very heartfelt one. Please accept this dance a symbol of my gratitude.

I am heartened and unafraid once again.

Men, stand up and be counted.

I am thoroughly depressed. Last night, I made the mistake of reading the YouTube comments on the Bond/M video for International Women's Day.

Feminist ONLY want equal rights in areas that suits them, any hardships that men go through they couldn't careless. We are evil only until they need our money sperm and (bodies) <--- in terms of men getting blown up on the battlefield on the front lines whilst they shop and have their "sex and the city" night out cackling like spoiled bitches!

Ridiculous! James Bond is one of the few remaining male and male characters on the big screen, do it dressed as a woman and emasculation in this way without doubt is part of the mammoth work of feminist social engineering, which has as its aim the destruction of male identity and the creation a super-feminine identity that should be, according to these feminist social engineers, the ruling class of the totalitarian future (the famous "World of Women" which is always talking about).

Women are so full of shit, they went from having no rights to trying to claim ALL the rights.

It had been a long time since I'd read so many hate-filled, misogynistic things from men. I'm usually pretty optimistic about the changes in the world. We've made huge strides in drawing attention to injustice and creating differences.

Instead, today, I am reminded that men hate women.  I look at my nearest and dearest and fear for my safety - could these loving, generous men secretly feel this way about me? Do they really want me to shut up, to not get an education, to never challenge their thoughts? I am terrified of what might happen if I speak up one too many times.

Once, I read a study. Researchers had asked men and women what they feared the most from the other.

Men feared a woman would laugh at them.

Women feared a man would kill them.

If you are a man, if you read this blog, reassure me. Tell me that not every man wants women to disappear, to not vote, to not have access to health care, to die if I disagree with them. Tell me that you find these comments as abhorrent as I do, that I am not alone, that I can look you in the eye and not fear what I see there.

Please.

Because I am afraid.

I'm afraid of you.

Story Basics Part IV: The Herald Archetype

I've written about big penises, Turkey, Muses, and International Woman's Day.  I figure now is a good time to get back on my subject of Archetypes and how they are used in literature.

When I think of the Herald, I think of the character Mountjoy in Henry V. Mountjoy is the carrier of news and challenges. His appearance means things are about to change, that a new energy is going to shake up the Hero's life. This archetype is so important that the God Mercury (Hermes in Greek mythology) was the Deity of messengers.

(I obviously have a weakness for the Herald archetype ;).

The Herald announces the need for change (also known as The Call to Adventure) and provides motivation. This role is not always filled by a person, but can be a wonderful character when it is, especially if the Herald is mixed in with another archetype. Often, the Herald is filled by inanimate objects; hurricanes and storms, a telegram, phone call, or television broadcast, perhaps a letter. Sometimes a Herald is negative, a message from the antagonist. The Herald can be also be positive or neutral.

International Women's Day.

More reason why Daniel Craig and Judi Dench should rule the world.

Time for noms.

I think I will bake cookies this evening.

Travel picture of the day.

I was missing Istanbul this morning. So here is a picture to remind me of that magical place.

This is part of the Sultan's bath in the Topkapi Palace. Water would fill the marble basin, then the bather uses a dipping bowl to pour the water all over himself. That way, the basin and the water remains clean, even after scrubbing.

Other wonderful Turkish things:
A most unusual movie with Peter Ustinov and Melina Mercouri (Love her name!) as part of a jewel heist from the Topkapi Palace.

The Turkish Bath. I firmly believe that it could bring world peace. And Apple Tea is good for everything that ails you.

Another Muse.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis Presley!

Elvis is a Muse because he represents fearlessness to me. He danced in ways that frightened people, but he did it anyway. Even when he was miserable and drugged out, he still tried to be himself.

Viva Las Elvis!

The Muse.

Portrait of me as a Muse, by Michael Baxter

I could pull my History Geek Cred out and talk about the Nine Muses of Classical Greece*, but today I'm going to talk about something more immediate.

Who are your Muses? With whom do you collaborate and attempt to inspire?

I could list all my Muses, but instead, I'm going to talk about just one.

Meet Michael Baxter, the world's foremost photographer of Belly Dance. Michael is, in short, a genius. He is a feminist, a visionary of light, and an old school geek. (He and The Charming Man are also dear friends).

Go ahead, follow the link. I'll be here when you come back from looking at the links.


No, I mean it. Go look at them. :)

Michael's love of dance, music, light, and myth  have inspired me since we met in 2008. I had never seen a photographer able to photograph all shapes, sizes, and colors with such ease and joy. We've since corresponded and shot photos together. He makes us see ourselves as we truly are.

I had truly terrible body image issues until I met him. I knew that I wasn't a hideously scarred Two-Face, but I never knew in what way I was attractive. He showed me my own goofy, playful charm.

Since learning this from Michael, I try to take all my characters on a voyage of self discovery to find their beauty. I try to show all my friends how beautiful they are, what they might not see about themselves. I am inspired to be kinder, more patient (not easy for me), and share the light that Michael has shown me.

I hope he will inspire you, too, with his skill with color, setting, and bringing dreams alive.

*All right, I couldn't help myself.

Calliope: Epic poetry. Emblem: Writing tablet (Too bad such a cool chick got stuck with such a hideous instrument)
Clio: History, Scrolls
Erato: Love_poetry: Cithara
Euterpe:Lyric Poetry, Aulos
Melpomene: Tragedy,Tragic mask<
Polyhymnia: Sacred poetry,Veil
Terpsichore: Choral Dance and song, Lyre
Thalia:Comedy, Comic mask<
Urania: Astronomy, compass

The meat of the matter.

In romance and erotica writing, the men have large penises. I've not read a story about a man's thin or short cock, even though every single heterosexual woman out there knows that they come in all shapes and sizes.  And every single one is capable of bringing great pleasure. Not only that, we also know that too-big cocks can hurt.

So why the obsession?  After reading Nancy Friday for many years, I culled the following theories:

1. Fantasies are symbolic of what someone wants in their life. A dream of a big penis, a huge, giant monster that fills you up and satisfies you - well. Sounds like a shout for MORE MORE MORE, doesn't it?

2.That MORE MORE MORE isn't just about sex. It's about wanting more excitement, more time to relax, more ease and just plain more fun. Nothing represents a really great day better than a big, hard penis.

3. It's also a bit of a boast - "I'm such a powerful woman, it takes something powerful to satiate me and please me."

4. That shout of MORE can also represent frustration with the "Good Girl" role - you know, the one where a woman is shamed if she initiates, shares her fantasies, is experimental, or just plain curious. Talk about a rebellion! Desire for more starts every revolution, even a small one where an individual simply wants the freedom to read what she truly wants.

Those are my theories. What are yours?

The best intentions

I was going to post my next archetype in my series, but it's actually a little sunny out! So instead, I'm going to post something naughty and go enjoy the sun. I hope you enjoy this untitled snippet between two unnamed fantasy people.

****

His cock, not quite fully hard yet, fitted her mouth completely. When he was erect, she couldn’t fit him all the way. She wrapped her fist around the base of his penis.

She had unseemly large hands for a woman, but her fingers still did not meet, his girth was so great. Her jaw stretched to her outermost limit as she gobbled his smooth, hard cock.

She sucked on his head, licked his shaft, teased his balls with her fingers and tongue. His thick body hair scraped her tongue as she barely brushed the tips of the curls with her tongue. He jumped and shivered. She flung her arm across his thighs and drew him deeply in to her mouth, over and over.

“Enough,” he growled. He flipped her over to her back. “Give me this.” He shoved her thighs wide apart, his hands holding her down. He breathed on her pussy, long and deep, as if she were something exquisite to eat. His sweet, sweet tongue descended to her body. Expecting a firm, direct stab to her clit, she squealed when he licked her labia with a flat, wide tongue. He petted her pussy, coaxing her lips to widen for him. Once she was moaning and writhing under him, he finally touched her clitoris.

Her throat pulled tight. Her body curled in, her abdomen pulling her head off the pillow. The sensations coiled in her hyper-sensitized organ. Tighter and tighter she squeezed, her face pulled in a nearly painful rictus. Could she make it? Would he take her there?

With a clever twist of his mouth, everything exploded. Her body uncoiled violently, her back arching. Her hands grasped the headboard. The metal sang in time with her screams as the unending crests over took her.

Merciless, he sucked every drop from her pussy, every moan and cry inflamed him further until his cock skin nearly split.

She lay, panting and heaving, tears sparkling at the corners of her eyes. He put her legs on top of his shoulders. He knelt between her legs and fitted the head of his erection inside her swollen, twitching vagina. He pushed.

She screamed again.

He pumped inside her clinging walls. He licked her smooth legs as they rested against his neck. Her hands flew over his body, touching his nipples, but still too shy to pinch. He kissed her calf.

He met her slack face, had she ever looked so abandoned and relaxed? He had to feel her on top of him.

He tucked his legs and tipped backwards. He rolled them until she was on top of him. A quick leg stretch, and she was riding him.

As he slammed her up and down on him, he wiggled his finger to her no-longer-hidden treasure. Her hair whipped back and forth.

With a huge ripple, she came again. This time, she took him over the edge, too.

Mating rituals.

I love the modern ritual of meeting people for coffee. It's the perfect way to test the waters, to see if you and another person are at least on the same page for relationship interests. As romance writers, we often throw our hero and heroine together under really crazy circumstances. I always like the, "If you want to live, come with me!" sort of introductions in books. Gets the chemistry going in a big way.

But there has to be a way to write the coffee date to be just as wild, crazy, and risky as the high speed run in a growly muscle car.

I sense a writing exercise! If you  write a coffee date that feels high flying, I'll do it, too.

Taking a break.

I've been doing some heavy duty writing about archetypes. Today, I decided to talk about my wonderful day yesterday.

I got to spend an afternoon with a dear girl friend who is always working, so this was a rare treat. We hung out in her hot tub, drank champagne, slathered ourselves with lotion, and talked about everything, including sex. Some people get uncomfortable with such intimate discussions, but I am always fascinated and delighted with them.

It's when people are the most likely to share their deepest emotions. It's when our pasts and our presents come together (no pun intended) to reveal what we most need in our lives.

I always want to honor those brave enough to share their secrets with me. I want to take their bravery and vulnerability into my office to inspire not just my love scenes, but also the limits of human courage - the very soul of what makes fiction important.

I had great writing day today. How about you?

Give-away!

Titled, "Green Flash"

A brand-new hand painted fan, signed and delivered to you.

Today, you get to guess the movie quotes. Be the first person to name the movie, and win this lovely!

Quote 1.
"This is just so shocking. I mean I must just be so monumentally naive."


Was that too hard for you? I'm such a sweetie, I'll give you a second clue!


Quote 2. 
":Shut up, Mr. Burton! You are not brought upon this world to get it!"

Story Basics Part IV: The Threshold Guardian

Fu dogs are an excellent example of Threshold Guardians.

One of my favorite archetypes is the Threshold Guardian. The Guardian serves as a challenge to the hero, a test for her to prove her worthiness and her resolve to continue her course of action.

In both real life and in a story, the Threshold Guardian

represents the ordinary obstacles we all face in the world around us: bad weather, bad luck, prejudice, oppression, or hostile people....But on a deeper psychological level, they stand for our internal demons; the neuroses, emotional scars, vices, dependencies, and self limitations that hold back our growth and progress. It seems that every time you try to make a major change in your life, these inner demons rise up to their full force, not necessarily to stop you, but to test if you are really determined to accept the challenge of change. (Vogler, The Writer's Journey, p. 58)

In a story, the Guardian is the antagonist's head of security, the Sphinx and her riddle, the army of the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of OZ, bouncers, doormen, entrance exams. A hero and a person must learn how to deal with these tests. You can run, attack it head on, use deceit, bribe or appease the Guardian, or make an ally of them.

Again, Vogler:

Successful heroes learn to recognize Threshold Guardians not as threatening enemies, but as useful allies and early indicators that new power of success is coming. (p. 59)

Think of who or what has been a Threshold Guardian for you. How did this energy show you what you had to do?

Story Basics Part IV: Archetypes, not Straightjackets

A note as I go along with this series. The best way to think of an archetype is a role that a character plays, not as a description of who they are.

Some examples:

Obi-Wan Kenobi is considered the classic example of a Mentor. He shows Luke what he could be and how to get there.

But he does not stay in the Mentor all the time. The emotionally powerful scene where he confronts Darth Vader is created when he steps into the Hero role. He is moving the action in that scene, not merely instructing or demonstrating things to Luke. When a character shifts archetypes for a scene, the stakes go up. No matter how many times I see Star Wars, I cry when Obi-Wan is defeated in the light saber scene.  This intense emotional reaction comes from him changing his role in the movie.

A second reason to think of the archetype as a role and not a personal characteristic is this creates a fuller, more interesting character in your story. If your Mentor just sits around dispensing wisdom and pithy comments all the time, well....Ok, let's face it. That is boring.

If your character delves into a new archetype, they are suddenly deeper, truer, more emotionally resonant people. Don't think of archetypes as limiters.

They exist to liberate your creation.

Thought provoking article from New Zealand.

What distinguishes discrimination against women from other forms of such reprehensible behaviour is that it is an integral, deliberate, and entrenched element in cultures and religions around the world and from time immemorial.

The New Zealand Herald.

Story Basics Part IV: The Mentor Archetype

The name Mentor comes from a character in the Odyssey. Telemachus, Odysseus' son, goes on a quest to find his father. The goddess Athena takes the guise of Mentor (a human male) to give Telemachus advice, training, aid, or necessary gifts to finish the search.

The Mentor is a very rich archetype. Joseph Campbell named this role as The Wise Old Man or Woman. The Mentor's job is to represent our highest selves, the part of the heroine who is wise and far seeing.  A mentor decides if the heroine has earned gifts to help her, or can act as her conscience. The Mentor motivates and initiates the heroine, too.

Mentors can be kindly  parental figures or they can be dangerous, teaching the Heroine through hard knocks. A Dark Mentor is one who starts a character on a tragic arc, leading her into danger or destruction. Fallen Mentors have lost their own way, and part of the Hero's story is to make the Mentor pull herself together. There are often multiple Mentors in a story, as well.

After all, James Bond not only has M, he has Moneypenny and Q to help teach him what he needs. Arthur has Merlin, but also his brother Kaye, his father, and even his half-sister to teach him lessons.

Mentors can be funny, mystical, young, old, or even part of the Heroine's inner landscape as a memory or code of honor. They can show up in the beginning, middle, or end of the story. Don't get stuck thinking your Mentor has to be Obi Wan with a beard and a nifty sword. Anyone and anything can teach your Heroine what she needs to know.

Story Basics Part IV: Archetypes and Joseph Campbell

Last year (to the day!), I said I would do a series on various archetypal thought systems that can inspire a writer. Today (and until I get done with it), I'm going to discuss Joseph Campbell's breakdowns according to Christopher Vogler .
Vogler names the most useful, basic archetypes for writers:

• Hero
• Mentor
• Threshold Guardian 
• Herald
• Shapeshifter
• Shadow
• Trickster

First things first. According to Vogler,

The concept of archetypes is an indispensable tool for understanding the purpose or function of characters in a story. If you grasp the function of the archetype which a particular character is expressing, it can help you determine if the character is pulling her full weight in the story. The archetypes are part of the universal language of storytelling, and a command of their energy is as essential to the writer as breathing.  (p. 29, emphasis his)

It's very easy to call character A the Mentor, and that is her only function - to mentor and educate the Hero, then to let her go into the world on her own. But in order to make a story character interesting and three dimensional, the Mentor will most likely play many roles, just like real people. Someone can give you excellent advice one day, then the next tie your shoelaces together. This person has embodied both the Mentor and the Trickster/Shapeshifter archetypes.

For the next few days, I'll breakdown each individual archetype. This is going to be fun!

I has empty brain

I'm deep in the first draft of The New Book, so my brain doesn't have much for my blog. So instead, here is a cute picture of The Charming Man in Paris, instead.

There's always room for The Charming Man. :)

Cross Pollination

Today, I will have an afternoon with my dear friend Kim Sakkara. Kim is a disgustingly talented woman. She is a brilliant clothes designer, a seamstress, an entrepreneur, organizer, dancer, and general genius.

I love visiting Kim. Even though we are creative in different ways, I always feel refreshed and full of ideas after our time together.

Kim lives in a world of color, texture, design, shape, shine, drape, flair, and fit. I live in my head in a world of words and improbable acts. Going into her studio is like descending into Aladdin's magic cave - her colors dazzle me and her gift with texture and layering makes my fingers itch to hit my keyboard. I would descend into mad poetry to describe her space.

I have had the great privilege of owning a Kim Sakkara original design and being a model for her. Here are a few pictures to make you sigh and dream of Kim's beauty.

04/2007 Copyright Kim Sakkara. Location: La Mode Macabre fashion show at the Fez ballroom in Portland. Custom costume design by Kim Sakkara & Magidah with beadwork by Sera Richardson. Model: Magidah. Photo: Circle 23.

All photos c. Kim Sakkara and used with permission. The model is the lovely Grace of Deviant Dance.

My gorgeous custom outfit from Kim.

2006 Copyright/velvet skirt & gauntlets: Kim Sakkara. Bedlah: made in Egypt. Photo: Lenny Gotter. Model: Linda

Tendril pants

2008. Copyright/pants/choli tops Kim Sakkara. Photo:Circle 23. Models: Grace, Linda and Tanya Magdalena.

Kim designs for all sizes and shapes. That's your not-skinny author in front.

Inspiration!

Ideas are everywhere, but my favorite place to get hot images and  thoughts is Filament Magazine.

You want images of skinny men with tattoos, piercings, and letting their freak flag fly?

They have them.

You like more a more traditional, masculine look?

They have that, too.

What they don't have? Diets, celebrity gossip, and fashion. This magazine assumes that women are intelligent, sexual, varied, and curious.

Go over to their Facebook page and check out their hot, hot men. And subscribe!

(all photos from Filament. No copyright infringement intended, nor am I getting any presents for talking about this magazine. I'm posting these because I want every writer and photographer out there to look at this groundbreaking work!)

Research

Some days, you just gotta do some research on blue-eyed men who deliver the cool - Paul Newman and Daniel Craig for today.