Visiting my Muses

During October, I was privileged to work with my two favorite Muses, Kim Sakkara and Michael Baxter.

Kim designed and created a gorgeous custom dance belt for a new caftan I had found in a consignment shop. May I show you the genius that is her vision?

In action!

In addition, I got to spend a weekend collaborating with Michael, exploring myth and beauty.

My time in Kim's magic studio and in front of Michael's camera forced me to dig inside to pull out my very best words. Non-verbal art makes writing stronger, wiser, and more profound.

I thank my Muses.

Things I love.

I love the Mona Lisa. The mystical background, her soft skin, and her long neck have always brought me a sense of wonder.

It's one of those pieces of 'great' art that actually do live up to their hype.

Things I love

The Moroccan-style lamp that hangs by my desk makes me smile every time I see it. It was a gift from a former co-worker and reminds me of the good times at my former job.

What makes you smile every time?

Don't you want something pretty?

Helios' Travels

I have a new Etsy store!

Come on over and check out my one of a kind, hand painted fans over at the Linda Mercury Store!

Sweet, tasty love

As I daydream about my Weapons Dealer Woman, I wonder what kind of man would love her. Of course, her clients would attempt to seduce her - after all, wouldn't you expect your lover to give you an incredible discount on your order for a gross of Super Seekrit High Powered Killing Thing?

But that's not love - it certainly can be funny, and perhaps fun, but I don't think she'd enjoy getting laid, not paid.

True love comes when someone sees your essence - the person you have the potential to be if you had enough courage. What would he see in this woman who had already sold her soul for revenge? What would she see in him?

I think he's going to be pretty compromised himself. Perhaps he'd be on the opposite side of the law - sort of. Perhaps he'd be her competitor.

And couldn't you just see these two violent and dangerous people meeting in the local coffeehouse and getting to know each other over a couple of decaffeinated lattes?

Coffee dates amongst the corrupt and wealthy! Now there's a situation for my angry girl.

Down the rabbit hole

Ever since I posted my weapons dealer thoughts, I've been obsessed with the concept of a woman who deals arms. I haven't done any research into the world, I haven't looked at anything, but I keep going over and over what would drive a woman to an extreme career.

I followed my strange brain into this new character. While I was eating breakfast today, I jotted down her Goal, Motivation, and Conflict (previously here). I don't know what she would look like, what her name may be, or anything else. I was just playing with what kind of toll this would take on someone.

Character: Female Arms Dealer

Goal: Death.
Now, goals are supposed to be concrete, instead of vague. I mean, really - death? That's guaranteed for everybody. So I thought about it and decided she would want to destroy Warlord X. I think she'd start off wanting to kill him, but her character arc could be that she'd rather take away what he most loved (power? His drug fields? His alligator farm? Who knows yet?)

Motivation: Revenge
At first I thought she would want to avenge the deaths of her parents/family (shades of Melina Havelock from For Your Eyes Only). It's a pretty good idea, but I didn't want to get too trite. Perhaps Warlord X destroyed the school or hospital she worked at and she had to use a handgun to escape the devastation. Or someone she loved was ruined beyond healing by his actions.


Conflict: Stymied by agents of the law
This felt a bit weak to me at first, but it certainly introduces the hero! A hot, serious anti-terrorist guy? An agent from Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms? Her pissed off ex-boyfriend?

Sounds like a cool story, doesn't it?