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Book of the Day
Ranch hands Justus White and Dakota Washburn have known each other forever, or at least since fifth grade when Melody Zane, the coolest girl in school, gave them both valentines. That Valentines Day ended in a school yard fight, and a lifelong friendship. Read more…
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| What Does the Future Hold for You? |
| 2009.04.13 22:33:25 | |
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Can you really see your future in the cards? I’ve used the tarot––and other oracles including the I Ching, runes, and astrology––for many years. Whenever I have an important decision to make, seek clarity or direction, or just need a different perspective, I turn to my trusty tarot deck for guidance. It never fails to amaze me. Nobody knows how old the tarot (pronounced tar OH) is or where it came from. The earliest tarot deck that still exists today was created in the mid-nineteenth century. We do know the tarot became popular during the Renaissance, especially in Italy. But tarot scholars believe this beautiful and mysterious oracle is much older, perhaps dating back to ancient Egypt. Some sources say gypsies brought the first tarot decks to Europe hundreds of years ago and used the cards to tell fortunes. I was thrilled when RR’s Holly Schmidt invited me to write TAROTICA, my just-released erotic novel based on the tarot. The book is one woman’s lively, lusty journey of self-discovery as she travels cross country, meeting a colorful cast of characters who teach her the secrets of the 22 cards in the tarot’s major arcana. Some people believe the ancient, mysterious, beautiful oracle called the tarot holds the secrets to life. Miranda Malone isn’t sure. But she’s about to find out... One of my favorite tarot artists, Lori Walls, creator of the exotic Tarot Erotica deck, called TAROTICA “a ripping read which works surprisingly well on a number of levels. I love your characterizations of the trumps, the interpretation of the Path, and of course, the erotic element.” (You tarot enthusiasts out there, I hope you’ll check out Lori’s card deck –– and my book!) And, if you want to find out what’s in the cards for you, I’m offering a FREE mini-reading to everyone who purchases TAROTICA. Just email me your question at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it –– and be sure to tell me what you liked best about TAROTICA. Also, if any of you find yourself in the wild and weird city of Austin, Texas the weekend of July 31-August 2, I’ll be speaking at the United Texas Tarot Conference. It’s going to be a fun time. Hope to see you there! Tags: tarot | future | cards | free Hits: 518 | Read more... |
| Where Do Characters Come From? |
| 2009.02.18 02:47:48 | |
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A few years ago, I was doing a live radio call-in show when a listener phoned in and insisted I'd used him as one of my characters. I told him I was flattered that he saw himself in one of my characters, but all my characters are fictitious. I dare say that's true for most novelists and short story writers. Of course, characters can be inspired by flesh-and-blood people. Often they're amalgams. A character might combine the traits of several people--your sister's hair, your boss's feisty temper, your best friend's interest in archery. It's not uncommon to give a character a few of your own attributes--or to endow him/her with qualities you wish you had. You can make your character taller, prettier, smarter, braver, richer, better hung--whatever you please--then send him/her out into the world to do all the things you'd like to do. How cool is that? Writers get to play God/dess. Some characters seem to emerge "out of the blue." Even the writer doesn't know where they came from. They may turn up at your desk fully formed and demand a role in your story, or slip in the door quietly and begin sharing bits and pieces of themselves until you're hooked. As you fellow authors know, characters have minds of their own and they can be quite insistent. They keep you awake nights talking. They distract you when you're supposed to be busy doing your day job. If you let them, they'll take over your book and try to run the show. Writers have lots of imaginary friends. We never go anywhere without a few of them tagging along. Being a writer gives you license not only to talk to yourself, but to your characters as well. My characters like to ride in the car with me. When I started writing my first mystery, I didn't know whodunit until I was halfway through the book. One day I driving down the highway when the villain appeared in the seat beside me and said, "We've all gotten together [meaning the characters in my book] and decided it's time you knew. I'm here to tell you I did it." Of course, then I had to go back and rewrite the first half of the book. TAROTICA, my forthcoming novel for RR, features lots of colorful characters based on the 22 cards in the Tarot's Major Arcana. It's been great fun translating centuries-old archetypes into contemporary characters who depict the qualities and symbolism pictured in the cards. I hope you'll enjoy meeting Lancelot Lucas, a sex magician who conducts erotic rituals in a secret pyramid; Freeman, who hangs upside down from a tree in order to see the world better; Bradaigh Malone, a hermit who collects crystals that predict the future; Giselle Constant, a winemaker who keeps a mountain lion as a pet--and lots more. And I'll be interested to hear your feedback, especially from those of you who use the Tarot. What decks do you like best? What do the symbols mean to you? Which card(s) represent you? Write On! Amber Tags: Tarotica | tarot | characters
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