Since March 9, 2006
All other non-BtVS poems,
short stories and digital
paintings have been published
elsewhere. I'm just giving
them a home here online.
I always welcome critiques,
suggestions, comments and
criticisms. I've added a
Review Form to make it that
much simpler. I love the
fluidity of the Internet as a
medium. All the lines blur,
the colors run, time bleeds
by. Things change quickly
online. It's so sci-fi.
Many thanks for stopping by.
Feel free to contact me at
celesteavonne@yahoo.com
for any of the aforementioned
comments and such.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
January 22, 2011
Popping by today to update The Cosmos Within. Chapters One through Twelve are posted now,
with more on A Teaspoon and An Open Mind, a Doctor Who Fanfiction Archive. Great stuff posted
there, too. I'm also updating the BookList for 2012 to include The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara
Kingsolver, the third book on the list for this year.
January 4, 2011
It's the evening before returning to school, which means if I'm going to post my annual New Year's
Resolutions, it better be today. Here's my lengthy, rambling promise to myself to be stronger and do
more than I did the year before: 2012 New Year's Resolutions. Feel free to point and laugh...
I always do!
May you have a blessed year, and to all my teacher friends... we're all in this together!
December 28, 2011
Today, I'm updating to include the first five chapters of The Cosmos Within, a Doctor Who fanfiction
novel. The entire novel is complete, and I will continue updating with a new chapter each week until
its conclusion. The story features the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory Williams, River Song, the Meta
Crisis Doctor (10.5) and Rose Tyler, plus an ensemble cast of characters and villains... all my favorites,
and hopefully yours.
Two other bits of information of note. First, I met my reading goal for the 2011 year. My final
BookList is here, with all 42 titles present. Second, Katya and I have booked a flat in Notting Hill for
our trip to London this Spring Break. Very, very excited. Many thanks to our family and friends, and
to HomeAway.com, for helping us get this far. We are very much in your debt, and know well how
blessed we are.
Forthcoming to this blog, my annual New Year's Resolutions... those are always fun, and the Year In
Review for 2011's BookList. Previous years can be found right here.
December 7, 2011
NaNoWriMo success feels like getting to wear your favorite quirky dress to the Christmas party! No
one knows why you love it so much, or why you struggle so hard to get into it, but it feels so great
to just know you have it.
Okay, so... strange metaphor, but I did manage to complete my fifth novel this November, titled The
Cosmos Within. It's a Doctor Who fanfiction featuring the Eleventh Doctor, his companions, the Meta-
Crisis Doctor, and Rose. I'll be posting it here during the Christmas break.
Another milestone for us: we moved into a bigger, better house in which everything is spacious,
bright, and new. The bathroom is like a hotel bathroom. It's fantastic! So, there's that...
Finally, I am two books away from completing my reading goal for 2011. I've added several new titles
to the BookList, all of them Doctor Who, because -- well -- they're research! I've enjoyed them and
recommend them as well.
November 23, 2011
Three weeks into NaNoWriMo, and the Doctor Who fanfiction is only about half way complete. It's all
right, though; holidays are here, and much writing will be done. Check back here for updates on
The Cosmos Within, a Doctor Who fan-written novel.
In the meantime, I've added two titles to the BookList. In order to reach my 2011 goal of 40 books, I
realize I've also got to get reading if I'm going to make it.
October 10, 2011
Two new Who art pieces in the Artwork section:
Last of Days, 1024x768
Only Way to Go, 1024x768
Enjoy!
October 7, 2011
Another addition to the Artwork section:
Doomsday: Rose Tyler, 1024x768
And another addition to the BookList: Pebble in the Sky, by Isaac Asimov, bringing this year's total to
thirty-two.
September 26, 2011
At home with the flu today, but I'm not one to be idle. Here are two new pieces of Doctor Who
fanart:
Everyone Leaves Home, 1024x768
New Earth, 1024x768
Also, on the recommendation of a reviewer from A Teaspoon and An Open Mind, I re-posted The
Source Key to Twisting the Hellmouth. Here is that link:
http://www.tthfanfic.org/AuthorStories-21942/celesteavonne.htm
And finally, speaking of reviews... I have a lovely review for The Source Key from Rachel. I've posted
it here, in the Reviews section, and it's also available below:
For The Source Key, a Doctor Who/Buffy crossover
I'm a sucker for any kind of mystical! Dawn so this was just my kind of thing. I haven't read much in
the way of Buffy/Dr.Who crossovers, partly because most people who write them don't seem to take
into account how diametrically opposed the value systems of the two shows/universes are. You
handled this issue quite well. Also, you did a good job of keeping the Doctor distinctly alien, a feat
which even the show writers seem to struggle with at times. Really nice story!
Rachel
September 17, 2011
So, this happened:
A Storm Is Brewing, a Doctor Who Desktop
1024x768
Also, I added two new books to the BookList, bringing the total for 2011 to 30! Ten more to go.
This is one goal I think I'll make this year.
August 19, 2011
Look! A shiny new obsession! That's right, I have now plunged headlong into a new fandom: Doctor
Who! However, I haven't forgotten my Buffy fandom roots, and so tonight, it's my great pleasure to
share with you new fanfiction:
The Source Key: A Doctor Who/Buffy Crossover
Doctor Who Season Three, Tenth Doctor; Rose Tyler, companion.
Set after Episode 20 (The Age of Steel)
Buffy Season Seven, Buffy Summers, Slayer and the Scoobies
Set between Episodes 10 and 11 (Showtime and Potential)
Rating: PG
Pairings: It’s a space ship. Buffy/Spike and Tenth Doctor/Rose
Word Count: 13,390
Disclaimer: I own nothing, just playing with other people’s toys. Credit for Buffy goes to Joss
Whedon. Credit for Doctor Who and Torchwood goes to Russell T. Davis. “Begun by blood, by
blood undone,” is a quote from Pirates of the Caribbean. The Vriskian Fellowkind, Frak, Frell,
and Senator Frawlis are mine, though.
Enjoy! Currently, I'm working on a longer Doctor Who fiction. Keep checking back, as I'll probably
post that one in serials just like I did with the Buffy novels.
July 28, 2011
Sorry for the long time between posts, but it's been a fun and exciting summer of doing almost
nothing. You'd be surprised how much time doing nothing takes, truly. I'm here today to update
my BookList to include the final book from the Narnia series for me: A Horse and His Boy, C. S.
Lewis. I began reading the books in third grade when I was eight, so it's taken me twenty-nine
years to complete the series. I love it, though, and I'm glad that I read them out of sequence. I feel
that Lewis lost a bit of his magic toward the end with The Silver Chair and The Final Battle. I
would have been a little bummed out if I'd ended with the last book.
This makes 24 out of 40 books for me this year. I'm right on target for making my goal, which may
be the only New Year's Resolution I manage to carry out at all in 2011.
June 14, 2011
Stopping in today to update the BookList. I've added the two most recent titles, The Kite Runner,
by Khaled Hosseini, and Anthem, by Ayn Rand. I posted a very brief review on GoodReads for
Anthem, and you can find that here.
I'm also adding three new desktop images to the Artwork section. This normally happens at the
end of a school year: Left Brain checks into rehab, which allows Right Brain to take her turn at the
wheel. This year, Right Brain has found inspiration in James Durbin. Rest well, Left Brain. See you
in August.
In the meantime, I'm going to be working on Dear Universe, the NaNoWriMo novel I started
working on two years ago. Don't know where it's going yet, but I'm eager to find out. My goal is to
have a rough draft finished before August 15th, so wish me luck!
May 29, 2011
Today, I'm updating the List of 100 Things. It's now a list 104 Things. In lieu of our big traditional
trip together this summer, Katya and I have decided we're going to do as many things on this list
as we can, starting with watching the final Space Shuttle launch EVER on July 8th.
I realized while I was updating the list that we haven't done half of the things listed. We've done a
lot, yes. But the thing about setting goals is that you have to work toward them. We've been in
idle this year for various reasons, but it all boils down to fear. We're afraid we won't have enough
money. We're afraid we won't have enough time. We're afraid our ideas will get rejected.
Enough of that.
Life is short. Live it well.
May 15, 2011 (Part Two)
Two posts in one day? Crazy!
And yet...
Here are the excerpts of the three novels-in-waiting I mentioned this morning:
Excerpt One: The Single Dating Mom
Excerpt Two: Dear Universe
Excerpt Three: Reprieve
As a disclaimer, I'll say that they are in various stages of completion and all are rough drafts, so
errors may exist and persist. Any feedback you have for me would be most helpful and
appreciated.
Thanks!
May 15, 2011
Just stopping in to add a title to my BookList. All is going well here as we wrap up another school
year. Katya and I have never done so little planning toward our summer trip, partly because the
gas prices are so expensive, it has severely cut into our budget. Even so, we are healthy and
happy. We know that summer is summer, whether we are off exploring distant mountains or here
working on our novels.
On that subject, I'm still weighing which novel to work on this summer. I've spent two summers on
Reprieve, but the two newer novels, Dear Universe and Single Dating Mom, are nagging at me,
too. So that decision will also have to be made. Maybe I'll post excerpts and ask for input?
April 24, 2011
Happy Easter!
Also, in addition to updating my BookList, I'm adding the link to my poetry blog:
thechamberedheart.blogspot.com
April is Poem A Day month, and this blog houses all of my recent efforts toward writing a poem a
day. Mostly, they are rough drafts and fragments, but I'm proud of a few of them. Hope all is well
with everyone!
April 2, 2011
Today is the second day of April's Poem A Day Challenge. It bodes ill that I'm already a day
behind... Even so, I intend to take the challenge for the second year in a row.
If you're interested in joining the 30 Poems in 30 Days exercise, here is Robert Lee Brewer's Blog,
Poetic Asides, where he provides daily prompts and encouragement. Also, here is my blog,
TheChamberedHeart, where I've housed last year's poetic endeavors, and where this year's will be
posted, once I catch up to the prompts. That blog is also linked to my poetic friends' blogs, where
you can peruse their responses to the challenge as well.
In other news, I've finished reading Book Two of Kevin J. Anderson's Terra Incognita series, and
now must wait for him to finish the next. Here's hoping he's sending pages to the printer as I type!
Next, I'll be reading Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen, on the Audible App for my iPhone. This
brings my total number of books for the year to eleven, making it the one goal I've been able to
set and keep for this whole year (so far!).
March 15, 2011
Much to update today, and since it's Spring Break, there's time to post! First, I've added a plethora
of new titles to the BookList on the righthand column. I'm very much looking forward to
continuing Kevin J. Anderson's Terra Incognita series, The Map of All Things. With all the political
intrigue of Roger Zelanzy's Amber Chronicles and societal tensions as intricate as those in
Tolkien's Middle Earth, Anderson gives his readers truly epic fantasy. If you enjoy reading lovingly
lush descriptions about high adventure, you'll love this series.
I'm also including more romance in the mix, since I've been at practice writing romantic fiction.
Special thanks to Lisa Heflin for sharing Shoe Addicts Anonymous. While it's more chicklit than
romance, I find I can sympathize with the characters: one is head over her Ferragamos in debt; the
other is an agoraphobic who handles most of her social interactions online. It's a definite fun read.
Which leads me to my latest endeavors in writing...
After several people, my parents included, said they didn't care for Valentine's Day because it's an
over-commercialized excuse to spout bad poetry and buy chocolate, I decided to write a story for
a friend who was feeling particularly down about the holiday. I wrote a light and fluffy piece of
romance fiction titled Bluebird. Thanks go to Jim, for his inspiration, and to Matt, for his constant
support and encouragement. Enjoy!
Bluebird, A Sweet Story for Valentine's
Summary: After a devastating setback in their relationship, Hector and Cora really need
Valentine's Day to be really special. However, when their separate plans go awry, someone sees it
as an opportunity to step in and take advantage of the situation.
Word Count: 5,225 words
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Original story and characters belong to the author. Any resemblance to characters real or fictional is
purely coincidental. Re-print or re-post with author's permission only. Lyrics to "Bluebird" copyright by Paul
McCartney.
February 28, 2011
I'm at home sick today after a double victory at our annual Oscar party, hosted by our cousins, the
Corleys. Since I dislike wasting time more than unpredictable stomach bugs, I thought I'd stop in to
update the Book List.
January 15, 2011
Just stopping by to update the BookList this morning. On Thursday, I finished reading In Her Shoes,
by Jennifer Weiner. Next up: a re-read of Catcher In The Rye, by J. D. Salinger. Since this book had
been on the banned book list at Vidor High School, I sought it out at the Lamar University Library.
However, when I read it, I didn't see what the big deal was. Recently, though, a friend of mine
suggested I give it another look now that I'm not 18 and innocent in the way that Holden Caulfield
is
in the book. My friend even gave me a copy of the book; thanks for that, and I shall begin reading
tonight at bedtime.
For lovers of fantasy, I've been reading Kevin J. Anderson's The Edge of the World, which is part of
a
larger series of epic fantasy novels called Terra Incognita. This is fantasy of Tolkien-esque
proportions, wherein the symbolism and poetic language have been replaced by plot and intrigue.
It's
a bit like Tolkien meets Zelazny. In short, where have you been all my life, Kevin J. Anderson? At
672
pages, this is not a weekend read or beach-side book. They are more wield-at-your-enemies-as-
weapons sized books; it'll take some time to read, but it is well worth it.
January 2, 2011
Happy New Year, everyone!
The year is off to a somewhat bumpy beginning since Katya over-indulged on pie New Year's night
and hasn't been able to keep down solid food today. Maybe illness at the start of the year is
something like morning sickness at the start of a pregnancy -- it's an indication of a healthy rest of
the year. Here's for hoping.
More to the optimistic side, I did manage to complete and edit a short story tentatively titled
"Dear
Universe", which might be viable for submission soon. It's a complete story featuring five
overlapping
characters who experience life-changing events during an ice storm. The story began as part of
2009's NaNoWriMo project and is definitely part of a larger work. An exerpt may find its way onto
this
site in the future...
Another positive contribution, Katya and I sat down and wrote out our New Year's Resolutions
yesterday. She prefers to keep hers private, and I respect that, but I like to put mine out there. It's
an accountability thing. If I speak them in public, I have to follow through or lose face? Something
like that. Anyway, I've posted them here on my Poem-A-Day blog: TheChamberedHeart.
And finally, the finalized BookList for 2010 lives here. I've moved the Year-In-Review of the best,
worst, and you-must-read-this-it-will-change-your-life titles on the list from LiveJournal to this
page:
2010's Best and Worst Books, (According to Me Because I Read Them)
Popping by today to update The Cosmos Within. Chapters One through Twelve are posted now,
with more on A Teaspoon and An Open Mind, a Doctor Who Fanfiction Archive. Great stuff posted
there, too. I'm also updating the BookList for 2012 to include The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara
Kingsolver, the third book on the list for this year.
January 4, 2011
It's the evening before returning to school, which means if I'm going to post my annual New Year's
Resolutions, it better be today. Here's my lengthy, rambling promise to myself to be stronger and do
more than I did the year before: 2012 New Year's Resolutions. Feel free to point and laugh...
I always do!
May you have a blessed year, and to all my teacher friends... we're all in this together!
December 28, 2011
Today, I'm updating to include the first five chapters of The Cosmos Within, a Doctor Who fanfiction
novel. The entire novel is complete, and I will continue updating with a new chapter each week until
its conclusion. The story features the Eleventh Doctor, Amy and Rory Williams, River Song, the Meta
Crisis Doctor (10.5) and Rose Tyler, plus an ensemble cast of characters and villains... all my favorites,
and hopefully yours.
Two other bits of information of note. First, I met my reading goal for the 2011 year. My final
BookList is here, with all 42 titles present. Second, Katya and I have booked a flat in Notting Hill for
our trip to London this Spring Break. Very, very excited. Many thanks to our family and friends, and
to HomeAway.com, for helping us get this far. We are very much in your debt, and know well how
blessed we are.
Forthcoming to this blog, my annual New Year's Resolutions... those are always fun, and the Year In
Review for 2011's BookList. Previous years can be found right here.
December 7, 2011
NaNoWriMo success feels like getting to wear your favorite quirky dress to the Christmas party! No
one knows why you love it so much, or why you struggle so hard to get into it, but it feels so great
to just know you have it.
Okay, so... strange metaphor, but I did manage to complete my fifth novel this November, titled The
Cosmos Within. It's a Doctor Who fanfiction featuring the Eleventh Doctor, his companions, the Meta-
Crisis Doctor, and Rose. I'll be posting it here during the Christmas break.
Another milestone for us: we moved into a bigger, better house in which everything is spacious,
bright, and new. The bathroom is like a hotel bathroom. It's fantastic! So, there's that...
Finally, I am two books away from completing my reading goal for 2011. I've added several new titles
to the BookList, all of them Doctor Who, because -- well -- they're research! I've enjoyed them and
recommend them as well.
November 23, 2011
Three weeks into NaNoWriMo, and the Doctor Who fanfiction is only about half way complete. It's all
right, though; holidays are here, and much writing will be done. Check back here for updates on
The Cosmos Within, a Doctor Who fan-written novel.
In the meantime, I've added two titles to the BookList. In order to reach my 2011 goal of 40 books, I
realize I've also got to get reading if I'm going to make it.
October 10, 2011
Two new Who art pieces in the Artwork section:
Last of Days, 1024x768
Only Way to Go, 1024x768
Enjoy!
October 7, 2011
Another addition to the Artwork section:
Doomsday: Rose Tyler, 1024x768
And another addition to the BookList: Pebble in the Sky, by Isaac Asimov, bringing this year's total to
thirty-two.
September 26, 2011
At home with the flu today, but I'm not one to be idle. Here are two new pieces of Doctor Who
fanart:
Everyone Leaves Home, 1024x768
New Earth, 1024x768
Also, on the recommendation of a reviewer from A Teaspoon and An Open Mind, I re-posted The
Source Key to Twisting the Hellmouth. Here is that link:
http://www.tthfanfic.org/AuthorStories-21942/celesteavonne.htm
And finally, speaking of reviews... I have a lovely review for The Source Key from Rachel. I've posted
it here, in the Reviews section, and it's also available below:
For The Source Key, a Doctor Who/Buffy crossover
I'm a sucker for any kind of mystical! Dawn so this was just my kind of thing. I haven't read much in
the way of Buffy/Dr.Who crossovers, partly because most people who write them don't seem to take
into account how diametrically opposed the value systems of the two shows/universes are. You
handled this issue quite well. Also, you did a good job of keeping the Doctor distinctly alien, a feat
which even the show writers seem to struggle with at times. Really nice story!
Rachel
September 17, 2011
So, this happened:
A Storm Is Brewing, a Doctor Who Desktop
1024x768
Also, I added two new books to the BookList, bringing the total for 2011 to 30! Ten more to go.
This is one goal I think I'll make this year.
August 19, 2011
Look! A shiny new obsession! That's right, I have now plunged headlong into a new fandom: Doctor
Who! However, I haven't forgotten my Buffy fandom roots, and so tonight, it's my great pleasure to
share with you new fanfiction:
The Source Key: A Doctor Who/Buffy Crossover
Doctor Who Season Three, Tenth Doctor; Rose Tyler, companion.
Set after Episode 20 (The Age of Steel)
Buffy Season Seven, Buffy Summers, Slayer and the Scoobies
Set between Episodes 10 and 11 (Showtime and Potential)
Rating: PG
Pairings: It’s a space ship. Buffy/Spike and Tenth Doctor/Rose
Word Count: 13,390
Disclaimer: I own nothing, just playing with other people’s toys. Credit for Buffy goes to Joss
Whedon. Credit for Doctor Who and Torchwood goes to Russell T. Davis. “Begun by blood, by
blood undone,” is a quote from Pirates of the Caribbean. The Vriskian Fellowkind, Frak, Frell,
and Senator Frawlis are mine, though.
Enjoy! Currently, I'm working on a longer Doctor Who fiction. Keep checking back, as I'll probably
post that one in serials just like I did with the Buffy novels.
July 28, 2011
Sorry for the long time between posts, but it's been a fun and exciting summer of doing almost
nothing. You'd be surprised how much time doing nothing takes, truly. I'm here today to update
my BookList to include the final book from the Narnia series for me: A Horse and His Boy, C. S.
Lewis. I began reading the books in third grade when I was eight, so it's taken me twenty-nine
years to complete the series. I love it, though, and I'm glad that I read them out of sequence. I feel
that Lewis lost a bit of his magic toward the end with The Silver Chair and The Final Battle. I
would have been a little bummed out if I'd ended with the last book.
This makes 24 out of 40 books for me this year. I'm right on target for making my goal, which may
be the only New Year's Resolution I manage to carry out at all in 2011.
June 14, 2011
Stopping in today to update the BookList. I've added the two most recent titles, The Kite Runner,
by Khaled Hosseini, and Anthem, by Ayn Rand. I posted a very brief review on GoodReads for
Anthem, and you can find that here.
I'm also adding three new desktop images to the Artwork section. This normally happens at the
end of a school year: Left Brain checks into rehab, which allows Right Brain to take her turn at the
wheel. This year, Right Brain has found inspiration in James Durbin. Rest well, Left Brain. See you
in August.
In the meantime, I'm going to be working on Dear Universe, the NaNoWriMo novel I started
working on two years ago. Don't know where it's going yet, but I'm eager to find out. My goal is to
have a rough draft finished before August 15th, so wish me luck!
May 29, 2011
Today, I'm updating the List of 100 Things. It's now a list 104 Things. In lieu of our big traditional
trip together this summer, Katya and I have decided we're going to do as many things on this list
as we can, starting with watching the final Space Shuttle launch EVER on July 8th.
I realized while I was updating the list that we haven't done half of the things listed. We've done a
lot, yes. But the thing about setting goals is that you have to work toward them. We've been in
idle this year for various reasons, but it all boils down to fear. We're afraid we won't have enough
money. We're afraid we won't have enough time. We're afraid our ideas will get rejected.
Enough of that.
Life is short. Live it well.
May 15, 2011 (Part Two)
Two posts in one day? Crazy!
And yet...
Here are the excerpts of the three novels-in-waiting I mentioned this morning:
Excerpt One: The Single Dating Mom
Excerpt Two: Dear Universe
Excerpt Three: Reprieve
As a disclaimer, I'll say that they are in various stages of completion and all are rough drafts, so
errors may exist and persist. Any feedback you have for me would be most helpful and
appreciated.
Thanks!
May 15, 2011
Just stopping in to add a title to my BookList. All is going well here as we wrap up another school
year. Katya and I have never done so little planning toward our summer trip, partly because the
gas prices are so expensive, it has severely cut into our budget. Even so, we are healthy and
happy. We know that summer is summer, whether we are off exploring distant mountains or here
working on our novels.
On that subject, I'm still weighing which novel to work on this summer. I've spent two summers on
Reprieve, but the two newer novels, Dear Universe and Single Dating Mom, are nagging at me,
too. So that decision will also have to be made. Maybe I'll post excerpts and ask for input?
April 24, 2011
Happy Easter!
Also, in addition to updating my BookList, I'm adding the link to my poetry blog:
thechamberedheart.blogspot.com
April is Poem A Day month, and this blog houses all of my recent efforts toward writing a poem a
day. Mostly, they are rough drafts and fragments, but I'm proud of a few of them. Hope all is well
with everyone!
April 2, 2011
Today is the second day of April's Poem A Day Challenge. It bodes ill that I'm already a day
behind... Even so, I intend to take the challenge for the second year in a row.
If you're interested in joining the 30 Poems in 30 Days exercise, here is Robert Lee Brewer's Blog,
Poetic Asides, where he provides daily prompts and encouragement. Also, here is my blog,
TheChamberedHeart, where I've housed last year's poetic endeavors, and where this year's will be
posted, once I catch up to the prompts. That blog is also linked to my poetic friends' blogs, where
you can peruse their responses to the challenge as well.
In other news, I've finished reading Book Two of Kevin J. Anderson's Terra Incognita series, and
now must wait for him to finish the next. Here's hoping he's sending pages to the printer as I type!
Next, I'll be reading Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen, on the Audible App for my iPhone. This
brings my total number of books for the year to eleven, making it the one goal I've been able to
set and keep for this whole year (so far!).
March 15, 2011
Much to update today, and since it's Spring Break, there's time to post! First, I've added a plethora
of new titles to the BookList on the righthand column. I'm very much looking forward to
continuing Kevin J. Anderson's Terra Incognita series, The Map of All Things. With all the political
intrigue of Roger Zelanzy's Amber Chronicles and societal tensions as intricate as those in
Tolkien's Middle Earth, Anderson gives his readers truly epic fantasy. If you enjoy reading lovingly
lush descriptions about high adventure, you'll love this series.
I'm also including more romance in the mix, since I've been at practice writing romantic fiction.
Special thanks to Lisa Heflin for sharing Shoe Addicts Anonymous. While it's more chicklit than
romance, I find I can sympathize with the characters: one is head over her Ferragamos in debt; the
other is an agoraphobic who handles most of her social interactions online. It's a definite fun read.
Which leads me to my latest endeavors in writing...
After several people, my parents included, said they didn't care for Valentine's Day because it's an
over-commercialized excuse to spout bad poetry and buy chocolate, I decided to write a story for
a friend who was feeling particularly down about the holiday. I wrote a light and fluffy piece of
romance fiction titled Bluebird. Thanks go to Jim, for his inspiration, and to Matt, for his constant
support and encouragement. Enjoy!
Bluebird, A Sweet Story for Valentine's
Summary: After a devastating setback in their relationship, Hector and Cora really need
Valentine's Day to be really special. However, when their separate plans go awry, someone sees it
as an opportunity to step in and take advantage of the situation.
Word Count: 5,225 words
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Original story and characters belong to the author. Any resemblance to characters real or fictional is
purely coincidental. Re-print or re-post with author's permission only. Lyrics to "Bluebird" copyright by Paul
McCartney.
February 28, 2011
I'm at home sick today after a double victory at our annual Oscar party, hosted by our cousins, the
Corleys. Since I dislike wasting time more than unpredictable stomach bugs, I thought I'd stop in to
update the Book List.
January 15, 2011
Just stopping by to update the BookList this morning. On Thursday, I finished reading In Her Shoes,
by Jennifer Weiner. Next up: a re-read of Catcher In The Rye, by J. D. Salinger. Since this book had
been on the banned book list at Vidor High School, I sought it out at the Lamar University Library.
However, when I read it, I didn't see what the big deal was. Recently, though, a friend of mine
suggested I give it another look now that I'm not 18 and innocent in the way that Holden Caulfield
is
in the book. My friend even gave me a copy of the book; thanks for that, and I shall begin reading
tonight at bedtime.
For lovers of fantasy, I've been reading Kevin J. Anderson's The Edge of the World, which is part of
a
larger series of epic fantasy novels called Terra Incognita. This is fantasy of Tolkien-esque
proportions, wherein the symbolism and poetic language have been replaced by plot and intrigue.
It's
a bit like Tolkien meets Zelazny. In short, where have you been all my life, Kevin J. Anderson? At
672
pages, this is not a weekend read or beach-side book. They are more wield-at-your-enemies-as-
weapons sized books; it'll take some time to read, but it is well worth it.
January 2, 2011
Happy New Year, everyone!
The year is off to a somewhat bumpy beginning since Katya over-indulged on pie New Year's night
and hasn't been able to keep down solid food today. Maybe illness at the start of the year is
something like morning sickness at the start of a pregnancy -- it's an indication of a healthy rest of
the year. Here's for hoping.
More to the optimistic side, I did manage to complete and edit a short story tentatively titled
"Dear
Universe", which might be viable for submission soon. It's a complete story featuring five
overlapping
characters who experience life-changing events during an ice storm. The story began as part of
2009's NaNoWriMo project and is definitely part of a larger work. An exerpt may find its way onto
this
site in the future...
Another positive contribution, Katya and I sat down and wrote out our New Year's Resolutions
yesterday. She prefers to keep hers private, and I respect that, but I like to put mine out there. It's
an accountability thing. If I speak them in public, I have to follow through or lose face? Something
like that. Anyway, I've posted them here on my Poem-A-Day blog: TheChamberedHeart.
And finally, the finalized BookList for 2010 lives here. I've moved the Year-In-Review of the best,
worst, and you-must-read-this-it-will-change-your-life titles on the list from LiveJournal to this
page:
2010's Best and Worst Books, (According to Me Because I Read Them)
.home.
.acknowledgements.
.awards.
.links.
.contact.
Submit a Review
Link To Me!
Add my link to
your site. Just right
click on the
buttons below and
save them to your
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Of course, a text
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.acknowledgements.
.awards.
.links.
.contact.
Submit a Review
Link To Me!
Add my link to
your site. Just right
click on the
buttons below and
save them to your
drive.
Of course, a text
link would work
just fine, but these
are pretty.
Currently reading:
www.goodreads.com
www.shelfari.com
Accelerando, by Charles Stross
Reality is Broken, by Jane McGonigal
Sex on the Moon, by Ben Mezrich
Invisible Monsters, by Chuck Palaniuk
Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen
A Confederacy of Dunces, by John
Kennedy Toole
.Newly Added.
www.brainsalve.com
2012 New Year's Resolutions
The List of 100 Things To Do In My Lifetime
Short Crossover Fiction: The Source Key
Short Fiction: Bluebird, A Valentine's Story
Short Fiction: The Amazingly Invisible
Andrew Wells
Short Fiction: Disembodied
Drabbles
Artwork
The Lists
Fanfiction Recommendations:
TeamJamesDurbin - Supporting James
Durbin, Rock Legend
The Buffy Tarot
Mary's Journeys
Mary's Lost In You
What Dreams May Bring by Spikes_Heart
WriterCon
San Marcos Art League
Ugly Business, Zugma's digital fanart site.
The Chambered Heart
Photography and Fine Art Store
Messages of Love: My very own
line of clothing & gifts
available at CafePress.com
www.goodreads.com
www.shelfari.com
Accelerando, by Charles Stross
Reality is Broken, by Jane McGonigal
Sex on the Moon, by Ben Mezrich
Invisible Monsters, by Chuck Palaniuk
Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen
A Confederacy of Dunces, by John
Kennedy Toole
.Newly Added.
www.brainsalve.com
2012 New Year's Resolutions
The List of 100 Things To Do In My Lifetime
Short Crossover Fiction: The Source Key
Short Fiction: Bluebird, A Valentine's Story
Short Fiction: The Amazingly Invisible
Andrew Wells
Short Fiction: Disembodied
Drabbles
Artwork
The Lists
Fanfiction Recommendations:
TeamJamesDurbin - Supporting James
Durbin, Rock Legend
The Buffy Tarot
Mary's Journeys
Mary's Lost In You
What Dreams May Bring by Spikes_Heart
WriterCon
San Marcos Art League
Ugly Business, Zugma's digital fanart site.
The Chambered Heart
Photography and Fine Art Store
Messages of Love: My very own
line of clothing & gifts
available at CafePress.com
Plus 8,200 before the
Lappy Crash of December
2007.
Lappy Crash of December
2007.
Follow me on tumblr at TheChamberedHeart