Kristal Lee

Last month I began using a spreadsheet to track words written. January's grand total was 14,445 with 10,547 words credited to my current WIP. I challenged myself to do better.

Did I?

Yes and No.

Here's the tally:

Grand Total for February ~ 17, 375 words written.

The breakdown:

photo: performance-rules.com

WIP ~ 10,223
Blog ~ 3,685
NKotWB Blog~ 2,073
Season Reviews~ 1,394

Although I surpassed January's total word count, I'm annoyed that I didn't manage more words for my WIP.  324 words short of matching and my goal had been to exceed.

So what happened?

My organizational skills in February were virtually non-existent. Creatively, I felt like I was tied to the end of a bungy cord, flailing all over the place. I really need a schedule. I really hate schedules.  Schedules keep me on track. Schedules are stifling, inciting a sense of rebellion.

Believe it or not, I did make a weekend writing schedule. I just didn't follow it. I tried to structure it the same way my work week runs. Problem is, I'm not a morning person by nature. Getting up at 5:30am on Saturday just ain't gonna happen. Even with the alarm set, even with the furbabies pawing at the door, even with Professor X nudging me.

I need a new plan for March. 10,000 words a month for WIP isn't gonna cut the cake. I did 50,000 words in November for NaNoWriMo. I can do it again, right?

I had a little extra help, though. I took some time off work and with a few holiday freebies I gained extra writing days that I don't normally have. Can't repeat that pattern too often, so I need to figure out something that will consistently work for me.  I'm thinking about going for a weekly word count goal. I just need to figure out what's doable and stretch it a little.

What about those of you who also shuffle a "day" job with writing? Do you worry about scheduling time to write? Do you hold yourself to a word count or hours spent at the desk? Do you set deadlines for yourself, or do you adopt the attitude, "it'll get finished when it gets finished"?

HABIT:  action based on customs or practiced behavior
But, pitting his REASON and NATURE against his DESIRE and PASSION  drives this character's story only as long as his actions remain consistent with his core self. That's the tricky part. He can't simply say in Chapter Six "Oh well. My wife's dead and I'm a free wolf, now" and jump into a long-term relationship with the heroine without consequence. For one, that would be out of character for his NATURE. Two, that would make for a very short and boring story.

Characters' actions need to be genuine and representative of who they are. Grounding their motivations in one or more of the seven causes of human action will bring life to a figment readers will love.

Photo: thaimedicalnews.com

Today's Saturday Shout Out goes to Adam Bojelian and his blog "In the Blink of An Eye."

Adam is an eleven year old poet with severe cerebral palsy. He's blind, wheel-chair and oxygen dependent, and the illustrious winner of Brit Writers Special Achievement Award 2010 and the Gold Blue Peter Badge.

Do you believe your eyes?



Or the scientific explanation that the ghostly horseman is a reflection of the leaping flames in the background?

Join me at New Kids on the Writer's Block for a look at twenty writer stereotypes.

On Monday, I revealed a little about myself, but among the tidbits was a fabrication. So, which fact didn't belong?

On a cruise to Jamaica, our ship had to wait several hours before coming ashore in Montego Bay because fuliguline had congregated in the port.

I did take a cruise to Jamaica. The lie was that the ship was delayed. Fuliguline blocking the port and eating duck for dinner are exaggerations of the lie.

K.C. suggested that I wasn't really afraid of killer rabbits. After much thought, I had to agree. Although the statement wasn't an intentional lie, more than likely I would tame the critter and turn it into a pet. Having an attack bunny would be awesome!

The gauntlet is on the ground and the first challenge of the 2nd Writers' Platform-building Crusade has been issued.

In 300 words or less, Crusaders must reveal tidbits of themselves that include:
· one secret
· one lie
· one interesting quirk
· one annoying habit
· one of your best character traits, and
· one of your favorite things in the whole world.
The post must include the random words, “bloviate,” “fuliguline,” “rabbit,” and “blade.”



I have accepted the challenge, so here are some randoms facts about me, in no particular order, without rhyme or reason.

Photo:Birdphotos.com

photo: whiterabbitcult.com

I'm quirky about movies. I love bloody, gritty vampire flicks like BLADE, UNDERWORLD, and VAN HELSING. Although, natural disaster films like TWISTER, THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, and NIGHT OF THE LEPUS give me panic attacks. Professor X doesn't understand this, even though I've explained that I'm not afraid of fantastical beings such as vampires and werewolves because they are kindred spirits. I am, however, scared to death of tornadoes, apocalyptic storms, and killer rabbits.

I may have revealed something about me that isn’t strictly true, can you guess what it is? 

I'll reveal the untruth in Wednesday's post. 

Earlier this week, Heather Hellman of Pen, Paper, Lots of Coffee  and E.C. of E.C.'s Ramblings gifted it's KRISTAL kLEEr with the Stylish Blogger Award. Heather Hellman is a YA fantasy writer And E.C. is an urban fantasy and paranormal historical romance author, both of whom I virtually meet via Rach Writes 2nd Annual Writers Platform-Building Crusade. Thanks for the passing along this awesome award, Heather and E.C.

 Now, the idea behind this award is to pay it forward by:
1) Thanking and linking back to the person who gave the award,
2) Stating 7 things about myself in the blog post, and
3) Passing the award to 15 recently discovered bloggers.

Jae Lynne Davies (Sugar, Spice and Everything Paranormal)
Margo Kelly (Margo Kelly)
Margo Benson (Margo Benson)

Cool paranormal thriller debuts today. An alien teenager comes to Earth to escape the ruthless species that murdered his family. The film is based on the YA book by James Frey and Jobie Hughes.

"TO THE PEOPLE OF EARTH:
There are mysteries in human history for which there are no apparent explanations. There are unexplained jumps in the development of human technology. No one can explain things like the lost City of Atlantis, the Loch Ness monster, the Bermuda Triangle, and, of course, crop circles and UFOs. The explanation for these, and many other of Earth’s mysteries, is that aliens have been visiting your planet, and influencing events, for as long as the planet has existed.

I am Pittacus Lore. I am from the Planet Lorien, three hundred million miles away. I am one of ten Elders who lived on our planet. I am ten thousand years old. Everyone on Lorien was gifted. We are incredibly strong, incredibly fast, and we are born with powers called legacies. Despite our powers, the Elders, responsible for the defense of our planet, failed.

Lorien has been destroyed. Our entire population was killed, except for nine children and their nine guardians. The Nine fled to earth, where we hoped they would be able to hide and grow, to develop their Legacies and one day avenge the loss of Lorien. Unfortunately, the same race that destroyed Lorien followed them to Earth. They have been hunting the children and have killed three of them. The six that are still alive have started fighting back. Our war has come to your planet, and it will either be won or lost here.

I am telling the story of Lorien, the Nine, and the war at hand so you do not allow the same thing that happened to us happen to you. I am trying to find the Nine and unite them. They may be walking past you right now, or sitting near you, or watching you as you read this. They may be in your city, your town. If they are doing what they are supposed to be doing, they are living anonymously, training, and waiting for the day when they will find each other, and me, and we will make our last stand together."

Visit:  iamnumberfour.com 

Traipse over to New Kids on the Writer's Block. I'm there blogging about songs you sing out loud.

I'm excited to have ASHLYN CHASE visiting today. Ashlyn is a multi-published author of light paranormal romances and erotic romances. Her 2010 release, Strange Neighbors was one of my favorite reads last year and she follows it up with this month's release of The Werewolf Upstairs.

Ashlyn, Welcome!

Thank you for the opportunity to reach more readers, Kristal.

“People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did; but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”

Ashlyn, thank you for sharing your inspiration and how you apply it in your writing.  I think you do achieve your goal to entertain rather than bore with your books. For me, your novel Strange Neighbors was definitely a fun read that still makes me smile when I talk about it with my friends. And now, the stand-alone sequel, The Werewolf Upstairs, is out and I can't wait to read it!  BTW, the cover is fabulous.

When all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco buys a small apartment building, he sees it not only as an investment, but as a place to escape the demands of major league baseball.

That is, until he meets his tenants! A vigilante vampire: a wereraven with a morbid sense of humor; a werewolf thief who poses as a security expert; and two witches who work as phone sex actresses and own an owl familiar. Not to mention a beautiful, all too human nurse who gets Jason's blood pumping overtime.

With all the hooting, howling and hollering going on, how can an All-American guy get some peace and sweep a girl off her feet?

Wouldn't you think that as a romance writer Valentine's Day would be one of my favorite days of the year and that I'd have lots to say on the subject? Maybe I'm warped, but V-day doesn't come close to being my favorite holiday. Halloween is how I roll. That's why I write paranormal.

Looking for V-day inspiration I Googled, alot, and found beaucoups images of Cupid with his cute curls, babyish physique, often portrayed in a diaper-- the uber icon of romantic love. Really? I can't fathom the hype.

I prefer Sherrilyn Kenyon's description of Cupid <ahem> Eros--he doesn't like the name Cupid. Youthfully handsome man with a military haircut, dark brown goatee, wearing black leather and riding a motorcycle. Now that's a god of love I can embrace. 

After spending too much time looking for pictures of biker Cupid, I was disappointed not to find one. Downhearted, I plunked over to YouTube looking for, you know, love songs and what-not. Disney tunes popped up, Beauty and the Beast being the most prevalent.

I've always loved the story of B&B. I have the French faery tale by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont downloaded in my Nook and it's the inspiration for an upcoming WIP. While listening to the lyrics of  Disney's B&B, I realized that the transformation of emotionally tortured, deeply scarred heroes is one of the core elements that appeal to me in romance stories. I'm a sucker for stone-cold hearts thawed by the power of love.

Sometimes, it's the anti-hero that grips me like in Phantom of the Opera. Phantom is the Seducer. But, I see him as the man who truly loves Christine. Though it breaks his heart, he lets her go, knowing that she'll have a better life without him. No HEA for him. His sacrifice leaves me a little heart-sick.


But, what is V-Day if not about expressions of love?

My all-time favorite V-Day was when Professor X hand-made me a Valentine's card because he was still recovering from a long illness and not able to go shopping. He isn't a poet, so it wasn't a sonnet or ode professing that my eyes are as bright as starlight and my breath fresh like wintergreen. Thank god, because I would've cracked up laughing and thought it was a joke. Rather, he simply wrote what was on his mind. And drew a few hearts on the paper. That card is a treasure, worth more than anything he's ever bought me.

What's your favorite V-day memory?

I love fireflies. Their mesmerizing iridescent glow composes epic adventures across the dark canvas of night in a mysterious language that burns my imagination. When I discovered John D. Engle, Jr.'s brilliant firefly poem  in Writers Digest, it spoke to my bard's soul. I clipped it, laminated it, and have managed not to lose it for over 20 years-- quite a feat for me. I could misplace something while it's still clutched in my hand, so says Professor X. Nevertheless, Mr's Engle's masterpiece has never been far from my reach. Presently, it's taped to my glass-top desk where it continues to inspire me to practice with persistence the art of writing with abandon.
 

I try to practice what I have been taught."   John D. Engle, Jr.


Mr. Engle is an award winning poet, creative writing teacher, and writing coach. He has also published works in fiction, non-fiction, and drama, including a full-length historical. 

Image Copyright: Jeanne Nelson

Have you ever seen a dark figure in your peripheral vision only to find nothing there when you turn to look?

If you have, you may have glimpsed one of the Shadow People~ dark humanoid figures that lack distinctive features who appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. The most frequently sighted is the Hat Man, a tall dark man wearing a hat and often a cloak. Some reports suggest that the Shadow People aren't malicious in nature, but rather observers of our world. Others insist that they are soul-stealers. No one knows why they come or how long they've been around but the phenomenon is world-wide.

Jason Offutt, author of Darkness Walks: The Shadow People Among Us, states in an interview with Stephen Wagner: "The oldest mention of entities like this in literature I've found was in the late 1800s, although shadow people have been reported in various religions throughout history." 

Scientific explanations attempting to debunk these paranormal experiences claim the manifestations are a result of optical illusions or hallucinations.

"When a specific region of the brain called the left temporoparietal junction is stimulated, it can create the illusion of a shadow person. Images seen in peripheral areas of vision can be caused by pareidolia, a condition in which the brain incorrectly interprets random patterns of light/shadow or texture as being familiar patterns such as faces and human forms." ~ Wikipedia

Photo: Disney's Peter Pan

In faery lore, shadows have their own life force. If a faery steals your shadow, you will wither and die. If you steal a faery's shadow, he or she will grant you one wish.

The notion of a sentient shadow can be found in J.M. Barrie's  beloved Peter Pan. And a modern variation of the Shadow People was showcased by the appearance of "The Observer" in the FOX television series FRINGE.


Whether it's a supernatural visitation or a figment of imagination, I've experienced this phenomenon many times. Always accompanied by a rush of adrenaline, a wave of nausea and a stomach-dropping dread.

Have you encountered the Shadow People? What was your experience like?

I'm tooling at New Kids on the Writer's Block today. Join me for a look at a few software programs for writers in  "Which Way is Write?"

Thanks to my sister for sharing.

Photo: tennismd.com

Months of chronic elbow pain, unremitting after ice and heat packs, anti-inflammatories and pseudo-rest, prompted me to trudge over to the orthopedist's office. Diagnosis: lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as "tennis elbow."


Whaddaya mean, doc? I'm a writer, not a tennis pro.



According to the fine doctor, I have overtaxed a tendon that runs from my elbow to my middle finger, a common injury to tennis players but not exclusive.

Photo: gmoneysack.blogspot.com

Hmmm, I wonder how I managed to accomplish an injury stemming from one finger. Ironically, the bird finger. Now there are times I want to flip off a driver who's cut me off, I rarely give in to that temptation. So, I studied my habits and can say I still have no idea how I did this. It doesn't appear that I use the middle finger any more than the others. If had to pick one with the most repetitive use, I would have placed my bet on the index finger. Yep, that would be the one. It points, dials, scratches, flicks, turns pages, and opens snail mail. 


Whatever the cause, I've renamed this phenomenon "Writer's Elbow" because I sure didn't get this from playing tennis.

The cure? A wrist splint. Yes, a wrist splint. Not the elbow brace I'd been wearing. 


How long? Six weeks. I almost croaked. Actually, I think my voice did croak a bit when I repeated back to the doctor, Six weeks? Are you kidding?

Ummm, no. He wasn't. Six weeks in a brace with anti-inflammatories as needed and a warning that if this fix doesn't work, a cortisone injection will surely follow. Crap! I've heard those things hurt like the dickens. My brain went into avoid-shot-at-all-cost mode.


The first night I wore the brace to bed I had a nightmare about the top of my hand splitting open and large toad frogs leaping out of the hole. Freaky. Even for a paranormal writer.

In folklore and mythology, frogs often symbolize transformations and self discovery. Think of the Frog Prince, a parable of animus integration and metamorphosis.


Okay, my dream was probably more of a response from my brain alerting me that the brace was too heavy and tight, but it's much more interesting to ponder it from an allegorical perspective.

Although dream frogs are generally positive symbols, their leaping could represent a bad habit of hopping from one thing to the next without completing the former. Ouch! That's how 2010 turned out for me. Skipping from one writing project to the next, leaving a string of unfinished manuscripts. At least until NaNoWriMo came along and I committed to finishing one, Howlin' Hearts.

2011 is the Year of Completion for me. Even with Writer's Elbow to contend with I'm determined to finish what I start and not start something else until I do. Perhaps this dream was a warning to be diligent despite unforeseen circumstances. So, I'll wear the brace and rest the finger. I've got nine others I can use to type.

Photo: dizzyboy.com This Sunday Pondering brings to mind one of my favorite song's lyrics by the Eurhythmics : Here comes the rain again Falling on my head like a memory Falling on my head like a new emotion... Here comes the rain again Raining in my head like a tragedy Tearing me apart like a new emotion...

Photo: howtofindfriends.wordpress.com

Giving a Shout Out today to Rachel Harrie (Rach Writes), young adult horror fiction writer and sponsor of the Second Writers' Platform-Building Crusade. If you're new to the blog-verse, this blog event is a must.

So, what is this Platform-Building Crusade all about?  Well, Rach says:

"Basically, the Crusade is a way to link those within the writing community together with the aim of helping to build our online platforms. The Crusaders are all bloggers in a similar position, who genuinely want to pay it forward, make connections and friends within the writing community, and help build each others' online platforms while at the same time building theirs."

This is a fun way to meet to other aspiring writers and explore the world of social networking. Click on over to Rach Writes for more details.



Special props to Ciara Knight, paranormal and fantasy fiction writer for adult, young adult, and middle grade. Ciara is a fellow newbie at New Kids on the Writer's Block whose blog post today brought Rach's Crusade to my attention. Ciara blogs regularly at www.ciaraknight.com and Saturdays at www.newkidonthewritersblock.blogspot.com. 

"Dirt devils," my Grandmother used to say. Whenever we'd see a little dust kick up from the ground and swirl around like miniature tornadoes. Though they lacked the destructive force of storm tornadoes, she'd warn, "Be mindful. Faeries are afoot. You don't want them catching you."

What Granny called "dirt devils" are known in Irish folklore as sidhe gaoithe, faery winds. A sudden gust of wind or a whirlwind thought to be caused by the Faery Host rushing past.

W.B. Yeats remarked that Irish peasantry were careful not to offend the traveling faeries and at the sight of a faery wind they would remove their hats, saying "God bless them."

An Irish legend tells of an unfortunate man who built his house in the middle of a faery path despite the townsfolk warning. It wasn't long before a sidhe gaoithe whipped up, destroying the man's new home.

Modern Science pooh-pooh's superstitions and would have us believe that this phenomenon isn't supernatural.

"Dust devils form when hot air near the surface rises quickly through a small pocket of cooler, low- pressure air above it. If conditions are just right, the air may begin to rotate. The spinning effect, along with surface friction usually will produce a forward momentum. The dust devil is able to sustain itself longer by moving over nearby sources of hot surface air."  Wikipedia

Photo: www.reneecarol.com

 Most of the dirt devils that I've encountered were about ankle-to-knee high. An unnatural stillness would fall. Not a wisp of wind stirred. I didn't dare breathe the thickened air. The faint buzzing of voices and galloping hooves tickled my mind, if not my ears. The presence of one, or many, brushing past. There and gone in a blink of the eye. Too quick for them to hear the jack-hammering of my heart as I stood frozen waiting for them to pass. Who knows what would've happened if they'd noticed me noticing them.

Have you experienced a faery wind, or other faery encounter?

Catch me today at NKotWB for  the writer's version of show & tell.
http://newkidonthewritersblock.blogspot.com/2011/02/dont-tell-meshow-me.html

Punxsutawney Phil

According to legend, on February 2nd, when a groundhog emerges from its burrow, one of two things happen: he'll emerge to investigate his surroundings, or he'll retreat and hide. The outcome will determine whether or not winter will soon end.

If it's overcast when the little critter peeks out , he'll be prompted to leave his winter home and scourge for food. A sign that Spring is near. However, if it's sunny, the poor, hungry groundhog will be frighten back into his burrow by his shadow. An omen that there will be at least six more weeks of winter.

Seems pretty straight-forward, as far as superstitious prognasticating goes. But, it seems a bit backward to me.

Wouldn't cloudy weather signal more snow and a bright cheery sun suggest that Spring is coming?


Ahhh, what do I know about forecasting winter? I'm a Floridian. I haven't had to live through months of snow and sleet and ice. For those of you who do, I hope that Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow today.

• ISBN-10: 0425238180
• ISBN-13: 978-0425238189 
• Publisher: Berkley Sensation 
• Release Date: Dec 7, 2010 
• Pages: 352

A dragon will move heaven and earth for the woman with the key to his past and a door to his future.