Six Geese A-Laying

On the sixth day of NaNo, my true muse gave to me

Six books a-writing,

Five Syllables!

Four pumpkin cakes

Three cough drops

Two cuddly cats

And a family that’s dear to me.

***

D: Really, A?

A: What? I am writing six books in the Changelings compendium . . . or four. Depends on how Series 2 turns out.

D: That is not what I’m talking about – and if I know you, that number will change next week, too—

A: No, I’m pretty sure this time—

D: I mean the “a-writing” part A. Is that really what is happening here?

A: Um . . . theoretically.

D: What happened to 500 words a day?

A: Does blogging count?

D: No.

A: Oh. Then I guess under those conditions, no, I haven’t been writing, per say – wait, no, I had a few words written on Monday.

D: . . .

A: Don’t give me that look – it totally counts. And I have a brilliant idea to help me get inside Jenny Mallory’s character (she’s a tough one, even for a secondary character). Add in the three scenes I need to write for Book 1, and I’ll be done with edits.

D: Done? Really?

A: Okay, when I say “done,” I mean there’s the last read-through and edit run before it goes to beta readers, but that’s cleanup. The bulk is almost done.

D: So what are you still doing here? Hm? Time’s a-wasting, A.

A: Are you really tapping your foot at me?

D: Maybe.

A: I’m still here because there’s some fantastic news we need to share.

D: Oh you mean–?

Me and Billy the Kid by Briana Vedsted
Me and Billy the Kid by Briana Vedsted

A: About Briana – and her book, Me and Billy the Kid? Yes, indeed I do!

D: I’m so excited that her book is out! You have to read it, A and give a review.

A: I fully intend to – although I should perhaps leave that to you?

D: If only it were so easy to convince you to do that in all things.

A: Not bloody likely, D.

D: (Ungrateful wench) Did you know that Charles did his first audio interview?

A: (Overbearing Scot) I did – and Dean is looking for some feedback on his latest cover.

D: (Pict) Plus, there are some great reviews over at Green Embers’ Recommends.

liches tale
A Lich’s Tale and Other Stories by Bradley Corbett

A: (Same difference) And that hilarious conversation on Readful Things with his alter-ego to let the world know about his new novella, A Lich’s Tale and Other Stories.

D: (Heathen) Is Bradley the alter-ego, or is it Green?

A: (Thank you) I think it depends on one’s perspective.

D: And you know what my perspective says?

A: I don’t think I want—

D: It says that you should toddle off to bed so you can recover enough energy to finish those edits you keep talking about, woman!

A: There is no distracting you, is there?

D: Not unless—

A: Not unless, what?

D: Not telling.

A: D, come on, you’re killing me! What?

D: Get the book in the hands of beta readers and I might just tell you.

A: Now he gives me incentive. Sheesh! I guess that’s all tonight folks. Thanks for reading!

This is the sixth in a series on my own brand of NaNoWriMo – or rather, my Non-NaNo. One day D’s story will be told, and then what is he going to use to torture me? Stay tuned for what tomorrow will bring in our 30 days of NaNo.

Related Posts

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

On the fifth day of NaNo . . .

On the fifth day of NaNo, my true muse gave to me

Five Syllables!

Four pumpkin cakes

Three cough drops

Two cuddly cats

And a family that’s dear to me.

***

D: Five syllables? But it is a four-syllable phrase.

A : I know. That’s why its funny.

D: But . . . but. . .

A: Go with it, D.

D: Only if you can actually come up with a five-syllable word.

A: I have lots: refrigerator.

D: Mmm, cannibalism.

A: D, it’s five-syllable words, not word association. Ew.

D: (Eye roll) Fine, what about decontaminate?

A: Yes please – can we start with my house and my office? Just swab it down with bleach and maybe this cold will get better.

D: That’s simply self-preservation.

A: Do hyphenated words count?

D: Yes.

A: Why?

D: Because I said so. You’re not contributing, A.

A: Sorry, what? I was looking at a book. It’s a preoccupation of mine.

D: Very nice.

A: Wow, was that appreciation?

D: Maybe. What are you doing, A?

A: Checking for marks. I hear the body snatchers always leave them.

D: I’m not real, remember?

A: I was speaking figuratively, D.

D: And here I was hoping for some consideration.

A: Ooh, fair play. You know, we could do this all day.

D: Well, I could – you may lack the sophistication.

A: Are you saying I have some sort of inadequacy?

D: . . . .do you really want me to answer that, Snuffles?

A: . . . No.

D: Didn’t think so. It’s inevitable, A.

A: What?

D: The end.

A: The end . . .

D: Of this dialogue.

A: Say it ain’t so, D!

D: I mean for the day, A.

A: Oh, so you were speaking figurativly, then?

D: Always with the last word.

A: Quite-literally.

D: But—

A: Hyphens count!

D: Only because you’re ill, A. Only because you’re ill.

A: Ha! I win! ‘Night folks!

This is the fifth in a series on my own brand of NaNoWriMo – or rather, my Non-NaNo. This installment was brought to you by lotion facial tissues, menthol cough drops and the letter E. stay tuned for what tomorrow will bring (I know I am!).

Related Posts

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

On the fourth day of NaNo. . .

On the Fourth Day of NaNo, my true muse gave to me

Four Pumpkin cakes

Three cough drops

Two cuddly cats

And a family that’s dear to me.

***

Oh yes, the fun just keeps coming with this song.

And by fun, I mean the pumpkin cakes.

I don't have a picture of Pumpkin Cakes because they never last long enough to be photographed. So, instead, we have squirrels with coconut helmets. Nothing is better than squirrels with coconut helmets.
I don’t have a picture of Pumpkin Cakes because they never last long enough to be photographed. So, instead, we have squirrels with coconut helmets. Nothing is better than squirrels with coconut helmets.

I voluntarily gave up gluten in all its forms in 2011. Celiac runs in the family and while I have not been diagnosed with it, my skin, and my overall digestive health have thanked me. Since then, I’ve switched to using coconut flour as my baked-goods flour of choice. It’s high in fiber and protein and its fat is considered a medium-chain triglyceride, which means it is easy for the body to metabolize. It’s an acquired taste, but after a year of using it, I’m fairly confident in my ability to produce decent product that is low in refined sugar, and high in taste.

Then I found the Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins at Health-Bent and I knew I had to bow down to the masters. It calls for more sugar than I – or the good people at Health-Bent – would put in, but I’ve adjusted it using Stevia drops and coconut sugar (I know, for those sugar-conscious out there, sugar is sugar is sugar, but I still try to go for the low-glycemic versions when I can).

I’ve adjusted the recipe only slightly (click here for the original). I find I need triple the amount of spices when working with coconut flour, but that may be a personal preference. The recipe below reflects my spice addiction and you can adjust to your own liking

These are lovely with morning coffee, or after dinner, but really, these are what sustain me on the weekends when all I do is write. Or at work, if I didn’t feel like actually cooking that week and have no lunch. If I put dark-chocolate chips in them, they sustain the boy as well (until, of course, his teenage-boy-feed-me hormones kick in and he starts scrounging around the fridge for anything resembling bacon).

Fourth Day of Non-NaNo Pumpkin Cakes

  • 1 cup coconut flour
  • 1 cup tapioca flour (I’ve also made it with 4 Tablespoons Tapioca starch or 4 Tablespoons Potato Starch)
  • 1 tsp. Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp. Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp. Salt
  • 2.5 T ground cinnamon
  • 1.5 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1.5 tsp ground cloves
  • 1.5 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 cup melted butter, or coconut oil, or palm shortening  (I’ve used both butter and coconut oil. Both are great).
  • 2/3 c brown sugar & 2/3 c coconut sugar OR 1 1/3 cup plain white sugar OR 2/3 cup coconut sugar and 2-3 dropper-fulls of Stevia OR Sugar substitute of your choice to equal 1 1/3 cups.
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 15oz can pumpkin puree (yes, I could make my own, but that would mean less time writing, so I don’t).
  • 2 T vanilla extract
  • Extra cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling on tops before baking OR pumpkin butter (which is excellent).

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a standard size muffin tin with liners
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
  3. In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter (fat) until well blended and thickened (it won’t get fluffy because it’s melted fat). Add vanilla, eggs and pumpkin. Beat until well blended.
  4. Pour dry ingredients into the wet and blend to combine. Coconut flour absorbs something like 4 times its weight in liquid. It will appear runny at first and then WHOOM! You have very fluffy batter because the flour sucked up all the moisture. It’s fun to watch. I may be a disaster in the kitchen.
  5. Portion half the batter into liners. Sprinkle, swirl or do a happy dance with whatever you want on the tops of your pumpkin cakes.
  6. Bake until cooked through – about 30+ minutes (check after 25 min – ovens vary and burnt pumpkin is no-one’s friend. I will note however, that coconut flour tends to take its sweet time in actually cooking).
  7. Enjoy warm, cold, with butter, with honey, with anything because these are truly gifts of the gods.

This is the fourth in a series on my own brand of NaNoWriMo – or rather, my Non-NaNo. Each day, either D or I (or both) will discuss something to do with NaNo, writing life, or simply life in general. Stay tuned!

Related Posts

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

On the third day of NaNo. . .

On the third day of NaNo, my true muse gave to me

Three cough drops

Two cuddly kitties

And a family that’s dear to me.

***

D: Three cough drops?

A: Yep.

D: Only three?

A: Nope.

D: At least three?

A: Yep.

D: Now now, don’t get all loquacious on me, A.

A: Sorry, I had a cough drop. What were you saying?

D: You do this on purpose, don’t you?

A: Pretty much. Look, it was the first thing that popped into my head. I could very well have said three ginger snaps, three fun naps or three episodes of Spaced, but that one doesn’t rhyme, so it’s out.

D: . . . Or three doses of cold medicine. You know, you’re kind of fun on Nyquil, A. How many fingers am I holding up?

A: . . . 3?

D: (Puts up two more fingers) Close enough. You know what else comes in threes?

A: Don’t say bad things. We’ve had two near-misses this week, a third is pretty much going to turn all my hair white.

D: Oh, you mean it’s not already?

A: Shush.

D: I was going to say good things, Miss Pessimistic-Pants.

A: Oh. Well. Good. That’s good, D. Miss Pessimistic-Pants?

D: Don’t judge, A. As I was saying, I will see your three cough drops and raise you three good pieces of news.

A: Um, are we playing poker with my NonNaNo posts?

D: Can you think of anything better?

A: Not really, no. Take it away, D!

By Green Embers
By Green Embers

D: While A toddles off to her tissue-filled rest, please allow me to give my congratulations to a talented gentleman who has taken on the task of bringing me to life visually, not once, but twice. The talented Green Embers has released his first novella, A Lich’s Tale and Other Stories. Check it out.

Second, the lovely Sarah M. Cradit is responsible for this week’s prompt at the Community Storyboard: Childhood Memories. I’m interested to see how A – and everyone else for that matter – will careen down memory lane.

Finally, the most-excellent and prolific scribe of Windemere, Charles Yallowitz, is releasing his third book in the series on December 1 and he needs you, yes you, and yes you too. And yes, madam, you as well. Ah, and the gentleman in the top hat – I think he requested you by name, good sir—

A: Uh, D?

D: Oh yes. Sorry – do forgive me. Where was I? Right – Charles is looking for volunteers to celebrate the release of his book, Legends of Windemere: Allure of the Gypsies. Check it out and sign up!

A: Well done, D. In this case of NonNaNo Poker, I fold. Your 3 good news totally beats my 3 cough drops.

D: Well, obviously.

A: I think on the fourth day, D gets to learn graciousness.

D: I’m sorry, A – your voice is a little muffled with  that cold. Was that greatness?

A: How about humility?

D:  Ah, great ability you mean? Why yes, I do have quite a bit of that.

A: I give up. Good night, folks!

This is the third in a series. Each day, either D or I (or both) will discuss what the 30 days of my Non-NaNo have given us. Stay tuned.

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On the First Day of NaNo. . . 

On the Second Day of NaNo . . .

On the second day of NaNo. . .

On the second day of NaNo, my true muse gave to me. . .

2 cuddly cats

and a family that’s dear to me.

Isis taking a moment to smell the flowers.
Isis taking a moment to smell the flowers.

And by two cuddly cats, I mean two cats who demand I cuddle. They’re both rescues, and while Cleo is the Queen, Isis is a Goddess, and I am her chosen minion. It’s both an honor and a burden.

Of course, when I’m feeling poorly, or life begins to teeter recklessly on two wheels instead of four, Isis insists we sit together on the couch so that she can drape herself across my chest. There she purrs in time to my heart. Right now, the cats, the boy and myself are one big jumble on the couch, purring, munching, napping, reading and playing . . . at the moment, it’s Dragon Age. I don’t mind – modern RPG games are almost like watching a movie you can control to some extent. It’s kind of fun.

So, second day of NaNo, thank you for my two rescued cats. They fit in perfectly with my rescued bit of family.

This is the second in a series. Each day, either D or I (or both) will discuss what the 30 days of NaNo (which I’m not actually participating in – or rather, I’m participating up to 15,000 words rather than 50,000 words) have given us. Stay tuned.

Related Posts

On the First day of NaNo

On the first day of NaNo . . .

On the first day of NaNo, my true muse gave to me. . .

A family that’s dear to me.

It came to me, yesterday, how I could blog and NaNo at the same time (because NaNo is a verb, now). The reviled and/or beloved holiday song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, was to become The Thirty Days of NaNo.

That was, until I had an unfortunate flash of prescience. Or perhaps it was foreshadowing. That, or it was simple, dumb luck (to be said with Dame Maggie Smith’s accent and intonation when she admonishes Harry and Ron in Harry Potter).

The circumstances around the prescience are mundane. Needless to say, never should I utter the words, even in type, ‘barring catastrophe.’ It is like saying ‘bring it’ to the Universe.

Three days later, and my family has made two trips to the Emergency Room. My father remains in intensive care. It is not the stomach flu, as we had thought. My son, luckily, is home, now – only a little worse for wear in his tussle with the car that hit him this morning on his way to school. I bless every damn deity in the heavens above that he can be macho, and twelve, and brag to his friends on the Xbox that he was hit by a car and walked out of the hospital three hours later, because the alternative is too horrible to contemplate.

On the first day of NaNo, I realized that my family needs me more than I need NaNo. I still have a goal of 15,000 (which is my standard 500/day), but 50,000 words and the insanity that those words can bring . . . well, the world doesn’t need my novel that much. I will write it – I’ve already written what amounts to two books already this year. Books 3, 4, 5 and 6 will come in their good time.

In other news . . .

D’s taking the night off, so it’s up to me to be your valiantly verbose victor.

Ghosts Prompt Roundup

Check out the responses to this week’s “ghostly” prompt at the Community Storyboard

Not-so-newbie in town:

Have you met Dean? He draws, he writes, he blogs. You can find out about Dean at his new blog, Dean’z Worldz: http://deanzworldz.wordpress.com/about/.

He also has a new book, Quentin Hide and the Evil Lord Twigton. Check him out!

For the NaNoNites

Chuck Wending is Hilarious. His NaNoWriMo dialogue is even funnier, if such a thing were possible.

Support your local author

Because the internet community is the new local.

Good reading

There’s so much good reading around the web, but here were some I was able to check out this week:

Jessica B. Bell

She deserves her own section, why? Because she’s Jessica B. Bell, that’s why.

And Finally . . .

adventureswithD-final (1)

Adventure with us to Green Embers Recommends and my weekly Entertainment News installment with D. And this time, D’s status as a time-travelling Druid actually pays off!

 

Spooktacular Stories & Alarming Adventures

adventureswithD-final (1)

A: Come play with us at the Community Storyboard for my response to the Ghost Prompt: The House at Carrick Close: Visitors for a ghostly prompt

D: Why are we venturing forth when the edits for Book 1 are not complete?

A: Um . . .

D: It’s the night before NaNo, A.

A: And all through the house. . . (Sorry, Papi, I had to – your poem is stuck in my head … and gave me a great idea for posts for the month of NaNo! Cheers for that!)

D: So sorry to interrupt your terribly one-sided parenthetical – Sheesh, you’d think you’d at least talk to me during those.

A: Not everything is about you, D.

D: . . . It’s not . . . ? I’m – I’m not sure what you mean, A.

A: Well, you remember Charlie–

D: Sticky little runt – he’s still eyeing up my dagger, A.

A: Oh my god, he’s six. Chill, D. It’s Halloween and as fun and annoying as you are, you’re not spooky. Charlie and Kate’s story is a ghostly tale and any time a creepy prompt comes up, they’re beside themselves when I don’t take up the challenge and give them a bit of an airing. Little do they know they’re cooped up in their little seaside cottage for a few years yet.

D: Muahahaha.

A: Pardon?

D:  Diabolical laughter, A. Wasn’t it sinister enough? I can try again, because that is probably the scariest Halloween tale of terror any author can dream up!

A: Oh no, that was plenty sinister. Nice job, D. Just don’t take off your mask – we don’t want to terrify the readers.

D: What mask – this is my . . . Oh. I get it . Very funny, A (bloody woman).

A: Happy Halloween, D – Happy Halloween, everyone!

For Promptings from Beyond | Read more about The House at Carrick Close

The Druid asks the Questions – Dani Vedsted

Ladies and Gents, it is my pleasure and my honor to put the questions to Miss Dani Vedsted.

Dani is the proprietress of the Etsy Shop, Fall’n Love Crafts and a blog of the same name. I ask your forgiveness in advance – I am about as familiar with crafts as A is with the use of a sword for anything beyond a prop (which is actually a good thing. Yours truly may not live to see the completion of his books if she were to learn). However, Dani is a most gracious guest and walked me through the process. I hope you enjoy her as much as I did.

Now, without further ado . . .

D: Tell us a little bit about your store, Fall’n Love Crafts.

fallinlovecrafts
Fall’nLove Crafts – Dani Vedsted

DV: Fall’N Love Crafts started with a birthday present for my mother: a buffalo plate. She loved it and urged me to make more and sell them. Well, I did, and plates built up and my sister, Briana Vedsted, set up my Etsy shop for me. My shop name came to me as a little bit of encouragement to myself: you need to fall in love with your piece of art before you try selling it. No one can understand it or like it if you don’t have your own feeling for it.    

D: I hear you have a new line that debuts today – what is Fallen Angel all about?

DV: Fallen Angel is sort of like a fantasy for me. You see, being an angel is all about perfection; your hair is perfect, your heart is perfect, and so on and so forth. Being a Fallen Angel means the angel is flawed with human qualities such as emotions of anger and sorrow. Plus, to show the change from Perfection to Fallen, your angel might end up with a tear in her wing or a scar on her arm. Fallen Angel, I guess, describes the way I am feeling sometimes.         

D: Where does the inspiration for your crafts come from?

DV: Most of my inspiration comes from my surrounding or family. My Fallen Angel is completely emotional though.

D: We all have our favorite children (don’t shake your head at me, A – you only have one): What has been your favorite piece to make?

DV: That is a tough question; all of my plates have a special something to them. I think it would have to be my buffalo plate that I made for my mother’s birthday.

D: Well, she’s very lucky because it is beautiful. What about a least favorite piece – do you have one? What is it about it that made it less-than-loved?

DV: My least favorite plate was a wolf plate I made for a friend of mine. The problem was I liked the finished piece, but some of my family members thought it needed more. I put things on, took things off, and finally decided to leave it how it was.  

D: That sounds like a lesson many need to learn. Take us through the crafting process – how do you begin, and how do you know it’s ready?

DV: It is really easy; I get my plate and spray paint it the desired color, I then glue on the picture and all the ‘ornaments,’ wait for it to dry, and then I spray it with a sealant.    

D: So the reason A can’t craft isn’t because it’s difficult like she keeps telling me? Ha! Knew it. Is there a piece that you would love to make, but you don’t necessarily feel as though you’re ready to make it yet?

DV: Actually, my Fallen Angel Collection was the one I was afraid to do. I really don’t even know if it is good enough for me. I guess I will find out if it gets sold.

D: I think the idea of it is wonderful – and I hope your bravery is rewarded, Dani. Are there other creative areas you’d like to branch out into?

DV: I always wished I could be a famous artist or a musician, but I think I’m neck deep into a future of farming and ranching.

D: Never stop hoping. I had nothing but cattle in the highlands of Scotland and look at me now!

A: D. You’re a character in my head.

D: Yes, but I was somebody before that, A. Don’t ruin my message.

D: Now, Dani, do you have any advice for any other young, enterprising business people out there? What have you learned?

DV: My advice is never give up, keep praying, and keep your fingers crossed. I believe everyone has a chance at doing what they love; they just need to take that first step.

D: Alright, Dani – I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the magnificence that is me, but if you had to attribute one of your pieces to a time-traveling Pict Druid, which one would it be?

DV: The plate I think that would best be attributed to D’s magnificence is my wild horse plate that captures the very spirit of freedom and eternity.

D: I love it! Thank you, Dani, for spending time with me and answering my questions. You are a delight, and I wish only the best things for you and for your latest collection.

A: There you have it folks, the Fallen Angels line is available now – as is a lovely backstory/short story on Dani’s blog. Enjoy!

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In Review: Catalysts

Cover Art by Dean Kealy
Cover Art by Dean Kealy

Catalysts, a new horror novella from author Charles Yallowitz (Legends of Windemere), is perfect for a quick afternoon read. Even better if it is a drizzly and/or dark afternoon, because then the particular spell of this book can work its full – horrific – magic on your soul.

Catalysts presents readers with a true monster, one that is fascinating to watch, even as my stomach twisted a little bit at the carnage it wrecks. As much as I wanted to slap them, the characters are very real. It was easy to see a little bit of myself not only in the two main characters, but also in the ensemble cast. These men and women were the readers’ entry into the terror going on within the celebrity convention and each one was a well-drawn personality to either hope for, or revile.

I particularly enjoyed the juxtaposition of the scenes in the elevator with the chaos and slaughter outside. And as a warning to those faint of heart, it is slaughter. Personally, I enjoyed it – the descriptions were delightfully gross, and at one point, I swore I could feel the squelching of blood under my toes. The elevator scenes themselves were harrowing in their own way. It is never an easy thing to watch two people help each other spiral deeper into a personal darkness.

The story was tight and the culprits. . . I don’t want to spoil anything, but it was clever. Not only that, the book itself was a slow-burn creepy that hit me the next day. I enjoyed it and I recommend it – Catalysts is perfect for this time of year, or any time you want to peer into the darkness. And lucky you, you can buy it at Amazon!

Review based on a pre-release digital copy provided by the author.

From the Author

When trapped in an elevator together, Jeffrey and Darla learn that misery doesn’t always love company. With the screams of death and chaos echoing from outside, they find themselves slowly slipping into a world of fear and darkness they may never recover from. All the while, something is terrorizing the convention outside and turning the guests and celebrities into psychotic monsters.

 

 

Author News – Evening Edition: Catalysts

Cover Art by Dean Kealy
Cover Art by Dean Kealy

A: Look at this, indie author Charles Yallowitz’s spine-chilling horror novella, Catalysts, is available on Amazon for $0.99!

From the Author

When trapped in an elevator together, Jeffrey and Darla learn that misery doesn’t always love company. With the screams of death and chaos echoing from outside, they find themselves slowly slipping into a world of fear and darkness they may never recover from. All the while, something is terrorizing the convention outside and turning the guests and celebrities into psychotic monsters.

D: Four posts in 1 day A? Shouldn’t you be writing?

A: This is writing.

D: I mean with words that will be added to my story.

A: Um, yeah about that. My brain died sometime in the night.

D: . . . You’re not going to try to eat mine, are you?

A: No, sorry – I’m not sure it would help.

D: Are you saying my brains aren’t good enough for you, A? Because I happen to know that my brain is of excellent quality.

A: First, not a zombie. Second, you’re a character, a figment of my imagination. No matter how real or annoying you seem, your brain does me no good as it is not real. But don’t worry, D. If I were a fictional zombie, I’m sure I’d find your brains quite tasty.

D: Gee A, I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.

A: I will never understand you.