The D/A Dialogues

Stonehenge: Ancient Calendar, or Extreme Dominoes?

While A is away, the blog still gets to play. Please welcome Helena Hann-Basquiat!

H: So, D, it would seem that A has left me in charge for the day.

D: In charge? In charge of what? I’m 1300 years old — I’ve got bits of popcorn that have been stuck in my back teeth for longer than you’ve been alive!

H: 1300, huh? Well, that explains the crotchety old man routine.

D: We Druids invented that routine — not that I’ve seen any of the royalties — hell, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon owe their entire careers to the Druids.

H: (laughing in disbelief) Oh, is that a fact?

D: Yes, yes it is, Miss… I didn’t catch your name

H: Helena Hann-Basquiat

D: Well, that’s a pseudonym if I ever heard one.

H: You have anything nice you’d like to say?

D: Your breasts are like ripe pomegranates, and…

H: Yeah, that’s a creepy comparison, if you think about it, so let’s just move right along to the Q&A portion of this segment, darling.

D: Darling? Who do you think you are? Veronica Lake?

H: Wow, have you watched anything past 1960?

D: I thought you were going to ask me a question.

H: Yes, I was. So, what’s the deal with all the human sacrifices, Druid?

D: Wow, right off the bat, you insult me, and go right for the throat.

H: You’re 1300 years old, darling. I figured you had thicker skin than that.

D: Well, it’s lies, anyway. All lies. There were no human sacrifices.

H: Uh, I’m pretty sure there’s historical evidence…

D: (mocking) I’m pretty sure there’s historical evidence…

H: Yeah, that’s mature. What are you? Twelve?

D: I’m 1300 years old…

H: And you’d think that by now you understood the concept of sarcasm, or a rhetorical question, but yet here we are.

D: You are beginning to irritate me, woman.

H: Ahh, muffin!

D: What is that supposed to mean?

H: It means quit your whinging and answer the fookin’ question. You sound like a whiny little girl.

D: And I told you, there were no human sacrifices — that was a smear campaign by those invading followers of the shepherd god — a few of their women made their way into the woods during some of our more — shall we say — carnal ceremonies, and so those Christians spread all kinds of nasty rumours about us. But the sacrifices were all purely symbolic. I mean, you understand symbolism, don’t you?

H: Of course, but…

D: So, if I were a Catholic priest, you wouldn’t begin an interview with me by asking “Hey, what’s the deal with all that cannibalism I hear about — eating flesh and drinking blood?”

H: Okay, fair enough. So, what was the deal with Stonehenge, and the other standing stones then? Weren’t there sacrificial altars there?

D: Not at all! (Laughs a low, throaty chuckle) No, that was an early form of a game you may know as Dominoes.

H: Dominoes? Yeah, pull the other one, grandpa.

D: No, I’m serious! You have to remember, this was back in the days when men were men and the sheep ran scared. Originally, setting up tiles to be knocked down to form elaborate patterns was something of a team sport, and all the men of the village would get together and drag huge monoliths into position.

H: Uh huh. So why are they still standing, then?

D: Oh, I did that as a practical joke.

H: And just how did you do that, then?

D: Did you even read my character bio?

H: Of course, and that’s why it’s obvious that you…

D: Yes? Do go on…

H: Well, clearly, you did that thing, where you… will you just tell me already, darling?

D: I’m a time traveller. And if you call me ‘darling’ once more, I will grind your bones to make my bread.

H: Isn’t that giants that do that?

D: I’m a giant where it counts, dearie.

H: You’re a disgusting, creepy old liar, and I think this conversation is nearing an end.

D: I may be a creepy old liar, but I don’t think you think I’m disgusting at all. I’ve noticed the way you’ve been looking at me — trying to get a peek under me kilt.

H: (Sighs) Oh, yes, you caught me. I want you. Oh baby, oh baby. Well, let’s see it then. I know you’re just dying to show me. Let’s have a gander at thirteen hundred year old genitalia, shall we?

D: (Shocked and appalled) Well, I never! Have ye no shame, ye faithless tart?

H: (laughing) Been called worse by better, darling.

D: I think it best you take your leave now, strumpet!

H: And on that note…

**********

Helena Tells the Tale

I swear, I thought that I had walked in on him mastur… um, playing with himself. And then his shaking hand opened, and instead of ejaculate, several small bones flew and scattered on to the floor.

“Excuse me?” I asked the robed figure.

“Go away!” He grumbled. “Can’t you see I’m reading the runes?”

“I”m so relieved,” I said, not wanting to admit what I’d thought he’d been doing. “But I thought that we could talk. You see, A asked me to drop in and keep you company, and…”

“Hmmph,” he grunted. “Don’t need a nanny.”

“And I don’t change diapers,” I said. I found the old man instantly irritating.

“Oh, you don’t change…” he started to say, and as he turned and saw me, he suddenly stopped talking and smiled that goofy, lovestruck (or should I say lust-struck) grin that I’d seen on boys since I was fourteen years old and got my boobs.

“Well hello,” he said, trying to be whatever passed for charming for a… god, how old was this geezer? He was 80 if he was a day!

“Yes, hello,” I said. “So, D, it would seem that A has left me in charge for the day…”

Being the Memoirs of Helena Hann-Basquait, Dilettante

A patchwork discourse on pop culture and society from the scattered mind of someone who thinks that being “random” and “unfocused” is perfectly okay.

Helena Hann-Basquiat dabbles in whatever she can get her hands into just to say that she has.

She’s written cookbooks, ten volumes of horrible poetry that she bound herself in leather she tanned poorly from cows she raised herself and then slaughtered because she was bored with farming.

She has an entire portfolio of macaroni art that she’s never shown anyone, because she doesn’t think that the general populous, or, “the great unwashed masses” as she calls them, would understand the statement she was trying to make with them.

Some people attribute her with inventing the Ampersand, but she has never made that claim herself.

She was completely self-educated in a private institute in the Catskills where she majored in Pop Culture and Unpopular Music. She wrote her doctorate thesis on the films of John Hughes, and awarded herself a doctorate, though it’s not generally recognized. . .

Guest Blog: Mood, Characters, & Chaos

While A is away, the blog is still going to play – enjoy this guest post from Charles Yallowitz, from Legends of Windemere. Please, visit his blog and enjoy!

So, I’ve been asked to do a little guest blog for D and A. The topic is on how I interact with characters and how that alters or develops the story. Now, I believe our interactions with our characters are one of the driving forces of our writing. I’ve been ask by D and A to bring some friends to help explain this point. I decided to bring Luke Callindor and Sari from Legends of Windemere, Clyde the vampire from a future project, and Sin the adventurous thief from another future project.

Darwin Slepsnor: I’m here too!

Me: This illustrates my point. I didn’t want to bring Darwin, but he came here any way. So, where should we start?

Sin: How we affect your mood would be a good start. You are rather emotional at times. As the one this group that has to wait the longest for his series, I get to watch all of you. You people really cross his wires at some points.

Luke: We don’t cross his wires as much as we used to. It takes time and practice to be able to switch gears, especially when you’re working with multiple voices. A lot of aspiring authors seem to think it’s a natural ability to switch character mindsets, so they get frustrated when they see someone do it. The truth is that you’re seeing years of mental practice at work, which the author might not even be aware.

Me: Very true. At the beginning, I could only operate one character a day. If I tried for more then they would bleed into each other. This led to the story being altered and, ultimately, having to be rolled back.

Clyde: Like those times you tried to be me for half the day and the idiot boy-scout over there for the other half? That was disgusting. You made me act heroic and nice.

Luke: It wasn’t a picnic for me either. I suddenly appeared with so much rage and bloodlust that I was like an evil twin.

Me: Yeah. I got into a lot of trouble in those days. So, practice definitely is needed to develop your character juggling skills. There is still the issue of characters doing what they want and altering the story. Sometimes this alteration requires me going back to the drawing board with the character and her subplots. *looks at Sari*

Sari: I know, I know. I’m a bad little gypsy that gives you nothing, but grief.

Sin: At least you made it so that the rest of us can get away with things. I can already think of a few things that I would want to do differently than he has planned. We’ll discuss that when you FINALLY get around to outlining my stories. I’ve been trapped in note land for years, which is why I don’t feel as loved as I used to.

Sari: Quit whining. I thought you dropped that persona when you went back to being a confident book character and not a whining D&D character.

Clyde: He regresses like the rest of us. All characters have their original personality, which can pop up from time to time if the author isn’t careful. For some of us that’s a benefit because the old habits can fit our personality. I fall back to being totally monstrous, which makes sense and can work. Sin will need more practice and focus to leave that negative personality behind because it would damage his story.

Luke: A point in there that all authors should note is that your interactions with your characters will evolve them. That smiling hero from book one might end up being a miserable, cold hero by the end of the series. Not that I’m giving my author any ideas. Where is he anyway?

Sin: As usual, he’s letting his characters run the show. That’s part of his problem. Early on, he tried to force us to do things that he wanted us to do or people suggested. He didn’t listen and that caused conflict. An author should never be in conflict with his or her characters. The story suffers for that.

Sari: That’s something this one has trouble with. I cause issues because he puts a little twist into me then gets huffy if I go along with it. That’s why he pulls me into every conversation about runaway characters. He does it to himself.

Clyde: Where is that idiot anyway? He’s been quiet for a while.

Luke: Darwin disappeared too.

Sin: I think our author is asleep behind the couch. Darwin got him and wandered off again.

Sari: Our creator is so unprofessional.

About Charles Yallowitz

Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After his wife decided that she was tired of hearing the same stories repeatedly, she convinced him that it would make more sense to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house under orders to shut up and get to work, Charles brings you Legends of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you and his wife is happy he finally has someone else to play with.

Allons-y!

There once was a girl we’ll call Katie,

Who was horribly allergic to poison ivy.

One sunny day she was out,

And traipsed all about

And waits to start itching like crazy

D: Really, A?

A: How’d you like my limerick, D?

D: Is this what you’re calling creativity today?

A: Maybe.

D: We are all doomed.

A: Cheers, D. There is too much going on for planned creativity – carnivals, farewells, gardening, poison ivy near misses (no itchies yet!), boat rides, sun bathing and fireworks!

D: And this?

A: This is my farewell post – for at least a couple of days. I wanted to give a ridiculously huge cybernetic hug to all the guest bloggers who will be keeping you out of mischief and this blog from dying a horrible death due to my neglect.

D: . . .

A: I know. I know. It’s a bloody wonder it hasn’t already died, right?

D: You took the words right out of my mouth, A.

A: Oh, if only . . . ! Starting July 8, the guest bloggers are going to take over this blog and fill it with their creativity and words. Each one of these incredible bloggers (Charles, Helena, John, Ionia, Marie, Craig, TC , Andra and Briana) is fantastic and I cannot wait to have their lovely, insightful, funny and brilliant words gracing this space. I feel so lucky and blessed! Thank you, all of you, for telling your tale with me!

D: A, I think you need to leave now.

A: Pardon?

D: You have reached your adjective limit for the day. We understand; they’re great.

A: Cheers, D – please remember to behave yourself while I’m gone, ‘kay?

D: Behave? As if I would do anything less!

A: Oh boy. I apologize in advance for his ego and his antics. This is A, signing off. In the words of my favorite Doctor, Allons-y!!

The Storm and the Darkness Release Day Blitz

Title: The Storm and the Darkness

Series: The House of Crimson and Clover Book # 2

By: Sarah M. Cradit

Expected Publication Date: July 15, 2013

Ana Deschanel has made a terrible mistake. The only chance of protecting the other people involved is to flee New Orleans, the only home she has ever known, for the quiet solitude of Summer Island.

Summer Island, Maine (population 202) is not the tranquil escape Ana imagined. The locals are distant and cold, especially her neighbor, the reclusive veterinarian Jonathan St. Andrews. Her only lifeline is the kind but odd caretaker Alex Whitman. Showing up at all the right moments, he warns her she is completely unprepared for a Maine winter. As the first winter storm approaches to whispers of an island shutdown- Ana realizes that she may soon be cut off from the rest of the world.

After a surprising encounter with Jonathan’s brother, Finn, Ana finds herself braving the storm to return something to him. Unprepared for the Maine storm, she slips and falls onto the jagged rocks along the shore. The St. Andrews brothers find her in the nick of time, but she remains unconscious. As the storm worsens, the St. Andrews brothers learn there are other, more sinister forces at work closer than they ever imagined.

With no help from the outside world, they must find a way to protect themselves from both the storm, and the growing darkness that looms across the island.

Links

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18046472-the-storm-and-the-darkness

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Storm-Darkness-Crimson-Clover-ebook/dp/B00DS86XU2

About the Author

Sarah is the author of the Southern Fiction series, The House of Crimson and Clover. The series was born of her combined loves of New Orleans, family dramas, and the mysterious nature of love and desire. Her books combine elements of mystery, suspense, intrigue, romance, and even paranormal. She is always working on the next book in the series, and absolutely loves connecting with her fans.

Sarah lives in the Pacific Northwest, but has traveled the world from Asia to Europe to Africa. When she isn’t working (either at her day career, or hard at work at writing), she is reading a book and discovering new authors. The great loves of her life (in order) are: her husband James, her writing, and traveling the world.

Links

Blog: http://sarahcradit.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/houseofcrimsonandclover

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thewritersarah

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6914411.Sarah_M_Cradit

Smashwords Author Page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/sarahmcradit

Happy Birthday, America!

To all those celebrating the birth of a nation today, have a wonderful and safe holiday.

For all those not, enjoy our spectacle.

(It is our birthday after all –

we get to wear funny hats, make lots of noise and indulge!)

~ From the Druid, the Author and the Child

The Druid tells the tale

Who says A has to be here all the time?

(Um, D, it says so right in the title of the blog.)

(Go back to your writing, woman. You are woefully behind in your word count if you have any intention of completing 50k words by July 31.)

A has been remiss the last few days and has not allowed me the use of this forum to tell the tale, as befitting a Druid of my stature.

What stature is that, you ask?

(Don’t you dare, D. – that is seven years of boring right there. You trained for seven years in lore, genealogy and magic in order to become Arch-Druid of the Grove and you gave it up to be a bard at your lady-love’s hearth).

Well, someone is bitter. Regardless, I feel the need to tell the tale and since she is busy, I get to do it without interference.

I’d tell you to gather round, but what I really wish you to do is visit. Please, visit Pamela of the Year ‘Round Thanksgiving Project and if you have any interest in the fashion world, support a young designer in New York City during New York Fashion Week.

I also want you to pay a call on Briana Vested – she is the Spotlight Blogger at the Legends of Windemere today, and another worthy individual I cannot name.

Furthermore, I beg you – cast your eyes upon this dog’s life. If you haven’t noticed, I have a soft spot for hounds, whether they be baying war dogs or simple pups with a tale to tell.

Finally, stop by the Community Storyboard and enjoy “Self-Portrait” as told by the Electric Purple Prompt winner, Busy Mind Thinking. I found it beautiful and inspiring.

With that, my tale is done. See, it’s not me that makes A long-winded.

Good night!

~ D

Phoning it in

D: I can’t believe you’re typing this on your phone.

A: I know – watch out for autocorrect fails.

D: Auto-what? A it’s bad enough you didn’t listen to your intuition and do this at lunch. Must you add insult to injury?

A: Yes?

Anyway, this is supposed to be my first-of-the-month, Rome Construction Crew Update. I think, in light of the fact that I’m posting this in 3G, those updates and goals for the month shall be brief.

D: Can you actually manage brief?

A: With you? Not bloody likely! If you could refrain–

D: From being me?

A: I’d consider it a favor.

D: I suppose, under the circumstances–

A: Cheers, D. So, progress:

Part 2, first draft, is complete, as is the first read-through. I have some structural edits to make, but it’s decent.
Also have an outline for part 3 and wrote the first 500 words… The outline is on my google drive, and thus unavailable to me, but im pretty sure I haven’t trashed it.

D: Yet.

A: D!!

D: Sorry.

A: No you’re not.

D: Who’s wasting 3G bandwidth now??

A: You don’t even know what that is – but good point.

On a personal note, I’m doing better at the whole low-sugar, grain-free thing (paleo/primal), and resurrected my exercise regime. Weight is, for now, steady – higher, but steady.
Garden is in and flourishing. Late spring / early summer sucked weather-wise, but the potatoes are practically gleeful.

D: Can potatoes even be–

A: (Glare)

D: Right – oh look, a blue box.

A: Madman.

Finally, I’m waiting for the Part 1 beta readers’ feedback, but I think each “Book” in the Out of Time (working title) series, will a self-contained series. It feels more appropriate to Book 1 anyway, and means interesting things for Books 2 & 3.

Goals for July

Signed up for the July Camp (insert abbreviation jumble that means I’m writing 50k words in a month here). That will take care of Parts 2 and 3.
Develop and prep food/recipe cleanup project, which I hope to debut by month-end. D will not feature.
Start researching potential agents/markets. After much research, I know I haven’t the personal resources to self-publish in a way that would please my hidden perfectionist soul. Or impress enough people to at least make it pay for itself.
Complete my beta reading assignment – it has a deadline, so it’s a given (gotta have a few of those, right?!).
Set up all the delightful guest posts for my two-week child-free writing hermitage. All of you are fantastic. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Read a book – preferably a frivolous, delightful book. I’m open to suggestions.
Also, I’m thinking of adding something along the lines of “The Story So Far” to this blog. It would be a road-map/synopsis of where I am in the Out of Time/Sean & Maureen journey and would introduce the players and the events a little better to give D and I a bit more context.

D:Make people feel a bit more welcome, perhaps? Help them understand the crazy universe that you reference willy-nilly as though we all had access to your head?

A: Says the character in my head.

D: Precisely. Are you done yet?

A: One more! I want to outline one longer piece of fiction and write two other short pieces that aren’t related to the Out of Time universe, and submit a piece I’ve been working on for the RCC.

D: Always have to have the last word, hm?

A: I learned from the Master, D.

Final last word (I promise): The time may be nigh (ok, in a year or so) for an adventure. If you could go anywhere, if things like Visas and Passports weren’t an issue, where would you go? How long would you stay? What would you do?

Guest Post: A D/A Dialogue Roundtable Discussion

Hey, look at what we did! Thank you so much, Charles, for hosting D, Sean, and Maureen!

Legends of Windemere

(This is a guest post from the D/A Dialogues. Thank you to Katie for writing this post and I hope everyone goes to follow her site. Her posts are always informative and entertaining.)

A: Welcome to the D/A Dialogue Roundtable. First, I would like to thank our host, Charles Yallowitz for inviting us to be guest posters on his blog, the Legends of Windemere. This is an honor and I am really excited. So are the characters in my head! So thank you, Charles – this is wonderful!

We’ve been asked to discuss what it’s like handling multiple characters at once, especially when one has a strong, overpowering personality.

D: Who would that be?

A: (Eye roll) Gee, D. I don’t know.

D: Oh, you mean me? Thank you.

A: I’m not sure it was a compliment.

Sean & Maureen: Um, excuse us, but I think we’re supposed to be…

View original post 919 more words

Ordeal by headache

A: Migraine, migraine, go away, and please don’t come another day.

D: You call that poetry, A?

A: Nothing I do is poetry, D – I’m bad at it on a good day, and today is not that day.

D: I tremble to ask if you did anything of worth this day?

A: Watched the BBC’s new-to-me Agatha Christie’s Marple – which, overall, isn’t bad if I haven’t read the book they’re “re-imaging.” If I have, or if I’ve already watched a version of the story and it included Francesca Annis and James Warwick, then it’s bad beyond measure.

D: I think you should stick to your fictional British spies on days like today – you’re running a risk on that one, A. What about your goals?

A: (Whimper) Ask me again tomorrow – tomorrow is the 1^st, i.e. official update day. Let’s just say that round 1 of editing for Part 2 (which may now be Book 2) is complete.

D: Well done, A.

A: . . .

D: I do know when to walk softly.

A: Occasionally. I also put a flash fiction piece up for the Electric Purple Prompt on the Community Storyboard. It’s called A Fairy’s Kiss. And, I’m working on a modern counterpoint to the love letters post I did a few weeks ago.

D: I’m just going to keep walking softly here, A.

A: Smart Druid.

Dame Christie Fan? Thoughts on the new(ish) Marple? Aren’t Tommy and Tuppence — I mean Francesca Annis and James Warwick the best, ever?!

And the award for the most belated acknowledgement goes to:

D: A!!!!

A: What?!

D: What have you done?!

A: That’s a rather loaded question, D.

D: Don’t play coy with me, woman.

A: Really?

D: What did you do to the blog?

A: I thought you didn’t understand this techy, new-age (to you) blogosphere thing.

D: I don’t, especially when you go changing everything on me.

A: I was feeling cramped with the other page; it felt disorganized somehow. Plus: pretty picture.

English: Screenshot of Humphrey Bogart from th... — English: Screenshot of Humphrey Bogart from the trailer for the film en:Sabrina (1954 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

D: Well, I suppose; it does remind me of home.

A: See, not all change is bad, D.

D: Famous last words, A. Famous last words.

A: No D, famous last words are things like: “I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis.”

D: . . .

A: I’m not kidding, D. Humphrey Bogart. Look it up. If it’s in Wikipedia, it must be true.

D: . . .

A: I love it when he has no words. Anyway, the title was going to be “You like me, you really like me” however–

D: A, that is so tired.

A: I think what you mean is so tried and true.

D: Nope.

A: Come on, Druid, play along! There is such an outpouring of goodwill in the WordPress Community. I am so lucky to be a part of it.

D: I will allow that my sensibilities are both surprised and pleased by the welcome we have received.

A: Have you been spending time in the 19^th century?

D: It beats the jargon you attempt to pass off as English.

A: And yet the outpouring of goodwill stops with D.

D: You were speaking of awards, A?

A: Indeed. This post – or what should have been a series of posts – is long overdue. And it should surprise no one that I’m going to break the rules.

D: You know, that you are so predictable in breaking the rules eliminates the rebellious aspect of it, A.

A: Being 33 eliminates the rebellious aspect, D. I’m not rebelling; I’m just lazy.

D: Point taken. Proceed.

A: First, many thanks to John W. Howell at Fiction Favorites , Briana Vested at When I became an Author and Olivia Socum at the Claymore and the Surcoat for nominating me for the Liebster Award. Liebster translates to beloved, or dearest from German and I am honored to have such an award. And please, check out John, Briana and Olivia’s pages. They are all talented writers with their own tales to tell. It’s been a pleasure getting to know them.

The second award comes from Mike at The Eye Dancers. If you haven’t checked out his blog or his book, do it now. He weaves such interesting stories into his posts that I am always hooked. Mike nominated the D/A Dialogues for the Tag! You’re It Award. Now, the only version of tag I’ve played in years is phone tag, so this one was pretty fun! Thank you, Mike!

The third award comes from Patty at the Petite Maguique. Patty weaves beautiful images and poetry, and she’s a lovely human being to boot. Patty nominated us for the Most influential Blogger Award. I’m honored – thank you, Patty.

John at Fiction Favorites also nominated us for the Always Here if You Need Me Award, because none of us should face any of the trials and tribulations of life alone. This award is given to those who have demonstrated that they are around when needed most. Thank you, John.

Finally – I think?

D: Yes, A. Your cup overfloweth, but I believe you may be on the last one.

A: Cheers, D. Maire Anne Bailey at 1 Write Way has awarded us with the Shine On Award. Thank you, Marie!

Now, there is a bevy of questions to answer in conjunction with these awards, but I’m going to pick my favorite question from all the different options and answer them with you, D. Is that acceptable?

D: That is actually the most sensible thing you’ve done all day.

A: Don’t hurt yourself, D.

D: I believe the appropriate response is “thank you.”

A: Thank you, D!

D: Oh, go answer your questions, woman.

From Mike from the Tag! You’re It Award: What is your favorite season of the year?

A: Early Summer and Fall – both are beautiful in their own way, the temperatures are usually great, and there’s a better chance it will be dry.

D: The Autumn: it was a time of the harvest, and festivals, and for us, magic.

From Patty for the Most Influential Blogger Award: Have you ever taken a long distance train trip?

A: Yes – I took a train from Wisconsin to Arizona. It was wonderful and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

D: Across Europe during the glory days of train travel. That is truly the way to travel. Plus, murder and mayhem are so much more fun on a train.

From John for the Always Here if You Need Me Award: List something that makes you happy.

A: Music

D: A sweet smile on a loved-ones face

From John for the Liebster Award:What is the most indulgent gift you ever received or given

A: A trip to Ireland when I was 16, which was then followed by me moving to Ireland when I was 18. My parents indulged my more political whims and my desire to have an adventure.

D: When we fought against the Northumbrians, to regain control of southern Pictland, my father and I were captured by a squad of native Selgovae mercenaries. My life was their indulgent gift to me.

A: Gee, D – way to be a downer.

D: Well, we didn’t do indulgent gifts. A bit of a sweet was an indulgence!

A: I suppose. Moving on, so…

From Olivia for the Liebster Award: Where do you see yourself in 10 years.

A: On an adventure. TC will be in college – heck, TC may be out of college by then, depending on what and where he studies.

D: Um, in print, I hope. And out of her head, laid to rest but enlivening the imaginations of all those who read about me!

From Briana, for the Liebster Award: How many books are in the room you’re in right now?

A: More than I can count – two bookshelves and every single flat surface has a book on it.

D: This is A’s imagination: there are library castles in here with more tomes than a man can count in his lifetime, even a man as infinitely creative as a time-travelling Druid.

From Marie, for the Shine On Award – technically we’re supposed to say seven things about us, but we’ll stick with just one.

A: TC and I are dual citizens to the US and Ireland.

D: My time travel beats your puny passport.

A: It’s not a competition, D.

D: It’s always a competition, A.

A: Okay, D. You win. Time travel trumps dual passports every single time.

As for nominations, this is where I really trash the rules. Anyone who reads this, anyone who wants one of these delightful pictures, can have it. If you do, feel free to answer the questions we answered above as well as one additional question: Why do you blog?

Of course, as D and I love to tell the tale, there are a few people, in addition to those mentioned above, that I’d like to acknowledge, for their support, their general incredibleness and the excellent stories they’ve told. It is such a wonderful community here in WordPress, and I cannot express how grateful I am to be here. What was a daydream about what would happen if anyone discovered the D/A doodles in the margins of my edited manuscript has turned into a delightful adventure!

Andra has an incredibly humorous and poignant outlook on life and I love her prose. Ionia is a star, plain and simple and her posts always make me smile, learn or feel. Helena is witty and fresh and captures her readers for a delightful ride into her world. Charles weaves such a world in Windemere (and others) that is inspiring, fun and completely engaging. Bradley is so supportive of all of us, and his drawings, his music and the stories he tells always make me smile. The Rome Construction Crew is the same and I’m blessed I found them. Tammy Salyer has a brain that I covet and a flair that I admire. Jack Flacco writes books about zombies. Need I say more?! Okay, how about the fact that he shares his thoughts on a variety of other things in a way that is both cozy and intelligent. Sarah is incredible and I can’t wait for more of her series to come out. Kevin at Critical Margins makes me think, makes me want to do more and be more. And the Community Storyboard? That place made me realize I have more than D in my head!

I know I’m missing someone, or some blog, but those are some of those I’ve gotten to know the best. There’s always the tale-telling to acknowledge the bits and pieces we find in our day, but until then, thank you, all of you!

D&A

Being the Memoirs of Helena Hann-Basquait, Dilettante

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About Charles Yallowitz

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Goals for July

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