tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221835662024-03-12T17:34:07.034-07:00DL Warner -- A Work in ProgressMusings on writing, food, filmmaking and pop culture.DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.comBlogger472125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-82548596685384594352020-09-28T09:17:00.001-07:002020-09-28T09:17:32.233-07:00Carrying On Calmly and Otherwise<p><span style="color: #0e101a;">It's been quite a while, dear readers. Like everyone else in the USA and most of the world, this year has been rough. In addition to the well-reported crises, we've had our share of family sadness and scares. The worst part is that the stressors are ongoing. The constant thrum of background stress is impacting my productivity something fierce. I was getting very little done on my creative works. And I've been abysmally slow line editing Jon's novel. Thus, blogging about my life and work didn't seem prudent for a long while. I always feel guilty when not writing anything creative. I also don't like spreading negativity during this extraordinarily negative time. I prefer readers come to my worlds (even the real one) and enjoy their time without care. This was the state of affairs until several weeks ago. Mind, the stressors were still percolating in the background. But I changed my tact and began doing research for a novel I was trying to outline. But first –</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Month of Fun COVID Edition</strong></h4><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b>See Photos Below</b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">In trying to keep Jon from foraging hither and yon searching for provisions, I began to heavily rely on delivery services like Instacart [instacart.com] and Pavilions for day to day heavy groceries. But I was running out of pantry staples that I could only get at Mitsuwa Marketplace. I also wanted to order some prime seafood in small amounts. There aren't many shops I'd trust ordering seafood online. Going in person was not possible at the time. I am a high risk for Covid-19.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">One day, I chanced upon a website/app in the barrage of ads Social Media sites throw at me throughout the day. Mercado.com is a delivery service that covers specialty stores that don't carry enough variety for mainstream delivery services. Among the shops Mercado serves are many at <a href="https://farmersmarketla.com/">Farmer's Market LA</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. I was delighted. My favorite butcher and fishmonger are there. It's funny. I never hear anyone use the term fishmonger save for on What We Do in the Shadows. But I digress. There would be delicious treats for the MoF 2020. WooHoo!</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">My first order through Mercado.com included plump, firm sea scallops, and a dozen Pacific Oysters. Over the next week, these tidbits were happily devoured. I seared the scallops and dressed them in brown butter alongside a fruit salad. The oysters were served raw with a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mignonette_sauce">mignonette sauce</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">The beverages were different this year. A friend from Canada suggested a French Rose wine called <a href=" https://www.bevmo.com/shop/wine/rose_and_blush_wine/rose/blush/fabre_en_provence_rose_750_ml/p/1564405684704536445">Fabre en Provence</a></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. Fortunately, the local Bevmo had it in stock and on sale. I hadn't tried Rose wine since my early 20s. It had a <a href=" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewejFnS99yM">snazzy ad</a>, as I recall.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> It was really cheap and awful. The Fabre was light and delicate and refreshing. Delicious! By sheer coincidence, Jon brought home a <a href="https://www.bevmo.com/shop/wine/champagne_and_sparkling/champagne/sparkling/chandon_california_rose_sparkling_wine_750_ml/p/1564405684704474880">Rose Chandon</a> bubbly </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">for the scallops. I really disliked pink champagne in my youth (I had to learn to stop buying wine from TV ads), but considering how good the Fabre was, I thought it was worth a try. Sparkling Rose bubbly is now my favorite. This pairs perfectly with my favorite treat of the entire MoF.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/">Cousins Main Lobster Truck</a> </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">had the best Facebook ad to ever interrupt my scrolling. That was because it had lobster rolls and would be situated ten minutes from my house at a time when Jon could stop by and pick up an order. The prices were reasonable, and the reviews were stellar. I found out later that the company founders had made quite an impression on <i><a href="https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/about-us/shark-tank/">Shark Tank</a></i></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. The reviews are well deserved. That sandwich was a feast for the senses. The lobster was tender, the bun was perfectly toasted and buttered. I inhaled that, a bowl of lobster bisque and a bowl of clam chowder. It was disgraceful. I can't wait to do it again!</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Finding Traction</span></h4><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I've always been self-motivated as a writer. I'm typically able to juggle two writing projects while outlining a third. And I always wrote quickly once a story is outlined. This has not been the case since November 2019. The weirdness that is 2020 exacerbated the disconnect from my work. Since I'd never experienced anything like this before, I was unsure how to fix it.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Thankfully, I chanced upon a huge slate of videos that caused my mind to conjure some fascinating directions for upcoming titles. I've been watching a lot of Singapore TV True-Crime shows because, of course, I am. Singapore is a close analog to one of the regions in my Ensnared series. I've watched many travel documentaries about the country(Bourdain's was fascinating). That led me to historical and cultural documentaries. Next, I found the 24-hour news channel, CNA, has excellent coverage of Asia in general. I think that was when YouTube's algorithm decided I'd likely enjoy some True-Crime (and I always do). <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimewatch_(Singaporean_TV_series)">Crimewatch</a></i> </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">gave me insight into just how illogical humans can be when it comes to our baser natures. Who would risk committing crimes in a country known for its draconian enforcement of order? Apparently, a lot of people – enough to have 34 seasons of <i>Crimewatch</i>. Bourdain mentioned being weirded out by the many signs strongly advising against committing crimes or pushing citizens to report everything they see. Most people in the West have heard about the caning that can be part of a criminal sentence. It makes no sense to risk freedom and/or the skin on one's backside pursuing an illegal diversion when the country has so many legal ones. That gave me the central theme to the next Ensnared.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I've also found some wonderful documentaries on the Regency Era in England. I'm about to subvert the very literary romances of that period. The most helpful series for my research has been <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regency_House_Party">Regency House Party</a></i></span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. <i><a href="https://lucyworsley.com/a-very-british-romance/">A Very British Romance</a></i> and <i><a href="https://lucyworsley.com/elegance-and-decadence-the-age-of-the-regency/">Elegance and Decadence – The Age of the Regency</a></i> </span><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">with the fabulous Lucy Worsley were essential in helping with my world-building. Viewing these shows was also a great pleasure. I've been inspired to great mischief! I am now busily writing and plan to have some teasers up on my Author page very soon.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">In other news, I finally got fed up with my laptop's sluggishness and upgraded its RAM. Now, I'm efficiently finishing the artwork I need for a marketing push of my erotica titles. I'm even learning to animate! Flash animation, not Miyazaki. I'm not going to give a timeline for when the marketing will see the light of day. Let's just say that it's coming along nicely.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I am far from stress-free. However, I am writing and drawing again. The great Holiday Bake is coming, and I'm making plans. I'm getting through this. I hope you all are as well.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Stay tuned.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFSPinKZfgFTOtad30EQlkst6tvv_yFlhN6XnZgCqrYfD5KY_Crc-bqL_JfyZU-97r364y0ZjojRedQsKr-Zi9qKB9wdAQ5yl2odwD0Nok8esEzJlejb4XEIBzlCigUAqFr3j/s2048/20200418_202431+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFSPinKZfgFTOtad30EQlkst6tvv_yFlhN6XnZgCqrYfD5KY_Crc-bqL_JfyZU-97r364y0ZjojRedQsKr-Zi9qKB9wdAQ5yl2odwD0Nok8esEzJlejb4XEIBzlCigUAqFr3j/s320/20200418_202431+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaKvaWUWAA3vELQgW5-p1bkIl5iwEi_2ME5FsydantZ78GDMDmc479zOa_e2d-AnwenQPPQsDvi8BhY4bw9QQMhMW39VD4nl014ApA9Ywin3cyxck59kZnbEnCDiYe7bA8Hpo/s2048/20200508_141637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaKvaWUWAA3vELQgW5-p1bkIl5iwEi_2ME5FsydantZ78GDMDmc479zOa_e2d-AnwenQPPQsDvi8BhY4bw9QQMhMW39VD4nl014ApA9Ywin3cyxck59kZnbEnCDiYe7bA8Hpo/s320/20200508_141637.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvmuyS0z1TIXvDLkA0YzEjaEdxW8oWbqvzAXrD-4kbyhqCUfxWEIN-YRgqok7xtCNeW2vcx6iM01vCkc5HWNIv4VFcAIhja13ZPCG6PBziY-H1COLFCvxyhOWTxiB9uxQBmbu/s2048/20200513_175538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvmuyS0z1TIXvDLkA0YzEjaEdxW8oWbqvzAXrD-4kbyhqCUfxWEIN-YRgqok7xtCNeW2vcx6iM01vCkc5HWNIv4VFcAIhja13ZPCG6PBziY-H1COLFCvxyhOWTxiB9uxQBmbu/s320/20200513_175538.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtKT1zBb4-f5ft35EXJiyKdW4-WA3gnprxWNdZxrg3TPPChQffQs-VusNdAlsJrh6zk1oM7cqxC-63eDqkOsht4h-AUVAUJCU7QMt8lxLWvnSHtK6D2V-SYPHc_WcSLoBII4C/s2048/20200513_175906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtKT1zBb4-f5ft35EXJiyKdW4-WA3gnprxWNdZxrg3TPPChQffQs-VusNdAlsJrh6zk1oM7cqxC-63eDqkOsht4h-AUVAUJCU7QMt8lxLWvnSHtK6D2V-SYPHc_WcSLoBII4C/s320/20200513_175906.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPDeB5wv7eIiCLiBAU9FV3xTahxkR8N7PnpWxI1y4Rwc6r3wEWboN2nzShkcfMg9pXQbFsLZtALiO3NRsmNYjg5faugYPc_R1boAoh8NTqSfPmjDii8l4JbPwOCGlSdGUCzoN/s2048/IMG_20200528_193123_635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPDeB5wv7eIiCLiBAU9FV3xTahxkR8N7PnpWxI1y4Rwc6r3wEWboN2nzShkcfMg9pXQbFsLZtALiO3NRsmNYjg5faugYPc_R1boAoh8NTqSfPmjDii8l4JbPwOCGlSdGUCzoN/s320/IMG_20200528_193123_635.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgOQ1me-u0Mm1RnImSf-kMKTsE6sCT-PBOPYevlpAGOhyInttKkkcB8BFrGri_LnnThVd-zu1F6JkfRL5lhRMmZ433hqESjzAsCGbM-abzSBVY2Cv8-gfEfjHd7MUQKhxIWnm/s2048/20200508_141605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgOQ1me-u0Mm1RnImSf-kMKTsE6sCT-PBOPYevlpAGOhyInttKkkcB8BFrGri_LnnThVd-zu1F6JkfRL5lhRMmZ433hqESjzAsCGbM-abzSBVY2Cv8-gfEfjHd7MUQKhxIWnm/s320/20200508_141605.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><gdiv id="ginger-floatingG-container" style="left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px;"><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG ginger-floatingG-closed" style="display: none;"><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-disabled-main"><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool-tooltip">Enable Ginger</gdiv></gdiv><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-offline-main"><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool-tooltip"><em>Cannot connect to Ginger</em> Check your internet connection<br /> or reload the browser</gdiv></gdiv><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-enabled-main"><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-bar"><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool ginger-floatingG-bar-tool-disable"><ga></ga><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool-tooltip">Disable in this text field</gdiv></gdiv><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool"><ga class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool-edit">Edit</ga><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool-tooltip">Edit in Ginger</gdiv></gdiv><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool ginger-floatingG-bar-tool-mistakes"><ga><span class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool-mistakes-count"></span></ga><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-bar-tool-tooltip">Edit in Ginger</gdiv></gdiv></gdiv></gdiv><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-contentPopup"><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-contentPopup-wrap"><ga class="ginger-floatingG-contentPopup-close">×</ga><gdiv class="ginger-floatingG-contentPopup-frame"><iframe scrolling="no"></iframe></gdiv></gdiv></gdiv></gdiv></gdiv>DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-38412697639932828322020-01-10T15:47:00.000-08:002020-01-10T15:47:46.503-08:00Year of Fun, Rats, and Holiday Truths<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg4ahulRoevND3O5Qwlller1t2CgluP6ZI-Tg-e4fFuLEF8pUOduSJsDsO7dpzYBg_IJt08q2EP7A9ANHNmD2Dvtj8unsSYIL_c6j4qXIE7XlvdB58olig9XB9w5YNvjwUEhZ/s1600/YOF2020+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1008" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg4ahulRoevND3O5Qwlller1t2CgluP6ZI-Tg-e4fFuLEF8pUOduSJsDsO7dpzYBg_IJt08q2EP7A9ANHNmD2Dvtj8unsSYIL_c6j4qXIE7XlvdB58olig9XB9w5YNvjwUEhZ/s320/YOF2020+Banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've always loved the holiday season –
even when I worked in retail. I love the food prep and the gift
giving. No matter the mayhem in my life, we celebrate Christmases and
the New Year. I just saw a lovely documentary from<a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/lucy-worsleys-12-days-tudor-christmas/" target="_blank"> Lucy Worsely</a> that
affirmed my belief in celebrating the full 12 Days of Christmas.
Happy 12<sup><gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15786964979775259689422">th</gwmw></sup> Night, y'all (I began this blog on January
6th)!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Despite that great love for the season,
it is linked now and forever to my cancer diagnosis and the first
surgery. Ten years ago, this past December, I nearly departed this
world. But there were many holiday miracles that December. My primary
care doctor was one of a handful of docs that could recognize my
symptoms, There was a cracking surgeon on call when I presented at
the ER. Somehow, Temple University ended up in a bowl game (I was
really convinced that news was the morphine talking, but it was
true). I couldn't eat Thanksgiving dinner, and Christmas dinner
tasted like metal from the <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15786965030885770140935">hellacious</gwmw> antibiotic. I was okay about
the food tasting that way, but I was offended that the champagne
tasted like metal. I drank it anyway.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since my diagnosis was in December, my
yearly probing, blood draws and <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-3" id="gwmw-15786965050633652262695">chest-smashing</gwmw> are scheduled during
that same time. While I'm having fun with the usual rituals and the
new recipes or ingredients, I find that I have to drop everything and
sit in waiting rooms. As I head into a New Year, I'm waiting for test
results. It's quite a dichotomy. Most years, I'm baking and enjoying
Alastair Sim (the only Scrooge on film who matters) and imbibing
calorie rich libations while worrying about test results. This year,
I was doing all those things while worrying about how I'd be
financially able to be treated if something comes back or something
new comes up. I was also hit with a major downer over the yearly
survey of my overall health and state of mind. The former is worse
than it was ten years ago in many ways due to the profound side
effects of the cancer treatment, and the latter has been in a
spiraling depression because of all that I can't do or do as easily
as before Chemo.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I scared my Doc with the answers to
that survey. I had not intended to do that. The questions didn't have
answers that reflect my gratitude for being alive. I had to assure
her that my answers did not indicate despondency. I was still
cooking, and baking, and following rituals. Most importantly, I'm
still writing naughty holiday stories (albeit way, way too slowly).
Everything I like doing seems to take a lot more time than the year
before. That fact really bugs me, but I keep plugging.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Enough of that. There is another thing
about 2020 that I am very excited about. I had hoped to be excited
about silver jumpsuits and jet packs, but this is a lot of fun as
well. This year, I reach a venerable milestone on my birthday. Thus,
it's another Year of Fun (#YoF2020)! Also, the Lunar New Year heralds
<a href="https://www.yourchineseastrology.com/zodiac/rat.htm" target="_blank">The Year of the Rat</a>, which is my birth year.
That means, I am doubly obligated to celebrate. Thus, there will be
<gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15786965185711809971801">hijinx</gwmw> and <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15786965185716880895078">shananigans</gwmw>. I plan to have dishes I've never tried and a
fancy cocktail now and then along with my wine (much more champagne
than usual). And there will be travel. There will be!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking of new foods, I have some
recipes on my immediate to-do list. One is a Nigerian dish called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moin_moin" target="_blank">MoiMoi or Moin Moin</a>.
It's made with black-eyed peas, bell peppers, onions, and hot peppers
blended and steamed into a pudding-like consistency. Jon used it in
his new novel, so I have to try it out. Yes, I will be testing
recipes from my fiction. I've also been experimenting with British
baking ingredients like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscovado" target="_blank">Muscovado dark brown sugar</a>
(a richer brown sugar that tastes like molasses) and Mixed Spice (a much zestier pumpkin pie spice). They've made a marked difference
in my baked goodies this year. Nigella Lawson is responsible for
this. Her Christmas yummies looked so amazing that I had to try to
replicate them as closely as possible. This isn't British, but I'm
also excited about getting a hold of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_chocolate" target="_blank">Ruby Cocoa and Ruby Chocolatebaking morsels</a>. They taste like chocolate and berries at the same time. The fudge is
amazing. Praise Amazon Prime for making the world an accessible
pantry.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy0HwQ_8P3SJD_lx0z6iWTA_1o-e4GzS7cIiLVMi8bhb10d025s0nnKLFU8K7Y5TiOlhAR-u30RZQZqVLlhGMoByx6jHC8EISbdCRBr5Enm-JZVYXUOLWKREF3BqEBG1zYLtJ/s1600/82123046_629722317777769_5626636478948835328_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy0HwQ_8P3SJD_lx0z6iWTA_1o-e4GzS7cIiLVMi8bhb10d025s0nnKLFU8K7Y5TiOlhAR-u30RZQZqVLlhGMoByx6jHC8EISbdCRBr5Enm-JZVYXUOLWKREF3BqEBG1zYLtJ/s320/82123046_629722317777769_5626636478948835328_n.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don't make resolutions anymore.
However, I aim to treat myself better during the YoF2020 and beyond.
I've been working on a consistent skincare routine to add to my
natural hair care regimen. You wouldn't believe how many YouTube
tutorials it took to get a handle on the skin and the hair. On the
plus side, I now know way more than I ever expected to about beauty
influencers. It may seem like a waste of time, but the reviews and
recs save viewers a lot of time and money. It's especially nice to
have advice from women who are my exact shade or hair texture. And
bless the professional artists online who know how to makeup women
of a 'certain age.' In short, I'm doing the self-care thing.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Writing Updates</b> – I will finish the
current story. I've got a couple of new novels in the concept stage
while I am continuing with my popular titles. My plate is full, but
that's fine. It's full of my favorite kind of characters. I'm also
learning a lot about illustrating my work. This New Year/New Decade
is very exciting. I am eager to take it on.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned!</div>
<br />DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-63092772065026188622019-07-27T16:50:00.001-07:002019-07-31T07:23:39.022-07:00Writer's Quirks, Strange Research and a New Venture<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQWUuTI8C-FqCN1Hilm1pTuxWkRK3OFOkwVvid17o-RWFlrZr0cWL0N8EvvZr9jEyFCjd_2PrEV0tQbNfxXYGWHMIIafQDO9jhGhhVjyRoKDbBUpsyRvH-r4sy_-f7y0lG7fH/s1600/45292647_10213260099881483_4217988708822941696_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="960" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQWUuTI8C-FqCN1Hilm1pTuxWkRK3OFOkwVvid17o-RWFlrZr0cWL0N8EvvZr9jEyFCjd_2PrEV0tQbNfxXYGWHMIIafQDO9jhGhhVjyRoKDbBUpsyRvH-r4sy_-f7y0lG7fH/s320/45292647_10213260099881483_4217988708822941696_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I live with a writer (he's on the left). We've been
together many, many years. I can't deny that such creative
cohabitation has great benefits. Jon and I are each other's sounding board. We fill in the gaps for each other. We proofread for each
other. This symbiosis was especially important early in our
relationship. I was not trained in screenwriting, and Jon was not a
writer of prose fiction. In theory, the arrangement should have been
simple. I do characters. Jon does visuals. We both work on the
concept and the outline. Easy peasy lemon squeezy – it is not.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The big issue is that Jon hates doing
re-writes. Who doesn't, right? I am quite famous for reacting so
badly to the term 'notes' that my production partners warn the
note-makers in advance that they best have complete confidence in
their schooling, experience, and taste (depending on my mood) or Deb
is really going to hurt your feelings. And I'm known as the nice one.
Oh, there were many meetings I was glad Jon wasn't a part of such is
his dislike for re-writes. That said, I do know that re-writes are
inevitable for various reasons that involve anything from money
(remind me to tell you about the animatronic cow we wanted for our
Vampire film,<i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Demon-Under-Glass-Jason-Carter/dp/B0002CX1CU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Z2Q6F2RRTWL1&keywords=demon+under+glass&qid=1564272756&s=gateway&sprefix=demon+under+%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Demon Under Glass</a></i>) to logistics, creative input from the cast and/or crew, and audience reaction. Only <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y24tscrj" target="_blank">Paddy Chayefsky</a> got away
with not changing one word of a script, and I'm fairly certain that
only happened <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yy8m7x2h" target="_blank">once</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Somehow, we've made our personal styles
mesh well enough to write scripts in a timely fashion with little household tension. I found that I've picked up a lot of Jon's methods for
outlining and figuring out what is wrong when I hit a wall while writing fiction. And he's been learning about writing fiction from
me. He experimented with all kinds of styles when writing some
chapters of the <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yy6mb7hp" target="_blank">insanely long fanfic saga</a>. Jon was so good at
mimicking my voice that very few readers spotted the difference
between my chapters and his. For the most part, the <i>Logs</i> were written
quickly to respond to episodes and irk the writers for the show. They
were also writing experiments.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And then came<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-Periphery-Jon-Cunningham/dp/1532311389/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=life+on+the+perifery&qid=1564272846&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spell" target="_blank"> <i>Life on the Periphery</i></a>,
Jon's collection of short fiction. First off, I must emphatically state that the book is brilliant. That made coping with 'he who shall not re-write' worth the considerable consternation. The protracted research process featured questions
about such disparate topics as teenaged girls in the Dust Bowl era,
abandoned spouses in olde timey Arabia, personality quirks of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn" target="_blank">jinn</a>, security protocols at Auschwitz, and courting rituals of young men
in 1920s Ohio. The questions tended to pop up randomly and in no
particular order. Life was quite interesting during that time. He
kept this gal on her toes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgMWzVpgdUC2xGNyw1iLjOgDoOxo6LdisoU6pQABz5S5k_Lubm3Xtyp-MZZHzRwblmj2Ny8TNF3J3CZdwCvNmhrHl6PD8jpe2_oiOTRriXbCrhV2R_Hg-rURNUgqRcTVMWYAY/s1600/511TQZOowdL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgMWzVpgdUC2xGNyw1iLjOgDoOxo6LdisoU6pQABz5S5k_Lubm3Xtyp-MZZHzRwblmj2Ny8TNF3J3CZdwCvNmhrHl6PD8jpe2_oiOTRriXbCrhV2R_Hg-rURNUgqRcTVMWYAY/s320/511TQZOowdL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
The range of the collection is
breathtaking. He has a truly unique perspective and expresses that
with keen insight, great wit, and delightful whimsy. I freely admit
that it was so good that I was annoyed. It was his first collection.
Who hits a grand slam the first time at bat? When I think about it,
I'm glad the collection turned out so well. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The current book is a novel, but it
still involves a wide range of research. Jon has two expert
consultants working with him, but the questions keep coming. How do
you eat French onion soup (chew, then sip); what do you know about <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Noh-theatre" target="_blank">Noh Theater</a> (next to nothing); if you get soaked in the rain, should the
clothes come off as soon as possible (yes). Over the past several
weeks, he's been through the Concept Stage, the Outline, and the
Detailed Outline. He's five chapters into the writing now. The first
thing Jon's discovered is that characters are harder to control over a
longer arc. That was quickly followed by the revelation that no matter how
careful the outline, a plot can be stubbornly wayward.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What do Jon's adventures with writing
have to do with mine? Isn't it a distraction? It does seem so when I
write it down like this, but I find his drive encourages me when I am
wallowing in rough waters with my own work. That said, Jon has
derailed me while writing love scenes here and there with the sheer
weirdness of some of the questions. That is rare though. It's
encouraging to have another writer in the house. Keeps our eyes on
the prize, so to speak. And pulling me out of the deep malaise I was
in was no easy feat.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Updates</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm basically finished writing the
short story that's taken forever. Its title is<i> Pedestal</i>. I'm working on a few illustrations
before going back to proofread and tweak. As I've said before, the
story will be free to download. I'll also post it on my <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yxogb4r7" target="_blank">Yaoi Blog page</a>. This my gift to the readers for
their patience and understanding. I've written an outline for the
next <i>Ensnared</i> book while working on the short story. I wasn't
planning on that, but a certain character loves hogging attention.
Other novels and shorts are in the works. I worked on the next <i>Vampire Rent Boy</i> when I
got stuck with the current short story.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking of keeping our eyes on the
prize, I was seriously stressed over the thought of having to take on
freelance work to keep our heads above water during this situation
with the Feds. Before my diagnosis, I worked jobs that didn't drain
my mental energy. That way, I could write quite a bit while I was
off. The gigs I'm looking at now require a lot of mental and/or creative
energy.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think the worry was evident in my
last Author Page post. Several lovely readers strongly suggested that
I consider starting a <a href="https://www.patreon.com/" target="_blank">Patreon</a> account. I've considered this before,
but I couldn't figure out what perks I could give that anyone would
want. The latest person to suggest a Patreon sent links to other
authors who had an account. I was surprised at the average minimum ($3.00)
and at how simple and easy the perks could be. So – I'm gonna
create a Patreon account! It will be a few weeks before I roll it
out. First, I must publish <i>Pedestal</i>, Second, I want to plan
it carefully and get a jump on the crafting the perks. Thank you to those who suggested the notion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is both exciting and terrifying.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
An excerpt from <i>Pedestal</i> will be available tomorrow!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned!</div>
<br />DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-39373448810915192442019-01-14T21:02:00.001-08:002019-01-14T22:38:55.805-08:00Muses, Inspirations, and...Jon<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's been a while since my last blog. I thought I'd warm up with a writer's blog. The question I'm answering from my readers is 'Where do my ideas come from?'</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I suppose if a casual reader looked at my body of erotica works, the variety of themes that have no relation to one another must look odd. No two settings are alike. The titles that are in the works will likely cause more confusion than clarity. Let's see, there is a new title set in the Regency era of England and another that is in the corporate world of Manhattan and rarefied world of the Hamptons. These will join the other series that span realms that have magical elves and dragons to a New Jersey town where the children of the night hang out in dive bars. My head is often a rollicking, boisterous place.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But how does this happen? The short answer is it's Jon fault. I'll explain that in a little while. Let's do a mini countdown, shall we?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>I was going to write fanfic because I loved/hated the original then decided to do new work.</b></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The <i>Surrender</i> books originated with my mad love for <i>Lord of the Rings</i> fanfic. There were some works that were so amazing that I was convinced the writers were closeted professionals. I adored</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdEmq6BYnY_f0VhMOCdPmCbza3CRFLGbVgy4pnqBPfviauYRtNtiXJBx1Ilr2UPYhVIJsMwxS93DKB5FZmSwV1-D-4sv7RH-r7-CcpfNV2iy3dcFRV01kmpebdSuF1drE8ZNO/s1600/51Qu4-IDzLL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdEmq6BYnY_f0VhMOCdPmCbza3CRFLGbVgy4pnqBPfviauYRtNtiXJBx1Ilr2UPYhVIJsMwxS93DKB5FZmSwV1-D-4sv7RH-r7-CcpfNV2iy3dcFRV01kmpebdSuF1drE8ZNO/s320/51Qu4-IDzLL.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
their takes on the characters and how they immersed readers in those realms. So, I wanted to try my hand. I was already an infamous fanfic writer with a few series going. Then, I was chatting with an Industry friend who argued that I should spend all of that creative energy on something that could provide an income. That was true. Fanfic never kept me from writing scripts or doing Producer things, but I was hungry for some professional creativity that didn't involve budgets and fighting with my own department heads.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The <i>Surrender</i> books set out to be a typical fantasy romance. It really did. But as Jon often says, I can't resist subverting tropes and then making that twisted version seem reasonable. That is what makes me a very dangerous Domme when I have a mind to be. Thus, the story of a royal princess who is forced to marry in order to save her kingdom becomes a tale of subtle Dominance and submission. I even tried to beat the record for the longest first sex scene that is still held by the amazing <a href="https://g.co/kgs/sPXw56">Thea Devine</a> (her real name) at over 100 pages. My first love scene didn't get that far, but it was still a hoot. My only regret with those books even though I really loved writing them is that I held back on the fantasy elements, and I haven't written the third book. Well, I'm fixing that with some major re-writes (I'm going for that record adding the magic) and the newest volume!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let's move on to the titles that inspired me via blind, boiling rage and hatred. The first was the <i>Ensnared</i> series. Yes, this epic series full of fun characters and hot loving was one of the titles born of rage. I'm not going to get into a debate about pop culture influencing bad behavior. These are my own reactions to tropes that have impacted me or someone I know in profoundly negative ways. BDSM is wildly misunderstood by the general public thanks in large part to ridiculous depictions in various forms of media. This is especially true in Yaoi. I was new to the sub-genre when I first ran across <i>Ai no Kusabi</i>. While it wasn't the worst non-con I'd ever seen, it was the one with the prettiest characters and the most compelling voice performances. Thus, it was popular and often held up as representative of the entire genre. This was a problem for me because I was trying to expand the market for Yaoi fiction beyond straight women to include gay men. They rightfully had a problem with the tropes in that title and many others. What to do? When Jon runs across a book or film he doesn't like, he takes similar concepts and weaves a better tale. It is a long tradition in literature. Hemingway did it in <i>Torrents of Spring</i>. Joe Haldeman did it with <i>The Forever War</i>. I set out to turn the all-powerful Seme and the powerless uke love story on its head with a romance that made sense while indulging in lots of BDSM sexy time. <i>Ensnared</i> became way more than I expected, but I am enjoying the ride too much to give it up entirely.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The other title that fits in this category and the next is my response to a film that thankfully had limited distribution called <i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825728/">The Pet</a></i> though it also works as a response to the equally vile <i>50 Shades</i> books and films. See below for a brief mention of <i>The Proposal</i>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ol> <ol start="2">
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Continuations of my own themes.</b></div>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPL_pwaFLYeQDWKYCg3srRtn8j6IetdYVxq_M6Ni83p2KbUcHjeXgjkLPxKpv-DjrJ1UEl0CVL-4hARiZa-_oeBWQjotbE3LmWGtEbJB2TB3tm7JpwMheuei8WBtviHT4WZfK/s1600/LgCovSaga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPL_pwaFLYeQDWKYCg3srRtn8j6IetdYVxq_M6Ni83p2KbUcHjeXgjkLPxKpv-DjrJ1UEl0CVL-4hARiZa-_oeBWQjotbE3LmWGtEbJB2TB3tm7JpwMheuei8WBtviHT4WZfK/s1600/LgCovSaga.jpg" /></a>Thus far, there is only one title in this category though there is a second in the works that began as a script. The first is the <i>Soldiers</i> Series. This series is an extension of the novelization of our film, <i>Demon Under Glass</i>. Vincent and Rik are the end results of experimentation that began in that film. At the time I wrote <i>A Soldier's Choice</i>, I was much enamored with <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullmetal_Alchemist_the_Movie:_Conqueror_of_Shamballa">Conqueror of Shambala</a></i> so my protagonists vaguely resembled those men, but the entire mythos for the series is ours. Why yes, I did notice that the theme resembles the new series <i>The Passage</i>. I noticed enough to have a hard look at when those books were written and by whom. Ours predate his novel by a few years. I suppose Vampire super soldiers come up in more than one head. And just as <i>the Passage</i> is neither <i>Demon Under Glass</i> or the <i>Soldiers</i> series, my titles are not <i>Conqueror of Shambala</i>. Inspiration comes from many places. The Soldiers series will continue with a fourth book and the script we wrote will become a webcomic.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>The Proposal</i> script never got past the treatment stage. My cancer diagnosis derailed it for a while. The success of <i>50 Shades</i> made me rethink trying to make a controversial film first. I'm serializing a novel right now that I will release in installments as ebooks followed by a combined print book. If the series catches the right eyes, I still want to do a film.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>It's Jon's fault.</b></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Somewhere during our many years together, Jon became my muse. He didn't do it on purpose. He just has this way of summing up something in a few words that make for a great starting point. In the Industry, it's called The High Concept (<i>Miami Vice</i>'s High Concept pitch was MTV Cops, for example). He's directly responsible for <i>Vampire Rent Boy</i>. That happened while we were looking at a stock image website for art to go with <i>The Companion</i>. We came across the image of a pale face beauty in a top hat and vaguely Victorian clothing, and Jon said 'Vampire Rent Boy.' And I was off to the races. By the way, I really did hang out in a bar like Muttley's in Hoboken when I worked in Manhattan ages ago. A few doors down was the bakery that would be run by the <i>Cake Boss</i> years later. But I digress.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K-NG_DSNfw8laaqAhDLEzWmclscNofI3kVeXtyxFGXU7ijhUdtRNAH0QiTP8PgMwCNzoEAhEA8XcNbfnw_wQHU95pl-bNxfSAMiiwGUifHvrS4cVd7YqeDOxGxamEJCrT9rh/s1600/swoon-carafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="625" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K-NG_DSNfw8laaqAhDLEzWmclscNofI3kVeXtyxFGXU7ijhUdtRNAH0QiTP8PgMwCNzoEAhEA8XcNbfnw_wQHU95pl-bNxfSAMiiwGUifHvrS4cVd7YqeDOxGxamEJCrT9rh/s320/swoon-carafe.jpg" width="320" /></a>Another time, we were chatting about how any job can become a chore (even filmmaking). Jon wondered if sex bot builders would continue to masturbate after working in such a place. That comment resulted in a short story that is least like me – sexy but darker than dark and depressing. I wrote <i>Product Development</i> for an anthology years ago and will publish it soon as an ebook novella. More recently, he became obsessed with a Reese Witherspoon TV ad that featured a bizarrely designed decanter. That led me to comment that Mykos would think that design was the real reason a civilization fell. And I was off and running with the next <i>Ensnared</i>. I'd been grasping for a beginning for weeks. Jon is also responsible for my writing a Yaoi romance by way of Regency Era England. Well, Jon and <i>Midsomer Murders</i>.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is my process – such that it is. To find all of my available titles, you can visit my Amazon Author page here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/D.L.-Warner/e/B002BREP2O">https://www.amazon.com/D.L.-Warner/e/B002BREP2O</a>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Next Blog – Who are my characters based on? Where DOES that dialog come from?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned!</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-1966042642063400722018-07-28T15:27:00.001-07:002018-07-28T15:28:38.555-07:00Wedding Cakes, Sugar Lace, and Jane Austen<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jon and I didn't have a wedding cake. We had Elvis, singing Klingons and a really great seafood buffet, but I just couldn't arrange a reasonably priced cake in Las Vegas for our wedding. The hotel where we had our reception (in that we ate the seafood buffet that was already there) wanted a cake cutting fee of $10 a slice! Um, no. Thus, for our 20<sup>th</sup> anniversary (geez, really?!), we want a proper wedding cake. That means making our own. I thought we'd make some small cakes in various flavors and styles and see which one we like best. I also suggested that Jon take some of the cakes to his job to share so our apartment wouldn't be full of cake all summer. You'd think I'd suggested he gut the office cats. I suppose that means there will be a lot of cake in the house. Maybe we'll get visitors. Special visitors.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_sbbzC_bJc3pKIbFE4-MggsUXP-1Zu1tsEIP6KEemhIYljYsMFrXwOqvNbKQ3lq7W1g21x4GKUsJr0_aKwFF1EgGBM8KnJpcqkppheOU7K5IXiG1BHr0laSJDJytvRbDnYEF/s1600/51vG%252BoM%252BPgL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="500" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_sbbzC_bJc3pKIbFE4-MggsUXP-1Zu1tsEIP6KEemhIYljYsMFrXwOqvNbKQ3lq7W1g21x4GKUsJr0_aKwFF1EgGBM8KnJpcqkppheOU7K5IXiG1BHr0laSJDJytvRbDnYEF/s200/51vG%252BoM%252BPgL.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar lace and its mold.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Aside from a wedding cake, I'm not sure how else we'll mark the occasion. We'd love to go to Philly if only for a few days. That is something we're looking at closely. If we stay here, it's a conundrum. Our place is way too small for a party. There is still time to figure something out. Right now, we this cake to figure out. I'm going to learn a few new skills. There is such a thing as sugar lace, and it can be made at home – allegedly. Fortunately, we live steps away from a lovely Cake and Candy supply shop called Gloria's <a href="https://www.gloriascakeandcandy.com/">https://www.gloriascakeandcandy.com/</a>. Thus, we can easily ask a lot of questions and shop for everything required.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w79mBIThyvQ_I2NOQ47_nICCMaw58gBbsBgSEKF-VNVVMCOoFRmOuHp_doC-9SIUg7Fv9n286OV2ROVOsrofzTr6nGG9yF-NaLTox_7NtXkJcbMN415xPY_TOOP4vTRoLsm2/s1600/1484859731583.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="616" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w79mBIThyvQ_I2NOQ47_nICCMaw58gBbsBgSEKF-VNVVMCOoFRmOuHp_doC-9SIUg7Fv9n286OV2ROVOsrofzTr6nGG9yF-NaLTox_7NtXkJcbMN415xPY_TOOP4vTRoLsm2/s200/1484859731583.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ours will not have the chocolate on top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our first candidate will be a Tiramisu-layer-cake https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/tiramisu-layer-cake-3612574. We've had such a cake from the local supermarket and liked it. However, I'd need a frosting that could stand up to decorating. The recipe I found on the Foodnetwork has a buttercream frosting made with mascarpone cheese. I could decorate that. Don't worry. There will likely be photos. There may even be a video!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</h4>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Personal Updates</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since the Month of Fun, I've been busy running around to the quarterly medical appointments. There isn't anything dire afoot. However, my docs are finally looking into two painful problems that have bedeviled me for a few years now. I don't understand why all of these places I need to visit are as spread out as they are. But I'm glad to finally have these issues addressed. I'm not complaining. These physical limitations have made me somewhat frustrated that I can't do as much cooking in one go as I'd like. I still have a list of dishes from the Southern cookbooks that I want to try. And my friends keep sending me new cookbooks to look at with many tempting things. So many mouth-watering goodies. Some of them will even appeal to Jon. Sigh. Still, I am determined to get to them all. This may take a while. Yes, there will be photos. I really have to get better about showing the stages. These problems have also made long-distance travel challenging. And I have many places (and people) all over the world I'd love to visit or re-visit. I shall not be deterred!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Writing Updates</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I feel like I'm back in high school. My essay for Jane Eyre is overdue, and I'm hip deep in Jane Austen research. Though vexed at my tardiness, I am enjoying the work with these texts from days of yore and researching the lifestyles of the real people from that era. The documentaries can get to be a distraction, but I think it is having a positive influence on the pieces I'm writing. The artwork has had a vast improvement with the latest version of Photoshop. It has a feature that literally will not let you draw a shaky line. I've been able to do the line work on my sketches in minutes. Whoa! That is quite a breakthrough. All in all, I can say that all of my planned works for this year are progressing though not as quickly as I would like. My apologies for being so vague. It is difficult to talk about my work and have it free of spoilers. More details to come. Stay tuned!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-72506926854592003982018-05-06T15:41:00.000-07:002018-05-06T15:41:02.814-07:00Month of Fun 2018 Plans, Schemes, and Recipes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoUmKpSQI4W78_SX-2yqh_3kE4lJbyL95mlk_v-xpNO9Hfzhw8oaUUUD6vWS4C7UQC6Z1F3hdqPnHKqjOV8-wTzN3TjukAbqu8wvUCs3mYN2Y6sAaUN7T4XEXrXF_yw5BtRPy/s1600/IMG_20180505_191716_737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoUmKpSQI4W78_SX-2yqh_3kE4lJbyL95mlk_v-xpNO9Hfzhw8oaUUUD6vWS4C7UQC6Z1F3hdqPnHKqjOV8-wTzN3TjukAbqu8wvUCs3mYN2Y6sAaUN7T4XEXrXF_yw5BtRPy/s200/IMG_20180505_191716_737.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mint Julep(center) Meyer Lemonade and<br />Sweet Tea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is something about a mint Julep that makes a body feel good. I can only have one of them though. Those things pack a punch. I still don't get how those people at the Derby can drink cup after cup. I'd be out cold until the following Wednesday. One was enough to spur me on to make a small batch of fried chicken for the occasion. Jon thinks I made it rather than order it (KFC delivers through Grub Hub don't you know) is to use this nifty product I saw on a Japanese cooking show. It hardons pots of hot grease into a disposable disc. That merely was a happy accident. And it was freaking awesome! I don't have a before shot so just picture a big pan of hot Crisco that was clear. After the magic power, it doesn't even jiggle. Simple pleasures! For anyone interested, I found it online using the search phrase Japanese oil hardener. Don't judge me! (See Photos at the end of the blog).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Right Books at the Right Time</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_hiRH4_1o6gdg3PzriRj22Wo6m30dyYngrdUoyDOAv4aA9sqW1fpiMHgzZJL1Y5HZvkromE8U9kpgxtJgTKe04WFaiBK1PbdVSwSpMMMzc2aiZL-92cH4t4ZJ2kvKMLALUBg/s1600/01mag-01lewis-t_CA1-facebookJumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="1050" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_hiRH4_1o6gdg3PzriRj22Wo6m30dyYngrdUoyDOAv4aA9sqW1fpiMHgzZJL1Y5HZvkromE8U9kpgxtJgTKe04WFaiBK1PbdVSwSpMMMzc2aiZL-92cH4t4ZJ2kvKMLALUBg/s200/01mag-01lewis-t_CA1-facebookJumbo.jpg" width="200" /></a>I was watching an episode of <i>CSB this Morning Saturday</i> when a chef named Scott Peacock was being interviewed about his work and his collaboration with a well known Southern chef named Edna Lewis for a book called <i>The Gift of Southern Cooking</i>. The dishes on the table looked so delicious, I had to look up her cookbooks. In those books, I found many wonderful recipes for foods I'd heard of growing up but had never eaten. I also saw recipes for foods I remembered my grandmother serving me as a child. Many of those recipes were vegetables. This is very hand as Jon is not easy to cook for where healthy things are concerned. I have to admit that I was growing bored with the limited selection. I shall go forth to the next farmer's market with renewed excitement and inspiration. Several recipes for indulgent snacks that go well with wine or cocktails will turn up during the Month of Fun 2018. I am still thinking about what kind of cake to bake for the birthday itself though I do know what the rest of the day's menu shall be. I've been waiting to make this for a whole year! Of course, everything will be documented. One awesome by-product of this new interest in old Southern recipes that actually began with my interest in Vivian Howard (<i>A Chef's Life</i> and the book <i>Deep Run Roots</i>) are some fantastic chats with my father about his vegetable garden and how he uses the veggies.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
MoF2018 Adventures</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfU0-FvqACUvOFVQHJzcMSaT5F2lYdeEeugVUI0l4tDLm7hRfQvQKCKfgwrIsbRvEbtu67nPrGFyHounXWbrxnHl2SIwDwRcLQT4_Od66IuIM0BQVTzEdui16j4s9lEE6AFb0/s1600/Deadpool-2-trailer-x-force.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="618" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfU0-FvqACUvOFVQHJzcMSaT5F2lYdeEeugVUI0l4tDLm7hRfQvQKCKfgwrIsbRvEbtu67nPrGFyHounXWbrxnHl2SIwDwRcLQT4_Od66IuIM0BQVTzEdui16j4s9lEE6AFb0/s320/Deadpool-2-trailer-x-force.png" width="320" /></a>Alas, I will not be in France this month. I remain bitter each May that I fail to be in France. However, I plan some outings beyond the new pool at the YMCA. Of course, there be movies like <i>Deadpool 2</i> and <i>Solo: A Star Wars Story</i> to see. <i>Deadpoo</i>l is our special date movie. I also plan to make a trip to the new <a href="https://www.catcafelounge.com/about-us.html">Cat Cafe Lounge</a> and get some long needed cat cuddles. I'm also hoping to get some company to go to the Original Farmer's Market near the Grove Shopping center. While there, I want to visit the French Patisserie and the World Market. The former is personal pleasure while the latter is a reconnaissance mission for Holiday gifts. That is, I searching out nifty jars for special homemade gifts I found in a Nigella Larson Christmas cookbook. As always, I plan to go to Penzey's Spices in Santa Monica. Since there is now a train that can get me there incredibly quickly, it's rather disgraceful that I don't visit that gorgeous town more often. I'm also leaving room for unplanned adventures. We'll see!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Writing Updates</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am one of the few writers I know that isn't having trouble with ideas. I have enough story ideas for two years worth of titles publishing at one a quarter or more often. The problem has been in execution. Sadly, most of that problem is physical. My 'New Normal' is very delicate and ridiculously easy to derail. Currently, I'm working with a stiff neck and headache that has been with me for nearly two weeks. The doc says it's neck strain that seems to have started with a protracted and uncomfortable dentist appointment. Sigh. The other issues arise from creative curve balls. Those are to be expected. The surprises happening while writing the latest <i>Rent Boy</i> have been a lot of fun and quite satisfying. The characters are evolving in surprising ways and the crazy storylines are making thematic sense. That's been lovely. Better still, I'm almost finished with this sucker. The next new series will be a surprise to my readers though its origins are very much how my writing happens – Jon makes a witty observation about something we're watching and I find that I have to run with it no matter how incongruent it seems. I'm also developing a way of both continuing and promoting my ongoing works more effectively than social media has been of late. Neither Amazon nor Facebook's evil algorithms with thwart this writer! I also think my regular followers will love all of it! An aside to my readers and followers – thank you for all the incredibly kind notes and steadfast support. It really does keep me going during the bleakest of times.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Photos</b></h4>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC0nFFEmRd45mg-6x19w4NIlIiIqOoENgFJi5OmTfgNU1vrzs3xND8YAyKqRo-7Bstzp-F1zIzIgonxVUvbHmYdgXzPCFyrQ-IiZyBWryvWHco_YqXQ7k6GKOfq17Yd8CYSG8/s1600/20180506_011107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC0nFFEmRd45mg-6x19w4NIlIiIqOoENgFJi5OmTfgNU1vrzs3xND8YAyKqRo-7Bstzp-F1zIzIgonxVUvbHmYdgXzPCFyrQ-IiZyBWryvWHco_YqXQ7k6GKOfq17Yd8CYSG8/s320/20180506_011107.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjf8oh-_k30O9_HiMGL9Cpsrx675EVFAyQ9CibqBfyZ9kgwWe-wVllXidwDvg19IN4gfrfXDqRKAIwgSmDYkassQhLAEhzxeKuha2Mnaxkp_lgVmmDTS6mOx5iZ82a-5tu0XN/s1600/20180506_011102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjf8oh-_k30O9_HiMGL9Cpsrx675EVFAyQ9CibqBfyZ9kgwWe-wVllXidwDvg19IN4gfrfXDqRKAIwgSmDYkassQhLAEhzxeKuha2Mnaxkp_lgVmmDTS6mOx5iZ82a-5tu0XN/s320/20180506_011102.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardened Grease and Japanese<br />Grease Hardener</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvreu4JxPc_aS4kgnctqP7vpyS-v2vWPAL9SJzFVypltZ9rN1KkL9mP2mN7Usk-NXzromgjnOmRl4Y7xG8f9_P2kEW_q5jotFtkzNdYhaSaY6RFIw_aEAr9u8RLikW49_PMVPv/s1600/71K4addqoLL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="805" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvreu4JxPc_aS4kgnctqP7vpyS-v2vWPAL9SJzFVypltZ9rN1KkL9mP2mN7Usk-NXzromgjnOmRl4Y7xG8f9_P2kEW_q5jotFtkzNdYhaSaY6RFIw_aEAr9u8RLikW49_PMVPv/s320/71K4addqoLL.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmroqw7oIucr9BbIQpmqMvUKB7e3cn2IXH6gyvtTvd4DFUqh4wzPMsWSjWOTarmjnSlFr6tdVqfY9dsBBf61N2T-e3S5kW2iqIzJdpyslaV0KWgYgsD9smrajV8wtSGM7CqwU/s1600/263c877c597650d172a4d1722d8bcf3a--southern-cooking-recipes-southern-food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="429" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmroqw7oIucr9BbIQpmqMvUKB7e3cn2IXH6gyvtTvd4DFUqh4wzPMsWSjWOTarmjnSlFr6tdVqfY9dsBBf61N2T-e3S5kW2iqIzJdpyslaV0KWgYgsD9smrajV8wtSGM7CqwU/s320/263c877c597650d172a4d1722d8bcf3a--southern-cooking-recipes-southern-food.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrHtdTbY81qoGtj-HHuyZZA8G6iWiNbYHBFtUT6E2Wj9P34qonjWuoyfrhc_-LuSveaUfds-ZKbK_Pmt8rot7VRmU3uOecTHscdCVSpxPKFjCB3BpV2UWlYzOabzySISz3vpa/s1600/IMG_20180429_201016_189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrHtdTbY81qoGtj-HHuyZZA8G6iWiNbYHBFtUT6E2Wj9P34qonjWuoyfrhc_-LuSveaUfds-ZKbK_Pmt8rot7VRmU3uOecTHscdCVSpxPKFjCB3BpV2UWlYzOabzySISz3vpa/s320/IMG_20180429_201016_189.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn Pudding from Edna Lewis' Book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqtdFDVBgXHF-hDOuAXqmgxNu8LRNTr3vV2_n_vSGXbGb3PrM110BWxZapG7e6b55SmZ_TZYXuE2mzlYhS00hWTOXnMZ9DM2UlhbRCwAG1HLJec0iorYsSVyDDTj71pO2-AMd/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqtdFDVBgXHF-hDOuAXqmgxNu8LRNTr3vV2_n_vSGXbGb3PrM110BWxZapG7e6b55SmZ_TZYXuE2mzlYhS00hWTOXnMZ9DM2UlhbRCwAG1HLJec0iorYsSVyDDTj71pO2-AMd/s320/photo-1.jpg" width="203" /></a><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N0Z89jNxVON2xFsdVLFVp4gtQwQ4AwpCdG5roKf5siVgJYR9DSGawl46ltbj9joONVPeesFlTFE4SvuWEpE3rmTyNUWs_9jNQz0HK6XRSQhDT3aW_TLWVwaVWsrZisRPvDcj/s1600/20180328_n_nerdistnews_soloohno_feature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="970" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N0Z89jNxVON2xFsdVLFVp4gtQwQ4AwpCdG5roKf5siVgJYR9DSGawl46ltbj9joONVPeesFlTFE4SvuWEpE3rmTyNUWs_9jNQz0HK6XRSQhDT3aW_TLWVwaVWsrZisRPvDcj/s320/20180328_n_nerdistnews_soloohno_feature.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solo - A Star Wars Story</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-89695816043370137062017-10-23T13:59:00.000-07:002017-10-23T13:59:00.761-07:00Month of Fun 2017, Finding Girliness, and Strange Research<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's been a long time since my last blog. While I really missed writing them, I found I couldn't take time from my books to do one. I was feeling guilty enough about being behind in my fiction writing. Before I knew it, not only was the Month of Fun 2017 over but somehow it was also mid-October! Crazy! Well, let's get to it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Month of Fun 2017</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Strangely, one of the cornerstones of the Month of Fun in any year is making sure that – if I do nothing else – I make sure I have a 'damned fine cup of coffee.' * Why is that strange? I hadn't made myself what would be considered a decent cup of coffee in a number of years. I found trying to make a carafe of coffee from our Mr. Coffee wasteful. I only seem to drink one cup of coffee per day unless I'm working in an office. I'm not sure why a cubicle makes me a three cup a day gal, but it does.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpzl3gv5xxhYsdqff5BBS70WxDUDv66sWpnr2Bap0YU-TWMvOin5frxUtisJzhyphenhyphenad-Zaf3FiQJfhyrE-mBaLk-C8dQwj4ICBx4xfRg-KcxfX41EF_xzxpeopHfHIUjqDoYgMl/s1600/kone-3-chemex-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpzl3gv5xxhYsdqff5BBS70WxDUDv66sWpnr2Bap0YU-TWMvOin5frxUtisJzhyphenhyphenad-Zaf3FiQJfhyrE-mBaLk-C8dQwj4ICBx4xfRg-KcxfX41EF_xzxpeopHfHIUjqDoYgMl/s320/kone-3-chemex-lg.jpg" width="320" /></a>Anyway, a couple of weeks before the <b>MoF 2017</b> began, I was watching an NHK (Japanese Network TV that runs on PBS in LA) Show called <i><a href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/japanologyplus/program-20170502.html">Japanology Plus</a></i>. The subject was cafes that serve Japanese Coffee and the history of coffee drinking in that country. I was dumbstruck when I watched the careful procedure for making the perfect single cup of coffee in Japan because it was so similar to how I made it decades earlier in the first apartment I lived in on my own. I once had a carafe/funnel combo and was rather tickled that this method was not just popular in Japan, it had also become big among the Hipsters here. I recalled that coffee was quite strong and delicious. In the TV show, the cafe workers used a ceramic funnel over top a gorgeous cup. I popped onto Amazon and bought myself a plastic Mellita funnel and filter starter kit. Within two days, I was back to making myself a single cup of sublime coffee. I am doing that to this day. I enjoy <i>Japanology Plus</i> anytime I watch it, but this episode brought back a little nicety that I had long neglected.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD33_G3_9973HmA8OAQX9ZmkIk0qIY-IyYqIEslTcFexgpgSwAb4GvJXKVvwCToKoPd-Ez8Ewy2ZJRhQ2yB_jIcbRARtLwH-xVPDtohaf1UHVnUD8SbD2HxE1uGwLuYw7PRO9P/s1600/18425394_10209440524634489_2008277761476607538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD33_G3_9973HmA8OAQX9ZmkIk0qIY-IyYqIEslTcFexgpgSwAb4GvJXKVvwCToKoPd-Ez8Ewy2ZJRhQ2yB_jIcbRARtLwH-xVPDtohaf1UHVnUD8SbD2HxE1uGwLuYw7PRO9P/s200/18425394_10209440524634489_2008277761476607538_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There was quite a bit of decadent food for this <b>MoF</b>. I always enjoy Eggs Benedict on special occasions like any given Wednesday. This year, I found <a href="http://www.brunoskitchen.net/about">Bruno Albouze</a>, a zany French chef on Youtube who had the craziest video I've ever seen of this recipe <a href="https://youtu.be/WM_oTv5EAhY">https://youtu.be/WM_oTv5EAhY</a>. He also had an actual foolproof method of poaching eggs that worked for me! I had my dish with smoked salmon and English muffins, as usual. I also enjoyed just the toasted English muffins with the smoked salmon and Hollandaise sauce as a late night snack a couple of times later in the week. For the Big Day, I made a new recipe from the same chef – a Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake<a href="https://youtu.be/MhUB4Us8BIo">https://youtu.be/MhUB4Us8BIo</a> . I didn't have ring molds, so I had to adjust the ingredients for a small, springform cake pan. We enjoyed the heck out of that cake. I was also excited about the appearance of King's Hawaiian hot dog and hamburger buns <a href="http://www.kingshawaiian.com/">http://www.kingshawaiian.com</a>. The hot dog buns were split on the top which meant I could finally have a proper lobster roll. Well, when the lobster tails were reasonably priced, the hot dog buns were sold out. One day, there was a cook half lobster on a Manager's Special. I made the roll on the hamburger bun. It was so good, I was dancing in my seat! Be sure to toast the interior of the bun with butter in a frying pan first. Decadent!!! Incidentally, those King Hawaiian buns are wonderful for hamburgers and hot dogs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8zJbbyzYIS0_tVZl-r2dEfr1XV5CQoov3GHh_oz6plmLGRzfKIbrbwHslGd6mfOWai8896vqYa2tsWdjJUgtHgcMnGi8RFjyiwR2TfyqdJUg6GQfIAwn8Tw2VN1MVJjq9-2L/s1600/19366117_10209735678613154_5312970893834108685_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8zJbbyzYIS0_tVZl-r2dEfr1XV5CQoov3GHh_oz6plmLGRzfKIbrbwHslGd6mfOWai8896vqYa2tsWdjJUgtHgcMnGi8RFjyiwR2TfyqdJUg6GQfIAwn8Tw2VN1MVJjq9-2L/s200/19366117_10209735678613154_5312970893834108685_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></h4>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></h4>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Being Girly</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Food was not my only <b>MoF</b> indulgence this year. I decided to finally get back to the level of basic polish in my appearance I had prior to my diagnosis. I've never been much for glamour – save for in the 1980s when everyone was really painted and flouffed – but I have always maintained a level of polish that allowed me to put myself together for an Industry meeting or event on short notice. That meant getting a mani-pedi at least once a month, keeping the hair relaxed and conditioned, and keeping my skin care regiment up. All of that went out the window while grappling with my illness. It was when doing research for the current book that I realized it had been so long since I bought new makeup, I didn't even know what current trends were. I certainly didn't know how to make a face that has matured and been through a physical nightmare look its best.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I made the jump to natural hair (no chemical relaxers) a couple of years ago when I realized I didn't have the energy required to thoroughly rinse the chemicals out in one attempt. You can leave that stuff sitting on the hair for rest intervals. The chemicals would burn the hair and probably the scalp. Let me state for the record that natural hair care is neither less expensive nor less effort. That is so far from the truth that I want to punch anyone who says that (and it's usually men) in the face for saying it is. The one good thing about all the products involved in 'natural hair care' (special shampoos and conditioners, coconut oil, conditioning creams, and styling gel) is that they last a long time. Still, routine hair care under this regimen involves five products and at least six involved steps. Oy!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fortunately, Youtube had all my beauty and skin care info in copious detail. I found experts who were my exact skin share, type, and age. I found advice for making up my hooded/monolid eyes. I found experts who know all the best drugstore brands and which ones can compete with the most expensive products. I was appalled and impressed by how much these folks earn from their videos, but I was glad I found them. Interesting note – the best makeup instructions seem to come from guys. I think it's because they're assuming that the other guys watching don't automatically know the terminology. I had to rebuild my makeup, skin care, and nail care kits. That process started during the <b>MoF</b>. It took a while to figure out the best value for my limited bucks. And by slowly acquiring products, I gave myself time to develop the habit of using them. If anyone is interested in links to my Youtube beauty playlist or what is in my various kits, let me know. I haven't glammed up yet, but the changes have been noted by Jon and others I run across. That's been nice.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Research Purposes Only</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUth-kjyH0A2Uy8X88prfzjkF7zCM7XIvpQOTjvpAoK-6QvRKQwlH9oZTETWBZVjPMqggyC-NOyBG1tmRBASTOcH1qFSnR3dEgwRQKVdtSNNTJejY_Mt0xQ-r4L3g-XOlM0Hsr/s1600/Marina-Bay-Sands-Hotel-Casino-Skypark-Singapore-from-Waterfront-Esplanade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUth-kjyH0A2Uy8X88prfzjkF7zCM7XIvpQOTjvpAoK-6QvRKQwlH9oZTETWBZVjPMqggyC-NOyBG1tmRBASTOcH1qFSnR3dEgwRQKVdtSNNTJejY_Mt0xQ-r4L3g-XOlM0Hsr/s320/Marina-Bay-Sands-Hotel-Casino-Skypark-Singapore-from-Waterfront-Esplanade.jpg" width="320" /></a>My writing involves a great deal of research. Even my Sci-fi fantasies are grounded in reality. The writing flows better for me if I'm writing something that is based on real life. The problem for me is that when I am researching something interesting, I'll follow links to videos and articles to information that has no bearing on my writing whatsoever. I'm curious by nature. Thus, it can be a struggle not to fall down an informational rabbit hole and spend hours distracted. However, I have found some wonderful information for my fiction from people like Hair Archaeologist <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/22/ancient-roman-hair-janet-stephens_n_2925152.html">Janet Stephens</a> whose work helped me with character descriptions. I was surprised to find out how many prominent male belly dancers there are in the world. A few of the dancers influenced a major passage in the book. Meanwhile, amazing present day wonders like the Marina Bay Sands Hotel/Casio in Singapore look like they are from hundreds of years into the future. The documentaries on how this amazing place was built https<a href="https://youtu.be/wHx9Af2Uxyg">://youtu.be/wHx9Af2Uxyg</a> and how it keeps guests and employees fed <a href="https://youtu.be/GRfQw5SLVLM">https://youtu.be/GRfQw5SLVLM</a> were really inspiring for my fiction. And after I finished the draft, I began binging (that word looks weird) on everything I couldn't watch while I was still working. My Youtube feed is bizarre.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>What's Next</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While the proofreaders beat the draft into shape, I'm finishing details on the cover drawing. I'd worked out the pose earlier. I'm now adding rings, sandals, and other accessories to the characters before painting the thing. In the meantime, I'm working on a test painting to refine my blending skills.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
*Agent Cooper - <i>Twin Peaks</i></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Photo Gallery</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv_gxlsCT_Y_9e5X4gGQuDF4Llv5x0LcEphUBib0cynGVjth62UdDIKkD_aEGvw_9c2IqlAkTFfFVTv8z4Loc5oZN6Q7ArjqeKpBfS-LDaKKIh381BNKEOmaQtHzJwRknwYPT/s1600/18199349_10209376733919761_1294243651929738891_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv_gxlsCT_Y_9e5X4gGQuDF4Llv5x0LcEphUBib0cynGVjth62UdDIKkD_aEGvw_9c2IqlAkTFfFVTv8z4Loc5oZN6Q7ArjqeKpBfS-LDaKKIh381BNKEOmaQtHzJwRknwYPT/s320/18199349_10209376733919761_1294243651929738891_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky Derby Day Eats (Homemade pulled pork sandwich) and a Mint Julep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_TqMyrh5Q6jcuKro7GJz-tXcV4nYt1Z-h0DP492ApPG0ekwhXPzlc3ja0u71T7TpSqnEpCZjKSPF2Xzb1zpjgLAV7wvS9WnlMZK1fIlX8Zy2cc6c5IloL4xpdH6E0cLN2OQZ/s1600/18424009_10209417930549651_5950979626827969921_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="404" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_TqMyrh5Q6jcuKro7GJz-tXcV4nYt1Z-h0DP492ApPG0ekwhXPzlc3ja0u71T7TpSqnEpCZjKSPF2Xzb1zpjgLAV7wvS9WnlMZK1fIlX8Zy2cc6c5IloL4xpdH6E0cLN2OQZ/s320/18424009_10209417930549651_5950979626827969921_n.jpg" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday Bubbly and Soft Pretzel Snack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmRmzllfSD6PsMVpfu3b9re0Vfj6MUGJllKMMhMdKJPwGRer3oT6ofcz1xEVQ_iIFianAJBJpSCuBN5UoXYt1F2cbIt7IxspPU1PHLFTTU6CZYn9NxVGvPVo6ozps9dCeO3ED/s1600/19396857_10209735682813259_6339896980530941695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmRmzllfSD6PsMVpfu3b9re0Vfj6MUGJllKMMhMdKJPwGRer3oT6ofcz1xEVQ_iIFianAJBJpSCuBN5UoXYt1F2cbIt7IxspPU1PHLFTTU6CZYn9NxVGvPVo6ozps9dCeO3ED/s320/19396857_10209735682813259_6339896980530941695_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK5u61Gs6KvHDniDcfGcgxHWFREy95HIVBe6y9TXlHCWc217rJHvwjwxPuwc4jr8XxIUjQjWKPsL8rEdegzxS_vQaDYpwtsKWhtWP1Ylnh3mGAu8j09XS6scVF0oZlGWHsCPk/s1600/21728355_10210410980375276_3925695091685578485_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK5u61Gs6KvHDniDcfGcgxHWFREy95HIVBe6y9TXlHCWc217rJHvwjwxPuwc4jr8XxIUjQjWKPsL8rEdegzxS_vQaDYpwtsKWhtWP1Ylnh3mGAu8j09XS6scVF0oZlGWHsCPk/s320/21728355_10210410980375276_3925695091685578485_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnight Snack!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yEoWRlOwJxsOVIKtndbKbiyjhzKw0WTPibFrdYQtU4kdK-27PGOiXkYpUHuzi0hEn57MQXrF51334nN9oH2Qk4aOrkuAMwq26t5gg0G8ypWBlR8DKfa90nWlNSOK41EBogeg/s1600/OB-WG682_BIGHAI_P_20130206234418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="749" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yEoWRlOwJxsOVIKtndbKbiyjhzKw0WTPibFrdYQtU4kdK-27PGOiXkYpUHuzi0hEn57MQXrF51334nN9oH2Qk4aOrkuAMwq26t5gg0G8ypWBlR8DKfa90nWlNSOK41EBogeg/s320/OB-WG682_BIGHAI_P_20130206234418.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall Street Journal article on Janet Stephens and the Vestal Virgin Hair Challenge.<br />https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324900204578286272195339456</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-5538106756918946172017-05-14T13:38:00.000-07:002017-05-14T13:38:14.002-07:00Adventures with Miss Patty<h1 align="CENTER" class="western">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">Adventures with Miss Patty</span></h1>
<div align="CENTER">
By</div>
<div align="CENTER">
DL Warner</div>
<div align="LEFT">
<br /><br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT">
<b>Part One – Dancing with the German</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Mother was divorced in 1983, but that was only part of the reason why she and I were chasing after a</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFBehz0Sn7MnixX1kx835p2vcmq3SyqcSRQOIfdkOqUP4ucw83PRGBtK7o11bfOoLYwiRhE5lwOQAgTLzyijSbCX5hECViHvzY9393CY6_n4ONk7X40JNJIivDtf6_i1s3leq/s1600/10365799_10202248056027269_3628551756773808870_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFBehz0Sn7MnixX1kx835p2vcmq3SyqcSRQOIfdkOqUP4ucw83PRGBtK7o11bfOoLYwiRhE5lwOQAgTLzyijSbCX5hECViHvzY9393CY6_n4ONk7X40JNJIivDtf6_i1s3leq/s400/10365799_10202248056027269_3628551756773808870_n.jpg" width="280" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> 75-year-old woman down the length of Amtrak’s Crescent City train to New Orleans in 1985. That situation largely stemmed from two room service hamburgers ordered at the Macon, Georgia Hilton in 1979 and the funeral of my beloved Great-Grandpop, Jim.</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> My Brother had ordered one of the hamburgers. I believe that the incredible possibility of never setting foot inside a Stuckey’s roadside store ever again while en route to visit our southern kin made him a little crazy in the head. I can't say that I blamed him. We actually flew to Macon instead of taking the interminable drive jammed in a very used car with temperamental air conditioning. Those had always been awkward and largely silent sojourns for a group of people who were always vaguely uncomfortable in each others' presence. While I had been elated that the trip wouldn't take more than a few days instead of more than a week, I couldn't help being uneasy about rushing to a funeral.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Father rented a car that was cavernous and enthusiastically air-conditioned when we arrived at what was considered an airport in Macon, Georgia. It was the first car he had ever rented. Mother, known to my friends as Miss Patty, was more than frayed around the edges when we landed in Macon. That was her first plane trip. Had she her druthers, I doubt that there would have been a first. She was terrified of flying. Only honoring someone as terrific as Grandpop Jim could have gotten her on a plane. Luckily, smoking was still allowed in parts of the plane. I had been the designated child to sit with her. It's still unclear to me how smoking is relaxing. The smoke I inhaled from the full pack she consumed didn't do me any good. Nor did she ever relax the vise-like grip on my arm from take off to landing. By the time we disembarked from the tiny prop job that took us from Atlanta to Macon, our nerves were completely frazzled. I think if we had to wait for the local kin to finish debating who was the least busy and pick us up, Mother or I would have been screaming to the rafters in the tiny airport. Besides, my Father had been used to having autonomy of movement while visiting Georgia and preferred it that way. That seemed especially true on this trip. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> My mother, brother and I became convinced that more was afoot than a funeral when we headed for downtown Macon instead of out to the edge of town and Grandpop's house. We checked into a Hilton Hotel instead of dividing up mattresses and box springs across the floor of the humid familial homestead like a UFO cult or mobsters hunkered down for a long street war. These unprecedented extravagances caused my Brother to extrapolate wildly on Father’s new found joie de vivre. The result was the aforementioned room service hamburger. I did not believe for one second that we were authorized to sign for meals on the room, but the evidence was hard to ignore. We were in air conditioning in Georgia that was not inside a Handy Andy convenience store near Grandpop's house. I admit to being overwhelmed by the possibilities as well. I, too, ordered a hamburger from room service.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The burgers were good, but I'd had better at diners for a third of the price. We ate everything except for the curly parsley garnish. The trays were banished to the small table in the corner of the room. When our parents returned from the family summit with Grandpop's preacher, I was studying for mid-terms and my Brother was making fun of the local news anchors. The lovely scent of grilled beef and onions still hung in the air. My mother looked really sad. I expected that. She really loved Grandpop Jim. In a family full of hostile factions, especially toward in-laws, he had been squarely in her camp. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> My Brother and I adored him because he was still spry enough to walk us to the Handy Andy for comic books and Popsicles. Grandpop Jim had also introduced boxed cereal to breakfast in Macon, giving us a reprieve from the giant, meat feasts they still made in the mornings well after the long hard days on the farm had ended. And he used to slap his knee when he laughed. He laughed a lot. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Father looked angry and tense entering the hotel room. His jaw was tight which meant he was really upset. My Brother and I got tense, thinking there would be a room service related explosion. Instead, he went to make some phone calls. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Mother looked at the room service trays and then at Father making expensive phone calls from a hotel phone rather owlishly. She picked up a cold, gummy piece of a French fry from the tray and ate it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I've never had room service,” she said quietly before picking up a small pile of clothes and heading into the bathroom to change. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I think I was the only one who had heard her. Father hung up the phone with a loud bang a little while later. Then, he took us to the Pig n' Whistle for pulled pork barbecue sandwiches. The ill-gotten hamburgers were forgotten in favor of slow-cooked, spicy sweet meat on the fluffiest of buns. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> My strongest memory of the funeral itself was an irreverent one that Grandpop Jim would have enjoyed immensely. We were in an extremely hot, stuffy country church during a service long enough to make a High Mass seem as short as a movie trailer. I was fanning myself with the funeral program. My Brother was reading it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “What's a Funreal?” He asked.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I looked at my program. Sure enough, funeral was spelled wrong.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I don't know what a fun-real is, but I know it isn't here,” I retorted.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> My mother stifled a chuckle which caused my Brother to lose his composure entirely. He slid down to the floor shuddering with silent laughter.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Months later, Mother's lament about room service still bothered me. I was a sophomore in college who'd never given a thought about how my parents spent their vacations. My father had taken up deep sea fishing at some point while we were still in grade school. Mother got two weeks off a year from her job at a hospital lab. I'm sure that just having a break from work gave her some amount of respite. But the trips we took couldn't have been much fun for her. We were either heading down the highway to visit the Georgia in-laws or heading to Atlantic City for a week by the beach – sort of. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> In Georgia, she was still cooking and cleaning and looking after us on top of dealing with the hordes of our Father's southern relatives. I always found them to be a raucous good time with all the beer and Old Grand-Dad bourbon flowing, but I can't say that anything that happened there was restful. In Atlantic City, there was generally less cooking – unless they rented a room with a kitchenette – but there still wasn't anything like luxury. Whether we were at the beach or at the motel pool, Mother spent her day with her eyes glued on me and my Brother and whatever stray cousins were with us, making sure we didn't drown. How she didn't burn her retinas out in the glare of reflected sunlight, I'll never know.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> When I thought about it, Mother never had what could be called a real vacation. Her sad statement about hotel room service brought me up short. It was the first time that I felt what I call Adult Childhood Guilt. That is, the guilt I felt as an adult about things my parents went through when I was a child. I would feel this many more times as I grew older like when I found out just how little fun there is to be had driving around with a cranky toddler is in the car. I decided that from that year on, Miss Patty was going to have real vacations.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The plan to go to New Orleans evolved after five years of fairly successful, modestly luxurious vacations in Atlantic City. I wanted to go somewhere exotic. Mother was newly divorced and more than a bit down about it, so I thought that year's vacation should be something really special. I also wanted to go somewhere far enough away that we wouldn't have any visitors from Philly. I didn't mind the occasional Aunt or cousin coming to hang out in the nice hotel room. Miss Patty certainly enjoyed company. But she was down, and I thought she needed real rest on that trip, And I needed to talk to her about some things I wasn't ready for the family to hear.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> A Caribbean cruise was my first thought. The fare was all inclusive so we wouldn't need much spending money. It was certainly luxurious. However, the price was just beyond what I could squeeze out of my budget. Since Mom wouldn't fly anymore, and I wasn't that crazy about planes at that point either, the trip had to be to somewhere exotic that I could afford and could reach by train. New Orleans had a lot of bargains during the summer months. I had no idea why those 4-star hotels were so cheap in July until we got there, but it didn't matter at the time I booked the trip. I found a luxury hotel just steps from Bourbon Street for the price of a mid-range Atlantic City hotel. The Crescent City train to New Orleans made a daily trip through Philadelphia. It couldn't have been easier to plan.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Miss Patty was a very outgoing woman. She smiled easily and could start up a conversation with almost anyone. This trait is particularly useful on a train. We had nice wide leather seats that reclined pretty far back in the main passenger area. I had really wanted a sleeper car, but that was way out of my price range. And since they didn't look like the sleeper cars in </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Murder on the Orient Express</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">, it didn't really matter. We spent most of the evening after dinner in the bar car of the train. That was where the wine was, after all, and it was where Mother could have a smoke. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> On a later train trip without me, Mother would nearly miss re-boarding her train to Atlanta in Washington D.C. because of a wager involving a Bourbon taste off. Apparently, two gentlemen on the train got into a heated disagreement over whether Jim Beam or Maker's Mark was the better Kentucky Bourbon. Amtrak only carried Jim Beam. For some reason, Mother went with one of the gentlemen to purchase a bottle of Maker's Mark on the layover in Washington D.C. He was the one dressed like Colonel Saunders, of course. They barely made it back. The argument was never settled, but I understand there was quite a party in that bar car.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> On this trip, we met Sadie. I can't recall her last name. She said she was in her 70s, but her skin was smooth with just a few smile lines. She had white hair done up in a lovely twist and was on her way to visit her great-grandchildren. I can't remember what we talked about until way into the night, but there was a lot of laughing. We walked Sadie to her seat as it was a car before ours and went to sleep. I didn't think we'd see her again. She was bound for Mississippi and likely to be gone by the time we were and about.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Just before dawn, the conductor began the announcements for the first breakfast call and for those getting off the train at Atlanta. We managed to doze through the announcements. As we went off to bed, we'd signed up for the last breakfast seating since we were going to the end of the line. At a little after six in the morning, Sadie was shaking my shoulder.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Wake up! Alabama and Mississippi are dry,” she said.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Well, that made no sense, especially since I was half asleep.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “What?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “They stop serving liquor after Atlanta. The train is dry until Louisiana,” she said impatiently.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I turned to wake Mother, but her eyes had already popped open. Now, I don't want to imply that we're winos in any way, but we had a lot of train trip ahead of us. And it isn't nearly as entertaining stone cold sober. Sadie had turned by then and was heading out of our car at a brisk clip. I grabbed a tote bag that had my books for the trip and my purse to follow her. Mother was right behind me. We were really moving by the time we reached the dining car. Atlanta was less than five minutes away. The bartender was on duty but still setting up for the day when we piled in.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> At first, the bartender was reluctant to sell us a tote bag full of small bottles of wines and spirits. The beverages had to be consumed in the bar car, and I doubt he thought that was possible. We assured him that we would stay in the car and that we wouldn't be drinking everything ourselves. He was dubious, and I wasn't up to using my feminine whiles. It was six in the morning. I hadn't even brushed my teeth. My feminine whiles were still in my toiletry case. We opted for looking pathetic, then gave him a huge tip when he complied. We took turns guarding the stash while each of us cleaned up and changed clothes. We had breakfast and lunch in the bar car, guarding our horde like dragons guarding their eggs. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I can't recall what we talked about in the time between leaving Atlanta and pulling into Meridian, Mississippi where Sadie took her leave of us on surprisingly steady feet. I remember that the time passed quickly and the swiftly moving scenery seemed more interesting. I don't think it was purely the secret stash though that certainly helped. There was a hint of wickedness that we three shared as we poured our refills in such a way that other denizens of the bar car remained unaware of the treasures we concealed. Other than some rare days when Mother, my Brother and me played hookey from work and school respectively without Father's knowledge did we share in a conspiracy. This was a watershed of sorts between mother and daughter.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Our good spirits both literal and figurative continued even after we reached New Orleans. As is the way of a protracted trip on Amtrak, the many delays along the route amounted to a few hours late in our arrival. I hadn't been concerned. There was more than a one night credit card deposit on our room. It had been paid in full. As with all of our big vacation over those years since Granddpop Jim's funeral, I paid for the entire trip save for spending money before we left Philadelphia. And I brought my receipt. Thus, despite having a slightly noticeable buzz and being thoroughly rumpled from a 17 hour train trip, I was brooking no nonsense from a night shift hotel clerk. Miss Patty discovered that her daughter had an imperious side that had never manifested itself at home. I gave the clerk and the night manager such a what for that they upgraded the room to one with a view of the riverside.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The room was really nice, but we were too wound up from the events of the day for dinner from room service. Bourbon Street was mere steps away. Though it was a Sunday night at 10 pm, the street was jumping. Music was blaring from every open door. Most establishments also had barkers trying to lure people not persuaded by the music to come inside. We were hungry, but it was too late and we were too tired to figure out which of the local eateries wouldn't be too much for our timid Northern tummies. Thus, that night we settled on one of those chain restaurants that has all sorts of allegedly eclectic paraphernalia on the walls and waiters in whimsical suspenders. Miss Patty called them O-It's-all-the-same-agains Restaurants. These were safe introductions to local food. Each menu had at least a couple of regional dishes or reasonably close facsimiles. She tried some shrimp gumbo. I had jambalaya. The food was satisfying and the atmosphere just zany enough for our train weary sensibilities. The after dinner nightcap and travel fatigue caught up with us just as we got changed for bed. I could still feel the rumble of steel wheels on tracks in my sleep. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The slight time difference from Philadelphia and our excitement caused us to be up and about really early. We had breakfast at a local diner then took a carriage tour to get a feel for where the nearby attractions were. It wasn't even noon when we figured out why our rooms were so inexpensive. A heavy, hot blanket of humidity descended upon the city as we finished the carriage tour. Our driver and tour guide, Hattie, told us that sensible souls stayed inside until later in the afternoon when the sun wasn't hanging overhead. Mother looked wilted, and my clothes were already clinging uncomfortably everywhere.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Mad dogs and Englishmen, I suppose,” Mother said as we stepped out of the coach. “But you have a list and some of those places are just down the street.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I could see the shimmering mirage effect on the pavement in the next block. “They'll be there later, too. We're supposed to be taking a break from hard work.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “We just stay in the hotel room?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Sure, why not? We have books to read. There are more in the lobby store if we run out.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Miss Patty smiled. It was that conspiratorial smile from the train. “Let's get some snacks and sodas for the room.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The skies grew dark an hour or so later. A violent and noisy thunderstorm roared through the city. We fell asleep while reading during the midst of it. Apparently, we were still exhausted from the trip. It was just as well we came back to the room. The rain was so heavy as I drifted off that the huge hotel across the street was a vague gray mass. I was doubtful of going back out again at all that day.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The next morning we were smarter tourists. That may have been due to the lazy evening and full night's sleep pushing train fatigue from our minds and bodies. We woke early and took in a few sights at first light, making sure we were back inside the hotel room or someplace cool until the afternoon thunderstorm passed. On the third day, that place was a ramshackle building called Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. It was a tavern that purported to have been a pirate den. The nearly albino blonde bartender regaled us with how nary a horse was ever shod in that establishment during the time Lafitte owned it, but many a plot was hatched that drove Andrew Jackson to drink. I had no idea if any of the yarns were true. All I knew was that the beer was really cold and the slate roof kept the dark wood and stone building comfortably cool. The bartender, like our tour guide, was a natural storyteller. I learned quite a bit from the hours we whiled away nursing those beers as the afternoon thunderstorm raged on. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> First, I learned that if a tourist spies an old woman on roller skates pulled by a fire engine while being chased by a flock of ducklings, he could be persuaded to stay in New Orleans and tend bar in a bona fide pirate den. That actually seemed reasonable to me. Miss Patty looked at me curiously. I planned my trips with lists of lists. Being whimsical about changing cities was something that she didn't expect from me.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Sometimes, you have to go with the signs,” I said with a shrug. It was time for another beer. I wasn't ready to talk about the impending change in my life.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Second, and even more exciting, I learned that the pirate den had become a writer's den at some point. There were writers both known and unknown in the joint almost nightly talking about writing and the jarring quirks to their lives they had endured. I had long been interested in writing and writers. The interest had become a pull that I could no longer ignore. Yet I had never met anyone who was a professional fiction writer. I knew about a dozen seasoned journalists from my undergrad years. I learned a lot from those very interesting souls, but I really wanted to meet people who made their living making up stories from whole cloth. I really needed Miss Patty to meet people like this.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I had become resentful since graduating college. I didn't want to be in Public Relations. I didn't want to be a news reporter. I wanted to have James Michener's life. I wanted to write while under an umbrella on a beach in Hawaii or some other exotic place and make a living at it. When the trip was planned, I knew that I wanted to change the direction of my life. Though I doubted there would be any objections to my going to graduate school in general, I needed Mother's support for the major I had in mind. The films my mother introduced me to often involved those who marched to a different drummer. She always admired those screen heroines who bucked convention to follow their dreams. She loved the tales of expatriate Blacks in 1920s Paris. And more than once during my young adulthood, I was told how she would have easily been a love child in Haight-Ashbury or a mud covered hippie at Woodstock had she not married so young. Miss Patty wanted to be a painter. I was told after her passing that she had talent. But when she was my age, respectable women went from their father's house to their husband's. Women pursuing an artistic bent were either 'funny' or loose. I worried how she'd feel about this path I desperately wanted to take and where it may lead me. But I needed her support above any others. Somehow, I hoped to find a way to show her who I had become.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> When we left the tavern late in the afternoon, it was cooler. We set out to enjoy the tableau that was Bourbon Street. The performers were taking up their places for the lucrative evening shift, and there were enticing scents drifting out from the many eateries. Mother was quiet for a while. I was worried that she wasn't having a good time by the time she finally spoke.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “We could take a cab back to Jean Lafitte's after ten,” she suggested while we considered menus posted in front of restaurants.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I smiled at her. She had heard more than I thought. “No, I don't trust the cabs going or coming back. And we don't know when the writers will be there. Besides, they may all be jerks. Let's get some dinner.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> We had everything blackened that night including the vegetables and the dessert, but somehow it all tasted good. The local karaoke was not, but it was funny. We really enjoyed Bourbon Street. We even saw a mock, old school funeral procession playing </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>When the Saints Go Marching In</i></span><span style="font-size: small;">. It was like seeing a movie in real life. Of course, the cop's kid and ex-wife also spotted every pickpocket in action and reacted accordingly. Father's edicts always seem draconian when I describe them, but I've never had a bad incident while on vacation.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The next day, the rains came in the morning. The weather report said that it would last throughout the day. My reaction was to order the deluxe room service breakfast with a herb omelet and a rasher of bacon each, a carafe of coffee and orange juice and toast. It was rolled in on an opulent cart with silver accents and very fine linen. This was appropriate. There was a Royal Wedding to watch. Sarah Ferguson was marrying Prince Andrew. Miss Patty was quite tickled to have her coffee in the delicate cup and saucer while watching the events unfold. I was pleased that everything was steamy hot, and the bacon was extra crispy.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “You know, these royal women have the same tastes in hats as the church women at Zion Baptist. One of them looks like she has a bird's nest with the bird on her head,” she said wryly. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> It was true. The contraptions formed of incongruous shapes, colors and textures perched just so on those well-coiffed heads reminded me of the women fanning themselves in that tiny southern church. I wondered what those refined women sitting so still in Westminster Abby would think of that comparison. During that delicious and leisurely breakfast, we gleefully critiqued outfits, hair, and hats. Our favorite moment was late in the proceedings when Queen Elizabeth reacted with cat-like reflexes to corral her grandchildren before they ran after the wedding carriage.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “She's fast for a woman that age,” Mother observed. “Didn't even lose that hat.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> We kibitz over clothes and all of the pomp until the meal was done and the coffee was nearly gone.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “It's still raining,” I said as the coverage wound to a close.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Emmmhmmm,” Mother replied. “The weather trollop said it would be until the afternoon.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “We could fill out the postcards,” I suggested. “It would be great to actually mail them instead of handing them out when we get home. There's a mailbox in the lobby.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I found the cards and pens and we set about writing at the little table by the windows. The coverage of the wedding ended at some point. The next program featured interviews with regional celebrities. That week's special guest was author Eudora Welty. I wasn't paying close attention to the interview as I had not read her work for some time. But Miss Patty was listening.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “She sounds like you,” she said at one point.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I looked up from the tome I was trying to inscribe into 3 square inches of the postcard to figure out what she was talking about.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “You mean you hear voices in your head that make your write?” The reporter asked.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Now, I'm not saying I'm crazy,” came the dry reply. “I'm saying there is a point at which the characters become so fully real that they speak to each other. Then, I write it all down.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I still think the reporter thought she was crazy, but I smiled. At that point, I had never heard another author describe the process that way. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Is that what you mean?” Mother asked.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I nodded. “Sometimes, it's like watching a movie in my mind. Then, I have to write it all down.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “You always were writing things down everywhere,” she replied thoughtfully. “And the nuns always said you could write.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> And we have to listen to the nuns, don't we, I thought.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “It's like I have to write, Mom,” I said. “Sometimes, the stories in my head drive me to distraction. I write now because I have to write. I think I always felt that way.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “But you've been doing well in your job,” she countered. “Can't you keep writing on the side?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I didn't want to tell her that I hated that job and public relations in general. It was organized lying. The Park Avenue company I worked for was still dealing with the Apartheid government in South Africa, and we'd had staff meetings that included discussions on whether to supply VIP clients with cocaine. I got a headache at 3 pm every single day in my power suit.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I made the wrong choice with my career,” I replied. “I want to work with books and writing. I've found a Graduate Program in Philly where I can get a Masters in two years. It requires a novel to graduate.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “You could teach,” Mother remarked. “And you can move back home.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I nodded at that. That was the angle I planned to take with Father. He wasn't living with Mother anymore, but I still didn't want to deal with his disapproval. Teaching was something that I neither wanted or eschewed. It seemed to come with the territory for professional writers, so I was open to the idea. And the notion calmed my mother down. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “You aren't going to go tramp around Paris like James Baldwin, are you?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Maybe. But If I do, I'll take you with me.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> She was quiet for a moment, affixing stamps to the postcards. “I could paint in Paris.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Miss Patty in a beret with an easel painting along the river Seine. That made me smile.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> We had a lovely, mostly lazy week in New Orleans despite the oppressive heat. We traveled on a River Boat – where Mother refused to let me belt out </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Old Man River</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> – to the Plantation near the site of the Battle of New Orleans. Two things we learned from that day. First, plantation houses aren't as big as Hollywood would have you believe. And second, that southern belles had the vapors in that humidity and in those layers of petticoats is no longer a question in my mind. We wondered how they ever remained conscious and upright in the summer. The heat and humidity made if hard to breathe even on the airy veranda of that elegant mansion wearing modern, breathable fabrics. Thankfully, this modern riverboat was fully air conditioned.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> There was a ladies night at the nightclub in our hotel on the last night of our stay. It was a tempting offer of free wine and an appetizer buffet along with free admission. I wasn't in the habit of clubbing with my Mother, but I thought it would be a nice diversion for a couple of hours. Our train was scheduled to depart early the next morning. So we put on our dancing clothes. Or, I put on my dancing clothes. At that point in her life, Miss Patty was a chair dancer. She looked lovely though. Miss Patty always looked classy when she stepped out. It was the 80s, thus I had big hair and a black mini dress and a jacket with shoulder pads. I looked like I belonged in a music video between the hair and make-up, and that was what I was going for. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I still can't get over how fast you go from looking like a librarian to that,” she commented. “Just like Wonder Woman.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I rolled my eyes and ushered her out of the door. If the men in Philly nightclubs are an indication, I did okay getting dolled up, but I never seemed to be as put together and glamorous as Miss Patty was when she and my Father went out to paint the town. From the heads that turned and the eyes that followed us as we entered the establishment, we both did okay.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Since my 18</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> birthday made me eligible to drink in New Jersey, my friends and I went out dancing almost every Friday or Saturday or both. Discos were still in vogue and most hotels had a dance club. Thus, there were a lot of joints to choose from. I loved to dance. In college, I used up most of my elective course hours on dance classes. Both sides of the family and all generations could really cut a rug. Thus, most family gatherings involved showing off new steps or proficiency in old routines. Most participated save for me and a couple of bookish cousins. I never liked dancing in front of the family, not even after I had had some training. It seemed that everyone had a role in the family. There were the mechanics, the cooks, the gardeners, the big party people. I was brainy and nerdy. I had glamorous cousins who were center stage at those gatherings when my nose was in a book. Even after I became more complicated than that, it was impossible for me to show my family. Mother knew I went clubbing with my buds, but I think she believed I stayed in a corner with them talking about </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Star Trek</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> as the bass pulsed around us. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> As I stalked into the nightclub, Miss Patty seemed to realize that I was no longer a wallflower. I had learned from the secretaries I worked with on temp jobs to walk into a club like I was on a fashion runway. My walk wasn't exaggerated, but it was in time with the music playing. I expected to be looked at, so I was. I picked a table near the dance floor where everyone could see us. Then, I ignored everyone in the room save for Mother.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “There are some men trying to get your attention,” she informed me after the cocktail server took our order.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Ignore them until at least seven o'clock,” I replied.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Why seven o'clock?” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Most of the married ones will be gone,” I said, sipping the wine. It was the kind that was sold by the gallon, but it didn't make my throat raw. “Married guys cruising hotel clubs are hoping for a quickie.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Miss Patty looked at me owlishly. I patted her hand.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I've never had one,” I assured her. “But I've had offers, and I've seen a lot of pitches. Let me get us something from the buffet.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I stalked to the buffet and back with an assortment of fried appetizers. There were vegetables, but they were battered and deep fried as well. But it was tasty and free. We ate and danced in our seats and quietly critiques the dancers.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> When seven o'clock rolled around, we had eaten four plates of fried everything, and half the men who had been sitting at the bar were gone. There were more dancers on the floor as the music was cranking up. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Excuse me,” A soft feminine voice said from behind our table.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> We turned to find a very blonde, well-dressed woman. She looked to be between my age and Mother's – late 30s. We looked at her expectantly.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Excuse me for bothering you,” she said. Her accent was German. “I was wondering if you wouldn't mind dancing with my husband.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> She pointed across the room to a table where a very blonde, well-dressed man sat grinning at us. He waved. Mother and I waved back.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “He looks all the time at MTV and knows all the steps,” she continued. “He really wants to dance with someone who knows how to do the moves. He can tell you can.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I haven't been dancing,” I replied in dismay.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “He knows from the way you walk,” she explained.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I looked at Mother. She shrugged.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Sure. Why not?” I said. “Tell him to pick a song when he's ready.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Isn't that something,” Mother said. Then, she looked concerned. “You don't think this will lead to some orgy, do you?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> After nearly spitting out my drink, I shook my head. “Not likely. I saw Deter over there dancing in his seat. He wants to dance.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I knew when the next song began that it was the German's number. Sure enough, he was walking towards me. I stood and met him on the dance floor.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Because you look like Janet,” he said with a smile. “You like the song?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Sure do.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Deter could dance. It only took a few moves for him to figure out how to follow me. It was impossible to do the choreography from the video, but there was a routine in it that suited the size of that dance floor. My partner was my mirroring everything with a big grin on his face. I was only aware of him and Mother while we danced. As long as she didn't have a look of horror, I figured I was doing okay. What I didn't expect was the applause as the song ended. I laughed as Deter kissed my hand. Then, I curtsied and went back to the table. Miss Patty was grinning.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I didn't know you could do that!” She exclaimed. “You were always so quiet. Your Aunt Ellie and your cousins should see that.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “I'm not ready to tour. Shouldn't we get another drink?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The server came back with an ice bucket and fresh glasses.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “The couple over there bought you a bottle of Pouilly-Fuissé, ladies,” she said, filling the glasses.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “That's easy for you to say,” Mother quipped as she tasted the wine. “Now, that's good.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> We raised our glasses to the Germans then we touched them together</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “To more great adventures,” I said quietly. The fact that the trip was ending saddened me, but I was excited about the road to come.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Miss Patty smiled and took a sip. “I'm glad you're coming home. It seems like I have to get to know you all over again. Do you know how you'll pay for school?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “Not a clue,” I replied. “I don't know if I'll even get in the program. I just know that I have to try.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> “We'll find a way,” she said with confidence. “I'd like to see Paris someday.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I hadn't realized it then, because I was too much in the moment, that I'd always be grateful to my Brother ordering that room service hamburger. </span>
</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-38280177892737004872017-04-23T15:47:00.000-07:002017-04-23T15:47:37.735-07:00Musings on LA, Burglary, and the Diabolical<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I spent the 7<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of what Jon calls 'Deb Not Dying Day' sipping bubbly and watching <i>Good</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyH2RQFeWo_NPwuCfw2cWAEWZLiPFGSEY28RMd6vBxlgvgMkLvqtoLSxnoenzHzIU7aSSehotyMb0gGXb2_UU87DkkvdYwwzRmJ_DnJuxpBp8nv01Sk8TxfW16d1Qi-j4izp0U/s1600/20170422_205430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyH2RQFeWo_NPwuCfw2cWAEWZLiPFGSEY28RMd6vBxlgvgMkLvqtoLSxnoenzHzIU7aSSehotyMb0gGXb2_UU87DkkvdYwwzRmJ_DnJuxpBp8nv01Sk8TxfW16d1Qi-j4izp0U/s320/20170422_205430.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>
<i> Eats</i> on the Cooking Channel. That seems appropriate as the Cooking Channel and their older sibling, The Food Network loomed largely during chemo and my recovery. I'm a big fan of Deb Duchon (pictured with my bubbly). She answers many of the stranger questions I've had about where food comes from. As always, anniversaries make a person think about time passed from a significant event. In this case, it's made me think of why the move to LA most likely saved my life. This thought came at a particularly opportune moment as I have been struggling with that choice among many I've made since leaving Philly.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Life has always been a strange and wild trip for the Hubs and me since coming to Los Angeles. There were many days during the 20 plus years out here that I've seriously questioned what in the hell we're doing out here. But with all the diabolical and challenging obstacles thrown our way, there has been some magical serendipity in our professional and personal lives as well. Nothing put this in sharper focus than how I was diagnosed with a rare cancer and how I found treatment in my own backyard.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fewer than 50 doctors worldwide know how to treat Appendix Cancer. Not many have ever heard of it, let alone know how to diagnose it. I still argue with docs that don't believe I had something so rare. Bitch, I wouldn't learn to spell <a href="http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/pseudomyxoma-peritonei-pmp">Pseudomyxoma peritonei</a> for the fun of it! Most patients die because it's mistaken or a host of other abdominal ailments or types of cancer. It's typically found during a surgery for something else. In most cases, it's too late to save the patient. My Oncologist believes I was sick for at least a year before I was diagnosed. So, in a country where treatment is available in only a handful of cities, and most doctors have never seen a case, my community clinic had a Supervising Physician who was once a resident under an Oncologist who had treated the disease years ago. She remembered the odd symptoms and physical characteristics she'd heard about from a single case and sent me to the nearest ER with a detailed diagnosis. I was days from dying. Of course, I didn't know that at the time, especially after the morphine kicked in. I didn't get why all the nurses were coming in to see me along with the minister (no priest was available) until after I got back from surgery.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The magic continued after the first surgery. They'd saved my organs from being crushed by a 13-pound tumor, but I was still full of cancer. The Community Clinic Physician continued to be a rock star. She alerted the lead Oncologist at LAC USC that there was another patient, and that solved a gigantic hurdle I had for getting any treatment at all – no health insurance. As an extremely rare case and a potentially lucrative surgical procedure to teach, I was a find. My treatment was covered in full by the Hospital. If we had remained in Philly, and if I found someone who knew what I had, the nearest treatment center was in Washington, DC and he was not in network for the most part and that's before travel, room and board are factored in. Here, I could get to the hospital by bus or train if I had to.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Life in LA can be soul crushing in how it frustrates creative people. But it is also the only place in the US where we feel normal. Everyone we know here is some kind of creative person. Anyone of is a few steps in a random direction from the brass ring. It's a place that is alive with inspiration and connections. Because of this environment, we became publishers and I became a professional author (and now cover artist). Jon has also started writing prose as well as scripts. We have a richly satisfying creative life which makes up for most of the frustrations. While I've been sidelined by cancer treatments and recovery, I've also found an amazing network of connections to writers and readers via Social Media. And I became a national expert on a very odd sub-genre of Japanese manga and anime. All of this has resulted in writing to partially support our household (something I have always wanted to do).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus, on this anniversary of being cancer free, I can say things are pretty good overall and gradually getting better. We're still working hard to get a film or TV project off the ground. Most of those plans are not for public consumption for a number of reasons, but they are still ongoing. And I've had the time to learn really difficult recipes and kibitz with some of my favorite TV chefs. Bourdain remains elusive, but I am patient. Also. One of his authors owns a restaurant walking distance from out place. I'll find him eventually. I've also had a lot of to tp read/ My favorite book this year is on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V35U0TM/">burglary and architecture</a>! It's better than any caper film. Seriously! Thank you, Craig! I'm hoping to get back to world travel as soon as my knees and our bank account allows it. All in all, life is pretty good.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Meanwhile, The Month of Fun is nigh! Stay tuned.</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-1129479666026746992017-02-26T13:56:00.000-08:002017-02-26T13:56:27.152-08:00Lucifer, French Rent Boy and an Admiral's Sofas<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNfzMluqsWrJYkmYFP89bYzBe5dBDEYiHx8zQNgDkSXyJKTdASxCtkruduAvOm2RPcHUhn8ApXBes3eUhyU6Hk48yjVAnnjY7l3MZ0QORsWDHudBdAC8KcXiicxiL0py3MOMA/s1600/21517d-1024x586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNfzMluqsWrJYkmYFP89bYzBe5dBDEYiHx8zQNgDkSXyJKTdASxCtkruduAvOm2RPcHUhn8ApXBes3eUhyU6Hk48yjVAnnjY7l3MZ0QORsWDHudBdAC8KcXiicxiL0py3MOMA/s320/21517d-1024x586.jpg" width="320" /></a>Talk about a roller coaster week! I hadn't even uttered any dangerous phrases like 'Now What.' I've learned to never say or even think anything like that. It all began with me feeling fairly good about the world last Thursday. I managed to drag myself around to a couple of supermarkets, including the always daunting Costco before the arrival of a big, scary storm the I'veweatherfolk dubbed <a href="http://heavy.com/news/2017/02/california-weather-storm-lucifer-bombogenesis-update-flooding-today-latest-maps-predictions-photos-video/">Lucifer</a>. I don't usually take the hysterical rantings of local weather prognosticators seriously. A little rain in Los Angeles can send them into a tizzy. But the radar forecast looked like something from <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_After_Tomorrow">The Day After </a></i><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_After_Tomorrow">Tomorrow</a></i>. The big red blob is the heaviest rain, and it hovered over LA from the early morning. Jon got to work relatively unscathed. We had a short power outage here lasting less than ten minutes. I thought the biggest problem we had was Jon's soaking wet work shoes. And then, he turned on his PC.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The PC and everything else on that power strip should have been fine. It is a very expensive power strip/surge protector. It had one of those insurance policies to replace damaged equipment up to $5,000. We weren't concerned until the danged thing refused to power up. After many a frantic message and a lot of Google searching, we discovered the problem was the motherboard. Fabulous. It was a refurbished machine that was cheaper to replace rather than buy the part and pay to have it installed. Either way, we would be down a computer for a week, if we were lucky. Worse was ALL of the Sybpress book files were on that hard drive, and they hadn't been backed up in who knows when. Why yes, I did give him that wifely 'I'm seconds away from taking a frying pan upside your head.' After some deep breaths and several cocktails, I decided that all may not be lost. The two books we had in the pipeline weren't under any kind of deadline, and there seemed to be nothing wrong with the hard drive. Thankfully, the current Ensnared Installment was live while the one I was working on was on my laptop (and an external and a thumb drive, because I back up stuff). There was no hurry, book wise. </div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Great News/Bad Timing</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn6l5zk2r7tc16PYfN44HEzwRpuFttfEQ6dONKRHzcVQHG6eQ8UOayleCAIIq7sJgKdXpXb-Ggwq3U3sAJLQoFaSLlJssnFYqS-9QWaC8bU4J5QN9fKdZU3Va0WGKMH-B6qmU/s1600/VampireRentBoyFrontCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn6l5zk2r7tc16PYfN44HEzwRpuFttfEQ6dONKRHzcVQHG6eQ8UOayleCAIIq7sJgKdXpXb-Ggwq3U3sAJLQoFaSLlJssnFYqS-9QWaC8bU4J5QN9fKdZU3Va0WGKMH-B6qmU/s400/VampireRentBoyFrontCover.png" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One of the best aspects about the Indie Publishing community is that it tends to be generous in every sense of the word. Writers share tidbits that would be helpful to colleagues and often offer a shoulder to cry on or an ear to vent at. One of the classiest authors in my genre, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Yaoimila/">Yamila Abraham</a> , posted that a distributor of homoerotica in French was looking for content. I hemmed and hawed about sending a query. I wondered if I had enough sales or good reviews for them to be interested. One morning after a big cup of strong coffee, I just went for it. Two days later, I had a contract! They will be publishing <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Rent-Boy-Love-Money-ebook/dp/B00WQFD6Y4">Vampire Rent Boy – For Love and </a></i><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Rent-Boy-Love-Money-ebook/dp/B00WQFD6Y4">Money</a>!</i> I was stunned and elated. My track record with queries has been mostly bad. The last time I had one that worked was with the original publisher of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Companion-DL-Warner-ebook/dp/B00RXSTVBG">The Companion</a></i>. I hardly ever get paid for stories upfront. I was over the moon. And then, I realized they needed the finished word doc of the story by March 1<sup>st</sup> along with the cover without the title. Yes, all of those files are on the hard drive in the dead PC Tower. Yikes! I was worried that the tower wouldn't get here in time or that the hard drive reader wouldn't work as advertised. It was a stressful week even while I was really happy. The PC tower arrived on Wednesday and the hard drive reader arrived today. I have all the files I need to fulfill my end of the contract. Jon is also out of the dog house. I plan on backing up those publishing files at my first opportunity. Oh, his shoes dried out by Monday, and the pool never spilled over into our living room. We were, in many, many ways, far luckier than many others in California. Lucifer was a bitch.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Writing Updates</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've started writing the third installment of<i> Ensnared Volume 4</i>. I have new research to distract me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt24gVfY4MytK1UGVQHfMWFCDhXLHTPBvTVuNNJpGP8We-LV1XCfHkynPwJo18cmuG26hTmWJk9wiWu3O4SQlXkiFt294Ptw-AlFIghs7pbh3HKs3i0mX3mwdPq3kfhMQ9hVB/s1600/DSCN3369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt24gVfY4MytK1UGVQHfMWFCDhXLHTPBvTVuNNJpGP8We-LV1XCfHkynPwJo18cmuG26hTmWJk9wiWu3O4SQlXkiFt294Ptw-AlFIghs7pbh3HKs3i0mX3mwdPq3kfhMQ9hVB/s320/DSCN3369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This time, it's the Lake Como region of Italy. The Lake Como research was a lot of fun. I went shopping for villas in my search for the right settings. Now, the villa rental company is stalking me across my internet travels. Mind you, I was love to rent a six-bedroom villa with a heated pool and its own dock. However, that's a little out of our budget right now. And since the world doesn't yet have military spaceships, so I had to go with the next closest thing – aircraft carriers and submarines. Admiral's quarters aren't nearly as lavish as I thought they would be. No matter. Darius is always an exception to any rule. Meanwhile, I have discovered some interesting facts that will be very useful in the narrative.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A reader of <i>Ensnared</i> and my blogs brought up a valid concern about changes over the course of a series. Don't worry, I'll answer in generalities. No spoilers! Would profound trauma and life altering change morph the characters readers have followed for so long into something that was unrecognizable? Please, do not fear. Aside from having a firm understanding of why these characters are appreciated and why they continue to find readers (thank you to the lovelies who keep hawking my wares), there are aspects of these characters that make them enjoyable for me to write. I have to spend many, many hours with these beings during the writing, re-writing and editing. I have to enjoy watching them at some level, or I'd never finish any of these stories.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As an example of this issue I have with depressing characters, there is a short story I wrote for the same publication that bought <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Companion-DL-Warner-ebook/dp/B00RXSTVBG">The Companion</a></i>. It is called <i>Product Development</i> (this story and a roster of other awesome sci-fi can be found in this edition of<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Full-Metal-Orgasm-69002-Shon-Richards-ebook/dp/B009BTQI5C"> <i>Full Metal Orgasm</i></a> ). That story got a lot of praise from folks who typically don't like my erotica, and I have had a lot of encouragement to make it a novel. I'd love to do it. That story was one of the best meshes of hard science fiction and erotica that I've ever done. However, Ambrose Mortimer was the most depressing and dismal soul I have ever created. I have yet to find an angle that makes me want to write the arc of a brilliant man's downward spiral into moral and ethical bankruptcy. I've got an outline, but it's been really slow going.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Ensnared</i> just leaps out of my head. I've had a fully formed character I didn't know was there pop out on the page this week. It is a joy to spend time with those characters. And a drastic change to them would also be at odds with the plot. It is who Andreas, Darius and company are that was part of the reason the Watcher chose for them to come before him. Changing them drastically would defeat that very wise being's plans. So, worry not. The traits that make the guys and gals from <i>Ensnared </i>attractive to readers will endure, but that does NOT mean that the road ahead of them will be easy or that they will never suffer pain to offset the joys they share. A saga has to have some drama!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now, I must get back to work! I will let everyone know when Tristan and company are in French. I'm am writing the next <i>Rent Boy</i> as well.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned.</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-18542362685310870012017-02-21T08:41:00.002-08:002017-02-21T08:41:42.967-08:00Keeping a Super kinky Couple Sexy in a Long-Running Series<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I get asked about how to write sex scenes a lot between my role as an editor of <a href="http://sybpress.com/">Sybaritic Press</a> and as an Admin of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YaoiAGoGo/">Yaoi a GoGo</a>. I plan on writing a comprehensive article on the subject as it applies to Yaoi, but this question came up recently from readers of the <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=ensnared+dl+warner">Ensnared</a></i> series. It applies to many writers I know with ongoing series.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHN7BjR1z93ClhP_BESt0PVGJSmZDc3VBdVrMJeCpWq48hbhj5ug1TlfqHavapHNhxVQ3aOCPCkdB_SlTxIqJOtqiHAAW2TKsRq6XTh7h9tZmIuen3IHRYp60xdQtK01gsv_Ap/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHN7BjR1z93ClhP_BESt0PVGJSmZDc3VBdVrMJeCpWq48hbhj5ug1TlfqHavapHNhxVQ3aOCPCkdB_SlTxIqJOtqiHAAW2TKsRq6XTh7h9tZmIuen3IHRYp60xdQtK01gsv_Ap/s320/cover.jpg" width="213" /></a>There are advantages in writing an ongoing series. Once the universe is created, it is a familiar space filled with familiar characters. Most of the writing comes easily. This installment of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X8Z7CC9">Ensnared Volume 4 – Reckoning in the Desert</a></i> has a lot of intrigues, danger, and revelations that readers have been waiting a long time to hear. Most of it has been so easy to write, that this part has a gigantic number of pages. However, the main disadvantage is big in a romance. It's the same disadvantage to a long term relationship – how to keep the intimacy going and how to keep the sex scenes fresh. Some writers use new kinks to keep things interesting for the reader. That's a valid route. After all, many a real-life couple incorporate new toys and other trappings in their sex lives.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But what does a writer do when the basis of her ongoing couple is as kinky as it gets? Darius and Andreas are in a full-time D/s relationship. Andreas wears a collar that cannot be removed and is tagged with his Owner's mark on his ear. Part of his daily routine is getting stretched and lubed so that he's ready anytime Darius wants to have him. Their lovemaking frequently involved heavy shackles. It's not easy to get much kinkier than they already are save for things the characters simply would never do. Darius will not switch roles nor will he actually hurt Andreas.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I always write from reality, so I turned to real life relationships for inspiration. Everyone changes according to their experiences. Darius and Andreas have gone through a lot in the time they've been together. They are not exactly the same as when they first met. Also, people tend to relax and reveal more of themselves as they grow more comfortable in a relationship. That can happen in friendships, business acquaintances, etc. There are people that will never see me without make-up on and the hair done. And there are people that I'll let see me while I have the flu. The same thing happens between lovers. Some get to see the best teddies while others get to see the comfiest sweatpants and bed head. Darius is becoming more unguarded in his personal life. In the current installment, Reckoning in the Desert, everyone in the household is seeing more of his wit and humor. This behavior is spilling out to everyone at the Dig site.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's the new openness from Darius that changes the nature of the love scenes in the current installment. He is far more willing to drop the formality of their roles in order to be more intimate with Andreas. This change is fortunate as the pair is often pressed for time alone in this installment – even when they are at home. And when they do try to play their roles, Darius is too impatient to wait. The more relaxed vibe between them allows for them to share information that they hadn't until then. This is what is happening in this love scene which occurs the night before the departure for the Dig site. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“I'm going to get to bed. Kleptos won't sleep until I'm tucked in,” Mykos said. “Sleep well.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“Good night,” Darius said.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“See you in the morning,” Andreas said.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>The next thing he knew, Darius was carrying him into the bedroom.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“I do know the way, you know,” Andreas sputtered.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“I'm faster,” Darius replied affably as he kicked the door shut. “Do you truly mind my carrying you?”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Andreas shook his head with a blush.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“No,” he admitted softly. “I love how I feel in your arms. It was the biggest surprise for me.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Darius set him down.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“Surprise?” Darius asked as Andreas had him sit on the edge of the bed.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“I always drove in my few relationships,” Andreas shrugged. “And I'm used to being in charge. Somehow, feeling helpless in your arms turns me on. I'm almost always weak in the knees when you give me the look you have on your beautiful face right now.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Darius smiled at him in the way that made him feel even weaker.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“So why do you object?”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“Who knows?” Andreas chuckled as he undressed Darius. “Maybe I think I should just to not seem too needy.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“I don't mind,” Darius said as he watched Andreas undress. “So long as we end up like this.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Andreas didn't make it to the hamper with the clothes. Darius caught him by the wrist and tugged him back toward the bed. Though he didn't feel the same driving need reclaim Andreas as he did the night of the first Cosi gathering, it was clear that Darius was in no mood to wait a second longer to have Andreas in bed with him.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“I sometimes can't wait to have you here pressed close, smiling like that with your eyes sparkling waiting for my kiss,” Darius murmured.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“Your kisses are amazing,” Andreas replied softly. “They make me forget where I am and who I am. I sometimes can't wait for you to gift me with them.”</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Darius didn't make him wait any longer. He lowered his head to capture Andrea's lips in a sweet, intense kiss that made him sigh and wrap one leg around a powerful thigh. Andreas was getting impatient as well. He couldn't wait much longer for the push of that hard length inside of him until he was filled with throbbing heat. Darius must have sensed that impatience. Soon, Andreas had all he craved from his Cosi. Once again, he was holding on with one leg trying to keep up with powerful thrusts that robbed him of breath. And just when Andreas thought he could take no more, Darius would touch him. The next time they kissed it would be to calm down from staggering pleasure.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Andreas craved that kiss and the clean up afterward. He relished the way Darius would tend to him when he was too weak to move. The cool water Darius had him drink tasted sweeter than any other that day.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“If we make time for nothing else, we have to sleep this way,” Andreas said sleepily as he settled against his Cosi's chest.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>“I won't tolerate losing this, Sweet Dami. Don't worry about that,” Darius murmured, squeezing him. “Sleep well.”</i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Andreas smiled. There was no way that he wouldn't sleep well.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is my hope that readers will see something new about Darius and Andreas each time they make love in this installment. This is how I will continue to keep their relationship fresh and exciting for readers moving forward.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sneak Peek</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the final installment of Ensnared Volume Four, readers will finally visit the Cosi Compound. This place is based on one of the prettiest lakes I've ever seen – Lake Como, Italy. Take a look at the gorgeous scenery and the place I'm using as the basis for the home Darius has there. <b>Bonus points</b> to those who guess the nerdy origins of my obsessions with this gorgeous locale! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's all for now. Stay Tuned!!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0sWAhPM3gdaaQbiHCWjs4PTpivbES_doQJcWxboCLCZX0jLmVEtwa72NYplJ_zrqPWDuTuZoNi7UJtzeb3kzxfUf2AWBqHb4nOP6qdWulToB2qEP-514Ci19Hj8xf65XQp6-/s1600/veniceandlakecomo-hero-italy-lake-como-tremezzo-32263574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0sWAhPM3gdaaQbiHCWjs4PTpivbES_doQJcWxboCLCZX0jLmVEtwa72NYplJ_zrqPWDuTuZoNi7UJtzeb3kzxfUf2AWBqHb4nOP6qdWulToB2qEP-514Ci19Hj8xf65XQp6-/s400/veniceandlakecomo-hero-italy-lake-como-tremezzo-32263574.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywapxsrNXSJNE89wDNUspLsKBsQmToE0Wm_Ir0quab3zM3zQSYTtlNS9r3tbJ6l1bwqqdrSZUjPw9bI5mHCLJx-3RVFvXIIMWICXbYtPLO7eKxSSMDX0_DPU9jZiL8ueqEBhd/s1600/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.05.30.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywapxsrNXSJNE89wDNUspLsKBsQmToE0Wm_Ir0quab3zM3zQSYTtlNS9r3tbJ6l1bwqqdrSZUjPw9bI5mHCLJx-3RVFvXIIMWICXbYtPLO7eKxSSMDX0_DPU9jZiL8ueqEBhd/s400/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.05.30.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvm9Hhi4k1aB4ONteLH_kMD00WFcdHRWrX5TgszdwIMMjX-OiupwJlBNKnhDpuP0uWC2PDpSpcl8FezathuQHLyEtpjvoUR6rVWv0Oap3QMuo3HODWQ4ZXf8zvhOuhAmtmcLG/s1600/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.05.49.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvm9Hhi4k1aB4ONteLH_kMD00WFcdHRWrX5TgszdwIMMjX-OiupwJlBNKnhDpuP0uWC2PDpSpcl8FezathuQHLyEtpjvoUR6rVWv0Oap3QMuo3HODWQ4ZXf8zvhOuhAmtmcLG/s400/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.05.49.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrNSuAJomNehIxFEQ4YpaDUiokNgRKts6_HN6btRX0CBdaqWUKpotVM4nBe_Zfevsstv6CjSiZr5ur9xFIYJGeX2RlJQQeUoRAZJ89ePSlhX5lqSGbYwXALHk2Fdj4YcJjOAH/s1600/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.12.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrNSuAJomNehIxFEQ4YpaDUiokNgRKts6_HN6btRX0CBdaqWUKpotVM4nBe_Zfevsstv6CjSiZr5ur9xFIYJGeX2RlJQQeUoRAZJ89ePSlhX5lqSGbYwXALHk2Fdj4YcJjOAH/s400/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.12.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzya7HKJPE4SQek77K_v3XJIHyzQyIuJ3fUODxVDkN12CbVf9prS6igl0Cmu1Kic25Cn-e9Cv4kUjiOc4WjIRkmg5sbacKGlpMDC5SiSUKec75gNPa5LbNx7oYdJ0xWZZx9L1/s1600/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.18.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzya7HKJPE4SQek77K_v3XJIHyzQyIuJ3fUODxVDkN12CbVf9prS6igl0Cmu1Kic25Cn-e9Cv4kUjiOc4WjIRkmg5sbacKGlpMDC5SiSUKec75gNPa5LbNx7oYdJ0xWZZx9L1/s400/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.18.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZT8Ho2eks-_cz9oD5vl3tDNgFbPbvrjCK3ho-tLDNL4BhR8mDjPeh5cMEDSMapIh7RQlCvnCQwXLG-BgVHLnBM0xqOBrEXM0Mr4lLHRaZE4MN9T8jl0TRe12lBZjUvY23GkI/s1600/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.34.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZT8Ho2eks-_cz9oD5vl3tDNgFbPbvrjCK3ho-tLDNL4BhR8mDjPeh5cMEDSMapIh7RQlCvnCQwXLG-BgVHLnBM0xqOBrEXM0Mr4lLHRaZE4MN9T8jl0TRe12lBZjUvY23GkI/s400/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.34.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkh714x7W7C88cjBXVJ_R0dLuYz9VuD7se3SuLnjQi5nPf6BlV8Lfaj6m5aSSfhndDLPm_ZsgP0eziklR_xHy0kb5sXIdCAEMWcpIN7qJ-aDGIFnBJopca6n3LOh3KmpufZ4p/s1600/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.41.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkh714x7W7C88cjBXVJ_R0dLuYz9VuD7se3SuLnjQi5nPf6BlV8Lfaj6m5aSSfhndDLPm_ZsgP0eziklR_xHy0kb5sXIdCAEMWcpIN7qJ-aDGIFnBJopca6n3LOh3KmpufZ4p/s400/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.41.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIswuHD8A2IQKjE5WMDmfn8RfM4ykgF_apMTeLwLVH0XXVxG55ABckS6EacZOuhsDUl1fPsmU-lDlDOk8IYwXYBh1V86d_n5AjhIBiw1theGLKlHrqh9S1nG2BfJoQ0Jb1Yo1/s1600/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.47.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIswuHD8A2IQKjE5WMDmfn8RfM4ykgF_apMTeLwLVH0XXVxG55ABckS6EacZOuhsDUl1fPsmU-lDlDOk8IYwXYBh1V86d_n5AjhIBiw1theGLKlHrqh9S1nG2BfJoQ0Jb1Yo1/s400/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.47.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDuXUDbKiMigcZEG4Gc5OXeSYIPkKtND8iIUHc6JOKLjmA8hOrmpmMnCB13MJxrl1VpIgrL-uo7GIEdoGQjBTlRIm6EYdS_vdDm4ABK2m88kJtRJGry5A79zEkmLcx6bE2L5g/s1600/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.53.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDuXUDbKiMigcZEG4Gc5OXeSYIPkKtND8iIUHc6JOKLjmA8hOrmpmMnCB13MJxrl1VpIgrL-uo7GIEdoGQjBTlRIm6EYdS_vdDm4ABK2m88kJtRJGry5A79zEkmLcx6bE2L5g/s400/Screenshot+2017-02-15+15.06.53.png" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-19673156031204041122017-02-08T23:16:00.000-08:002017-02-09T12:03:09.493-08:00A Tale of Two Bento<h4>
Bento Both Plain and Fancy</h4>
Back in 2010 after my Cancer surgery, nutrition was on my mind. I wasn't eating well, so whatever I managed to eat had to be very nutritious. My husband's health weighed on my mind as well. It was during that time that I discovered the cooking shows on NHK (Japanese TV) and Japanese chefs online. Lunches that were both nutritious and attractive with lots of variety are very important in Japan. These were also the kinds of meals I thought we both needed to stay healthy. However, I ran into a problem. My husband is a man who likes plain food. To him, Bento meant food shaped like anime characters and vegetables in all kinds of exotic shapes. I was pretty sure he wouldn't be excited about colorful character rice balls staring up at him from his Bento box with big grins on their rice faces.<br />
<br />
Like any good wife, I came up with a compromise I've been very creative sneaking vegetables into his meals throughout our marriage. A surprising amount of sauteed vegetables can be added to hamburg steak, pasta sauce, and meatloaf without anyone being the wiser. For Jon's Bento, I use leftovers from dinner arranged as simply as possible in a plain container. Meanwhile, I've been exploring all kinds of different Bento. So our refrigerator shelves have two kinds.<br />
<br />
So, Jon has roast chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, peas, and carrots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3POgy844jDQd2Z3us-ymVCRqi2D0_s6QxFDIoCNqCG8nGA9kPKPpZh4Iy2qwtF9bV_vPAb746Xwn7a8w5N8lDoHT11o_qH2wl5VjzSwoyCaW3M5mCDu7f5BfQckUemX1XuLnK/s1600/Jon+Bento2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3POgy844jDQd2Z3us-ymVCRqi2D0_s6QxFDIoCNqCG8nGA9kPKPpZh4Iy2qwtF9bV_vPAb746Xwn7a8w5N8lDoHT11o_qH2wl5VjzSwoyCaW3M5mCDu7f5BfQckUemX1XuLnK/s320/Jon+Bento2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
While I have Soboro Donburi with salted cucumbers and tomatoes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoH8kc-Useu89JzNDPdA1xTnqbK7TSWe4-3rWi-qkkWS2jTWuboOSKslntk2O36VPplo_FBTXgr8F347dOox9z6n7syRouzJSIMcRbaDF6Hs-sml3VgY445yzScaMkAy2ngFi/s1600/Deb+Bento+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoH8kc-Useu89JzNDPdA1xTnqbK7TSWe4-3rWi-qkkWS2jTWuboOSKslntk2O36VPplo_FBTXgr8F347dOox9z6n7syRouzJSIMcRbaDF6Hs-sml3VgY445yzScaMkAy2ngFi/s320/Deb+Bento+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And while Jon has Hamburg Steak, sliced potatoes, and steamed broccoli,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNokhqDeuodhM0kCm1zMCo4Y1mY9_SHj0hBr5ZHL-z8-6ZYcfBGYowxJmL515iDxqFtWIMMEA6PMqe28AhEhQGUv0M_vTtAwXGEFaC9FkEo3hv_N7D7G4n_hz_r-X-h8pqlgYd/s1600/Jon+Bento.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNokhqDeuodhM0kCm1zMCo4Y1mY9_SHj0hBr5ZHL-z8-6ZYcfBGYowxJmL515iDxqFtWIMMEA6PMqe28AhEhQGUv0M_vTtAwXGEFaC9FkEo3hv_N7D7G4n_hz_r-X-h8pqlgYd/s320/Jon+Bento.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hid my Hamburg Steak and broccoli under rice lightly seasoned with soy sauce and shaped like my favorite poodle from a popular skating anime. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9gn9QPbs5MMotSydt3zZCTaQUowQ6v0yrlAEcGISOsAu1iATlzpMhwFt8gE_FLtpag_y8noliKBo6WAAtPR7N74FfD9L3vp4IP6FsX2_W2C-YvbEfDqtajSZz84TR8QusUP5/s1600/Deb+Bento2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9gn9QPbs5MMotSydt3zZCTaQUowQ6v0yrlAEcGISOsAu1iATlzpMhwFt8gE_FLtpag_y8noliKBo6WAAtPR7N74FfD9L3vp4IP6FsX2_W2C-YvbEfDqtajSZz84TR8QusUP5/s320/Deb+Bento2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our lunches are healthy, and we save money during the week while maintaining harmony! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm still working on getting him to eat more oatmeal, but I'm happy for small victories.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stay tuned!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-12654573517012410732017-01-14T18:33:00.001-08:002017-01-14T18:33:11.324-08:00Mini Writer's Blog<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfOkhkQijeVGNOW7iI04jVYX3Y79-B7fuOuM8Jx6DPCkU435EwZ0KLTz42VeqzD86jc2hSDxI8AQ6ZKedqYKtx2rRvFlTiIt96zBeCUxHMlCvlnQPU9tDbhuqGZuTOjcIK5eD/s1600/35342-funny-quotes-about-writers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfOkhkQijeVGNOW7iI04jVYX3Y79-B7fuOuM8Jx6DPCkU435EwZ0KLTz42VeqzD86jc2hSDxI8AQ6ZKedqYKtx2rRvFlTiIt96zBeCUxHMlCvlnQPU9tDbhuqGZuTOjcIK5eD/s200/35342-funny-quotes-about-writers.jpg" width="200" /></a>Today is my day for cooking lunch and dinner components for the week. While I'm waiting for some</div>
chicken to reach room temperature, I thought I'd write a mini-blog. This one is primarily about my writing process (geez, that sounds pretentious). Actually, it's about what I'm working on now, how I keep all of the series that I'm writing advancing at the same time, and how I came to develop a whole new pair of characters this past week.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVrlvznV8k8AfxZumFJVbJS35DZQfje02QWOYTuIBwfcU0MePLi554axAAp423G5xTFEpMJXaiyxqaVLU4AYL4l6zYZ6TCm6dst0v6BrujXir90NdI9xU0P6va3J7ohJHMjn3/s1600/writtenbystanleyralphross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVrlvznV8k8AfxZumFJVbJS35DZQfje02QWOYTuIBwfcU0MePLi554axAAp423G5xTFEpMJXaiyxqaVLU4AYL4l6zYZ6TCm6dst0v6BrujXir90NdI9xU0P6va3J7ohJHMjn3/s320/writtenbystanleyralphross.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I began juggling back in Grad School. When I got sick of the thesis novel I was working on, I'd write something that I considered more fun. On such fun thing was a script for <i>Star Trek: Next Generation</i>. That landed me my first agent in Los Angeles agent. This proves that I rarely write anything just for fun. This habit was validated some time later by our second landlord in LA, TV Writer Stanley Ralph Ross <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Ralph_Ross">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Ralph_Ross</a>. He said that when he was stuck, he'd write anything that wasn't a script. It could be as small as a post on a screenwriting Bulletin Board (those things that evolved into internet forums) or a fan letter to someone he admired. Stan always said that everyone is a fan of something and someone. The thing was to get the active brain working on something else so that the problem can sort itself in the background. That totally justified all the fanfic I was writing in between the scripts we were pitching at the time. Frivolous? No! The fanfic landed me in a feature documentary (<i>Trekkies</i>) and directly lead to our first film being funded (that is a long, bizarre, and often unbelievable story that is totally true).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
These days, I have so many story lines in the works, it is a simple matter to switch-off to the one that is giving me less trouble. That's how they all move forward in some fashion. While <i>Ensnared</i> v4 is prominent with <i>Vampire Rent Boy</i> a close second, I am also working on two kinds of works for the <i>Soldiers Saga</i> (the 4<sup>th</sup> novel and a webcomic). Beyond that, there is a relatively brief return to my het fantasy to finish that trilogy (after a re-write of the first two books). I can't leave that story unfinished. There are fans waiting.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pXRYtiCusfdKs2ZLvXj22c5QZjCIw1kpE8KAmJIsdK-0fnkX5ZfKEVUFJhZkfepCCQUL5UgREWVNY48gtPg3V8kGbcnRrZTpaf7IIHBB1l1Bf2tMv0rt5hTccCRGldYWo8Cv/s1600/10565029_10152583698564855_3960706201317640509_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pXRYtiCusfdKs2ZLvXj22c5QZjCIw1kpE8KAmJIsdK-0fnkX5ZfKEVUFJhZkfepCCQUL5UgREWVNY48gtPg3V8kGbcnRrZTpaf7IIHBB1l1Bf2tMv0rt5hTccCRGldYWo8Cv/s320/10565029_10152583698564855_3960706201317640509_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>I can hear some of you. HET?! WTH?! But what will be the next yaoi novel and potential series? I <i>Vampire Rent Boy</i>) or in response to a gripe I have with certain tropes in Yaoi. The <i>Soldiers</i> books were, in part, a response to strictly assigned roles in a relationship (seme/uke or Top/bottom). I wanted to reflect the reality I've seen in the gay couples I know. In Ensnared it was a direct response to an iconic Yaoi series where the Seme was, in my opinion, a big asshole. I wanted to show that there can be a hot, sexy Seme with all the power in the universe who knows how to seduce absolute surrender – not abuse the uke into 'falling in love.'</div>
had no clue until a few days ago. My Yaoi titles either being as a lark (<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While I have no real gripe I'm addressing in the next novel down the road, I realized there was a setting I had yet to visit in Yaoi while I was chatting with one of my readers this week. I do that sometimes. I've never had a Yaoi title set in a fantasy realm. I love swords and adore dragons. My Het series is set in such a realm while my Yaoi tends to be present day or distant future. Shortly after that chat, my pair sprung up. They are second sons, princes from two powerful Kingdoms. Within a few hours, I knew who they are, the families they are from and why the end up together. The story has the potential for a lot of fun (sexy fun), intrigue and drama. It will most likely occupy my time when I get stuck on these other works. I hope to have a teaser for it in the next couple of months! Many thanks to that lovely reader!!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Meanwhile, Jon is working on the ebook layout for the next <i>Ensnared</i> installment. I am sweating the detail on Mykos' and Hector's faces. This installment is enormous!! The next one may be as well.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned!</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-2987586970473426132016-07-10T16:05:00.006-07:002016-07-10T16:12:01.633-07:00Beer and Loathing, Elbow Issues, and a Naughty Genie <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Last week had many awesome moments to contribute to the Summer of Fun. There was also a lot going on that is in keeping with the more annoying aspects of working in creative pursuits. We'll look at the fun first!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beer and Loathing in Downtown</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anime Expo is a gigantic convention in Los Angeles that draws all kinds of Industry professionals. I</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oK7mMK5S5luWIQFo1THOePaykA4vpZ4bt7IHtiMyvmmP8jF4ZkVRnCVce8FHINYiLLSPsqweCti-Hzl06C2ccHzVOJHVVadeFYvQyMbz5UKcl_jDXaBPbz1VRNcTHF1KQpVM/s1600/20160703_215853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oK7mMK5S5luWIQFo1THOePaykA4vpZ4bt7IHtiMyvmmP8jF4ZkVRnCVce8FHINYiLLSPsqweCti-Hzl06C2ccHzVOJHVVadeFYvQyMbz5UKcl_jDXaBPbz1VRNcTHF1KQpVM/s320/20160703_215853.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
am very fortunate to have a couple of said professionals that I can count amongst my friends. One of them was involved in a gathering away from the convention to share all kinds of beers. You bring what you like and everyone gets to try beers that they wouldn't normally get to drink. As you can see, there was a lot of beer to be tried. The most interesting beer was brewed with peppercorns. I could see having that with a steak. The conversations were interesting. Everyone has fascinating war stories about their various jobs in the world of anime and manga. We even got to do some valuable networking. It was a really nice break from a generally annoying weekend. Incidentally, I went home with the Not for Sale Ale. Delightful!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Xm9KCZoM0sblfeJMKmHDIb9M7x2cHdCv1_9C1VFpPzwvXuZt9cysRI-XjeHdN9W9d5T1jTjmxvGSuJQN_lqZUP8MDBxrhVsgZKdQLtVlPeR33QaZy1df1wjEqGxGAO40C4U/s1600/Screenshot+2016-07-09+22.07.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Xm9KCZoM0sblfeJMKmHDIb9M7x2cHdCv1_9C1VFpPzwvXuZt9cysRI-XjeHdN9W9d5T1jTjmxvGSuJQN_lqZUP8MDBxrhVsgZKdQLtVlPeR33QaZy1df1wjEqGxGAO40C4U/s400/Screenshot+2016-07-09+22.07.55.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Of course, there was a weird aspect to this outing. It was held at an art gallery in the middle of the Fabric District in Downtown LA. In fact, it was next to one of our favorite places to get interesting fabrics. The space is called <a href="http://www.thinktankgallery.org/">Think Tank Gallery</a>. It's a huge space outfitted for all kinds of exhibits. Then, in the back is a place that looks like a diner. See video for the diner <a href="https://vimeo.com/141235923">https://vimeo.com/141235923</a> . I was instantly in love with their six burner turbo engine stove. But the lovely gallery wasn't the weird part. First, that bustling street is frightening after dark. It's like something out of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Purge">The Purge</a></i>. While we were waiting for our ride to return (we were sitting at the window above the fabric store's sign), we watched a couple dropping off one car in a garage across the street(see the photo in the lower left corner of the above image), drive off in another, then return running from the direction they drove off. Next, there was a couple that was coming from Anime Expo (they had swag bags). They brought the bags and a lot of merchandise with them to a room off the main gallery. Then, they began taking a lot of stuff down to the car, including pillows and other bedding, a lot of boots and then the same swag bags and merchandise from the convention. Then, there was the man carrying a laughing hot blond woman whose legs were wrapped around his waist from one side room off the gallery to another. After five minutes, he carried her down the stairs to the car with the shoes and the bedding. And I will never know what the large box of dirty rubber duckies in the restroom was about. I was afraid to take a photo. It was a really creepy box. No, I hadn't had too much beer. Jon had root beer, and he saw everything I saw. Very strange but a fun time. There are more photos at the end of the blog</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We were really lucky to have a close buddy that works as an Uber driver. I've known Cory since my first job in college at B. Dalton Bookseller in Center City. He came out to LA for the same reasons I did, writing, art and filmmaking. It was so wonderful to have someone take us to that desolate part of downtown who we knew would come back for us when we called. I would have missed a fabulous evening without him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've covered the beer. Now, the loathing. The great opportunity for a panel was not to be. Adding us to the lineup was way too short on notice to the convention. Badges couldn't be secured without great expense and the inconvenience of standing for hours in the hellish heat and sun. That wasn't happening no matter how much I wanted to do the panels and meet a mangaka whose work I admire. I'm not physically up to such tasks. Moreover, I'd lost two days work on my book cover doing a visual program for the panels. I couldn't lose any more time. These books pay a good part of our bills. I'm way behind my publishing schedule as it is. So, we missed the chance this year. But since the beer event I've discovered that I'm at the point to apply for panels on my own and get them. We have some projects coming up that will give us a lot of visuals to present next year. The lesson was a hard one, but we came out of it with more opportunities.<br />
<br />
And we did get me meet up with one of our Cosplay Bishies! Phil Mizuno and a delightful manga<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlHSgeoEMAbZI9AOjdi4UW75gDTvdOrR39DD7Ybt3gWnrUheaJAf7QE2I1lgQEVCr2aVxFV8DsBWwajq8lIs3LPs_iwhB_rVDz1k47Y3OfA78ESwlkLHya5t6yK_6zwaKUZw9/s1600/20160704_195405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlHSgeoEMAbZI9AOjdi4UW75gDTvdOrR39DD7Ybt3gWnrUheaJAf7QE2I1lgQEVCr2aVxFV8DsBWwajq8lIs3LPs_iwhB_rVDz1k47Y3OfA78ESwlkLHya5t6yK_6zwaKUZw9/s320/20160704_195405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
artist had a beer nearby before the neighborhood was shut down for the 4th of July Fireworks. It was short but very nice. He is really adorable and sweet in person. I wish I was less of a mess, but I'm really glad he came by.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Summer of Fun Cooking</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm not finished with my canning projects. I really had to stop everything else while I worked on that cover. I'll finish the jams and the peppers later this week. The peppers are a mix of jalapenos and banana peppers along with some garlic. I'm mimicking the pickled peppers that would go on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_sandwich#Hoagie">hoagie</a> back in Philly. I also put them in collards sometimes. My tastes are more and more like my father's every year. I have become obsessed with the idea of smoking food in the oven. It can be done without any equipment aside for the wood chips and a disposable aluminum pan. It's also possible to do more than one kind of food at the same time. I often want some smoked salmon or brisket or ribs. I can freeze the meats and smoked fish keeps a while in the fridge. I may even be persuaded to share the smoked goodies! I plan on giving oven smoking a try this week.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Creative Doings</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This week, I have the privilege of launching Jon's new book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-Periphery-Jon-Cunningham-ebook/dp/B01HX059UU">Life on the Periphery</a></i>. It is a collection</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1RJ934A5KotZDfQdTvAcH-CbQv3C0sysLdIf5tDEr5A9TxVYKRxlmbgr5GFFSWn1Ooh_51-UnhSBQbvGErN_mOmtGj7t-52uF7UTsVqPcOHIP9UbjQPi0_ZQn6yAa0U5-ouP/s1600/Life+On+The+Periphery+Amazon+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1RJ934A5KotZDfQdTvAcH-CbQv3C0sysLdIf5tDEr5A9TxVYKRxlmbgr5GFFSWn1Ooh_51-UnhSBQbvGErN_mOmtGj7t-52uF7UTsVqPcOHIP9UbjQPi0_ZQn6yAa0U5-ouP/s320/Life+On+The+Periphery+Amazon+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
that is so diverse that we had a hard time describing it in a short paragraph. He has put his extremely twisted imagination to work in conjuring stories that are brutal, and delicate and hilarious and horrific in turns. And no matter the fantastic environment, there are always very real and relatable characters to follow. It is, in short, astonishingly good. Buy it! Here is the synopsis.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>This astonishing collection of delightfully disparate short stories answers many of the universe's most difficult questions. Like what was life like for a city guard during the Hyborean Age battling the greatest Barbarian of all time? What does a boy find when he wanders into the woods…and beyond the realm of human senses? How does a Midwest farm girl become a pawn in an intergalactic power struggle? How does one negotiate with aliens who have an extremely invasive means of communication? What happens when a Wehrmacht soldier volunteers for a bold and dangerous experiment? Why would the defender of the universe take time off to visit a small town in Ohio? What are the unintended consequences of wish granting genies? What happens to an office worker who has a ringside seat to the end of the world? Can two immortal brothers who pursue very different paths find common ground? Life on the Periphery takes the reader on a journey that is joyful, hilarious and terrifying in turns while searching for many kinds of truths.</i></span></span></span>
</div>
<h4 style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br />Playing With Dolls</h4>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
I had been drawing my covers from paper cut outs that I would rearrange the way I needed them. The results were okay, but they were always a bit off in my eyes. This time, I used a free, 3D program called <a href="https://www.daz3d.com/technology">DAZ 3D</a> to craft basic body types that matched my characters and then pose them. This was better because of the body proportions were accurate down to the fingers. Of course, there was a learning curve dealing with a new software. I say that calmly, but there was a lot of cursing at problems in getting an elbow to bed in a normal human direction. And I may have damned the inventor of the program to some unending torture at certain points in time. Who remembers such things? In the end, I was happy with what is my most complex pose to date that is successful. I must go to the next cover immediately. For this one, I am trying something different from what I've done in the past though it is from a popular style of romance cover. This installment of Ensnared going to show Andreas at his most seductive power. The cover must reflect that and Darius' increasingly possessive response. I really hope those elbows cooperate.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<b>Next time</b> – Do Craig and I finally have lunch? Will I throw the laptop into the pool over uncooperative elbows? Will I finally pickle those peppers?</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
Stay Tuned!</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaqQj67qe0chjHheY4oaxHiPMJPIuVlNvUmvvfJPAsIfvK0m5qyawRbyKExWN5xFn10GKx7eRrLwX62Xt1vwnC3vlbi7loudrbUNLAPsxdaYBBozOffptVIXJbF6_k_wMghlV/s1600/20160703_221515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaqQj67qe0chjHheY4oaxHiPMJPIuVlNvUmvvfJPAsIfvK0m5qyawRbyKExWN5xFn10GKx7eRrLwX62Xt1vwnC3vlbi7loudrbUNLAPsxdaYBBozOffptVIXJbF6_k_wMghlV/s320/20160703_221515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtN7ReEu-Hr6FLHVTnHMsRnYS-pueSZRSoUv2DixGfFnnuU9uqTcrzx1Ub8Fdyf6adCU4rfiXk3BxL2msuFZBBmouuJctAON1-mTf1ddgVJpQpGZaMHBD41yDHP1Gl9C66Tii/s1600/20160703_221450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtN7ReEu-Hr6FLHVTnHMsRnYS-pueSZRSoUv2DixGfFnnuU9uqTcrzx1Ub8Fdyf6adCU4rfiXk3BxL2msuFZBBmouuJctAON1-mTf1ddgVJpQpGZaMHBD41yDHP1Gl9C66Tii/s320/20160703_221450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYrxYoLxwk-82J1diyHDkwiGAnHefxcxpkAkmSvtcsOctUpuxod18GZ9E_8hG9B3-fCe-GVlgdVXZklDXYm_m9ojY_Zj96w-P5aS3BcRMp974kf-1KrA4wrPyiEzAAmBc0b7W/s1600/20160703_194538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYrxYoLxwk-82J1diyHDkwiGAnHefxcxpkAkmSvtcsOctUpuxod18GZ9E_8hG9B3-fCe-GVlgdVXZklDXYm_m9ojY_Zj96w-P5aS3BcRMp974kf-1KrA4wrPyiEzAAmBc0b7W/s320/20160703_194538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRS0olMPuejuVsTQ7-rUbFPsJhlse7nj9v-SA8iTt74xV6-rCGOKJvmWLQkr6kBykIi_R2Sl9f64pfQHeKVi7wUAbeMBwmXk6g2jZVw0Q_demoqIWzakLzAVB-ne4wwdkeUiC/s1600/20160703_194547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRS0olMPuejuVsTQ7-rUbFPsJhlse7nj9v-SA8iTt74xV6-rCGOKJvmWLQkr6kBykIi_R2Sl9f64pfQHeKVi7wUAbeMBwmXk6g2jZVw0Q_demoqIWzakLzAVB-ne4wwdkeUiC/s320/20160703_194547.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao7bZ3oaHdy_tkY9g7ASG-cNpnUZ0RpU8pkpWD9rFeBHt46PIIuT1-GFoJnhqRz1aYNeTv-2zZDDsytVtPgPcJEwJmxLghvrHpbdM1ci-7LpmlzKoyDnRcfy793ECjtvl-dzv/s1600/20160703_194624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao7bZ3oaHdy_tkY9g7ASG-cNpnUZ0RpU8pkpWD9rFeBHt46PIIuT1-GFoJnhqRz1aYNeTv-2zZDDsytVtPgPcJEwJmxLghvrHpbdM1ci-7LpmlzKoyDnRcfy793ECjtvl-dzv/s320/20160703_194624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsIN7MtrrnBbv9gToEzwm-YTdbXjT6znZfQTydKVLz7nyb9IVYtO3L2e6fExn_ZwGOb9pRqtT7xDS84104qRrlLN4vVdzPgY7a2XT1imeeu6fh7IRx_movrWLRshHsRFPhQAa/s1600/20160703_200811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsIN7MtrrnBbv9gToEzwm-YTdbXjT6znZfQTydKVLz7nyb9IVYtO3L2e6fExn_ZwGOb9pRqtT7xDS84104qRrlLN4vVdzPgY7a2XT1imeeu6fh7IRx_movrWLRshHsRFPhQAa/s320/20160703_200811.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOa7O2-GSbo_TKGOA6UvlOgtdF5rC6dH8rrS4cip1tByem8O0zPfynRfiCVkokxCWDzCyvzwocMO1dRR9iAxzinWCCe5kNGfyYZe5TnvBKF-h4Y8RfTWYulI1t8NAnAQSMiUq/s1600/20160703_215832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOa7O2-GSbo_TKGOA6UvlOgtdF5rC6dH8rrS4cip1tByem8O0zPfynRfiCVkokxCWDzCyvzwocMO1dRR9iAxzinWCCe5kNGfyYZe5TnvBKF-h4Y8RfTWYulI1t8NAnAQSMiUq/s320/20160703_215832.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-6465171145766395702016-07-10T16:05:00.004-07:002016-07-10T16:10:47.118-07:00Beer and Loathing, Elbow Issues, and a Naughty Genie <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Last week had many awesome moments to contribute to the Summer of Fun. There was also a lot going on that is in keeping with the more annoying aspects of working in creative pursuits. We'll look at the fun first!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beer and Loathing in Downtown</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anime Expo is a gigantic convention in Los Angeles that draws all kinds of Industry professionals. I</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oK7mMK5S5luWIQFo1THOePaykA4vpZ4bt7IHtiMyvmmP8jF4ZkVRnCVce8FHINYiLLSPsqweCti-Hzl06C2ccHzVOJHVVadeFYvQyMbz5UKcl_jDXaBPbz1VRNcTHF1KQpVM/s1600/20160703_215853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oK7mMK5S5luWIQFo1THOePaykA4vpZ4bt7IHtiMyvmmP8jF4ZkVRnCVce8FHINYiLLSPsqweCti-Hzl06C2ccHzVOJHVVadeFYvQyMbz5UKcl_jDXaBPbz1VRNcTHF1KQpVM/s320/20160703_215853.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
am very fortunate to have a couple of said professionals that I can count amongst my friends. One of them was involved in a gathering away from the convention to share all kinds of beers. You bring what you like and everyone gets to try beers that they wouldn't normally get to drink. As you can see, there was a lot of beer to be tried. The most interesting beer was brewed with peppercorns. I could see having that with a steak. The conversations were interesting. Everyone has fascinating war stories about their various jobs in the world of anime and manga. We even got to do some valuable networking. It was a really nice break from a generally annoying weekend. Incidentally, I went home with the Not for Sale Ale. Delightful!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Xm9KCZoM0sblfeJMKmHDIb9M7x2cHdCv1_9C1VFpPzwvXuZt9cysRI-XjeHdN9W9d5T1jTjmxvGSuJQN_lqZUP8MDBxrhVsgZKdQLtVlPeR33QaZy1df1wjEqGxGAO40C4U/s1600/Screenshot+2016-07-09+22.07.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Xm9KCZoM0sblfeJMKmHDIb9M7x2cHdCv1_9C1VFpPzwvXuZt9cysRI-XjeHdN9W9d5T1jTjmxvGSuJQN_lqZUP8MDBxrhVsgZKdQLtVlPeR33QaZy1df1wjEqGxGAO40C4U/s400/Screenshot+2016-07-09+22.07.55.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Of course, there was a weird aspect to this outing. It was held at an art gallery in the middle of the Fabric District in Downtown LA. In fact, it was next to one of our favorite places to get interesting fabrics. The space is called <a href="http://www.thinktankgallery.org/">Think Tank Gallery</a>. It's a huge space outfitted for all kinds of exhibits. Then, in the back is a place that looks like a diner. See video for the diner <a href="https://vimeo.com/141235923">https://vimeo.com/141235923</a> . I was instantly in love with their six burner turbo engine stove. But the lovely gallery wasn't the weird part. First, that bustling street is frightening after dark. It's like something out of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Purge">The Purge</a></i>. While we were waiting for our ride to return (we were sitting at the window above the fabric store's sign), we watched a couple dropping off one car in a garage across the street(see the photo in the lower left corner of the above image), drive off in another, then return running from the direction they drove off. Next, there was a couple that was coming from Anime Expo (they had swag bags). They brought the bags and a lot of merchandise with them to a room off the main gallery. Then, they began taking a lot of stuff down to the car, including pillows and other bedding, a lot of boots and then the same swag bags and merchandise from the convention. Then, there was the man carrying a laughing hot blond woman whose legs were wrapped around his waist from one side room off the gallery to another. After five minutes, he carried her down the stairs to the car with the shoes and the bedding. And I will never know what the large box of dirty rubber duckies in the restroom was about. I was afraid to take a photo. It was a really creepy box. No, I hadn't had too much beer. Jon had root beer, and he saw everything I saw. Very strange but a fun time. There are more photos at the end of the blog</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We were really lucky to have a close buddy that works as an Uber driver. I've known Cory since my first job in college at B. Dalton Bookseller in Center City. He came out to LA for the same reasons I did, writing, art and filmmaking. It was so wonderful to have someone take us to that desolate part of downtown who we knew would come back for us when we called. I would have missed a fabulous evening without him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've covered the beer. Now, the loathing. The great opportunity for a panel was not to be. Adding us to the lineup was way too short on notice to the convention. Badges couldn't be secured without great expense and the inconvenience of standing for hours in the hellish heat and sun. That wasn't happening no matter how much I wanted to do the panels and meet a mangaka whose work I admire. I'm not physically up to such tasks. Moreover, I'd lost two days work on my book cover doing a visual program for the panels. I couldn't lose any more time. These books pay a good part of our bills. I'm way behind my publishing schedule as it is. So, we missed the chance this year. But since the beer event I've discovered that I'm at the point to apply for panels on my own and get them. We have some projects coming up that will give us a lot of visuals to present next year. The lesson was a hard one, but we came out of it with more opportunities.<br />
<br />
And we did get me meet up with one of our Cosplay Bishies! Phil Mizuno and a delightful manga<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlHSgeoEMAbZI9AOjdi4UW75gDTvdOrR39DD7Ybt3gWnrUheaJAf7QE2I1lgQEVCr2aVxFV8DsBWwajq8lIs3LPs_iwhB_rVDz1k47Y3OfA78ESwlkLHya5t6yK_6zwaKUZw9/s1600/20160704_195405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlHSgeoEMAbZI9AOjdi4UW75gDTvdOrR39DD7Ybt3gWnrUheaJAf7QE2I1lgQEVCr2aVxFV8DsBWwajq8lIs3LPs_iwhB_rVDz1k47Y3OfA78ESwlkLHya5t6yK_6zwaKUZw9/s320/20160704_195405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
artist had a beer nearby before the neighborhood was shut down for the 4th of July Fireworks. It was short but very nice. He is really adorable and sweet in person. I wish I was less of a mess, but I'm really glad he came by.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Summer of Fun Cooking</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm not finished with my canning projects. I really had to stop everything else while I worked on that cover. I'll finish the jams and the peppers later this week. The peppers are a mix of jalapenos and banana peppers along with some garlic. I'm mimicking the pickled peppers that would go on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_sandwich#Hoagie">hoagie</a> back in Philly. I also put them in collards sometimes. My tastes are more and more like my father's every year. I have become obsessed with the idea of smoking food in the oven. It can be done without any equipment aside for the wood chips and a disposable aluminum pan. It's also possible to do more than one kind of food at the same time. I often want some smoked salmon or brisket or ribs. I can freeze the meats and smoked fish keeps a while in the fridge. I may even be persuaded to share the smoked goodies! I plan on giving oven smoking a try this week.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Creative Doings</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This week, I have the privilege of launching Jon's new book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-Periphery-Jon-Cunningham-ebook/dp/B01HX059UU">Life on the Periphery</a></i>. It is a collection</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1RJ934A5KotZDfQdTvAcH-CbQv3C0sysLdIf5tDEr5A9TxVYKRxlmbgr5GFFSWn1Ooh_51-UnhSBQbvGErN_mOmtGj7t-52uF7UTsVqPcOHIP9UbjQPi0_ZQn6yAa0U5-ouP/s1600/Life+On+The+Periphery+Amazon+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1RJ934A5KotZDfQdTvAcH-CbQv3C0sysLdIf5tDEr5A9TxVYKRxlmbgr5GFFSWn1Ooh_51-UnhSBQbvGErN_mOmtGj7t-52uF7UTsVqPcOHIP9UbjQPi0_ZQn6yAa0U5-ouP/s320/Life+On+The+Periphery+Amazon+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
that is so diverse that we had a hard time describing it in a short paragraph. He has put his extremely twisted imagination to work in conjuring stories that are brutal, and delicate and hilarious and horrific in turns. And no matter the fantastic environment, there are always very real and relatable characters to follow. It is, in short, astonishingly good. Buy it! Here is the synopsis.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>This astonishing collection of delightfully disparate short stories answers many of the universe's most difficult questions. Like what was life like for a city guard during the Hyborean Age battling the greatest Barbarian of all time? What does a boy find when he wanders into the woods…and beyond the realm of human senses? How does a Midwest farm girl become a pawn in an intergalactic power struggle? How does one negotiate with aliens who have an extremely invasive means of communication? What happens when a Wehrmacht soldier volunteers for a bold and dangerous experiment? Why would the defender of the universe take time off to visit a small town in Ohio? What are the unintended consequences of wish granting genies? What happens to an office worker who has a ringside seat to the end of the world? Can two immortal brothers who pursue very different paths find common ground? Life on the Periphery takes the reader on a journey that is joyful, hilarious and terrifying in turns while searching for many kinds of truths.</i></span></span></span>
</div>
<h4 style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br />Playing With Dolls</h4>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
I had been drawing my covers from paper cut outs that I would rearrange the way I needed them. The results were okay, but they were always a bit off in my eyes. This time, I used a free, 3D program called <a href="https://www.daz3d.com/technology">DAZ 3D</a> to craft basic body types that matched my characters and then pose them. This was better because of the body proportions were accurate down to the fingers. Of course, there was a learning curve dealing with a new software. I say that calmly, but there was a lot of cursing at problems in getting an elbow to bed in a normal human direction. And I may have damned the inventor of the program to some unending torture at certain points in time. Who remembers such things? In the end, I was happy with what is my most complex pose to date that is successful. I must go to the next cover immediately. For this one, I am trying something different from what I've done in the past though it is from a popular style of romance cover. This installment of Ensnared going to show Andreas at his most seductive power. The cover must reflect that and Darius' increasingly possessive response. I really hope those elbows cooperate.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<b>Next time</b> – Do Craig and I finally have lunch? Will I throw the laptop into the pool over uncooperative elbows? Will I finally pickle those peppers?</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
Stay Tuned!</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaqQj67qe0chjHheY4oaxHiPMJPIuVlNvUmvvfJPAsIfvK0m5qyawRbyKExWN5xFn10GKx7eRrLwX62Xt1vwnC3vlbi7loudrbUNLAPsxdaYBBozOffptVIXJbF6_k_wMghlV/s1600/20160703_221515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaqQj67qe0chjHheY4oaxHiPMJPIuVlNvUmvvfJPAsIfvK0m5qyawRbyKExWN5xFn10GKx7eRrLwX62Xt1vwnC3vlbi7loudrbUNLAPsxdaYBBozOffptVIXJbF6_k_wMghlV/s320/20160703_221515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtN7ReEu-Hr6FLHVTnHMsRnYS-pueSZRSoUv2DixGfFnnuU9uqTcrzx1Ub8Fdyf6adCU4rfiXk3BxL2msuFZBBmouuJctAON1-mTf1ddgVJpQpGZaMHBD41yDHP1Gl9C66Tii/s1600/20160703_221450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtN7ReEu-Hr6FLHVTnHMsRnYS-pueSZRSoUv2DixGfFnnuU9uqTcrzx1Ub8Fdyf6adCU4rfiXk3BxL2msuFZBBmouuJctAON1-mTf1ddgVJpQpGZaMHBD41yDHP1Gl9C66Tii/s320/20160703_221450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYrxYoLxwk-82J1diyHDkwiGAnHefxcxpkAkmSvtcsOctUpuxod18GZ9E_8hG9B3-fCe-GVlgdVXZklDXYm_m9ojY_Zj96w-P5aS3BcRMp974kf-1KrA4wrPyiEzAAmBc0b7W/s1600/20160703_194538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYrxYoLxwk-82J1diyHDkwiGAnHefxcxpkAkmSvtcsOctUpuxod18GZ9E_8hG9B3-fCe-GVlgdVXZklDXYm_m9ojY_Zj96w-P5aS3BcRMp974kf-1KrA4wrPyiEzAAmBc0b7W/s320/20160703_194538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRS0olMPuejuVsTQ7-rUbFPsJhlse7nj9v-SA8iTt74xV6-rCGOKJvmWLQkr6kBykIi_R2Sl9f64pfQHeKVi7wUAbeMBwmXk6g2jZVw0Q_demoqIWzakLzAVB-ne4wwdkeUiC/s1600/20160703_194547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRS0olMPuejuVsTQ7-rUbFPsJhlse7nj9v-SA8iTt74xV6-rCGOKJvmWLQkr6kBykIi_R2Sl9f64pfQHeKVi7wUAbeMBwmXk6g2jZVw0Q_demoqIWzakLzAVB-ne4wwdkeUiC/s320/20160703_194547.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao7bZ3oaHdy_tkY9g7ASG-cNpnUZ0RpU8pkpWD9rFeBHt46PIIuT1-GFoJnhqRz1aYNeTv-2zZDDsytVtPgPcJEwJmxLghvrHpbdM1ci-7LpmlzKoyDnRcfy793ECjtvl-dzv/s1600/20160703_194624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao7bZ3oaHdy_tkY9g7ASG-cNpnUZ0RpU8pkpWD9rFeBHt46PIIuT1-GFoJnhqRz1aYNeTv-2zZDDsytVtPgPcJEwJmxLghvrHpbdM1ci-7LpmlzKoyDnRcfy793ECjtvl-dzv/s320/20160703_194624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsIN7MtrrnBbv9gToEzwm-YTdbXjT6znZfQTydKVLz7nyb9IVYtO3L2e6fExn_ZwGOb9pRqtT7xDS84104qRrlLN4vVdzPgY7a2XT1imeeu6fh7IRx_movrWLRshHsRFPhQAa/s1600/20160703_200811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsIN7MtrrnBbv9gToEzwm-YTdbXjT6znZfQTydKVLz7nyb9IVYtO3L2e6fExn_ZwGOb9pRqtT7xDS84104qRrlLN4vVdzPgY7a2XT1imeeu6fh7IRx_movrWLRshHsRFPhQAa/s320/20160703_200811.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOa7O2-GSbo_TKGOA6UvlOgtdF5rC6dH8rrS4cip1tByem8O0zPfynRfiCVkokxCWDzCyvzwocMO1dRR9iAxzinWCCe5kNGfyYZe5TnvBKF-h4Y8RfTWYulI1t8NAnAQSMiUq/s1600/20160703_215832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOa7O2-GSbo_TKGOA6UvlOgtdF5rC6dH8rrS4cip1tByem8O0zPfynRfiCVkokxCWDzCyvzwocMO1dRR9iAxzinWCCe5kNGfyYZe5TnvBKF-h4Y8RfTWYulI1t8NAnAQSMiUq/s320/20160703_215832.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<br /></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-31296704187374671022016-06-28T11:07:00.004-07:002016-06-28T11:10:03.900-07:00Jam Disasters, Book Updates and the Summer of Fun Heats Up<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw1fsVfnMOrKAaFwEvbvm1SZ3IR_lq6OXMiqWcd1DskMdOxr6WOK_4FYbFtjcxynfvXOrmxTkLJxlDgC3_UEyUdUl_q4-xUIlAKIZII7dLfMaP3F030EWhoF7bATR1Adz6jE7/s1600/Snapshot+1+%25286-26-2016+2-22+PM%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw1fsVfnMOrKAaFwEvbvm1SZ3IR_lq6OXMiqWcd1DskMdOxr6WOK_4FYbFtjcxynfvXOrmxTkLJxlDgC3_UEyUdUl_q4-xUIlAKIZII7dLfMaP3F030EWhoF7bATR1Adz6jE7/s320/Snapshot+1+%25286-26-2016+2-22+PM%2529.png" width="320" /></a>This week, I planned on finishing my cover and
making headway on the next installment of <i>Ensnared</i>. However, I found myself suddenly prepping to interview a mangaka whose work I once edited on a panel at <a href="http://www.anime-expo.org/">Anime Expo</a> and prepping to speak at a different
panel on Fan Service aimed at Yaoi fans on another panel. Okay, I can
adjust on the fly. This is a great opportunity. I hadn't expected to
speak at this convention for a long time. I was excited. And then, I
get another cool request. I was asked to do a video introduction for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AVATAR.designs/?fref=ts">Ori Cosplay International</a>, a group at a convention in Belgrade, Serbia. That was great,
but I had to do my hair and find my make up and put on said make up.
I am so out of practice with makeup that it seemed to take forever.
This video was only 17 second, mind you. Of course, Jon did some
directing. It wasn't much. Here is a screenshot from the video. I
sent everything where it needed to go by a little after mid-day on
Monday. Now, I need to get back to the other pile of work.<br />
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jammin' Out of Tune</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzvr8JpZBHwG_zAxODODxTCV4MRPqyW2LtT18Xv0na2wYEAj09h3pTEhcOvCpHnOvLFOt6PeK5k3ZuR_PcnSqEcUVRCN9_bKQuRbhhilsV01cEDV1oNvasNZWfaGKSrwg9Rqs/s1600/13516515_10206860095925384_5875023736035627690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzvr8JpZBHwG_zAxODODxTCV4MRPqyW2LtT18Xv0na2wYEAj09h3pTEhcOvCpHnOvLFOt6PeK5k3ZuR_PcnSqEcUVRCN9_bKQuRbhhilsV01cEDV1oNvasNZWfaGKSrwg9Rqs/s320/13516515_10206860095925384_5875023736035627690_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Keep in mind that I have quite a bit of
experience in canning in general and making jam in particular. This
year, I have a fancy new pressure cooker with a canning function. I
thought I was going to really get down with some jam making. There
were a few flaws in that assumption. First, fruit seems to ripen into
rot within hours of purchase when one plans on canning. I bought
three pounds of apricots on Friday. They were firm to the touch.
There wasn't a bruise on any one of them. By Saturday evening, half
of them were rotten. That doesn't make much of a yield. I had to cook
them down asap and buy more later. When I finally got to try my new
equipment, the entire batch was ruined. I think I was too timid in
tightening the rings on the lids. It is said being too tight can be
explosive. I erred in the other direction. Most of the jam was forced
out under pressure. The only thing that saved any of it was I
couldn't fit all of the jars in the pressure cooker. I had one jar
that hadn't been sealed under pressure. It sealed from the jar cooling on its own. That would keep in the fridge
for a good long while. And I had leftover jam that I put in a Rubbermaid container. But a whole lot of work had been for nothing.
Luckily, the summer is just beginning. There is still plenty of time
to try again. I plan on doing that later this week. Note – The
refrigerator jam is delicious. Of course, I had to make some brioche
bread (it's really easy. I use a no knead recipe from this awesome
book called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XPNUPY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1#nav-subnav"><i>Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day</i></a>). The recipe makes four loaves in a batch. The dough can be frozen.
It also makes epic donuts!<br />
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
New Multi-Author Blog!</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We're re-activating the Sybaritic Press
Blog next week. We realized that we have some very interesting authors
with new print books coming out soon. We think readers would like to
hear about how they work and what they are working on. I will
introduce each blog and contribute something about the editing and
marketing of the books. We are really excited to join an author
program with Amazon that will link our new titles with bestsellers in
the same category. We're hopeful that will mean a surge in sales for
past volumes and titles in our catalog. I'll make sure the link is in
the next blog!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Learning New Tricks</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jon was working on a drawing for the
cover of his new book. That work prompted him to try one of those 3D
modeling programs to get his proportions right on the figures. Since
it was free, I decided to try it as well. Proportion and perspective
have been an issue for me in the last covers. Oy, the cursing. Did I
mention that free software tends to have a steep leaning curve? I
managed to get the poses I needed after two solid hours to get and
elbow to bend in toward the chest. Hopefully, my new neighbors didn't
hear that language. I usually don't like to let them know that side
of my vocabulary until football season. I also got some help from two
lovely artists who are far better versed in these programs than I.
<a href="http://unstoppablelove.rocks/">Saya Unique</a> and <a href="http://wishandwill-comic.com/">Candy</a> were really essential in helping me get past
some problems with this cover. I will reward them both. Readers
should see a real improvement in my skills with this print cover and
the next ebook. It's even made me faster in the actual drawing part.
The posing part was a nightmare, but the drawing is much easier. I'm
also going to take an online course on web page development. It isn't
anything like coding. This course teaches artists how to customize
website templates to suit needs. Jon and I want to revamp our web
pages, so that I can host my webcomic there and take advantage of the
amazing traffic I have on my Facebook pages. We're hoping to create a viable way to monetize the page and provide an advertising platform for Sybpress and other Indie presses.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Zorthrast The Invincible Gets a Haircut</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
No, I haven't blown a gasket. That is a
title from one of the short stories in Jon's first fiction <i>Life on the Periphery</i>. It is an astonishingly good work. I say that
with great pride and equal annoyance. The stories are a combination
of Sci-fi, Fantasy, Horror and comedy at times. They do not fit
easily in a genre niche. Thus, I believe (as a publisher) they will
have a broad appeal. We've already gotten some very exciting people
to have a look at it! The cover art is to your right. Here is the
synopsis:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ9Vl_FVREMLkBZINyluPRdMe5tMCZUpvKjkv36eV-fMXDmHw41upnBFhtUxnKSUYuFCMfYYLXKtFjvmVxzPIxoDbTffhEFIv9Bx_PmpLZ7SnoCWkUab1IK-u4t56LhZUwbtC/s1600/13530607_10206858777092414_1615128200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ9Vl_FVREMLkBZINyluPRdMe5tMCZUpvKjkv36eV-fMXDmHw41upnBFhtUxnKSUYuFCMfYYLXKtFjvmVxzPIxoDbTffhEFIv9Bx_PmpLZ7SnoCWkUab1IK-u4t56LhZUwbtC/s320/13530607_10206858777092414_1615128200_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
collection,
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This astonishing collection of
delightfully disparate short stories answers many of the universe's
most difficult questions. Like what was life like for a city guard
during the Hyborean Age battling the greatest Barbarian of all time?
What does a boy find when he wanders into the woods…and beyond the
realm of human senses? How does a Midwest farm girl become a pawn in
an intergalactic power struggle? How does one negotiate with aliens
who have an extremely invasive means of communication? What happens
when a Wehrmacht soldier volunteers for a bold and dangerous
experiment? Why would the defender of the universe take time off to
visit a small town in Ohio? What are the unintended consequences of
wish granting genies? What happens to an office worker who has a
ringside seat to the end of the world? Can two immortal brothers who
pursue very different paths find common ground? Life on the Periphery
takes the reader on a journey that is joyful, hilarious and
terrifying in turns while searching for many kinds of truths.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Look for the announcement next week!</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></h4>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Book Updates – Warning! There Be
Erotica Ahead</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One of my stalwart proofreaders had a
brilliant idea for the Ensnared books that I was already working on
for the Soldiers Books – I'm going to write a guide to the universe
in which they are set as well as the characters and their
relationships. I'm likely to do a cookbook for Ensnared as I am for
the Soldiers books. For now, I'm going to do a basic guide that I
will illustrate at some point. The basic guide will be added to all
the print and ebooks as soon as it's finished. It will help me a lot
to have one. Right now, I keep track of everything on post-it notes.
That's not very efficient.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm glad to finally get to the desert
and what's been waiting for my characters for so long. I've had this
encounter in my head from the beginning of the first volume. Some
aspects of the scene changed as the characters veered from how I
originally planned on them developing. I believe all the changes are
for the better as they happened organically with the way the
characters grew. There is magic in the way these creations grew in a
different though completely logical way from what I planned. I used
to wonder where these developments sprang from and how I couldn't see
them from the start. Sometimes, this happens because I'm focused on
the moment at hand and don't see that the character's arc had changed
trajectory. Sometimes, a clever reader will point out what should be
obvious. I am most fortunate to be in contact with some very clever
readers. These changes don't change the outcome of the long
anticipated scene, but the dynamic is quite different. This shift
will impact the fallout of that encounter in ways that shift
relationships for some time to come. I am very excited about writing
it though it is turning out to be really emotional for me. I always
get that when when my guys are going through a traumatic event.<br />
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Summer of Fun Update</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKggjph0lBsjZgkoHV_NniJ4mXb8dgHCwZAQRuiNU11lf_NjeNka1sJzFZds23XMWY5x9f5ZS-_Hdb7OHYCfFXvZCmDQswtPhWLWeqwblmkroZLw8ssvMEPwdwKM68qDRwI3j/s1600/17-01+Sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKggjph0lBsjZgkoHV_NniJ4mXb8dgHCwZAQRuiNU11lf_NjeNka1sJzFZds23XMWY5x9f5ZS-_Hdb7OHYCfFXvZCmDQswtPhWLWeqwblmkroZLw8ssvMEPwdwKM68qDRwI3j/s200/17-01+Sample.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The 4<sup>th</sup> of July is on a
Monday this year. Jon gets a three day weekend! Along with the panels
at Anime Expo, we get to meet <a href="http://philmizuno.storenvy.com/">Phil Mizuno</a>, one of our gorgeous calendar guys who
is also an absolute sweetie. And hopefully, we'll get to hang out
with some terrific writers and artists while I enjoy craft beers. We
have to bring in beers we like to share. I got hooked on Red Irish
Ales during my last trip to Paris (I do things like that). These are
really neat people that I usually interact with only on Facebook.
It's an exciting addition for the Summer of Fun.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-10305600137225651132016-06-14T11:42:00.004-07:002016-06-14T16:35:52.106-07:00Summer of Fun, Sleeping with Shatner and Book Updates<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaO0aW5fqomQnj9E5vVAFsRaGyrV2O1o2_CGKkA0eeGCAx_Q3vVvALsRN_1yf55fyVrelFL7Hdxv9BVLC8QLLouqvnzy5XR0vh1HqBLDHU9Jd3IA3UhJqqvN9hqonIa8LKEX8c/s1600/348s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaO0aW5fqomQnj9E5vVAFsRaGyrV2O1o2_CGKkA0eeGCAx_Q3vVvALsRN_1yf55fyVrelFL7Hdxv9BVLC8QLLouqvnzy5XR0vh1HqBLDHU9Jd3IA3UhJqqvN9hqonIa8LKEX8c/s320/348s.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Month of Fun was not as fun as I'd planned due to some interference from the Feds. It wasn't bad as last year, but the stress over fears that it would be caused a bout of insomnia. That threw me off schedule with my writing deadlines which as causes depression. It's a cascade of no fun. Thus, I am declaring the next three months the Summer of Fun. The plan is the same. The time span is longer in case there are further hiccups. During the SoF, I want to ride the new extension to the<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_Line_(Los_Angeles_Metro)"> LA Metro Expo Line</a> to Santa Monica and make my semi-annual pilgrimage to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penzeys_Spices">Penzeys Spices</a>. I am out of French Thyme, and I'm really low on many other dried herbs and spices including peppercorns. I'm also very keen on snagging my good buddy Craig for lunch in the beautiful town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Palisades,_Los_Angeles">Pacific Palisades</a> where the chin waves to Ray Liotta continue. The lack of fun isn't the only reason the blog disappeared again. I haven't written any blogs recently, because of being behind schedule on the story. I felt like I couldn't write anything that wasn't fiction. I have so many things pulling me in different directions on any given week, I had to pick something to delay for a bit.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mYe8kogoBTZtuP41zCbCkTxUo6f6Tb_mV0c9RdomA7BjshpuKRAfpRB0JUzg3nDrQ9g6fDbOmoGpn0RV6AvTslWZearJboOck32Ag0ONN97jdKaX8zRTNX5Jrd97r9AU4v6S/s1600/13417490_10206758870674816_5442169445164153075_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mYe8kogoBTZtuP41zCbCkTxUo6f6Tb_mV0c9RdomA7BjshpuKRAfpRB0JUzg3nDrQ9g6fDbOmoGpn0RV6AvTslWZearJboOck32Ag0ONN97jdKaX8zRTNX5Jrd97r9AU4v6S/s320/13417490_10206758870674816_5442169445164153075_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's not all doom and gloom. Some of the Month of Fun was quite delightful indeed. I made some souffle. One was chocolate. One was the make ahead and freeze goat cheese that I love. They are a little bit of work, but the results are absolutely heavenly. I'll have delightful lunches and elegant desserts for some time to come. Also, my workouts and making those blasted salads have begun to pay off. I've lost 15 pounds. I'm not sure of the amount of time it took. It was a while. I hate weighing myself, so I didn't even check until I noticed a substantial change in how my clothes fit. That was a real mood elevator. I was feeling a bit down about failing to work out three times a week no matter how hard I try. But the two days a week and the 10,000 step walks during the Friday errands is working.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've taken to making my own salad dressings. I'm making a vinaigrette style that has sesame oil along with some vegetable oil, soil sauce, garlic, and ginger. And the creamy dressing involves ground sesame seeds, sesame oil, soy sauce and a little bit of mayo. I use only enough of either one to lightly coat my salad greens. The calories are minimal while the sesame oil and seeds pack a nutritional punch. The dressings are also very, very tasty! Oh, to get around the arduous salad making process, I make a big salad and save half for another day. I really hate making salads. I plan on doing some involved cooking in the next few days and making videos of the processes. I have a few friends who really must be careful about what they eat for various reasons. That means that processed foods are something to be avoided due to salt and fat content. I'll be posting those on Youtube and sharing them in an upcoming blog.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sleep Study</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNgT-dc1b3WyC8ESN6OBq-k2PyYMhX9FzDofKuLZoiVnfp60OuwDs45TCN1irPgZgvaHta4E3ojMxCPhUCSUhhF8RyLlwT3biEEsy0KpAZzTxvwnthHWOhZLgrWw8A3vZpAeQ/s1600/sleep+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNgT-dc1b3WyC8ESN6OBq-k2PyYMhX9FzDofKuLZoiVnfp60OuwDs45TCN1irPgZgvaHta4E3ojMxCPhUCSUhhF8RyLlwT3biEEsy0KpAZzTxvwnthHWOhZLgrWw8A3vZpAeQ/s200/sleep+center.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have insomnia, so my primary care doc ordered a sleep study. She seemed to think I had Sleep <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_City,_Los_Angeles">Century City</a>, a vast office complex on land that was once the backlot of 20 Century Fox. You may have seen the most famous of these office buildings on such TV shows as <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Steele">Remington Steel</a></i> or <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starsky_%26_Hutch">Starsky and Hutch</a></i>. The clinic wasn't in one of those. It has very close by. The room was set up like a higher end hotel room. Among the famous people who had slept there was William Shatner. I don't think it was the same bed as it seemed that the mattress was new, but I think it was the same room. I wonder what TV show he may have watched while waiting to nod off. Would he have watched <i>Star Trek</i> if it was on? I watched what I usually watch in hotel rooms, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HLN_(TV_channel)">HLN</a>. Long ago, it was Headline News. That night, it was a true crime show called <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_Files">Forensic Files</a></i>. Falling asleep was a challenge mainly because of all the electrodes in my hair, on my face and legs Somehow, I slept. I won't know how much or how deeply until my doctor's appointment. They can tell all of that from brain waves and eye blink rates. I still have insomnia, but it was an interesting experience.</div>
Apnea. I'm not sure what that has to do with not being able to fall asleep at all – sometimes for days, but she's the doc. The clinic is in an office tower in<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Writing Update – Warning There Be Erotica Ahead!</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sQ2eOFal9mShYqt9YZ4nSRxfVUWJ7UEsvkpAWDQ4t1HcH2o-ehyphenhyphenTyHHKFxOV0tfLWqOFw5L8duLTlyAvbHgIfuNEyZJMNzCX2NqR2RGXH7n51qKhyphenhyphenITVY8Rc5pa1g6xN7yJ6/s1600/Morning+Embrace+Darius+and+Andreas.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sQ2eOFal9mShYqt9YZ4nSRxfVUWJ7UEsvkpAWDQ4t1HcH2o-ehyphenhyphenTyHHKFxOV0tfLWqOFw5L8duLTlyAvbHgIfuNEyZJMNzCX2NqR2RGXH7n51qKhyphenhyphenITVY8Rc5pa1g6xN7yJ6/s320/Morning+Embrace+Darius+and+Andreas.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next installment of the <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95691"><i>Ensnared</i> Saga</a> is huge. It's over 50,000 words and is 84 standard typed pages. I didn't feel I could break until something major occurred. The first installment was as long as it was because it's setting up all of the huge events coming in parts two and three. I've had a lot of questions about what will happen. Without spoiling anything, I can tell readers that they will learn exactly what is in the desert in the second installment. By the end of the book, readers will visit the Cosi Compound and meet the Keepers. They will also meet the female Cosi and find out the role they play in the hierarchy. I can also tell you that Andreas and Darius' story will not end with this volume. There is the Winter Festival story that I couldn't finish last year. And there will be some short works published online with illustrations after this volume is finished. I plan to have some snippet stories turn up at the end of chapters of the webcomic, too. I love those characters, so I know I'll never really let them go. There will probably be a fourth volume sooner than later.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I can also tell readers that there aren't many more stories left for <i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/608606">Vampire Rent Boy</a></i>. I'll probably wrap it up before the end of the year. I will have a Christmas story for Tristan as well. And I do expect to do the occasional snippet that I'll post online. What will I fill my time with? The <i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/105132">Soldiers</a></i> books are due for a new volume. I have a Het Fantasy Romance to finish and a BDSM opus to pen. I also have ideas for other one shot, yaoi stories. I'll be busy writing fiction along with doing the webcomic, no worries.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-91137676323114095682016-05-08T13:09:00.000-07:002016-05-08T13:12:47.398-07:00MoF 2016 Week One, Popcorn Additives and Pantless Guys<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Month of Fun Update</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHXQwGMzujPBdWgBMISfyIrdO4q83_q1eDD7udYQjKdF4kFAzSMaAzL7tb2vok9hfwMeV9Qwrks6OrY3QtsYah_1NV5W_5BZuY5X5P4q6wC1TiHux7GQXSeNmDLXTvIuGipJB/s1600/Blog6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHXQwGMzujPBdWgBMISfyIrdO4q83_q1eDD7udYQjKdF4kFAzSMaAzL7tb2vok9hfwMeV9Qwrks6OrY3QtsYah_1NV5W_5BZuY5X5P4q6wC1TiHux7GQXSeNmDLXTvIuGipJB/s320/Blog6.jpg" width="180" /></a>The first part of the Month of Fun is a tad alcohol intensive. There is Cinco de Mayo (margaritas) and the Kentucky Derby (Mint Juleps) two days later. And then there is Mother's Day when I must toast my lovely, late mother. In fact, she was a big reason I celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby. Mom loved a party. Of course, I don't do nearly as much imbibing as I once did on those days. I pretty much only have one of the cocktails as they are quite strong when made properly. I tended bar through Grad School, so I make a very nice cocktail. No mixes for me. I use fresh fruit juices, fresh fruit and herbs and such. I haven't made any fun foods yet. Tomorrow, I'll make some fried chicken to go with the potato salad. Those foods were kind of a spring tradition with my family. I think I want to have some sort of fun seafood on my birthday. That will be something really simple. The big baking will be the cake. Last year, I tried to make fondant for a polished cake. It was somewhat successful. This year, I'm sticking to what I'm good at - buttercream rosettes! The cake will likely be devil's food.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>[Photos of the Month of Fun so far are at the bottom of the blog.]</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I said in the last blog, I've been doing a lot of studying on Youtube in order to do some of the procedures that are part of the rest of the MoF. There sure are a lot of videos for manicures, pedicures, and facials. It looked to be at least hundreds of each type. My favorites thus far are from some New Zealand. Along with the procedures, I really like the accent of the narrator. She's very soothing to listen to. I have my products for all three processes, so I'll begin trying out the routines sometime this week. Perhaps, if I am efficient enough, I will adopt them as something I do a few times every month. Maybe. I'll see after I do the pedicure tomorrow.</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Writing Updates – Warning, there be erotica ahead!</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As some of you may know, we've published a stunning 18-month calendar to help raise money for</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYKLbswPEzsOiDVWybUsF1G6_pzXEUBs7ZG_0QNY9Vfhuz_ibEy-om7hv26X4xjXbG0pcENbaMQ54NawDKUAXmIUP7dfgkW9S05ko9KYpTEHSV-dFEdbVbCe_7UpkjODo4HgJ/s1600/Bishie2016CalendarLoRezCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYKLbswPEzsOiDVWybUsF1G6_pzXEUBs7ZG_0QNY9Vfhuz_ibEy-om7hv26X4xjXbG0pcENbaMQ54NawDKUAXmIUP7dfgkW9S05ko9KYpTEHSV-dFEdbVbCe_7UpkjODo4HgJ/s200/Bishie2016CalendarLoRezCover.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
convention appearances and extra help for the Press. I look at my Calendar guys the way I look at my actors - highly talented individuals that I am looking after on this project and who will become colleagues and friends for a long time to come. I am very ethical in these relationships despite my very naughty nature. I never cross that line even mentally with these men. Often, my friends have asked how I could be with a pantless actor and only worry about hemming a pants leg (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Urban">Karl Urban</a>), or how I could be worried about ironing a straight seam in another pair of pants while an actor is pantless in the wardrobe trailer (<a href="http://www.garettmaggartonline.com/">Garett Maggart</a>). Or how I just put that drunk actor to bed after finding him nearly naked in my living room? (I won't name him. He's much better behaved now). In short, I am a professional. However, when I'm writing hot male characters, I am 100% pervy. I have to be that way to make the books work.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhSUwP35UD_a4rlr-XYRc2sKyg6iFMXTDLROU8BPtadBaTYZJkK7yLjLC6Lma2plgf8dRew7s2xmASAQCL4ZT7Pf3WrufhJ_X9LVMkQtRSLAiVhm4dIbis25EyA7n_biBl_xb/s1600/11256594_901000939966099_8045481098743069334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhSUwP35UD_a4rlr-XYRc2sKyg6iFMXTDLROU8BPtadBaTYZJkK7yLjLC6Lma2plgf8dRew7s2xmASAQCL4ZT7Pf3WrufhJ_X9LVMkQtRSLAiVhm4dIbis25EyA7n_biBl_xb/s320/11256594_901000939966099_8045481098743069334_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I work on my sketches, I play with paper dolls first. I have characters whose builds closely match Andreas that I use over and over. I won't name the character models because I don't want readers to see anyone else when they look at him. Darius has had a few models since I started drawing covers. I haven't been really happy with any of them. But recently, I saw a photo-realistic sketch of Thranduil from The Hobbit. It was something about the elegance and power in the pose while being utterly relaxed that spoke to me. So, I thought I would use the film version of Thranduil for Darius' build while keeping the design I have for his face as I rather like the last version of that. There must be thousands of images of Thranduil in every pose imaginable, right? Yes and no. There are a lot of images to be sure, but I kept gravitating toward photos that were not of the actor, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Pace">Lee Pace</a>, in that role. I kept finding photos of my own Calendar guy, Ori, cosplaying Thranduil. That was weird for me as I am trying to put a lot of sex appeal in those covers, and I found it really awkward to be looking at one of my guys with my pervy eye. It began to get frustrating. But then, I thought about how amused Ori would be about being a paper doll. I can see that sly smirk of his as I write this. So, I decided to stop wasting time with the search and watching the extras from The Hobbit and just get on with it. Knowing my big, blond Serbian, he'll say 'why not just have me pose for you and get it over with?' That certainly would save me a lot of effort. So while I am thinking lecherous things while sketching, it's all very professional!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Research Fun</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIyYQ7teBNtZA77VNriDD6pDLCDNZVDfC5AIMMpBwnAokZoTj6NQ4O3iZEbt-11oYEHvTKdg3bBamRNEIDAxQXAKz4J5wfbxrMokwjnKhMUxKEb4WLO6dupnpAI7eX9gVyiKO/s1600/j12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIyYQ7teBNtZA77VNriDD6pDLCDNZVDfC5AIMMpBwnAokZoTj6NQ4O3iZEbt-11oYEHvTKdg3bBamRNEIDAxQXAKz4J5wfbxrMokwjnKhMUxKEb4WLO6dupnpAI7eX9gVyiKO/s320/j12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeepney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
No matter where my stories are set, there are realities that stem from research. In the last <i>Rent Boy</i>, I was using all my bartending experience in what Tristan was making. Muttley's is based on a dive I frequented when I lived near Hoboken, NJ. In the <i>Soldiers</i> books, I used real military tactics for the battle scenes. Even the biology behind the genetic mutations in that series is based on actual research on how viruses work and can alter genes. The same is true for the <i>Ensnared</i> universe. From small things about how the household staff interacts with Royals in real life to how a regular guy would react to a facial and manicure to the structure of the three main strata of society, there is a basis in reality in those books. I've been doing a great deal of research for the shelters that will turn up on the next expedition. A friend of mine has been sending me photos of all manner of shelters based on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yurt#Decoration_and_symbolism">Yurts</a> and domed earthen shelters. The design that Hector comes up with is based on real shelters. I won't reveal those as there are some very fun things that will be happening in the desert when the Cosi and his entire household shows up. However, I can talk about a vehicle that will have a minor <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain:_Parts_Unknown">Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown</a></i>, I found the vehicle in the Philippines. It's called a<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeepney"> Jeepney</a>. They are individually owned and operated and individually decorated and tricked out. They were even better than those horrid little buses in AC as their individuality will work well with the rest of the book. It's always delightful to find exactly what I need for a book. It's especially fun when it happens while watching something I find enjoyable on its own. Sometimes, I find useful information while totally wasting time – like when I was watching those video extras from <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit_(film_series)">The Hobbit</a></i> films. I saw something in one that I hadn't thought about for the current <i>Ensnared </i>volume. I've already included some foreshadowing on that bit of fun. I even have real life models for things like the layout of the Penthouse, Cosimo Tower, and the vehicles in the book long before I decided to actually draw them. I needed to see something similar to describe these things realistically.</div>
role in the upcoming volume. When I thought about it, I recalled a terrible, tiny bus that used to run on the main streets in Atlantic City. I couldn't find any good photos of those. However, while watching the first new episode of<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Progress Report</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm working on the covers diligently. I've got all my paper dolls and a rough sketch for the print book. The next ebook cover is proving elusive for me. I haven't found a pose that I like yet. But then, I've really been focused on the print cover. I think once that one is off to be inked and colored, I'll find what I need for the next ebook – which I'm still writing. I haven't found a suitable place for an end to the installment. This whole volume is going to be a monster length-wise.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Week two of the MoF is nigh. Stay tuned!</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Photos for the MoF 2016 Week One</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5a9b7SWCwPOjTZaZnbPBPC7SAOv-DhycehkHiW-MsqJPWwN0fKe4NUMXMm9az0ony5-vvzuj0uUQhb84Vn9VwqsgpJThZo0bEIwEqlSJmJP0KKWy52k1Lwh_X0Lyuks47RVp/s1600/Blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5a9b7SWCwPOjTZaZnbPBPC7SAOv-DhycehkHiW-MsqJPWwN0fKe4NUMXMm9az0ony5-vvzuj0uUQhb84Vn9VwqsgpJThZo0bEIwEqlSJmJP0KKWy52k1Lwh_X0Lyuks47RVp/s320/Blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mint Julep and Sweet Tea,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrLtK4AZ_is88Qcia6065P2sYRRsVLEM2jpp1-3SfKGKPP7c1_UPxOld8WyBcpbUWUjPKZdDraol7EBBLWmC4aB60NIYPvUaOAb0ohI2u_Qq0fjZixKDo-i1lJPyOsB01v-GD/s1600/Blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrLtK4AZ_is88Qcia6065P2sYRRsVLEM2jpp1-3SfKGKPP7c1_UPxOld8WyBcpbUWUjPKZdDraol7EBBLWmC4aB60NIYPvUaOAb0ohI2u_Qq0fjZixKDo-i1lJPyOsB01v-GD/s320/Blog2.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mint Julep fixings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIdpSMe-KJ9YTehytHaPuc1qcZ6UDK2f-qudOt5v8vS_YmSQ0TlSOLkQC98ZuubsXfqhQByXFZnnNvdqkSRl5jFKnjREjFeo97QwukQCGTpZtT7fYBvNFlFXqSMUpe1VR-d5Q/s1600/Blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIdpSMe-KJ9YTehytHaPuc1qcZ6UDK2f-qudOt5v8vS_YmSQ0TlSOLkQC98ZuubsXfqhQByXFZnnNvdqkSRl5jFKnjREjFeo97QwukQCGTpZtT7fYBvNFlFXqSMUpe1VR-d5Q/s320/Blog3.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anime Swag bags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix01huMh8_0T87oeJ6qAfopuv-d-kv3tFiRhS88cGXe1dOOKZODu1VEFo-481gmXiGIBPBMFCOriZHfO_PlzH2exRztoVfobXwnJiOZV87Qvk-Dvy6HAxUDzICS0qVSNKbkc9D/s1600/Blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix01huMh8_0T87oeJ6qAfopuv-d-kv3tFiRhS88cGXe1dOOKZODu1VEFo-481gmXiGIBPBMFCOriZHfO_PlzH2exRztoVfobXwnJiOZV87Qvk-Dvy6HAxUDzICS0qVSNKbkc9D/s320/Blog4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anime teaser.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTrjfLJYItp_6uprWiHmIm3_PGDnieoq_JP8NZlgHt5R6B2Z1Ein84rRPCxh10yq8QcnloB99Ud_2nzCyjO8AFpNIcjsYJO583RBoc_IvqZmtTT7TYmRVOG0m376nvheBY9xs/s1600/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTrjfLJYItp_6uprWiHmIm3_PGDnieoq_JP8NZlgHt5R6B2Z1Ein84rRPCxh10yq8QcnloB99Ud_2nzCyjO8AFpNIcjsYJO583RBoc_IvqZmtTT7TYmRVOG0m376nvheBY9xs/s320/blog5.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anime fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnQs9HUEPbnHiDPu_12fbX8qeV-hSwnBHQfWNhIuBt763zItmCvs3xunFCIPmQyMOfvR-g56vHefHdgclmRrwuCfNt5VXzRht2RcMz6NFjTkx_z75Nr9Ldn8sIV75Xd4BaSik/s1600/Blog6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnQs9HUEPbnHiDPu_12fbX8qeV-hSwnBHQfWNhIuBt763zItmCvs3xunFCIPmQyMOfvR-g56vHefHdgclmRrwuCfNt5VXzRht2RcMz6NFjTkx_z75Nr9Ldn8sIV75Xd4BaSik/s320/Blog6.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maragarita!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyB9trorVIxp5LCAZPASGdVjtMMu0hWqU2_ZVXATxhUDwp2pBEA3xjPoA22z2nRshMNZ4PiUu9YA7o_RqKfwIgidn2zlPTwDX6_EkN7OCJBoDHxu4hlbCLxr6woXs64_TmDcP/s1600/Blog7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyB9trorVIxp5LCAZPASGdVjtMMu0hWqU2_ZVXATxhUDwp2pBEA3xjPoA22z2nRshMNZ4PiUu9YA7o_RqKfwIgidn2zlPTwDX6_EkN7OCJBoDHxu4hlbCLxr6woXs64_TmDcP/s320/Blog7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margarita makings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A-twAlDFJYtf1QR8S8KL_Ccx81GmXHr68Gx3mOQcH0XXc_ZgjfohTPDFAS_oV7j-Kkean9M36LIwdUWtGJKvtOJsLbVqr030qIZ5Obz-UDbjx26zyEWytvqp2z_agdFYlstB/s1600/Blog8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A-twAlDFJYtf1QR8S8KL_Ccx81GmXHr68Gx3mOQcH0XXc_ZgjfohTPDFAS_oV7j-Kkean9M36LIwdUWtGJKvtOJsLbVqr030qIZ5Obz-UDbjx26zyEWytvqp2z_agdFYlstB/s320/Blog8.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A present from nature.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdw7KWY0bYJDtdZprMMYrvQ3zrlnWpRnO-IuuhDHFDjPGbhdQVxkepaeGI_3GoJ1n0tH0p0M2vZ8gype5v57f7QE38NR4n0poHSUaPhPue9ba9i1-_SqG3fvp8TlUNGVnb1yS/s1600/blog9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdw7KWY0bYJDtdZprMMYrvQ3zrlnWpRnO-IuuhDHFDjPGbhdQVxkepaeGI_3GoJ1n0tH0p0M2vZ8gype5v57f7QE38NR4n0poHSUaPhPue9ba9i1-_SqG3fvp8TlUNGVnb1yS/s320/blog9.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A reward for swimming 10 laps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8k-hZx7ggjgfbuLKdGZOotxx8RovujWb-SoN-ikZdZyPxswck3HiTVPZpg86mLuGp-cyuPJLHZdlkinReCYvDusgIy1-eZm72F9yW44G6kwBq9uTvRCBzO_tl8PqhVVf8frG/s1600/Blog10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8k-hZx7ggjgfbuLKdGZOotxx8RovujWb-SoN-ikZdZyPxswck3HiTVPZpg86mLuGp-cyuPJLHZdlkinReCYvDusgIy1-eZm72F9yW44G6kwBq9uTvRCBzO_tl8PqhVVf8frG/s320/Blog10.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty things to look at.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRJxLJrW-6eMA8VAIlF_DPA1tc22DTRAFyYXJ53_5usYNeGLoz5mMmGdRKyLWnbuQnBHi_rQqtZCZzz53hL-kHV43LmW7rto63IfB1FW4iQEosao3gJ7TSLD1M54qutrFqGxn/s1600/Blog11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRJxLJrW-6eMA8VAIlF_DPA1tc22DTRAFyYXJ53_5usYNeGLoz5mMmGdRKyLWnbuQnBHi_rQqtZCZzz53hL-kHV43LmW7rto63IfB1FW4iQEosao3gJ7TSLD1M54qutrFqGxn/s320/Blog11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek style Pizza much like that from out home neighborhood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt4FJkxuMCw034hHHTcJmLGem2YVuEmGjfxQfcjhsXTNodssGZoN2rl9aNBL5kpKaDNv6KfxAkQXywLtQ8ar08-8dUCD6hzCr7LstpdKKc3a209TWgy4jA6aCeMrri2CsMJb-/s1600/flavorcol1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt4FJkxuMCw034hHHTcJmLGem2YVuEmGjfxQfcjhsXTNodssGZoN2rl9aNBL5kpKaDNv6KfxAkQXywLtQ8ar08-8dUCD6hzCr7LstpdKKc3a209TWgy4jA6aCeMrri2CsMJb-/s320/flavorcol1.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instructions and advert for popcorn additive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlOA7ZDkDvANzAI9F6gbgQIMRa2QzVx2kzm-UaNuiWtzD1g-kLzkehhy5eilVoSJe3Whgtf_v4lFW1NlH1D-HTUgGKM8DbC-OqhvK9r1DFZvMvQPCb34Rg3Z5Bzc8CEObMTRD/s1600/flavorcol3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlOA7ZDkDvANzAI9F6gbgQIMRa2QzVx2kzm-UaNuiWtzD1g-kLzkehhy5eilVoSJe3Whgtf_v4lFW1NlH1D-HTUgGKM8DbC-OqhvK9r1DFZvMvQPCb34Rg3Z5Bzc8CEObMTRD/s320/flavorcol3.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popcorn addidtive. Not at all like butter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-76540799680665340792016-04-30T14:01:00.001-07:002016-04-30T14:01:15.064-07:00Month of Fun Musings on Groupons, Insane Hobos, and Novel Updates<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4MH2qsdj_xpvivtvHBCsDn-lirmURR2rzTTG8-oElKAb2murMkgowZosxJbLE8fewCvfhIzqAiXSpoFgnQDoYNLeIxB_7YTCNRev5_4XzBJXH7avZFsjIVmsBDRwTG__X-9v/s1600/ratchetclank.0.0.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4MH2qsdj_xpvivtvHBCsDn-lirmURR2rzTTG8-oElKAb2murMkgowZosxJbLE8fewCvfhIzqAiXSpoFgnQDoYNLeIxB_7YTCNRev5_4XzBJXH7avZFsjIVmsBDRwTG__X-9v/s320/ratchetclank.0.0.png" width="320" /></a>The Month of Fun begins on Sunday! We have some plans for films to see (the BL film, <a href="http://doukyuseimovie.com/"><i>Doukysei</i> http://doukyuseimovie.com/</a>) and <i>Ratchet and Clank. </i>Where's <i>Captain America: Civil Wars</i>, you ask. I'm not sure I want to see it. The reasons are very personal and reflect how I tend to write stories. I may see it after I read every single plot twist (spoilers do not bother me).I watched Jon play the first four <i>Ratchet and Clank</i> games. They had a really twisted sense of humor. I laughed during all of the trailers, so we should have a pretty good time. I don't have any major plans like some of the MoFs of the past. I'm also not physically up for any major trips or fabulous events.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJ5-nBslC4b63CbEzpFA2Jsu6p6Pr5K8mOw4oCPweiac9rUOl6jw7BBbuRSHp8JCoUhwGi59WLn5Yhefh4dRpg59a_ZYWY80vxBT6anCtehCg_y0Mf9V0_sGPF_3JBufmEtaf/s1600/hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJ5-nBslC4b63CbEzpFA2Jsu6p6Pr5K8mOw4oCPweiac9rUOl6jw7BBbuRSHp8JCoUhwGi59WLn5Yhefh4dRpg59a_ZYWY80vxBT6anCtehCg_y0Mf9V0_sGPF_3JBufmEtaf/s200/hair.jpg" width="111" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I do, however, have
some plans for having a present every day. A lot of them revolve
around physical maintenance. I've let a lot of things go over the
years. I think I have my hair regimen down well enough to get the
other routines back up to snuff. You wouldn't believe how much is
involved in the 'natural' hair look (photo). I have the minimum amount of
supplies, mind you. Seriously, there are a lot more I
could – some would argue should – be using. One of the problems
with pitch meetings or any of the other Industry encounters is
putting a bit of polish to my look. Even the least bit seems to take
hours longer than it once did. And women can't get away without being
polished in these meetings – even if she never plans on being
anywhere near the front end of a camera. Guys can look like insane
hobos. They often do. Usually, I turn to Groupon for my massage,
facial or manicure needs. Sadly, that service isn't showing any love
for May. And that is odd as there are usually a whole lot of Mother's
Day deals to be found. I'm not a Mom, but I've seen a lot of little
ones through to adulthood as an Auntie (both officially and not). So,
why not?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otrVjUNvj8R2VZk7sCUd-3XVuDFMjYOSYJav3yNsIAIbo6h4GurRmLv2-Q1Tdgra6LXzmuk0xQ6lMpqjXHBCUPWu6oW05QESiFCEpssueQYF3AznDsE5N7KS77vP3tOmsLv4/s1600/Invisible_man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2otrVjUNvj8R2VZk7sCUd-3XVuDFMjYOSYJav3yNsIAIbo6h4GurRmLv2-Q1Tdgra6LXzmuk0xQ6lMpqjXHBCUPWu6oW05QESiFCEpssueQYF3AznDsE5N7KS77vP3tOmsLv4/s320/Invisible_man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At any rate, with
no decent Groupons in my immediate area, I will have to rely on my
own devices. I can then spend the money on supplies for the future
instead of on services that are one time only. It will also take less
time for me to do the facial and mani-pedi at home. There will be no
travel and waiting involved. I do enjoy researching new procedures. I
already have some dandy ones for facials that I haven't used in far
too long. My favorite involves looking very much like Claude Rains in
The Invisible Man. It's a very good treatment to remove blackheads
and whiteheads. It ends with a very nice moisturizing masque. I must
find some good instructions for the mani-pedi. I'm not sure what I
can do about the massage. The spinal stimulator may make that a
problem. I will have to consult my manual. My back now comes with a
manual!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking of physical things, I really need to figure out what I did to strain my shin muscles. Shins!</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />Writing Updates! - Warning course language and erotica ahead!</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyEhBSN59uRZzGY1DWLBFNnRhMnN5U78796yvGxZVwEM6L44NZXdaA9gnIUKtUcIr__sRhmbz5vrZ17B8RECATFyBQfoUJTHvxHWm1SwXvxrgw2QLH-Qwh8UU_7Opj0GzNlvO/s1600/VampireRentBoy05Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyEhBSN59uRZzGY1DWLBFNnRhMnN5U78796yvGxZVwEM6L44NZXdaA9gnIUKtUcIr__sRhmbz5vrZ17B8RECATFyBQfoUJTHvxHWm1SwXvxrgw2QLH-Qwh8UU_7Opj0GzNlvO/s200/VampireRentBoy05Cover.jpg" width="133" /></a>The new <i>Vampire Rent Boy, Sex Ninjas Must Die</i>, is out. You can buy the book here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Rent-Boy-Ninjas-Must-ebook/dp/B01EQMKUZW">http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Rent-Boy-Ninjas-Must-ebook/dp/B01EQMKUZW</a> This story includes a link to the recipes Tristan uses for cocktails, infused vodka and orange bitters. You can find those at this link: <a href="http://fuckarealvampire.com/recipes.htm">http://fuckarealvampire.com/recipes.htm</a>.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This coming week is all about <i>Ensnared</i>. The plan is to finish the next installment along with its cover. I've done a rough for the cover of the print book for <i>Ensnared Volume 3</i>. This is more difficult than the installment covers as it is a full wrap around cover. I plan to finish it for color and ink this week. Since the calendar will be leaving for the printers tomorrow, Jon will have the time for the cover.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's it for now. The Month of Fun is nigh! Stay Tuned!</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-3481953589150238172016-04-24T23:28:00.001-07:002016-04-24T23:28:32.919-07:00Strange Baking and Clever Concoctions<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This weekend was about strange baking and creating concoctions. The baking involved helping a </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNKos3RiRnx12a2o_OXFJlZfus_8N4E7sp3IrNkV4bZme9OykTfDuwp-O-I7aUugM6tB-940XKMfqWb1ewNgQCOy7J2uWh94Qc_7GWktDND6nTXo796oJmCIWyD21bSDcFiV1/s1600/20160423_193948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNKos3RiRnx12a2o_OXFJlZfus_8N4E7sp3IrNkV4bZme9OykTfDuwp-O-I7aUugM6tB-940XKMfqWb1ewNgQCOy7J2uWh94Qc_7GWktDND6nTXo796oJmCIWyD21bSDcFiV1/s320/20160423_193948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
middle-schooler create a cookie in the shape of Washington State. He came up with the ideas on how to geographically decorate the cookie with the mountains and rivers, etc. But the young lad was at a loss on making a cookie big enough for a school demo. I've had him as a cooking student before. We made a variety of wings for his Grandfather's Super Bowl party. We were happy to help. Jon is the kind of foam core templates. Meanwhile, I had a lot of cookie recipes. All he needed was a sugar cookie dough that was formulated for heavy decorations. I had some that I've used for Christmas cookies. The big problem was rolling it to an even thickness on the back of a cookie sheet (we needed a baking surface that we could slide the end product from onto a cooling rack then into a box. He was lucky to not have gotten a harder shaped state. Strangely, that isn't the oddest thing Jon and I have ever created in a kitchen. It takes a lot of food to get through a scene involving actors eating. And you should never let the owner of the location permit her dog to be in the vicinity of food props.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Clever Concoctions</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWzRodXLTZwKWO_qzV6W0u7YhySWhLf096DmNBBJBULx6becfLDQPe8QdHoKodWgBWqVPd0fU6MRI-mGR3x6Fay6t15s4E-MljT2UPor3L-RmqTuED8KTHyxhbSMFyIUnrwfQ/s1600/20160424_140848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWzRodXLTZwKWO_qzV6W0u7YhySWhLf096DmNBBJBULx6becfLDQPe8QdHoKodWgBWqVPd0fU6MRI-mGR3x6Fay6t15s4E-MljT2UPor3L-RmqTuED8KTHyxhbSMFyIUnrwfQ/s320/20160424_140848.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the upcoming title for <i>Vampire Rent Boy</i>, my lead character makes a number of tasty cocktails. I've always been one to share recipes I find. I'm especially fond of cocktail recipes as I was a bartender through graduate school. The setup and breakdown of a commercial bar came back as easily as if I had done it yesterday. My feet and back ache from the memories. Anyway, the two of the four recipes I did (they will appear on the book's webpage tomorrow) are liquids I never made when I tended bar. It was not fashionable at the time. One was an infused vodka (cucumber) and the others was a flavored bitters (orange). One of the drinks I made and consumed was a green tea hot toddy. It was really delightful. I've made many a toddy with hot water, but the tea gave the drink a really mellow taste that was quite lovely. The simple syrups used behind the bar aren't nearly as interesting as recipes, so I didn't bother making those – for now. They are integral to making sweet tea and lemonade, and Summer is coming soon!</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-36863311512570124042016-04-17T23:58:00.000-07:002016-04-17T23:58:05.018-07:00Insomnia, MoF Preview, Bi-Lingual Shopping and Updates<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's clear that I'm not in the habit of writing the blog. The big issue has been that I'm not in the habit of being consistent about anything. It's still something that I'm struggling with as we come up on five years since the MOAS and chemo. I don't write on a regular basis...or cook or swim. It's all very distressing. And it's nothing new. I'm muddling along as best I can but never as well as I'd like. I suppose I can take some solace that the momentum is generally forward.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Life in our tiny, luxury adjacent (though far from luxurious) abode has been a bit too exciting of late. Jon had a bad health scare (he's fine) that launched me into the most serious bout of insomnia I've had since the early days of my illness. I went for three straight days without sleep at the worst part of it. Fortunately, I have friends on the interwebs in all time zones to chat with though mostly I was up trying to be productive. Then, I was feeling terrible for not being very productive at all. This is nothing unusual for these sorts of bouts. The TV options are better, but that's about it. I have a sleep study scheduled for the first week in June.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking of my illness, Friday, April 22<sup>nd</sup> will be the sixth anniversary of the MOAS (Mother of All Surgeries), the only known treatment for the kind of Appendix Cancer I had. As always, I will celebrate. I'd love to kick my heels up with a certain group of gorgeous Cosplayers I know, but that will have to wait for September. Cosplay Bishies, you all owe me a dance!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Month of Fun 2016</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFRCBlstD37XWSGuxMn025_K7efRrBbGtp6n_VNEhNmywsSm8D4Pi_msDVDQQyc3g2f-tcjQxTTCmymCY7P-wWAfx6yx4SlJVRtY2DWmqYXUGOp-ur5lbMkMs4yTG6J2K9LwD/s1600/X_d0d8225c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFRCBlstD37XWSGuxMn025_K7efRrBbGtp6n_VNEhNmywsSm8D4Pi_msDVDQQyc3g2f-tcjQxTTCmymCY7P-wWAfx6yx4SlJVRtY2DWmqYXUGOp-ur5lbMkMs4yTG6J2K9LwD/s320/X_d0d8225c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As this is April, next month will be the annual Month of Fun. For those new to the blog, I celebrate my birthday for a month. I don't do anything extravagant. I try to give myself – in the words of Agent Cooper from <i>Twin Peaks</i> – a little present every day. That can be as small as a 'damn fine cup of coffee.' The plan is to continue the practice throughout the year. I've been less than successful with that, but the Month of Fun has always been a grand time. My usual plan involves seeing what Groupon has to offer as far as facials or massages go. Perhaps, I can grab and early discount seating at a restaurant I've had my eye on for a while. There is usually a big new film coming out during the month. I know for sure there will be a special screening of an Anime Film that we have tickets for. I almost always try some sort of new recipe. Hopefully, there will be presents from kind friends. Last year, I didn't celebrate the Month of Fun. I was in the midst of a fight with Social Security and that depressed me quite deeply. This year, I plan to make up for that. Nothing will keep me from my enjoyment this year. I'll try to keep you posted on how that goes.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bi-Lingual Shopping</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking of recipes, I was doing a bit of shopping at Mitsuwa Marketplace. I like to keep my pantry </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJYpHx4h-rLT-kQb3mW7ljNHKH3pqQ_B_Au2CQFy5rO5ZmDtVPTbLHYTUnWUYfmfjlqBe-2far6aZUFITscVg10E5YellsrGJuzaXK-Qy9lVKPLS2xqYayPYE1zRVNrBXof7j/s1600/Mitsuwa3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJYpHx4h-rLT-kQb3mW7ljNHKH3pqQ_B_Au2CQFy5rO5ZmDtVPTbLHYTUnWUYfmfjlqBe-2far6aZUFITscVg10E5YellsrGJuzaXK-Qy9lVKPLS2xqYayPYE1zRVNrBXof7j/s200/Mitsuwa3.png" width="148" /></a></div>
stocked with proper Japanese ingredients. I really enjoy shopping there for produce there. Only Gelson's has prettier fruits and veggies, but the ones at Mistuwa are priced for normal people. ($5 for a bunch of collards my rear end. I don't care how beautiful the leaves are). I'm strangely attracted to the vast array of mushrooms. The mixture of varieties really tastes great as a duxelles or a coup. The enoki (long, thin white ones are awesome in a Ramen soup. And then, there was the mackerel. I was so excited to see it, I sent the photo to my father. He's a big fisherman of mackerel. He uses it for fertilizer in his vegetable gardens and loves to eat it. I enjoy it broiled with onions on top the way he makes it. The cooking isn't helping with my Japanese language skills as much as interacting with the market staff, but it is helping me understand the culture.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Erotica will be discussed. Fair warning!</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Updates</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now that I've finished the latest <i>Vampire Rent Boy</i>, Hopefully, that will publish this week. I will move onto sketching the covers for the print Version of <i>Ensnared Volume Three</i> and the ebook version of the first installment of <i>Ensnared Volume Four</i>. I now know what I want to do for both of them. I'll start work on that as soon as I get back from swimming tomorrow. I made sure that I got all of my errands done over the weekend, so I just have to head home afterward...and state at a large, white piece of paper instead of a laptop screen. It's a similar creative process.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've also finished an online course in creating comics in preparation for the webcomic I'm planning. It will be a prequel to my <i>Soldiers</i> novels. I've been acquiring images for backgrounds to various locations. At some point after finishing the next two covers, I plan on doing the model sheets for the characters. My hope is to begin publishing it on or shortly before Yaoicon, but that all hangs on my being able to do something more consistently than I am now. Hope springs eternal.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stay tuned!</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-54593489613862052862016-03-14T09:18:00.000-07:002016-03-14T09:48:15.707-07:00Cupcakes, Hot Guys and Writing with Insomnia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbH3gCkj1wJw8_DS12VFav_il537DZEJpANWmBYrk2PS4aBCEqedzyykOgzUyb50iYQl7gTJ3d33RQ4f4zFg_DaX1fZE0bH8ZfGJM5AuWD8Ck-PJbZ3BC9P-Wwvg-cFO-019T/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbH3gCkj1wJw8_DS12VFav_il537DZEJpANWmBYrk2PS4aBCEqedzyykOgzUyb50iYQl7gTJ3d33RQ4f4zFg_DaX1fZE0bH8ZfGJM5AuWD8Ck-PJbZ3BC9P-Wwvg-cFO-019T/s320/cupcakes.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
At five forty-five Saturday morning, I was making zucchini cupcakes. They are a lot like carrot cake cupcakes save for the central vegetable. The spices are similar. I was making them for our film partner, Ralph, to pick up around 11 am to pass along to the food show producers. He would be in the area. I was awake anyway having defied all of the meds that warned of making me drowsy. So, instead of watching another true crime show, I started grating zucchini. Believe it or not, I've never made cream cheese frosting. That was a tasty experiment – even at that early hour. What an evil thing veggie based cupcakes are – full of fiber, vitamins. They almost off set the fat and sugar! There is a trend toward sweet treats that aren't horrendous for health. I'm giving them a try to get more veggies in the Hubs. There aren't many circumstances that I could see him asking for a big ol' handful of shredded vegetables save for in cupcake form. I wanted to try using avocado as a replacement for butter in the frosting, but I don't have a lot of experience with using that as a fat. I didn't want everything to go wrong and spoil all of that baking.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bishounen Joys</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This past week was full of minutia. Lots of paperwork filled last week related to the next magazine and some government issues that are personal. There is still much to do with all of that. There is some fun though. I am working with a group of incredibly good looking and talented young men whilst putting together the calendar for our fundraiser.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKhtZMvEaQm5eLJdIyvSPUXi4xHylPsVR1QH57CPAxnaUyrbSxFQHP-0P-vLUB2EBJTZD_BHGmtVpPJuYaUVG_tj5QykuHpNmal5PAUaOXZAke7mtTJZmfGuSnfejzh6Mrp4i/s1600/YGG+2016+Calender+Splash+Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKhtZMvEaQm5eLJdIyvSPUXi4xHylPsVR1QH57CPAxnaUyrbSxFQHP-0P-vLUB2EBJTZD_BHGmtVpPJuYaUVG_tj5QykuHpNmal5PAUaOXZAke7mtTJZmfGuSnfejzh6Mrp4i/s400/YGG+2016+Calender+Splash+Page.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I am guaranteed at least a smile and most likely a belly laugh from one of them. I haven't had such fun with a creative collaboration since I last worked on a film. Creative and humorous interactions really can propel a person through the worst kind of day. And upbeat connections like these can have a ripple effect, I believe. Wonderful and achievable plans have developed since we began the calendar project. It all keeps me upbeat – and that has not been an easy feat. I did say these guys are very talented?! I will be talking about them a lot in the next few weeks. If you want to get in on all the news for our 2016 Bishie Cosplay Calendar (Including the launch party and prizes), you can sign up for the Newsletter here: <a href="http://yaoiagogo.com/Calendar.htm">http://yaoiagogo.com/Calendar.htm</a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Writing Updates! Warning!! Erotic Content!!</h4>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rent Boy Magic</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Writing is never the kind of magic where things are conjured from thin air. The magic comes from thoroughly figuring out the characters and the journey they will take through the story. <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. (tee hee) I've been living with Tristan and writing about his mishaps and love affairs for months now. I have a basic outline in my mind for where the story will wind up. And I know the characters really well now. When Jon and I started spit-balling the latest volume, the ideas were coming a mile a minute. The jokes were sharper. The sexual tension was high long before anyone got near a bedroom. For a while, I was channeling the fun I had when I was bartending. It was magic. Joyful, gleeful magic. Jon is a great sounding board for sharpening the plots in general. For <i>Rent Boy</i>, he's awesome for the uber rude joke or a sexy set up that is organic but surprising. Just a few hours on Sunday afternoon last week set me off writing at such speed that I'm barely keeping up with what's coming out on the screen. The cover photo that features one of our Calendar guys is also adorable. So exciting!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">For those readers who wonder, I have the same kind of magic with <i>Ensnared</i>. I've written so much more with those characters that I know them and their journeys very well. Currently, Darius is on the sideline muttering about why I'm paying attention to the vampire AGAIN while Andreas is trying to calm him and get him to be more patient. He's not patient. I'll be sketching the cover of the print version while working on this <i>Rent Boy</i>.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Library News</span></span></h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I was checking out available ebooks in the LA Public Library system. Along with a score of cookbook titles I want to explore, I discovered a few hundred Yaoi Manga titles! That was exciting enough. I also discovered that two of the titles I worked on are among those manga! My name is in library meta data! Here they are:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxg350bJ53Dj-id36jLCWdg72Ql36RxSznQN8CankEDls2dswZtm1MpaNIT0JJXyJcIALPG2HOx_poOcTqhtmflFUp3VYsKN-swBu7Vx7lUDZhK39GH35LF9FNj24UDjnSJOc/s1600/Screenshot+2016-03-12+16.14.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxg350bJ53Dj-id36jLCWdg72Ql36RxSznQN8CankEDls2dswZtm1MpaNIT0JJXyJcIALPG2HOx_poOcTqhtmflFUp3VYsKN-swBu7Vx7lUDZhK39GH35LF9FNj24UDjnSJOc/s320/Screenshot+2016-03-12+16.14.55.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UDlrEWf8Pbix6i49CnbeHMGYg1-biwsVoLAWLMRSiLBTMKm09D5xKHd4-IdddqqlkAD7dQBdUKsKf1MmnyQB24UYCdMdn3T_BrwWFYvSNU-4AKJ7bM8R0WtYwy1CRRAu-1Ye/s1600/Screenshot+2016-03-13+22.36.18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UDlrEWf8Pbix6i49CnbeHMGYg1-biwsVoLAWLMRSiLBTMKm09D5xKHd4-IdddqqlkAD7dQBdUKsKf1MmnyQB24UYCdMdn3T_BrwWFYvSNU-4AKJ7bM8R0WtYwy1CRRAu-1Ye/s320/Screenshot+2016-03-13+22.36.18.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had a meeting with the head librarian at my branch about submitting some of the yaoi novels and story collections for consideration in the system. That would be sweet!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Book Sales</span></span></h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Don't forget that <i>Ensnared Volume 1& 2</i> are available on ALL formats and at half price on <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95691">Smashwords.com</a>. Clcik the link:<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1537114647"> </a></span></span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95691">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95691</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">For those who are not familiar with this epic erotic fantasy, here are the details:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">In this world, even the most powerful are captives</span><br />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" />
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Lord Darius Galatea seems to have all the power in the world. He is Leader of the Cosimo or Cosi, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVE6fwfdLY8DCBwibwwIf2DXhImq9Dy0_QROVjKlC6ttD-irfovULHhpQ6xJZ1OZMo7hyphenhyphenfx-YIZc3rawoUyCIeLvkFstkOUC4nxQWh5L0sUBG8-PE79EWqRFxlvlso9y-YVZh/s1600/48a8bd99a35560abdcdd47ea4d4a9b0fc1adfc4d-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVE6fwfdLY8DCBwibwwIf2DXhImq9Dy0_QROVjKlC6ttD-irfovULHhpQ6xJZ1OZMo7hyphenhyphenfx-YIZc3rawoUyCIeLvkFstkOUC4nxQWh5L0sUBG8-PE79EWqRFxlvlso9y-YVZh/s320/48a8bd99a35560abdcdd47ea4d4a9b0fc1adfc4d-thumb.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
those who keep order in an advanced civilization built upon a strict caste system. He could have a city razed with one call or have the most high born citizen put to death for the slightest transgression. Andreas Hesper comes from the lowest caste. He used an agile mind and just the right amount of muscle to become the most successful leader of an underworld gang. A chance encounter between the two men not only upends both of their worlds, but also ultimately puts their lives in jeopardy. It is custom that some of the Elite citizens of the world class city of Amara owned their lovers as playthings for a time. But those trained playthings or Damis were from a specific caste bred for their obedience and loyalty. Never had a gang leader become a Dami and thus privy to the secrets of an all powerful Lord. But there is more to the streetwise young man who agreed to be a plaything despite the objections from his caste and those from his Master's world. Andreas felt bound to the Cosi from the moment they met. He sees and hears more than even Darius himself. Andreas knows that they must tread very carefully in both of their worlds or the attraction that so closely binds them together will cause their destruction.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">An incredible twist of fate means a drastic change in fortune for Andreas. This change also tears Darius </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWL-mNRBcvLSsSzF3a8ZBs_dDGUGswLyImPJfM22tqirbB7hh-1DefzKM5u0VkiVSK-j-jOTJqqNyBFJ8Lu-zsfulCSflcyDA_5mauKkPQ8rHVTlGAMb-1QqTmQLHuQdrVD3h/s1600/60b9b98b46cb8968e060ad1bc2b78c8b0c936009-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWL-mNRBcvLSsSzF3a8ZBs_dDGUGswLyImPJfM22tqirbB7hh-1DefzKM5u0VkiVSK-j-jOTJqqNyBFJ8Lu-zsfulCSflcyDA_5mauKkPQ8rHVTlGAMb-1QqTmQLHuQdrVD3h/s320/60b9b98b46cb8968e060ad1bc2b78c8b0c936009-thumb.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
and Andreas apart. While they both cope with being apart, Andreas is faced with all manner of unexpected dilemmas. He has to find a way to be a success in his new role to have a chance at returning to Darius. Andreas also must fend off sexual advances from all manner of surprising people -- including another, very determined Cosi. He must also watch with dread as those close to Darius once again seek his favor, including an infamous ex-lover. Meanwhile, Darius has found that not only is any future relationship with Andreas in jeopardy, his rule as a Cosi may also be in peril. Both men’s freedom and their lives are at stake. Neither can afford the slightest misstep. Passion, however, will not be denied. Darius and Andreas are determined to find a way back to each other no matter what the cost.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">At this point, I have not slept since Sunday morning and I only had a few hours then. I'm hoping to stay awake while swimming. Stay tuned!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-11340707421287385402016-02-26T11:20:00.000-08:002016-02-26T11:20:04.189-08:00Still Juggling and Still WritingHello, yes, it's been a while...<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what happened with the blog thing. I think I may have gotten to a point where I felt like all I could do was complain. I'm not entirely sure. Anyway, I'm back. We'll see how it goes.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had to rescue a souffle recipe yesterday. I rescued it like a champ in under five minutes – so worthy sauce pot. Put the whole mix back into the prepared ramekins and into the oven. It and the meal turned out beautifully. <span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Alexandra Guarnaschelli would have been proud, I think. </span></span> Of course, I'm the reason the<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 15.6px;">soufflés</span></span> were in peril in the first place.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeg3-pJky4H_3nD0ifICZptGMhTh_Umq27NUcjAZi5Vl0m7_VV508fK2bDO_wB8kSGS49Do1D4Wqqd9oMhG_ErTAFZVdzEAy8-0ivB3YrgvUNQ5qLaSCzAnhB-iy4nEOLQxWH/s1600/souffles+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeg3-pJky4H_3nD0ifICZptGMhTh_Umq27NUcjAZi5Vl0m7_VV508fK2bDO_wB8kSGS49Do1D4Wqqd9oMhG_ErTAFZVdzEAy8-0ivB3YrgvUNQ5qLaSCzAnhB-iy4nEOLQxWH/s320/souffles+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The souffles going into the oven for real.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
of Chopped! I had to dump the contents of the ramekins back into the sauce pot and put the mixture on low heat whilst I washed and dried the ramekins, buttered them then added crumbled feta in the bottoms. Then, I whisked up the stiff egg whites that were in the fridge. I folded the egg whites into the egg yolk, milk and goat cheese mixture in the<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-etvaoKiflZqEecv6Q-6uryjuNkEhTnA8X7bmvW9ur2eXzqEuYVCzXQ8v9YiisgBzxnf-caqyBrWvvCGfYYI4w6e90d7prPangGrXn6HQEMeTJWJYB1Ke1_qRRIxhnAhDyE5/s1600/Souffles+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-etvaoKiflZqEecv6Q-6uryjuNkEhTnA8X7bmvW9ur2eXzqEuYVCzXQ8v9YiisgBzxnf-caqyBrWvvCGfYYI4w6e90d7prPangGrXn6HQEMeTJWJYB1Ke1_qRRIxhnAhDyE5/s320/Souffles+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished souffle for dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm not as good at juggling as I once was. Now that we depend on the money I make from the Kindle titles for part of our income, I have to always be writing the next one. The money is reliable (though less than I'd like). Everything else is speculation. I really have to weigh the value of anything that would take me away from writing for a significant length of time. But we still live in Los Angeles and still have many irons in all kinds of fires. Beyond the books, I'm taking a class on comic design for a webcomic we want to launch. On top of that, I'm still struggling to get back some of my mobility. Any day that I work out (now includes the actual gym along with the pool), I have trouble thinking let alone juggling. But requests for re-writes of scripts or business plans or website updates keep coming when I least expect.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The latest unplanned project is an online cooking show. It was proposed by some colleagues of our film partners at Central City Stages. I'm all for anything that gives me an excuse to experiment with and expand my cooking skills. I have a fun concept that is a little different from other such shows and even have a slate of recipes. The problem is that I have become the queen of spreading the making of most recipes to at least two days. One took me five days to finish. I tend to run out of energy fast. Typically, these shows tape a bunch of episodes in one session and then release them over time. I certainly don't want to lose more than a whole day when I could be writing. It's been a challenge finding a day when I have the energy to make the trip to our partners' new sound stage and have the time. I'm really going to make sure to have the meeting sometime next.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am pleased about the possibility of doing some fancy cooking for the show. There is something soothing about the motions of chopping and stirring and especially kneading. Working with dough is especially satisfying. From the touch of the doughs in various states to the scents of raw and baking breads, it all lulls me. Cooking requires just the right amount of focus that it distracts me from all the many things buzzing through my mind and sometimes orders them in a much better way.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's it for now. As always Stay Tuned!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For those interested in my erotic titles, the current one is:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i>Ensnared Volume 2 – Ambush at the Sit Down</i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HGI5uM6sMpyEA6UNZamrkb6O5MYEhp33kGbecd2I7VldcBz0lVn1-kgWRkZphK5VMArULOEj35AeJXR_IJUWHXoARkJ84IYxd48w-iRwUsmY3tY_qI5gBUC3aIGLLqMccKP5/s1600/Esnared+3-3+Front+CoverAmazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HGI5uM6sMpyEA6UNZamrkb6O5MYEhp33kGbecd2I7VldcBz0lVn1-kgWRkZphK5VMArULOEj35AeJXR_IJUWHXoARkJ84IYxd48w-iRwUsmY3tY_qI5gBUC3aIGLLqMccKP5/s320/Esnared+3-3+Front+CoverAmazon.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Andreas is more in love and in more danger than ever. He's never felt more alive than when he is overwhelmed body, mind and will by Lord Darius Galatea, the most powerful being in the known universe. Their lives, however, are far from simple or idyllic. Scientific evidence is mounting that the capital city from The Time That Was exists in the barren wastelands. News from the Cosi Compound convinces Darius and Mykos that their predecessors misled them about the extreme danger looming over their civilization and that a faction there is actively working against them finding answers. In spite of all of this turmoil, Andreas, Darius and Mykos are determined to have a Sit Down with the most unstable hostiles under Cosi rule far from safety where unknown elements are in play. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Cover art is by yours truly!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C2GFP9A?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C2GFP9A?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For links to all of my titles on amazon Kindle (which you can read without a device on a PC or Mac), go here for my Author Page:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002BREP2O">http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002BREP2O</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-46801717952913016882015-04-28T14:59:00.003-07:002015-04-28T14:59:59.003-07:00Not So Month of Fun, Other Disasters and a Few Bright Spots<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April has not been a good month for me.
I am embroiled in a bureaucratic nightmare involving my insurance and
other aid that is taking weeks to sort out. This happened on the
heels of a diagnosis of a debilitating condition that can only be
managed and not cured. The plans to manage it are on hold until I can
get my insurance back. Thus, I am in constant near excruciating pain.
I am not sleeping well. I have not been able to swim in weeks. I
actually feel worse than my 8<sup>th</sup> round of chemo – the one
that put me in the hospital. Coping is an hour by hour process right
now as I wait for this to right itself or decide to go postal. It
could go either way depending on the hour.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Needless to say, I could really use a
magical Month of Fun this May. I haven't really been able to plan any
big outings, because I just can't think that far ahead. I also don't
know what we'll be able to afford. Not that I am into large presents
during the MoF. It's that things really are that tight right now. So,
right now, my goals are to get back to my routine since coming home
from Philly last year and maybe indulge in cooking something
interesting. Maybe there will be a bottle of bubbly somewhere.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is good news that keeps me going.
Of course, my not wanting to go out of the house meant that some
things started happening with the films that required I go sign
contracts. And I had a long and hellish communte for a meeting that
will mean a lot to the publishing company and our convention travels.
I can't give details about any of it right now, but I hope to break a
lot of that news next month. It was nice to find that I have fans in
some surprising places.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And then, there is <i>Vampire Rent Boy</i>. It
was born of a flippant comment from Jon about a stock photo I was
looking at. It's turned into my first erotic parody for publication
since <i>The Secret Logs of Mistress Janeway</i>. It is already a bestseller
in four categories on Amazon Kindle. It is not for the faint hearted,
but is it is terribly funny. Here's a relatively tame excerpt:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsL2OGU1ovN9esVh_35OXExNQXa04GDsyc2gpX3_5zIURaf2HifnSwHFpI30vw27Z9rdQl3LsvMdp9xHXmw6OzhyphenhyphenMwUcGe0SajUflvYmwA2xyxiIbs-DtoEE5nbfBgq1DHfRq/s1600/VampireRentBoy01AmazonCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsL2OGU1ovN9esVh_35OXExNQXa04GDsyc2gpX3_5zIURaf2HifnSwHFpI30vw27Z9rdQl3LsvMdp9xHXmw6OzhyphenhyphenMwUcGe0SajUflvYmwA2xyxiIbs-DtoEE5nbfBgq1DHfRq/s1600/VampireRentBoy01AmazonCover.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“The hardest
part, actually, is trying to appear excited about a St. Andrew's
Cross,” Tristan said bleakly. “I mean, who hasn't been tied up on
a St. Andrew's Cross?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Tristan didn't
realize that his current popularity was largely because of <i>Twilight</i>.
He had stopped reading with the advent of talkies, and he was always
behind on popular culture. On the other hand, Klaus, Tristan's
manager – he hated the word pimp – loved vampire fever. Clients
paid obscene amounts of money for playmates who didn't break.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Despite his
immortality, some of those encounters with his clients could be
incredibly difficult. Thus, like legions of courtesans – Tristan
really hated the term whore or hooker – he found himself in a booth
at a tavern, in this case a local waterhole called Muttley's, trying
to drown his sorrows. He didn't drink, but it did help to share woes
with the others in Klaus' stable.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Yeah, a sub
can't ask a Dom to kindly shove this dildo gag in your pie hole,”
Keiko muttered. Then, she smiled with glee. “That's why I'm so glad
I never let my clients drive!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Keiko's smile was
more chilling than lovely, even with that beautiful face. She could
easily earn ten times what Tristan earned, but she refused to bottom.
Tristan wondered why Klaus never forced the issue. He wouldn't stand
for the rest of them having a preference for clients.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“We know what
happened the last time one of them drove,” Kevin quipped over his
martini.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Tristan didn't
know what happened, and judging from the killing glare Keiko shot
Kevin, it wouldn't be wise to ask. Tristan really wished he could
have a martini. It looked so clear and crisp. It seemed to him that
it should ping.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Shut. Up.
Kevin,” Keiko hissed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“It's Miranda to
you, honey.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Now, now,”
Tristan said before Kevin could open his mouth again. “Let's not
fight, okay. I get so little time to talk to anyone who gets me.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Kevin sighed as he
reached over to stroke Tristan's waist length, jet black hair.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“I really don't
know why you get so glum, Trissy,” he murmured. “You've always
been comfortable in you own skin.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“You would be,
too if you'd pick one,” Keiko said sweetly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Tristan put a hand
on Kevin's thigh to keep him from getting angry.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“That's not
fair, Keiko,” Tristan said with a shake of his head. “It's not
easy to change gender. I find that it can be done at all a marvel.
Such notions would have been considered witchcraft in my day.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Whatever. He's
not getting snipped anytime soon,” Keiko retorted. “He doesn't
call himself a she. And he still uses Kevin, despite the mega tits.
Do you even have a girl name?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“I told you!
Miranda!” Kevin snapped before slogging down the martini.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“It's Miranda
this week!” Keiko snapped</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“I need another
drink.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Go easy on
that, Kevin dear,” Tristan said then whispered. “Klaus won't like
it.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Screw him. I'm
paying for the drinks, and that's renting the booth,” he muttered
before stalking to the bar.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
The weight of
Kevin's breasts made his gait ungainly. The F-M heels made him look
like a hazard to life and limb. Tristan wondered vaguely about how
Kevin walked when he was his other self. He looked over at Keiko who
was watching Kevin as well.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Don't say it,”
Keiko murmured. “I know I'm being a bitch to him today. You haven't
been listening to him whine for the last hour about something he can
fix on his own.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Tristan couldn't
argue the point. That would involve thinking, and that would give him
a headache. Instead, he looked at Klaus' resident Dominatrix
expectantly.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“I'm more than
over clients that get pissed when I won't let them top from below,”
she said. “Trying to keep from breaking every bone in their
arrogant bodies leaves me really infuriated.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Why do they ask
for a Dominatrix then?” Tristan asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Honey, if you
find out, let me know,” she muttered. “Klaus should know these
young guys don't want someone like me. They barely know who they are.
None of them are confident enough to really bottom for a Domme.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Klaus likes the
money,” Tristan said.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“That's very
true,” she admitted. “He's send me to a gorilla cage if the
gorilla had a platinum card.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
That made Tristan
laugh. He finally felt like smiling.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Kevin returned by
then in a far better mood. Tristan thought it may have been the new
pitcher of martinis, but he was trying to get them to look at a booth
across the room.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Where has HE
been all my life,” Kevin said with a waggle of his brows.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Tristan looked
over to the man at the table diagonal to where they sat. He wasn't
expecting much. When Kevin had that many martinis, his taste ran
toward the old and strangely hairy. This man was neither. Tristan
wouldn't call him classically handsome, but there was something about
the square jaw and deep set dark eyes that was compelling. He was
broad shouldered and the fit of his custom suit told Tristan that he
was powerfully built. His posture was perfect – something odd for
this casual slouchy era in time. The man looked about for the
typically elusive servers for a moment or two before standing and
making his way to the bar. Tristan's jaw dropped. He was really tall.
Six foot six or seven if he was an inch.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“His hands and
feet are really big,” Keiko observed impassively. Tristan expected
an exact measure to the centimeter. “With that height, big
hands...big feet...you know what that means.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“What?”
Tristan asked, genuinely confused.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Oh, sweet
mystery of life I've found you,” Kevin prompted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“What?”
Tristan gaped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“How drunk are
you?” Keiko demanded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“He has a big
dick,” Kevin declared in a voice that was four martini loud.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“That's not very
lady-like,” Tristan hissed, hoping the tall stranger hadn't heard.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“You're more
lady-like than he ever will be,” Keiko muttered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Of course, the
stranger looked over at them. The amused smirk revealed a deep dimple
that kept him from looking smug and made him look quite charming.
Something struck Tristan just then. It was a powerful spark of
recognition.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“I know him,”
he murmured softly. “I'm sure of it.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Tristan wracked
his brain as he looked at the man who was smiling at the bartender
while his drink was poured. He looked over at Tristan when he had his
drink and raised the glass to him. His expression seemed to be that
of pleasant surprise.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
“Oh, no you
don't, Trissy,” Kevin said. “I've seen that expression before. He
can't be the love of your life when you've never met him.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
Tristan was about
to protest that he had met him before, but he couldn't quite place
where he had seen those eyes and that smile.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
It's available
here:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Amazon Links:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WQFD6Y4">US</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">UK</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">DE</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">FR</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">ES</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">IT
</a></u></span></span>, <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.nl/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">NL</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.nl/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">JP</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com.br/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">BR</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">CA</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com.mx/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">MX</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">AU</a></u></span></span>,
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B00WQFD6Y4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0">IN</a></u></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.04in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="color: black;">As</span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx">
</span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="color: black;">for
the Month of Fun, Stay Tuned.</span></span></span></div>
DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22183566.post-25442682516271633992015-03-23T14:48:00.001-07:002015-03-23T14:48:32.704-07:00Photos of the Infamous Pool!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
I was finally able to find photos of the pool where I swim. I was too chicken to take them myself, but I could some on a services review site. I was pleased to see that the YMCA has a very nice rating on Yelp.com. I agree. So, now that you have an idea of the length of the pool. You can see how much I have to swim to do the average of 6 laps that I'm up to. They are still fairly slow due to traffic in the open pool. I'm going to start going to the lap session with lanes that are in photos number 2 and 3.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwX8wUATPM-2t6hCSRQq6x_wDvCH01qWES2_XpjXfP3p88dODVVPFwkgQ64qQeGXqOfDwVW3mu59keS4YBItGFxBa6pbOdz7NQq3I-z7FbaD0vsN0cIbf4nO5t8-oWIu2E4Ms/s1600/ccw+-+city+pride+-+ymca+side+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwX8wUATPM-2t6hCSRQq6x_wDvCH01qWES2_XpjXfP3p88dODVVPFwkgQ64qQeGXqOfDwVW3mu59keS4YBItGFxBa6pbOdz7NQq3I-z7FbaD0vsN0cIbf4nO5t8-oWIu2E4Ms/s1600/ccw+-+city+pride+-+ymca+side+pool.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the pool from the driveway of the YMCA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vecMPrNAMTSr3pZOxpMRDjYcrw83HcXlLIyQp8CIvfaGtPoVUnZXhyphenhyphenyZpQx4eVfLyLaB7EYxeDVnd9bz0IRBH_TXANvmzKRRZusSQWHpsQcK-Vj-iaJ2Q3eW48s8Evudiq1h/s1600/ymca+pool3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vecMPrNAMTSr3pZOxpMRDjYcrw83HcXlLIyQp8CIvfaGtPoVUnZXhyphenhyphenyZpQx4eVfLyLaB7EYxeDVnd9bz0IRBH_TXANvmzKRRZusSQWHpsQcK-Vj-iaJ2Q3eW48s8Evudiq1h/s1600/ymca+pool3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is shot from the outside in from the deep end of the pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pAofDVcJRRSnZyLQKMdGr0YiuqMyQ9DPtg3NmI5nDChxTU1GC9cildJp-oSZV_CPFA1tNo4q04mmSQbfWkIvltBwwtDnxFQAZSh8jo0xED00Nd3fLRlUXQwlRmr_q-hDYZkx/s1600/ymca+pool+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pAofDVcJRRSnZyLQKMdGr0YiuqMyQ9DPtg3NmI5nDChxTU1GC9cildJp-oSZV_CPFA1tNo4q04mmSQbfWkIvltBwwtDnxFQAZSh8jo0xED00Nd3fLRlUXQwlRmr_q-hDYZkx/s1600/ymca+pool+2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is from the entrance from the lobby. The railing is where we get in via steps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecxdmOXKkqrq7qE1-aQfgr2LeDrNd5YXgMM_uxkOY7XxYZsK-k5aqjDdW9uvwqQ-ARA7yywmwTUxAnblZJ3mBMxtdIwTsD2l5Rqx2VV1b2gNlh0Zw9yknsClv7K3SBkQaa-Sm/s1600/ymca_pool.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecxdmOXKkqrq7qE1-aQfgr2LeDrNd5YXgMM_uxkOY7XxYZsK-k5aqjDdW9uvwqQ-ARA7yywmwTUxAnblZJ3mBMxtdIwTsD2l5Rqx2VV1b2gNlh0Zw9yknsClv7K3SBkQaa-Sm/s1600/ymca_pool.gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another angle of the deep end from near the lifeguard's perch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />DL Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189717250579128646noreply@blogger.com0