Decisions, decisions, decisions...who to pick?

All of my characters have been clamoring for attention lately. Trying to pick who to use for this year's NaNoWriMo project has been tough and was only decided 30 minutes ago.

Jess has been bugging me to get Book 4 in her series done (yes, I know they're not published yet, I need $$ for editors first). The Scot deserves to have more attention to his story line, but he decided to bow out this year at the last minute. This is due, in part, to new research being published on Hitler's possible escape which may affect his story line.

Callie (It's a Fey Life) is bugging for another book, focusing on farming run off affecting the Gulf of Mexico. The Coven Sisters are all being politely passive/agressive - as usual. An Meri, my beloved Meri, one of The Chosen, has been encouraging more research on Skih and Buddist practices.

So many choices. The ultimate decider was a reminder of the picture that inspired the idea for the book I'll be working on this month.

Drum roll please....

And the Winner is....

The Coven Sisters! They are back in Michigan to visit with their favorite B&B proprietor and take an actual vacation. I'll try to post word counts and hints about the story line from time to time. Work may get in the way (on-calls schedules suck!), but I'm going to give it a try.

And big thanks to my friend whose pictures continue to give me story ideas.

Are you a NaNo'er?

NaNo is rapidly approaching. For those new to NaNo, NaNo is short for National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to write a novel in a month, 50,000 words minimum to be more accurate,.  It starts November 1st and ends at 11:59pm November 30th.

I've done it several years now, I don't always make my goal as my day job tends to get in the way and I find myself on-call on again this year right in the middle of NaNo. But I'm prepping earlier than usual.

If you've been on the fence about possibly writing the novel idea tumbling about in your head, this may be the kick in the pants you need. I did write my first novel in a month, long before I'd heard about NaNo, so I know it can be done.

There are many previous winners who have been published, 449 since 2006, not including those who self-published. That is a shorter list, however, it is still inspiring.

The nice thing is that NaNo has loads of resources available to us writers, all of it is free. NaNo is also a non-profit and, due to donations from a variety of sources, has expanded it's programs to include virtual writing camps, special programs for young writers (grades K-12), and programs for libraries.

Each region has leaders that help with questions, organizing write-ins, and keeping your motivation going. Some regions are more active than others, but there's usually at least one write-in event, giving you a chance to meet other writers and get some additional inspiration.

This year I'll be working on the second book in my Coven Sisters series, wish me luck!

If you'd like to know more about NaNoWriMo, check out their site at: https://nanowrimo.org

Secession - Should California Stay or Go?

There is lots of talk today about California attempting to secede from the Unites States. While I seriously doubt it will happen, I decided to do some digging to see what I could find, and then began plotting what would most likely happen should they go ahead with secession.

I went to where I always start first: my grandparents’ encyclopedias (no, I do not trust Wikipedia, nor would I accept any reference to Wikipedia sources for any class I may teach).

 Here’s the Standard America Encyclopedia has to say about Secession:

Secession, the withdrawal of a state or group from a union or association. In the United States whenever a state has claimed the right to withdraw from the Union, it has based its claim on the doctrine of state sovereignty. Specifically this question was brought forward or involved in the Kentucky “Resolutions,” the Hartford “Convention,” and the “Nullification Ordinance.” Among the southern states there had been some talk of cooperation for the purpose of effecting a secession program, for no state would have made the attempt independently, but such discussion had resulted in nothing. Nevertheless, state sovereignty and slavery had been bound up together since about 1835, and the logical consequence was secession. The election of Abraham Lincoln, when the political situation was flanked with sectional differences resting on state claims, was all that was necessary to change the theory of secession in the South into an attempt to effect the reality. South Carolina took the lead by issuing a circular to all the southern states, in which she declared her readiness to unite with any other states in the act of secession, or to secede along, provided any other state would agree to follow. South Carolina was leader in calling a state convention, and on Dec. 20, 1860, the Act of 1788, ratifying the National Constitution, was repealed, and it declared “that the union now subsisting between South Carolina and other states, under the name of the United States of America, is hereby dissolved.” A declaration of the cause for this act was formulated, and on the 24^th was adopted. The governor proclaimed “the secession of South Carolina,” the same day. Mississippi was the first to follow this example, Jan. 9, 1861, then in succession came Florida, Jan. 10; Alabama, Jan. 11; Georgia, Jan. 19; Louisiana, Jan. 26; and Texas, Feb. 1, though in the case of this last State the proceedings were decidedly irregular. Virginia followed in April; Arkansas and North Carolina in May; and Tennessee in June. The Civil War was the consequence. The final issue was the victory of the government, the surrender of the Confederate to the Federal Army, and the full union of the united States of America.

The above quote is directly sourced from The Standard America Encyclopedia, Vol. XI. published in 1939. Interestingly it has no page numbers.


(By the way, I found the use of the comma before the quotes interesting...I have apparently been doing this wrong all my life).

In 2006, Justice Antoin Scalia purportedly wrote: “If there was any constitutional issue resolved by the Civil War, it is that there is no right to secede.”

I have to agree with that. I cannot imagine our federal government taking an attempt at sucession as anything but an act of sedition, war, or outright treason. It has grown far to large to see it in any other manner.

War is only one aspect to consider here. California is also home to many military bases and national parks. Our government will never willing give up our bases, and our military members will most likely not stand down. Sure, there may be a few who stand down, but unless you’ve done military duty, do not attempt to predict what they will or won’t do.

As for the National Parks, the US will not willingly part with any of that land – especially those areas that hold the crucial snow pack that California depends on. So California won’t have the same borders it has today, nor will it have control of the airports – hello, FAA is a federal agency – the power grid, railroads, or interstates.

Now consider all the social programs run by the federal government. California can say good bye to those as well. Seceded from the union and you are no longer a citizen. It would be a boon to the already strapped Social Security system – no more payments to California. Same for welfare, food stamps, FEMA...the list goes on.

Don’t expect the federal government to be “friendly” should this occur. It will most likely behave like a woman scorned and will be more than happy to bitch-slap the state silly. Debts will have to be repaid – including California’s share of the National Debt.

Oh, and the FDIC no longer applies to banks, and I would expect the banks to be shut down anyway. No more US currency, what will one do for money? The gangs will be having a field day. Who will be directing the police and fire departments? Especially if there’s no money coming to them any time soon. No more National Guard – they’re a federally funded entity. Coast Guard is federal too.

Water supplied by other states – including the Colorado River, will be cut off. The power grid will be shut off, communication grids shut down, interstate travel will be shutdown. The majority of the ports have federal oversight, there won’t be any traffic in from the water as the Naval Fleet will most likely get deployed. Heck, let’s build another wall!

Sure, California has Silicon Valley, but how many of those companies are officially based there for taxes. Most have their incorporation papers filed other states for tax purposes. Facebook, Google and Microsoft are all incorporated in Delaware. Google started out in California but reincorporated in 2003 in Delaware. Apple has no tax “residency” anywhere. Even though it is incorporated in Ireland.

Now add on to the list of things to do: Create a new constitution for the country. Guess who’d most likely be involved: Facebook, Google and Apple. Guess who wants to avoid paying taxes? Apple, Google, Facebook.

I hear from family members “no water, no food”. Well if you have no water, you have no food either. Besides, we have the MidWest, which has both water and the ability to grow food. Sure, it may not be exactly what we’re used to having available, but we’ll be eating. It would be easy enough to swap out some of the corn fields for other crops.

Hollywood is fickle, they’ll go wherever the money is. But California can keep Hollywood, I won’t be heartbroken. Having grown up in the southern part of the state, I have never been a big fan of Hollywood as an entity. Sure I love the movies, but I’ve never bought into the hype of stardom.

Secession is basically a divorce, and California is attempting to divorce a wealthy spouse with the attitude and power to ensure the California is left with as little as possible. And this “spouse” is currently headed up by a President who is known to be particularly vicious when business deals go sideways.

So let Governor Moonbeam talk the state into attempting to secede. In fact let them secede, they can work out their own tax system (including the methods of collecting said system), health care system, legal system, licensing systems, social programs, governmental entities, balances of power, military strength, environmental regulations, mass transit systems, and whatever else I’m forgetting. That is IF California can hold itself together long enough to get all that in place without slipping into complete anarchy.

If I give this all too much more thought, I’ll end up with another book (or several) to write.

Elections and Characters

My characters are having a field day with the upcoming elections. One is telling me which candidates remind him of which former world leaders – including Stalin and Hitler -and laughed at the Muppet's meme that went around social media. Another is finding England's departure from the EU fascinating and making comparisons to the USA Revolution. And then there's Jess.

Who's Jess? Jess is my first and most beloved character. She's wildly independent, stubborn, unfetterd and doesn't give a damn what others think. My kinda girl! She's the one who forced me (she wouldn't shut up, especially at 3:00 a.m.) to write her story. Jess also swears like a sailor and loves picking up new insulting terms. She's having a field day with all of the mud-slinging, name calling, and fear mongering this election round.

New terms are being flung around my brain like so much confetti. She keeps repeating her favorites over and over, terms like “butt trumpet” keep popping up at inappropriate times. This is distracting at best, inconvenient at worst as she makes me laugh in the middle of conference calls or while troubleshooting an issue for a client. 

Her BFF isn't much help as he admonishes her for her rancid mouth and penchant for speaking in a bad British accent when using her newly discovered phrases. As soon as Paul starts in Jess ramps it up, getting more foul until he throws his hands up in disgust and walks away. This of course has me belly laughing uncontrollably while my husband threatens to dial the local psych ward.

I'm not sure if this is normal behavior for characters or not, it is certainly normal for mine.

Inappropriate Inspiration?

There was a recent tragedy in my state, perpetrated by a reportedly “sane” man. The court is waiting for evaluation results for good measure.

Regardless of what the state determines, the suspect has an interesting story on the "why" of his crime. As soon as I heard his explanation, my writer brain took off with a potential story line along a paranormal/conspiracy theory/mystery twisted line. At first I felt bad, getting a story idea off of a tragedy even though I often borrow pieces of real life to incorporate into some of my stories. Then I decide, what the heck, and asked some friends what they thought.

I got an interesting mix of responses back. Some people thought it was totally inappropriate to write up a story that was inspired by such an evil act. Others told me they thought Stephen King may have already done a story along the same line, only a few thought I should go ahead and tackle the storyline, thinking I might be able to have an interesting take on it.

When I read that Stephen King may have already done something similar, it started me wondering. Where does King get his inspiration? Are they from inappropriate places, such as real life evil doing or do they just come to him like many of my other characters do? Then I really began to wonder, how many other writers may get their ideas from “inappropriate” sources of inspiration – whether it be personal tragedy, global tragedy, or local tragedies perpetrated by humans – and whether or not they feel guilty or bad for basing a story off of a real life event.

I'm still debating whether or not to write up the story line. I have notes jotted down and luckily I have more than enough WIPs in the queue that I need ot work on that I can let it sit for awhile before making a decision.

So here's my big question: is it “normal” to feel uneasy about a story idea that jumps out at you from today's headlines? How would you, as a reader, feel if you throughly enjoyed a story that you discover is based off of a real-life tragedy?

The Bill of Rights - as ratified

The U.S. Bill of Rights

The Preamble to The Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

NaNoWriMo Failure

It's been sometime since I've blogged and it's been some time since I failed a NaNoWriMo, but this year I did. My day job interrupted my writing time and I ended up finishing with about 35,000 words (I didn't validate my novel).

The good news is I'm still working on a new book, new characters, new Cozy series. This one is a true cozy - strong female lead characters, a romantic interest and a murder to solve. I'm hoping to have it finished up this weekend and then I'll be making a concerted effort to polish it up, get out some synopsises to agents and hope I get a bite.

One thing I am really hoping for is that the publisher will use the photo that prompted the story. It was taken by a dear friend of mine and it's the second photo of his that gave me my NaNoWriMo project for the year.  I love a lot of his work, I love that they give me story lines, but I regret that they give me entirely new book series ideas. I simply don't have that much time to write, given that - like the vast majority of writers - I have a demanding full time job, plus extended family and pets galore.

I really don't care which book series get picked up first, by an agent or publisher, as long as one gets picked up I'll be happy. I won't forget the rest, that's for certain. Jess, who started it all, deserves to have her stories read, even if I have to self-pub them, save money up for cover art to be created, and market them all by myself.