Here's the podcast of the blog-talk radio show I was on today:
Enjoy!
Yasmine
2.27.2009
2.26.2009
Reader Questions re: Traveling, Books, Etc.
I’m going to touch base on a few reader comments, questions, etc. here.
First: The Demon Mistress cover. I love it—so much more than Darkling’s cover, which I thought was awesome. It accurately represents the changes she’s made since she staked Dredge in Darkling and her father accepted her in Night Huntress. Tony nailed the fact in the artwork that she threw off that baggage and came out of feeling like a creature more to feeling like a person worthy of existing. Demon Mistress is a lighter book than Darkling—Menolly’s over the angst, she doesn’t dwell in it, thank gods. In Demon Mistress, she’s overcome a lot of her personal demons and is focused on the future, not the past.
Second: I was asked if there’s any place on-line where you can read my books. No. There should not be. They are available (the OW books) in e-book format and Kindle format and audio-book format, but you still have to pay for them. If you find a place offering a free download, then that means they are being pirated and both I and my publisher are being ripped off by thieves. Please do NOT frequent pirate sites—authors are hit pretty hard by these and if sales go down, then contracts stop being given out and the series you love will end. If you cannot afford to read the books new, then please go to the libraries and ask for them. Yes, you may have to wait for holds, but that’s the reality of life, okay? Or you can look in used bookstores—there are bound to be some copies there. But don’t enable these rip-off sites.
Third: Traveling. No, I’m sorry, I don’t anticipate traveling this year out of the local area. I had planned on trying to make the east coast this year but that’s looking less likely with the current economy—I have to foot the bill for all of my own travel/touring/etc., and frankly, I love ya guys but I love paying rent more, and the thousands it would take for us to make a touring trip anywhere this year, well…it’s just not money we can afford to spend right now. ~grins~ You can always order signed copies of my books through Seattle Mystery Bookshop or get personalized (and pretty) bookplates from me.
Fourth: Meerclar is doing better, yes. She’s still got a bit of an upset tummy but appears to have healed right up. Thank you all for your concern over her. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.
Remember: tomorrow’s the Blog Talk Radio Show (see a couple posts back on the blog for info). And I’m SO THRILLED you’re excited about the new novella. That makes me happy. Also, I’m happy to see traffic in my forums picking up—it really is the best place to catch me (actually me and not just Samwise or my assistant).
And now, I have to get to work, feed cats, get my latte, etc.
Yasmine
First: The Demon Mistress cover. I love it—so much more than Darkling’s cover, which I thought was awesome. It accurately represents the changes she’s made since she staked Dredge in Darkling and her father accepted her in Night Huntress. Tony nailed the fact in the artwork that she threw off that baggage and came out of feeling like a creature more to feeling like a person worthy of existing. Demon Mistress is a lighter book than Darkling—Menolly’s over the angst, she doesn’t dwell in it, thank gods. In Demon Mistress, she’s overcome a lot of her personal demons and is focused on the future, not the past.
Second: I was asked if there’s any place on-line where you can read my books. No. There should not be. They are available (the OW books) in e-book format and Kindle format and audio-book format, but you still have to pay for them. If you find a place offering a free download, then that means they are being pirated and both I and my publisher are being ripped off by thieves. Please do NOT frequent pirate sites—authors are hit pretty hard by these and if sales go down, then contracts stop being given out and the series you love will end. If you cannot afford to read the books new, then please go to the libraries and ask for them. Yes, you may have to wait for holds, but that’s the reality of life, okay? Or you can look in used bookstores—there are bound to be some copies there. But don’t enable these rip-off sites.
Third: Traveling. No, I’m sorry, I don’t anticipate traveling this year out of the local area. I had planned on trying to make the east coast this year but that’s looking less likely with the current economy—I have to foot the bill for all of my own travel/touring/etc., and frankly, I love ya guys but I love paying rent more, and the thousands it would take for us to make a touring trip anywhere this year, well…it’s just not money we can afford to spend right now. ~grins~ You can always order signed copies of my books through Seattle Mystery Bookshop or get personalized (and pretty) bookplates from me.
Fourth: Meerclar is doing better, yes. She’s still got a bit of an upset tummy but appears to have healed right up. Thank you all for your concern over her. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.
Remember: tomorrow’s the Blog Talk Radio Show (see a couple posts back on the blog for info). And I’m SO THRILLED you’re excited about the new novella. That makes me happy. Also, I’m happy to see traffic in my forums picking up—it really is the best place to catch me (actually me and not just Samwise or my assistant).
And now, I have to get to work, feed cats, get my latte, etc.
Yasmine
2.25.2009
Never After Anthology News!
I’m thrilled to finally be able to announce that on November 3, 2009, I have an Otherworld novella--The Shadow of Mist--coming out in an anthology called Never After. The other authors involved in the anthology are Laurell K. Hamilton, Marjorie Liu, and Sharon Shinn and as soon as I get the full official blurb, I’ll post it.
The Shadow of Mist:
Siobhan must face a dark presence from her past who has been stalking her since she first left the shores of Ireland, a man who will stop at nothing to possess her. With the help of the D’Artigo sisters, Siobhan must stop him before he destroys the life she’s built with her true love.
Never After is available for pre-order now.
So that means you get both Demon Mistress in June and The Shadow of Mist in November 2009, and both Etched in Silver (Camille-Trillian novella) and Bone Magic in January 2010.
Yasmine
The Shadow of Mist:
Siobhan must face a dark presence from her past who has been stalking her since she first left the shores of Ireland, a man who will stop at nothing to possess her. With the help of the D’Artigo sisters, Siobhan must stop him before he destroys the life she’s built with her true love.
Never After is available for pre-order now.
So that means you get both Demon Mistress in June and The Shadow of Mist in November 2009, and both Etched in Silver (Camille-Trillian novella) and Bone Magic in January 2010.
Yasmine
2.24.2009
Blog Talk Radio Show Friday & Reader Questions
A few quick notes:
Hey folks, on Friday the 27th, I’ll be taking part in a Blog Talk Radio show:
Fangs Fur and Fey authors Yasmine Galenorn (bestselling author of the Sisters of the Moon series), Marie Brennan (Midnight Never Come), Patrice Michelle (Scions series), Marlene Perez (Dead is the New Black), and John Levitt (Dog Days) discuss the craft of writing. Listeners are invited to call in to ask the panel. Discussion moderated by Eos Executive Editor, Diana Gill. If you go there now you can set a reminder so you’ll get an email just before the show starts. This is also the link you can go to in order to listen to the show from their computer and chat during the show in the online chat room.
Now, a couple reader questions:
Question: Where does your inspiration for your stories come from? Do they just bubble up out of you or do you make outlines and charts to connect your characters, the plots, and places. I've hit a bit of a block and am hoping worm my way around it. The location is just killing me. I'd like to set a few chapters in old, Celtic, Britain, but having never been there; I don't want to tell a falsehood.
Answer: Inspiration and organization are two different things, first off. Inspiration—as to where the ideas come from—well, who knows? I’m never at a loss for ideas, new ones are always pounding on my door and I doubt I’ll ever have time enough to write all the books I’ve thought of. When I’m feeling a little snarky, I tell people the Idea Fairy dropped them in my lap, when I’m at a loss for words—because I can’t imagine not having too many ideas—I shrug.
Inspiration is where you find it, it’s everywhere—every newspaper story, every overheard conversation, every event—no matter how small—can trigger off an idea. You have to get used to extrapolating—to asking, ‘but what if?’
What if the plane I see flying overhead nosedives to the ground? What if the plane I see flying overhead is actually going to vanish into a wormhole and there’s a secret agent on board who holds the one key to preventing a disaster and she needs to get back to our reality in order to stop World War III? What if the plane I see flying overhead has one very special passenger on it—a woman running from her abusive husband? And what if he found out and is waiting at the other end of her journey for her? What will happen?
As to organization, please see my forums for the answer to that.
Question: If you had to rewrite one of the classics novels, and put a spin on it in your style, which one would it be, and are you rewriting it cause you don't prefer it, or adding to bliss that it brings you?
Answer: None…because they aren’t my stories to write. And if I love them, I’d rather not change them. Oh sure, I can extrapolate different endings, etc., but I wouldn’t actually want to change them—because it wouldn’t actually be a novel I wrote, but one that I edited and changed. Now, that’s not to say that we can’t take the structure of classic fairytales and legends and write a book around that structure—that’s something different entirely.
And today I was asked in email if someone wanted to bid on the lunch, but didn’t have a chapter/WIP, would I be willing to just take them out to lunch and talk with them for the afternoon about books, etc.. Hey, if you are willing to spend money on a great cause, just to go to lunch with me—go for it. You aren’t required to have a chapter for me to critique if you just want to talk.
Okay, off for now.
Yasmine
Hey folks, on Friday the 27th, I’ll be taking part in a Blog Talk Radio show:
Fangs Fur and Fey authors Yasmine Galenorn (bestselling author of the Sisters of the Moon series), Marie Brennan (Midnight Never Come), Patrice Michelle (Scions series), Marlene Perez (Dead is the New Black), and John Levitt (Dog Days) discuss the craft of writing. Listeners are invited to call in to ask the panel. Discussion moderated by Eos Executive Editor, Diana Gill. If you go there now you can set a reminder so you’ll get an email just before the show starts. This is also the link you can go to in order to listen to the show from their computer and chat during the show in the online chat room.
Now, a couple reader questions:
Question: Where does your inspiration for your stories come from? Do they just bubble up out of you or do you make outlines and charts to connect your characters, the plots, and places. I've hit a bit of a block and am hoping worm my way around it. The location is just killing me. I'd like to set a few chapters in old, Celtic, Britain, but having never been there; I don't want to tell a falsehood.
Answer: Inspiration and organization are two different things, first off. Inspiration—as to where the ideas come from—well, who knows? I’m never at a loss for ideas, new ones are always pounding on my door and I doubt I’ll ever have time enough to write all the books I’ve thought of. When I’m feeling a little snarky, I tell people the Idea Fairy dropped them in my lap, when I’m at a loss for words—because I can’t imagine not having too many ideas—I shrug.
Inspiration is where you find it, it’s everywhere—every newspaper story, every overheard conversation, every event—no matter how small—can trigger off an idea. You have to get used to extrapolating—to asking, ‘but what if?’
What if the plane I see flying overhead nosedives to the ground? What if the plane I see flying overhead is actually going to vanish into a wormhole and there’s a secret agent on board who holds the one key to preventing a disaster and she needs to get back to our reality in order to stop World War III? What if the plane I see flying overhead has one very special passenger on it—a woman running from her abusive husband? And what if he found out and is waiting at the other end of her journey for her? What will happen?
As to organization, please see my forums for the answer to that.
Question: If you had to rewrite one of the classics novels, and put a spin on it in your style, which one would it be, and are you rewriting it cause you don't prefer it, or adding to bliss that it brings you?
Answer: None…because they aren’t my stories to write. And if I love them, I’d rather not change them. Oh sure, I can extrapolate different endings, etc., but I wouldn’t actually want to change them—because it wouldn’t actually be a novel I wrote, but one that I edited and changed. Now, that’s not to say that we can’t take the structure of classic fairytales and legends and write a book around that structure—that’s something different entirely.
And today I was asked in email if someone wanted to bid on the lunch, but didn’t have a chapter/WIP, would I be willing to just take them out to lunch and talk with them for the afternoon about books, etc.. Hey, if you are willing to spend money on a great cause, just to go to lunch with me—go for it. You aren’t required to have a chapter for me to critique if you just want to talk.
Okay, off for now.
Yasmine
2.23.2009
2009 Diabetes Auction Links!
So...yeah, yeah, we're nearing May again, and y'all know my yearly drill.We're gearing up for the 2009 Juvenile Diabetes On-Line Auction, which benefits the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami.
I'll be donating several things this year. If you know anybody who might have reason to want to bid, a lot of wonderful gifts are going up for the auction, which starts May 1st and runs through May 31st.
You all know I do this because it impacts my life in a serious way--I'm married to a Type 1 diabetic and have had to learn how to cope and struggle with this disease every day of my life for the past sixteen years since we met. And there are so many people out there who have Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. I can't not do something, considering what this does to our lives and considering that I can make an impact.
HERE is the general auction site. There's still plenty of time if anybody has anything to donate--not only authors take part, though we're rife in there. What I'm donating this year:
1. An Otherworld Faerie Book Basket, (worth about $300.00) including:
2. An 18 X 24” print (not poster) of Morio, the youkai-kitsune lover/husband of Camille from my Otherworld (Sisters of the Moon) Series. Signed by Tony Mauro, the artist, this one of two commissioned prints of the character in existence—Yasmine has the other. This may be your only chance to get a print of Morio. This is worth quite a bit of money, folks.
3. A synopsis/first chapter critique of your work, and lunch with Yasmine Galenorn at a nice steakhouse in Bellevue WA. Spend the afternoon with Yasmine, first at lunch, then at a coffee house. You must be in the Bellevue WA area or make arrangements to be there (airfare/travel/taxi expenses not included). Yasmine will treat you to lunch at the steakhouse—time to be set according to Yasmine’s schedule and yours, and then go for coffee.
IN ADDITION, she will give a rare critique (something she hardly ever does) of your synopsis and first chapter of your Work in Progress. You must sign a waiver that you have agreed to let her look at your work and that it is original—no fanfiction, please. Be warned: she is a hard critic, but fair—her critiques aren’t for the faint of heart or those who just want to hear ‘it’s great.’ So, if you’ve ever wanted to meet one of your favorite authors in person, now’s your chance! The WIP chapter must be submitted to her several weeks before lunch together. Lunch/the critique must be arranged/taken within the 2009 calendar year.
USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy for Berkley: both the bestselling Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon Series for Berkley and will soon have a second urban fantasy series on the shelves. In the past, she wrote mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and nonfiction metaphysical books. Her books have hit the New York Times and USA Today extended bestseller lists numerous times.
Yasmine has been in the Craft for over 28 years, is a shamanic witch, and describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Bellevue WA with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her website at www.galenorn.com, via MySpace: www.myspace.com/yasminegalenorn and Blogger: http://yasmine-galenorn.blogspot.com she is also the co-founder of the Witchy Chicks blog (http://witchychicks.blogspot.com).
I'll be donating several things this year. If you know anybody who might have reason to want to bid, a lot of wonderful gifts are going up for the auction, which starts May 1st and runs through May 31st.
You all know I do this because it impacts my life in a serious way--I'm married to a Type 1 diabetic and have had to learn how to cope and struggle with this disease every day of my life for the past sixteen years since we met. And there are so many people out there who have Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. I can't not do something, considering what this does to our lives and considering that I can make an impact.
HERE is the general auction site. There's still plenty of time if anybody has anything to donate--not only authors take part, though we're rife in there. What I'm donating this year:
1. An Otherworld Faerie Book Basket, (worth about $300.00) including:
- Scheaffer Fountain Pen
- Leather-bound blank journal
- A selection of Faerie note cards
- Coffee Beans
- Faerie Mug
- The first five Otherworld (Sisters of the Moon) Books by Yasmine Galenorn
- Brian Froud Faeries' Oracle
- Swarovski Crystal Pendant
- Faerie Moon Scarf
- A one-of-a-kind Camille beaded necklace made by my friend and fellow author/artist Maura Anderson
- Faerie Moon Scarf
- A black/white Cashmink (100% acrylic) shawl/wrap
- Assorted Chocolates
2. An 18 X 24” print (not poster) of Morio, the youkai-kitsune lover/husband of Camille from my Otherworld (Sisters of the Moon) Series. Signed by Tony Mauro, the artist, this one of two commissioned prints of the character in existence—Yasmine has the other. This may be your only chance to get a print of Morio. This is worth quite a bit of money, folks.
3. A synopsis/first chapter critique of your work, and lunch with Yasmine Galenorn at a nice steakhouse in Bellevue WA. Spend the afternoon with Yasmine, first at lunch, then at a coffee house. You must be in the Bellevue WA area or make arrangements to be there (airfare/travel/taxi expenses not included). Yasmine will treat you to lunch at the steakhouse—time to be set according to Yasmine’s schedule and yours, and then go for coffee.
IN ADDITION, she will give a rare critique (something she hardly ever does) of your synopsis and first chapter of your Work in Progress. You must sign a waiver that you have agreed to let her look at your work and that it is original—no fanfiction, please. Be warned: she is a hard critic, but fair—her critiques aren’t for the faint of heart or those who just want to hear ‘it’s great.’ So, if you’ve ever wanted to meet one of your favorite authors in person, now’s your chance! The WIP chapter must be submitted to her several weeks before lunch together. Lunch/the critique must be arranged/taken within the 2009 calendar year.
USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy for Berkley: both the bestselling Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon Series for Berkley and will soon have a second urban fantasy series on the shelves. In the past, she wrote mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and nonfiction metaphysical books. Her books have hit the New York Times and USA Today extended bestseller lists numerous times.
Yasmine has been in the Craft for over 28 years, is a shamanic witch, and describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Bellevue WA with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her website at www.galenorn.com, via MySpace: www.myspace.com/yasminegalenorn and Blogger: http://yasmine-galenorn.blogspot.com she is also the co-founder of the Witchy Chicks blog (http://witchychicks.blogspot.com).
2.22.2009
Oscars, Movies, & Twitter
Quick roundup tonight.
Almost done with page proofs of Demon Mistress. Still thrilled with the book and hope you guys will be as well. It’s funny, warped, kinda gruesome at parts but in a weird, quirky way. And then you have Nerissa, Roz, and Vanzir...damned good ‘eye candy.’ After I finish tomorrow, back to writing Night Myst--the first Indigo Court book.
Watched the Oscars—I always do. So glad Heath won. Samwise and I agree: his version of the Joker is one of the freakiest, scariest movie villains around. The Dark Knight was set in a dystopian world and Ledger created a villain that took that dystopia to a new level. Sheer chaos, with no conscience, no empathy or regard for others, the Joker of this movie was a complete sociopath. I don’t fear those who have motive so much as I fear those who have no motive, who are moved by random whim, by lack of reason. His character scared the hell out of me, and that’s hard to do in a movie.
Other favorite Oscar moments: Hugh Jackman (what can I say? Though I prefer him with long hair and a duster). The Action Movie montage with the Hives playing in the background (love the song—it was perfect for the clips). The role call of the dead with Queen Latifah singing.
So the past week I’ve seen Iron Man (loved it, love Tony Stark’s character), Dark Knight (freaky as hell but could do without Christian Bale’s growl as Batman—otherwise he’s great), The Forbidden Kingdom (loved it—Jackie Chan and Collin Chou were gorgeous and great, and the story was magical), Kung Fu Panda (didn’t like it much—not impressed with the writing or story), Hellboy II (LOVE Hellboy—he’s my heeeeroooo. Really like Selma Blair’s character, too, and Abe Sapien is cool. But in this one, the villain really…appealed to me ~wicked grin~ gotta love the villains).
Really getting to like Twitter. Easy to throw an update on there of a few lines throughout the day rather than writing a longer blog. You want to really keep up with me? Catch me on Twitter. But don’t worry, still blogging…just like the quick spontaneity of the ‘jump in, post, jump out’ flow of Twitter. It reminds me of a free-flowing river of information, sensation, thought, musings that keeps moving along. And at some point you dive in, swim a bit, then climb out until the next time.
Okay, am out for the evening. Later, peoples!
Yasmine
Almost done with page proofs of Demon Mistress. Still thrilled with the book and hope you guys will be as well. It’s funny, warped, kinda gruesome at parts but in a weird, quirky way. And then you have Nerissa, Roz, and Vanzir...damned good ‘eye candy.’ After I finish tomorrow, back to writing Night Myst--the first Indigo Court book.
Watched the Oscars—I always do. So glad Heath won. Samwise and I agree: his version of the Joker is one of the freakiest, scariest movie villains around. The Dark Knight was set in a dystopian world and Ledger created a villain that took that dystopia to a new level. Sheer chaos, with no conscience, no empathy or regard for others, the Joker of this movie was a complete sociopath. I don’t fear those who have motive so much as I fear those who have no motive, who are moved by random whim, by lack of reason. His character scared the hell out of me, and that’s hard to do in a movie.
Other favorite Oscar moments: Hugh Jackman (what can I say? Though I prefer him with long hair and a duster). The Action Movie montage with the Hives playing in the background (love the song—it was perfect for the clips). The role call of the dead with Queen Latifah singing.
So the past week I’ve seen Iron Man (loved it, love Tony Stark’s character), Dark Knight (freaky as hell but could do without Christian Bale’s growl as Batman—otherwise he’s great), The Forbidden Kingdom (loved it—Jackie Chan and Collin Chou were gorgeous and great, and the story was magical), Kung Fu Panda (didn’t like it much—not impressed with the writing or story), Hellboy II (LOVE Hellboy—he’s my heeeeroooo. Really like Selma Blair’s character, too, and Abe Sapien is cool. But in this one, the villain really…appealed to me ~wicked grin~ gotta love the villains).
Really getting to like Twitter. Easy to throw an update on there of a few lines throughout the day rather than writing a longer blog. You want to really keep up with me? Catch me on Twitter. But don’t worry, still blogging…just like the quick spontaneity of the ‘jump in, post, jump out’ flow of Twitter. It reminds me of a free-flowing river of information, sensation, thought, musings that keeps moving along. And at some point you dive in, swim a bit, then climb out until the next time.
Okay, am out for the evening. Later, peoples!
Yasmine
2.19.2009
Update On Meerclar's Condition
Yay! Meerclar's throat's looking a lot better! She'll go through another round of antibiotics, but it's definitely healing up! Thanks to everyone who sent healing prayers.
Yasmine
Yasmine
Reluctant Blood, Thoughts about Age, & Stuff
Apparently, I don’t have what it takes to attract a vampire. Seriously, twice now I’ve gone to get my bloodwork done and gee, no blood is willing to come out of my veins. It skitters away when the needle comes near . I watched, it’s true—when she was trying the vein at the base of my thumb, the thing just disappeared the minute the needle went in, until then it was nice and juicy.
First time, we thought it was just that I was dehydrated. This time, we’ve decided I also need to get nice and toasty warm before she tries again. Hot packs on the arms, drink hot liquid before I go in. Now, my veins have always been iffy about spilling their secrets, but this is just ridiculous. She tried my arms, my wrist veins, the top of my hand, the vein on the pad of flesh right at the base of my thumb. She did say that she has patients that are worse about this than me and she’s grateful that I’m not afraid of needles, blood, and that I’ve got a good pain tolerance. But she’s not getting near my jugular.
And I just realized, I’m cold. I turned down the heat the other day just a bit and the temps have dropped again. Maybe I was too cold when I went in.
Meerclar’s at the vet today and we’re waiting to hear how she’s responding to the steroids and antibiotics. Her meow seems stronger so we’re hoping there’s good news there.
Thinking about age here, and looks, and how I look younger now than I did in my late 20’s and—to some extent—my 30’s. I mean, yes, I want to lose weight till I’m comfortable again in my size (and trust me, that ain’t ‘thin’ by any means), but over all, except for a few things, I look a lot younger than I actually am and I think it’s because I’m happier with my life and my success than I used to be.
So now, my focus is on getting my health back to top shape so I can enjoy life to the fullest.
I seldom talk about my real age because people tend to put you in a box when they find out how old you are—to my younger fans, trust me, it’s not just when you’re young that it happens. The minute a woman edges over 40, she starts being categorized as desexualized, crone-like, and fading, whereas men are considered to get ‘better’ as they get older. To my way of thought, everything is so dependent on the individual, their mindset and maturity level. I also got tired of friends starting to say things like, “At our age…” I have no interest in playing that game.
Which is why I stopped talking about how old I was. I’ve never lied about it, it’s not hard to find out my birthday, but I’ve been more reticent about revealing my age the past few years. But I’ve decided to stop ignoring it, because it’s all a state of mind, anyway.
At my birthday this year, a friend’s husband (who did not know how old I was) turned to me and said, “So what, you’re about 34 now?” I could have kissed him! That was the best birthday present I could receive (and he doesn’t just toss out comments like that, he was genuinely curious as to my age). The look on his face when I told him I’m 48 was priceless.
So yeah, I’m 48. Do I ‘feel’ 48? I have no idea. What’s 48 supposed to feel like? I don’t have kids so I don’t measure myself against watching others grow up. I do find myself thinking, “OMG, I was 15 when I started college—it’s been over 30 years since then!” and other tidbits like that. But for me, happiness really started at thirty, so I pretty much stuffed the first 30 years of my life away into the past and I keep it there.
So yes…48. Well, I guess my best answer to my question of ‘What’s this supposed to feel like?” is that 48 is whatever I happen to feel like at the moment. Happy, sad, angry, hot and bothered, passionate, goofy, afraid, insecure, confident, geeky…And my 48 will never be anybody else’s 48.
And as a sidenote: for those who are angsting over not having sold a book yet or whatnot—I didn’t get my first contract till late 1996 when I was 35 years old, after I had seven novels in the closet. There’s been no ‘overnight’ attached to my success. So just remember: try to be patient, because success, when it comes, is worth the wait.
And for those wishing for love and a good relationship, I met Samwise in 1992, when I was 31…after two years alone, after nine years in an abusive relationship. So love didn’t come early for me either. But when it showed up, it was worth the effort. And I work hard—and so does Samwise—to keep it vibrant and alive.
Now, as a total afternote: go over to the Witchy Chicks blog and read the short interview I did with PC Cast today. J It’s a blogger blog so MySpace links won’t work here (they disable links to Blogger now) so the blog is: witchychicks DOT blogspot DOT com
Done rambling now,
Yasmine
First time, we thought it was just that I was dehydrated. This time, we’ve decided I also need to get nice and toasty warm before she tries again. Hot packs on the arms, drink hot liquid before I go in. Now, my veins have always been iffy about spilling their secrets, but this is just ridiculous. She tried my arms, my wrist veins, the top of my hand, the vein on the pad of flesh right at the base of my thumb. She did say that she has patients that are worse about this than me and she’s grateful that I’m not afraid of needles, blood, and that I’ve got a good pain tolerance. But she’s not getting near my jugular.
And I just realized, I’m cold. I turned down the heat the other day just a bit and the temps have dropped again. Maybe I was too cold when I went in.
Meerclar’s at the vet today and we’re waiting to hear how she’s responding to the steroids and antibiotics. Her meow seems stronger so we’re hoping there’s good news there.
Thinking about age here, and looks, and how I look younger now than I did in my late 20’s and—to some extent—my 30’s. I mean, yes, I want to lose weight till I’m comfortable again in my size (and trust me, that ain’t ‘thin’ by any means), but over all, except for a few things, I look a lot younger than I actually am and I think it’s because I’m happier with my life and my success than I used to be.
So now, my focus is on getting my health back to top shape so I can enjoy life to the fullest.
I seldom talk about my real age because people tend to put you in a box when they find out how old you are—to my younger fans, trust me, it’s not just when you’re young that it happens. The minute a woman edges over 40, she starts being categorized as desexualized, crone-like, and fading, whereas men are considered to get ‘better’ as they get older. To my way of thought, everything is so dependent on the individual, their mindset and maturity level. I also got tired of friends starting to say things like, “At our age…” I have no interest in playing that game.
Which is why I stopped talking about how old I was. I’ve never lied about it, it’s not hard to find out my birthday, but I’ve been more reticent about revealing my age the past few years. But I’ve decided to stop ignoring it, because it’s all a state of mind, anyway.
At my birthday this year, a friend’s husband (who did not know how old I was) turned to me and said, “So what, you’re about 34 now?” I could have kissed him! That was the best birthday present I could receive (and he doesn’t just toss out comments like that, he was genuinely curious as to my age). The look on his face when I told him I’m 48 was priceless.
So yeah, I’m 48. Do I ‘feel’ 48? I have no idea. What’s 48 supposed to feel like? I don’t have kids so I don’t measure myself against watching others grow up. I do find myself thinking, “OMG, I was 15 when I started college—it’s been over 30 years since then!” and other tidbits like that. But for me, happiness really started at thirty, so I pretty much stuffed the first 30 years of my life away into the past and I keep it there.
So yes…48. Well, I guess my best answer to my question of ‘What’s this supposed to feel like?” is that 48 is whatever I happen to feel like at the moment. Happy, sad, angry, hot and bothered, passionate, goofy, afraid, insecure, confident, geeky…And my 48 will never be anybody else’s 48.
And as a sidenote: for those who are angsting over not having sold a book yet or whatnot—I didn’t get my first contract till late 1996 when I was 35 years old, after I had seven novels in the closet. There’s been no ‘overnight’ attached to my success. So just remember: try to be patient, because success, when it comes, is worth the wait.
And for those wishing for love and a good relationship, I met Samwise in 1992, when I was 31…after two years alone, after nine years in an abusive relationship. So love didn’t come early for me either. But when it showed up, it was worth the effort. And I work hard—and so does Samwise—to keep it vibrant and alive.
Now, as a total afternote: go over to the Witchy Chicks blog and read the short interview I did with PC Cast today. J It’s a blogger blog so MySpace links won’t work here (they disable links to Blogger now) so the blog is: witchychicks DOT blogspot DOT com
Done rambling now,
Yasmine
2.18.2009
Nuts & Bolts of Writing Part 2...
I'm blogging on the Nuts and Bolts of Writing: Revisions, Copyedits, etc. over at the Witchy Chicks today. Drop on over, leave a comment for a chance to win a book. (And to read my post). (grins).
Yasmine
Yasmine
2.17.2009
Changes Afoot
I’m making some changes, for my own good. I know a couple of them may disappoint you, but they are necessary. Some I will talk about in a later blog, and others—right now.
First: before rumors get started, NO—I’m not stopping the Sisters Series, nor the Indigo Court Series. And I am not planning any new books on the mystery series—I know how the speculation factory works. *grins*.
No, I’m making necessary time management choices in order to get my life back into some semblance of balance. I desperately need more exercise and down-time. These will be good changes for me, but definitely changes.
I’ve looked at all the time going into the social networking sites and decided that I must keep the ones that are the best outreach for me, and eliminate the rest. I simply can’t do it all anymore.
I am deleting my personal FaceBook account (the site drove me nuts, anyway). While the FB fan page will still be up, it will no longer contain photos, any excerpts, etc. due to the change in FaceBook’s TOS, and I will no longer peek in there.
I am only keeping a Live Journal account so I can comment on a few other blogs. I already stopped mirroring my blog at LJ, but after this week, archives will no longer be available there.
I will be keeping:
My main website, of course, along with the sub-sites
MySpace
My Blogger Blog
Twitter (which is just a fun thing, so don’t expect deep stuff there)
My Moon Stalker Discussion Forums & Chat Room (the easiest place to get hold of me—actually “me” and not Samwise or my assistant, though I still do not answer personal magical questions and no, you can’t post your poems, stories, etc. in my forums for legal reasons since I’m in there),
My Moon Stalkers site, which has a lot of info on it about reader/fan based stuff.
The chat in my chat room of my forums went really well Sunday night and it was so much fun to ‘meet’ some of you. We were so pleased that we’re going to start regular chats—about every 6-8 weeks—in the chat room (you must register for the forums—free—to use the chat room). You can find the chat schedule HERE and I’ll try to remember to announce it on the blog a few days before hand.
When possible, I will no longer be working on weekends, which means less time online and more time focused on writing. I need the weekends to decompress. My back’s a mess, my stress levels are overloaded, and I so desperately need some time in which to just relax.
Other than my reader chats, don’t expect to see me much online or to receive email on weekends, and I may tell Samwise and Veronica take weekends off too, which means all social site updates will be on hold on Saturdays and Sundays.
In other news, both feline and human:
Thursday, Meerclar goes back to the vet to see how she’s doing on the steroids and antibiotics. We think her meow is stronger, and she seems to have perked up a lot, so we’re hoping that she’s improving. I also go to the vet—or rather my naturopath—to see if she can actually get some blood out of my veins. Which means I’m slamming the liquids this week to keep myself hydrated! Seriously, it must have been bad if I was so dehydrated she couldn’t get blood out of me.
Calypso and Brighid are getting fatter (good), sassier (snicker-worthy), and funnier (muchly amusing). Brighid’s turning into a really odd little duck. She’s fascinated by shadows and loves to stare at our dresser because it’s a deep ebony color and she can see shadows reflecting in it from the TV in the bedroom, I guess. She’s also a TV freak and loves to play with the images on the screen. Calypso is just a little snuggle-bun in between manic periods of seek-and-destroy whatever’s in her path, and Meerclar isn’t hissing at the two much now. Ever since the Caly-Meerclar cuddle detante, it’s been somewhat peaceful.
We saw Kung Fu Panda this weekend (were not impressed and will not be buying the movie—both Samwise and I found it disjointed, and it sure didn’t go where it could have). Last night, we watched Hellboy II and we thought it was absolutely brilliant, we WILL be buying it, and praying they make a third that’s just as good). Tonight—watching the Dark Knight.
On the reading front, now that I’m taking weekends off, I’ll be able to get more reading in. This weekend I read Dead Wrong in the Joanna Brady Series by JA Jance. Was very good, as usual, and one of the few police procedural series I like.
So that’s it for now. If you have questions, post them here in the thread for me to answer in my blogs—I get around to reader questions much easier that way.
Bright Blessings,
Yasmine
First: before rumors get started, NO—I’m not stopping the Sisters Series, nor the Indigo Court Series. And I am not planning any new books on the mystery series—I know how the speculation factory works. *grins*.
No, I’m making necessary time management choices in order to get my life back into some semblance of balance. I desperately need more exercise and down-time. These will be good changes for me, but definitely changes.
I’ve looked at all the time going into the social networking sites and decided that I must keep the ones that are the best outreach for me, and eliminate the rest. I simply can’t do it all anymore.
I am deleting my personal FaceBook account (the site drove me nuts, anyway). While the FB fan page will still be up, it will no longer contain photos, any excerpts, etc. due to the change in FaceBook’s TOS, and I will no longer peek in there.
I am only keeping a Live Journal account so I can comment on a few other blogs. I already stopped mirroring my blog at LJ, but after this week, archives will no longer be available there.
I will be keeping:
My main website, of course, along with the sub-sites
MySpace
My Blogger Blog
Twitter (which is just a fun thing, so don’t expect deep stuff there)
My Moon Stalker Discussion Forums & Chat Room (the easiest place to get hold of me—actually “me” and not Samwise or my assistant, though I still do not answer personal magical questions and no, you can’t post your poems, stories, etc. in my forums for legal reasons since I’m in there),
My Moon Stalkers site, which has a lot of info on it about reader/fan based stuff.
The chat in my chat room of my forums went really well Sunday night and it was so much fun to ‘meet’ some of you. We were so pleased that we’re going to start regular chats—about every 6-8 weeks—in the chat room (you must register for the forums—free—to use the chat room). You can find the chat schedule HERE and I’ll try to remember to announce it on the blog a few days before hand.
When possible, I will no longer be working on weekends, which means less time online and more time focused on writing. I need the weekends to decompress. My back’s a mess, my stress levels are overloaded, and I so desperately need some time in which to just relax.
Other than my reader chats, don’t expect to see me much online or to receive email on weekends, and I may tell Samwise and Veronica take weekends off too, which means all social site updates will be on hold on Saturdays and Sundays.
In other news, both feline and human:
Thursday, Meerclar goes back to the vet to see how she’s doing on the steroids and antibiotics. We think her meow is stronger, and she seems to have perked up a lot, so we’re hoping that she’s improving. I also go to the vet—or rather my naturopath—to see if she can actually get some blood out of my veins. Which means I’m slamming the liquids this week to keep myself hydrated! Seriously, it must have been bad if I was so dehydrated she couldn’t get blood out of me.
Calypso and Brighid are getting fatter (good), sassier (snicker-worthy), and funnier (muchly amusing). Brighid’s turning into a really odd little duck. She’s fascinated by shadows and loves to stare at our dresser because it’s a deep ebony color and she can see shadows reflecting in it from the TV in the bedroom, I guess. She’s also a TV freak and loves to play with the images on the screen. Calypso is just a little snuggle-bun in between manic periods of seek-and-destroy whatever’s in her path, and Meerclar isn’t hissing at the two much now. Ever since the Caly-Meerclar cuddle detante, it’s been somewhat peaceful.
We saw Kung Fu Panda this weekend (were not impressed and will not be buying the movie—both Samwise and I found it disjointed, and it sure didn’t go where it could have). Last night, we watched Hellboy II and we thought it was absolutely brilliant, we WILL be buying it, and praying they make a third that’s just as good). Tonight—watching the Dark Knight.
On the reading front, now that I’m taking weekends off, I’ll be able to get more reading in. This weekend I read Dead Wrong in the Joanna Brady Series by JA Jance. Was very good, as usual, and one of the few police procedural series I like.
So that’s it for now. If you have questions, post them here in the thread for me to answer in my blogs—I get around to reader questions much easier that way.
Bright Blessings,
Yasmine
2.14.2009
2.13.2009
Chat/Audiobook Contest Reminder
On my website, in my forums, you'll find the contest thread for the audiobook giveaway (yes, you have to register to enter AND follow directions). And remember the reader chat there on the 15th at 6:00 PM Pacific.
Have a happy Valentine's Day. I'm taking the weekend off and won't be around. I have no control over MySpace's glitches so if comments get glitchy, not my fault. And we will make one last sweep through the Inbox to make sure everyone who posts in the Ghost of a Chance giveaway is entered if they submitted their entry on time. (MySpace only giveaway ending 2/15/09 at midnight).
Happy weekend!
Yasmine
Have a happy Valentine's Day. I'm taking the weekend off and won't be around. I have no control over MySpace's glitches so if comments get glitchy, not my fault. And we will make one last sweep through the Inbox to make sure everyone who posts in the Ghost of a Chance giveaway is entered if they submitted their entry on time. (MySpace only giveaway ending 2/15/09 at midnight).
Happy weekend!
Yasmine
2.12.2009
Praise the Lady...Bast's Given Us a Chance...
Okay, Dr. Bruce called. I was all set to hear the worst but he said it's not what we feared--at least not that they could see from the four biopsy samples. No malignant cells. Instead, the lab told him it's hyperplasia and that it appears to be a strong infection.
So we keep her on a strict regimine of antibiotics and steroids and take her back in for another look in a week. While it's still potentially dangerous because of the location, we have a chance of getting it under control.
Praise Bast and Dr. Bruce. Neither one of us expected to hear that news. I guess in my dream that I wrote about, I at least managed to latch the cat carrier's door.
Yasmine (feeling so much more hopeful)
So we keep her on a strict regimine of antibiotics and steroids and take her back in for another look in a week. While it's still potentially dangerous because of the location, we have a chance of getting it under control.
Praise Bast and Dr. Bruce. Neither one of us expected to hear that news. I guess in my dream that I wrote about, I at least managed to latch the cat carrier's door.
Yasmine (feeling so much more hopeful)
Some Thoughts on Loss & Letting Go (Long Post)
This is not an upbeat post, in a way…and yet, it is. So if you’re depressed, you might not want to read it—heavy stuff here.
I just woke up from a nightmare, about an hour ago. I will probably end up going back to sleep, but needed to write this out. For the first time since getting the news yesterday that Meerclar is ill, I am breathing from my gut, instead of shallowly.
In the dream, I was trying to save my gurlz—my rainbow bridge kitties. Luna and Keeter and Tara were there, as well as Meerclar. We were in this huge building, with a lot of other people, and Samwise was there. I was headed for the elevator to go upstairs to somebody’s apartment, and Samwise was behind me but he was walking slower because of his cane. Somehow, we got separated and I realized it and managed to push my way through a crowded elevator and off. I went back to this lobby, which was spacious, but furnished with that living-room lobby furniture that you see in office buildings. Sofas and coffee tables that manage to look bland and uninviting. There was a jumble of stuff that looked like it didn’t belong.
Samwise was sitting on the floor with Meerclar. And Meerclar, who was rolling around on the rug, had changed back into her Russian Blue self from her first life with me. I mentioned it to Samwise, saying, “She sometimes does that.” We were petting her, when I looked up and realized all of our Rainbow Bridge gurlz were there and loose, and people were leaving the front door open. Keeter and Tara ran out.
I started to shout, trying to get people’s attention so they’d catch the others for me, but everybody ignored me. I grabbed Meerclar and shoved her into the one kitty carrier I could see and shut the door, but I couldn't tell if I'd locked it. Then I raced over after Luna, who was playing in the next room.
In the room, there was a table with a huge aquarium on it, and in the aquarium were several giant constrictors. A boa, a python, and a strange and beautiful blue snake that looked like something out of a Chinese watercolor painting.
Luna was trying to find out what they were and somehow—I’m not sure how—as I raced over to her, the aquarium got knocked over and the snakes were free and coiling all around my baby. I screamed and rushed in, trying to get her out before they took hold of her, and it was then that I saw these poisonous jumping spiders all over—they’d been in the tank with the snakes.
I was petrified—I’m arachnophobic and it really comes out in my dreams—and yet, I started to reach out, trying to rescue Luna. As the spiders started jumping on me, I began to scream for help, shouting “Help me, help me!” over and over again.
And that’s when Samwise woke me up. Woke up screaming, in a cold sweat, crying so hard I could barely breathe.
But the nightmare did something for me. It brought up all the anger and fear and feelings of being out of control of a situation, and shoved my face in it. You see, I’m a control freak, and when I feel like a situation is out of my control, I tend to panic. I also blame myself for not being able to change the inevitable—like so many people—even though I know logically that things aren’t always mine to “fix.”
The shock over losing three of my senior kitties in six months has taken a toll on me, and I guess I’ve been carrying a buttload of guilt and repressed pain, because that dream yanked it out of my core and rubbed my nose in it, forcing me to look at the fact that I can’t always win the race, I can’t always save the ones I love, and that sometimes—despite my best intentions—I can’t be superwoman.
The first thing I thought when I heard about Meerclar’s condition yesterday was “What the hell am I doing wrong?” As in: what did I do/not do; give them/not give them; decide/not decide that could have changed the outcome.
And the answer is: nothing.
Keeter had chronic renal failure and was 18 years old. She lived a good two years after her diagnosis, in comfort until the very last day, and loved. But it’s a terminal condition and there’s no going back.
Luna…we had no clue Luna was ill. Cat’s hide it, and we only caught the surface liver condition because we took her in for her annual just like we should. If we’d been slow, another week and she would have died from the liver cysts. The underlying cancer didn’t present until after surgery. If I’d known about the cancer, we would have had her put down instead of having surgery. But the fact is, the surgery would have saved her life if there hadn’t been an underlying case of pancreatic cancer. And now, Luna is back with us as Brighid…while I mourn the loss of her existence in her other form, I am grateful she chose to come back. And she was 15 when she died…she’s now young and vibrant again.
And Tara? Nothing quite so dramatic, but at 21, she was well over 100 in human years and just getting tired and wearing out. I can’t stop the hands of time.
And now we come to Meerclar…she’s had her regular exams, we did an X-ray last fall during her exam, and the condition didn’t present then…so while it’s been building in her system, it’s just blossomed out. And if it’s a tumor, there’s no way any surgery in the world will help at this point. She’s going on 16…she’s not a kitten. If we thought a surgery would help to remove the growth and that she’d heal up, we’d do it in a heartbeat…but Dr. Bruce said that since the growing tissue surrounds the trachea, it’s a very risky bet to try to remove it. And we’re not putting Meerclar through a high-risk surgery. So if it turns out to be the tumor instead of an infection, we’ll love her, and walk her over the Bridge before it grows large enough to cut off her breathing. I refuse to let my babies suffer. If it’s an infection we can fight with medications, we’ll do so—unless her quality of life deteriorates rapidly.
So…I guess…when I really look at it, the only mistake I’ve made isn’t really a mistake. I’ve loved them so much that the loss has hit me like a ton of bricks. They are my babies. And it’s been three times—potentially four, if what we think is true about Meerclar’s condition—as bad because it’s all happened in such a short period.
Our vet told us this is common among households who have multiple pets around the same age. I guess we’ve been running a nursing home for our babies the past few years but never thought of it that way…they never look like they’re getting older (at least, our gurlz didn’t except for Tara and she was getting a grizzled look at the end). They don’t ‘act’ that much older. And age is so much a state of mind until the body decides otherwise.
So my nightmare helped to force me to face me fears about being out of control, about whether I did as much as I could to help my babies. And I’m breathing easier. Still teary-eyed, but finally realizing that this is just the cycle of life, being played out in our home, and that natural or not—it hurts like hell and my emotions are bruised. I'm only human. And, I feel very fragile right now and drained--there's nothing left to help anybody but my family at this point. So that's it--work and me and my family...that's where my energy is going for a good long time.
I’ll let you all know when the vet calls with the diagnosis. In my heart, I’m thinking…I couldn’t lock that carrier door in my dream.
Yasmine
I just woke up from a nightmare, about an hour ago. I will probably end up going back to sleep, but needed to write this out. For the first time since getting the news yesterday that Meerclar is ill, I am breathing from my gut, instead of shallowly.
In the dream, I was trying to save my gurlz—my rainbow bridge kitties. Luna and Keeter and Tara were there, as well as Meerclar. We were in this huge building, with a lot of other people, and Samwise was there. I was headed for the elevator to go upstairs to somebody’s apartment, and Samwise was behind me but he was walking slower because of his cane. Somehow, we got separated and I realized it and managed to push my way through a crowded elevator and off. I went back to this lobby, which was spacious, but furnished with that living-room lobby furniture that you see in office buildings. Sofas and coffee tables that manage to look bland and uninviting. There was a jumble of stuff that looked like it didn’t belong.
Samwise was sitting on the floor with Meerclar. And Meerclar, who was rolling around on the rug, had changed back into her Russian Blue self from her first life with me. I mentioned it to Samwise, saying, “She sometimes does that.” We were petting her, when I looked up and realized all of our Rainbow Bridge gurlz were there and loose, and people were leaving the front door open. Keeter and Tara ran out.
I started to shout, trying to get people’s attention so they’d catch the others for me, but everybody ignored me. I grabbed Meerclar and shoved her into the one kitty carrier I could see and shut the door, but I couldn't tell if I'd locked it. Then I raced over after Luna, who was playing in the next room.
In the room, there was a table with a huge aquarium on it, and in the aquarium were several giant constrictors. A boa, a python, and a strange and beautiful blue snake that looked like something out of a Chinese watercolor painting.
Luna was trying to find out what they were and somehow—I’m not sure how—as I raced over to her, the aquarium got knocked over and the snakes were free and coiling all around my baby. I screamed and rushed in, trying to get her out before they took hold of her, and it was then that I saw these poisonous jumping spiders all over—they’d been in the tank with the snakes.
I was petrified—I’m arachnophobic and it really comes out in my dreams—and yet, I started to reach out, trying to rescue Luna. As the spiders started jumping on me, I began to scream for help, shouting “Help me, help me!” over and over again.
And that’s when Samwise woke me up. Woke up screaming, in a cold sweat, crying so hard I could barely breathe.
But the nightmare did something for me. It brought up all the anger and fear and feelings of being out of control of a situation, and shoved my face in it. You see, I’m a control freak, and when I feel like a situation is out of my control, I tend to panic. I also blame myself for not being able to change the inevitable—like so many people—even though I know logically that things aren’t always mine to “fix.”
The shock over losing three of my senior kitties in six months has taken a toll on me, and I guess I’ve been carrying a buttload of guilt and repressed pain, because that dream yanked it out of my core and rubbed my nose in it, forcing me to look at the fact that I can’t always win the race, I can’t always save the ones I love, and that sometimes—despite my best intentions—I can’t be superwoman.
The first thing I thought when I heard about Meerclar’s condition yesterday was “What the hell am I doing wrong?” As in: what did I do/not do; give them/not give them; decide/not decide that could have changed the outcome.
And the answer is: nothing.
Keeter had chronic renal failure and was 18 years old. She lived a good two years after her diagnosis, in comfort until the very last day, and loved. But it’s a terminal condition and there’s no going back.
Luna…we had no clue Luna was ill. Cat’s hide it, and we only caught the surface liver condition because we took her in for her annual just like we should. If we’d been slow, another week and she would have died from the liver cysts. The underlying cancer didn’t present until after surgery. If I’d known about the cancer, we would have had her put down instead of having surgery. But the fact is, the surgery would have saved her life if there hadn’t been an underlying case of pancreatic cancer. And now, Luna is back with us as Brighid…while I mourn the loss of her existence in her other form, I am grateful she chose to come back. And she was 15 when she died…she’s now young and vibrant again.
And Tara? Nothing quite so dramatic, but at 21, she was well over 100 in human years and just getting tired and wearing out. I can’t stop the hands of time.
And now we come to Meerclar…she’s had her regular exams, we did an X-ray last fall during her exam, and the condition didn’t present then…so while it’s been building in her system, it’s just blossomed out. And if it’s a tumor, there’s no way any surgery in the world will help at this point. She’s going on 16…she’s not a kitten. If we thought a surgery would help to remove the growth and that she’d heal up, we’d do it in a heartbeat…but Dr. Bruce said that since the growing tissue surrounds the trachea, it’s a very risky bet to try to remove it. And we’re not putting Meerclar through a high-risk surgery. So if it turns out to be the tumor instead of an infection, we’ll love her, and walk her over the Bridge before it grows large enough to cut off her breathing. I refuse to let my babies suffer. If it’s an infection we can fight with medications, we’ll do so—unless her quality of life deteriorates rapidly.
So…I guess…when I really look at it, the only mistake I’ve made isn’t really a mistake. I’ve loved them so much that the loss has hit me like a ton of bricks. They are my babies. And it’s been three times—potentially four, if what we think is true about Meerclar’s condition—as bad because it’s all happened in such a short period.
Our vet told us this is common among households who have multiple pets around the same age. I guess we’ve been running a nursing home for our babies the past few years but never thought of it that way…they never look like they’re getting older (at least, our gurlz didn’t except for Tara and she was getting a grizzled look at the end). They don’t ‘act’ that much older. And age is so much a state of mind until the body decides otherwise.
So my nightmare helped to force me to face me fears about being out of control, about whether I did as much as I could to help my babies. And I’m breathing easier. Still teary-eyed, but finally realizing that this is just the cycle of life, being played out in our home, and that natural or not—it hurts like hell and my emotions are bruised. I'm only human. And, I feel very fragile right now and drained--there's nothing left to help anybody but my family at this point. So that's it--work and me and my family...that's where my energy is going for a good long time.
I’ll let you all know when the vet calls with the diagnosis. In my heart, I’m thinking…I couldn’t lock that carrier door in my dream.
Yasmine
2.11.2009
Misc. Thoughts and Another Kitty Worry
Very quick blog here.
First: thank you to everyone who was so supportive about my last post. I really prefer to avoid ranting on my blog, but sometimes, it’s necessary to instill boundaries and hey—if needed, I’ll do it. We got so much support that I’m feeling all cozy again about blogging.
Second: a reminder to DRINK YOUR WATER! I went to have routine bloodwork done yesterday and jeez, well, she stuck me four times and no blood. Now, it’s always hard to get my blood but this included both arms and both WRISTS…yep, she went right into my wrist vein and nada. The reason? I let myself get terribly dehydrated and drank too much caffeine at the same time and well, bingo, was making myself sick, my muscles inflamed, and my veins decided they weren’t going to cooperate. I promised my naturopath that No, I am NOT a vampire, and that Yes, I WILL hydrate myself like I should be doing. Going back in a week or so for another try, and as she said, “Drink like crazy for a couple days before coming.” I’m fairly certain she didn’t mean lattes or booze, so my water bottles are filled and in the fridge and on my desk.
Third: Meerclar is at the vet’s today. We had to drop her off before my chiropractor appointment, and Samwise will pick her up after work. Thought she had a kitty cold but now it’s looking like she may have something serious going on around her lungs/larynx and so we’re waiting to hear the results from the biopsy that he just performed. Of course, I am frantic and already crying. The vet says there is substantial inflammation in the tissue around where the air goes into her lungs, and he took a couple biopsies via an endoscopy, so we'll know more tomorrow. Unfortunately, whatever it is is pretty entrenched, so if it's a tumor, we're going to be facing another horrible choice. I am praying to Bast that it's manageable, if not treatable, but I have to admit, I'm absolutely terrified after losing the other three older gurlz that we're going to be facing another loss so soon.
Got page proofs of Demon Mistress and this time I have two weeks and they’ll be emailed so it’s not quite so frantic a push, so will be working on those after I write for the day…but man, I’ve got some long days ahead for the next couple months.
On the Witchy Chicks, to tease you a little, we’ve got upcoming guest bloggers coming in over the next few months that include: P.C. Cast, Lilith Saintcrow, Stella Cameron, Jeaniene Frost, and other wonderful writers. Luckily, I only had to twist a few arms to get them to say yes. ~grins~ So keep your eyes peeled as the weeks go by.
To answer a quick reader question: If you were stranded on a deserted island, just you and one of your characters, which one would you pick, and why?
I think I’d pick Smoky out of all of them. Besides getting to spend time with the hottest dragon dude around (and I’d make sure we had a couple of cozy nights there at least, gotta take advantage of the hair-thing. I mean, come on, the thought of what he can do with that hair is enough to make me hide the map and send the ship right over to the island!
And then add in the practical factors: he can shift through the Ionyc Seas to get us out of there, he can turn into dragon form, so we could fly around the island and see what was there, he can breathe fire so we could cook our game that we caught and he could easily start a fire to keep warm by, and he’s so protective that I’d feel relatively safe…well, as long as I didn’t make him mad! ~winks~
Remember: the contest for audiobooks in my forums is still open and we need a few more entries there, and the reader chat has been rescheduled for the 15th. Info Here.
Okay, must run for now and write, write, write. And worry about my baby.
Yasmine
First: thank you to everyone who was so supportive about my last post. I really prefer to avoid ranting on my blog, but sometimes, it’s necessary to instill boundaries and hey—if needed, I’ll do it. We got so much support that I’m feeling all cozy again about blogging.
Second: a reminder to DRINK YOUR WATER! I went to have routine bloodwork done yesterday and jeez, well, she stuck me four times and no blood. Now, it’s always hard to get my blood but this included both arms and both WRISTS…yep, she went right into my wrist vein and nada. The reason? I let myself get terribly dehydrated and drank too much caffeine at the same time and well, bingo, was making myself sick, my muscles inflamed, and my veins decided they weren’t going to cooperate. I promised my naturopath that No, I am NOT a vampire, and that Yes, I WILL hydrate myself like I should be doing. Going back in a week or so for another try, and as she said, “Drink like crazy for a couple days before coming.” I’m fairly certain she didn’t mean lattes or booze, so my water bottles are filled and in the fridge and on my desk.
Third: Meerclar is at the vet’s today. We had to drop her off before my chiropractor appointment, and Samwise will pick her up after work. Thought she had a kitty cold but now it’s looking like she may have something serious going on around her lungs/larynx and so we’re waiting to hear the results from the biopsy that he just performed. Of course, I am frantic and already crying. The vet says there is substantial inflammation in the tissue around where the air goes into her lungs, and he took a couple biopsies via an endoscopy, so we'll know more tomorrow. Unfortunately, whatever it is is pretty entrenched, so if it's a tumor, we're going to be facing another horrible choice. I am praying to Bast that it's manageable, if not treatable, but I have to admit, I'm absolutely terrified after losing the other three older gurlz that we're going to be facing another loss so soon.
Got page proofs of Demon Mistress and this time I have two weeks and they’ll be emailed so it’s not quite so frantic a push, so will be working on those after I write for the day…but man, I’ve got some long days ahead for the next couple months.
On the Witchy Chicks, to tease you a little, we’ve got upcoming guest bloggers coming in over the next few months that include: P.C. Cast, Lilith Saintcrow, Stella Cameron, Jeaniene Frost, and other wonderful writers. Luckily, I only had to twist a few arms to get them to say yes. ~grins~ So keep your eyes peeled as the weeks go by.
To answer a quick reader question: If you were stranded on a deserted island, just you and one of your characters, which one would you pick, and why?
I think I’d pick Smoky out of all of them. Besides getting to spend time with the hottest dragon dude around (and I’d make sure we had a couple of cozy nights there at least, gotta take advantage of the hair-thing. I mean, come on, the thought of what he can do with that hair is enough to make me hide the map and send the ship right over to the island!
And then add in the practical factors: he can shift through the Ionyc Seas to get us out of there, he can turn into dragon form, so we could fly around the island and see what was there, he can breathe fire so we could cook our game that we caught and he could easily start a fire to keep warm by, and he’s so protective that I’d feel relatively safe…well, as long as I didn’t make him mad! ~winks~
Remember: the contest for audiobooks in my forums is still open and we need a few more entries there, and the reader chat has been rescheduled for the 15th. Info Here.
Okay, must run for now and write, write, write. And worry about my baby.
Yasmine
2.09.2009
About Sending Me Messages/Email
This blog is in response to a note on MySpace.
Okay folks, listen up, please.
I posted a blog last night, then Sam made me take it down till this morning after I calmed down, and then decide whether to post it again. I knew I was going to, but agreed.
So here it is:
Last night, two specific messages were just brought to my attention in my Inbox here. I usually try to remain very calm and polite no matter what, but this pushed my buttons way too much and sorry, for once I’m not being diplomatic.
You guys know that Samwise answers my fan mail for me on Myspace for me. Bluntly put, I don't have much free time at all anymore, and when I do, I’m so tired, the last thing I want to do is answer email from—well—really—anybody. A lot of my friends’ emails go unanswered and I just call them when I can. But I want my readers to know that I’ve at least heard what they're saying, even if I can’t answer personally.
Both messages last night were in response to answers my husband sent out earlier in the day. One was a nice note saying thank you for answering, and that is very much appreciated and was very gracious and for that, right here, I thank the young man.
The other was a whiny note complaining that Samwise didn't answer her with a long enough email and his answer was wasn't "personal" enough and basically ‘scolded’ him for acting like he didn’t have enough time to spend on my fans.
So listen up, anybody else thinking about writing in this vein. Nobody but nobody abuses my assistant, or my husband for helping me the best they can. Veronica is very part time--I can't afford someone even half-time. I don't make that kind of money. Samwise helps me out of the good of his heart and because he's seen how exhausted I get.
Here's the run down: My husband has a FULL TIME job. He does my Myspace stuff for me AFTER his own work for the day, during time we could be spending together. He does this because I work about 60-70 hours a week on average, writing three books a year, and I'm just too exhausted to get to all of the email, mail from FaceBook, mail from here.
If someone can’t be satisfied with a brief note in return, then don't bother sending a note in the first place.
And if ANYONE chastises my husband for not being more in-depth with his answer to a question when the information is available right on my website if that person would only take a quick look and do a little research, then don't be surprised if I tell him to stop answering any of that type of question altogether.
My job is writing books, his is computer programming--not repeating information easily available.
99% of you are gracious and wonderful in your messages and we try to answer what we can because well…I really do feel like if I can get you some note, I should. BUT if someone is going to be SO RUDE as to scold EITHER my assistant OR my husband for trying to help me out as best they can, then from now on, my policy is that I will delete that person from my friend's list.
Think before you press send--whether it's to me or anybody else. This has been my bugaboo about the net for years--there are people behind those keyboards, with feelings. I wrote this at 11:30 PM on a Sunday night—one of the FIRST days in weeks I haven’t done some sort of work but actually took the day off. The last thing I wanted to do was write a blog like this. It doesn't make me feel good and it's not fun to read.
But frankly, I was too angry to let this one go by. As I said, most of you are great and I really do love hearing from you, even if I can't get back to you personally, or even if Sam has to dash off a three-line answer in return. And I’m not asking for responses here or anything—just laying it on the line: I don't do whiny, and I won't put up with it aimed at my family or friends.
Okay, rant over. And yeah, I know this could cost me a few readers, but I can't put that ahead of standing up for my family. Sometimes you have to draw a line and say "That was just rude and we won't put up with it."
Yasmine
Okay folks, listen up, please.
I posted a blog last night, then Sam made me take it down till this morning after I calmed down, and then decide whether to post it again. I knew I was going to, but agreed.
So here it is:
Last night, two specific messages were just brought to my attention in my Inbox here. I usually try to remain very calm and polite no matter what, but this pushed my buttons way too much and sorry, for once I’m not being diplomatic.
You guys know that Samwise answers my fan mail for me on Myspace for me. Bluntly put, I don't have much free time at all anymore, and when I do, I’m so tired, the last thing I want to do is answer email from—well—really—anybody. A lot of my friends’ emails go unanswered and I just call them when I can. But I want my readers to know that I’ve at least heard what they're saying, even if I can’t answer personally.
Both messages last night were in response to answers my husband sent out earlier in the day. One was a nice note saying thank you for answering, and that is very much appreciated and was very gracious and for that, right here, I thank the young man.
The other was a whiny note complaining that Samwise didn't answer her with a long enough email and his answer was wasn't "personal" enough and basically ‘scolded’ him for acting like he didn’t have enough time to spend on my fans.
So listen up, anybody else thinking about writing in this vein. Nobody but nobody abuses my assistant, or my husband for helping me the best they can. Veronica is very part time--I can't afford someone even half-time. I don't make that kind of money. Samwise helps me out of the good of his heart and because he's seen how exhausted I get.
Here's the run down: My husband has a FULL TIME job. He does my Myspace stuff for me AFTER his own work for the day, during time we could be spending together. He does this because I work about 60-70 hours a week on average, writing three books a year, and I'm just too exhausted to get to all of the email, mail from FaceBook, mail from here.
If someone can’t be satisfied with a brief note in return, then don't bother sending a note in the first place.
And if ANYONE chastises my husband for not being more in-depth with his answer to a question when the information is available right on my website if that person would only take a quick look and do a little research, then don't be surprised if I tell him to stop answering any of that type of question altogether.
My job is writing books, his is computer programming--not repeating information easily available.
99% of you are gracious and wonderful in your messages and we try to answer what we can because well…I really do feel like if I can get you some note, I should. BUT if someone is going to be SO RUDE as to scold EITHER my assistant OR my husband for trying to help me out as best they can, then from now on, my policy is that I will delete that person from my friend's list.
Think before you press send--whether it's to me or anybody else. This has been my bugaboo about the net for years--there are people behind those keyboards, with feelings. I wrote this at 11:30 PM on a Sunday night—one of the FIRST days in weeks I haven’t done some sort of work but actually took the day off. The last thing I wanted to do was write a blog like this. It doesn't make me feel good and it's not fun to read.
But frankly, I was too angry to let this one go by. As I said, most of you are great and I really do love hearing from you, even if I can't get back to you personally, or even if Sam has to dash off a three-line answer in return. And I’m not asking for responses here or anything—just laying it on the line: I don't do whiny, and I won't put up with it aimed at my family or friends.
Okay, rant over. And yeah, I know this could cost me a few readers, but I can't put that ahead of standing up for my family. Sometimes you have to draw a line and say "That was just rude and we won't put up with it."
Yasmine
2.07.2009
Important Note About Chat & Audiobook Contest
The chat scheduled for the 8th will be moved to the 15th due to yours truly forgetting about an important thing like an old friend coming in from out of town for that day. Out of state, even.
Sigh, so the chat WILL BE ON: February 15th, 6 PM Pacific time, the chatroom on my forums.
The audiobook contest will be extended until 9PM on the 15th, to give more people the chance to enter.Sorry folks. My bad. *bangs head on desk*
Yasmine
Sigh, so the chat WILL BE ON: February 15th, 6 PM Pacific time, the chatroom on my forums.
The audiobook contest will be extended until 9PM on the 15th, to give more people the chance to enter.Sorry folks. My bad. *bangs head on desk*
Yasmine
2.06.2009
Demon Mistress Video
In the spirit of all the low-budget black & white old horror flicks, I present my Demon Mistress video. Just call me Edwina Wood. ~grins~
Yasmine
Yasmine
2.05.2009
Following the Trail of Crumbs...
Working on Night Myst. Making good progress and getting immersed in the book, but am at a point where I need to decide whether to continue the scene I just started or delete a couple pages of work and come at it from a different angle. Much easier when you catch potential potholes early like this. Much easier to delete a page or two than ten or twenty. Or two hundred, as I’ve done before.
If this were a Sisters book, I wouldn’t have this problem, but when you’re starting a new world, everything is foreign, it’s like going to another country and trying to learn the language as you go along and hope you don’t mess anything up. And now and then you find you’ve taken a wrong turn and you’re staring at a pile of fresh fish on the docks instead of finding yourself at the community picnic.
Now, sometimes the fresh fish seem perfect, so you skip the picnic and stick with the trout. But today, I’m thinking that the trout are a little boring and I think the picnic is a gourmet feast, so it’s time to head back to the last place we recognize and pick up the trail of breadcrumbs again and try to find that picnic.
Okay, off to follow the crumbs to find my lunch and then rework the scene before it gets out of hand and I lose focus.
Yasmine
If this were a Sisters book, I wouldn’t have this problem, but when you’re starting a new world, everything is foreign, it’s like going to another country and trying to learn the language as you go along and hope you don’t mess anything up. And now and then you find you’ve taken a wrong turn and you’re staring at a pile of fresh fish on the docks instead of finding yourself at the community picnic.
Now, sometimes the fresh fish seem perfect, so you skip the picnic and stick with the trout. But today, I’m thinking that the trout are a little boring and I think the picnic is a gourmet feast, so it’s time to head back to the last place we recognize and pick up the trail of breadcrumbs again and try to find that picnic.
Okay, off to follow the crumbs to find my lunch and then rework the scene before it gets out of hand and I lose focus.
Yasmine
2.04.2009
Someday May Never Come
Crossposted from the Witchy Chicks:
On December 17th, 1993, I was recuperating from pneumonia when I made the mistake of eating some popcorn. I coughed, inhaled a kernel, and couldn't breathe. My husband was at work and I was home alone.
Within seconds, everything started going fuzzy as I tried to cough up the kernel. Somehow, I managed to stand up and the moment I did, I promptly fainted. Luckily, when I hit the floor the popcorn dislodged and I started breathing again. A few minutes later, I regained consciousness.
I was okay, I hadn’t suffered any permanent damage. The only thing different about me was that within the last five minutes, I’d almost died. And that fact changed my life forever.
I sat at my desk, petrified. It wasn’t the concept of dying that frightened me; I’d made my peace with the knowledge of my mortality years before. No, I realized that if I’d have died, the one regret I would have—besides missing my wonderful new husband more than I ever wanted to imagine—would be that I hadn’t published a book yet. It was this experience that strengthened my determination and created a crossroads in my writing. No matter how many rejections I received, I knew I had to persevere.
I used to say, “Someday, when I publish a book—” but the truth of the matter is that someday almost never came. Someday might never come. That night, the night I almost joined my ancestors, was the turning point that led me to realize this simple fact: if I wanted to make it as a writer, I had to develop professional writing habits and self-discipline.
Now, unless you’ve experienced a near-death event, or unless you’ve seen somebody snatched away from life in the blink of a few seconds, then I don’t expect you to understand just how quickly this thing we call ‘life’ can be snuffed out. When you go through an experience like this, however, it changes your perception. You never look at your life the same way again, and you learn not to take it for granted, not to waste time without making a conscious decision to do so—you learn to live deliberately.
And so I began to live deliberately. I became flexible in my writing. I wrote everyday. I submitted. I studied the markets. After awhile, when I was still banging my head against the wall with my fiction (I had seven novels in the closet) so I took a break and turned to nonfiction. I remembered all the guided meditations I had written over the years for various metaphysical groups in the area.
At the time, I also taught magic (shamanistic eclectic magic), and people kept asking me when I was going to write a book about the subject. So I did the research on publishers, and dashed off a letter to them, asking if they'd be interested in a book of guided meditations for the pagan seasonal holidays.
Here’s where it gets sticky and I do not recommend this. I was lucky.
You see, I lied and told them I had a manuscript already written. This was before email was commonplace, it was before the ‘internet’ gained strength for the private sector, and I thought I’d have time to write the book while they made up their mind whether they wanted to see it. I didn’t expect an answer for weeks—after all, my experience with my fiction was that it took months to hear from the publishers.
Well, I beat the odds; the next week, there was a letter in the mailbox requesting a look at my manuscript.
Panic time? Oh, yeah, trust me, I was terrified. But I was also hungry to get published. Fortunately, I realized what an opportunity this was and decided to meet the challenge. I wrote twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for two weeks and then dropped them a note, telling them I had just gotten back from vacation and that my printer was in the shop. I said as soon as it got back, I’d send them the manuscript. Another lie? Yes, but I wanted this—I wanted the chance bad enough to fib for it.
Then I wrote for another four weeks, nonstop, revising the chapters after I finished writing for the day. Samwise took over the housework for me, and I grazed my way through the refrigerator instead of cooking.
My back hurt and my tendonitis made my arms ache; I had eye strain, missed weeks worth of social events and TV shows, but by the gods, I wasn’t about to let this opportunity disappear. I knew my subject, my writing was tight, and I had a good feeling about the book. In December of 1995—almost two years to the day after I almost died and six weeks after I received the letter requesting the manuscript—I mailed off the manuscript and waited.
This time, the answer was slower in coming—they were converting to a new computer system, there were questions about my little word processor disks matching theirs (I hadn’t quite graduated to a full-scale computer yet; the times were hard and money lean). But the publisher loved it and finally sent me my first book contract in April 1996. I cried for an hour! I sat in the car, hugging the contract to my breast, crying because this was the culmination of a life-long dream. Finally, I was going to see a book in print! And it was a real publisher who wanted my words, who was going to pay me for writing.
I had manifested my dream, albeit in a different manner than I ever thought it would come about. But that manifestation, the achievement of my goal, would never have happened if I had slacked off, been unwilling to do the work, decided I wanted to party instead of knuckle down to what is, essentially, an isolated existence.
If I hadn’t worked on developing self-discipline from that day so long ago when I almost died, I would never have had the gumption to manifest any of the wonderful events that have happened throughout my career and life in the past thirteen years.
Now, I’ve got twenty-one books on the shelves—eight nonfiction and thirteen novels. I’m now a bestselling author, I’ve hit the extended New York Times list, I’ve got one very successful series and another I’m just starting.
I’ve got a long list of goals for my career, and I’m sure they’ll come in their time. Because I’ve done more than just stumbled into luck. I’ve worked my butt off for it, I’ve developed the discipline and desire to work hard. I’ve tossed out the notion of getting lucky and instead, adopted two very useful credos for myself:
The harder I work, the luckier I get and How you spend your time is how you spend your life.
Someday may never come, people. All you really have now is this moment. Sometimes you need to play, sometimes you need to work. Just make sure you aren’t wasting away the days without really paying attention to what you want. Life won’t hand you a silver platter so get out there and throw yourself into the fray—make your goals come true instead of waiting for them to come to you. Don’t give up.
Because while I cannot guarantee success, I can guarantee that if you quit—at whatever it is you love to do—you will fail.
Yasmine
On December 17th, 1993, I was recuperating from pneumonia when I made the mistake of eating some popcorn. I coughed, inhaled a kernel, and couldn't breathe. My husband was at work and I was home alone.
Within seconds, everything started going fuzzy as I tried to cough up the kernel. Somehow, I managed to stand up and the moment I did, I promptly fainted. Luckily, when I hit the floor the popcorn dislodged and I started breathing again. A few minutes later, I regained consciousness.
I was okay, I hadn’t suffered any permanent damage. The only thing different about me was that within the last five minutes, I’d almost died. And that fact changed my life forever.
I sat at my desk, petrified. It wasn’t the concept of dying that frightened me; I’d made my peace with the knowledge of my mortality years before. No, I realized that if I’d have died, the one regret I would have—besides missing my wonderful new husband more than I ever wanted to imagine—would be that I hadn’t published a book yet. It was this experience that strengthened my determination and created a crossroads in my writing. No matter how many rejections I received, I knew I had to persevere.
I used to say, “Someday, when I publish a book—” but the truth of the matter is that someday almost never came. Someday might never come. That night, the night I almost joined my ancestors, was the turning point that led me to realize this simple fact: if I wanted to make it as a writer, I had to develop professional writing habits and self-discipline.
Now, unless you’ve experienced a near-death event, or unless you’ve seen somebody snatched away from life in the blink of a few seconds, then I don’t expect you to understand just how quickly this thing we call ‘life’ can be snuffed out. When you go through an experience like this, however, it changes your perception. You never look at your life the same way again, and you learn not to take it for granted, not to waste time without making a conscious decision to do so—you learn to live deliberately.
And so I began to live deliberately. I became flexible in my writing. I wrote everyday. I submitted. I studied the markets. After awhile, when I was still banging my head against the wall with my fiction (I had seven novels in the closet) so I took a break and turned to nonfiction. I remembered all the guided meditations I had written over the years for various metaphysical groups in the area.
At the time, I also taught magic (shamanistic eclectic magic), and people kept asking me when I was going to write a book about the subject. So I did the research on publishers, and dashed off a letter to them, asking if they'd be interested in a book of guided meditations for the pagan seasonal holidays.
Here’s where it gets sticky and I do not recommend this. I was lucky.
You see, I lied and told them I had a manuscript already written. This was before email was commonplace, it was before the ‘internet’ gained strength for the private sector, and I thought I’d have time to write the book while they made up their mind whether they wanted to see it. I didn’t expect an answer for weeks—after all, my experience with my fiction was that it took months to hear from the publishers.
Well, I beat the odds; the next week, there was a letter in the mailbox requesting a look at my manuscript.
Panic time? Oh, yeah, trust me, I was terrified. But I was also hungry to get published. Fortunately, I realized what an opportunity this was and decided to meet the challenge. I wrote twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for two weeks and then dropped them a note, telling them I had just gotten back from vacation and that my printer was in the shop. I said as soon as it got back, I’d send them the manuscript. Another lie? Yes, but I wanted this—I wanted the chance bad enough to fib for it.
Then I wrote for another four weeks, nonstop, revising the chapters after I finished writing for the day. Samwise took over the housework for me, and I grazed my way through the refrigerator instead of cooking.
My back hurt and my tendonitis made my arms ache; I had eye strain, missed weeks worth of social events and TV shows, but by the gods, I wasn’t about to let this opportunity disappear. I knew my subject, my writing was tight, and I had a good feeling about the book. In December of 1995—almost two years to the day after I almost died and six weeks after I received the letter requesting the manuscript—I mailed off the manuscript and waited.
This time, the answer was slower in coming—they were converting to a new computer system, there were questions about my little word processor disks matching theirs (I hadn’t quite graduated to a full-scale computer yet; the times were hard and money lean). But the publisher loved it and finally sent me my first book contract in April 1996. I cried for an hour! I sat in the car, hugging the contract to my breast, crying because this was the culmination of a life-long dream. Finally, I was going to see a book in print! And it was a real publisher who wanted my words, who was going to pay me for writing.
I had manifested my dream, albeit in a different manner than I ever thought it would come about. But that manifestation, the achievement of my goal, would never have happened if I had slacked off, been unwilling to do the work, decided I wanted to party instead of knuckle down to what is, essentially, an isolated existence.
If I hadn’t worked on developing self-discipline from that day so long ago when I almost died, I would never have had the gumption to manifest any of the wonderful events that have happened throughout my career and life in the past thirteen years.
Now, I’ve got twenty-one books on the shelves—eight nonfiction and thirteen novels. I’m now a bestselling author, I’ve hit the extended New York Times list, I’ve got one very successful series and another I’m just starting.
I’ve got a long list of goals for my career, and I’m sure they’ll come in their time. Because I’ve done more than just stumbled into luck. I’ve worked my butt off for it, I’ve developed the discipline and desire to work hard. I’ve tossed out the notion of getting lucky and instead, adopted two very useful credos for myself:
The harder I work, the luckier I get and How you spend your time is how you spend your life.
Someday may never come, people. All you really have now is this moment. Sometimes you need to play, sometimes you need to work. Just make sure you aren’t wasting away the days without really paying attention to what you want. Life won’t hand you a silver platter so get out there and throw yourself into the fray—make your goals come true instead of waiting for them to come to you. Don’t give up.
Because while I cannot guarantee success, I can guarantee that if you quit—at whatever it is you love to do—you will fail.
Yasmine
2.02.2009
Cats, Contests, & Wishful Inventions
Okay, quick blog today, then another on Wednesday when I’m also blogging at the Witchy Chicks.
Happy Imbolc to my pagan friends! I’m not sure just what I’m going to do for it today, but I want to celebrate in some manner, even if it’s just small.
Next: don’t forget that I’m holding a contest in my forums the weekend of February 7-8—one winner will receive a copy of the audiobook of Witchling, and one will receive a copy of the audiobook of Changeling! Just look for the contest thread in the forums starting Friday night (the 6th). There must be ten entries for anyone to win, with only one entry per person. I’m also holding a reader chat in there on February 8th at 6 PM Pacific time, so if you’d like a chance to chat with me, come on in.
I woke up this morning to find a Calypso butt on my head. She was sort of propped up on me, trying to wake me up so I would pet her. Of course, I obliged. Kitteh-butt on the head is an occupational hazard when you have cats in the house. In the course of a night I get walked on, sat on, draped on, my face licked, my feet chased, and I end up half off the bed because the cats know that I will move for them. Samwise won’t, not after he’s in bed, but I do—I wake up with my feet hanging off the bed, with my knees scrunched up so they can sleep on the bottom of my side. Apparently I am very accommodating in my sleep to Their Majesties’ Royal Wishes. ~laughing~ But it’s worth it.
Speaking of kittens, we’ve had a breakthrough. As you can see in these pictures, Meerclar has somewhat accepted them. I don't think she was thrilled about it, but the other night we watched as Meerclar let Calypso crawl into the kitty bed with her and snuggle up. She even groomed her head a few licks, and they did fall asleep together until Brighid disturbed their slumber. LOL
Calypso seems to be breaking down Meerclar's wall—and I would like to see it. A little earlier that night, Meerclar was watching Caly and Brighid in the chair that she and Keeter used to snuggle in, and she just looked...sad. Maybe that pushed her to let Caly in a bit. The other pic is of Caly and Brighid helping me on my desk. Oh yeah...big help. *grins*
Yasmine
Happy Imbolc to my pagan friends! I’m not sure just what I’m going to do for it today, but I want to celebrate in some manner, even if it’s just small.
Next: don’t forget that I’m holding a contest in my forums the weekend of February 7-8—one winner will receive a copy of the audiobook of Witchling, and one will receive a copy of the audiobook of Changeling! Just look for the contest thread in the forums starting Friday night (the 6th). There must be ten entries for anyone to win, with only one entry per person. I’m also holding a reader chat in there on February 8th at 6 PM Pacific time, so if you’d like a chance to chat with me, come on in.
I woke up this morning to find a Calypso butt on my head. She was sort of propped up on me, trying to wake me up so I would pet her. Of course, I obliged. Kitteh-butt on the head is an occupational hazard when you have cats in the house. In the course of a night I get walked on, sat on, draped on, my face licked, my feet chased, and I end up half off the bed because the cats know that I will move for them. Samwise won’t, not after he’s in bed, but I do—I wake up with my feet hanging off the bed, with my knees scrunched up so they can sleep on the bottom of my side. Apparently I am very accommodating in my sleep to Their Majesties’ Royal Wishes. ~laughing~ But it’s worth it.
Speaking of kittens, we’ve had a breakthrough. As you can see in these pictures, Meerclar has somewhat accepted them. I don't think she was thrilled about it, but the other night we watched as Meerclar let Calypso crawl into the kitty bed with her and snuggle up. She even groomed her head a few licks, and they did fall asleep together until Brighid disturbed their slumber. LOL
Calypso seems to be breaking down Meerclar's wall—and I would like to see it. A little earlier that night, Meerclar was watching Caly and Brighid in the chair that she and Keeter used to snuggle in, and she just looked...sad. Maybe that pushed her to let Caly in a bit. The other pic is of Caly and Brighid helping me on my desk. Oh yeah...big help. *grins*
Sadly, I’ve had to shut them out of my office for a bit. Calypso’s in a tear-it up phase and before I can let them back in, I need to kitten-proof my office some more. Especially my scanner. And adding machine. And paper. And books. And…you get the picture. Without my Tara, it’s way too quiet here.
Working full steam now on Night Myst and loving it. Thinking you guys will love it too. Dark, edgy, but my usual style.
Okay, running off for now to get some stuff done. Remember, you have until tonight at midnight to shoot an email to CAT ADAMS (see previous blog post) to enter her contest.
Let me leave you with this question, just to stimulate some thought. You can invent any machine to make life easier and better—for you or for everyone. Now this isn’t a world peace type of question, this is a quality-of-life question. So what would your invention be?
For me, I think it would be the actual working model of that gadget Dr. McCoy had on Star Trek: TOS. The one that he ran over your body and it healed up whatever was wrong. It also diagnosed what was going on. I’d love to have an instant-fix-the-body machine! So what’s your idea?
Working full steam now on Night Myst and loving it. Thinking you guys will love it too. Dark, edgy, but my usual style.
Okay, running off for now to get some stuff done. Remember, you have until tonight at midnight to shoot an email to CAT ADAMS (see previous blog post) to enter her contest.
Let me leave you with this question, just to stimulate some thought. You can invent any machine to make life easier and better—for you or for everyone. Now this isn’t a world peace type of question, this is a quality-of-life question. So what would your invention be?
For me, I think it would be the actual working model of that gadget Dr. McCoy had on Star Trek: TOS. The one that he ran over your body and it healed up whatever was wrong. It also diagnosed what was going on. I’d love to have an instant-fix-the-body machine! So what’s your idea?
Yasmine
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