Jodi the Author

It seems many times that I reach that point when it’s time to stop working on my writing. After all, I could easily sit on the couch and read books other writers have published. There are many waiting for me. Multiple problems arise with this. I would be giving up on the characters who have set up residence in my brain, and the worlds I’ve been privileged to visit would remain unknown to anyone else.

I guess what I’m really saying is that I want to share the characters, worlds and stories waiting to escape the confines of my brain. Unlike Yellow Glow, a character in my book, “Not Too Late Forever”, known as a Luminarie, who travels out of body to distant locations when there is need, the others want to live and work in a real world. These real worlds bear similarities to the one where I live, yet they have their own peculiarities.

Therefore, despite the fact that I continue to get rejection after rejection, I will stop only when I am no longer able to put my fingers to the keyboard. I would dearly love to share my worlds with you. Someday I hope that will become a reality. In the meantime, I will climb Mt. H’Olenberg, swim in the oceans of whatever planet I visit and fly in any vehicle available, sentient or not. I will do this by myself, or with a few friends, until an agent, editor or publisher determines it’s good enough to be shared with the world.

For now I’ll return to the edit of “Not Too Late Forever” or dive back into the writing of “Misty’s Magical Shed”.

Keep the coffee flowing.

Respectfully submitted,

Jodi

We’ve made it through the horrendous year of 2017. It’s really hard to understand many of the things that happened with our country.

I was called fragile and a snowflake, because I would not give in to condescending meanness. I enjoy a good discussion, and a person does not have to agree with me, however I, as does everyone, have a right to my opinion. This is not the first time I’ve dealt with this. It’s just been a while. Well, I guess if I stand up for myself, then I have proven something. I may come across as a bit fragile, but I guarantee you I am not. Actually the negative was a bit fun, because I proved to myself that I could hold my own with out reciprocating in kind.

This year could prove to be much more than ever anticipated. When negative is thrown into the mix and not returned in kind, it proves the strength of our position. More women are standing up and defending their rights. These movements will continue to grow. I sincerely hope that I will be in the midst of these incredible women, adding to what this country is truly about.

For those who would rather be mean and negative, get ready, we will no longer bow low. To those sincere and eager to grow this wonderful country of ours, even if I disagree with you, let’s talk and add to the conversation. I’m ready, are you?

Keep the coffee flowing.

Respectfully submitted,

Jodi

I wrapped up NaNoWriMo 2016 with just over an hour to spare. I’m happy with what I have to work with now. I believe it’s a good story for book 4 in my Naldo series. I ended with at least two extra friends. They will be the protagonists for book 5 in the series. One of the things that helps me with my writing are the conversations I have with my characters. When I get stuck, either not know how to continue or how to describe something, I turn to them. Many times I find the conversation goes into the story with very few change. Usually these changes are in the pronouns and matching verbs.

I took a break from 50k word count and took the challenge of a story of 15k words. I will submit this to the Writers Digest Short Short Story contest.

Now I go back to work on book 2 in the series and “Misty’s Magical Shed. I like variety in my writing and my characters.

“Ah Pearl, this time we are going to do more than scare. It’s time to take our existence back.” Swirl patted her friend’s smooth frontal lobe.

“Even better.” The spider rubbed the tips of two front legs together. “How do we begin?”

“First, we must find out what their plans are and how many of them fight against us.” Swirl motioned for the spider to follow as she turned to the side wall. “Oh yes. I will need this.” She gathered a vile with dark viscous liquid and continued her movement to the shiny reflective surface of the wall at the far end of the table.

“But you need someone inside, for this to work.”

“Yes. And I have someone in mind. Cyandre is small enough and won’t even be noticed.”

“My daughter?”

Before Swirl could answer a small replica of Pearl floated from above to land on Pearl’s back.

“Yes?” A squeak of a voice chimed in. “Can I be of assistance?” The small arachnid closed the book she’d been reading and folded the tiny spectacles that had rested over her eyes. A slender thread left from her descent, glistened bright purple.

“Come to Mama.” From the midsection of her body Pearl held out two of her longest arms., the tips also glowed purple. She gathered her baby close and turned her bulging eyes to Swirl. “I’m not sure she can handle it.”

“Yes I can. Yes I can.” Cyandre’s voice took on a disconcerting maturity. Strong and deep, but still she could not keep the squeak from it. “Tell me how.” She pushed glasses with multi-prism lenses back over her beady eyes.

“Very well. Do you remember the fire fountain?” asked Swirl.

“Oh yes.” The squeak returned and betrayed excitement. “Um. Yes. I mean of course.”

Swirl laughed. “I’m sure you will do very well. Now, let’s work out a plan to get you into their good graces.” Swirl took her hand and dipped it into the dark liquid, then smeared it against the wall. The surface glowed through forming a mirror-like image. The forms and figures of Finny and his cohorts took shape.

Now, to get on with the plan, she thought. To begin with, I need to strengthen powers I already have. With the container of web cradled in her right arm, Swirl made her way through cold stone hallways that twisted and turned deep into the center of her prison fortress. At the end, a solid wooden door stretched from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. In the center, a long brass chain dangled from a gargoyle’s mouth. Carved into the surface, creatures, human, amphibian and other reached to her, pleading. Swirl grabbed a massive link and jerked. The door swung in to another hallway that grew increasingly smaller and smaller until another door, barely as tall as she, added another blockade. A soft tap of her left thumb and it opened to her laboratory. A sizzle wrapped around for identification, stretched to the ceiling, then settled gently to her shoulders when the spell she kept in place recognized her.

A protection spell locked the one refuge they hadn’t been able to take. This and everything in her power kept it under her control. On a high bench, several beakers overflowed with vapor. Two large crystal containers glowed, one crimson and one yellow. Popping sparkles ran over the top of a third and sizzled when they touched leaving more marks on the already scarred surface of the table. A sweet floral fragrance filled the air from the candles in the wall sconces.

Swirl coughed and forced herself to draw in slow steady breaths, but that did little good, so she picked up the beaker and threw it against the wall. Chunks of light disintegrated, and dark flooded in. “Now calm down, she said. Hatred burned deep, but uncontrolled it would do her no good. It’s time… Pointing at the wall where the beaker had shattered, she twisted her fingers around, from palm down to palm up. The shards of glass gathered and reformed into the original container. Right hand extended, she aimed and a stream of popping light flowed out to refill it. Illumination grew. Brighter than before, it hurt eyes that had grown used to the dark. Swirl sighed. Pain calmed anger that twisted in her belly.

Memory triggered another plan. Swirl chuckled. Something she’d used in the past to rob Finny of a good night’s sleep would help now. With the cup returned to its place on the table, Swirl held out both hands. “Come to me, sweetness,” she called with a voice as silken as the thread produced by this friend. She used the pointer finger on her right hand to add a gesture to her request. With her left, she tapped out a rhythm on the table. The tune she longed to sing wouldn’t come out of her mouth, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy it until… “Ha ha.” Again, she laughed and stared into the depths of the ceiling above.

A solid form descended and a graceful shadow grew on the wall.

Swirl fought to contain her glee. If she moved too fast, her friend would retreat back to her lair. It would take much longer to coax her out, time Swirl didn’t have.

The shadow grew and grew, until in full form, a massive green spider, with limbs twice as long as Swirl’s fingers, settled on the furthest corner of the table from the popping light. Fur covered, one leg reached to touch Swirl’s left hand. “It’s been a long while since you’ve needed my assistance,” said a silky feminine voice.  “Who are we going to terrify now?” Devious enjoyment caressed the words.