My BUZZ GUEST today is RUDY KEMPPAINEN, CEO-PUBLISHER at KEMPNET SYNDICATIONS.

Rudy has had a fruitful forty-year writing career. Twenty-six of those years have been spent in the newspaper business. Rudy is a correspondent for the “Eagle-Scribe” weekly that is run out of Augusta, Illinois.  And as busy as he is, he still managed to write and publish thirteen books! His latest book is called The Talking Christmas Tree: Christmas Eve Adventure with Austin McFir.

When we discussed Rudy being interviewed for ‘FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY!’, he said, “being on the receiving end of the table will be a nice change for me. I am usually the questioner.” Having said that, here is Rudy’s interview complete with an actual encounter with a ghost! Uh huh…that’s what I said--a ghost!  Check it out:
 
“Normal Questions”

1. What drew you to writing? 
   

 
I started out pretty young. I was inspired by a high school English teacher to pursue it. My parents didn’t really approve of that choice. They were always telling me to get a “real job”. Of course, after I received my first advance check from a publisher that was more money than either of them had seen in one lump, they pretty much shut up about it. ~grins~ I started out as a not so invisible ghost for business books, working with Prentice-Hall. I did a practice management book for dentists, a handbook for hospital administrators, and then a business guide for funeral directors. That was how I got my start.
 
I moved over to John Wiley & Sons after that. I wrote a book for them on “Power Consulting: Using the Media to Expand Your Business.”Gradually, though, I became disenchanted with major book publishers and began dreaming of starting my own publishing house.
 
Commercial book publishing and books created by that route tend to be a cumbersome process. Everyone knows that old cliché about a camel being a horse created by a committee. That’s what commercial publishers, at least the bigger ones, are like. They look at your stuff and say, “We like it, but we’d like you to change this and this.”
 
You do what they ask, the project goes to the next level of management, and you hear, “We love it, but we’d like you to change this and this and this. By the time, you get done with all of this, you look at it—and it bears no resemblance to the original concept which you started on. You wonder, “What the Hell am I working on here?” I got sick of that idea and began to dream about starting my own publishing company. That was a dream that took nearly thirty years to ultimately achieve.
 
That’s what I achieved in starting Kempnet Syndications. We had our kick-off on June 1, 2016.
 
2. How long did it take you to create your first book?
 
The practice management book for dentists was actually a second effort. I worked with a controversial dentist who was nearly persona non-grata within his profession because he had medical research which showed that teeth could actually heal themselves. He based his practice model on that—and I wrote the national book on that basis. That took me about six months.
 
3. How long did it take you to create the last?
 
My fastest turn-around time now is sometimes a week or less. I am pretty prolific by most standards. My latest, “The Talking Christmas Tree”, was something that I put together from memory from the first short story that I wrote back in 1968. I was only sixteen at the time. I changed and embellished from the original. It’s a short story, as far as length goes. But it’s pretty appropriate for the holiday theme, which is what I was trying to achieve.
 
4. Do you prefer creating short stories, or novels?
 
In fiction, I tend to prefer the longer works. Novels give you greater flexibility in terms of description, developing character motivations, packing surprises. You name it and novels have it all over short stories, at least in my opinion.
 
5. Where do you write? 
 
I have an office at home where much of my work is done. Standard tabletop computer is my usual venue. But I also keep a tablet handy. I will set my butt in my recliner, put my feet up, and have one of those little lap desks that I set my tablet on. I look like the laziest son of a b**** on the planet when I do that. But I don’t appear busy, even when I am. I lock out the world around me mentally when I am truly in the zone, a fact which bugs the Hell out of my wife. But that, again, is another story.
 
I can work virtually anywhere without a problem. I have journalism colleagues here who tease me, whenever they see me with my tablet out, that I must be writing one of my “smutty romances” during breaks. They actually aren’t smutty, though, which probably disappoints them. They were probably hoping for something which they could get their one-handed pleasures on.
 
6. Are there any genres you prefer?
 
I do a lot of reading these days in the romance genre, mainly because I am open to learning new nuances in the craft. I am actually surprised by the level of description that is acceptable these days. Scenes like that used to be relegated to the back rooms of adult book stores back when I was younger. Even in the 1970’s, they weren’t as open about sexuality as they are today. I wrote a few of those kinds of books back in the day, the books that people hid under their pillows out of a sense of prudishness. I don’t go that far with my romances. It isn’t a case of sex for the sake of sex. In my Alexander Longshaft books, yes, there’s sex. But that comes as a result of the natural evolution of a relationship. I try to build a sense of commitment in my characters before I let them engage in the “wild thing.”For most people, I think that comes across as more realistic. I doubt that women generally, or guys either, for that matter, get off on the Part A goes into Part B logistic. They want it to be a consummation of sorts, whether or not they have become legally married at that point. That’s what I try to build into my books.
 
7. I see you have a cookbook for sale it looks interesting.  Are those really your grandmother’s recipes?
 
Nearly all of them are, yes. But, back in her day, they didn’t have things like slow cookers or things which made life easy. Believe it or not, I learned how to cook on a wood burning range very much like the one pictured on the book cover. I place a heavy emphasis on the preciseness of the cooking art. I also try to show readers how to make their own judgments regarding how to create a final product to suit their own tastes. Cooking and baking are actually as much art as it is science. Some original recipes will tell you to add this or that to it. If my experience says that this isn’t necessary, I will tell my readers exactly that.
 
I remember being the only boy to compete in cooking and baking projects in my county’s 4-H show. It turned out that I ended up beating all the girls, in the opinions of the judges. One of them was a master baker who was regionally famous for his work. He offered me an apprenticeship in his business—and was thinking of turning over his business to me when I was done with high school. My parents were excited about that, but I wasn’t. You should have heard the grumbling from them when I turned the guy down. They thought I had done something truly shameful in saying no. But, even at that time, I had my eyes on a different line of lifetime work, that of being a writer. I fought with them—and I won!!I’ve always been a bull-headed a**hole when it came to what I wanted to achieve.
 
I always viewed cooking and baking as a hobby for me, not a profession. That doesn’t mean that I don’t take it seriously. But I like my creativity to stick around for a while. Food turns into poop in 48 hours or less. There’s simply no posterity there to be had.
 
As a side note here, my grandmother didn’t always turn out the “perfect dish”, even with her efforts. In those cases, she would dismiss it with her favourite line, “Well, it’s good enough for what it turns into.”LOL!Most people would have considered even those efforts as being quite edible. But she was a perfectionist to the extreme, a fact that made my own mother disdainful of cooking and baking. She never liked the striving for perfection.
 
 
8. What kind of books do you enjoy reading? 
 
I’ve had a lifelong penchant for medical novels, in particular. But I haven’t found any truly good ones lately—or I would be reading them. But I do like romance novels, especially if there’s a nice “happily ever after” conclusion to them.
 
9. Do you have a favorite author(s)? 
 
I would have to cite two in particular, Robin Cook, who authored “Coma”, and James Michener. My favourite book of his was “Final Diagnosis.”I don’t remember all of the details anymore about that one, except for one scene. The hospital had a serious stomach virus spreading through the patients. They decided to test fecal samples to find out what was happening.
 
The lab director told the staff that they would be reviewing over 400 samples. Then he asked the staff for questions. One of the staffers piped up and said, “That’s a lot of shit.”
 
I got a good laugh out of that one—and probably that gives you an idea as to my rather strange sense of humor. But that’s an entirely different story.But I thought it would be illustrative of me as a person.
 
I personally prefer authors who set up a surprise, even a small scene that is unexpected. With that in mind, I think I try to emulate that preference in my own work. My readers seem to enjoy that as well.

 
“Not-so-normal Questions”
1. If you could invite any 5 people (i.e. cartoon character; famous person; rock band; poet; artist; living or dead) for a meal together, who would they be?
 
I think that mine would be something of an eclectic mix. They would probably be Tennessee Ernie Ford, Leonardo Da Vinci, Norman Rockwell, Johnny Cash, and maybe John F. Kennedy. Okay, so I’m a complicated dude. Just goes with the territory.
 
2. You have an imaginary friend that only you can see.  What does he look like? 
 
I will run with this one. Knowing me, that friend would definitely be a she, not a he. I tend to identify with women much better than with men. Of course, with my temperament, I would prefer that she be a curvy specimen. I like to know that I’m talking to a woman without asking them to drop their pants. LOL!Hopefully, she’s also a reasonably good conversationalist. Eventually, even with delicious curves, she would become boring. Of course, considering that I am already 64 years old, I’m not as drawn to the erotic fantasies as I used to be in my prime.
 
3. Would you rather encounter an alien or a ghost?
 
I would have to say that a ghost would be my preference. Ghosts were, after all, human at one time or another. I’ve actually seen one, many years ago. Turns out that she was a very tortured soul, based on what I sensed. Later, I learned more about her and found out that she was a murder victim in the area. She would turn up from time to time, based on reports, and would briefly visit the house where she was killed, then move on. I haven’t heard any more reports about her in over ten years. Maybe she finally found her peace. I was probably about twenty feet away from her and tried to talk to her. But all that I ever heard were these sad moans—and nothing more—coming after midnight on an otherwise deserted street. It was just the two of us out there, but I never felt threatened. I think she appreciated that I accepted her as she was.
 

Thank you, Rudy, for being today’s BUZZ GUEST! I really enjoyed your answers and our chat time setting up for this interview.And I think your lady ghost did appreciate your compassion for her situation. Awesome stuff.

 YOU CAN FIND RUDY AT:
Facebook -> www.facebook.com/kempnetsyndications
Twitter -> @rudykemppainen 
Amazon as Rudy Kemppainen -> https://www.amazon.com/author/rudykemppainen
Amazon as Alexander Longshaft -> https://www.amazon.com/author/alexanderlongshaft

 BUZZ GUESTS are always featured on my PINTEREST BOARD -> BUZZ GUESTS ON "FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS--OH MY!" BLOG.

 RUDY'S OTHER CREATIONS:

My BUZZ GUESTS today are MORPHEUS, INC.!

When we last talked to Morpheus, Inc. (May 20th, 2016 blog) they had finished writing a novel called THE VIVID DREAMER.

Morpheus, Inc., has branched out once again and written a screenplay called SAGE OF NEXUS POINT.

The talented writers at Morpheus, Inc., have taken some time to answer a few normal and not-so-normal questions for us: 

1. What is your screenplay about?

Science Fiction/ Fantasy: Sage of Nexus Point follows four sets of ordinary people as they struggle with challenges that are starting to crush them. The trials they face include reconnecting with relationships, fighting with personal identity versus religion, finding the good within oneself, and battling what is right with what is expected. The realness of their struggles is offset by the action and irreverence of both The Key and The Sage.

2. Are there any characters you are fond of?

We love the Sage and the Key, and David is particularly special to us as well.

3. You've written a novel.  What made you decide to change venues and write a screenplay?

We really are diverse in our writing styles and interests.  Some stories just seem better suited for one media form over another and we are always looking to explore and play with our writing.

4. Was the screenplay a collaboration as the novel was?

It was.  The four of us who wrote The Vivid Dreamer took part in this project as well.

5. What is your next project? 

We are currently working with Neo Tomes Publishing on some of their Make Your Fate novel projects.  Kurt has co-written one of the I Will Faithfully Execute novels and Sean, Jason, Suzanne, and Kurt have collaborated on a Make Your Fate novel entitled The Road Less Traveled: A Half-Elf’s Journeys (working title)

Also, since last we spoke, Kurt Wagner won the writing contest for the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park and has his short story “Cutter’s Blood” published in their first annual journal Hemingway Shorts.

NOT-SO-NORMAL QUESTION SPOT:

1. You're dressed to attend a Cosplay event.  What are you wearing? 
Kurt – Either Deadpool or Harley Quinn.  Gotta love the crazy butt-kickers.  Suzanne – Katniss Everdeen.  Badass feminist archer set out to save the world.  Jason – Nathan Drake. He’s a handsome, charismatic adventurer…basically an idealized version of me.

2. You just bought a spaceship.  What did you name it? 
Kurt – Odysseus.  Love an adventurer who encounters new places, overcomes tremendous obstacles and still can figure out how to get back home.  Suzanne – Light Years Away.  That’s how far I want to go.   Jason – Infinite Potential.  Unlimited possibilities to explore.

3. You have an imaginary friend that only you can see.  What does he look like? 
Kurt – I already have several and they are currently fighting to be described in this interview.  So, thank you very much, Kay.  You’ve caused a lot of drama in my imagination.  Suzanne – a floating blob of energy that could transform into anything it felt like.  I can’t control my imagination’s desires and its preferred color is neon yellow.  Jason – Someone who is slightly less attractive and slightly less physically capable.  This way I have a constant boost to my own self-esteem.

4. If you had wings what would they look like?  Fairy or Angel?  What color and size? 
Kurt – They would be black and more demonic and bat-like.  They are tougher and better in a fight situation.  Plus, I don’t have to worry about molting.  Suzanne – Orange, but not bright orange.  More like a rust color.  They would be angel wings, but more hawk-shaped.  They would have to be twice my height because…physics.  Jason – Angelic, muscular and silvery.  Very flashy because I want to show them off.

5. Would you rather encounter an alien or a ghost? 

Kurt – Ghost.  If ghosts exist, it means that the world to the supernatural is open and I can start accessing the magic and powers of the universe.  Suzanne – Alien because then I could sweet talk it into taking me back to its planet so I could learn from it and write about it. Jason – Alien because it has future technology that I could take for myself.


Thank you, Morpheus Inc., for being today’s BUZZ GUEST!  Awesome answers!  Sorry about causing a fight between your imaginary friends Kurt.  Lol.  And congrats on winning your award! J

Suzanne, Sean, Jason and Kurt, I’m looking forward to hearing about your future projects with Neo Tomes Publishing and their Make Your Fate novels.  It all sounds very exciting! 

You can find MORPHEUS, INC., at:
Twitter: @MorpheusWriters, @Neotomes
Instagram: @MorpheusWriters
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorpheusWriters/
 
LET'S GENERATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors Artists Poets if you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! Please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/
 
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 Summer Wandering in the town of Sparta
Would you like one ghost or two with your tea? 
If your answer is two . . . then come to ‘The Sparta House Tearoom & Restaurant’.

On first glance it looks like ‘The Sparta House’ has its own TARDIS.  Seeing that old fashioned red phone booth made me think of ‘Dr. Who’ right away.  But no.  It’s just a phone booth.  But don’t be disappointed because ‘The Sparta House’ does have other delights. 

Like . . .

They also serve a delectable shepherd’s pie with your choice of salad (Caesar for me).  And while you’re waiting for your meal you can have a look at the tea pots on display (350 at last count).  Here are some I managed to snap a picture of before our meal was ready

Gee that one tea pot on the right looks a little familiar . . . hmmm . . .

It’s Miss Piggy!  Wow, there are even tea pots of famous people here! 

But what was that about a ghost?  Or two? 

Yes, apparently ‘The Sparta House’ has two ghosts living under it’s roof.  When Ken and Norma Roberts moved into their tea house/home they noticed some strange things happening.  Heavy objects inexplicably moved.  Doors locking shut and opening—by themselves.  Sightings of a woman dressed in gray at the top of the stairs.  So they called in the ‘Rescue Mediums’.  If you want to watch the show here is the link.

We didn’t see any ghosts but we did sit at the table near the window that one ghost reportedly likes to look out from.  And our meal was awesome! 

My ever patient friend letting me snap yet another picture of her. 

Sparta is a romantic sort of town.  It has an assortment of shops under the title ‘The Village Collective’.  And they are fun to wander around in. 

One of the places I love to visit is ‘Shelley McVittie’s Gallery & Heritage Line Herbs’.  Shelley is herself an artist who supports other artists.  When you enter the store you are immediately struck by the variety of art, jewelry, books, home crafts and herbs Shelley has on display.  And they are all from artists and crafters from around the area.   

 I purchased a couple of crystals from her store.  They came from Kate Vanner who refers to herself as ‘The Witch Down the Road’.  I’ve met Kate and found her to be a lovely person. 
Here are the crystals I purchased with Kate’s card in between them. 

 Here are a few other stores in the area. 

The ‘Anything Used’ store and the sign on the far right gives directions to ‘Rush Creek Wines’ which I’ve also visited and enjoyed. 

 The Bear Friend Factory at ‘Whistle Stop Peddler’s’. 

And what’s a bear factory with out a bear? 

If you’re still thinking about those ghosts at ‘The Sparta House’ you may be interested in the ‘Guided Sparta Spirit Walks’. 

 Here is a link with more information: 

Wandering at The Six Nations – Grand River Pow Wow

It was an extremely hot day but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Even though my clothing was stuck to my skin from sweating so much, I decided to ‘embrace the wet’.  Why?  Because I believe that ‘thoughts are things’ and I was determined to make sure that my energy and attention was focused on ‘having a good time’.  Plus, I reminded myself that my shower that night would feel extra good. 

I had only been to one Pow Wow before this one.  That was last year—and I loved it.  There is a part of the Pow Wow when everyone is invited to dance.  I danced and did my best to keep to the beat.  What was really awesome was when we would pass by the drummers and chanters.  I swear I could feel the spiritual power flowing through my body.  I found myself smiling for no reason.  That was last year. 

This year we did not come at the right time to dance but it was still awesome seeing the First Nations people in all of their regalia.  Here are some pics. 

Then we wandered to all of the various tents. 

I found an amazing dream catcher to hang over my writing chair.  It was made by Darlene Nolan of the ‘Gemah Street Merchants’.  This is her husband Michael holding it up for me. 
He tucked this little explanation in the bag with my dream catcher.  

Here is my friend Sandra and Charlie Fife of ‘Charlie’s Trading Post’.  I bought a small black medicine bag from Charlie that had a wolf talon on it. 

During my stay in Mount Bridges I had the chance to participate in a type of energy work called ‘Sonic Bliss’.  I’ll talk about my experience in a later blog called ‘Spiritual Energy Work I Did’.  It was this experience that made me realize that I wanted to explore the effects of music during meditation. 

So I bought . . . 

 From . . .

In case you’re interested in adding some music to your prayer or meditation time, here is the company I bought my CD from . . .

Then we happened upon a unique artist, Jay Soule, who has created a whole line of clothing, stickers, digital prints, skateboards, original paintings and Indigenous Movie Monster series.  His company name is CHIPPEWAR. 

 Here is Jay holding up a piece of his artwork. 

This is that same artwork on a t-shirt. 

I bought this one . . .

She just really appealed to the fantasy writer in me. 

 Wandering at the Home County Fair in London, Ontario. 

Much like the Sunfest (last blog) there were rows of treats and foods to enjoy. 
The Home County Fair also had tents of clothing, accessories, bath items, garden statues and jewelers. 

Fairy doors for your garden. 

Natural Soaps that smelled awesome and some very creative names. 

 This one was my favorite.  Yes, I’m a fan of ‘Orange is the New Black’.

We found this little fella hard at work keeping the fair grounds safe.    

So many fun statues for your garden. 

Then we ran across a musical duo that we just had to stop for. 

That is a Celtic Harp people! 

And the percussionist, Robert McMaster, who accompanies her has found some GENIUS ways to make tinkling sounds.  Those are car keys attached to a spinning plate.  The sound is fantastic!    

My friend, Sandra, getting Reflexology done.  Sandra’s other tattoo of the butterfly faded almost the same day so she got the one you see here on her arm at the Home County Fair. 

While she did that I wandered around to the different tents and found a woman selling gemstones. 

In this pic she is putting the wire on a couple of amethyst stones I had picked out.  Love the Dread Locks.  They look so good on her!  And such a charming person. 

This was her card. 

After that we wandered some more and found this fellow selling Eco Lamps. 

And these for your lawn . . .
 

Interesting golden lamps and a few funky skeleton lamps behind them. 

We ran into another soap maker who also put a different spin on her soap names. 

I bought the Tart one and it was lovely. 

At that point I decided that my dragon henna tattoo needed a companion and so I got a salamander henna tattoo to keep him company. 

I realized later that I had picked two fire elements and I’m an air sign!

Wandering at Lake Huron

A day or so later we went to the beach on Lake Huron.  The water levels were high this year so the normal amount of sand was smaller than usual.  But it was still a beautiful day. 

The seagulls kept us company.  You could tell they were used to people because they kept walking by us at a nonchalant pace.  One of them kept sneaking closer and closer.  I think he was hoping we had food he could snatch-and-grab.  We did not.  When he realized we didn’t have anything for him I swear he gave us a dirty look before walking away.      

Those are my toes.  I’m standing on the area where the waves crash to the shore.  The water was really warm.  If you look hard you can see my purple toenail polish. 

Well that's it for now.  Hope you enjoyed the sites and the uniquely gifted artists and crafters as much as I did.  Feel free to share your vacation stories in the comments below. 

Kay Latour :)

LET'S GENERATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors, Artists, and Poets.  If you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/

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Summertime Wandering

Some people go on vacations.  Some people go on staycations.  I prefer to wander.  Not completely wander without a destination in mind, or a place to lay my head at night.  But I do enjoy unwinding in a sort of mixed pattern of wander-for-a-bit, rest-for-a-bit.  And lucky me, I have a trusted friend (Sandra) and a lovely mother (Mary Lou) who like to do the same thing. 
 
Wandering with Mum

My visits with mum consist of a bit of duty-visiting with my relatives from back home, a visit to Stratford Shakespeare Festival to see some plays (awesome!), and me trying to keep up with my very in shape and healthy mother. 

I’m not kidding about my mother.  A bunch of years ago, I’m thinking maybe fifteen, my mother took up Tai Chi.  She loved it and did so well she decided to share her knowledge.  She started out with just a few people at first.  Fast forward to now.  Her students are leading their own classes and Tai Chi has spread and grown in her little town improving the health and well being of everyone. 

But that’s not all she does.  Three years ago she started up with a very excellent Fitness Trainer.  Again dedication has paid off.  She has the strength and gait of a twenty-year-old. 

Me?  Not so much. 

The reason?  Excuses and time constraints.  Yep.  That about sums it up.  I’m not going to detail all of the excuses or time constraints for you.  Mine are just like everyone else’s.  It wouldn’t take much imagination to figure them out. 

But.

I noticed something this year.  My kids are older.  I actually have time once again.  So with all the determination of a new year’s resolution before the fall, I have decided to pick up weight training once again.  I did it when I was young before the kids . . . so . . .yeah . . . I know what I’m doing.  At least I’m pretty sure I do.    

Anyway here are some pics of Stratford, a place I absolutely love and home of the famous Stratford Shakespeare Festival and Avon Theatre.  You’ll also see some signs that I thought were interesting.  As a writer I’m always interested in names and signs.  Some people put a lot of thought into them.   

We saw two plays:  As You Like it (Festival Theatre); and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Avon Theatre). 

'AS YOU LIKE IT' at the Festival Theatre
I couldn’t get you any pictures of the actors as it is frowned upon to take pictures during a performance but I did snap an awesome picture of the Stratford Festival’s famous THRUST STAGE. 

And to think the first season of Stratford Festival, in 1953, was performed UNDER A TENT!   

It was Tyrone Guthrie’s idea to build a THRUST stage with the intent of recreating the actor-audience closeness of Shakespeare’s time.

Even before I decided to become a writer I have always loved stories.  In any media whether it be through books, poems, movies, art, or plays.  The first time I went to Stratford was when I was eight years old.  I was hooked immediately!  There is something special about live theatre. 

This year’s production of ‘As You Like It’ did not disappoint.  It always amazes me how each year they strive to put a fresh take on each play and it’s always good.  For this show ‘As You Like It’ was set in 1980’s Newfoundland with lively music, dance and audience participation.  It was a delight!

Stratford Shakespeare Festival

Front entrance and balcony above. 

Amazing gardens

‘THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE’ at the Avon Theatre. 

Again, I could not take pictures during the performance but I did snap a few pics before and during intermission.

As before, live theatre did not disappoint.  I was pulled in immediately and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. 

History Bit:  The Avon Theatre used to be a vaudeville theatre many years ago!

The Avon Theatre. 

After the plays . . . we wandered.

Me at the Theatre store.  I did not get the mask.  Where would I wear it?  But I did get a few t-shirts.

One for my husband and one for me.  That is the t-shirt and an accompanying booklet telling you which play each symbol comes from.  I didn’t have to get the booklet but I found it very cute and I loved her explanations so I got it anyway.  

Follow @stratfest and share your selfie!  This sign was on the mirror in the Theatre store.  What a good idea!

The geese and swans on the Avon river.  A regular thing in Stratford.  They actually bring the swans in for the winter and take care of them.  Swans can live up to 20 or 30 years. 

In the spring the Swans are released to Lake Victoria and the Avon River.  The actual release is a town event called “March of the Swans”.  People line up on either side of the street to watch the Swans as they waddle down the road.  Directly behind them a group of bagpipe players follow pumping out a mighty sound that is both regal and captivating.  TOTALLY WORTH THE WATCH!

Now that we’re all smiling . . . here are a few more pics and then we move on to more wandering.

Yep, I was ‘thatclose’ to this guy.  He seemed to take it all in stride.  I really think he posed for me here.  He actually waited for me to finish taking his picture before he moved.

Genius name!  See what I mean about signs? 

Another beauty.  Any person who willing and confidently advertises to rid your pet of skunk spray or fleas can be trusted with all else.  Enough said.

Minstrels of all kinds can be found outside any one of the four theatres in Stratford. 

Stratford even has it’s own mini ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ in front of the Avon Theatre.  It’s not as large as ‘Canada’s Walk of Fame’ in Toronto but it’s still fun to see. 

Remember Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Star Wars trilogy?  Yep, that’s him. 
Not only was he in the Festival’s first play he also spoke the first lines of the first play produced in Stratford, Shakespeare’s Richard III.

Or better known as any one of the following:  Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek; T. J. Hooker; the “Big Giant Head” in 3rd Rock from the Sun; Denny Crane from Boston Legal.  And a host of other roles too numerous to list. 

Wandering with Mum and Sandra at the Sunfest

I love to go to fairs.  There is so much going on.  Food vendors.  Tents full of merchandise.  Live bands playing on and off all day.  Sunshine.  Warm breezes.  People to watch.  Dogs to pet. 

My mum accompanied my friend Sandra and I to the Sunfest in London, Ontario (that’s in Canada for my American friends).  I was in heaven.  We wandered for at least four hours.  As I’ve said before my definition of wandering is:  walk a bit; rest a bit; walk a bit; eat and drink something; walk a bit; rest a bit.  It’s a pattern I would recommend to anyone.  You don’t get too tired.  You see everything.  And you enjoy the day.

 Yummy treats and savory foods.

Accessories.

My mum.  I told you she’s IN shape.  It’s all that Tai Chi and weight training.  Don’t let that skinny looking figure fool you.  She’s as strong as an ox.  The woman can do 60 pound reps.

Tents of clothing were everywhere.  Also in this picture:  the back of my friend Sandra.  She always dresses well.  And you can see her owl yin yang tattoo peeking out from under the lace of her top. 
I took hundreds of pics.  Too many to put up here.  So I’ve selected a few to show the variety of merchandise.

Very cool, handcrafted wind instruments.

 Hand carved masks

Owls statues carved out of wood.  Just love them.  The owl is one of my spirit animals and my friend Sandra’s too.

 More fantastic carvings.

Sandra looked at this ‘Tree of Life’ carving and fell in love with it.  She called me over to take a picture of it.  Then when I was snapping pics of other items she said, “I’m going to get it.”  And she did.  It now hangs on the wall of her bedroom above the head of her bed.    
 
And then we happened upon a tent that appealed to the fantasy writer in me--The Fairies Pyjamas! 

What stopped me in my tracks was this manikin all dressed up in her woodland garb.

How cool is that?  Checkout the furry ears and the headband jewelry.  Since I love anything to do with fantasy (fairies, witches, elves, etc.) I HAD to go in.

The woman who runs ‘The Fairies Pyjamas’ was a delight.  She was dressed in full on fairy garb.

She was such a good sport letting me snap picture after picture. 
Then my friend got in on the act and started trying on clothing.  I got the two of them to pose for me. 

Don't they look awesome!  We had such a blast. 
This lovely lady kept bring things out for my friend to try on.  One of the items that we both really loved were the hooded cloaks. 

Sandra is modeling it here. 

The Fairies Pyjamas is an online store with associate stores in different cities who carry their clothing.  If you don’t have a store in your area that carries these gems you can order and purchase your items online at http://www.thefairiespyjamas.com/
Clothing options are for men, women, fairies, pixies, elves and wizards.  Sizes range from XS to XL and some plus sizes up to 4X.  Awesome stuff for fun, cosplay or everyday.

Contact info:  Just in case any of you want to get your fairy fix on.  :) 
 
We saw Henna Tattoo tents everywhere.  So we had to indulge.

 Sandra got a butterfly because she resonates with them.  

I got a dragon.  I was looking at a fairy pic but when I saw the dragon it really pulled me in. 

I also picked up some sage so that I could learn how to smudge.  I was lucky to find a vendor who creates his smudge sticks in the old fashioned way—with prayers. 

I chose the one wrapped in purple string because it appealed to me.  My friend reminded me that purple is the color of the Crown Chakra.  It represents spiritual fulfillment, creativity, awareness and wisdom.
Spirit Earth Holistics Inc., actually sell natural products and he just happened to have some sage there as well as their shampoos, lotions, salves, bath salts and deodorants.  My friend loves their deodorants as they don’t leave a burn or irritation mark on her skin as regular store bought deodorants do.  I’ve tried their bath salts and they are just heaven to soak in. 

Well, that's about it for this blog.  I will have more summer wanderings in my next blog.  Hope y'all had an awesome summer and did some wandering of your own. 

Until next time,
Kay Latour :)

LET'S GENERATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors, Artists, and Poets.  If you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/
 
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 You may remember Sandra from my Mothers Day Blog when she shared about the matriarchs in her family and the spiritual impact they had on her life.  Today she is sharing about her experience of having grown up on a Hereford farm. 

 This is the farm Sandra grew up on. 

HEREFORD FARM
 
Growing up on a farm had its trials and tribulations along with some great times and wonderful experiences. I was almost nine when we moved here from the city. The best move my parents could have ever made.
 
My father was a high school teacher. Teaching welding, plumbing and auto mechanics. That was his full time job. Ha! The farm was his full time job as well.
 
Approximately 70 of the 115 acres was rented out as cash crops. The rest was bush, pasture for our 40 head of Hereford cattle (along with a few horses), and a play land for us. Oh the stories I could tell.
 
So I will start with this one. Speaking of cows, we always had a bull around. For the most part it was never an issue being around them.  However, one day I was in amongst the herd (wearing a red shirt) when I realized our bull was charging at me. So, I started running.
 
As fast as I could towards the barb wire fence. Four strands across made up the fence and I dove, face down, between the second and third strands. As I was going through them I managed to turn so I was face up. Tore my jeans in the process. (Barely a scratch on me). Whew!
 
And that bull stopped dead in his tracks as soon as he saw the fence. He must have had an experience with barb wire before. Lol. Not sure what triggered the chase.
 
It does put me in mind of another story where Dad was scratching one on his back. Dad stopped and the bull got ornery. He was alright as long as you were scratching but don’t you dare stop. Maybe he was the same bull that chased me.

Lorne MacLean, Sandra’s dad scratching said bull. 
 
ANGUS
 
One of my favourite parts of the farm was when the cows calved. They were so cute when they were first born. So clean. The white was so bright. And they were sooo shiny.
 
One memory of a particular calf comes to mind. He was born in the back pasture. He was the first of twins. Twins! His mother however left him to birth his sister at the front of the pasture (which was a fair distance away) then never bothered going back for him.
 
My dad tried bringing him to his Mom but she disowned the poor little fellow. She wouldn’t have anything to do with him. So having another cow who lost her calf as an option for him, Dad tried to get her to take him. That didn’t work either.
 
What now? Well feed him ourselves. Feed him we did. A special formulas mixed in a 1.5 litre pop bottle and this gigantic black nipple on the end. It was the most fun thing ever.
 
We usually fed him in our garage. Mom would come to watch and because he drank so much she named him Angus after our Grandfather. Because my Grandfather loved to drink.
 
Angus was like a pet dog. Although I don’t recall trying to teach him any tricks. Boy he was fun. Fun is a theme here. But the fun does have to come to an end.
 
Each year we put a steer in our freezer. Our local abattoir always took care of this for us. This particular year that steer was to be Angus. Sob…How were we going to eat Angus?
 
My Dad decided he better take two steers to the abattoir this year. This way we would not know which one we were eating. I am sure we would think about it each time we ate beef. It was so long ago that I don’t remember.
 
Definitely some lessons learnt. Some, hard ones to swallow. Literally. And no, I am not vegan now. This will most inevitably offend those who are. I love hamburger and doubt I will ever give it up.
 
Unless there comes a time I can’t get it from a local abattoir and have to purchase it from a store. There is definitely a difference in taste along with smell when it’s cooking.
 
So until such time I will continue to enjoy my hamburger. And give thanks…

 Angus and Sandra’s sister Luann.

I am extra lucky today because Sandra’s father has agreed to share a few little tales from his Facebook page about the farm.  Lorne is a retired ‘cattle raiser’ and retired ‘instructor’ (high school teacher but Lorne prefers the title ‘instructor’ so I will defer to his wishesJ).    
Thank you for sharing Lorne MacLean! 
 
Lorne’s Post #1: 
(To) Melissa: People talk about a lot of work on the farm. What about a little work on the farm? One summer, your Aunt Kimberly came to stay with us for 2 weeks. The four of them got bored one day. So I invented (no I didn't) a game called “cut down the Burdocks” . . . a thick, tall weed which grows in the pasture. I gave them round nosed spades to spear the weed & hatchets to cut at ground level. After a few minutes of trying, Aunt Kim asked to be put on a Greyhound bus going West.
Sandra’s reply -> Kim ended up with sun/heat stroke. I don’t blame her for wanting to go home. – Sandra.
 
Lorne’s Post #2: 
A farm is a store house of reproductivity because of the intensity of the drive to procreate by the animals found there. Example # 1: To watch a 3-foot-tall billy goat fall off the back of a 5-foot-tall Hereford cow is the height of hilarity. Those goats were in the pasture with the girls and were constantly trying to mount them no matter their short legs. Example # 2: In the barn, running loose, were cats & rabbits. It was a miniature rodeo watching those buck rabbits ride the female cats. If successful, the cross breeding would have been indescribable!
 
Lorne’s Post #3:
I rented pasture to a man who owned brood mares. He came one day to check on his horses. When he left, the gate was improperly latched. Down the lane & down the road go 3 ponies, 2 donkeys, 2 goats & a couple of yearling heifers. I'm not at home! Shirl is in a quandary (befuddle). What does she do? Eventually, she calls the radio station in London which it encouraged people to do, no matter the problem. Bill Brady answers the phone. Shirl worked with him at the Windsor Daily Star in the 1960's. Shirl is now on the air! When she finished rhyming off the list of her "menagerie”, he began to sing "The 12 days of Christmas". You know, "partridge, turtle doves, French hens, etc." Look up the word "menagerie"......"a collection of WILD animals kept in captivity for exhibition". Anyway, she starts getting phone calls. "I saw them going down my road". "I saw them turning the corner of . . . & . . . ".  Eventually, a caller said the words that she wanted to hear. "I have them! I put them in a corral for the night". In the morning, with ropes & 3 kids I get to the farm. I tie one pony to one corner of the back of the truck & a heifer to the other. With the kids encouraging everybody from behind, we gingerly made our way home.
 
Thank you Sandra and Lorne MacLean for sharing with us today.  Love the bull that wanted his back scratched.  LOL! 

You can find Sandra at:
Facebook Page – Awakening Healing Hearts
https://www.facebook.com/Awakening-Healing-Hearts-359265950940076/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/SandraAwh44
Website coming soon :)

LET'S GENERATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors, Artists, and Poets.  If you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/
 
#herefordfarm #hereford #farm #herefordshire #lovemyfarmlife #farmlife #poetry #reiki #chakradance #amreadingfantasy #books #bookworm #AmWriting #novels #urbanfantasy #fantasy #amreading #FWPub #WitchonParole #paranormal #scifi #magic

My BUZZ GUEST today is author Lesley Wilson. 

 Lesley’s book ‘ORIC AND THE ALCHEMIST’S KEY’ is AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW on Amazon, Kobo and Barnes & Noble!

PAPERBACK: 

 E-BOOK

 Lesley has taken the time to share a bit about her self (check out paragraph four-seriously though!): 

Lesley Wilson was born in North Yorkshire, UK and educated at St Martin’s preparatory School Grimsby, Lincolnshire, Mill Hill School, Middlesbrough, and Pickering’s Commercial College, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. She completed a course in Journalism with the London School of Writing, and has been an active member of a writers’ group in Australia.

In 1957, she met a young man on holiday in Italy. A whirlwind courtship followed before he joined the British Army. Fifteen months and hundreds of letters later, Lesley, aged seventeen, boarded a troop ship bound for Singapore, where she married the love of her life. She worked as a fashion model in Singapore for two years before returning to the UK. A three year posting to Germany with her husband followed.

Returned to the UK after her husband left the army, Lesly worked as Girl Friday for a well-known racing driver/motor dealer. She underwent training in London at Helena Rubinstein’s London Salon, and worked thereafter as a consultant for five years. Her other careers have included ownership of a sauna and health studio, and market research, which involved many miles of driving throughout N. Yorkshire in all kinds of weather.

In 1982 she migrated to Australia with her husband and small son. She ran a craft shop for several years in which she manufactured all the items for sale. During this time, she was also a volunteer in a Maritime Museum. Hunting wrecks off the coast of North Queensland became an absorbing a hobby, and she helped to rescue an ancient, decommissioned lighthouse for the city in which she lives.

Today she is retired and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. She is also a member of an active quilting group who involve themselves in charitable endeavors from time to time. She reads and reviews books for other authors but writing is her major passion. When she isn’t glued to the computer keyboard she loves to travel, entertain friends, and work in her large garden in N. Queensland.

Wow!  Hunting wrecks off the coast of North Queensland!  That must have been totally exciting! 
 
Lesley has also shared with us the blurb for ‘ORIC AND THE ALCHEMIST’S KEY’:

Orphaned boy, Oric, believes an inherited key will bring him great wealth. But he’s been warned of great danger should the key fall into wrong hands.  

Evil moneylender Esica Figg determines to steal the key from Oric, even if it means killing the boy in the process.

Ichtheus the apothecary and kitchen maid Dian team up with Oric to help solve the mystery behind Deveril’s key. They experience many adventures, some hilarious, some life threatening. The trio is helped, but more often hindered by comical wolfhound Parzifal, and a donkey named Braccus.

Mystery, action, a wolfhound and a donkey to boot!  Awesome! 


I sent Lesley some normal and ‘not so normal’ questions and she very kindly answered them:

1.  What drew you to writing? 
-> A little figure of an apothecary that I made on an armature was the catalyst. 
2.  How long did it take you to create your first book? 
-> Six months then years to get it published. 
3.  How long did it take you to create the last? 
-> Working on book two at present--hope to have it published by October 2016. 
4.  Do you prefer creating short stories, or novels? 
-> Novels
5.  What kind of books do you enjoy reading? 
-> A wide range. 
6.  Do you have a favorite author(s)? 
-> Anya Seton, Sara Harrison, Rumer Godden, Rosamunde Pilcher, Janet Evanovich, Dan Brown, Noel Barbour and so many more. 
7.  Where is your favorite place to read? 
-> Bed
8.  Where do you write? 
-> My office overlooking the garden. 
9.  A wicked old witch has turned you into a frog.  What are you going to do with your days? 
-> Sit on a lily pad and write. 
10.  When you were a child, what did you always want to be when you grew up? 
-> Haven't grown up yet!
11.  What inspires you? 
-> People, places. 
12.  Would you rather have the ability to fly or to transport instantly? 
-> To transport instantly if I was in a hurry, but to fly would be nice as well. 
13.  Who is your favorite Superhero? 
-> Captain Cook. 

Thanks Lesley, I loved your answers! 
 
You can find Lesley Wilson at:
Facebook -> Lesley Wilson's Oric 
Twitter -> https://twitter.com/OmlaLesley
 
Thank you Lesley for sharing with us today and being a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY!  I don’t know about you guys, but I want to squeeze a few stories out of Leslie about her Maritime adventures from when she was hunting old wrecks.    

LET'S GENERATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors, Artists, and Poets.  If you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/
 
#mystery #alchemist #action #adventure #action&adventure #amreadingfantasy #urbanfantasy #fantasy #amreading #books #bookworm #novels #novel #series #bookseries #MG #MGLit #YA #YALitChat #KidLitChat #SCBWI #dragons #mages #magic #fae #witches #ghosts #FWPub #WitchonParole #paranormal #AmWriting #alternateworlds #bookdragon

My BUZZ GUEST today is author Wendy Hobbs. 

Wendy’s debut novel ‘Claudia Quash:  The Spell of Pencliff’ is AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW on Amazon, iBooks, Audible, iTunes, Kobo and Barnes and Noble! 
 
Wendy has very kindly taken the time to talk to us about her journey and inspiration:    
I gave up my legal career as a property lawyer to follow my dream of becoming a children's fantasy author. My debut novel, Claudia Quash: The Spell of Pencliff has received 31 amazing 5* reviews on Amazon and by bloggers. I drew inspiration for the story from my daughter (also called Claudia) and Tenby's (Pencliff) award-winning beaches, the Tudor Merchant's House, St Catherine's Island (St Agatha's Island) and The Ghost Walk which all feature in the story.
 
Claudia Quash:  The Spell of Pencliff is a Young Adult Fantasy, but it is also being read by adults who enjoy an original fantasy.  It's a magical adventure, described by one reviewer as a sort of Narnia meets Alice in Wonderland, meets time-travel adventure and therefore very gripping.
 
 
Wendy has also shared a little blurb about her book:
 
On her thirteenth birthday, Claudia receives a mysterious letter. It unlocks an unsolved crime, and Claudia has to clear her family name. Little does she know that she'll be transported back in time into a magical world, where she also discovers special powers of her own. On her journey she'll be chasing criminals, making new friends, and facing a dark terror that hovers over the land.
 
Wendy has also provided us with an awesome trailer.  Click on the button below to view it. 
 

Wow!  Time travel!  Magical world!  Special powers!  This sounds like an awesome, action-packed read.  Just the kind I love!   
 
 
Claudia Quash:  The Spell of Pencliff has been featured on ilovebookz.  Click the button below to read the review.    

Click on one of the links below to purchase CLAUDIA QUASH: THE SPELL OF PENCLIFF. 

CLAUDIA QUASH:  THE SPELL OF PENCLIFF is also available in paperback or as an audiobook. 
 
 
You can find Wendy at: 
 
Website -> http://www.wendyhobbs.com/
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaQuash/
Twitter -> https://twitter.com/wendyfhobbs
 
 
Thank you Wendy for sharing with us today and being a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! 

BUZZ NOTE:  THE SPELL OF PENCLIFF is climbing up the charts and currently sits at number 13 on Kindle!  Congratulations Wendy! 
 
 
 
LET'S GENERATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors Artists Poets if you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! Please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/
 
#ClaudiaQuash #SpellOfPencliff #spell #alternateworlds #timetravel #amreadingfantasy #urbanfantasy #fantasy #amreading #books #bookworm #novels #novel #series #bookseries #dragons #aliens #mages #magic #fae #witches #ghosts #FWPub #WitchonParole #paranormal #scifi #poetry #AmWriting #scifantasy

My BUZZ GUEST today is award-winning author, teacher, and creator of the dark epic fantasy series THE RHENWARS SAGA. 

 In M. L. Spencer’s own words, “Welcome to the Rhenwars Saga, a darkly epic fantasy series that chronicles the turbulent battle between two conflicting ideologies of magic and the moral imperatives that drive them.” 

Wow!  I don’t know about you guys, but she had me at ‘epic fantasy series’ and ‘magic’!!

Book Two DARKMAGE of THE RHENWARS SAGA series is available on Amazon right now! 

 M. L. Spencer’s book DARKSTORM is the prequel to DARKMAGE and is listed as COMING SOON.  Can’t wait! 
 
M. L. Spencer has carved out some time for us to get to know her better by answering a few questions: 

1.   What drew you to writing?
I was always writing from a very young age. When I was in elementary school I wrote little books.  I wrote my first novel-length manuscript when I was thirteen.

2.   How long did it take you to create your first book?
I wrote the first draft of my novel Darkmage in forty days. It was insane. It just poured out of me. I was working full time as a middle school teacher and had two children under four. The novel was 230,000 words, so that’s averaging over 5000 words a day! I still can’t believe I did that.

3.   How long did it take you to create the last?
My last novel, Darkstorm, took me about three months.

4.   Do you prefer creating short stories, or novels?
I don’t do short stories very well. I don’t have short ideas. Which is really too bad, because it has handicapped me that my ideas don’t usually fit in industry-recommended lengths.

5.   What kind of books do you enjoy reading? 
I love reading mostly fantasy with a dash of horror. I am also a sucker for literary fiction and nonfiction.

6.   Do you have a favorite author(s)?
Robert Jordan will always be my favorite author and my greatest inspiration.

7.   Where is your favorite place to read?
In bed!

8.   You’re dressed to attend a Cosplay event.  What are you wearing? 
I would totally Cosplay any of my various MMO avatars. I am way into MMOs!  Love Warcraft and GW2 the best!

9.   When you were a child what did you always want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a fantasy author. Seriously. I had no other aspirations until high school, when I started thinking that perhaps I should do something that would pay the bills.

10.  Do you work well under stress? 
I work very well under stress. I do not write well under stress, but then I never consider writing work.

11.  What hobbies do you enjoy?  
I love playing MMO games, playing music, painting and being outdoors in nature.

12.  Pick 3 books and tell us why you loved them. 
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan – Jordan’s world is so expansive, vibrant and gripping. Truly one of the best world-builders that have ever lived.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls– Had a huge impact on me as a child, and continues to inspire. Never have I encountered another work of fiction that could so thoroughly reduce me to tears.
The Shining by Stephen King – Just the name Stephen King creeps me out. His writing is viscerally wrenching. And yes, that is supposed to be a compliment.

13.  Who is your favorite Superhero? 
Wonder Woman. She is my spirit animal.

14.  What magical place that you’ve read about would you like to visit?
Xanadu. Always wanted to check that place out!
 
Thank you M. L. Spencer for sharing with us today.  I really enjoyed your answers.  Just a question--does anyone else have the WONDER WOMAN theme song stuck in their head right now? 
 
You can find M. L. Spencer at: 
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/Rhenwarssaga/
Website -> http://mlspencerfiction.com/index.html
Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MLSpencer1
 
 
LET'S GENERATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors Artists Poets if you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! Please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/
 
#Rhenwarssaga #Darkmage #Darkstorm #darkfantasy #epicfantasy #magic #mages #bookseries #series #novels #novel #bookdragon #FWPub #paranormal #amreadingfantasy #books #bookworm #AmWriting #urbanfantasy #fantasy #amreading #dragons #alternateworlds #fae #witches #ghosts #novels #novel #WitchonParole

My BUZZ GUEST today is MORPHEUS, INC! 

THE VIVID DREAMER by MORPHEUS, INC. is seeking representation at the moment.  In Morpheus, Inc.'s own words “THE VIVID DREAMER is a complete novel in and of itself, but there are short stories that are dream sequences within the overall novel.”      

You can find MORPHEUS, INC., at:
Twitter/Instagram -> @MorpheusWriters
Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/MorpheusWriters/

MORPHEUS, INC., has taken the time to answer some BUZZ GUEST questions: 

1. What drew you to writing?  Kurt Wagner: I couldn’t help it.  Characters and stories kept leaping around in my mind and wouldn’t quiet down until I put them on paper. Suzanne: I stumbled onto it. I loved writing songs and spoken word poetry (but that was before I even knew what Spoken Word Poetry was) and that passion grew into stories. Now, I can’t seem to turn it off. I’ll be in a random place and have to stop to furiously write down a new twist or an entirely different story idea; Jason: When I was really young I was obsessed with my favorite books, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, etc. I read them over and over and over again until the books were worn out and well-traveled. When I got older, I thought about creating my own stories to see if I could replicate that same magical infatuation that I had for my favorite books. I wanted to help other readers get hooked on the creativity and beauty of a story. Sean:  Stories. I was raised a film buff. I always liked to hear stories that other people had and I loved telling them myself. That drove me into journalism, where I worked at a paper for a bit. I eventually found myself drawn to the fantastic tales I consumed in my youth and began the path of the fiction writer.

1. What have you learned in between? Kurt Wagner: I am more aware of techniques for improving the pacing while maintaining the integrity of the story. Suzanne: Community is so important and social media is a great way to connect with other artists and authors so we can mutually support each other. Jason: I have learned that nothing you first write is perfect, and it shouldn’t be. You have only started your story when you finish a first draft. Afterwards, through hours of meticulous and tedious work you need to edit, revise, and change your story so that the end product is something amazing. Only then am I satisfied with my creation.

 

1. Do you prefer creating short stories, or novels?  Kurt Wagner: I write both.  The Vivid Dreamer is a novel made up of dream sequences, each of which is its own independent short story. Suzanne: I create both. The Vivid Dreamer is individual dream sequences that are held together by an overarching theme and story of its own. Using short stories as a catalyst for creating and finishing content was a great way of tricking myself into completing a novel. The Vivid Dreamer is the first piece of writing I’ve finished, but it won’t be the last.  Sean: That's a real toss-up. Growing up with fantasy and sci-fi, I've always been drawn to huge worlds with expansive histories, something that the novel can do very well. But also growing up as a film enthusiast, I admired poignant tales told with brevity. So I like both. Lately, though, I've been into short stories, as I've had a lot of ideas bouncing around my skull.

1. What Genre do you write and why? Kurt Wagner: My default is fantasy, sci-fi, but I’ve been working to explore other genres and add to my “tool belt” of writing styles and techniques. Suzanne: I currently write science fiction and fantasy, but I have a wonderful outline for a young adult fiction novel with a dash of post-apocalyptic and dystopia. I write science fiction and fantasy in general because I believe that truly anything is possible and the worlds I create reflect that wonder. Jason: I usually write stories pertaining to adventure and fantasy because that is what I love to read. I want to make a story that can pull readers away from reality and enable them to let their imaginations loose.  Sean:  Typically, I write sci-fi. It's my favorite genre in many aspects. But like the others, I've been making attempts to grow as a writer and explore other categories. Though honestly, I think there should be more blending of genres. Why can't speculative sci-fi and literary fiction exist in the same space?

 

1. Can you pick a favorite line from your latest work (or the work being highlighted) and tell us why this is your favorite? Kurt Wagner: "Dreamers are gods of their own realities.  While they sleep, they create, shape, and destroy entire worlds in a fraction of the time it took the gods of old.”  I like this line because it reflects my own philosophy of our lives and our reality.  We have a great deal more control over our world than most of us realize.  It is up to us to make it what we want.  Suzanne: “This proved to be far more challenging than previously estimated because, for some inexplicable reason, many of the thought organs thoroughly objected to being removed from their various shells.” Universal Brain Trust of The Vivid Dreamer. This is my favorite because of the tone and the ridiculousness of the situation. This is one of our more High Sci-Fi dream sequences and it allows so much freedom of thought (no pun intended).

1. What is next on your current writing agenda?  Kurt Wagner: I actually have several projects in the works.  I have a feature-length screenplay that I’m very close to completing, two young adult fantasy series that are outlined, a mystery/thriller/suspense novel that I’ve started, and a dystopic trilogy. Suzanne: What isn’t next might be a better question. We’re trying to find the right Literary Agent for The Vivid Dreamer and in the mean time we’re editing and revising (some more). We’re also finishing up a script for Sun Dance Film Festival. We’re all signed up for theprose.com to continue improving our poetry skills. We also have our own individual novels that are outlined, just waiting to be fleshed out. Sean: I have a host of works that I'm making progress on. Though my current goal is to work on my short stories so that I can explore multiple ideas and concepts as they come to me.

 

1. What kind of books do you enjoy reading?  Kurt Wagner: Most books- love fantasy, sci-fi, fiction, classics, satire, comic books; Sean: Speculative sci-fi, satire, parody; Suzanne: I love YA novels, as well as fantasy, dystopia and apocalyptic (BUT NO ZOMBIES). 

1. Pick 5 books and tell us why you loved them. Kurt Wagner: Fight Club – Wonderful exploration of man’s struggle for freedom against the walls he has erected for himself.  It questions personal, social, and corporate/governmental conventions and makes the reader think about those conventions for him/herself; Perks of Being a Wallflower – A great look at an ordinary teenager and the trials he endures while growing up.  The story is very real and very down-to-earth, but the feelings and emotions are deep and touching.  You reflect on your own friends and your own childhood and you just want to reach through the pages and hug these characters; The Handmaid’s Tale – Wonderful female protagonist, who challenges authority and questions societal norms.  She is strong with a rich backstory and enduring character; Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – A nonstop ride through the ridiculous nature/ ego of man and his place in the universe.  The writing is witty and quick and funny.  The story aims a mirror at humans and makes us recognize our foibles so we can laugh at them, hopefully examine them, and maybe make a few changes; A Spell for Chameleon – This was my gateway drug into the world of fantasy.  I love the quirky characters and the pun-filled world of magic.  It is irreverent and poignant.  Suzanne: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon because he made me fall in love with the magic of Barcelona and these tragic characters that your heart just breaks for. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho for his vivid imagery and philosophy that really makes you ponder your own philosophies.  The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams because the characters are so honest and real and relatable and wacky. They pull you into their story. It’s unfair to add an entire series, but The Harry Potter Series because of the depth of characters and the ability of JK Rowling to have subtle morals and themes in a Young Adult novel, and have it affect at least 2 generations in such an enormous way. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, one because she’s got a great name, but she captured the way some women view their survival and their feelings.

1. If you could invite any 7 people (cartoon character, famous person, rock band, poet, artist, living or dead) for a day out, or a meal together, who would they be?  Kurt Wagner: Socrates, Hitler, Athena, Dumbledore, Superman (but only if he brought gold kryptonite so I could copy his powers), Lucifer, Mark Twain/ Kurt Vonnegut (both Twain and Vonnegut if Superman is a no show).  Sean: God, Satan, Socrates, Joan of Arc, John Hodgman, Paul F. Tompkins, George Carlin; Suzanne: Minerva McGonagall, Nikola Tesla, Bill Gates, Tony Stark (Iron Man is not invited), Emma Watson, Anne Hathaway, Frida Kahlo. 

1. Are you a positive person, negative, or realistic?  Kurt Wagner: I have my head in the clouds and my feet rooted in reality, which makes me both and neither positive and/ nor negative.  Suzanne: I’m a positive person, that needs reality checks every once in a while. Jason: I would like to think I am a positive person. I believe in order to be happy you have to have a mindset that looks for the good in life.  

 

1. What is your favorite hot beverage? Kurt Wagner: Jade Citrus Mint green tea; Sean: Hot Chocolate Suzanne: Hot Chocolate; Jason: Hot Chocolate

1. What is your favorite meal?  Kurt Wagner: Whichever one I’m currently eating.  Probably my mom’s lasagna; Sean: Pasta; Suzanne: The meal in the afternoon, I eat at weird times, but food always tastes better when the sun’s up.

 

1. Favorite Color? Kurt Wagner: Black; Sean: Blue; Suzanne: Orange; Jason: Green

1. Do you work well under stress?  Kurt Wagner: I hope so since I’m pretty regularly stressed.  Suzanne: Yes, the thrill of beating the deadline and also being creative is exciting instead of stifling. Jason: I do my best work under the right amount of stress.

1. How do you de-stress?  Kurt Wagner: I’ll let you know if I can figure it out. Suzanne: I’m an introvert, so I hide from everyone in my room and Netflix or Pinterest. Jason: Anything from hot showers to stretching to taking a nap.  Sean:  Having a relaxed get-together with a couple friends usually helps me. No pressure, no obligations, just enjoying each other's company.

 

1. Do you enjoy Chocolate? Kurt Wagner: Not so much on its own.  If it is mixed with other things, then I do in small doses.  Suzanne: Yes, please. Jason: Of course!

1. What season most inspires you? Kurt Wagner: I’m a summer creature.  Represents freedom and the height of human possibility to me; Sean: Winter because it’s a time of holidays plus everything is cold and dead.  It’s a great dichotomy. Suzanne: Autumn. Even the name evokes mystery and adventure. Jason: Fall

 

1. What motivates you in life? Kurt Wagner: The quotes - “Life begins when you leave your comfort zone.” “I am the master of my fate.  I am the captain of my soul.”  “If you’re not living life on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.” Suzanne: I want to always be growing and changing and pushing myself and others to become more of themselves. Sean:  My own dreams and the dreams of others. I feed off good vibes, working together, and the company of others.

1. When you were a child, what did you always want to be when you grew up?  Kurt Wagner: a ninja or spy…I’m still holding out for that.  Suzanne: I was sure I wanted to be a Veterinarian. My first animal science class cleared that up really quick. Jason: Zookeeper.  Sean:  What did any child too excited about Jurassic Park want to be? A paleontologist.

1. Which Harry Potter house would you belong to? Kurt Wagner: on the online surveys I always wind up perfectly split between Gryffindor and Slytherin with Ravenclaw following close behind. Suzanne: Gryffindor or Ravenclaw with a dash of Slytherin. Jason: Ravenclaw.  Sean:  These tests are inherently not very good. But probably Ravenclaw.
   

 
Thank you Morpheus, Inc. for being today’s BUZZ GUEST!  And I too, in my heart of hearts, would like to be a ninja or a spy when I grow up.  Hold onto that dream! 
 
 
LET'S GENERATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors Artists Poets if you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! Please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/
 
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My BUZZ GUEST today is Bea Cannon author of eighteen publications! 
Bea lives in Charlotte, NC.

In addition to writing science fiction and fantasy (and a smidgen of horror) she enjoys a good read, working crossword puzzles, walking, drawing, and painting.

She is a retired electronics technician and admits to having worked at a variety of other jobs during her life, including being a dishwasher, a busgirl, a house maid, a motel/hotel maid, working in a fast-food joint, a telephone operator, and a store clerk. There have been other, not-so-glamorous jobs, including picking cotton.

She also daydreams a lot.  (Me too Bea!  Me too! :))

Bea just finished writing the third book in her SPACESHIPS AND MAGIC series called “TURNER: UNEXPECTED CHANGE”.  I don’t know about you folks but I LOVE that Bea has mixed two beloved genres into one.  Being a sci-fi and fantasy fan I don’t see how a storyline that combines those two genres could be anything but exciting! 

Bea has taken time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for us:
 
1.  What drew you to writing?  I like making stuff up.
 
2.  How long did it take you to create your first book?   That’s kind of hard to answer.  I began the book in 2006 and worked on it off and on for two or three months.  I laid it down because I was still working at the time and putting in a lot of overtime on the job.  I retired in 2009 but didn’t pick the book back up until 2011.  I worked on it for a couple of months, got sick and didn’t begin work on it again until the following year when I realized that it was ‘way long for one book.  I then split it into three parts and published the first part as “Boucher’s World: Emergent” in the latter part of 2012.  So, you could say it took six years total, or if you only count the actual work, it took about ten months.
 
3.  How long did it take you to create the last?  I have yet to create my last!  However, the last book finished was “Turner: Unexpected Change” and it took six months.  It’s book 3 of my Spaceships and Magic series.  I do have another book coming out that is pre-released for June of this year, called “First”, but it’s not exactly finished since it’s waiting for the final edit.  I’ve worked on that one for four months.
 
4.  What have you learned in between?  I’ve learned that the more I write, the more I want to write.
 
5.  Do you prefer creating short stories, or novels?  I don’t have a preference.  I’ll use whatever it takes to tell the story.  I have eighteen publications; eight are novel-length (between 77,000 and 162,000 words), three are short novels or novellas (between 30,000 and 41,000 words), three are novelettes (more than 12,000 but less than 20,000 words), and four are short stories of less than 10,000 words.  I have used five hundred words or less to tell a story (have also written some one hundred word drabbles).
 
6.  What genre do you write and why?  My current series is what I call scifantasy, which is, as the term implies, a combining of science-fiction and fantasy.  I have written a few that could be classified as paranormal, and my first book is mostly science-fiction.  I’ve also got a couple of very short stories that are kind of horror stories and one of my published short stories could be called black urban.  As to why, well, I grew up reading fairy tales and fantasy with a good dollop of science-fiction thrown in, so I write what I enjoy reading.
 
7.  Can you pick a favorite line from your latest work (or the work being highlighted) and tell us why this is your favorite?   It’s kind of hard to choose a favorite.  I’ve written a lot of lines over the years.  However, here is one I enjoyed writing from “Turner: Bitter Change”.  The MC, Juri is having what she thinks is a nightmare but is actually a vision:
 
I stood looking at a blighted, stark landscape filled with shadows, littered with the rubble of a broken realm.  A cold, harsh wind mourned across the scene, blowing tendrils of smoke and pieces of debris through the bleak land.
 
8.  What about your life influenced your drive to write?  Having the time to do it.  Being retired has helped a lot.
 
9.  What is next on your current writing agenda?  Well, as I stated before, I’ve pre-released a novel for June of this year which is still awaiting its final edit, but I’m also working on the first draft of book 4 of my Spaceships and Magic series which I plan to release in the fall.  I’m also working on another book which I hope to have ready by the end of the year, and another that I’d like to publish by spring of next year.  In addition, I’m working on a new story in my Boucher’s World series and one in my werewolf short series (Cady and Sam).
 
10.  What kind of books do you enjoy reading?  I enjoy reading fantasy and science-fiction, horror, paranormal, and anything funny.
 
11.  What are you reading now?  Right now I’m not reading anything since I find it difficult to do so while working a first draft.
 
12.  Do you have a favorite author?  Too many to list them all, but a here’s a few (and in no particular order): Andre Norton, Octavia Butler, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Douglas Adams, Jim Butler, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Zenna Henderson, Alice Walker…I could go on forever!
 
13.  Do you have other work experience?  What in?  I’ve worked lots of different jobs through the years.  As a child, even though I lived in a city, I had the glamorous job of picking cotton (don’t laugh - it paid for my fourth grade dictionary and bought me a pair of shoes every year until the fifth grade); as a teen I graduated to dishwasher, bus girl, maid; later I worked on an office clean-up crew, and as a cashier and store clerk.  After hiring on at the telephone company (BellSouth but by the time I retired it had become AT&T), I was a telephone operator, accounting clerk, network clerk, testing technician, and I spent my final fifteen year or so as an electronics technician before retiring in 2009 (I spent thirty-seven years there - some of my other jobs ran concurrent with that one).
 
14.  Are you a positive person, negative, or realistic?  I’m kind of a positive realist.
 
15.  What is your favorite hot beverage?  Coffee, of course!
 
16.  What hobbies do you enjoy?  I like to work crossword puzzles, read, walk, draw and paint, and of course, write.
 
Thank you Bea.  I really enjoyed your answers.  I like to make stuff up and daydream too!  :)


You can find Bea at: 
Website -> pcannon16.wordpress.com
Twitter -> @pbeacannon

You can find Bea's other books at:

My BUZZ GUEST for the conclusion of Mother's Day weekend is poet, Reiki Master, and Chakradance facilitator SANDRA MACLEAN.

Here are Sandra's concluding thoughts on the matriarchal ladies from her family. 

Sandra's mom. 

IRONY
 
I find it ironic that I started writing these blogs coming up to the month of May. The month this all began. Grams day I am referring to.

The 27th of May the day Gram passed over. Then my using both my grandmothers as the pre-empting to my personal story. My other Grandmother passed over May 9th, 1986. Two days before Mother’s Day.

Then I realize what a bizarre ‘twist of fate’(?) that I honour and celebrate the 3 wise women’s deaths in the same month. You see, my Mother passed away May 2nd, 7 years ago. To think they all passed over in the same month which is the month WE ALL celebrate Mother’s Day.

I call them the 3 wise women as that is what they were. I spoke of the ways in which my Grandmothers were spiritual. I find myself groping for the ways in which my Mother was.

Then all of a sudden the little things she used to say to me start jumping around in my head. Like when I would misplace something, she would say “The fairies hid it”. Those darn fairies hide everything on me.
But fairies do like to play games with us. I believe in fairies, I do, I do!

I also believe in magic. Enjoy my poem about magic….
 
MAGIC HAPPENS
 
Bridges burned
Lessons learned
Passages earned.
 
 
Gates open
Relationships deepen
And magic happens.
 
Bridges lifted
Lessons sifted
Passages gifted.
 
Hearts open
Love deepens
And magic happens.

 
Thank you Sandra for sharing your lovely family ritual of “Grams Day” and all of your memories of them and their influence on your life.  This was a truly beautiful share for Mother’s Day weekend. 


LET'S CREATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors Artists Poets if you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! Please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/


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Click on the button below to enter a #GoodReadsGiveaway contest hosted by #FWPub Fantasy Works Publishing. 
Contest runs from May 3rd to May 10th, 2016. 

My BUZZ GUEST today is Sandra MacLean.  Sandra spoke yesterday of her family's tradition of "GRAM'S DAY".  

Today Sandra will share a few things about her paternal grandmother on this Mother's Day weekend. 

GRANDMOTHERS
 
Both my maternal and paternal Grandmothers were spiritual in their own ways. Both having similar yet different ideas what that meant.
 
My paternal Grandmother talked about numerology. When I was about 12 she figured out our numbers using the day, month and year we were born. She didn’t give me the meaning of them. However, it set a precedence for my spiritual journey.
I remember us having discussions about a ride range of things. One being our connection when she passed over. She talked about buying us each identical necklaces. When she died I was to take hers and wear it and put mine in her casket. She felt this would help her to come and visit me.
Unfortunately, she never did buy those necklaces, however I have felt her presence on many occasions and dream about her often. The last dream she looked me in the eye and told me she loved me.
Now, my maternal Grandmother who you have been introduced to as ‘Gram’, well she was another story.
Until next time…

Thank you Sandra for sharing your grandmother with us. 

You can find Sandra at:
Her Facebook Page – Awakening Healing Hearts
https://www.facebook.com/Awakening-Healing-Hearts-359265950940076/
Or on Twitter - https://twitter.com/SandraAwh44

BUZZ NOTICE:  Sandra will be back tomorrow to talk about her matriarchal grandmother whom she called “Gram”. 

LET'S CREATE A BUZZ!
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors Artists Poets if you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! Please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/
 
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Click the button below to enter a #GoodReadsGiveaway contest to win a copy of Ismael Manzano's  #Soulless, Book One of the #SoulBroker series.  #GoodReadsGiveaway only lasts from May 3rd - May 10th, 2016. 

My BUZZ GUEST for Mother's Day weekend is Poet, Reiki Master, and Chakradance Facilitator SANDRA MACLEAN! 

Sandra's family have a very special way of remembering the matriarchs in their family.  When she told me about it I asked her to share with you their family ritual of "Grams Day". 

Here is Sandra's story of how "Grams Day" began and continues: 

Family Traditions
 
For most of us, family traditions revolve around happy occasions like celebrations and holidays. I’d like to share a family tradition we started because of a death. What I like to call a celebration of life.

11 years ago May 27th, the matriarch of our family passed over to the other side. She was 89 years old. Gram to us all. She was strong willed. And she loved to laugh.

I remember during an interview I was asked who I would like to be for a day and why. I said her because I wanted to be inside her head to know what kept her going. May be so I could see how she got her strength.

Knowing she was the glue that kept us together and sensing a dis connect because of her death, ‘Gram’s Day’ was erected. My immediate family being a 2-hour drive away drove that feeling home.

Each year on a weekend as close to her death as we can arrange, the girls’ get together for lunch. At first it was at her favourite restaurant. Swiss Chalet. We would have lunch and gather after at the cemetery to place carnations on her gravesite. Carnations also being her favourite.

As the years have progressed we have changed it up. We now do a potluck at one Aunt’s after visiting Gram. This year my Aunt asked if after over ten years did we still want to continue it.

My sense of disconnect settled in again and I said for sure. We need an excuse to get together. As we all know life is busy and if we don’t go the extra mile to make family matter, well I don’t need to explain.

Here’s to you Gram. For still being the glue.


Thank you Sandra for sharing your special “Grams Day” ritual.  Such an awesome idea and a beautiful way to remember those that have passed and those that are still with us. 
 
BUZZ NOTE:  Check back over the weekend as Sandra talks about her special “Grandmothers” and the ways that they have influenced her daily and spiritual life. 
 
LET'S CREATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors Artists Poets if you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! Please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/

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Today's BUZZ GUEST is poet SANDRA MACLEAN here to share another life story with us. 

As part three of our Mother's Day Weekend Sandra has agreed to share with us some memories of her matriarchal grandmother. 

GRAM
 
Now for the other story. Gram. She was a Christian. Strong in her faith. Went to church every Sunday.

But she loved her ‘Ouija’ board. She had TWO of them. She used to freak us out a little when we would play with her. She didn’t even have to have her fingers touching that thing and it would slide across the board like a gust of wind had blown in. Trust me, no wind, no anything, but the energy was real.

She used to live her life by that thing. My Aunt finally took both of them away as she felt my gram had a problem.  I experimented with the board in my teens and spooked myself. I decided it was not something for me.

Gram also taught us the art of using a pendulum, with a needle and thread. I bet this conjures up memories for a lot of you.

At a very young age I already had a sense that there was more out there. I had an out of body when I was in Grade 3 while my teacher was reading us a story. So having the Grandmothers that I did enabled me to keep that door open. So many of us lose it.

This all helped me evolve to the spiritual being I am today. A little of my journey to come.

 
Thank you Sandra for sharing memories of your “Gram”.  It was so interesting. 

BUZZ NOTE:  Join us tomorrow for the conclusion of Mother’s Day weekend where Sandra will share some thoughts and a poem.  Can’t wait! 
 
LET'S CREATE A BUZZ! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors Artists Poets if you would like to be a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! Please DM me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kay_latour or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/

#FWPub #WitchonParole #paranormal #scifi #poetry #amreadingfantasy #books #bookworm #AmWriting #novels #mothersday #reiki #chakradance #urbanfantasy #fantasy #amreading

Click the button below to enter #GoodReadsGiveaway contest for Book One #Soulless of the #SoulBroker series by Ismael Manzano.  Contest runs from May 3rd to May 10th, 2016.  

PART TWO of my interview with Buzz Guest Yvonne Rediger author of the VIC SHAPESHIFTERS SERIES.

Yvonne's first book in the series is called THE SHAPE OF US.  Someone knows about the Pack and that someone is after the kids.  It's available right now on Amazon! 

Yvonne's second book in the series is called HELL CAT!  Helly has her former human boss between the cross hairs.  You can support Yvonne by previewing and/or nominating HELL CAT by clicking the button below. 

Yvonne took some time from writing her third book that has the tentative title of LOTTIE'S TAIL to answer some questions for us. 

This is PART TWO of my interview with Buzz Guest Yvonne Rediger: 

1. If you could invite any 7 people (living or dead) for a day out, or a meal together, who would it be? My father, my father's mother, my daughter, son, my sister, my brother, my mother.
2. Do you have other work experience? What in? Front line sales, Post office assistant, Business Analyst, Systems Analyst, Solution Architect 
3. What is your favorite past time? Reading 
4. What do you see as your greatest strength as a person? I pick up on subtle things.  
5. What is your weakest link? Patience.  
6. Are you a positive person, negative, or realistic? Positive with a pragmatic bent.  
7. What is your favorite hot beverage? Coffee  
8. What is your favorite meal? Chicken parmesan.   
9. Favorite Color? Red  
10. Favorite Time of day? Why? 8:30am. I have the house to myself.  
11. What was your last vacation like? Scuba diving in Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras  
12. Do you travel often? Yes, work and pleasure.  
13. Do you work well under stress? I thrive on it.  
14. How do you de-stress? Bubble bath, good book.  
15. Are you active? Yes, I kayak too.  
16. Do you enjoy Chocolate? Are you kidding, of course.  
17. Do you follow sports? If so, what teams do you enjoy? CFL, I bleed green! Go Riders!  
18. Can you share a little about your family? My husband and I have been married 37 years next month. We have a son, Sergeant RCAF, married with two boys. A daughter married, and a Major in the RCAF.  
19. What season most inspires you? Summer.  
20. What hobbies do you enjoy? Kayaking, hiking, walking, scuba diving, sailing, travel. Reading cooking, gardening, to much on my list.  
21. Deadlines – solid dates to meet or unattainable goals to reach for? Solid dates to meet.  
22. What are 3 things that you’ve not often shared about yourself? I hate raisins, nuts in my chocolate. I believe pipelines are safer to move energy than trucks or rail. I worked in the oil patch for many years. I wish I could take singing lessons.
23. If you could pick one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would you choose and why? Cake. I just love it.
24. If you were a chair, what kind of chair would you be? Leather tub chair. 
25. What inspires you? People and experiences. 
26. How would your favorite professor describe you? Tenacious 
27. What motivates you in life? Challenges 
28. Say you’re in a log cabin and are preparing to go hunting. You grab your rifle and walk outside. You see a bear and immediately follow in pursuit of it. You travel one-mile north, one mile east, and one-mile south. You’re back at the log cabin with the bear in your rifle's cross hairs. What color is the bear? Black.  
29. What’s your favorite book? Night Watch, by Sir Terry Pratchett  
30. What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone? I am trained in 3 styles of Karate and Aikido. My husband made me an oak practice katana. 
31. In a crowded room discussing a problem, would you fit in? Why or why not? Yes, I can talk to anyone and this is part of my regular job as a Solution Architect. 
32. What three traits define you? Adaptable, flexible, curious. 
33. What’s most important in your life? My family. 
34. What did you have for breakfast? Coffee, bagel with blue berry jam.
35. If you were asked to unload a 747 full of jelly beans, what would you do? Call my engineer daughter for advice.  I suspect she might have experience with this.
36. What's your favorite Disney Princess? Mulan
37. Describe the color purple to somebody who's blind. Same as the fragrance of. Lavender.
38. What do you think of garden gnomes? I love them. I have a Saskatchewan Rider gnome. I used gnomes in Hell Cat.
39. What’s your favorite 80’s song? Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
40. If you were a tree, which would you be and why? Cedar, always green.
41. Where do you like to write? My office or one of two arm chairs. Depends if I am alone I the house.
42. If you would alone on an island and hand 3 wishes, what would they be? Enough food always, enough wine always, enough books always.
43. If you could bring to life anyone who has died, who would it be and why? My Dad. I miss him.
44. If you could visit any city in the world, where would you go? Rome.
45. What’s your favorite number? 5
46. When you were a child, what did you always want to be when you grew up? Independent 
47. Paper or plastic? Cloth, more reusable.
48. Who would win: Superman or Batman? Batman he can be sneaky.
49. Who is your favorite Muppet? Rolf

Wow!  Karate and Aikido!  I know who to call if I'm up against a wall.  Thanks Yvonne for taking the time to answer my questions and being a BUZZ GUEST on FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS--OH MY! 

LET'S CREATE A BUZZ!! Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi Authors, artists and poets if you would like to become a BUZZ GUEST on this blog "FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS--OH MY!" contact me via twitter@kay_latour or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/

My BUZZ GUEST for today is author Yvonne Rediger.  Yvonne has an awesome fantasy series out titled the VIC SHAPESHIFTERS. 

Book One is called THE SHAPE OF US.  Someone knows about the Pack and that someone is after the kids.  THE SHAPE OF US is available right now on Amazon! 

 
Book Two is called HELL CAT!

At the moment Yvonne is writing Book Three of the series.  It's tentative title is LOTTIE'S TAIL.

Yvonne was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for us:

1.  What drew you to writing? I like to create stories, tell things my way.
   
   
2. Do you have a degree in writing? Do you believe that matters? Why/Why not? No and no. I took courses I writing. I write volumes for my job, technical writing, business proposals, etc. Some training is important. But you cannot teach attitude or make someone a good story teller. There has to be a spark that lives in their soul that allows them to draw readers in with their words.
   
   
3. How long did it take you to create your first book? Ten months, working full time, traveling every other week to the clients site.
   
   
4. How long did it take you to create the last? Six months, I have scaled back the contracts I take on.
   
   
5. What have you learned in between? Write like no one will read your work. Don't be inhibited. 
   
   
6. What are you currently learning to further develop your craft? Marketing.
   
   
7. Do you prefer creating short stories, or novels? Novels.
   
   
8. What Genre do you write and why? Paranormal, fantasy, romance, mystery.
   
   
9. Can you pick a favorite line from your latest work (or the work being highlighted) and tell us why this is your favorite?  From Book 3, VIC Shapeshifters series. Working Title - Lottie's Tail.
    
   "Yes, but everyone calls me Lottie."
    
   "Must I remind you, I am not everyone?" Zavier said as he ran one finger tip over my skin.
    
   Now I did jump back. "Keep your hands to yourself unless invited otherwise."
    
   "Will you Charlotte? Will you invite me?"
    
   "Depends." I tipped my head to the side, then swept his feet out from under him. He landed hard on his butt. "On whether you respect me or not."
    
   
   
10. What about your life influenced your drive to create? Problem solving and ensuring the projects I work "do the right thing" for the client.
    
    
11. Tell us something personal you've enjoyed due to being an author. Connecting with other writers and readers. People I would have otherwise never met.
    
    
12. What is next on your current writing agenda? Finish a mystery/romance based on my last vacation. Then on to book 3 of the VIC Shapeshifters series, outlined and some chapter work done.
    
    
13. What kind of books to you enjoy reading? Anything with well defined characters and a good plot with smart writing. I hate stupid. Like tracing phone calls and DNA testing done in a week.
    
    
14. What are you reading now? Just finished "Infinity Bell" by Devon Monk. When I knuckle down to finish a MS, I don't read much.
    
    
15. In the Indie vs Traditional debate - does it matter to you? If so why? Thoughts? I have done both, however I see indie as the evolving business model. Quicker responses from editors would stem that. Three months to get a rejection is driving indie. Authors think, heck I should just go for it myself. Amazon, Smashswords and others are supplying an alternative to traditional.
    
    
16. What makes a story interesting to you? Strong character driven plots and great dialogue. 
    
    
17. What might make you pick up a book outside your own comfort choices? Recommendations from people I trust.
    
    
18. Do you have a favorite author(s)? Too many to list so I will give you some. Tanya Huff, Dave Duncan, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Terry Pratchett 
    
    
19. Where is your favorite place to read? Outside in a lawn chair in summer.
    
    
20. What’s next on your To Be Read list? Alpha & Omega by Ilona Andrews
    
    
21. Describe the ideal situation for your reading time? (in detail - include location, time of day, drinks/food, etc.) Any summer morning, early, with toast and coffee, outside.
    
    
22. Pick 5 books and tell us why you loved them.
     
    Love: Lois McMaster Bujold's VorKosigan series 20 + books, excellent writing, SciFi adventure 
    Loved: Disk World series, Terry Pratchett
    Loved: Harry Dresden series, Jim Butcher
    Loved:  Blood series, Gale Girls series, Valour Series, Tanya Huff
    All these writers create special worlds, great characters, and solid plots.

Thank you Yvonne I so enjoyed reading your answers! 

You can find Yvonne on twitter at @Blackyvy

BUZZ NOTICE:  Part Two of my interview with Yvonne Rediger author of the VIC SHAPESHIFTERS SERIES will be posted on Friday April 29th, 2016. 

LET’S CREATE A BUZZ!!  Authors, artists, poets if you would like to be interviewed for a guest spot on this blog FAE AND WITCHES AND GHOSTS—OH MY! Contact me via twitter @kay_latour or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kaylatour/

The Zoe Jabril journey continues.  Yay!  Having read the first book, The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos, I'm kind of all ready invested in this character.  So I'm really excited to see what she's up to.  The synopsis gives us just enough information to tantalize our minds.  Zoe will have to tangle with:  a strange attraction to her new neighbor; a daring covert operation against demons; travel to the fae summer court to negotiate alliance support; all the while making sure her high school attendance record stays on point so her parents won't find out what she's really up to.  But luckily we are not her parents and can enjoy finding out about this next stage in Zoe's journey as she battles to stop the Devil from escaping Hell on her eighteenth birthday. 

Below is an excerpt from Chapter One for you to enjoy:
ZOE

Last night, a friend of mine rose from the dead—and I was the one who brought her back. So I guess . . . I’m an angel. Or, at least most of my friends think I am.
     Even wrapped tightly in the arms of my favorite oversized PINK hoodie, I shivered. It was chilly for mid-April while sitting on my front porch with the sun just coming over the horizon, but that wasn’t where the tremor had come from.
     I glanced up, startled by the high-pitched squealing of truck brakes that rang above the music playing from my iPod. The truck turned into the cul-de-sac and careened straight into the next door neighbors’ driveway. What made it really strange was the house had been empty since last October. I could still see the top of the “For Sale” sign on the manicured front lawn. I pulled out my cell phone to text my boyfriend, Shay.
 
     Me: Good morning!
 
     As I waited for a response, a gray uniformed driver open his door and climbed down. He walked to the back of the truck; then multiple doors slammed.
     “This furniture goes into the living room on the main level,” a man said.
     I didn’t particularly want to be a nosy neighbor, but I couldn’t help myself. I eased higher on the top step, hoping to get a look at the man who seemed to be in charge. His back was to me, so all I could tell was he had short blond hair. He glanced down at something then looked back up, turned, and pointed toward a number of other, smaller trucks in the cul-de-sac parking. More uniformed men jumped out of the smaller trucks and gathered around their boss, waiting for instructions. I had no interest in watching a bunch of people move boxes, so I just stayed on the step and waited for my best friend, Kieran, and Shay
     ***

You can purchase this book through:  Amazon; Nook; Smashwords; or on Kristin's website at www.kristinvanrisseghem.com. 

Below is a picture of the divine Ms. Van Risseghem so you can put a face to the creator of this awesome series.  Happy reading y'all! 

Yeah, it's true.  I have an empty patch in my garden.  For some people--and I'm talking about gardeners with miraculous green thumbs--an empty patch of garden area is an opportunity.  For them deciding what to plant in that patch of brown earth is a snap.  I've even heard that gardeners regularly create empty garden patches so they can go through the decision planting stage--on purpose!  But for me, not a green thumb person, it's a BIG decision. 

I'm a novel writer and so my first instinct is to do some research.  The problem here is that there is so much information on gardening that I just can't decide.  And my past experience with house plants has unfortunately left me with nothing but bad experiences.  Like last year, I tried to grow Black Eyed Susan's from seedlings.  I followed the directions on the package.  I planted.  I watered.  I set them in sunlight.  But a couple of months later there were no lovely green shoots, just dirt.  I should have known.  Any house plant I ever had usually died.  They'd either crisp up into a dried husk or they'd mold into a weirdly gelatinous mush.  And I felt bad for everyone of them. 

The only time in my life when I could grow plants was just after the birth of my first child.  I don't know whether my vibration changed when I became a mother or if it was just dumb luck.  But for awhile there, I could grow plants.  But it didn't last.  A few years later my plant growing skills vanished once again. 

Oh, I've never had a problem with trees or bushes.  They seem to like me.  I trim them in the spring and let mother nature take care of the rest.  They grow and I don't try to mess with that.  I have some luck with petunias but again I classify them as a plant that mother nature takes care of.  I put them in a pot and stick them outside.  I only water them if we haven't had rain for awhile.  And miraculously--they bloom! 

A couple of years ago we downsized into a smaller home.  Our children are grown and we didn't need all the space of a large house.  The new house itself was great.  But the garden!  The lady that lived here before me was an awesome gardener.  I inherited many wonderful plants, trees and bushes from her labors outside.  A plum tree.  Three blueberry bushes.  A raspberry patch.  A small herb garden with chives that pop up faithfully every year.  And two patches to grow random vegetables.  She had grown rhubarb, kale and tomatoes.  And the thought of taking care of those vegetable patches scared me. 

But I boldly put on a brave face and tackled my problems.  I planted tomatoes in one patch.  They grew.  A little.  I managed to snag a few nicely shaped balls of the red fruit.  I even added them into a few salads for dinner.  I also planted mint in the other patch.  Now that grew!  But too much.  I started seeing mint growing a couple of feet away from where I planted it.  And it seemed to be choking out the hostas that were planted on either side of it.  Again research tells you that mint is an invasive plant but I had no idea how much. 

So I called my friend from back home.  I actually call her every Friday night just to chat.  She is bolder than I am about gardening.  Under her direction I learned about herbs.  They are easy to grow and handy for cooking.  I learned that mulch combats weed growth and helps to prevent a dried out garden bed.  And her attitude as a gardener is one I plan on adopting.  She says that it's hit and miss.  And if she accidentally kills something it's okay because then she learns.  When I asked her if she felt bad about accidentally killing a plant she said, "I don't think I have.  If I did I don't remember.  It couldn't have been too traumatic if I don't remember." 

And she's right.  I'm totally overthinking this. 

But that is how my brain works and it's part of how I'm able to write novels.  But I am going to give it a go.  I am.  And I'll try not to obsess over it too much.  I'll try. 

But just in case anyone has any ideas for me, the area gets sunlight almost all day and is covered in cedar mulch.  It's pictured below.  If you want to throw some planting suggestions at me, then I can assure you that me and my obsessive brain thank you very much in advance. 

Other than that, keep on keeping on and have a nice day. 

Ismael Manzano lives in the Bronx with his wife who is a fellow writer and his young son whose energy and imagination encourages him to create new fantasy worlds every day.  Ismael has written reviews and commentaries for G-pop.net, and published short stories in This Dark Matter, and Grey Matter. Currently, he is working on his new urban fantasy series, Soul Broker.

What drew you to writing?
Probably the same thing that draws all writers: reading.  For me it was C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series that first piqued my interest in writing.  I was swept up into that wardrobe along with Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan, and by the time I was done reading the series, I wanted not only to live in Narnia, but to create my own worlds.  I wanted to remain in a fantasy world as long as I could, but more importantly, I wanted other people to join me in the worlds I created. 

Do you have a degree in writing? Do you believe that matters? Why/Why not?
No.  I took several creative writing workshops both in and out of college, but no degree in the subject.  I do believe it matters, but not in that a degree can teach a person to write or to have an imagination.  Those things are inherent.  You either have them or you don’t.  If you have them, the workshops--not the degree--can help you to hone those skills and bring out your best, but if you don’t, I don’t believe any number of degrees will make you able to create stories.   For me, that time was invaluable because I had built up a lifetime of bad habits that I needed to shake if I was ever going to get anywhere. In or out of the classroom, getting together with other writers is the best education for this craft.

How long did it take you to create your first book?
 
About a week.  It was a Narnia sequel.  I was eleven. I wish I had saved a copy of it. Probably would’ve been very insightful.
 
How long did it take you to create the last?
 
About four months before edits. 
 
What have you learned in between?
 
I learned that revising is very important.  And that you need permission to use someone else’s material in your book.  Also, to measure twice, cut once.  Finishing quickly doesn’t make the story better. 
 
What are you currently learning to further develop your craft?
 
Currently trying to learn to revise with a cold and critical eye.  If you hold onto any part of the story too tightly, you risk strangling the whole. 
 
Do you prefer creating short stories, or novels?
 
Although I have written short stories, I prefer novels.  Even when I try to write a short, it usually ends up expanding into a novel. 
 
What Genre do you write and why?
 
I have two. Epic Fantasy and Contemporary Fantasy. Epic Fantasy draws me in because I like world building, the idea that I can make up a religion or a structure of civilization is very appealing.  For contemporary fantasy, I like the idea of taking something known or mundane and adding something fantastical to it. 

Can you pick a favorite line from your latest work (or the work being highlighted) and tell us why this is your favorite?
 
Not sure if I can pick a favorite, but I think this one is very indicative of the main character’s (Charlotte)  voice:
  “My dear fool,” he said with all the sympathy of one of Asimov's robots. “I believe you may have just started a war.”

What about your life influenced your drive to create?
 
I wanted to have something that stood a chance of enduring after I was gone, something that could recreate, for someone else, what I feel when I read a really great book. 
           
Tell us something personal you've enjoyed due to being an author.
 
            Collaborating and brainstorming with my wife who also writes.  It has brought us closer together and enriched our relationship in a way that I don’t think would have been possible had only one of us been interested in the craft. 
 
What is next on your current writing agenda?
 
            Right now my agenda is to brainstorm away for part two in the Soul Broker Series.  After writing the Soul Broker series? That might take up a lot of my time, but I would like to tweak my Epic Fantasy series Under Realm and see if version 8.0 will finally fix all of the problems.  If not, I might try another contemporary fantasy.  Have a few ideas I need to flesh out first.  I guess whichever comes first. 
 
Thank you Ismael for sharing your time and thoughts with us. 

Ismael’s book Soulless (Book one of the Soul Broker Series) comes out March 8th, 2016. 

You can find Ismael at:
ismaelmanzano.com
facebook.com/ismaelmanzanoauthor
twitter.com/ismaelmanzano76
www.fantasyworkspublishing.com under authors

THE DAY IS HERE!!!!!!!
Ross Smeltzer's dark, historical fantasy The Mark of the Shadow Grove release date January 15, 2016--TODAY!!!  You can purchase your copy at Fantasy Works Publishing, Amazon or Smashwords. 


Q & A
What drew you to writing? 
I enjoy the challenges associated with writing.  It's a craft that demands much from those who practice it.  It stimulates me intellectually, in a way nothing else does. 
I think I enjoy writing speculative fiction because of my own dissatisfaction with consensus reality.  The world that is seems very drab to me; I like to enliven in with a dash of magic and madness. 

What are you currently learning to further develop your craft? 
I'm experimenting with shorter forms of fiction and am currently crafting works of flash fiction and very short stories: yarns under 1,000 words.  I like the limitations these forms impose on the writer; boundaries are a boon to creativity. 

Do you prefer creating short stories or novels? 
I much prefer the short story to the novel.  Too often, the "single effect" the writer can achieve in the short story is dissipated in the sprawl of the novel.  I agree with Ambrose Bierce's acerbic characterization of the novel as "a short story padded." 

What Genre do you write and why? 
I would say my writing dwells in the shadowy borderland between dark fantasy and horror.  I don't really care for genre labels, but I'd say most of my works fall within the Gothic tradition.  I just can't help but fixate on twisted Tim Burton-esque trees, dilapidated ruins, and scimitar-shaped moons.  I suspect my early enthusiasm for Hawthorne and Lovecraft congealed in my subconscious and is now quite ineradicable. 

Do you have a favorite author(s)? 
Among living authors, I'd say, without hesitation, Margaret Atwood.  She's a deft prose stylist with a poetic sensibility and she has a healthy contempt for the notion of sacrosanct "genres." 

What season most inspires you? 
Fall.  I am assuredly one of Ray Bradbury's "autumn people."  Also, I enjoy sweaters, apple cider donuts, and horror movies of dubious quality. 

What is the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn't learn from your resume alone? 
I'm a fanatical and unapologetic cat man.  I melt at the sight of dozing kittens. 

Which Harry Potter house would you belong to? 
I'm fairly certain I'd be conscripted into Ravenclaw, but I'd be happy to be included in any of the houses but Slytherin.  That house seemed to be composed entirely of sociopaths-in-training.  They needed to undergo some form of collective therapy. 

Thank you Ross for taking the time to answer these questions and give us some insight into the man behind the book. 

If you want to know more about Ross you can find him at: 
http://fantasyworkspublishing.com/ross-smeltzer.html
or
Twitter: @RossTellsTales