Time to say farewell

The time has come to say farewell, not only for me, but for Frightening Journeys too. Earlier this week, I came to a decision to bow out of the blog. It wasn't easy. I don't like to give up or set things aside without a good reason. Still, I felt with my family obligations, I couldn't wholeheartedly commit to being here each week anymore and hadn't posted in a long time. I had yet to tell the others when Nicole contacted me about putting the blog to rest. After consulting with Nerine and Sonya, we all agreed it was time.


We started FJ in October of 2008. None of us were published, just hoping and working hard to make it there one day. Each of us had families, jobs and other commitments, but we also had a dream to become published authors, helping others by sharing our pitfalls along the way. We said farewell to four wonderful ladies Heather, J.K. Mahal and Barbra Annino who started blogging with us, and Sandra Sookoo who joined us later and became a must-read author. And welcomed Nerine Dorman, multi-published author and editor, and authors Sonya Clark and Melissa Glisan. We've all grown as writers since beginning FJ and I can't help but think we learned alot from each other along the way.


As for my absence, well my husband is in bad health and has been since his car wreck in 2007. March of last year, he caught pneumonia and wound up in ICU for a week. Then in May he got very sick. We thought he had a virus, but he was back in the ICU with Diabetic Ketoacidosis. A month later he was put in for the same symptoms and we learned he has Gastroparesis, a complication of Diabetes. Since he was diagnosed, he has been hospitalized at least once a month, sometimes twice, for a week or more at a time. At last count he's been in ICU at least ten times. Needless to say, the stress of spending days at work, evenings at the hospital until midnight, trying to keep up with contract deadlines, edits and just for fun lets throw in the kids volleyball and cheer obligations. Things went crazy. They still are and I'm not sure if they will be "normal" again. 


I'm nearing the end of my Elemental Magic Series. Miraculously, I've managed to finish four of the five books amidst the craziness. The fourth will release next month. My editor and publisher have been very understanding, moving release dates around to give me more time to compose when his illness keeps me from work.  My bosses at work have done pretty much the same, allowing me to be off when I need to, etc. I am blessed to work with great people and I thank God for them everyday. Right now I'm really thanking God for my job in the lovely air conditioning. It's a heat index of 100 outside and that's mild compared to last week.


So, thank you everyone for following along with us. This doesn't mean we have given up blogging for good. You'll be able to find us on our individual blogs.  I try to post every couple of days at brynnacurry.com. I hope you'll visit me there. 


Nerine, Nichole, Sonya, it has been wonderful working with you ladies. I wish you all the best in everything you do. Thanks for letting me be a part of your journey. 


Until we meet again, be blessed.


Brynna

A dangerous question...

*peeks in the door* Hi, I'm sorry I've been MIA lately. It's been a rough month, but I missed you guys. I really needed to get Wait for the Wind finished and off to Piper (on time). I was almost done when a computer virus wiped out my computer and the backup I had on my flash drive and I had to rewrite half the book, then Jackie (for those of you out of the loop, that's the hubby) went back in the hospital. I took my vacation time from my day job to finish up the book and take care of some family stuff the first week of July. 


Somebody up there must have thought I really needed a vacation, because as soon as the book was sent, my cell phone and both laptop cords died. I finally found a replacement for the Acer on eBay, but it still hasn't arrived yet. My kids laughed at me when the cell died and I couldn't check my email. I felt blind and naked without my laptop and phone. Funny how you become so dependent on something. Got the phone working, but the laptop is still dead. *Sigh* Soon. Good thing I remembered to set my 'out of office' message before I left for vacation. 


Another trip to the ER and a hospital visit for Jackie last week and unfortunately a death in the family. Jackie's baby cousin passed away July 13 in a drowning accident. Just one of those horrible freak things that happen, but its so terribly sad. Jackie got out of the hospital three hours before her funeral. We went home, changed and drove to Tuscumbia to attend. It was indescribable in the worst way. Gracie would have been two July 26. She was such a sweet little angel, and I cry if I think about her and her mama. So, I work.

I've started Sea's Sorceress: Elemental Magic Book 4. I don't want to give away too much, but it picks up right where Wait for the Wind: Elemental Magic Book 3 leaves off with the birth of Liv and Jack's twins. I've been slowly creeping back into the manuscript with the spell that started the series, showing bits of Liv's legend (EM Book 1) here and there. I'm sort of out of my element again. This time with past lives.

I'm so on the fence about the topic, yet I chose a long time ago to use this scenario for book four. Why? Not sure except that Skye and Rhiannon demand it, so I must obey and let these characters tell me their story. I was raised in a true holy-roller Church of God. (I mean no offense by the term, it's just what we call them down here.) They believe in gifts of the spirit such as prophecy and the laying of hands (healing by prayer), but I'm pretty sure I've yet to see a church endorse past lives. Now I might be wrong, but the bible belt Alabama ones don't. So why continue on this path? Because I've seen enough weird things to believe there is so much more to the universe than any of our minds can comprehend.

I knew where the hidden staircase trigger was located in Arlington House long before the guide reached it or mentioned it. I knew where the old slave cabins and kitchens were at Belle Mont when I'd never been there before. I could have drawn a map of the entire house before I ever set foot inside it. Past life memories? Deva vu? Turned out the curator was related to the Pitts as well as some of the former owners (I think), maybe that explains it? Then there is my fascination with swords, particularly Japanese and the kind you'd imagine King Authur's knights would carry. So...what if?

Dangerous question. Here's another, just for fun. If there are past lives, who were you and when were you? I think I would have been a temple priestess in feudal Japan, or maybe a noble lady who desperately wanted to be a knight. Or maybe I was a writer...

Be blessed,
Brynna

An excerpt...

Hi, everyone.Since I'm using every spare second to get Wait for the Wind ready by deadline, I'm going to throw myself on your mercy and post an excerpt this week. 

From To Take Up the Sword (Elemental Magic Book Two) by Brynna Curry

Coming in September from Lyrical Press, Inc.

* * * *

      “Where did you get this?”
      “Serena gave it to me before she was murdered. She said if she didn't or couldn't come back for it, I was to give it to you and only you. Otherwise, mum's the word.”
      She watched as Gabriel laid the statue on the kitchen table and got the meat mallet out of a drawer by the sink. The garishly painted face was in pieces before Lea realized what he was
going to do.
      “You broke it! I know it was ugly, but…”
      He pulled a velvet pouch through an opening at the bottom and shook the contents out on the table.
      “My God.” She hissed in a breath. “Are those…”
      “Yes, the missing diamonds.” He turned toward her. “The last of Gueraldi's men went free because of these. You had them all along. I could charge you with withholding evidence.”
     “Not if I didn't know about them, and I can promise you I didn't.”
     “Ms. O'Neil.” Gabe cocked his eyebrow. “You've got to be kidding me. She had to have told you.”
     “Leannan, but you should probably call me Lea, seeing we've become so well acquainted. And no. She didn't. I knew something was bothering her, but she wouldn't talk about it. Just that she couldn't involve Jack. I never guessed she'd hidden something inside the statue. How could she have done that anyway?”
     “Ever seen Romancing the Stone?”
     “Only a million times. It was Serena's favorite… Oh.”
     “Exactly.”
     A loud crack interrupted the conversation. Glass shattered from the window behind him. Lea screamed. They'd found her. “Did I forget to mention them?”

* * * * 

An excerpt

Hey y'all. Forgive me for squeeking by this week with an excerpt. My hubby is in ICU with pneumonia. I've been sitting with him, so I'm behind on my blogging. Hope you all had a fun St. Patrick's Day.  I forgot my green attire, but I've Irish blood in my bones so hopefully that was good enough. lol
Be blessed,
Beth
----------------------

LEAD IN- Devin is preparing to steal the Regent diamond for the Niccolo Gueraldi


Devin stood in the shadow of night, in front of the Louvre and waited. He enjoyed the anticipation of the act as much as the prize. He was after a great prize tonight. He might have come earlier, switched the jewels on his own with his magic, but he would have missed this part of it.Larceny, being somewhere you aren’t supposed to be, doing something you’re not supposed to do, was a thrill of its own. His team was already in place and waiting for his signal, each in black from hair to toe, so as not to be seen. Devin had his arm around Nicolette; except for the dark clothes they appeared to be lovers lost in the romance of Paris at night. They moved as a unit to a doorway. In mere seconds, she had the alarms down, and they were in.
It was he who whisked the diamond from its resting place. So complicated were the alarms, he actually had to use magic to do it. Replaced with its recreated copy, the Regent lay safely in a velvet pouch in his pocket. He could feel the power and history pulsing from it even now, but that was for later. There would be much to do later. They left as quickly as they came, without leaving a trace of their passing. Tomorrow he’d catch the first flight out and take Gueraldi his diamond.

Tonight was for magic.

Devin declined Nicolette’s invitation of her company for the rest of the evening. She wasn’t happy about it. Alone, he went to his room, and left her pouting in the hall. His team had their payment, and he owed them nothing more than that. He had learned not to get attached to people over the years, after he had lost friends and loved ones. He remained the same year after year, while everyone else withered and died with new lives being born to take their places.

He changed into a robe of black velvet that grazed the carpeted floor. His eyes were wild with sorcery when he cast his circle, a lion before the kill. It was time for his prize. He took the stone into his hands and used it as a looking glass. Devin absorbed the power of the emotions it had collected as old as time itself. As he did now and then, out of curiosity mostly, he sought her out.

“Show me she that is bound by three, Earth Air and Sea. As is my right, for I am her key. Hide me from her sight so that only I may see what destiny has in store for me. As I will so mote it be.” With eyes closed he held the diamond while it grew hot in his hand, and looked across the distance to the stone circle by the sea. He couldn’t see her yet, not just yet. Arianne was still the wind, but he felt her magic. He saw the spell cast again, saw her become the air. She was beautiful, desirable. He wanted her instantly and hated the sight of her all the same.

It was all he could see, for now, but something had changed. Time was shifting. He had essentially stayed the same since he had been trapped. He didn’t age, at all, not even by a day. His hair hadn’t grown, and if he cut himself he didn’t bleed. It was like he was caught in limbo, until this morning. He’d had to shave for the first time in a millennium. Proof that the spell was unraveling, even if ever so slowly. He didn’t know what was causing the change, but it meant this half existence would soon be over. It might be worth his while to find out what was causing it. He didn’t want her to be waiting for him when it was, but the spell itself would compel him to seek Arianne, compel him to lust for her. Love? Well, love couldn’t be ruled by magic.

Desk notes...

I am the queen of clutter.

How can I possibly part with all that good 'stuff', it's still useful, right? (Especially those Pizza Hut coupons. You can never have enough of them.) Those notes I scribbled ten years ago might be the next great novel. When I get time to read them, it might just end of being my new project. (As if I need another project right now. I'm up to my eyeballs in manuscripts. Not complaining though, I love it.) Which brings me to organization.

Even clutter has to be organized.

For all pratical purposes, my 'office' (the ususable one) exists within the confines of my laptops and two big legal pads with the words "Wind" and "Luck" written across the tops of the binding. It's been this way pretty much two years now, since the remodeling and the stint in mother-in-law world began. (If y'all have a mil who loves you dearly, whom you'd go to the ends of the earth for, lavish attention on her. She is worth her weight in gold. I am insanely jealous of you.) The clutter is mostly confined to my room at her house and my office space at the new house (I do work up there some, and most of the 'has to be filed stuff' has been moved there).  Anything I need for Seven or have scribbled down for ideas or don't anticipate actually needing on a daily basis until we move in a month or so, is filed on the big desktop computer which doubles as my youngest' homework computer. Notes for any of the Elemental Magic books, Cullen's Luck, Gypsy Moon, or contracts, bills etc. are in pocket organizers within easy reach.

As for my electronic filing system? Cluttered but organized. When I save or add files they usually orginate from two places email or my small laptop, but I work on three different computers. (Sometimes I need a bigger screen and keyboard.) After two days hunting for the beginnings of a new project I'd started, saved and lost without finding it, I changed my document system. Now there are thirty files, the E M series has its own separate file as does each of my projects, a central library of ebooks for review, another for reviewed ones, etc.
Anyway, the same system exists on all three computers and when I update a file, I save it to my flash drive and update the other systems. It's time consuming, but if one crashes (like it has in the past) I don't lose anything. (I have a habit of losing my flash drive, which is why I don't keep it all on a flash drive.)

My desk at the new house hosts the desktop pc of course, several random books that have nothing to do with the craft of writing and more about procrastination, as in I still need to finish reading Acheron and that ten year old National Geographic magazine and will when I can't work and want to look busy. There is an old piece of Sarah Conventry jewelry that reminds me of a talisman or something, a 1930's pic of my grandma whose passed, a pack of brads (molding), a hammer, a printer, a handheld sewing machine and various office supplies. The hammer and brads are there because when I was putting up molding, I kept laying them down and losing them. I always seemed to look for them there first, so I finally gave up and starting leaving them on the desk. Across the desk chair is an afghan made by my great-great grandmother, in strange shades of orange and yellow that matches nothing in the room (didn't match in the old house either). I never knew her, but it still has a place in my space. I have alot of items that have been entrusted to me simply because I never throw anything remotely useful away. 

So, what's your work space like? Is it easier to create in clutter where everything you see inspires something new? Or do you prefer a blank slate?


Be blessed,
Beth

Pets and Prose...

I think every story I've ever written had some type of pet in it, even Earth Enchanted did though you didn't get to see him. It wasn't practical for Liv's cat Moe to run from psychos along side of her and so he was left at home. You'll meet him in Wait for the Wind since Liv is (spoiler alert) at home on bedrest with twins for a lot of Ryan's story. Of course in Gypsy Moon, I used Ana's dog Taffy to drive some of the action in the opening scenes, giving Ana a reason to go out into the storm. Circe the cat also gave me the opportunity to show off Ana's magic with small mundane things that would normally go unnoticed.

I love animals, especially cats, so they tend to pop up in my writing without consiously thinking of them. Just there, to give comfort to the hero/heroine, protect, act silly, or whatever. I've always had a pet, usually several at once. Most were rescued from the side of the road where a careless owner had thrown them out or were just born strays. I take them in, feed them, treat for mange (there is a cure for the regular mange, if you need it contact me) and sometimes they just need love to forget the abuse they have suffered. Point is this. Pets stay with you in spirit, love you unconditionally, and devote themselves to making our lives richer. You can ask for a better friend than that. 

Be blessed
Brynna
(in memory of Panther (nano-kitty) It's been twenty years since I lost my best friend. I still miss you.)

Nice villians?

Truth be told, heroes aren't all they're cracked up to be. Have you ever stepped back and really looked at the whole hero scene? It's true they save people in dire situations. Noble, yes. Some have powers, some don't, but they are usually cookie cutter perfect. How boring is that? Where is the growth of character that makes them appealing?

Now villians are another story. Whether they are the actual antagonist or just colorfully bad secondary characters, villians bring a whole new aspect to the playing field. Unlike a hero, they are wonderfully flawed and sometimes unapologetically evil.  My favorite bad guy out of all the books, shows, movies, etc. is Sesshomaru (For those of you who don't watch anime, he is the older brother of half-demon Inuyasha in the anime Inuyasha)

Sesshomaru is a full demon and is his father's eldest heir. Violent, cunning and powerful he certainly gives his half brother no end of trouble, constantly trying to kill Inuyasha and his love interest time-traveling Kagome.  But he's not all bad.  After stumbling across a wounded little girl who had taken care of him when he was hurt, Sesshomaru decides to use the sword his father bequethed him to bring her back to life (the only thing the sword is good for). Ren becomes his only friend, following him on his travels and slowly changing him for the better.  He would kill for her and die for her, though normally self serving and evil. Point is this.  He feels justified in his actions and truly believes what he does is right. It all depends on which side of the coin you stand on.  What villians do you sympathize with? Why? What makes them special and how do you recreate that in your writing?
Be blessed,
Beth

Mixin' genres- (Sorry about this. Blogger didn't auto post it)

Most of you know I write paranormal romance, which is a mix of genres, but I like to add romantic suspense to the mix.  Then you have your light and dark paranormals with.  When it comes down to it, I guess my books are "mutts", but that's okay with me. 

Melissa mentioned growing up with pure breds, well I don't believe we every had a pure bred anything (unless you count the parakeets).  Growing up my mom let me drag home every stray dog and cat that came my way.  Most were in need of medical care or starving, so we fed them, loved them and found them homes or kept them until they died or ran off.  I still remember the first dog we had "Nasty".  Mom found him in a mud puddle when he was only a few weeks old.  It was very cold and she always guessed the mother had died or left him behind.  She fed him with a baby doll bottle until he could eat regular food.  As he grew, he began to look like a cross between a wolf and a golden retriever.  Of course we don't know what kind of dog he was, but he was loyal and fierce.  Keeping my one year old self constant company ( and out of trouble. I was a little demon spawn at that age *wink*)  Mutts are great.  I think that extends to books too.  So you want to mix 'em up?  Go for it.  What ever the result, its bound to be interesting.

On another note, I'll be guest blogging about Christmastime at "Dishin' it Out" Sunday with Ginger http://mizging.blogspot.com/ .   I'm also celebrating the December 7th release of Earth Enchanted with a contest.  For more info go to http://brynnacurrybriannaroarkebooks.webs.com/ and check out the "contests" tab. 

Be blessed,

Beth

Breathe...

Have you ever read a book where it seems as though the characters are someone you've met before? Do you feel like you know there life history, or should? Some writers have a talent for making their characters breathe, but how do they do it? Is it the deep point of view we hear so much about? Their emotional and physical encounters with each other? Their past? Their growth through the novel? Or is it simply an innate ability on the author's part, a talent that can't be taught? Maybe its a little bit of all of those things.

Nothing ruins a book more for me than flat characters. If I can't see, hear, and feel them and their emotions, how will they imprint the story in my mind?

I give my hero/heroine pasts and so much conflict it scares even me. Inner thoughts (innerds as one of my editors calls it) are a great way to see inside the character's mind.
On another note, I got the cover for Earth Enchanted in yesterday. It's a smidge racy so I won't post it up, but if you'd like to see it. http://www.lyricalpress.com/brynna_curry
Beth (who is going back to refinishing the dining room hardwood and laying down tile. yip. eee.)

Smashing the Wall of Writer's Block...

Warning- another Harry Potter review (I promise I'll tie it all in. You'll see.)


Last Wednesday was the official release of the newest Harry Potter movie in my hometown. You might be asking yourself what the heck does that have to do with paranormal writing, alot. I'm a big fan of Harry. Along with my kids, we have read all the books, watched the movies, and yes (sigh) bought the t-shirt. So, after work, I cooked supper and then we all piled in the car and headed out to the Dixie Theatre (another historic place in Haleyville, AL).

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince the book, major changes are in store for Harry. More sneak peeks into his parent's deaths, Dumbledore actually enlists his help in the hunt for horcruxes instead of shielding him as he had in the previous five books, and lastly but certainly not least, is Harry's new romance with Ginny Weasley. The intricate details and clues strewn throughout tie up loose ends from 1-5, as well as leaving a few strands for book seven.

The movie was something we had looked forward too, well, since the last one (Which left me hoping the directors would split Half-Blood into two movies, because so much was left out of Order of the Phoenix that unless you read the book, you left the theater a little lost.) Again, we were dissapointed. Don't get me wrong, the book is awesome, its just the inconsistencies as well as huge time gaps (aka. December then Spring with no bridge between) throughout the movie made it hard for you to keep up. This may have been equipment failure where we were, but instead of a seemless scene change, the cuts were so definent the flow was lost.

But...all the actors played their relative parts as though this was who they were. I cried with Hermione, wanted to smack Ron a time or two and awed at Dumbledore's fire dragon. I cheered Ginny on when she ran through the fire to save Harry. And here is what this has to do with writing.

I wondered, if this movie were all you read in the book, what would you have? How can I apply the faults I see on screen to my writing. I've begun to notice those cut scenes, lost words and time, and lack of the awesome, more easily in my older works. Such glaring errors take away the magic of the page. So, what smashes your writer's block? Walking away from the wip for a day. Learning from the creativity of others.

Beth

A snip of a wip aka (I know next to nothing about grave art)

Looks like I'm taking Friday's post today, since I'm shamefully late. I'm in book edits and nearing the end of the house remodel, which means I'm behind on everything! Grave art isn't something I know much about, though I have gotten a few character first names by reading grave markers while at decoration. Most of the headstones around here are cookie-cutter fashion with a flower or angel, etc, etched between the names. ( When the times comes, I want a dragon on mine with a long tail that wraps around it until the end forms a pen. In its hands would be a book. The tip of the tail/pen would be poised to write. )

I'll leave you with a couple of snips from my wip Circle of Seven-Shadows of Light (formerly called Bite Me!) Here's a quick blurb and the beginning (unfinished) of the last chapter.

In 600 a.d. a Council of Elders met with the hopes of forming a defense against the oldest vampire and his kind. To save mankind from extinction, seven powerful witches were chosen to form an alliance, each from a different continent with power unique to their people. These women were known simply as "The Seven". When erotic romance author Brianna Hughes begins receiving pictures of ritually murdered women and then one of herself, naked with blood streaming from the bite wounds in her neck. Brie seeks the last man she wants to run to for help, vampire Kail McKenna.
Kail has seen more than his share of death and destruction in his fourteen hundred years. When Brie walks back into his life as living proof of the Seven returned, he has no choice but to honor his charge as Guardian of the Seven. Death stalks Brie and craves not only her blood but her power. Thrice the Seven have returned. With only Brianna the Light left to battle the darkness, will Kail be able to save his love and his soul?

Chapter (the end)

Kail lifted his sword high and poised to strike. A thousand thoughts, scenes, memories flashed through his timeless mind. Each one led to this moment, and now he would destroy the Seven completely. If I send Shade to hell, they’ll be no coming back for the others. Brie would be free. I’ll finally be free.
He slashed downward, his blade sang as it met Shade’s. The force of the blow rang through his hands up his arms. So, this is what its like to fight another vampire whose strength so perfectly matches my own. The Darkness. Maybe the elders had made a mistake when choosing to add that final lethal power to their perfect number of destined warrior women. I see that now. It was always Shade who wrought destruction. Shade killed Ari the first Light, and then turned Cailin the second Light. Darkness will always war against the light of hope. Here I am, the darkest of immortal men, fighting for a hope I’m afraid to believe in, a love I can’t feel and a woman I can’t keep. I don’t know who’s the bigger fool.
“Give up, Kail McKenna. Keeper of Seven, Guardian of Times. I am the Seven now. Darkness was always meant to swallow the others and step into the fold.”
“No. Elias has twisted your mind, Shade. I can’t believe that.”
“Fool. These mortal women were leaders of their people. Wherest they go so did their followers. What better way to rule man’s world than to use the humans’ loyalty against them?”
“No.”
“There are but two left. When I have them, I’ll unleash a force so powerful, you’re humans will beg to be changed.” The onyx in Shade’s pendant began to give off a strange black light. It pulsed and wavered with a life of its own. Dark clouds and lightening wrapped around her sword turning the blade obsidian….

Oh, I forgot to mention a couple of weeks ago I submitted this proposal to Jessica Faust of Book Ends. She has requested a partial, so wish me luck. I'm shootin' for print this time.

Beth

Recipe for the Bad Guy...

• 1 cup of nasty attitude
• 1 $5000 dollar suit and cuban cigars (can be substituted for black jeans, black shirt and accessories)
• A talent for stringing curse words together (in public or private)
• A wicked fast car, truck or fancy army outfitted vehicle (Add a fleet of various ones for added effect)
• Motive for Nepharious deeds (Lots of cash (illgotten of course) or No cash at all, Computer technology- Be creative)
• Evil soul (Can be substituted with mental defect or tortured past)
  

Bake in the pits of H**L until sufficiently motivated to cause mayhem and murder.
Finish by adding your weapon of choice (LOTS of them)!

Sounds silly doesn't it? Yet, a lot of book and movie bad guys fall into this recipe or formula for the modern day bad guy. It's not enough for the reader or watcher to know WHAT they are, but WHY they are. Unless a bad guy is a sociopath or just plain psychotic, something made him the way he is. What makes them do what they do best? Add in the Paranormal bad guys and well alot of backstory could be in their make up. So how do you break free of the cookie cutter CEO's gone sour and hitman out for revenge? Show their human side. A newborn has the potential to be the next president or just as likely the next serial killer. The same goes with characters. What path did life set for them? What choices did they make to bring them to this point? Therin lies your answer to the perfect bad guy.

Beth

When paranormal goes just a little too far?

You curl up in your favorite easy chair with a hot cup of cocoa, or coffee if you’re like me, and the newest paranormal thriller by your favorite author. It’s been a long tiring day. Dinner is finished, the dishes cleared and the kids are off doing their own thing. You’ve waited months to read this new book. Finally, a moment to relax! Pages turn and suddenly you’re stuck in the middle of a paranormal soap-opera. The writer has created paranormal chaos. The main character is a witch, with a werewolf husband, fairy kids and that cousin from wherever who happens to be their own grandma AND second cousin twice removed thanks to a little mishap with time travel. So how much is too much?

If you find yourself flipping back to see just who has what kind of power, if they're they good or bad, how are you supposed to focus on the story? You can't. I don't mind a little time travel mixed in with vampires or even witches. In fact, I tend to expect some of that with those types of stories. Werewolves are complicated enough without trying to figure out the whens and wheres of half a dozen characters. All with some kind of ability I might add. Sheesh. A hero and heroine with powers in one magical world is plenty. It's their story I'm interested in!

Blessings,
Beth (Y'all have a lovely Valentine's Day!)

Nanowrimo has arrived! How do you keep focused on your Nano?

Good Morning!



Nanowrimo or National Novel Writing Month has arrived. If you're
doing nano, and just about every writer I know is, how do you stay
on track?

I have a 8-5, a husband, three teenagers, a house that's being remodeled, and an overbearing mother-in-law under whose roof I'm forced to live while the house is getting a mega-makeover. Needless to say, the enviroment isn't writer friendly. So, Nichole has her candle and cards. I have a composition notebook, my favorite blue gel pen, a mega sized mocha iced coffee, and a corner spot in Jackie's childhood bedroom in which to work. It helps me to scribble it all out by hand and then type it up.

Still it's day four and I have exactly two typed pages of Bite Me!, which is supposed to be my nano, done. Please don't ask the word count, its pathetic. I have several other wip pushing me to finish rewrites, and boy do those characters get bossy. Anybody have suggestions? Hmm? Anyone?

I think I'll just hold my nose and dive in. Hey, I might not finish, but if I accomplish anything in the psycho world known as my home I will have done something I think is truly amazing! I can live with that and be proud. Wish me luck!

Beth

(lost in the post-Halloween psychosis of the kids sugar highs. Next year think popcorn, people! Please!)

Enter Bethany aka Brynna Curry

Good Morning and Welcome to our blog!

Hi, I'm Bethany, also known by my pen Brynna Curry. I've never been asked why I write. To those who really know me, its just what I do. I've been writing stories or making them up for as long as I can remember. Why write paranormal? Like Nichole I've had close encounters with what I call others.

I'm not sure if they were spirits of those passed on, demons, angels or any other name you might give them. I have upon occasion questioned my own mental status, but hey, if some otherworldly being yells in my ear and says "Beth, Stop!" just before I pull out in front of another driver with no headlights on at nine o'clock in the evening. Who am I to complain, right?

I've held objects in antique stores and caught glimpes of their owners. Once my mother lost her mother's wedding band. She had looked for it three days, before she finally asked me to help. I never had to search for the ring, I laid my hand right on it. Then there are the dreams of my aunt and my grandmother. I've had whole conversations with them while sleeping, though it seems as if they are alive and its just another day. One always brings good news, and the other most often warns of major change, either by a death or accident. I guess I write paranormal because I feel so welcome in that realm. Ya'll just call me the resident oddball.

I married my high school sweetheart and I'm a mom of three teenagers, which makes finding five minutes to write a trial. Eight to five, I'm a secretary. I come from a broken homelife, which probably helped feed my need to write and escape in the world of books.

Vampires and Werewolves are favorite creatures to write for me. I usually have several works in progress going at once. Bite Me! is a sort of steamy vampire tale set in the city. Kayleigh Farell is an erotic paranormal romance novelist who finds herself being stalked by a real vampire. Kail McKenna, also a vampire, may be her only hope of remaining among the human race. She may be his freedom. Wolf's Bane is the story of Howl, a PI and werewolf, and Ana Brannon, a witch determined to free him of his curse. Thanks for taking this journey with us. It's sure to be a wild and spooky ride! Happy Halloween Everyone.

Beth