Friday, July 20, 2018

Five Things Cats Can Teach You About Writing

Five Things Cats Can Teach You About Writing



If you’re a writer, or if you happen to know one, you’re probably aware that writing is a constant work in progress. As writers, we are always learning and evolving. From creative writing courses to inspirational books written by our favorite authors, there are a variety of ways to expand our knowledge about the craft of writing. But, did you know that everything we really need to know about writing can be learned by watching our feline friends? Cats might not be able to teach us about grammar, but the lessons you learn from watching them can definitely be applied to your writing. Here are five things your cat can teach you about writing:


1. Be patient.
It takes time to write a quality book. If you’re a writer of non-fiction, there is research involved. For authors of fiction, there is world-building, keeping all our characters straight, and making sure you haven’t left any loose threads or plot holes. Can your cat teach you how to pen believable characters and realistic dialogue? Maybe not, but your cat can teach you the art of patience. Ever notice how cats are absolutely still as they watch their prey? How they wait for the perfect moment to pounce? Cats are patient. They know that a nice, juicy mouse is worth waiting for and if they rush, they might miss out on something delicious. You can try to rush your creativity, but you run the risk of missing out on an opportunity to create something truly spectacular.

2. Rely on all your senses.
Cats use all their senses to explore and conquer the world around them. They watch. Listen. Smell the air around them. Feel the breeze rustling their whiskers. When writing, if you really want to pull the reader in, engaging all the senses is the best way. What is your character seeing, hearing, and smelling? Smell is one of the most powerful senses, but many writers fail to use this to their advantage. Do you know who doesn’t forget to use their sense of smell? Cats.

3. Trust your instincts.
Cats are very intuitive. When I lived in Missouri where tornados were frequent, I never became truly alarmed when the sirens went off – not unless the cats panicked and tried to hide. Cats always seem to know when something is amiss or when something is coming. If you want to write the best book you possibly can, you would be wise to trust your instincts. Yes, feedback from beta readers and editors is essential, but if you’re receiving conflicting feedback from a variety of readers, who do you trust? Who is the tiebreaker? You are. It’s your book. You wrote it. Trust yourself.

4. Write with reckless abandon.
Anyone who has a cat has, at one time or another, become frustrated when that pushy feline walked across their keyboard, sending a trail of “awsedrftgygyhu” across their document. For the most part, humans are better typists than cats (and better spellers too). Still, there’s a benefit to just letting go and writing without overthinking. Sometimes we are too careful. We are so focused on writing a perfect first draft, we forget there’s no such thing! Rewrites and edits exist for a reason. If you’re struggling with writing your book, let go of the idea of perfection. Just sit back, relax, and write! Once you’ve accomplished the monumental task of completing your first draft, there will be plenty of opportunities to achieve perfection during the editing stage.

5. Take a break.
After a writing spree, cats like to take a break, usually by plopping down in the middle of your keyboard and taking a nap. In fact, cats will nap just about anywhere. You should too. While establishing a good writing routine is important, it’s equally important to take breaks. Some will advise you to write every day, but this isn’t always possible. It’s okay to take a break. Take a break between chapters, between books, or between rounds of editing. You need to recharge your batteries. Pushing yourself will lead to exhaustion and eventually creative burnout.


Hopefully, these five valuable lessons from our frisky feline friends will help you tackle your next writing project. Remember writing is a process and it’s different for everyone. The next time you’re stuck on a project, just ask yourself, “What would Mr. Whiskers do?”


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Thursday, July 19, 2018

Dragons: What to Know Part IV

Dragons: What to Know Part IV

Christina Weigand





In the last post I introduced two of the Chromatic dragons: black and blue dragons. That post can be seen here. Today I will take a look at Green, Red and White Dragons.

Green Dragons: These creatures tend to be belligerent and masters of intrigue, politics and backbiting. They are territorial and aggressive as any other evil dragon, but their aggression takes the form of schemes to gain power and wealth. Their lust for power is only rivaled by their desire for treasure. In dealing with other creatures green dragons are honey-tongued, smooth and sophisticated. But when it comes to their own kind they are loud, crass and rude.

Mating is a course and indelicate thing, although when they decide to mate their lawful nature is brought out and a strong bond develops. They teach their young all the skills necessary for effective manipulation and double-dealing. Once the young ones are grown the parents chase them off and go their separate ways.

Lairs are found sheer cliffs or hillsides. They prefer the entrance to be hidden such as behind a waterfall or near a lake, pond or stream that provides a submerged entrance.  Preference is given  to locales with some kind of vegetable life.

Green Dragons aren’t picky about the treasure they hoard. Anything valuable will do although they favor anything that reminds them of a great victory.

Red Dragons: Red dragons are considered the most evil of the dragons, an opinion they heartily agree with. They believe themselves to be the closest to the ideals of draconic nature and behavior. All other dragons have fallen from this purity. Most covetous of all the dragons they tirelessly seek to increase their treasure.


Courtship is a dangerous affair, because most suitors are considered rivals. Females do most of the courting and it usually involves a younger dragon approaching and older one. After the eggs are laid these younger dragons are left to guard the eggs. Most red young ones are left to fend for themselves.

Lairs can be found in mountainous terrain or hilly regions, badlands and other places wher they can perch high and survey their domain. The cave extends deep into the earth and ones with geothermal or volcanic activity are most desired.

The favorite treasure of the Red Dragon is anything with some monetary value and every dragon knows the exact value of his horde. No one dares to take even the smallest piece of the dragons treasure for fear of losing their life when discovered.

White Dragons: White dragons are the smallest, least intelligent and most animalistic of the dragons. In spite of this they have excellent memories and will conduct a vicious vendetta against those that offended them.



White dragons spurn others of their kind except in the case of the opposite gender. they are fond of carnal pleasure and have been known to mate for the fun of it. Tending eggs is not something they are prone to do although they often lay their eggs near their lairs and one or both parents will allow the offspring to move in for a short time. The young ones must care for themselves, but do gain some protection and education from their nearby parents.

Lairs are generally located in frigid climates like arctic areas. The lair is usually an ice cave with subterranean chambers that open away from the warming rays of the sun.

The most coveted treasure is diamonds, but they will take anything sparkly and shiny.


Next time we meet I will talk about the Metallic Dragons, starting with the Brass Dragon. Until we meet again Bensvelk Kear (that is good day in Dragon).




 To read more about my books and me go to my
 Amazon Author Page: Amazon

To read some more about dragons check out Rebecca Tran's posts:

Dragon Myths 1

Dragon Myths 2


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Wednesday, July 18, 2018

And now, for something a little bit different...by Ms. Babou #OurAuthorGang




   We have some awwwwwwesome authors here at our gang who have some incredible fur babies. I loved the story of Loki (who FINALLY has a name, thank you very much!) and the one of Mango T.  How fun is that? ***paw to mouth kitteh snickers*** The red pandas at the zoo are pretty cool, too!
   Hi, everyone! Man, if mom knew I took control of her computer she'd be upset! I wouldn't get snuggles for a whole day...I'm willing to risk that, though, because I want to tell you MY story. 


   Four years ago, I found my forever home with some cool humans. You see, I was abandoned. I had no place to go. I was scared and I was trapped under a mobile home. The moment my boy cuddled me, I knew I was safe, that I'd be okay.
   Mom, that's what I call her anyway, and my boy, took me to the kitteh doctor for a check up. I was a mess. I weighed 1.3 lbs, had earmites that drove me crazy, and needed my wounds fixed.
   Two weeks later, I weighed 4 lbs. My favorite place was either under Mom's chin or on her computer. Little did I know I would become an author kitteh someday!
   I grew stronger and gained more weight. There was a sparkle in my eye, but I was still very wary of strangers or loud noises. And, I wouldn't go close to the doors or windows. I loved snuggling on the soft ISU blanket, though. GO CYCLONES! ***kitteh snickers***
   Living close to an open field and in a mobile home provided me with much entertainment--field mice. They truly weren't much bigger than me, and I enjoyed annoying the snot out of the little buggers. We'd play, I'd get bored, they'd run...it was a nice game.
   I continued helping Mom write, and bugged her until she put a cat in one of her books. It wasn't me, but some British feline she named Simon. Can you imagine? Here I am wanting my few minutes of fame and she gives it to an imaginary cat...a boy cat at that!
   Now I'm a year old! I've researched every nook and cranny of this mobile home. I've surveyed the African violets that were once mom's passion. I've investigated under and above the closets...and I continued to patrol and toy with the little rodents who invaded my privacy...usually when I was sound asleep in the sun on the back of the couch!
   A year passed and we moved to a safer place. It was weird. It wasn't sprawled out like the mobile home...there were no mice. It took me a long time to come out from hiding under my boy's bed. It was traumatic to leave all that I knew to come to this new place. I felt like I was being abandoned, again.
   I'm four years old now. You can tell my favorite place is on the coffee table...right next to the tray of beautiful crystals. I love the energy of the clear quartz point and often rub up against it. It makes me purr.
   I continue to snuggle and play tag with my boy. I've stopped biting mom (for the time being...unless she needs to spend time with me, then I get her attention...without hurting her, of course.) I love laying on my favorite blanket on her lap and stretching out full length of her legs and sleeping. **kitteh sigh** 
   I love my human family so much! They play with me, love me, hold me when I'm frightened, and talk with me. There's still hope out there for all of you fur friends. to find your human. One day you will capture the heart of your forever home, just like I did. Mine was truly heaven sent. Sending all of you kitteh kisses and snuggles. =^.^=
Image result for cat paw print clip art
      Oh yeah, and if you want to check out this Simon character, look at my mom's Amazon page. He appears in ETHEREAL AUTHORITY and in IF ONLY---both books are part of her DIVA TO THE GUIDES series. She's got some other really cool books, too!
https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B00FQXTT58/
COMMENTS

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Tricia Drammeh via Google+

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Sniff, sniff. I'm crying happy tears for this lucky kitty who found the purrfect forever home!
 
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Eva Pasco via Google+

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
Erika M Szabo originally shared this
 
A lucky cat found a furever home. Great story Grace!
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Ruth de Jauregui

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Awwww, she is so sweet. Thank you Grace!
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Thanks, Ruth. She's my joy.

Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Ms. Babou tells the story of how she came to live with author Grace Augustine​. Check her out!!
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Thank you, Ms Ruth.

Rebecca Tran

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Grace what a sweet kitty. I bet she keeps your life interesting and gives you plenty of love.
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She is an amazing little thing, that's for sure. She loves to play tag with my son and fetches papers when you throw them to her.

Rebecca Tran

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Meet Babou Grace Augustine's kitty and the newest furbaby in #OurAuthorGang  
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Thank you, Ms. Rebecca. I love all of our fur friends here.

Joanne Jaytanie via Google+

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Bou is one of the sweetest kitties I know. #OurAuthorGang
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Thank you, Auntie Joanne. I love you. **kitteh purrs

Joanne Jaytanie

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
One of the sweetest kitties I ever met. Great post!
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Thank you, Joanne. She is a darling for sure.

Erika M Szabo

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
A lucky cat found a furever home. Great story Grace!
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Thanks. Ms.Erika. I do love my furever family.

Chris Mack

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Freaking onions, who brings onions to work...lol love my little kitteh!
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It's okay to man cry, kiddo. You know she loves you so much.

Chris Weigand via Google+

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
A cute story by Ms. Babou and Grace Augustine​
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Thanks, Chris.

Kristine Raymond

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Awe...silly Babou!!  She found some lucky owners, all right!!
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Thanks so much, Kristine. We're pretty lucky she chose us.

Grace Au

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today you can read the story of Ms. Babou...by Ms. Babou.
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Joe Bonadonna via Google+

6 months ago (edited)  -  Shared publicly
 
Today on #OurAuthorGang, Grace Augustine posts something different . . . a sweet and very personal story written by her fur baby, Ms Babou.
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View all 3 replies
 
+Grace Au ouch! My bad. Sorry! 
 
All fixed!

Joe Bonadonna

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
This is so very cute, Grace. I love the fur-baby stories, especially when the fur baby is the author! :)
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She really does take over my blog and had her own spot in my newsletter before I got rid of it.
 
+Grace Au -- she's quite the little character! 

Toi Thomas

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
What a cute kitty! Thanks for sharing your story Ms. Babou.
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Thank you, Ms. Toi. Purrrs

Toi Thomas via Google+

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, Ms. Babou tells the story of how she came to love living with our very own Grace Augustine​. #OurAuthorGang
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Kitty snuggles....=^.^=

Lorraine Carey

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
What a heartfelt story! Ms Babou was very luck to find such a wonderful home. xx
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I surely was....purrrs
 
+Grace Au You are a great fur baby mama.

Nikki McDonagh

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Gorgeous cat and a sweet story. Thanks for sharing Ms Babou.
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Thank you, Ms. Nikki. Kitteh purrs

Mary Anne Yarde

6 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
What a great story! Such a beautiful cat.
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Thank you so much, Ms. Mary Anne. It makes me wonder who my kitteh mommy and daddy were. I bet they were beautiful, too.

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