“Disenchantment, whether it is a minor disappointment or a major shock, is the signal that things are moving into transition in our lives.”

– Sir William Throsby Bridges

Major General Sir William Throsby Bridges

…just something to think about.

For the past few years, I’ve been piling books in various locations around the house. There are shelves in the basement, but they’ve been double and triple stacked, with more books on the top, and piles on top of those.

Upstairs, there have been books on the coffee table, under the coffee table, inside the hutch (which we bought for appliance storage… oops!), on the kitchen table, in the office, on two different desks, on the floor of the office, in the bedroom, in the bathroom, under the couch… books everywhere!!! I spent my life in fear that one of these days, I’d wake up being smothered under a pile of fallen books, trapped, with no one to hear my screams because I’d probably just read whatever book was closest until I ran out of oxygen… heh…

Anyway, a few weeks ago, El Husbando finally said “ENOUGH!” and we went out and bought five new bookcases from Ikea. FIVE. Those big Billy ones.

And, umm, you know what?

They’re all full.

Oh, crap.

There’s a tiny bit of space on one shelf that we took a few books off of, that’ll fit about… oh, I don’t know… thirty to forty more books. That’s counting the twenty or so I have out on loan to various friends and family members. Plus the five next to me at the kitchen table. And the two that came from the Scholastic book order. And the three I got with a coupon last week.

There is literally nowhere else we can put bookshelves. The house is full. And, uh, I have another gift certificate I need to use…

…solution?

Clearly, I need a bigger house.

Please, share your book storage woes (and solutions) with me!!! I can’t be the only one with this kind of, uh, “issue’”…

I just signed up for the A to Z Blogging Challenge.

What the heck was I thinking?!?!

Mostly, that it’s about time to breathe some life back into this blog, and I need some serious motivation to do so.

So, come back here April 1st and, if you like what you see, keep visiting! There’ll be a new post almost every day (not Sundays, with the exception of the first day), for as long as I can keep it  up.

And hey, why not join me? You know you wanna…

*clears throat*

*taps microphone*

      *winces at feedback*

“Welcome, welcome, everyone… grab a coffee, have a cookie or two, and sit right down! Today we have the delight of hosting author Aubrie Dionne on her virtual book tour—some of you may remember her from last August, when she stopped in to promote her first full-length science-fiction novel, Paradise 21.

And guess what? It’s sequel time! And, if that’s not enough for you, we have a prequel novella to celebrate as well! It’s a two-in-one release celebration—something for long-time readers, and something for those of you new to the series.

But that’s enough talk from me, you want to meet the author!

Thanks for joining us today, Aubrie! It’s great to have you back here at Literary Coldcuts on Toasty Buns.

So tell us: a novel and prequel novella both released this month… how does it feel? Do you have an elated sense of accomplishment, or do you just want to lie down and sleep for a month?”

“I’m very excited! I wrote them at different times (thank goodness) But, Entangled thought it would be great to release them at the same time, since they are companion novels following one of the characters in each book. I’m hoping to draw in readers to the series by offering a cheaper ebook as a prequel.”

”I like the way you think! Sneaksy, I say! Plus, everyone loves prequels. That said, in terms of putting together a sequel, when it came to the writing process was there anything you found easier or more difficult when it came to writing the Tundra 37? How did the process compare to writing Paradise 21?”

“I wanted to make it even better than Paradise 21. You know what they say about sequels not being as good. So, I tried to delve deeper and go further with the plot and all of the characters in it. This book is longer and more complex, but still has the action, adventure, and romance that the first one did.”

*sips coffee*

*nods sagely*

“Of course, of course. But let’s cut to the chase: Inquiring minds want to know—which of your heroines do you think you’d get along with best, Aries or Gemme? Or maybe Skye?”

“Gemme, of course, because she’s the tamest one of the bunch. The other two might just dominate my personality or scare me! Gemme is sweet and kind-hearted and would be a great person to take to the mall on a day off!”

“A nice person on an ice planet? That seems almost cruel! Though I haven’t read it yet, I’m looking forward to reading your description of the ice planet, and I’m wondering… are you the kind of author who gets really into character while writing? I guess what I mean is, did you find yourself feeling sympathetically cold during the writing process?”

*shivers just thinking about being cold*

*looks at Faith like she’s crazy because she lives in Canada and is supposed to be used to the cold*

“Living in NH, I’m cold from November until March! I wear pants underneath my dress, long underwear, two sweaters, gloves, a hat…you name it. and I’m still cold. So, I have a lot to draw on for Tundra 37!”

“Well, I’m just glad your fingers haven’t fallen off yet… er, anyway, what’s up next in the New Dawn series? Will we see a return of familiar characters, or meet new faces, or should we just hold our collective breath and be surprised?”

“I’m editing the next novel in the series: Haven 6. This one ties in everything from the first three books. You’ll get to find out what happened to Aries and Striker, meet the bird-alien people that hatched from the eggs, and get answers to the mysterious golden swirls in the orb in Tundra 37. The final battle is epic, and I hope the conclusion is satisfying!”

“Fantastic! Who doesn’t love epic battles???”

*stares around the room*

“Just one more question for today, Aubrie, since I’m curious and like to know these things: What are you reading right now?”

“I just finished an awesome book called Lockdown: Escape from Furnace about a boy who’s incarcerated for a murder he didn’t commit. It’s like the Shawshank Redemption crossed with a horror movie all in one. I loved it.”

”Oooh! I haven’t heard of that one! I’ll have to look it up. Well, thanks so much for joining us today, Aubrie, and best of luck on the rest of the blog tour… and with those edits!”

“Thanks for having me here today, Faith! Great questions!”

*taps mic*

“If anyone here today is interested in obtaining a copy of any of Aubrie’s books, just go ahead and click the links below—and stay tuned for reviews of Tundra 37 and A Hero Rising in the coming weeks!”

Paradise 21 (A New Dawn, Book #1)

Tundra 37 (A New Dawn, Book #2)

A Hero Rising (A New Dawn, Book #3 Prequel)

About Aubrie

Aubrie is an author and flutist in New England. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, A Fly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skulls and Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers, by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by Nightbird Publishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications,A Yuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications. Her epic fantasy is published with Wyvern Publications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras and teaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school.

http://www.authoraubrie.com
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com

…no, I didn’t actually receive an acceptance to Hogwarts. Too bad, though.

But I’m going to be attending the next best thing: A workshop about owls! Yes, a full day of learning and quizzes and questions and charts about OWLS. Yes, the ones that go “hoot” or “skreeeeee!” or any other manner of owl sounds.

And then, my friends, THEN… I will go on an OWL PROWL for two hours on a wintery Friday night with 8 complete strangers, where we’ll search the darkened skies and trees for a hint or a shadow of these elusive winged ones.

What does this have to do with anything?

Well, it doesn’t, really. I just like learning about things. It just so happens that a nearby university offers the occasional nature course, and I have a free day, so… why not?

But I’m not just writing to talk about owls. Rather, let me ask you this:

• Is there something you’re interested in, but have never had the chance to learn about?
• Is there a type of cooking, or crafting, or technology you’ve always wanted to try?
• Do you wish you knew a little more about nature, or gardening, or the butterflies that flit around your window every spring?
• Have you always wanted to learn a new language?

…so… why haven’t you? What’s stopping you? I bet if you Google your area of interest, and your location (or the biggest city near you), you’d find an upcoming course or workshop that’s exactly what you’re looking for.

Is your excuse:

“I don’t have enough time!” – Make time. Book a day off work. Get a babysitter. At the end of your life, do you want to feel like you spent a life fulfilled, or do you want to spend your final years regretting that you wasted time on Facebook instead of taking a moment to enjoy the wonders that this world has to offer?

“I don’t have enough money!” – Birthdays? Christmas? Anniversary? Valentine’s Day? If your family does gift lists, put your course or class or interest on the list! Let people know that you want to experience something difference! Tell your significant other or best friend—these are the kind of people who’ll be excited for you, and encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and do something different.

“I’d suck at that. I know I would.” – You literally DO NOT KNOW that until you try. And, what are you basing that on? A bad grade in French class twenty years ago? An embarrassing line-dance incident at your sister’s wedding? Being human is about learning and growing and failing and then trying again. Just because a rabbit bit you when you were seven doesn’t mean all lagomorphs are evil—maybe you’d be a great foster parent for an animal rescue!

All of these excuses SUCK. Yes, that’s right. They SUCK.

Especially if you’re a writer.

If you want to learn something, or try something new, and you’re a writer, why wouldn’t you get out of your comfort zone and do it??? If you never step out of your comfortable little bubble, how can you create realistic human emotions and interactions in your characters? How will you know what to feel or sense or how to react, if you can’t do it yourself? Hearsay is one thing. Real-life experience is another…

The fear of sitting in a classroom for the first time in fifteen years.

The frustration of caring for an injured animal.

The excitement of making your first successful Pad Thai with authentic ingredients.

The satisfaction of knitting a scarf for the first time.

The delight and joy of discovering the wonders of nature.

At the owl workshop, I’m going to be surrounded by biologists and wildlife experts and agriculturists and birders and academics and when we introduce ourselves and explain why we’re there I’m going to stand up and proudly exclaim “I’m here because I’m a writer and I like birds and I love to learn new things.”

It’s going to be awkward. I don’t like strangers. I don’t like talking to other people in new environments. But if I don’t go, I’ll never get to learn about these amazing, mysterious creatures from someone who has make studying birds their life’s work.

I’ll be scared and excited and amazed and nervous and I might want to throw up just a little bit when I step into the room for the first time.

But I’m a writer, and a human being, and that means I need to make the most of the life I was given. I don’t want to be 95-years-old and wishing I’d done more with my life.

So today, I’m encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone… and if not just for the sake of getting excellent fodder and realistic experiences to plug into your writing, then for the sake of your growth as a human being. Let’s say “no!” to becoming stagnant, and “yes!” to everything this incredible world has to offer.

What do you want to learn or try or do that you’ve always been afraid to or just “haven’t got around to it yet”? Why not look into it TODAY?

I previously posted a link to my articles on Fantasy-Faction about defeating gender stereotypes when writing fantasy, and part three went up today… interested? Here it is!

Writing Fantasy Gender Stereotypes, Part 3: Alphas, Betas, and Losers, Oh My!

I didn’t choose the images that went along with it, but Marc (who posts the articles) did a great job illustrating this one. Don’t miss the final jab in the bottom image (and make sure you’re not drinking anything when you look at it)!

(If you missed the first two articles, you can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.)

So, this blog is currently very dull. There is a distinct lack of explosions, dragons, and space battles happening on this page, so I’m going to do my very bestest to make things more exciting around here from now on, even if that means posting random pictures of dinosaurs, Star Trek captains, and/or robots. And I can’t promise that I’ll shy away from gushing over various things I love, because, you know what? This is MY blog, and I’m tired of trying to find clever things to say when I simply don’t know what to say. So, instead, I plan to add a little more “me” and a little less “abandoned blog because I didn’t know what to post.”

Without further ado, here is the first post in my new (weekly? monthly? whenever I feel like it?) series about my the things I love. Why? Because I can.

And because it makes the world a little bit brighter when you think about your favorite things (seriously, Maria von Trapp did NOT lie!) and share them with others. Go ahead and SQUEE with me… and why not leave a few of your favorite things in the comments?

Favorite Thing #1: Leverage (TV series)

This is, without a doubt, THE BEST THING ON TELEVISION right now. I blew through all four series in a remarkable amount of time, and I’m going to be very, very sad waiting for the next season because I feel personally invested in the lives of these people and their zany capers. I love them. Truly. Parker most of all.

Favorite Thing #2: Skylanders (video game)

I think I played about 15 hours of this game after cracking it open for the first time. Then I went hunting around my city and a neighboring city, looking for MORE SKYLANDERS. Everywhere in the universe was sold out (until this week… needless to say, I’m going to Microplay later tonight), and every display I checked had sad people standing at it, wishing there were more Skylanders to buy and play with in the game. And when I say “people”, I mean “myself and several 8-year-old boys”. I am not ashamed.

Favorite Thing #3: Star Wars (WAY OF LIFE)

We’re talking films, books, games… need I say more?

Favorite Thing #4: Dragons (“mythological” creatures… *pfft*)

Yes. These. Fire, flying, and pointy bits. LOVE.

Favorite Thing #5: Cheesecake (food) 

Because WHO DOESN’T LOVE CHEESECAKE?!?! I prefer baked cheesecake, and if you’re offering me a version containing chocolate, pumpkin and/or raspberry, you will be my friend for life. If you also provide a decent cup of coffee at the same time, you will be my friend for INFINITY.

…and those are a few of my favorite things.

…which I’m really not, but I was feeling particularly ridiculous the other day, so I wrote a storypraxis that technically isn’t, but I’m claiming that it is. Is what, exactly? Well, you can figure that part out.

The prompt was “a book hitting the wall”:

a book hitting the wall

…yes, I know, I’m hilarious. But not really.  

…just felt like sharing. 

Go ahead, do something silly today! I give you permission.

Here it is… 2012! A new year, a new start… and a chance to refresh one’s habits and make new plans. Yes, I’m talking about blogging, writing, reading, and general social media interaction.

2011 was an interesting year. I made a lot of changes at the cost of other things (blogging, time spent visiting blogs, time spent with friends on LibraryThing and various writing forums I’m a member of, reading GOOD books), so this year my plan is to reintegrate those things on a more casual but scheduled basis.

Otherwise, being online might take up all the writing time I have!!!

So, along with the rest of you who are posting resolutions online, here are a few things I’m planning for this year:

• Blog posts minimum twice a week
• 1/2 hr. minimum on LibraryThing daily
• No more crappy books – if it sucks, stop reading it!!!
• Complete edits on the two half-edited books I have, and submit them
• Post once a week on The Ancient Standard again
• Re-watch the entirety of Star Trek: TNG (what? some resolutions can be fun! )

Mind you, my actual plans are more detailed than this (I have some weekly charts drawn up), but that’s the general idea.

That said… hope you all had a great holiday!!! Anyone else making resolutions (or plans, at the very least) for the year ahead?