Galway has a lot of different birds. Every day in the square outside my townhouse the gulls and the rooks fight it out for prime territory in the park. Eyre Square has a lot of people passing through it day and night, many of whom leave behind their food and wrappers, which the birds scavenge through in hopes of finding something good. Wherever I walk in the city I see the little wagtails — cute wee birds! And of course I have feral pigeons who often sit on my sill and coo.

As I head out to Nimmo’s pier and the walk along the bay, in addition to the swans there are a variety of gulls. Until my friend Wendy visited I didn’t realise how many different kinds of gulls there were from the common and herring gulls to the Mediterranean and black-backed gulls. By the water’s edge, too, I usually find the jackdaws and hooded crows. I’m still getting over mistaking all the rooks for crows — more common in the States, they’re actually rare here. Rooks are everyone though. They have shaggier legs than carrion crows and their beaks are a bit different, too. The hooded crows are black and grey. I see them all the time on the beach, flying up and dropping mussels to break them open. I love corvids: they’re so clever. My favourites of course are the magpies: one of the main characters in my forthcoming novel (under my given name) is a 300 year old magpie.

I’m envious because my sweetie has an owl near his house. It may be the escaped eagle owl that’s sent local birdwatchers in Dundee into a tizzy. I hope it’s still there when I get back to Scotland in a couple weeks. It would be so cool to see it!

Here’s my dramatic rook picture. I’m using it as the lock screen image for my new iPad and continuing the tradition by naming it Rook. My MacBook is Jackdaw and my Android is Mobile Magpie. See more of my photos from my wanders in the Ireland album (although you might also want to check out the Dublin and Dundee albums).

NOP:  Please tell us a little bit about yourself and about your book.

Casey Wyatt:  By day, I have an ordinary job and lead a pretty ordinary life. By night, I’m a paranormal romance and urban fantasy writer.

Mystic Ink is a paranormal romance that takes place in Mystic, CT. The main character is Nix, a talented tattoo artist who keeps finding dead mortals in the alley next to her tattoo shop.  Her love interest, Calder Quinne, is a supernatural police officer sent to investigate. The premise behind this story is what if the Gods and Goddesses of old still lived among us? This is the first book in the series.

NOP:  Please share an excerpt or your book with us.

Nix, thoughts still swirling in her mind, headed toward the side door. After she unlocked the deadbolt, her eyes automatically went to the dumpster. Nothing. Thank the Gods. Her sigh of relief was quickly sucked back in. A dark shape further down the alley caught her eye. Maybe it was a heap of clothes or a bag of garbage. Whatever it was, it was lying near the entrance of the Underworld Gate. The Gate was invisible to all eyes, except Guardians—like her, Hades, and Charon. Whoever or whatever was back there couldn’t have known how close they were to the Underworld.

“Hell. Now what?” Please, be trash that some rude asshole left in my alley.

Rather than kick it with her foot, she decided to be more prudent and find something long to use as a poker. While grabbing a shop broom inside, she registered how quiet the place was. Of course, Basil wasn’t there. He was still with Jason.

Back in the alley, Nix slowly approached, straining for a better look. The pile was inside the building’s shadow. The closer she got, the more the lump resembled a body. She cursed. “Oh, come on! Why does this keep happening?”

Broom at the ready, she gave it jab. The mass was solid and there was no crinkle of plastic. So much for the garbage bag theory. Man, she did not want to have to call the police. At the rate she was going, they would probably arrest her just on principle.

Stupid mound.

She lifted the broom, ready to strike. An arm sprouted from the pile and shot up, stopping the handle from falling.

Nix barked, “What the hell?”

The broom clattered to the ground.

A dark figure rose up. The set of the shoulders, the short black hair . . . it was awfully familiar. “Cal?”

“Nix,” he said, his voice strained and tired. His arm extended, propping his body against the brick wall.

“If this is your idea of a joke, it’s not funny.” When he didn’t respond, Nix came up behind him and placed her hand on his back. “Are you—”

The words choked off. There was something wrong. Really wrong. His energy, the essence of his life, was out of whack. Like he was missing . . .

She put her hand up to her mouth, swallowing dread as he turned to face her. “Cal, where’s your soul?”

NOP:  What inspired you to write Mystic Ink?

Casey Wyatt:  I don’t know that I was inspired as much as driven to write the book. Ideas come to me and torment me until I get them down on paper. The first scene I envisioned in the story is a variation of the excerpt above – a woman arguing with a man in an alley. And it snowballed from there. Except, it turned out that the characters were supernatural. Nix is a Neried or Sea Nymph. Cal is a demigod, son of Ares. Water and Fire – two elements, that when combined, make steam!

NOP:  Who is your favorite character in Mystic Ink?  Does he/she have any similarity to anyone in your personal life?

Casey Wyatt:  I hate choosing favorites. They all have something about them that I love. I love that Nix is an artist (and she is trying to live her dream – something I think we can all relate to). And Cal is driven to win back lost love. Who wouldn’t like to have a do-over? If I had to choose one character, I’d say Zephyr. He’s the God of the West Wind: carefree, fun loving, and mysterious. And his devil-may-care attitude resembles my two sons and their sense of humor (don’t tell them I said that!).

NOP:  If Mystic Ink were to be made into a movie, who would you cast as your two main characters?

Casey Wyatt:  That is a tough question. When I create my characters, they are never based on real people. They would have to hot, young, and good looking!

NOP:  I know you are also releasing another novel soon.  Please tell us a little bit about it and its expected release date.

Casey Wyatt:  My next novel, The Undead Space Initiative, is coming soon from Pink Petal Books. I don’t have a release date yet, but as soon as I do, I will share it. I call this my vampire-stripper-on-Mars book. Here’s the blurb:

Cherry Cordial, vampire stripper extraordinaire, spectacularly messes up her life with a single act of kindness. How could she have known when she rescued gorgeous rogue, Ian McDevitt, that she would be implicated in the vampire queen’s murder?  Soon, she faces the wrath of the entire vampire community. To escape retribution, she joins a settlement program to colonize Mars. Her choices are grim: possibly die on the red planet or stay on Earth and face certain annihilation.

Visit Casey on the web: www.caseywyatt.com  or at http://secretsof7scribes.wordpress.com/. You can also find Casey on Facebook and Twitter (@CaseyWyatt1). Mystic Ink can be found at www.soulmatepublishing.com and at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Here’s the links …

Thanks for sharing with us today, Casey.  I know our readers will be excited to find out you are offering a free e-book to one lucky winner.  In order to qualify to win dear readers, you MUST put the words “I want to be inked” in your comment.  This contest will end at midnight tonight.  Please enter, and good luck.

Self-appreciation means slowly down.  Taking time to admire the beauty of a lace table cloth and a china table setting.  It means a massage or a bath with bubbles or rose-scented bath salts.  Pausing to look at the flowers in a window box.

Enjoying the romance of life is to linger over a fine meal,  a great wine, the sweet morsel of dessert.  Taking an afternoon with old friends to chat over tea.  Walking a beach at sunset and stopping to collect a shell or two.

Breathing.  When did we forget to breathe in life?  When did everything become so fast, we can’t catch our breath?   Close your eyes and just breathe.

There’s an old saying that you can’t love someone else until you love yourself.   Do this one thing right now:  Write down a list of ten things that are great about you?  Post that where you will see it tomorrow, and when you do read it, close your eyes.  Visualize that truly beautiful place that makes you happy just to think of it.   The romance has started.

–Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley
http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

My friends reach for me, but their arms are not long enough.  I hear them calling to me and I smile a pleasant smile, but the darkness whispers, its cool breath caressing my ear, “come”, and I go.  My friends toss ropes of encouragement to me, but they too fall short.

I’m lulled further into an even deeper slumber, ignoring every speck of light that manages to creep into the darkness.  Is there a way to climb out of this deep abyss?  I stretch out my arm and toy with the idea of taking hold of the rope of encouragement dangling before me.  Yet, I yawn and turn over to snuggle deeper into the comfort of the darkness.  Yes, climbing out of this pit is going to take some effort.  I yawn again.  Perhaps tomorrow I will give it a try, I think as I drift off into what feels like a drug induced state of Morpheus.

This, my dear readers, I am told is what a state of depression feels like.  J.K. Rowling describes this in characters in her Harry Potter Series, characters she calls Dementors.  She describes these faceless creatures as monsters that feed off human happiness and cause depression and despair.  She pens, “ … they leave you an empty shell.”  They first appear in The Prisoner of Azkaban and reappear in future Potter adventures.  As I recall, Professor Lupin gives Harry chocolate, which the wise professor claims helps you feel better.

Have you ever experienced something which you turned into a character in a novel, as JK Rowling turned her experience with depression into the dreaded Dementors?  Have you ever used an object or place as a character in your book?

I’ve been busy before. In fact, I swear many a blog last fall/winter was dedicated to being busy and getting back on the writing bandwagon. This time it’s a bit different as this little person occupying my time just can’t wait until I finish writing one more chapter or editing one more section. And, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want him too.

It’s called a shift in priorities. With this New Year, I feel more passionate than ever about my writing and yet I’m also very passionate about doing my best to be a good mom. Quite frankly I’m not sure what will come of this balancing act but it’s something I’m completely looking forward to.

And with that, I’d like to open up the doors to advice on how you writers out there balance your writing with the ever increasing complications (wonderful as they are) of life. I’d also like to wish you the very best if you too are experiencing a bit of a roller-coaster ride with your writing (for whatever reason). Happy writing this week and I’ll check back with you all next week!

We all have issues, can we agree on that? People are in a constant state of flux. We are a work in progress from the day we’re born until the day we die.

But love doesn’t expect change. It might strive for it, support it, challenge it, but it doesn’t demand it. When you choose to love someone (and I firmly believe love is a choice), you choose to take them as they are with no promises or guarantees of fixing them, healing them, or changing them, in the future.

Love just is. 

If you can’t let it be, well, that’s not unconditional love. And there’s no such thing as conditional love.

We all go through periods of doubt, don’t we? We wonder if we’re good enough. If we’re truly loved and understood by those around us. If we’re even lovable. If there will come a day when the people we love most will stop putting up with our “issues” or flaws or weaknesses. And what would we do when that time came? Would we be strong enough to handle it or would we curl up and die? It’s a frightening thought.

I had one of those moments of doubt recently and asked my husband (who I’ve known for 10 years), “You know me, right? All of me. You know I have issues?”

He looked at me and said, in his casual, easy-breezy way, “Of course I do. I accommodate them because I love you.”

I smiled and all doubt was washed away. Because there is such a thing as true, unconditional love. And I have it.

So…what does love mean to you?”

Courtesy of www.chinesedragon.org.uk

Happy Chinese New Year!  It is the Year of the Dragon.  The traditional view of the dragon in China is that it is a creature representing power, strength and good luck.  When people have accomplished much, they are compared to the dragon.  Dragons are said to have control over the weather, but they are mostly benevolent.  When storms and floods happen, it’s because a mortal has upset a dragon.  Though most Chineses dragons do not have wings, they still fly.  How?  They just do.  Now for a truly roaring paranormal-scope.

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.   In many ways, so are you.

The week ahead for:

Aries
The Dragon King of the North Sea saw fit to blow snow.  Relax.  Keep warm and enjoy the down time.

Taurus
A Chinese dragon is the gatekeeper to your heart.  You are lucky to be protected.  New friends are coming your way.

Gemini
Dragon Fucanglong  guards treasure and has entrusted in you.  A reward may be yours.

Cancer
Tianlong is the Celestial dragon.  He brings you peace and the strength to start anew.

Leo
Shenlong roars your accomplishments.  Having a dragon for a friend is an asset.

Virgo
Feilong takes you for a ride above the clouds to change your perspective on life.   Enjoy the ride.  The wind is sweet.

Libra
The Dragon King of the East takes you with him and reveals the fun to be found.

Scorpio
The Dragon King of the West stands strong beside you even in trouble.  You will not be alone.

Sagittarius
Panlong loves the lakes with their gentle breezes and serene views.  It’s a time to enjoy solitude and beauty.

Capricorn
The Azure Dragon will provide you with a compassionate friend.

Aquarius
Dancing with the dragons will bring you good luck.

Pieces
The Dragon King of the South fans you with warm, tropical breezes.  A vacation, even a short one, can be restorative.

For more information on Chinese Dragons, visit:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragon   or  http://www.chinesedragon.org.uk

–Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley
http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

My apologies to fans in the rest of the world, but those of us in Britain and Ireland are suffering the withdrawals already from the end of series two of Sherlock. One of the moments that started a little squee of delight on social media was Irene Adler’s comment of appreciation about Holmes, “Brainy is the new sexy.”

What? It went out of fashion? When?!

I know that heroes in novels have usually been paragons of beauty, but surely the best ones are also sharp, too. Think of it: Elizabeth overcomes her dislike of Darcy’s stiff pride largely because his mind clicks along as swiftly as her own. Compare him to the affable but not especially perspicacious Bingley and he’s clearly more interesting.

In Sherlock they represent Holmes’ bafflement at reading Adler as the beginning of his interest in her. He doubts his powers when his assessment of her—conveniently naked, the way she feels the greatest strength—when he can derive no clear facts from her (nicely represented on-screen with a series of question marks, whereas normally text betrays the facts ascertained from Holmes’ quick observations).

Accustomed to being smarter than everyone else in the room, Holmes finds himself captivated by the clever Adler whose actions cannot be predicted. He becomes even more sharply observant and feels the thrill of a renewed interest in life and the spur of a challenge.

For many of us, intelligence provides exactly that kind of attraction. Someone who awakens our minds as well as our bodies offers an attraction that goes beyond the superficial hook of a pleasant appearance. In my story “Stacks” a young librarian finds a way to reach the cute, smart but shy guy she knows to have an interest in her with a little help from Shakespeare:

Selena knows he’s an English major, so she assumes he knows his Bard. I would hope that’s true not only of English majors but also most writers. Then again, I can’t remember a quote right to save my life, so is it really any indication of reality? Probably not, but that’s why we love fantasy. (“Stacks” is just one of the four tales to be found in my sexy anthology Four Play, which is just 99¢ at Amazon).

What do you think? Is brainy sexy for you? It sure works for me. I love a big mind, especially when it’s combined with a big heart. Back to Scotland soon… And yes, because I know Gerri will want to see some, here’s a lovely photo from this week in Galway.

As I walk the pugs, dandelions, which only last week peeked their little yellow heads up through the grass, are now covered in snow.  Even though the sun is staying with us a few more minutes each day, the short, dark, gloomy days of winter seem to take their toll.  Was it really so long ago that the thermometer on the deck registered into the 90’s?  Even though the winter has not been a severe one, I still find myself longing for spring when the kiss of warmth begins once again.

I thought about how people seem to wish their lives away … when you are a child, you wished to be older, when you are older, you wish you were younger; you wish it was spring; you wish it was Christmas; you can’t wait for the weekend.  You get the idea. It seems as if people are simply not content to enjoy the moment.  I’m a great one to be looking forward to things, but this made me realize that even our next moment is not guaranteed.  I stopped in the lawn with the pugs today and simply enjoyed the clean, crisp air and the sight of the birds and squirrels as they scurried out of our way.  How many of us spend a great amount of worry on the events of tomorrow?  Rushing in this hectic life in 2012, hardly having time to breath, yet it’s so important to take a moment for yourself and just breathe.  Clear your mind of the chaos and look around at the wonderful world we live in.  We all take our lives for granted, yet no one knows when they will draw their last breath.  Today I’m grateful for today; for my family, friends, readers, fellow writers, and all that I enjoy and especially for my God given ability to do all that I do.  As you stop for a moment in your hectic schedule to read this post, please share with us what it is you are most grateful for today.

The Conversant Writer

Presents…

A Writers Workshop

Agenda

9:00 – 9:30 am Registration / Light Continental Breakfast

9:30 – 9:45 am Welcome

9:45 – 11:15 am Story Development for Beginners

11:15 – 11:30 am Break

11:30 – 12:30 pm Blogging with Heart

12:30 – 1:30 pm Deli Buffet Lunch

1:30 – 3:00 pm An Author’s Guide to Marketing

Location:

Brigadoon Bed and Breakfast

180 Cow Hill Road, Mystic, CT 06355

Date:

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Time:

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Cost:

$60.00 (incl. Light Continental Breakfast & Deli Buffet)

To Register Call:

860-536-3033 (Brigadoon Bed & Breakfast) payment due at registration (Visa & MasterCard accepted)

Presentations

Story Development for Beginners (Anna James):

This presentation will concentrate on the 5 key elements of a story: plot development, setting / tone, theme, dialogue and character development.

Blogging with Heart (Susan Hanniford Crowley):

This class will cover determining purpose, some important technical aspect of blogging, how to enter the blogging world, creating content, timing, some legal matters, traffic, and the most recent statistics on blogging to assist you in your choices. Attendees should bring a laptop, if possible; a notebook and pen if not.

An Author’s Guide to Marketing (Jennifer Fusco):

In this class we will take a comprehensive look at everything an author needs to know about marketing their book. We will discuss, brand, finding your target audience, positioning your work, advertising, social media and promotion. This session is hands on so please come ready to participate and dive right in!

About the Speakers

Anna James –

Anna James writes contemporary novels that invite you to take a break from everyday life and get lost in a world filled with passion, drama and romance!

She has eight novel / novellas to her credit including:

Isabella’s Dilemma, Coming Home, Visions, Christmas Collectibles – A Picture Perfect Christmas, Guilty As Charged – Bradford Sisters Trilogy #1, Shattered Dreams – Bradford Sisters #2, Shattered Illusions – Bradford Sisters #3 (to be released early 2012) and To Love and Trust Again (to be released January 29, 2012); and is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and CTRWA (CT chapter of Romance Writers of America). You can find Anna’s books at www.annajamesromance.com

Susan Hanniford Crowley –

Susan Hanniford Crowley is the author of the Vampires in Manhattan Series, which so far comprises of When Love Survives, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, A Vampire for Christmas, and Vampire in the Basement. Susan has also branched out with her contemporary mythology romance Poseidon’s Catch and her steampunk romance Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room. Being a cross-over author from science fiction and fantasy, she brings a lovely twisted view to paranormal romance. Susan is an associate editor for Space and Time magazine (Sorry. It’s not a romance venue.), and she’s the founder of Nights of Passion romance blog. Do drop in at http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com and join the fun. To receive Susan’s private newsletter, just email her at onlyladyknight@yahoo.com and put Newsletter in the subject line. Susan is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal Chapter of RWA, CTRWA, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.

With Gerri Brousseau, Susan is co-founding a new blog dedicated to YA literature especial YA romance called Nights of Passion-YA on Feb. 18, 2012. Check Nights of Passion blog for updates.

Jennifer Fusco –

Jennifer Fusco is the Creative and Brand Manager for the General Electric Company, North America and the author of the series, MARKET OR DIE, marketing books for writers.

A two time winner of the Advertising Excellence Award for 2010, Jennifer has launched successful national print and digital ad campaigns. Currently, she is a member of the (ANA) Association of National Advertisers and believes brand building is a key to professional success.

Due to the overwhelming response Market or Die received from writers, Ms. Fusco launched a website, newsletter and blog designed to educate writers of all genres.

In her writing life, Ms. Fusco is a member of RWA’s PRO network and serves as the President of the Connecticut Romance Writers. She has completed two paranormal romance manuscripts and is a monthly contributor to the Romance Writers of America’s RWR Report.

Born in North Carolina, Jennifer currently lives in Connecticut with her husband and young son.

Cancelation policy: A full refund will be issued (minus a $10.00 processing fee) if cancelation is received prior to March 11, 2012. No refunds will be issued after this date.

Seats are limited, so if you’re in the area or plan to be, you’ll want to register right away.   It’s going to be great.

-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley
P.S.  Back to the book.  <wink>