By Shakespeare, I Think We Got It!

Happy Wednesday All,

Whoo-hoo! Your good wishes, prayers, and positive thoughts have rendered an idea for a blog post! (Thank you, God!)

This post has 2 sources to it.

The first one is the book I'm currently reading (not yet reached 100 pages and there's over 400, so I can't say much about it, just that I'm intrigued and enjoying it) called Juliet by Anne Fortier. 

The second one is my dear Critique Partner, Tess St. John's post on English History Authors Blog talking about Shakespeare sayings we still use (very good post, by the way, fascinating and fun!)

Shakespeare is a favorite of mine. I've read so many of plays--I've also seen several on stage. I've studied several in high school (probably 10?)

So anytime there's something with Shakespeare involved it always catches my attention. I don't know how many different Romeo & Juliet inspired books, plays, and ballets I've seen (oh the ballet is so beautiful!) I've seen The Taming Of The Shrew so many times, but I still laugh watching it.

You hear a lot about who Shakespeare pulled/"stole" from or whether or not he was the "original" author of something--but whether or not a story was "his" or someone else's doesn't seem to be the point to people who enjoy his work.

There's something about the stories, the words ("A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!"--Richard III ) and the passion behind the words that makes people come back again and again ("Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow..." -- MacBeth).

So, do you have a favorite Shakespeare play/sonnet?

Have A Witty Wednesday!

Brain On Vacation

Happy Tuesday All,

Sorry for being MIA so much. I've been having a lot of trouble lately coming up with blog post ideas. I'm doing okay, just lots of writer's block at the moment. I'm working on a solution, though.

Until things get solved, I might be posting irregularly. Don't fret, I am around...I am checking email and I'm checking comments to see if there's any that need to be posted and answered. So keep coming back to check and see if there's a new post.

Please also keep those positive thoughts and prayers going--I appreciate them! And thank you to everyone who's sent me an email asking about me. I appreciate your thoughtfulness! I do love hearing from my readers.

Have A Terrific Tuesday!

It's Tradition!

Happy Friday All,

Has everyone had a good week? Mine seems to have flown by, but then again, I was pretty busy.

If you've seen the musical, Fiddler On The Roof, you might remember a song called Tradition. It talks about all the different traditions that hold the community together.

In my family we had traditions that brought us together. For Christmas we tied together all kinds traditions from around the world. There's a Scandinavian tradition called the Yule Goat. Much like Santa Claus, this goat brings gifts to good little boys and girls. We would talk about the Yule Goat bringing this or that. It was great fun. My Dad started making a German Christmas bread/coffee cake baked good called stollen (pronounced "schol-en"). Wikipedia called it a "fruit cake", but this isn't quite as dense. It has nuts, candied fruit, cinnamon, and raisins (well at least the way my Dad makes it).

For some of the weddings in my family, the night before, at the rehearsal dinner some of the siblings would get up and give the "Mawiage" speech from The Princess Bride.

The point is, traditions are fun, bring people together and inspire us.

So what sort of fun traditions do you have in your life?

Have A Fabulous Friday!

The Perfect Sound

Happy Thursday All,

I missed posting Wednesday, but don't worry, I'm okay--just busy!

There's a new release! Author of Nocturne, Syrie James, has teamed up with her son, Ryan M. James, to put together a Paranormal YA novel entitled, Forbidden. And, it looks intriguing! It's available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle, as well as Barnes & Noble and Barnes & Noble Nook.

I'm currently reading a novel by an author I hadn't ever read before. The premises really interested me because it's pulled from Shakespeare. I'm not very far into it, but I'm already curious as to what this novel will bring. So we'll see what happens.

On and off I've mentioned music on here. Especially music that sets a tone/mood for one's writing--or inspires. For me, it can be anything from AH-HA's Take On Me to Spin Doctors' Two Princes.  I like a lot of different songs, but those two came to mind because Two Princes always makes me want to dance, and Take On Me is one of my "happy place" songs.

There's a few collaboration songs I like...one such song is the collaboration done by John Waite and Alison Krauss, I Ain't Missing You. This was originally sung only by John Waite, but I think it came out lovely.

Speaking of music and collaborations, I've collaborated with one of my brothers before. He's a music composer and musician. When I was in high school he approached me and said, "Hey, Bethany, I think this piece needs lyrics. I can write music, but lyrics aren't really my thing, and I know you've written some, would you mind working on it?" I said, sure. Unfortunately my lyrics were definitely not on par with how beautiful the piece was, but I tried my best. We'd sometimes do our own version of Heart & Soul on the piano (he is far and away a better musician than me, but I never had the passion for playing instruments that he did). Then when I got married I had a set of lyrics that was a duet. I begged my brother to put the lyrics to music. He was going to play at my wedding, and I had a soprano from the church choir and my brother-in-law who's a tenor. Eventually he got the lyrics arranged and it was gorgeous.

Something music composers and novel writers have in common is the emotion they have for their work. I know my brother spends a lot of time working on his compositions so it sounds just how he wants it to turn out. When I sit down and work at a story I'm asking myself a series of questions, and going over each sentence to make sure it comes out just right--that it is what the character would say. I've sat and talked with my brother about this and I said, "It seems composers and authors have a lot in common in that respect." He said, "Oh definitely." He agreed that like novel writers, composers get attached to their work. They want others to enjoy it and fall in love with the piece as much as they did.

Novel writers are the same. They fall in love with their characters. They giggle over the jokes, agonize over the pivotal scenes, and contemplate whether or not the dialogue works. In music, they have to go over each phrase. Contemplating the key signature, tempo, what instruments would play it and what emotion it would invoke--what the purpose of the piece will be, not to mention a series of other concerns they have about what they're composing.

It's amazing what composers and writers have in common. I may not be able to play Liszt or dazzle with a piano concerto, but put me in with paper and ink and I'll be off on this idea or that idea. Either way...emotions, hopes, dreams, fears, joy, and sorrow all play a part regardless of whether it's Beethoven or if it's Shakespeare.

So, what music makes you happy?

Have A Top-Notch Thursday!

I'm Back, Did You Miss Me?

Happy Tuesday All,

Sorry for the long silence. Last week husband had off and I don't post on the weekends and Monday I was getting used to the usual schedule after the weekend.

I'm doing all right. Friday I went out with 3 of my best gal-pals and we had a blast. A lot of laughter and fun. I didn't get home until almost 2 a.m. I never thought I'd stay out that late--we didn't do a lot...mostly hung out at Starbucks, then at one of the ladies' apartment. But it was still fun and we all agreed we had to do that again (although I'm hoping that I'd get home before 2 a.m. next time LOL). Trust me, me being out that late is very unusual.

I'm so behind on scheduling my blog! I still need to email some people and see what I can figure out for this year. But don't worry, I'll get it pulled together.

I finished an ARC for an official blog review that will be posted in March and the novel is also releasing in March. I'm very excited about it and I'm looking forward to posting it. But I'm not telling what it is! You'll just have to wait and see.

So what's one question you'd want to ask one of your favorite authors?

Have A Terrific Tuesday!

A Gold Release & 2012 Anticipation

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

I've been absolutely remiss about this, but author, and pal of mine, Ciara Gold, has a new Romance released, On Timless Wings Of Gold, (title links to the All Romance Site--the publisher's website--where you can purchase this novel) and it looks so good. The cover is absolutely gorgeous. You can also pick it up on Champagne Books, or on Amazon. I didn't find it available through Barnes & Noble, so Nook users will either have to go through Ciara's website, or download Amazon For Computer. (There's also Nook for PC and Nook for Mac available, too).  Never read Ciara's work, want to get to know her a little better? Check out the interview I did with her November 2010.

So what's everyone reading these days? I'm getting back to reading MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi's Jennifer Scales Novel: Evangelina This YA Paranormal (shape shifters--including dragons). It's book 6 in her and Anthony's Jennifer Scales series.

This year is bubbling with excitement. A bunch of interesting things happening/being released (here's some upcoming books listed by month:

February 2012:  Looks like Anne Rice is going for werewolves. It will be interesting to see if her wolves become as popular as her vampires. Watch for The Wolf Gift February 14, 2012.

March 2012:  Kerrelyn Sparks fans will be delighted to know that her Love At Stake series will have a brand-new edition come March 27, 2012, when Phineas' story, Wanted: Undead Or Alive, is released. (I'm particularly looking forward to this release!)

EDIT 11:50 a.m. Sorry about the confusion, CC Hunter's book isn't being released until APRIL 2012...this is what I get for writing my blog posts after 1 a.m.!

April 2012:  I first heard about this author when I read her novel, As You Wish, dealing with a genie. Now YA author, Jackson Pearce, has a new novel coming out, entitled Purity and it looks intriguing. Release date: April 24, 2012.

**EDIT 11:51 a.m.:  Also, highly anticipated by me, is C.C. Hunter's book 3 of her Shadowfalls series, Taken At Dusk. It looks good!  (I accidentally had this under March, but it isn't being released until APRIL. So sorry for the confusion!)

May 2012:  You've heard me talk about this YA author. I am chomping at the bit to read book 2 in this series. Who is it? It's Josephine Angelini! In May 2012, Dreamless will be available. She had a bit of it up on her blog--and it was such a tease!




For those of you wanting to know about Christie Craig's next Hotter In Texas book (the sequel to Don't Mess With Texas), it's due out September 2012 and it's entitled:  Blame It On Texas.

Also, September 2012 will bring the release of book 3 of Sophie Jordan's Firelight series. Book 3 is entitled Hidden.

Anyway, be sure to check out Ciara God's On Timeless Wings Of Gold--like I said, gorgeous cover and it looks good!

What releases are you looking forward to this year?

Have A Treasure-Filled Tuesday!

Childhood Games

Happy Monday Everyone,

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! Hope everyone has a good day.

When I was growing up we sometimes would get sidewalk chalk and take it out in the backyard. Among the hearts, flowers, names, and whatever else we'd draw, it wasn't uncommon for a Hopscotch Board to be drawn out in the driveway and used.

Hopscotch, Red Rover, Tag/Freeze Tag/TV Freeze Tag, Hide & Seek...these games have been passed on generation to generation.

There's something so free and easy about these games. Simple rules, fun, and kids get to just be kids.

So what was your favorite childhood game?

Have A Marvelous Monday!