I'm sure other, more experienced authors have had this happen--about a third of the way into the story a character suddenly pops up and introduces him/herself. Well, it happened to me. This girl appeared in my head, said her name was Lucy; she wouldn't go away. when I found out more about her, I realized she needed to come into the story, one way or another, much earlier. So I have to go back to the beginning and bring her into the conversation--even if she doesn't put in a physical appearance then.
Is Lucy good or bad? How will she affect Sarah and Elijah? Just who is she? And, most important of all, what does she want and why.
This story feels like a piece of tapestry work--missed stitches earlier have to be inserted so as not to be an obvious alteration.
So, along with creating my Christmas cards for this year, and creating polished gem-stone jewelry for special gifts, I will be editing my previous chapters in order to weave in the presence of Lucy.
Keep Calm, Vivra--and Carry On.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Second disappearance--now, what is ahead?
Before Sarah and Elijah tackled the boat launch, the strange girl calling herself Branwen ran off and didn't return. This left the two of them "...putting out to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat..." (Sorry, I went back to a rhyme from my childhood--the story of the Owl and the Pussycat.) Actually, they launched the old and far from beautiful wooden craft onto the still dark waters of a mysterious lake.
Out in the middle of the water, with one oar and left up to whatever current there is, Sarah points out the lake seems to end up ahead, but there are no signs that it actually goes anywhere, "like an infinity pool", Sarah points out. It does look as if their boat, with them in it, will simply "fall off the end."
Elijah realizes he will have to get out of the boat and push it toward the bank, since the only oar isn't helping keep them on course. Sarah closes her eyes. She hears the splash as Elijah climbs out of the boat; but when she opens them, he has disappeared...
The apparent end of the lake is coming closer. What happens at the end--does the water end? Does the boat, with Sarah in it, simply drop, as a waterfall over a cliff? Why can't she see anything beyond? And how did the thick, white, fog envelope the boat so quickly--now she can't see anything at all.
Out in the middle of the water, with one oar and left up to whatever current there is, Sarah points out the lake seems to end up ahead, but there are no signs that it actually goes anywhere, "like an infinity pool", Sarah points out. It does look as if their boat, with them in it, will simply "fall off the end."
Elijah realizes he will have to get out of the boat and push it toward the bank, since the only oar isn't helping keep them on course. Sarah closes her eyes. She hears the splash as Elijah climbs out of the boat; but when she opens them, he has disappeared...
The apparent end of the lake is coming closer. What happens at the end--does the water end? Does the boat, with Sarah in it, simply drop, as a waterfall over a cliff? Why can't she see anything beyond? And how did the thick, white, fog envelope the boat so quickly--now she can't see anything at all.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Just who is writing this story?
I thought I had things organized--an outline of some sort to help me along with the story. Alas, not so. Sarah and Elijah seem to think it is funny to tell me bits and pieces of their adventures and leave me to sort out what is true, and when, in the story's timeline, the various scenes played out.
So with so many tales about so many strange things, I've had to make more plans than I wanted. I've tried to get them both "on the same page" (pun intended) but so far that hasn't happened, and I'm getting the strange feeling that I've lost control!
Their latest experience has left the two of them in an abandoned shack on a weird and mysterious body of water. A young woman they met earlier in this particular day, told them she was from "their world" and an evil mad doctor had kidnapped her toddler daughter, in order to force her by blackmail to hand over some object about which she has no knowledge. Apparently he is the cause of the mutants they've been told about.
Before the young woman can give them directions to where the mad doctor lives and conducts his experiments, she runs off, leaving Sarah and Elijah to figure out "where they go from here".
Abandoned shack. Photograph by Tony Marshall, LRPS
So with so many tales about so many strange things, I've had to make more plans than I wanted. I've tried to get them both "on the same page" (pun intended) but so far that hasn't happened, and I'm getting the strange feeling that I've lost control!
Their latest experience has left the two of them in an abandoned shack on a weird and mysterious body of water. A young woman they met earlier in this particular day, told them she was from "their world" and an evil mad doctor had kidnapped her toddler daughter, in order to force her by blackmail to hand over some object about which she has no knowledge. Apparently he is the cause of the mutants they've been told about.
Before the young woman can give them directions to where the mad doctor lives and conducts his experiments, she runs off, leaving Sarah and Elijah to figure out "where they go from here".
This falling-down house on the edge of a dark and mysterious lake, looks just like the one Sarah described to me. Imagine all the creepy-crawlies that have taken up residence since the abandonement...
Now I have to go and sort out which of the experiences they've told me about, happened next. Do they find out where the mysterious woman went to? Was she who she clained to be? Did the mad doctor really kidnap a child?
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Inhuman Experiments
When I talked with Elijah last, he promised to show me some of the pictures he'd taken with Sarah's mobile phone before the battery died completely, photographs Sarah refused to have anything to do with--she was so traumatized by the items Elijah had photographed.
Unfortunately Elijah discovered that Sarah had taken her phone back and had destroyed it. So Elijah and I surfed the Internet and found photographs that he said were so like the ones he took, it was uncanny. I have included a couple with this post.
They are a product of Windell H. Oskay, founder of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, and the site www.evilmadscientist.com, and if you're interested (and it is a great site) you will find the pictures in an archived post, about which I will say something at the end of this blog.
Because of Elijah's information about Sarah not telling me the absolute truth about their experiences in the parallel world, I will have--and have had--to go back almost to the beginning of this story; well, at least to the chapter prior to them falling down the hollow tree into Lostererth. I need to change quite a few things...but that's what writers do.
Now, about Windell Oskay's post in which the attached photographs are shown. First--believe it or not, the items in the specimen jars--yes, all of them--are edible (can I hear a 'yeuch'?) His archived article explains they are composed for Halloween, and it's amazing what you can do with simple food products. I hope you will explore the site for yourself, and check the archives for the post on October 19, 2011, 'Halloween Cuisine: Sweet or Savory Specimen Jars", it almost appears quite evil, the way he makes ordinary food look, well--inhuman!
Here's another of Windell Oskay's 'experiments'. Are they human fingers? Sure look like them. You will have to visit www.evilmadscientist.com to find out where they came from and how they got in the jar.
If what Sarah and Elijah saw in that freaky fun house room was anything like these photographs--no wonder Sarah doesn't want to remember!
More news about Ravenwood in a few days...
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON--and remember, Can't never Could.
Unfortunately Elijah discovered that Sarah had taken her phone back and had destroyed it. So Elijah and I surfed the Internet and found photographs that he said were so like the ones he took, it was uncanny. I have included a couple with this post.
They are a product of Windell H. Oskay, founder of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, and the site www.evilmadscientist.com, and if you're interested (and it is a great site) you will find the pictures in an archived post, about which I will say something at the end of this blog.
Because of Elijah's information about Sarah not telling me the absolute truth about their experiences in the parallel world, I will have--and have had--to go back almost to the beginning of this story; well, at least to the chapter prior to them falling down the hollow tree into Lostererth. I need to change quite a few things...but that's what writers do.
Now, about Windell Oskay's post in which the attached photographs are shown. First--believe it or not, the items in the specimen jars--yes, all of them--are edible (can I hear a 'yeuch'?) His archived article explains they are composed for Halloween, and it's amazing what you can do with simple food products. I hope you will explore the site for yourself, and check the archives for the post on October 19, 2011, 'Halloween Cuisine: Sweet or Savory Specimen Jars", it almost appears quite evil, the way he makes ordinary food look, well--inhuman!
Here's another of Windell Oskay's 'experiments'. Are they human fingers? Sure look like them. You will have to visit www.evilmadscientist.com to find out where they came from and how they got in the jar.
If what Sarah and Elijah saw in that freaky fun house room was anything like these photographs--no wonder Sarah doesn't want to remember!
More news about Ravenwood in a few days...
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON--and remember, Can't never Could.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Time has flown--hear me groan
It's been a while
I just checked the date of my last blog--four months ago. Well it has been s strange quarter year. Elijah told me confidentially that Sarah had not told me the truth about their stay in the parallel world. He told me she had toned it down very much, because her experience had somewhat traumatized her--she wanted to forget, and so made up some of the stories so that they were more like fairy tales. Hmm, a budding children's writer, possibly?
After Elijah told me more about the happenings in the world I now know is Lostererth I confronted Sarah. I put my limited knowledge of psychology to work and convinced her that talking about what really happened and the horrific things she saw would be cathartic; and so she opened up. The counselling sessions took a few weeks, and took a toll on her, as well as myself.
Her first unpleasant (to put it mildly) experience in the Freak Show area of what she originally described as merely an abandoned amusement park, left me wondering if I would be able to stomach hearing "the rest of the story"; and it is ongoing. So I will be back with more "teasers".
Please come back and set a spell (as my late mother-in-law used to say) and read more about Ravenwood in Lancashire (on Earth)--and Ravenholme (on Lostererth.)
I promise to be back soon. I will have one or two pictures--if I can wheedle them from Elijah. Sarah asked him not to let me have them, but I think I can get them--we'll see.
Keep Calm and Carry On (and Rule Britannia)
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
An interview with Sarah
I wanted to get Sarah to tell me about the first major predicament the intrepid three (Sarah, Elijah and White Raven Jane) had to face. I thought I'd soften her up first with some questions born of curiosity.
Me: Sarah, you mentioned to me that, in the beginning, you did not want to visit England, and certainly didn't want to stay there. Yet you lived there for the first 9 or 10 years of your life and were happy. What caused you to grow to dislike it after your mother took you back to Texas?
Sarah: My mother. Even though I hated her for taking me away from my home, and for her lifestyle (with which I did not agree), she was a very persuasive person. She told me in no uncertain terms, just what she thought of England and the English. She said it was a miserable, depressing, cold and wet place, always damp and smelled of mould. She described the English as a "nose-in-the-air" race, unfriendly and unkind to foreigners. Over the years I lived with her, I began to believe her description.
Me: Why didn't you want to have your boyfriend, Steven, accompany you?
Sarah: I wanted to tackle the reunion with my childhood on my own, in the privacy of my own mind. I remembered being happy and remembered my Aunt Emma as being sweet and caring. My father was stern, but he doted on me, and I was genuinely sorry that he died. I also wanted to find out, by myself, how he died--an accident, Aunt Emma said in her letter. But was it? I also wanted to discover my roots, and why my mother kept telling me I was a witch.
Besides, Steven is NOT my boyfriend. He was just a friend, a very good friend, but I was definitely not attracted to him in a romantic way.
Me: You said Steven 'was just a friend'--was? What happened--is he no longer a friend?
Sarah: Aha, you'll have to wait and see!
Me: So, tell me about the predicament you, Elijah, and Jane found yourselves in.
Sarah: Okay, I'll tell you just a little--for now. You see, we were on the track of the woman who's toddler had been kidnapped by an evil person. She (the mother) supposedly possessed something the evil person--the Mad Scientist, I suppose you could call him--wanted. He held the child for
ransom--the item he wanted in exchange for the child. The mother set off without knowing what she was getting into, to save her child. She had to be found before she got to the land of the Mad Scientist, where she would surely die (gasp!)
Anyway, Jane and Elijah came up with a rough map of the route to the Mad Scientist's lair, along with the obstacles they would encounter. The first was an innocent-looking lake that housed mutated dragons. The had to get across the lake. Elijah was all for swimming, but I'm deathly scared of water and can't swim--so I suggested a boat. The problem was--we didn't have one.
I knew where we could get one--and that was our first obstacle, getting it from where I'd seen it. To find out more, you'll have to wait until I recount the adventure...
Me: Oh boy, I can't wait to write about that.
And so the interview ended. Now I'm off to my draft to see how much of the story Sarah has left for me and about the boat--did they acquire it? How? What happened? Did it get them across the lake? Did they fall afoul of dragons? Mutated dragons--are they any more dangerous than normal fire-breathing dragons?
All for now, readers.
KEEP CALM AND RULE BRITANNIA
Me: Sarah, you mentioned to me that, in the beginning, you did not want to visit England, and certainly didn't want to stay there. Yet you lived there for the first 9 or 10 years of your life and were happy. What caused you to grow to dislike it after your mother took you back to Texas?
Sarah: My mother. Even though I hated her for taking me away from my home, and for her lifestyle (with which I did not agree), she was a very persuasive person. She told me in no uncertain terms, just what she thought of England and the English. She said it was a miserable, depressing, cold and wet place, always damp and smelled of mould. She described the English as a "nose-in-the-air" race, unfriendly and unkind to foreigners. Over the years I lived with her, I began to believe her description.
Me: Why didn't you want to have your boyfriend, Steven, accompany you?
Sarah: I wanted to tackle the reunion with my childhood on my own, in the privacy of my own mind. I remembered being happy and remembered my Aunt Emma as being sweet and caring. My father was stern, but he doted on me, and I was genuinely sorry that he died. I also wanted to find out, by myself, how he died--an accident, Aunt Emma said in her letter. But was it? I also wanted to discover my roots, and why my mother kept telling me I was a witch.
Besides, Steven is NOT my boyfriend. He was just a friend, a very good friend, but I was definitely not attracted to him in a romantic way.
Me: You said Steven 'was just a friend'--was? What happened--is he no longer a friend?
Sarah: Aha, you'll have to wait and see!
Me: So, tell me about the predicament you, Elijah, and Jane found yourselves in.
Sarah: Okay, I'll tell you just a little--for now. You see, we were on the track of the woman who's toddler had been kidnapped by an evil person. She (the mother) supposedly possessed something the evil person--the Mad Scientist, I suppose you could call him--wanted. He held the child for
ransom--the item he wanted in exchange for the child. The mother set off without knowing what she was getting into, to save her child. She had to be found before she got to the land of the Mad Scientist, where she would surely die (gasp!)
Anyway, Jane and Elijah came up with a rough map of the route to the Mad Scientist's lair, along with the obstacles they would encounter. The first was an innocent-looking lake that housed mutated dragons. The had to get across the lake. Elijah was all for swimming, but I'm deathly scared of water and can't swim--so I suggested a boat. The problem was--we didn't have one.
I knew where we could get one--and that was our first obstacle, getting it from where I'd seen it. To find out more, you'll have to wait until I recount the adventure...
Me: Oh boy, I can't wait to write about that.
And so the interview ended. Now I'm off to my draft to see how much of the story Sarah has left for me and about the boat--did they acquire it? How? What happened? Did it get them across the lake? Did they fall afoul of dragons? Mutated dragons--are they any more dangerous than normal fire-breathing dragons?
All for now, readers.
KEEP CALM AND RULE BRITANNIA
Friday, March 18, 2016
All in one place (I hope)
I'm very fond of my Blogspot blog, and now I find I can include it on my WiX web pages. that will be good, because then everyone I want to see them can see both together. At least that what I understand. I'm not going to add more to this today. When I see what and how it's all happening, they I can work wonders!
See y'all soon.
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Sarah won't talk!
I've been away for a while--or I should say, my writing mind has been away. I tried to get Sarah to fill in for me, but she said she wasn't as brave as Elijah and wasn't ready to "talk", and why didn't I get him to write more.
My problem was ('was' because now I think it's fixed) my plot came to a fork in the road, and it wouldn't take the one I wanted it to. I wanted Tolkien and was getting Alice in Wonderland. After discussing the problem with writer friends who are more experienced than I, I'm taking their advice and letting my characters lead me where they may.
At this point, Sarah is about to enter the amusement park again, though she goes kicking and screaming (metaphorically speaking.) Elijah taunts her that she's not the brave Texan she claims to be, so she has to prove him wrong. Besides, she's the only one who is thin enough to accomplish the task at hand.
If their plan works, they will be on their way, hoping to rescue a friend, cross the stinking Brimstone Lake populated by Dragomonsters (dragons unable to breathe fire and banished to live out their lives on the sulphur sanded lake bottom.)
Will our fearless duo, along with Jane, Sarah's great-great-ever-so-many greats, grandmother (in human form, but a beautiful White Raven in the alternate world of the Corvids) be able to rescue the Dragomonsters from their imprisonment in Lake Brimstone? Will the rescued, and once again fire-breathing, dragons be grateful? Or will they remain angry and bitter against their enemies, which they think includes Sarah and Elijah?
What lies on the opposite side of the lake? If Jane is to be believed, the mutant results of a madman's experimentation; a cavernous world of beautiful but poisonous crystals; and the madman himself.
More news in the next few days, if I can get my friends out of their first dangerous encounter.
My problem was ('was' because now I think it's fixed) my plot came to a fork in the road, and it wouldn't take the one I wanted it to. I wanted Tolkien and was getting Alice in Wonderland. After discussing the problem with writer friends who are more experienced than I, I'm taking their advice and letting my characters lead me where they may.
At this point, Sarah is about to enter the amusement park again, though she goes kicking and screaming (metaphorically speaking.) Elijah taunts her that she's not the brave Texan she claims to be, so she has to prove him wrong. Besides, she's the only one who is thin enough to accomplish the task at hand.
If their plan works, they will be on their way, hoping to rescue a friend, cross the stinking Brimstone Lake populated by Dragomonsters (dragons unable to breathe fire and banished to live out their lives on the sulphur sanded lake bottom.)
Will our fearless duo, along with Jane, Sarah's great-great-ever-so-many greats, grandmother (in human form, but a beautiful White Raven in the alternate world of the Corvids) be able to rescue the Dragomonsters from their imprisonment in Lake Brimstone? Will the rescued, and once again fire-breathing, dragons be grateful? Or will they remain angry and bitter against their enemies, which they think includes Sarah and Elijah?
What lies on the opposite side of the lake? If Jane is to be believed, the mutant results of a madman's experimentation; a cavernous world of beautiful but poisonous crystals; and the madman himself.
More news in the next few days, if I can get my friends out of their first dangerous encounter.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Hi, I'm Elijah, Sarah's friend
Hello, my name is Elijah. Vivra is keyboarding away on our story; she asked if I would mind submitting a post in her place. I told her I'd be glad to, and here I am.
Sarah and I are so glad Vivra agreed to write about our experiences--they were strange, to say the least. Anyway, let me introduce myself properly.
I'm twenty-two years old. My father was a Gypsy--a true Romani, not one of those fakes known as Travellers that make nuisances of themselves,setting up camp and leaving litter in places where they are not welcome. My father called them Diddicoys--fake Gypsies.
My mother was "gadje" or non-Gypsy. I was born in a true Gypsy "vardo" a horse-drawn wagon painted with bright colors and designs. There's a picture of one on the left.
Mother didn't like the Romani life, and father wanted her to be happy, so after I was born they settled into life in a brick and mortar house. After my sister was born, however, Dad became restless and rejoined his Romani family. At the time of Sarah's and my adventure, he was living in a shelter home, being too old and crippled with arthritis to continue the Gypsy life.
I knew Sarah way back when she was about eight years old, before her American mother took her from Ravenwood back to Texas. I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember me! I'd been spending the summer with my dad, in the vardo he still owned at that time; there was some big Romani gathering up in Scotland and we were on our way there. We'd stopped, as we had many times before, to camp for the night by the back entrance to Ravenwood Hall. Sarah's father was always good to us, turning a blind eye when dad surrepticiously acquired a chicken for our supper. I used to go up to the Hall and try to sell wooden clothespins. Sarah's Aunt Emma would always buy some, whether she needed any or not!
I think I've said enough for now. Vivra should be back again tomorrow. Who knows maybe I can talk Sarah into posting something one day.
Sarah and I are so glad Vivra agreed to write about our experiences--they were strange, to say the least. Anyway, let me introduce myself properly.
I'm twenty-two years old. My father was a Gypsy--a true Romani, not one of those fakes known as Travellers that make nuisances of themselves,setting up camp and leaving litter in places where they are not welcome. My father called them Diddicoys--fake Gypsies.
Mother didn't like the Romani life, and father wanted her to be happy, so after I was born they settled into life in a brick and mortar house. After my sister was born, however, Dad became restless and rejoined his Romani family. At the time of Sarah's and my adventure, he was living in a shelter home, being too old and crippled with arthritis to continue the Gypsy life.
I knew Sarah way back when she was about eight years old, before her American mother took her from Ravenwood back to Texas. I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember me! I'd been spending the summer with my dad, in the vardo he still owned at that time; there was some big Romani gathering up in Scotland and we were on our way there. We'd stopped, as we had many times before, to camp for the night by the back entrance to Ravenwood Hall. Sarah's father was always good to us, turning a blind eye when dad surrepticiously acquired a chicken for our supper. I used to go up to the Hall and try to sell wooden clothespins. Sarah's Aunt Emma would always buy some, whether she needed any or not!
I think I've said enough for now. Vivra should be back again tomorrow. Who knows maybe I can talk Sarah into posting something one day.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Amusement Park or torture chamber?
Sarah and Elijah begin to realize they're no longer in Ravenwood. Lights show up ahead, through the darkness. Lights beaming from a Ferris Wheel surrounded by the innocent booths and rides of an Amusement Park.
Sarah insists they are still in Ravenwood; Elijah is not so sure. Besides, nowhere in or around Ravenwood was there an amusement park; not a carnival nor a travelling fair. None that were advertised. And the crows, why are the crows still following them? Or are they leading them to somewhere--or away from somewhere?
As the dawn breaks, and the sun shows up the many shades of green in the grasses and trees--again, trees which Sarah still believes are the trees of Ravenwood--Sarah is eager to reach the sideshows, rides, and the Ferris Wheel. The child in her is excited. On the other hand, will there be clowns? Clowns are creepy and anonymous.
Why does a small child warn them of "the Devil's carnival"? What happens there? Why are there no crowds swarming around the booths and rides? The screams from the Tunnel of Horrors don't sound to be recorded sound effects--they sound so very real. What is going on?
Sarah insists they are still in Ravenwood; Elijah is not so sure. Besides, nowhere in or around Ravenwood was there an amusement park; not a carnival nor a travelling fair. None that were advertised. And the crows, why are the crows still following them? Or are they leading them to somewhere--or away from somewhere?
As the dawn breaks, and the sun shows up the many shades of green in the grasses and trees--again, trees which Sarah still believes are the trees of Ravenwood--Sarah is eager to reach the sideshows, rides, and the Ferris Wheel. The child in her is excited. On the other hand, will there be clowns? Clowns are creepy and anonymous.
Why does a small child warn them of "the Devil's carnival"? What happens there? Why are there no crowds swarming around the booths and rides? The screams from the Tunnel of Horrors don't sound to be recorded sound effects--they sound so very real. What is going on?
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
The Little white Cloud that Cried
(With apologies to Johnny Ray--anyone remember him--or was he too long ago?)
Another strange and spooky event that Aunt Emma speaks of happened "just down the road." Lady Parker-Jones of Beltenholme Hall throws open her beautiful gardens every Spring, for the annual May Day fete. The most recent fete, held a month or two before Sarah's arrival at Ravenwood, started out on the morning of a beautiful, sunny and mild, day. The Meteorologists forecast warm and sunny weather for the day before, the day of, and the day after the big shin-dig.
As the guest celebrity was about to cut the ribbon and declare "...this year's wonderful event open..."
a strange, dark, cloud appeared overhead and simply hovered there. Then it poured down rain. People ran for shelter, but the food and display tents collapsed; booths selling local produce floated off; for safety, electricity was turned off to the amusement rides--and the people flocked to leave the grounds and go home.
The cloud disappeared, but it was too late to get anything going again. The Meteorologists were puzzled. the cloud came from nowhere, stayed until the fete was ruined, then disappeared.
English weather is known for it's idiosyncrasies, but this appearance of a single, dark, rain cloud that stayed in one place while the sun shone all around, hovering over what should have been a happy celebration--simply inexplicable.
Who, or what, caused the phenomenon? And why? Did it have anything to do with Aunt Emma's "gentleman friend"--or his friend?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another strange and spooky event that Aunt Emma speaks of happened "just down the road." Lady Parker-Jones of Beltenholme Hall throws open her beautiful gardens every Spring, for the annual May Day fete. The most recent fete, held a month or two before Sarah's arrival at Ravenwood, started out on the morning of a beautiful, sunny and mild, day. The Meteorologists forecast warm and sunny weather for the day before, the day of, and the day after the big shin-dig.
As the guest celebrity was about to cut the ribbon and declare "...this year's wonderful event open..."
a strange, dark, cloud appeared overhead and simply hovered there. Then it poured down rain. People ran for shelter, but the food and display tents collapsed; booths selling local produce floated off; for safety, electricity was turned off to the amusement rides--and the people flocked to leave the grounds and go home.
The cloud disappeared, but it was too late to get anything going again. The Meteorologists were puzzled. the cloud came from nowhere, stayed until the fete was ruined, then disappeared.
English weather is known for it's idiosyncrasies, but this appearance of a single, dark, rain cloud that stayed in one place while the sun shone all around, hovering over what should have been a happy celebration--simply inexplicable.
Who, or what, caused the phenomenon? And why? Did it have anything to do with Aunt Emma's "gentleman friend"--or his friend?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, October 26, 2015
Strange Goings-on
Sarah's aunt tells of strange happenings--spooky events over the previous year. Were these events meant as punishment? Who caused them? One story told of a local teenage boy, Billy, a boy who had become troublesome and who liked to disappear with his ne'er do well friends. were they into drugs? Or were they simply aggravating, annoying, teen boys?
Off to meet up with his no-good friends one evening, he is attacked by a pack of, what he said were wild dogs. His clothes are ripped, his arms and legs a quite badly bitten. Scratched and bleeding, he is forced to admit the dogs were mere local runaways, domestic pets--none of them were large, and most were even miniature versions.
Where did they come from? And what made them attack? They showed up, did their dastardly deeds, and disappeared into the woods.
But Billy didn't meet up with his friends--and he stayed home every night after that. So, what force of nature caused that deterrent? Good? Or evil---hmmm.
Off to meet up with his no-good friends one evening, he is attacked by a pack of, what he said were wild dogs. His clothes are ripped, his arms and legs a quite badly bitten. Scratched and bleeding, he is forced to admit the dogs were mere local runaways, domestic pets--none of them were large, and most were even miniature versions.
Where did they come from? And what made them attack? They showed up, did their dastardly deeds, and disappeared into the woods.
But Billy didn't meet up with his friends--and he stayed home every night after that. So, what force of nature caused that deterrent? Good? Or evil---hmmm.
Monday, October 19, 2015
In the beginning there were four
When Sarah first arrives at Ravenwood Hall, she is given a small carved wooden box. It is locked, but she is given the key. It contains a notebook, old manuscript pages, and a worn leather pouch containing two tarnished, gold-colored medallions. They are attached to a thin leather thong which is threaded through crude holes. They are embellished with what appear to be intricate letters.
Are they coins? Buttons? Or simply roundels used as ornamentation--adornment for a lady's cape (or a gentleman's)? Sarah reads the ancient manuscript--well, she reads the transcription contained in the notebook. And there is a letter of explanation written to her by her father (who has realized his illness is taking his life quickly.)
The manuscript, written by her paternal ancestor, sets forth a story which is almost word-for-word, action-for-action, a description of the dream that has haunted her for the last ten years while in Texas.
One thing is puzzling. The story tells of a leather pouch, but describes the contents as being four golden medallions. The pouch in the wooden box contains only two. What has happened to the missing two? And is the decorative design on the medallions merely a beautiful pattern--or is it indeed, fancy lettering? It is difficult to tell, the objects are tarnished
Does Sarah find what happened to the missing two? What is their importance? If the fancy design is lettering, what does it say? And why have they come to her?
Are they coins? Buttons? Or simply roundels used as ornamentation--adornment for a lady's cape (or a gentleman's)? Sarah reads the ancient manuscript--well, she reads the transcription contained in the notebook. And there is a letter of explanation written to her by her father (who has realized his illness is taking his life quickly.)
The manuscript, written by her paternal ancestor, sets forth a story which is almost word-for-word, action-for-action, a description of the dream that has haunted her for the last ten years while in Texas.
One thing is puzzling. The story tells of a leather pouch, but describes the contents as being four golden medallions. The pouch in the wooden box contains only two. What has happened to the missing two? And is the decorative design on the medallions merely a beautiful pattern--or is it indeed, fancy lettering? It is difficult to tell, the objects are tarnished
Does Sarah find what happened to the missing two? What is their importance? If the fancy design is lettering, what does it say? And why have they come to her?
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
The Folly of Man
Everyone has quirks, the wealthy no less than mere men-in-the-street. One quirk of wealthy landowners over the last several hundred years--the building of ornate towers aptly called Follies. No purpose, except to show off what their money can do.
Ravenwood Hall has such a Folly--or did have. Sarah notices the tower when she first arrives at the Hall, late in the day . She glimpses the top of it along with the mellow roofs of Ravenwood. The setting sun lights up the lichen-covered slates with a rosy glow, and a haze softens the silhouetted chimneys and surrounding woods.
By the time the car stops outside the front door, the haze has thickened into a mist, Aunt Emma is there to greet Sarah, and the vision of the tower is forgotten.
The next day, when Sarah explores, she remembers the tower--but where is it? Aunt Emma doesn't know of any tower; did a tower ever exist? If it did, when? Evidently, if it did exist at one time, it must have fallen into ruins. But why did Sarah notice it last night? Imagination, brought on by jet-lag? Maybe her witch-ancestors are trying to tell her something?
Sarah's curiosity is seeded; she is determined to find out more about the mysterious monument. What does she discover? And what happens when the mist that greeted her on that day of arrival turns blue?
Ravenwood Hall has such a Folly--or did have. Sarah notices the tower when she first arrives at the Hall, late in the day . She glimpses the top of it along with the mellow roofs of Ravenwood. The setting sun lights up the lichen-covered slates with a rosy glow, and a haze softens the silhouetted chimneys and surrounding woods.
By the time the car stops outside the front door, the haze has thickened into a mist, Aunt Emma is there to greet Sarah, and the vision of the tower is forgotten.
The next day, when Sarah explores, she remembers the tower--but where is it? Aunt Emma doesn't know of any tower; did a tower ever exist? If it did, when? Evidently, if it did exist at one time, it must have fallen into ruins. But why did Sarah notice it last night? Imagination, brought on by jet-lag? Maybe her witch-ancestors are trying to tell her something?
Sarah's curiosity is seeded; she is determined to find out more about the mysterious monument. What does she discover? And what happens when the mist that greeted her on that day of arrival turns blue?
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Not as bad as I thought
Have you ever (and I'm sure you have) left several chapters of your work on one side and gone back to read through them after several weeks? And when you did go back to read them, did you find they sounded perfectly fine after all? Much better than you thought, and needing little or no alteration?
I did that with Ravenwood. After setting my middle (story, not beltline) on the right track, I intended to go back to the beginning and eliminate one or more characters. However, after reading the first three chapters with pleasure, I realize it's not as bad as I thought. In fact, the characters I didn't think should be there have shown me that they absolutely do have a part to play--so they stay
One of the characters is a mysterious man-in-black (and it's not Johnny Cash.) His face is
hidden in the shadows of a dark gray "hoodie". He's wearing black pants, black shirt, and black shoes. When Sarah first sees him, he is at the airport having an intense conversation with Sarah's obnoxious seat-sharing-stranger (hmm, let's hear you say that five times quickly) the man she has nicknamed the Gingerbread Man.
Does Sarah come across them again? Oho, yes she does. Do they mean her harm? At least one of them might. Which one? And where will Sarah meet them again?
I did that with Ravenwood. After setting my middle (story, not beltline) on the right track, I intended to go back to the beginning and eliminate one or more characters. However, after reading the first three chapters with pleasure, I realize it's not as bad as I thought. In fact, the characters I didn't think should be there have shown me that they absolutely do have a part to play--so they stay
One of the characters is a mysterious man-in-black (and it's not Johnny Cash.) His face is
hidden in the shadows of a dark gray "hoodie". He's wearing black pants, black shirt, and black shoes. When Sarah first sees him, he is at the airport having an intense conversation with Sarah's obnoxious seat-sharing-stranger (hmm, let's hear you say that five times quickly) the man she has nicknamed the Gingerbread Man.Does Sarah come across them again? Oho, yes she does. Do they mean her harm? At least one of them might. Which one? And where will Sarah meet them again?
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Rethinking. Removing, and Adding
"The Husband" has been on vacation for the past week. We didn't go anywhere special, so those of you housebound wives know that I didn't get any vacation! Anyway, I didn't get to write--I should say, I didn't get to use my fingers on the keyboard. I did quite a lot in my head, though.
You see, the posts so far have been teasing about the middle part of my story; the reason for doing so is that I wrote three to four chapters of the beginning third, but writer's block formed a wall I could not break through, so I decided to forget the first chapters--put them on the back burner--and concentrate on the middle, as if I were writing a new story that began when Sarah and her friend fell into the passage and entered the parallel universe.
Now, though, I have my middle "story" sorted, I have to go back to the beginning, delete a couple of characters who apparently don't belong, but add at least one who has intruded into my mental draft.
Those of you who have kept up with my other blog probably know that I won an award for the first chapter of this book, I was one of the five Finalists in a contest through the East Texas Writer's Guild in cooperation with Venture Galleries and Caleb Pirtle. If so, you may have read the first 1500 words, words that introduced a scene from four hundred years ago--a pregnant Jane Bulcock being taken, with several other alleged witches, to be tried and executed by hanging.
Present day nineteen-year-old Sarah Jane Bulcock, born in England raised from the age of nine or ten in Texas, travels back to England to help her aunt settle the estate of her recently deceased English father. Sarah's father, a descendant of the original Bulcock family, left Sarah with some intriguing items--items which will become important in her quest to find her way back to the present and so define her future--and change her mind about a lot of things...
You see, the posts so far have been teasing about the middle part of my story; the reason for doing so is that I wrote three to four chapters of the beginning third, but writer's block formed a wall I could not break through, so I decided to forget the first chapters--put them on the back burner--and concentrate on the middle, as if I were writing a new story that began when Sarah and her friend fell into the passage and entered the parallel universe.
Now, though, I have my middle "story" sorted, I have to go back to the beginning, delete a couple of characters who apparently don't belong, but add at least one who has intruded into my mental draft.
Those of you who have kept up with my other blog probably know that I won an award for the first chapter of this book, I was one of the five Finalists in a contest through the East Texas Writer's Guild in cooperation with Venture Galleries and Caleb Pirtle. If so, you may have read the first 1500 words, words that introduced a scene from four hundred years ago--a pregnant Jane Bulcock being taken, with several other alleged witches, to be tried and executed by hanging.
Present day nineteen-year-old Sarah Jane Bulcock, born in England raised from the age of nine or ten in Texas, travels back to England to help her aunt settle the estate of her recently deceased English father. Sarah's father, a descendant of the original Bulcock family, left Sarah with some intriguing items--items which will become important in her quest to find her way back to the present and so define her future--and change her mind about a lot of things...
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Conflict--a rethinking
In the middle of the night--or rather, the early hours of the morning, I realized the chapter I've been working on doesn't have enough (or any) conflict. So I've been re-writing it and adding as much as I can.
So far, I have intensified Sarah's dislike of Elijah (he really is a rude, uber-male) and since she herself is a "Miss Bossy-Knickers" (according to him) she feels the need to stubbornly oppose any of his ideas or suggestions. She accuses him of being controlling. He says if he doesn't take the lead, who will--he knows more about Lancashire and Ravenwood than she does; however he also says he doesn't think they are in Ravenwood at all, now--Sarah says of course they are. We shall see who is right.
The producers of the argumentative shouting seem to have disappeared in a puff of smoke--or at least, a billow of mist. The only things in the forest clearing are three black crows, two of which show evidence of a tussle--feathers flying, They bumble off as our two friends (or non-friends, if you like) arrive in the clearing.
With Sarah hanging back, and Elijah crashing through the undergrowth, they are about to encounter, well, let's see, will it be Herne the Hunter (or Herne the Horned god?) Whoever they meet, will they be help or hindrance? Friend or Foe?
I'll tell more when I get Sarah and Elijah--well, somewhere out of the woods.
So far, I have intensified Sarah's dislike of Elijah (he really is a rude, uber-male) and since she herself is a "Miss Bossy-Knickers" (according to him) she feels the need to stubbornly oppose any of his ideas or suggestions. She accuses him of being controlling. He says if he doesn't take the lead, who will--he knows more about Lancashire and Ravenwood than she does; however he also says he doesn't think they are in Ravenwood at all, now--Sarah says of course they are. We shall see who is right.
The producers of the argumentative shouting seem to have disappeared in a puff of smoke--or at least, a billow of mist. The only things in the forest clearing are three black crows, two of which show evidence of a tussle--feathers flying, They bumble off as our two friends (or non-friends, if you like) arrive in the clearing.
With Sarah hanging back, and Elijah crashing through the undergrowth, they are about to encounter, well, let's see, will it be Herne the Hunter (or Herne the Horned god?) Whoever they meet, will they be help or hindrance? Friend or Foe?
I'll tell more when I get Sarah and Elijah--well, somewhere out of the woods.
Monday, August 31, 2015
What Light Breaks at the End of the Tunnel?
FACT:
During the reigns of Queen Elizabeth the First and King James the First, (of England, of course) it was a punishable offence to celebrate the Catholic Mass. It was dangerous to be known to do so, both for the Priest and the worshippers. So strong were those of the Catholic Faith, and so determined to continue to worship in that Faith, that they built “Priest’s Holes” into their homes (at least, those who could afford to)—secret hidey-holes where a Priest could be hidden away from the authorities. Some were so small a man couldn’t turn around—and sometimes a Priest would have to “lay low” for several days in such a hole while authorities conducted a search.
Passages, also secret, lead from some of these homes to neighboring houses, allowing a Priest access to other devout families. It was a dangerous time for Catholics.
MY FICTION:
Like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, Sarah and her friend Elijah accidentally fall into the hollow of an ancient oak tree while trying to retrieve the medallion stolen by a mischievous crow. This hollow tunnel deposits them in a passage man-made with rough-hewn stone blocks.
But the passage doesn’t lead to another house—so where do Sarah and Elijah find themselves? And to whom do the angry voices belong? Will they be involved in a fight—prevent a killing—form a friendship? And what happened to that medallion? Hmm, I shall have to keep writing to find out :-)
 |
| Is he good or is he bad? Ooh, that Herne is quite a lad! |
Herne the Hunter--Helpful, or Harmful?
In THE RAVENWOOD PORTAL, Sarah Jane Bulcock will encounter both. Which will she trust? Who will she follow? What will she discover in this Alternate Universe--a universe that holds the answer to a secret, a secret that will guide Sarah to her future--if she can get find her way back to the present.
What is the significance of the White Raven--and what powers does she have? Can she and Sarah help each other find the peace they both yearn for?
Please keep following my journey in Ravenwood--I'd like to tell you more about the human characters who journey with me.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
The White Raven--Princess, Goddess, Witch?
I am fascinated by rarities. My Ravenwood harbors a rare white raven. Sarah catches glimpses of it as she explores the woods around Ravenwood Hall. Her aunt is horrified when asked about it--the locals say such a bird is an omen of doom and death.
In fact, it is the black members of the Corvus Corax family--ravens, crows, etc., that are feared as being connected with evil. That is probably because of their fondness for carrion--and for mischief. They will steal anything bright, shiny, and round--even polished pebbles.
More fact: it is the opinion of those who haven't seen one up close, that the white ravens are merely albino versions of the bird; however, albino birds would have pink eyes and a pink beak. A true white raven has blue eyes, and a thick, white, beak--no trace whatsoever of pink among its feathers.
Why does Sarah think this White Raven of Ravenwood is stalking her? Why do three crows always seem to be in attendance when the white bird is seen? When will Sarah meet the legendary Green Man--and will he be able to answer her questions?
I won't tell you the answers to those questions--I will give you clues as my work in progress, um, progresses. Stay tuned, friends.
In fact, it is the black members of the Corvus Corax family--ravens, crows, etc., that are feared as being connected with evil. That is probably because of their fondness for carrion--and for mischief. They will steal anything bright, shiny, and round--even polished pebbles.
More fact: it is the opinion of those who haven't seen one up close, that the white ravens are merely albino versions of the bird; however, albino birds would have pink eyes and a pink beak. A true white raven has blue eyes, and a thick, white, beak--no trace whatsoever of pink among its feathers.
Why does Sarah think this White Raven of Ravenwood is stalking her? Why do three crows always seem to be in attendance when the white bird is seen? When will Sarah meet the legendary Green Man--and will he be able to answer her questions?
I won't tell you the answers to those questions--I will give you clues as my work in progress, um, progresses. Stay tuned, friends.
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