Erotic Dimensions of Romance

New Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:54:00 +0000

I finally bit the bullet and set up a blog on my website. The new blog is at www.jessieverino.net/Journal. I'm in the process of updating my website, and the new blog is in the new website theme. It's also a little more current. ;)

Jessie

Add Some Flash & Bang to Your Fourth

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:19:00 +0000

Phaze Books is ready to add some sizzle & pop to your Fourth of July. On Friday, July 4th only, all Phaze titles are discounted 20%. Use the code FIREWORKS08 during checkout to receive the discount.

Phaze Fantasies, VI - Six Fantastic Authors, Six Awesome BDSM themed stories, for only $4.80. Guaranteed to ignite your 4th.

Sensual Energy - Jake & Amy find themselves in an alternate dimension, charged with sensual energy. $1.60. A lot of bang for your buck (sixty)

Statues - A curse, a dimensional spirit, and sulty, southern nights. $2.00 Timeless love to light up the night.

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Jessie+Verino/exact_match=exact

Have a safe & happy 4th of July!
Jessie

Secret Indulgence Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:39:00 +0000

But not the kind you're thinking. Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI, deals with the secret indulgence of BDSM and D/s. In most of the stories, the characters are experiencing these for the first time. Opening yourself up to, and enjoying, new experiences is a sub theme in the anthology. Right now, my blog reading tends to lean toward writing and reading, and I'm looking for some new blogs to read.

So, to win a copy of Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI, comment with a link to the bizarre, the outlandish, the surreal blogs that you read. I'm not talking sexual here, but do you read the blog of a gardener who only grows carnivorous plants? Or how about a person who honestly believes they are from the future/another planet, etc. What I'm looking for are the blogs you read on a regular basis, but wouldn't dare admit to your friends that you read them. The person who sends me the quirky blog that catches my interest, and keeps it, will win a copy of Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI.
On a side note, I was almost hit twice this morning -- at the same intersection. I was exiting the interstate and stopped at the light. Light turned green and I started to pull out. But, I never automatically go when the light turns green, and when I checked traffic, sure enough a lady with a child in the car heading southbound ran right through the light. Then a man in a truck heading northbound became so fascinated by the construction going on behind me, that he went right through the light. And then gave me the look, like what are you doing pulling out in front of me. (this was after the woman went through) And to top it all off, it's a camera light, so I'm sure in a few days, he'll figure out why I was pulling out.

Have a great week, everyone!
Jessie

This Will Consume the Great Person

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:38:00 +0000

Now, if you guys have ever played Civilization IV, you recognize the title of today's post. And you know the game will consume you. I am a below mid-level player of this game. But it's addicting, and for a strategy game which should be boring for the first 100 turns or so, it's downright fun to play for hours (and hours, and hours) at a time.

My favorite civs so far are Russia (Catherine), France (Napoleon), and Rome (Julius Ceasar). I managed to win some time victories, a space victory, a domination victory, and a backdoor domination victory, but none of them above warlord. We also have the BTS expansion game, but DH has dibs on that game most of the time, so I end up playing the *vanilla* version. Which is okay with me, as I'd never played a Civ game until IV came out, and I'd like a little more experience under my belt before tackling BTS.

And, this type of game is great for my writer's imagination. I love worldbuilding and creating the mythology for my alternate dimensions and universes. Games like Civ IV where you have to build a civilization almost from the primordial slime up make great playgrounds. How do you build a warrior nation without starving everyone to death? How do you build an peaceful, intellilectual nation while still protecting your borders? How do you create culture? Religion? Who are these people and where did they come from?

A fantasy writers wet dream.

Of course, it takes days to actually complete a game, sometimes weeks depending on your level of play.

In that respect, it's a lot like writing. You build on an idea, protect some aspects. Let others go. Work the theme and each situation to to its fullest advantage, and beat up on the weaker elements until they either go away or build up some viable defenses.

So, in the midst of the crazy tax season, and other non-tax related days of hell, I found escapism in Civ IV. Now, I'm back to my writing. The first draft of Stygian Prophecy is complete, and I'm going through the second draft now. Should be complete by the end of the month.

Here's a little snippet - the opening paragraph. Let me know if you think it works.

The Paegus Realm
Daegnan knew the price of duty all too well. He paid the toll with every breath, and perhaps with his last breath this day. When he’d joined the Royal Guard, his family had turned away from him, refused to speak his name, and his heritage made him an outcast amongst the warriors. His so-called brothers in arms neither liked nor trusted the dragon soul hidden inside his human shell and spared no sympathy for his plight. He scented the sweat of their malicious anticipation and fought to control the part of him which craved the taste of their fear and savored victory by bloodshed like a sweet wine on the tongue.

Also, I'm gearing up to give away a copy of Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI next week. Check back for details.

Have a Great Weekend!
Jessie

Phaze Fantasies VI is Now Available

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:52:00 +0000

Six Fantastic Authors. Six Fabulous BDSM Themed Stories. One Hot Anthology! Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI, available now from Phaze and discounted this week at Fictionwise.

To Have and To Hold by Yvette Hines: Kelli Delaney spent the last year planning for the perfect wedding. What she didn't plan for was getting to the altar and not having a groom there waiting for her. Dumped and pissed, Kelli decides she's still going to have her honeymoon and eat her cake too. When she meets up with her college crush, Will Robertson she finds herself submitting to a passionate weekend she couldn't have arranged for in her wildest dreams.

Continuing Education by D. Musgrave: By day, Stephanie Barrett is a high school English Teacher. By night, she's the Grand Mistress of a dungeon club, without a submissive to call her own. When she spots Nicolas Adamson, back in town from college, she remembers the strong feelings she had for him, but never acted on. A plan forms in her mind, to lure him into her lair. Thus begins the realization of her longest held fantasy--to find a submissive of her own.

Sam the Man by Jude Mason: Sammy Nicholson was the epitome of what we all might think of as 'flaming' gay. Small, well dressed in outrageous clothing, he loved to shock and tease. But Sammy was much more. A part time hospice worker, he fell for a client's husband and after some soul searching, the man tumbled for him as well. When the wife finally passes away, guilt sets in. Can Sammy's special kind of love break down the barriers Greg has set up for himself?

Precious Things by Augusta Li: Yaoi/Fantasy/BDSM: Far in the future, civilization has collapsed and people have gathered in walled City-States for protection from the dangers lurking in the Wastelands outside. Leaf is content in his role as slave-boy to his beautiful and enigmatic Master, Leannan. But when an associate from Leannan's past arrives, the secure routine of Leannan and Leaf's life is disrupted, and Leaf must confront truths about his Master he'd rather not know. He must find the strength to do what he dreads most: act alone, without his Master's guidance.

Statues by Jessie Verino: Alexandria Darnoud values her privacy as much as her art collection. Her living art collection. Rumors run wild throughout New Orleans about her hedonistic, invitation only, parties. Dante is a reporter working undercover as one of her statues in order to break the story of his career. Tough, take no prisoners Alexandria, has a secret she dares not even acknowledge to herself. She wants to surrender her hidden passion to a man who can take control, and Dante is her man of choice. But will Dante give up his story, his career, to keep Alexandria tied to his bed?

iSU Bm iT by N: A perfume might be bottled eroticism, but iSUBmiT is more. iSUBmiT is bottled darkness. And to learn how to sell the darkest of erotic promises Svetlana must first experience them. She must go to So-UnReal-Ism…

Leap with Phaze

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:47:00 +0000

Leap Day only comes around once every four years, and Phaze is celebratingwith a special sale and Take a Leap Giveaway, with two ways to win!

All through Leap Day, 2.29.08, you can get 29% off all eBooks in our store using the checkout code LEAP2008. When you purchase a title from thePhaze.com catalog on Leap Day you will be eligible to win one of TWOPhaze.com gift certificates valued at $29 each.

You can also enter the drawing by sending an e-mail to leapyear@phaze.comwith your Name, E-Mail Address, and one sentence describing the best wayto "take a leap" on this extra day.
How would spend your Leap Day: an actual "leap" with a bungee cordattached your ankles, or a metaphorical "leap" toward an exciting new jobor romance? Let us know; we'll post the answers we like best on our blog.

All entries for the giveaway must be in by midnight, 2.29.08 to beeligible. No purchase necessary to win!

Until then, stay Phazed and Enthused!www.Phaze.com

Time to Really Party Now & An Excerpt

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:46:00 +0000

You're not going to believe this. One boss is working at home today, and the other just walked out the door and won't be back. Woo Hoo! The office to myself all afternoon. That in and of itself is an assistant's wet dream, but for it to happen on my birthday? Wow.

I promised excerpts, and now I can post them without having to worry about who's looking over my shoulder. The first excerpt is from Statues. It's due out on March 3 as part of the Phaze Fantasies Anthology Vol. VI.

Blurb:
Alexandria Darnoud values her privacy as much as her art collection. Her living art collection. Rumors run wild throughout New Orleans about her hedonistic, invitation only, parties. Dante is a reporter working undercover as one of her statues in order to break the story of his career. Tough, take no prisoners Alexandria, has a secret she dares not even acknowledge to herself. She wants to surrender her hidden passion to a man who can take control, and Dante is her man of choice.

But will Dante give up his story, his career, to keep Alexandria tied to his bed?

Excerpt:
"How long can you maintain an erection?" Alexandria Darnoud asked the question with no more inflection than if she were asking him how fast he could type. Of course, this wasn't a normal job interview, and he'd lost what little modesty he'd had when he'd posed nude for the portfolio she now held.

Dante cleared his throat. "I'd guess I'm about average. Is it a requirement?"

She smiled demurely in contrast to the subject matter. "No. In fact, very few of our statues are nudes and only a select few are chosen for centerpieces." Still holding the photographs, her direct gaze wandered from his face and lingered on the image of his cock at full attention. "However, judging from your photographs, I'd say you're a little better than average. I'm sure our artists will want to work with you."

The casual statement made him squirm a bit in the soft leather chair. His research indicated the new statues were stuck on a pedestal in a dark hallway, and he hadn't expected to do more than that, but even the chance to attend one of her infamous parties made him ready to agree to anything.

Her enthusiasm made him wonder for a moment if she suspected he had applied for the job as an undercover assignment for the local tabloid, Rag Time, and then he quickly dismissed the idea. He and his boss had arranged his alias and cover story perfectly. She couldn't know the truth.
He inclined his head slightly, trying to hide his apprehension. "Thank you for the compliment, Miss Darnoud. I would consider it an honor to work with your artists."

Rumors regarding her artwork, and her parties, could be heard on every street corner in New Orleans. For a reporter, the chance to expose, in depth, what went on during those parties was a priceless opportunity he couldn't resist. Every gossip reporter in the state had tried, but none of them had gotten past the front gate. At least he'd made it inside the mansion.

She closed his portfolio and handed it back to him with a contract. "Good. Our agreement is quite simple and quite exacting. We do not allow any type of enhancement, including chemical or herbal, which would increase your stamina or erection size. We do periodic testing to enforce this policy." She shuffled several papers across her desk. "We will provide all training, make-up, and related services as part of your compensation, which is stated in the contract. After your probation period, you will enter the rotation for the parties. In addition, there is a non-disclosure agreement regarding your employment which stays in effect for fifty years after termination. Fraternization with guests and other employees or staff is strictly prohibited. Any questions?"

Damn, she looked too delicious with her full lips slightly parted, and her smoldering gaze too sexy, sitting poised behind the dark, cherry wood desk waiting for his answer. He leaned forward to take the contract, a little more than he should have, and deliberately lowered his voice to a husky, intimate tone. "What about fraternization with the boss?"

The question didn't appear to unsettle her at all. In fact, it brought a mischievous little smile to her face that made his heart race. She matched his movement and leaned toward him, just enough for him to glimpse the swell of her breasts in the vee of her silk blouse. "I'd be disappointed if you didn't try, Dante." The use of his name gave him a false sense of intimacy. "I grew up in this home, nurtured in the bosom of what most people consider human perfection. It takes a lot to impress me."

He retrieved a pen from his pocket, and signed the contract without reading it. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. When do I start?"

Now, off to find something for lunch.
Jessie

It's My Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:07:00 +0000

Today is my birthday! And I share this special day with a another great author and great friend, Trista Ann Michaels!

The Giants won the SuperBowl. Life is good.

So, I've got absolutely nothing planned as far as a party on the blog, but let's see what turns up. I received a wonderful message from this morning from a reader who told me Lord Night was the first e-book she purchased. Wow, I'm still all agog over it. It means so much to me when someone tells me they enjoyed reading my stories. Especially, since my stories don't fit the norm. They're a little science fiction, a little fantasy, a little erotic (or in some cases a lot), but they're all romance.

And of course, my latest is totally different than what I normally write. Statues is a straight contemporary with a light D/s theme.

I'll post some excerpts later, but now, I've got to get some coffee and slave away at the day job for a little while.

Jessie

SuperBowl Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:12:00 +0000

Okay, I'm pulling for the Giants. Not much to say on the subject which hasn't already been said.

But, the half-time show...

Tom Petty is the scheduled entertainment. Being a southern gal, I've always enjoyed his music. I doubt after Janet's little fiasco a couple of years ago that he'll sing You Don't Know How it Feels, because hey *let's roll another joint*, but what do you think he'll pick for the SuperBowl audience?

My picks are:

Running Down a Dream
Free Fallin'
Breakdown
I Won't Back Down

My maybes are:
Even the Losers
Refugee
Don't Come Around Here No More

So, what do you think will be his picks?

Have a great weekend!
Jessie

It's Been Awhile

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:43:00 +0000

Yeah, I'm the world's worst at keeping up with my blogs. But, I'm excited today because I finally turned in Statues, a short story for Phaze. Circumstances made it one of the hardest stories I've written, and I can hear my Dad's voice saying, "Well, it's about time."

The story is due out in March as part of the Phaze Fantasies anthology series. I'm thrilled to be shoulder to shoulder in this book with the other fantastic authors, Yvette Hines, Augusta Li, Jude Mason, Derek Musgrave, & N. Wow, it gives me shivers just to think about those stories.

As soon as my edits are complete, I'll post an excerpt.

Hope everyone has a great week!
Jessie

Thursday Thirteen - The Unusual

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:29:00 +0000

Having to work at the day job when I'd rather be shopping, or writing, is the pits. Surrounded by files, directories, notebooks, filing cabinets, and computer peripherals, just doesn't put me in a holiday mood. I have a mini poinsettia which looks like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, and it adds a little holiday cheer to my boring, monotone office. But, there are some other, more interesting things I have scattered around.

Here's a list of 13 unusual objects in my office.

1. A bag of cereal - for a quick afternoon snack.
2. A baseball.
3. A candle (Okay, maybe not so unusual. What's unusual is they let me burn it).
4. A fire extinguisher. (It's not that big of a candle!)
5. A minifridge. (Which means I get a lot of traffic in and out.)
6. A zen rock garden.
7. Christmas decorations. (In a box under a table.)
8. A pair of wire pliers.
9. A vacuum cleaner.
10. A silver-toned serving tray.
11. An empty purse.
12. A bottle of ground cinnamon.
13. A salt lick. Yes, the kind you usually find in cow pastures.

Honestly, my office is not in a closet. It just has more room for stuff which really shouldn't be seen in the boss's offices. However, I really need to find out how the salt lick found its way under my desk.

Jessie

Monday's Moment - The Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:28:00 +0000

Not the movie. (And to be honest, as much as I love Hitchcock movies, I've never seen more than a few minutes of this one. Rear Window is my fav.)

Picture this: I'm sitting in my office at around 2:30 p.m. Outside, it's crisp and cold, around 38 degrees Everything is quiet. One of my bosses is still at lunch, and the other is in the conference room with clients. I'm working away, caught up in the daily grind, when I hear the sound of chirping birds. The very loud sound of chirping birds, like a whole flock of them has invaded our office. Which I knew hadn't occurred because there's a signal when our door is opened, and then I realized the sound came from the conference room.

A few seconds later, one of the people exited the conference room with cell phone in hand.

About 10 minutes later, the person got another call, and again the birds were chirping wildly.
Now, I'm not one to call the kettle black. I've got my own custom ring tones on my phone. I have the chorus from Tell Me Something Good as the ring tone for an editor I'm waiting to hear from.

However, hearing the sound of chirping birds in my office really threw me for a loop and off my stride.

So, what about you? What strange ring tones do you have on your phone? Or, better yet, do you have a ring tone that will invoke images of any Alfred Hitchcock movie? I'm still seeing Tippi Hedren trapped in the phone booth....

Jessie

Friday's Fantasy

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:12:00 +0000

24 hours alone.

Yep, that's this fantasy writer's fantasy. Just me, my computer, some snack foods, and blessed silence through my house. I need my alone time, and haven't had any in a loooong time. Yes, the laundry needs to be done. The kitchen needs cleaning. The floors need sweeping. Stories need to be written.

And I can't get any of those things accomplished while I'm turning in circles or running in place, which is how I feel.

I don't have any plans this weekend. Maybe I can convince DH to leave the house Saturday and give me a few hours. It won't be all the time I need, but it's a start.

Have a great weekend, everyone.
Jessie

Time Warp Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:03:00 +0000

My alarm went off at 7:18 this morning. Yeah, I know, not a morning person here. And hey, I don't have to be at work until 8:30, with only a 15 minute commute.

So, I hit the snooze, roll over, and get the best 9 minutes of sleep (because it's stolen sleep), before the alarm goes off again. 7:27.

Then, it's my usual morning routine. I'm listening to sports radio as I get ready for work (does this really surprise anyone?), and BAM! the announcer says the time is 8:41. No, that can't be right. My alarm clock reads 7:41. I checked it twice. I know it was correct when I went to bed last night, and I know I only hit the snooze button. Besides, to change the time on my alarm clock, you have to press two buttons simultaneously, and it's awkward. Probably to keep people from accidentally changing it.

I grab the purse, the keys, lunch, and I'm out the door. Outside, it's a balmy 66 degrees, lots of cloud cover, and lots of wind. Leaves are blowing everywhere as I place my stash in the car.

Still not believing I lost an hour somewhere, I checked the clock in my car, and sure enough, the little orange numbers read 8:54.

Luckily, I have great bosses, and not a word was said about my being late when I strolled in at 9:15.

However, this bears investigating. How was my clock correct when I went to bed last night, but off an hour when I woke up this morning? I think I should call Mulder & Skully.

Jessie

Monday's Moment - Love at First Sight

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:45:00 +0000

Do you remember "The One Thing" from the movie City Slickers? Curly had found perfection in that one moment when he saw the woman he could have loved. For him, it was enough just to carry the moment in his heart and live the rest of his life content.

However, most of us act on the feelings of "that moment". I did. I saw my DH across a room (literally) and the world stopped. Mind, body, and soul, I knew he was the one for me. Oh, I still made him take me through the courtship ritual, after all it was the rest of my life we're talking about.

There have been some rough spots, sure. But after 18 years, the world still stops when I see him across a room.

Was it really love at first sight? I think so. Others might disagree, and that's okay. I won't say our love hasn't grown, matured, or that our friendship came as easily as the love. (Being best friends with the love of your life isn't always as easy as it sounds.)

So, what about you? Do you believe in love at first sight?

Jessie

Finally Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:24:00 +0000

Whew! What a week it's been.

I could go into the million and one things that have gone wrong, or lopsided, this week, but why bother? It's finally Friday, and I can go home and write.

Tomorrow is SMRW's annual Christmas Party & Booksigning. We'll all be at Barnes & Noble on Kingston Pike between 2 & 5 signing books and giving stuff away.

Tomorrow night, the gkids are coming over to help us put up the tree and decorate the house for Christmas, maybe bake some cookies, drink some hot chocolate, etc. I'll be worn out.

Sunday, I'm looking forward to a big, southern breakfast. That's eggs, biscuits, gravy, fried potatoes, bacon, pancakes, and occassionally, grits. I like cheese grits. Then, settling down in front of the television to watch a little football, while reading over one of my manuscripts for revisions. But when 8:15 p.m. rolls around, it's all Indy.

I think Monday morning is gonna come way too soon.

Have a great weekend, Everyone!
Jessie

Thursday Thesaurus - Lachrymose Over Synonyms

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:46:00 +0000

Synonym: n.

My Handy Dandy Thesaurus suggests: Well, actually it doesn't suggest anything. However, it is included in the entries for description and equivalence.

We learned the definition of synonym in elementary school - two words which have the same meaning, or somewhat the same meaning.

As authors, we sometimes want a new word for walk, or said. Usually, because we've used walk or said a hundred times in our current manuscript, and if we're tired of using it, the reader will most likely be tired of reading it. Won't they?

Maybe. Maybe not. I won't go into that here. What I want to discuss is the author who uses the obscure word found in her thesaurus for tearful -- lachrymose. If I had read lachrymose in a book (prior to today), I would've had to look up the meaning, or try to glean it from the surrounding prose.

My first thought when encountering a $5 word is not, "Oh my, what a wonderful vocabulary this author has. He/she must be brilliant!" No, it's more like, "Did you realize the word lachrymose would pull me right out of your story and send me to my dictionary?"

In other words, I'd rather read the dictionary than stay in the world you created.

I suppose it's better than someone who'd rather read the incredients on the cereal box than your story, but only marginally so.

And after I close the book, will I pick it up again? I might, because I leave very few books unread once I start them. But it will probably go in the giveaway box.

Jessie

Wednesday W(h)ines - Christmas Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:44:00 +0000

I love Christmas Trees. The lights, the ornaments, the tree skirts, the crisp, clean scent of winter and the holidays.

And I'm horribly allergic to them.

I don't complain about being allergic to feathers (as in down jackets, comforters, pillows, etc.), because I can stay warm in any number of coats and sweaters, and sleep comfortably on any number of pillows.

I don't complain about the various animals I'm allergic to, even though I don't get to pet them as often as I'd like, and there are some breeds which don't affect me at all.

I don't complain about being allergic to household dust, because hey, it means my hubby gets that job, as well as mowing the grass due to all the stuff I'm allergic to outside.

But, it's just not fair to be allergic to Christmas trees. And if I go to a friend's house, or a party, etc., I have to ask if they have a live tree before I go (which just seems rude), or I suffer the reaction, because after only a few minutes, it's too late to take any kind of medication. The damage is already done. Even if I take something, it's usually a good two hours or so before the effects wear off. Meanwhile, my eyes look like I've been on a 3-day drunk, I'm sneezing every few seconds, and I can't breathe very well.

With some of the newer 12 hour and 24 hour allergy medications, I could probably tolerate Christmas trees, but those medications dry me out to the point where I'm as just as uncomfortable.

So, for now, I'll stick with my artificial tree. It's pretty, but it just isn't the same.

Jessie

Tuesday Tunes - Another Suitcase

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:05:00 +0000

One of my favorite musicals/poperas is Evita (The original Broadway Show). However, there is one song which I always skip when I'm listening to the soundtrack - Another Suitcase in Another Hall.

The song is absolutely wonderful and haunting in it's emotional depth. It's performed by Peron's mistress after Evita kicks the teenaged girl out.

So, I'm sure you're wondering why I skip the song.

Because it has absolutely nothing to do with the story line, and it feels more like an intermission.
A few minutes for the regular cast to rest their voices.

Authors do this, too. They'll add a scene, with or without the major characters, and it does nothing to further the story. It's a good scene, but it doesn't add any substance. And guess what? I skip over them, no matter how beautifully written. Most of the time, I feel like those scenes have been added for word count. If the pace needs to slow down a little, and sometimes it does in order for the reader to catch their breath, throwing in a scene which doesn't further the plot will do more than let me catch my breath. Nine times out of ten, it will get a bookmark. There's no driving force to induce me to turn the page, and when that happens, I can close the book.

Not good.

So, any time I'm tempted to write a scene which doesn't directly impact my plot, I pull out my CD of Evita and listen to Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and remind myself why those scenes will never work.

Jessie

Monday's Moment - "Hey Stella!!!"

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:48:00 +0000

On December 3, 1947, A Streetcar Named Desire opened on Broadway. Marlon Brando played Stanley, Kim Hunter played Stella, Jessica Tandy played Blanche, and Karl Malden played Mitch. Vivien Leigh played the role of Blanche in the movie, and while the first quote which comes to mind is "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers," it is another Blanche quote which I believe sums up her character: "I don't want realism, I want magic."

And the movie is magic.

Stanley Kawolski is not a hero. (Neither is Mitch, for that matter.) He's crude, abusive, unrepentent in the face of his cruelty, and even though most women would never consider any kind of relationship with him, there's a raw sexuality exuding from him. As one girl I worked with once said about a man of Stanley's ilk, "I'd do him, but I wouldn't date him."

Which is why, at the end, we wonder why in the world Stella walks through the door, embraces Stanley with such passion, and let's him carry her off. But look closely at her face as she descends the stairs. He's desperate for her, crying, and for all her mousiness, in that moment, there's a tiger shining in her eyes. And the way her hands move over his back, like claws, tells us she may not be as meek and accepting of the abuse, even though she is accepting him. Or, she could just be caught in his sexual web. I like to think it's the former, and she has a little revenge planned for her husband.

No one will ever tame Stanley, and in my humble opinion, he should never be forgiven for the violent rape of Blanche and doesn't deserve the second chance from Stella.

But what if we could have the magic of Stanley without the reality? What if we could tame Stanley before he goes beyond redemption? This is why we sympathize with him even as we are sickened by his behavior.

Maybe someday, I'll have the guts to put those "what ifs" to the test and try to write a Stanley-type hero who does find redemption before he steps into the abyss of unforgivable. A man who can love unconditionally without the fatal flaws, but not flawless.

Jessie

Friday's Fiction - Ads

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:47:00 +0000

I've got to admit, some of the greatest works of fiction (fiction is by its nature, a lie) of our time are advertisements. On the internet alone, there are thousands of ads filling our e-mail boxes and our screens, all of them offering free stuff, or weight loss miracles, or better *performance*, or debt reduction, just to name a few.

And television ads aren't any better. I especially like the ads with 28 year old models who talk about looking old, while touting a product supposed to make you look younger.

Feel like a kid again.

You deserve a break, so eat out.

There's even one beer can that indicates when the beer is cold. Obviously, this is for people who wear gloves or who have lost feeling in their hands.

Or, the world as we know it will come to a screeching halt resulting in chaos if we choose to pay with cash or a check instead of a piece of plastic.

Remember a few years ago when the guy kept telling someone on the other end of his cell phone that he didn't do commercials? Yeah, and consumers still bought the phones, even though they knew the guy was lying, because, well it was a commercial.

And hey, I've never had a Viking ask me what's in my wallet.

Have a great weekend, Everyone!
Jessie

Thursday Thirteen

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:39:00 +0000

Happy Thursday, Everyone! I've been working on the first draft of Somewhere in the Night, the sequel to Lord Night. The stories take place in an alternate dimension created as a real-life video game. So, here are thirteen games I've been addicted to over the years:

1. Tetris: I bought this computer game in the early 90's, and I still play it almost every day.

2. Space Invaders: One of the original arcade games.

3. Wolfenstein: Finding all the secret hiding places and killing monsters.

4. Rook: Could sit and play for hours, especially during the holidays.

5. The Legend of Zelda: The original had crappy graphics, but Link was just sooo cute, and there was lots of hidden goodies to find.

6. Test Drive Off Road II: I've only beaten it once. My family laughs at me, because I cannot play this game sitting still. I move with the vehicle.

7. King's Quest I - IV: Love the puzzles, and the graphics were good for the time.

8. Mine Sweeper: Yes, the game which comes on everyone's PC. I've had it set on a 24x30 board forever and am up to 215 bombs.

9. Scrabble: Love the word game.

10. Bejeweled: My high score is over 2,000,000. Those sparklies call to me.

11. Asteroids: Another arcade original. We used to double-team the game, with one of us guiding the spaceship and one of us shooting. Worked well.

12. Mario: The original. I've picked up Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii, but haven't started playing yet.

13. Myst: The eerie world kept me interested, even though the puzzles were so-so, and I figured out the shortcut to win very early in the game.

Plus, there are many, many more games I've played over the years, but was never to the point where I played them more than once or twice. And, there are some games which I love to watch others play, but have no desire to pick up the controller.

Jessie

Wednesday W(h)ines - The NFL Network

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:57:00 +0000

Tomorrow night the Green Bay Packers play the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC showdown. The young gun, Tony Romo, faces the seasoned gun slinger, Brett Favre in what should be an awesome game. Probably one of the best of the season.

But I won't get to watch it.

Why? Because it's on the NFL Network, and while I have the NFL Network on my cable system, they don't carry the games. According to the cable provider, the NFL Network charges and arm and a leg for games and it's cost prohibitive to air them.

It's bad enough that I haven't seen a Colts game since November 11th, and I won't get to see them this week, but missing the Packers/Cowboys game adds insult to injury. This doesn't endear me to either the NFL Network or my cable provider.

Yes, I know some satellite providers air the games. Before I moved, we had one and I saw all the NFL Network games last season. When we moved, though, I had to find another provider or use dial-up for my internet. Yes, I made the choice, and based my choice on getting the the Sci-Fi channel and the NFL Network, among a few others. At that time, there was no hint of not being able to see the games.

So, I'm stuck, along with a lot of other unhappy fans, because the cable companies and the NFL Network are having a pis#### contest. Unfortunately, it's the fans who are caught in the crossfire without a raincoat.

Jessie

Tuesday Tunes - Singin' a Sad Song Today

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:15:00 +0000

As we enter into the Christmas Season, and most eyes turn to literary works such as A Christmas Carol, I look to another of Dickens' classics - A Tale of Two Cities.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

Last Thursday, my mother, sister, and I went to the hospital to visit my new grandbaby (the best of times). He's so beautiful, and alert, and full of life, and while I feel so truly blessed with my family, my heart hurts. We all shed tears of joy and sorrow, because my father wasn't there.

It was this time last year when we learned of his cancer (the worst of times). One of the most poignant memories I have of him is about a week afterward. We were sitting at the kitchen table (our favorite spot), and he told me, "And if I die, think about the adventure I'll have then."

You can see why I always say Dad is my greatest inspiration.

Now, I have a new chapter in my own life's adventure. Being a grandma. I can't wait to show up for grandparents day at school on my motorcycle with cupcakes in the saddle bags. Oh yeah, Dad would totally appreciate that.

Jessie

Monday's Moments - Cursed

noreply@blogger.com (Jessie Verino) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:56:00 +0000

On November 26, 1922, Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon were the first to enter the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

Shortly after Lord Carnarvon entered the tomb of the boy king, he was bitten on the cheek by a mosquito. During a morning shave, he aggravated the bite and it became infected. He died before medical help arrived. What's strange though, is that all of the lights in Cairo purportedly went out the moment he died.

When they unwrapped the mummy, it had a wound on its left cheek in the same exact position as Carnarvon's bite.

Howard Carter, however, was the first to enter the tomb of King Tut and lived a full decade after the discovery, which he spent cataloguing the contents of the tomb.

The media of the day went wild with tales of a mummy's curse, dogs howling in the darkest hours of the night and then dying, cobras eating pet canaries, etc. There was speculation that Carter had found an inscription of the curse on a tablet, on a candle base, on the entrance to the tomb, or on a wall in the tomb, and decided to destroy the warning so as not to frighten his superstitious workers. He denied all claims of finding such a curse.

Others also survived, including the 10 people who were present when the mummy was unwrapped. According to Herbert E. Winlock, the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, out of the 22 people present when the tomb was opened, 6 had died by 1934. And of the 22 people present when the sarcophagus was opened, only 2 had died in the following decade.

We'll never truly know the complete story of King Tut, the king who took the throne at the age of 7, 8, or 9, and who then was probably murdered at the age of 17, 18, or 19. But we do know his tomb, though small and hastily built in the rubble of Ramses VI's tomb, held great treasures.
Jessie