Thursday Thoughts: Universal Journey

Posted on January 23, 2025 by Silver James

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. Anybody else resemble this old saw? And why do we call phrases like this “old saws”? Nope. Not going down that rabbit hole today because…yeah…I’ll just get further behind. Except I’m not really that far behind. It just feels like it. I set myself an original deadline of “first of the year” to release this book. Then stuff happened and I put my foot down and set a firm FINAL release date of Valentine’s Day–with hopes of a sooner date–to release RETRIBUTION. I mean, seriously. How hard is it to take a novella, 2 books, and some extra scenes, throw them all together, mix, stir, patty-cake, patty-cake baker’s man and voilà! Slap a cover on it, upload and and hit the publish button. Yeah…about that. It’s not really that simply. In fact, the whole process is a journey, as the Universe has reminded me.

Sometimes, Silver, when things take longer than you thought they would, it’s just a gentle reminder that you have more time than you thought—and that there’s a journey to enjoy.

Enjoy every minute,
The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. Besides, Silver, just because it’s taking longer than you thought it would, doesn’t mean stuff isn’t happening on your behalf, even as you read these words.

Things are happening on my behalf. The cover is being designed and will opefully be ready for a reveal next week. I’ve written a few new scenes and incorporated some deleted and “side” scenes that haven’t been published in book form. Mainly though, I decided to slow down and enjoy the journey. It’s been a long time since I read these three books. And it is quite the trip back in time. As writers, I think maybe it’s a good idea that we do slow down and enjoy the journey. It’s a good reminder of why we do what we do. Readers and writers, where’s the journey a book took you on?

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Wednesday Words: First Times

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Silver James

Let’s start with this week’s prompt from last week’s Thursday Threads flash fiction challenge: *”Were you, your first time?”*

I’mma just gonna let that sit for a minute while y’all ponder the question. Then I’m going to ask, where did your mind go? I know where mine went before I pondered the question some more. Because where my mind went, “first time” would be something of a requirement to meet the definition of the word that came to mind. Instead of going there completely, I handed a pair of scissors to Iffy and let her have some craft time. She “cut out a picture” of Micah Lightfoot and Liam McIntire that I was not expecting. I have no clue if this scene will ever appear in a full story but who knows? It’s a nice peek into the “Private Lives of Young Wolves.” I hope you enjoy. (Luckily, the judge for last week’s challenge did–it garnered an Honorable Mention. 😁 )

****
Micah stabbed at the ground with the stick in his hand then drew some lines. He wanted to ask but figured he wouldn’t like the answer. Still, they were best friends despite Liam being several years older. He scribbled more lines in the dirt.

“What’cha drawin’?” Liam tilted his head this way and that as he studied the scratchings.

Shrugging, Micah mumbled, “Nuthin’.”

“Looks like somethin’ to me.”

He didn’t want to be embarrassed by his drawing—or the fact that he liked to draw. His dad was an Army hero. A sniper. A deputy sheriff. His mom was a scientist, a wildlife biologist. Micah drew pictures. And he knew exactly what he was drawing—a sketch in the dirt of Grace as Little Red Riding Hood. He started to rub it out but Liam stopped him

“Wanna know something?”

Micah shrugged again, the gesture a mainstay of pre-teen boy language.

“I wish I could draw like you.”

He looked up at that, shocked. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. Dude, you have real talent. And it’s nothing to be afraid of.”

They were back on topic. “Were you, your first time?”

“Naw.”

Micah gave Liam the side-eye. They both knew he was lying. Liam had been terrified the first time but a stranger stepped it and saved him. Then there was that whole hormone thing. It was bad enough his voice kept cracking and going up and down a couple of octaves when he tried to talk.

“Did it hurt?”

Liam nodded, knowing not to lie now. “Yeah. But that wasn’t the scary part.”

“What was?”

“I was terrified I couldn’t find my way back. Your dad and mine won’t let that happen.”

“My wolf wants out.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“Promise?” Hope shone in Micah’s eyes.

“Promise.” Liam fervently wished he’d be able to keep that promise.
****

There you have it–a short snapshot of life in Blaidd’s Gap and the 2nd generation starts coming of age. Micah surprised me. There’s a scene in CHRISTMAS MOON where he’s coloring and his mom mentions that he “colors outside the box.” Evidently, that image stuck in my brain and it turns out that Micah truly is an artist. Of course, the Little Red Riding Hood mention is in reference to a Halloween when Nate played the Big, Bad Wolf to little Grace’s Riding Hood. I have the photo to prove it. 😉 Writers, have fun with this one if you take the challenge. Readers, are you sometimes surprised by characters when you turn a page?

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Tuesday Tidbits: It’s

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Silver James

It’s hard to work when you can only see shapes and colors with one eye and the other one is dilated so everything is blurry and I get weird overlays of purple and blue splotches from light sources. Still, I wanted to duck and to touch base and since I plan on sleeping in, y’all get this little short version. FYI, I really like this “button” for the Moonstruck Mafia series. Just sayin’.Anyway, today’s plan after the whole sleep-in thing because it’s still cold. Ugh. Not a fan. And yes none of those were actually complete sentences because I’m saving that for writing a transition scene and then more edits on RETRIBUTION. In the meantime, three quick things:

  1. The laser thing went fine. It took more time to drive to the surgery center, get signed in, and prepped than it did for the procedure. That lasted about 3 minutes. Lots of flashy lights in my right eye and all the gunk should be scraped away.
  2. Food recommendation because it IS Tuesday: PBJs FTW! They work for breakfast with coffee, lunch with fizzy lime water, dinner with any drink. My peanut butter of choice is crnuchy. My jelly is grape. I highly recommend spreading said PBJ on toasted Texas toast bread. Yummers.
  3. And finally, go buy one of my books. If you already have one or more of my books, go leave a review if you haven’t already. Talk about it on your social media. Work of mouth, peeps. It does wonders and I have new medical bills to pay in addition to the ones I’m still paying off from this time last year. Yes, this is me with hat in had doing a little begging. Here’s the link for my BOOK LIST.

There it is. Short and to the point. There will be words tomorrow. And thoughts on Thursday. Who knows what TGIF will bring. 😉 How’s your world? Do you have a list?

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National Monday

Posted on January 20, 2025 by Silver James

Today is a big day. It’s Inauguration Day. And it’s Martin Luther King Day. Some people are off. Some aren’t. Me? If you’re up early enough to read this, I’m probably at a medical center. Don’t worry. Other than the fact I had to be there at 6 a.m., which meant a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call and it’s cold enough to freeze the cohonies off a brass monkey, s’all good. At my appointment last Monday, the doc noticed some scarring and haziness on the lens implants from the surguries two years ago. He says it’s fairly normal. It’s a matter of little “scrubbing” with a laser. One eye today, the second eye next Monday. I fully intend to come home, curl up and watch the happenings in Washington. Yeah, I’m happy with things there. ‘Nuff said. If I get enough coffee into me, I might even work tomorrow. Or not. I might just veg and soak up all the political stuffs.

Speaking of work, I chugged along this weekend. It was cold but not quite as frigid as the weather gurus were predicting. Zero degree with the wind chill is a whole lot better than the -15 that was predicted. Anyway, I finished the edits on Part 2 of MOONSTRUCK: RETRIBUTION. That means I’m on the downhill side. I have the final part (MOONSHOT) and some short stories/snippets to add in. Instead of reading today, maybe I’ll look at pictures for a cover. We’ll see. Anyway, I’m mostly on track for that Valentine’s Day release.

Also in writing news, I’ve picked up a few soundtracks from other writers and some of the music is sticking with me. I’m getting ideas for the next Penumbra book–Ariel’s story. Currently, the title that’s sticking in my head is DESTINIES ARE A DIME A DOZEN. I’m not sure if that belongs to Ariel or to Nicos. Still, it’s a direction to take for maybe the next project. We’ll see.

Okay. I’ve talked about the WIP. I’ve talked about my health. I’ve talked about the weather. What’s left? Sports? Okay, my Kansas City Chiefs won. Yay. At the time of typing this and setting it up for release in the morning, I have no clue who they’ll play for the divisional championship. Anyway…

Okay. I need to get this scheduled so I can go make spaghetti for dinner. How’s your weather? Are you cooking anything good? What series should I write a next book in?

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Friday Sinema: Silence is Cool!

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Silver James

Okay. As a teen/YA, Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” was pretty much an anthem. Then, much later, like 10 years ago, I heard Disturb’s version of the song. Oh holy moly, it was a revelation. Wowser! And no, this video is not that one. You can find it easy enough. What this video is…is very cool airplany things with that as the background music. This short reminded me of the traffic cop who was often featured on “Candid Camera.” Enjoy it on this last warmish day before the Siberian Surge hits the US and freezes our tushies off! I’ll be staying in and warm with lots of hot coffee. What will you be doing?

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Casting

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Silver James

Once again, the Universe hits the nail on the head when it comes to both real life and the imaginary lives that writers create to people the worlds they create. I have to admit, there’s a reason I enjoy–mostly–shopping at Wally World. There is always a variety of folks there–some are pleasant, some not. But all writers know we have to flip that coin–the good and the bad, the black and the white, the happy and the sad. Why? Because that’s life. And our stories should reflect life, even if our worlds–and the people in them–are fantastical. Characters make the story, and conversely, the story makes the characters. The Big U has a point here.

The world is filled with colorful characters, Silver, and many would be absolutely thrilled to play along in any drama you’d care to create—romantically, socially, financially, heroically, comically—any.

You just have to let me do the casting.

Absolutely thrilled,
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. You decide what you want to create and how you want to feel, Silver, physically move in its direction, and I’ll “send in the clowns.”

True story. I auditioned for a musical one time long ago and far away and the song I sang? Yup.

Isn’t it rich? Aren’t we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground
You in mid-air
Send in the clowns

Isn’t it bliss, don’t you approve
One who keeps tearing around
One who can’t move, where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns

Just when I stopped opening doors
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours
Making my entrance again with my usual flair
Sure of my lines, no one is there

Don’t you love farce, my fault I fear
I thought that you’d want what I want, sorry my dear
But where are the clowns, there ought to be clowns
Quick send in the clowns

What a surprise, who could foresee?
I’ve come to feel about you, what you felt about me
Why only now when I see that you’ve drifted away
What a surprise, and what a cliche

Isn’t it rich, isn’t it queer
Losing my timing this late in my career
And where are the clowns
Quick send in the clowns, don’t bother they’re here. (Stephen Sondheim)

Oddly, I still remember the lyrics and tune 50+ years later and find them oddly apropos. Do the words resonate with you? And you’re welcome for the ear worm. 😁

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Wednesday Words: Natural Forces

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Silver James

Iffy grabbed her scissors last week asnd started dancing. She decided it was time to revisit our Russian Wolves in New York City when she saw the Thursday Threads prompt of *”He’d been a force of nature.”* Gosh, I had no idea that there was an impending power struggle in Brighton Beach. Now I do. And we all know when it comes to takeovers, the Wolves are always front and center. I wonder if I should come up with a “tag” for the Russian Wolves like I did for Boston. Boru’s Wolves has double meaning. Not sure I can do the same in NYC. Something to ponder. Anyway, here’s a totally random snippet based on the prompt.

****
People gathered quietly in the dark room. Heavy curtains draped the windows shuttering the sunshine. A faint nightlight cast a soft blue halo where it sat on the bedside table. The bed-ridden man’s breath rasped. He’d been a force of nature once but time and excessive living took their toll.

The doctor straightened and removed the stethoscope from his ears. “It won’t be long now.” His voice remained low and reverent. A loud wail followed his pronouncement.

The two men across the room offered indifference to the soon-to-be widow. She was the dying man’s fourth trophy wife and everyone present knew she was only there for the money.

“He’s stubborn,” the dark man murmured.

“Of course he is,” his companion agreed. “He won’t let go until there is nothing to cling to.”

“We must make plans, Mikhail.”

Misha’s lips curled briefly at Dmitri’s assertion. “You think?”

“Ah, you already have one.” Dima should not have been surprised.

That brought on a full smile. “What do *you* think?”

“I think, Misha, that no one should ever underestimate you.”

“Us, Dima. All of us. The others are moving their chess pieces and think to use us as pawns. It is time we show them we are the king, the bishops, and the knights.”

Dima nodded toward the busty blonde. “What about the queen?”

Lifting his chin, Misha indicated a man with avarice in his eyes. “Let the rooks deal with her. Before they realize we are even in the game—checkmate.”
****

FYI, I did garner an Honorable Mention for the above. Yay! I’m still not sure what project will follow MOONSTRUCK: RETRIBUTION–which, BTW, I’m enjoying revisiting the books invovled and getting reacquainted with the characters–but the Russian Wolves seem to be hanging out in the corner conspiring. We’ll see. In the meantime, writers, grab the prompt and free write if it will help. Readers, what force of nature is inhabiting your life at the moment?

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Tuesday Tidbits: Cajun Seasoning

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Silver James

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? In this case, which character came first? That would be Debra Jane “DJ” Collier, a Deputy US Marshal who first appeared in WOLF MOON. She was sent to east Texas in the aftermath of the Wolves little soiree there to rescue Danny and Sally and where Sean/Boomer met Annie. Then came ROGUE MOON telling Rudy and Isabelle’s story. That’s when Antoine came into being–a reason for Izzy not to freak out about Liam and Rudy. At the time, Antoine was meant to be a secondary character only. Except he’s Cajun. And a Wolf, albeit an almost feral and definitely a lone Wolf. And then when the ending to ROGUE reintroduce DJ, the seed of their story took root. And grew. Interestingly, I had pictures of both of them in my files before their characters came to life.

These two truly didn’t become three-dimensional until I started writing BLUE MOON. Not that they were flat in their introductory roles but their parts were small and just hinted at who they were. That was mainly be cause I had no clue who they really were. Being shy of people and civilization, Antoine had to be coaxed into revealing himself. DJ was a pistol–no pun intended–but had no real depth. She pretty much was her badge and that was it.

I’m not one of those writers who plots out the entire story before I start. I don’t have pages of notes on character development and outlines of this happens then that happens and it all goes down in this chapter. I walk into a new story knowing a little something about how my MCs (main characters) look and often have pictures for them. Usually, there’s something about a face that attracks my attention and I’ll grab the pic. Usually, the character wearing that face walks in, sits down over a cup of coffee and introduces themselves. Sometimes, I have a particular character in mind and I go searching for a photo that fits. In the cases of Antoine and DJ, it was the first then the second. Except neither of them wanted to visit. They dared me to find out who they really were. So I did. And in doing so, their story came to life.

The fun of doing a “conpendium” volume is that I get to reread and relive the stories and find out more about the characters so I can add to their personalities and the action. Antoine is still a wild thing and DJ is still driven to find justice, even if she treads that fine legal line in the sand. And she doesn’t mind at all if her colleagues (at the time) hummed the X-Files theme when she walked by. She knows the secret and they don’t.

So that’s my meanderings for this Tuesday. I hope you enjoyed this peek at what goes on inside my head at any given time during the process of creating stories I hope y’all will want to read. Thanks for being part of the pack. I’m back to work now that my eyes can actually see the computer screen again. What are y’all up to today?

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Monday the 13th

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Silver James

I meant to use this meme on New Year’s Day. I forgot. I obviously didn’t start drinking coffee early enough in the morning that day. However, since it speaks true, it’s appropriate every day. Am I right?

Also, if Friday the 13th is allegedly unlucky then what does that mean for Monday the 13th? Inquiring minds want to know.

Yes, I’m rambling. I’m also off for my six-month checkup with my eye surgeon. I’m getting the full treatment this morning–all the tests. Whoopee. Jake will have fun. Dr. K’s staff all love him. Also, LG is driving because I’ll have dilated eyes on the way home and Only has my Highlander. Her ‘Stang is feeling poorly.

In other news, I’ve started Part 2 of MOONSTRUCK: RETRIBUTION. I had a lot of fun rereading and adding to CHRISTMAS MOON (Part 1). I also managed to write the transition scent betweeen it athe next part in 250 words. See? All that practice with Thursday Threads is paying off. 😆 Anyway, I’m still shooting for the Valentine’s Day release. I really need to find a cover image and get it to Only for the cover design. Depending on how my eyes are doing later this afternoon, maybe I’ll check Deposit Photos. Not sure reading words will be possible so no editing.

I did something I don’t normally do. I rated one of my own books and wrote a review on Goodreads. Hey, I hadn’t really read CHRISTMAS MOON since I first wrote and published it in 2014. That’s a looong time. And I enjoyed the heck out of the book. So, there ya go. And yes. I gave myself 5 stars. I’m also feeling a bit nostalgic so I’m listening the Andre Norton’s Witch World series.

We got, for us, a lot of snow last Thursday and it didn’t really melt until Sunday. I stayed in. It was cold and damp and my knees hurt. It didn’t help that I’d banged them up in my Wednesday fall. Being old is bad enough. Being a klutz? Insult to injury and all that.

That’s about the sum total of my world. How’s your world adding up?

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Friday Sinema: Snow Dogs

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Silver James

If you are in this way of the winter storm sweeping across the USA, I hope this finds you inside all warm and snuggly. If you aren’t but wish you were, you can pretend you are. Here’s 5 minutes of dogs playing in the snow. My dog? Jake is all business. He goes out, heads to the gate to bark, announcing thaqt he is on duty and then returns to get his treat. He’s a good boy. 😉 Have a great weekend, no matter your weather.

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