Friends, I simply have to share the news! Gathering of Rain has been picked up by Night Publishing and will launch July/Aug!
Watch this space for updates and links.
*dances a jig of joy*
Elaina
Monday, April 4, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Mirrors
Mirrors make me.
And mirrors break me.
Shards of shiny glass, reflection pond, polished metal, ornately framed, it’s of no import.
As you read this and I play the role of storyteller, a new looking glass rises from the mercury I wade through. I haven’t seen one like it before and, momentarily its existence stumps me. Only momentarily, for a mirror is a mirror and here, now, another lesson awaits.
Allow me to step aside for a while before we peer into this mirror together. You need a little back story, but only a little. Your patience will be rewarded.
Have you tried this? Position two mirrors facing each other and stand between them. Magically you see yourself reflected into what feels like infinity. It’s not magic, of course, it’s science, but it feels as if sorcery could be at work, playing with your perceptions- for a few thumping beats of your heart you are drawn into another space and time. And when the dog barks or someone calls out or a door slams...the spell is broken.
Here’s another one: stare into a mirror, into your eyes reflected back at you. Really stare. Concentrate, focus, block out peripheral images. Look into your eyes...except it’s not you over there, is it? The real you is who others see, the one you see in photographs. But it feels like you and if you stare long enough, you begin to see your soul. The instant you recognise the essence of a presence, you shiver. If it works for you, it is magic; science cannot reveal essence. When the dog barks, etc, you are relieved to have the spell broken. It’s downright scary.
Except, it isn't your soul. It’s the soul of a reflection. Now that can lead to nightmares.
Back to back story. I have dark eyes. Hard to read, people tell me. Not that I believe you read someone’s eyes, that all emotion is on display there- that’s achieved in minute facial expressions. A crinkle at the corner of an eye could be amusement. Slight tightening of lips could be disagreement. An eyebrow lifted just a tick could be disbelief...you get the picture. Eyes are not crystal balls. You disagree? You might have a point and I might be in denial.
You see, I looked into my dark eyes, apparently so hard to read, and recognised that essence I mentioned earlier. Except, something moved in those eyes...and it wasn’t me. When my reflection blinked, and I know I did not, I was utterly spooked.
Couldn't look in the mirror for some while.
I am not one to wimp out long, however, and thus I tried the two mirror trick; safer I thought (well, I did say I was spooked). All gods in all heavens, the sixth reflection turned her head. I don’t know if six has significance, don’t care- she moved. If I was spooked before, imagine what that engendered.
My fascination with mirrors began then. I would see one and shy away. Always made sure I knew where the mirrors were in a new place in order to avoid them. A strange situation. A friend avoids mirrors because she doesn’t like herself; I avoided them because I do like myself...and wanted to keep me intact.
There really is no avoiding your reflection, however. Look into a rain puddle when retrieving something dropped. Windows are wonderful mirrors, did you know that? The silvery side of metallic wrapping, while distorted, can surprise you. And, honestly, it’s not long before you take the risk of a real mirror anyway...after perhaps the second poke of a mascara wand. Ego will force you. And so will self-worth.
And thus I stared one day at my reflection...and everything changed.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
I need your support, friends!
For one week 26 March to 02 April my three eBooks on Smashwords will be available for free. If you have a Smashwords account, please hurry over and download copies- and know I appreciate it!
Enter these codes to ‘purchase’ the free versions:
Gathering of Rain: UN47S
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29882
House of Valla: AD64G
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/30761
Darak Fallen: MF96V
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/32759
A short paragraph review after would be simply brilliant!
If you don’t have a Smashwords account (and I recommend you do so- great downloads available!) please download the free samples at the above links. Thanks!
Thanks and regards...and know I’ll return the favour anytime!
Elaina
Enter these codes to ‘purchase’ the free versions:
Gathering of Rain: UN47S
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29882
House of Valla: AD64G
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/30761
Darak Fallen: MF96V
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/32759
A short paragraph review after would be simply brilliant!
If you don’t have a Smashwords account (and I recommend you do so- great downloads available!) please download the free samples at the above links. Thanks!
Thanks and regards...and know I’ll return the favour anytime!
Elaina
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
An experiment:
The first full sentence of page 23 – various books:
(to see what happens!)
1. There are many stories that show how changing one’s perceptions can result in breakthrough insights.
2. Often he thought: My life did not begin until I knew her.
3. He is able to become on his own a pseudo-stranger, like the ‘stranger’ Naipaul wishes to become himself.
4. ‘I think they developed some characteristics picked up by the biochips in their E.coli phases.’
5. They had come to the end of the rainbow, and the pot of gold was no longer there.
6. He brought his hands around to show.
7. There are three deaths.
8. The problem has now begun to shift.
9. He held her hand and then she threw up, as she had promised, into the shiny silver bowl.
10. If her mother didn’t want Brianna Randall going to Broch Tuarach, there was nothing stopping him looking at the place.
11. Follow him and find out where he goes.
12. And Cas Doran realised with a small shock that he knew very well what her life was like.
13. I had a feeling then.
14. The kitchen was alive with hustle and bustle.
15. Joseph stuck two fingers between his right cheek and upper right gum and pulled out a flat strip of metal, notched at one end; a tiny fork, no longer than Thomas’s pinkie.
16. He read and evening closed in.
17. I said that the book cost $21.95 and that the cost of postage and packaging was a further $25.
18. List two of your unique personal qualities, such as enthusiasm and creativity.
19. They didn’t, however, and his life in those years (except for peaceful interludes on the marsh) had been one of pursuit at close quarters.
20. The reason you need to record your dream alchemy practices is that you need to repeat them over a set period, so regard this little magic book as your recipe book to remind you what you need to do, how often, and when.
Truly random. Some follow, some don’t. Anyone recognise which books?
(to see what happens!)
1. There are many stories that show how changing one’s perceptions can result in breakthrough insights.
2. Often he thought: My life did not begin until I knew her.
3. He is able to become on his own a pseudo-stranger, like the ‘stranger’ Naipaul wishes to become himself.
4. ‘I think they developed some characteristics picked up by the biochips in their E.coli phases.’
5. They had come to the end of the rainbow, and the pot of gold was no longer there.
6. He brought his hands around to show.
7. There are three deaths.
8. The problem has now begun to shift.
9. He held her hand and then she threw up, as she had promised, into the shiny silver bowl.
10. If her mother didn’t want Brianna Randall going to Broch Tuarach, there was nothing stopping him looking at the place.
11. Follow him and find out where he goes.
12. And Cas Doran realised with a small shock that he knew very well what her life was like.
13. I had a feeling then.
14. The kitchen was alive with hustle and bustle.
15. Joseph stuck two fingers between his right cheek and upper right gum and pulled out a flat strip of metal, notched at one end; a tiny fork, no longer than Thomas’s pinkie.
16. He read and evening closed in.
17. I said that the book cost $21.95 and that the cost of postage and packaging was a further $25.
18. List two of your unique personal qualities, such as enthusiasm and creativity.
19. They didn’t, however, and his life in those years (except for peaceful interludes on the marsh) had been one of pursuit at close quarters.
20. The reason you need to record your dream alchemy practices is that you need to repeat them over a set period, so regard this little magic book as your recipe book to remind you what you need to do, how often, and when.
Truly random. Some follow, some don’t. Anyone recognise which books?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
I have a thing for symbols
I collect symbols, have files full of images and a host of Word documents to explain them...this besides the many books on my shelves! The unexplained, the mysterious, the ancient, the strange, the pagan and religious, intrigues me and frequently leads to new inspiration 'events' for my work. Played around with a few stock images and thought I'd share...
And I'd love links to sites I may have overlooked- ever on the lookout for more symbols...and mysteries!
Friday, March 18, 2011
March is birthday month
Here's to April, a quieter month, but hopefully as feel-good!
Monday, March 7, 2011
More deals for one week...
House of Valla now available for $2 on Smashwords!
Coupon code: RAE75
The ruling house is almost extinct. How, therefore, does a Valla recognise the blood of the future? By the blue flame of trebac. Kinfire.
Coupon code: RAE75
Two mighty armies of darkness will become one. They are the Darak Fallen.
On a personal note, reader and friend, every writer could use support...but I hope you pick mine!!!!!
Thanks
Elaina
E-Book week discount: Gathering of Rain now $2!
Easy to download in multiple formats...and its real easy (and free) to create an account on Smashwords, too, if you don't already have one! Go on!
Coupon code for discount: RAE75
Two worlds on the brink of destruction. Both will burn. Connecting their shared fate is a linked past, a magical thread of light, and a tear in the fabric of space. Rain travels to Farinwood to find the magician Aven. He isn’t prepared for what he actually finds: the Maghdim Medaillon, the magical disc that creates a thread of light between two realms. Rain is gathered to fulfil his destiny…
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Let It Go
Let it go,
Let it out,
Let it all unravel:
Let it free
And it will be
A path on which to travel.
*from Michael Leunig's CURLY VERSE*
Let it out,
Let it all unravel:
Let it free
And it will be
A path on which to travel.
*from Michael Leunig's CURLY VERSE*
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