How to Get There

I came across a volume of poetry the other day, an Australian poet, and was quite taken by his easy flow and subject matter. Some funny, some a little deeper...thought I'd share this one:

How to Get There

Go to the end of the path until you get to the gate.

Go through the gate and head straight out towards the horizon.

Keep going towards the horizon.

Sit down and have a rest every now and again,
But keep going, just keep with it.

Keep on going as far as you can.

That’s how you get there.


by Michael Leunig

Pagan, yes...

There is a glade in a forest and in its centre there is a tree so ancient it no longer resembles a tree. Where this is, is unimportant, for this isn't about place; it isn't even about time. It’s about worship.

A wolf killed a boy one day, a long, long time ago, and a tree was planted in the place where blood spilled- in memoriam- a hardy sapling that defied conditions and climate (and the uncaring foraging of wild boar) to grow tall and strong. The world burned around it, until all life had fled, and yet it held on in the wastes. Time marched onward and vegetation returned, forest again surrounded it and now it is so ancient it no longer resembles a tree.

All those who lived in the time before the burning are gone, and those that came after cannot know, and thus the tale of the wolf and the boy and the sapling that defied all has no bearing and is forgotten.

And yet they remember. Every soul that enters the glade is told the tale and every offering placed amid gnarled roots is homage to memory.

It’s the tree, if you seek a definitive answer; it doesn’t speak with words and yet it has voice.

All trees do. I feel it every time I am in the presence of a giant, whether of age or size, and wish I could hear also. We should respect these giants and nurture the saplings for tomorrow...for then we won’t be forgotten either.

This is why:

Another year draws to a close. I’m not generally given to philosophical discourse (not here, although I’m known to get quite animated at gatherings of friends!), but I thought I’d say a few words.
2010 has been a year of highs and lows. The flow of change has wreaked havoc with my ability to write, while the periods of waiting has stifled my creativity. This has reflected in blog posts also, as well as a lack of attention to my Facebook Page. Without going into detail and boring you with the tale, allow me to briefly explain that my family and I moved down to New Zealand...and the paperwork has been a nightmare! Very hard to give all one’s attention to a manuscript or social interaction when one waits for a permit!
Still, I did manage the technical side of crafting Tales from the Path of Shades for upload on Smashwords. And that deserves a pat on the back, even if only from me, myself and I! Here’s to a fantastical 2011 that allows me not only to market my work, but also to delve the realms of new work. And watch this space for uploads of more Tales (yes, those are done, just need tweaking for ebook format).
I guess I’m saying it’s been a hard year, but despite it this writer hasn’t surrendered. In fact some of my best chapters were written under immense stress (I know every writer can identify with that!) and I certainly haven’t run out of ideas.
I don’t usually talk about myself- I prefer talking about my work in these spaces- and yet I have to admit this year has forced work and personality into a greater symbiosis. Lessons have been learned and thus I enter 2011 with new insights...and hope you will join me on the journey!
CARPE DIEM!

A merry old time is due!

With love!

Elaina

xxxx

Volume III - DARAK FALLEN - is now available!

We know who the main players are...and now the battles begin in earnest in Darak Fallen!

Available for download here: (smaple and full ms)

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/32759

BLURB CONTEST!

A complete copy of Gathering of Rain (eBook) FREE for the best blurb!

This writer needs fresh minds to structure an attractive paragraph!

The winning blurb will be used to market Rain across varied sites, with an acknowledgement. And will appear on the paperback version!

Go to http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29882

or

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Gathering-of-Rain/Elaina-Davidson/e/2940011134791/?itm=1&USRI=gathering+of+rain

and download the free sample (yes, this will drive download numbers up- always great- but not the main purpose!) and have a read.

Listed below are a few concepts found in Gathering of Rain to help you:

Rain of the Mantle
Guardians of the Dome
Maghdim Medaillon
Ruby of Enlightenment
Infinity, the dara-witch
Margus, the Darak Or
Great Dividing Forest
Otherworld, Rift, Arcana, Lost Race, Soltakin, Epic, Seers and Sorcerers, Swords…

Post a link to Rain’s blurb below or email your entry to davidsonelaina@gmail.com

Remember to tell me where to send your FREE copy of Gathering of Rain!

Deadline: 20 December

Thanks!

SEITHE by Poppet - Review

SEITHE by Poppet

Erotic Thriller/Urban Fantasy

‘I am stranded between realms...’

Phoebe is uber angry and it dumps her into big trouble. She hurtles out into the dark without thought, uncaring of the dangers of night...and discovers great secrets hide under cover of that dark. She will discover everything is definitely not what it seems as first glance, that the veneer of daily life is exactly that, a veneer.

‘Somehow doing something utterly forbidden is always irresistibly enticing.’

Phoebe meets Seithe and is angry enough to accept his manipulations as a means to altering her current issues with men. Seithe seeks to awaken Phoebe to the truth beneath the veneer by using the magic of sensation to shock her into awareness. Phoebe needs to rely on her instincts, quickly.

Why? Everything is not what it seems...so, what does lie beneath? First, there is instinct. We have the power to use it well if only we could trust it. And then there is the great power in love, and what it is able to achieve for humankind. And for those beyond the restraints of mortality.

I am wholly entranced by Poppet’s ability to take known myths and legends and manipulate them into something close to believable, tying together varied strands into something that forms a whole...and that is as much as I’ll reveal at this point! I don’t want to reveal the crux of this tale- I urge you to discover it for yourself. Go on.

I will say Seithe is seriously sexy...and has an equally yummy brother...and sister. And if that doesn’t have you in the throes of curiosity...

I have been fortunate enough to review Poppet’s other books and while SEITHE isn't as visceral as those, it possesses an originality that is strangely real. Reality and fantasy knits together seamlessly to create an uber book. Poppet isn’t shy in dragging the reader into reaction once again. Brilliant indeed!

‘Call me poppet and drive a new pin in, why don’t you?’

This journey will leave you wishing it could be true.

Elaina J Davidson
November 2010

Majestic Table Mountain

Why did I post this? Because when I come across a good pic of the ol' table I grew up in the shadow of...I have to!

House of Valla - Volume II is an eBook

Go on, have a look!

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/30761

Free sample of both House of Valla and Gathering of Rain...

xx

Gathering of Rain - the eBook!

I took the plunge, friends, and uploaded Gathering of Rain as an eBook on Smashwords. It's available in multiple digital formats...and I'd LOVE your feedback!

Have a look here: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29882

EXPLOITS by Poppet - Review

EXPLOITS by Poppet

Erotic Thriller

I had gone from ‘hardly ever been kissed’ to ‘let’s get it on’.

There was nothing wrong with me when Gary got hold of me. I was full of energy, hope, anticipation and joy. I was old enough to look forward to leaving home. To determine my own fate. But then, the dashing prince of darkness crossed my path.

There is something entrancing about Poppet’s writing. I sat down to start the read for review...and read Exploits in one sitting. (Which I paid for after!) Thoughts of reviewing fled completely. Poppet writes from the heart, pulls no punches and it really is as if you sit in the room with her, listening to her voice. It feels personal.

Stephanie is somewhat innocent of the ways of men and has already been burned once. When she meets Gary, a gorgeous charismatic, she is wary, but also needs someone to love her. Her journey from independence to absolute dependence can be frustrating- you wish you could shout at her to get her act together- but also incredibly enlightening. I wonder how much we really understand of what goes on when the doors close on relationships, and Exploits certainly gifts us a glimpse. It is a harrowing journey through the psyche.

There is a bright side, too. Friendship. Without the care of true friends, I think Stephanie would have succumbed to desperation earlier than she did...and they were there for her when she hit bottom. Cherish your friends, always.

The setting of this story reveals that relationships are universal- it can be retold set in New York, London or Alice Springs Australia and it will be instantly recognisable. But, set in glorious Cape Town, South Africa? This reader was enthralled! The cosmopolitan side of Africa shines through.

Exploits could be considered a controversial book, dealing as it does with abuse, but I strongly recommend you read it. There are lessons here, whether it’s happening to you or to someone you know. I hope you feel empowered. Read it now.

All issues aside, though, I have to say Exploits is well told, a really good read, and Poppet is a writer well worth following.

Elaina J Davidson
November 2010

(will update with link to Exploits...)

Marketing...argh!

This is a pamphlet for local distribution...what do you think?

Must keep plugging........