Nora Weston's Entry

From: The Twelfth Paladin, a novel by Nora Weston

Available now:  
http://www.melange-books.com/authors/noraweston/westontwelfthpaladin.html

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thetwelfthpaladin-565907-140.html

Angie Helms and Jake Cottrell in a discussion where she admits to not being as sweet as he thinks she is...

“Thank the Lord! So good to know you are human. What have you done that’s so horrible?” I asked probably not sounding serious enough.
Angie closed her eyes saying, “I’ve tried to kill Davis.”
“Okay...how’d that go?”
“Stop it! Be serious, Jake. I’ve stabbed him, shot him, and run him over...plus, I even poisoned him—”
“The Wolfsbane?”
“Yes! I thought those purple babies would do it,” she said utterly disgusted, “but, clearly...nothing has worked. The Wolfsbane made him fly higher than a kite, that’s all. Bummer, huh?”
“Yep. Did you try cutting off his head?”
“Nope. Missed that one, damn,” she said. Biting her lip, and smashing that cross ring into her finger, she stared at me, almost as though she was reassessing whether or not she still trusted me.

It's 4:30pm, Do You Know Where Your Blog Is?

I just thought that was a cool title. Actually, I've been thinking about negativity today. All those negative voices, people, attitudes that get in our way as writers, moms and dads, employees, and whatever we are. Negativity holds us back, keeps us from trying harder, makes us want to give up.

The worst for me is my own self-loathing and doubt. I don't care how many compliments or accomplishments I achieve, one setback will get me wallowing in the muck of self-pity. Anyone been there? Anyone there now? We can throw mud at each other. It's fun, really--my brother and I used to have mud fights as kids...

Back on track now--2011, among many of my baby step goals--is to try to let go of negativity. This will not be an easy task, not with years upon years of beating myself up over EVERYTHING. But I have to start somewhere. My family and friends deserve better than Mrs. Mopey over here.

While I don't expect to turn into Pippy Longstocking over night, breaking into a spontaneous musical over something as trivial as a bowl of ice cream, I expect to embrace more positive attitudes and people. Push the others away. Shoo! Off with you, lousy people and attitudes! (Wish it was that easy).

Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to point out when I start to morph into Mrs. Mopey again. Any time you see a whiny post here or on Facebook, or in conversation with me, whatever...just point it out, will you?

"Hey, Mrs. Mopey--what you all mopey for? Buck up and smile, please."

And I'll try to do the same for you. How's that sound?

New Creations Blogfest

Check out the "New Creations" blogfest over on "My Inner Fairy".  You're to post a last sentence of a WIP from last year and a first sentence from a WIP from this year. Here are my entries:

From "A Ranger's Tale" (2010):

 "I think we saved each other."

And from "Serenya's Song" (2011):

 "You're nothing, Renny, nothing!"

It's a start

20 minutes this morning on the treadmill, all dusted off and sitting in front of the TV in the basement. And I read some of a book as well. I feel pretty good. I think I'll keep this up. How's your fitness progressing?

Another goal I have this year is to read more, to get through books much more quickly than I usually do. I'm embarrassed to even say how long it takes me to read a whole novel. I don't think it's so much that I'm a slow reader as that I don't allow myself the time to sit down and read like I did before the kiddos came along. Life's gotten hectic, and I'm not a great scheduler. Time to change that.

Any tips on making more time for reading? I'm all ears!

100 words for $100 blogfest entry

Have you heard of it? You write a 100 word sentence for your chance to win up to $100. Prize money depends on number of entries. You can enter on the blog "You're Write. Except When You're Rong." This is my first time. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I came up with something using my current characters. What do you think?

Jayden Ravenwing, former lead scout of the Leogard Intelligence Organization, rode alongside Serenya Crowe, who was seated on her chestnut mare, waves of raven black hair falling over her shoulders, and he was mesmerized by her beauty—not just her full red lips or eyes pale blue like a mythical wolf—but her inward beauty, how she endeared herself to everyone, was generous and loyal to friends and family, and he knew she was the one he wanted to spend the twilight of his centuries with, someone with whom he could either engage in pleasant conversation or share companionable silence.

It's January 3rd, and I have no idea what to blog about...

Except that I'm writing again, off to a good start on Book 2 of my Tallenmere series. Thinking about lots of things today. New year, new goals and aspirations. Realizing that unless I actually get off my tail and make things happen, that they won't. It's mind-boggling, if I let all the pressures pile up at once. So, it's baby steps--time to look at things one at a time, short-term goals to reach the long-term ones.

What are your short-term goals as a writer? For now, I plan to get on a regular writing schedule. I'm going to attempt making Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays my writing/reading/critiquing days, and Tuesdays/Thursdays will be devoted to errands, housekeeping, kid stuff, etc.

Another goal: Compartmentalize. One thing at a time. When time is up for thing 1, I move on to thing 2 and don't let thing 1 keep rearing its head. I tend to be a multi-tasker, as are most moms, and while it can be helpful while performing childcare tasks, it can also be detrimental when you're writing.

Before you ask, yes, I still plan on getting out that treadmill. One thing at a time, remember?

The Story Behind A Ranger's Tale

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, the high elf Caliphany Aranea has lived a life of luxury in the capital city of Leogard as niece of King Leopold and daughter of a powerful wizard. When her older brother died while fulfilling his dream of becoming a paladin, her father put her on a tight leash. Now at almost a century old, she's destined to follow in her father's footsteps to lead the Mage Academy and marry a scribe she doesn't even like. She longs to leave her gilded cage and takes a fateful stroll on the docks.


Galadin Trudeaux has lived with the stigma of being a half-breed. Born to a human father and elven mother, he witnessed his parents' death at the hands of pirates when he was a boy. Raised by the same murderous seafarers and forced to do their bidding, he finally escaped. Now he's turned his life around, reclaiming the sea merchant business his father left behind. As both ranger and sailor, he knows a thing or two about fighting. It comes in handy when he witnesses two brutes trying to kidnap the beautiful Caliphany.


Since she failed at using magic to defend herself, Caliphany decides she better learn some new skills so she can finally set out on her own. She seeks out Galadin again. Against his better judgment, but persuaded by her hefty sack of coin, he agrees to train her.


From that moment on, Caliphany and Galadin embark on a journey of self discovery. Besides some very real threats in the form of goblins and trolls, she struggles to merge her identity as both wizard and ranger. He struggles to overcome his guilt. Their attraction soon blossoms into love, allowing Galadin to let go of his past, and Caliphany to finally believe in herself. 


Her newly-found confidence is shaken, however, when tragedy strikes. Caliphany must learn to depend on those around her, including an old love, to help her survive. Trust is tested on every level when her world is turned upside-down again and again. Dark secrets emerge, but are they a match against the power of forgiveness and a love that stands the test of time?