I do not possess an ounce of snark. Even if I tried to be snarky or write it in fiction, I don’t think I could even put a snarky sentence together.

I’m probably going against the tide. The latest heroines of urban fantasy and paranormal are sassy and snarky. Mine are hopeful. Oh well!

I think we all put a little of ourselves in what we write and I find myself unable to stop my heroines from questioning themselves, be nice and also hopeful about the future. Even the tortured ones, they always have that trait. Even in small doses.

Yes I do see the world as doomed sometimes but even at our worst, I choose to look at those who are trying to do good.

I’m my own life, even when I struggle, I find that my nature forces me to focus on the small things that are good. Even if they are very small. Every bit counts.

Don’t hate me because I’m happy!

I was ten feet high today! The best thing that could happen to a writer. My editor loved the latest version of Ancient Whispers. I worked hard and it worked. It is the most amazing feeling to have someone tells you they love a story you pulled out of nowhere, something straight from your imagination.

So no matter what, today I have that! And an uplifting kid movie I watched with my little one today.

Cherish your good days, they carry you through the rest.

Another 500 words added to Ancient Secrets today but starting tomorrow is a full week working on the latest revisions of Ancient Whispers due next Monday.

Wish me luck.

Blessed Be.

Revel – SteamPunk V by ~cambler on deviantART

I’ve been feeling pretty restless today. I found myself with a free afternoon and, facing my to-be-read pile, I just couldn’t find anything that I really wanted to read.

Most of the books in my pile are paranormals from the library, all from fine writers, but frankly, everytimes I open one, I am struck with anxiety. Mostly because I write nothing like them and I just fear deceiving the reader who will pick up my book thinking I do. Sigh.

So I wandered around and ended up rereading John Gardner’s On Becoming a Novelist whose ideal writer is so beyond me that it is comforting.

Since I have such a hard time finding comfort books, it got me thinking of the new writers I’ve read and loved this year. While 2008 gave me Caitlin R. Kiernan and Philip Pullman, this year I discovered China Mieville, Georgette Heyer and Stephanie Rowe’s funny light paranormal. Yes eclectic taste but all so far from my own writing that I can get lost in them and return to my first passion, curl up with a good book.

If you happen to pass by this blog, tell me, what author did you discover in 2009?

Blessed Be

Steampunk 3 by ~KatBretPhotography on deviantART

So I didn’t succeed in my plan, neither did my friend Candi.

Does this mean I’ll never be a teacher and that Candi will never get published? No of course.

What it means is that it won’t happen in the way we had planned it in the last 6 months. That’s all.

I looked back at my life and saw that I had all kind of ways to “success”. Some took trying again (I failed my comprehensive exams during my PhD and had to retake them, I was asked to do an extra year of classwork to be allowed to enter my MS program).
Other times I met my goal fairly quickly ( like selling my first manuscript and getting hired as a fitness director).

Each times I worked hard.

I use to love this cartoon of a mommy duck telling her ducklings “make it look easy but underneath paddle like he’ll”.

Yeah I do paddle like hell!

And when I look at my recent setback, I follow the advice I just got from
Bob Mayer. Evaluate. What went wrong? Use that to move forward and set a new goal. (In my case, I was missing a lot of teaching classes which may be why I was turned down so I’m taking them in the coming year and will apply next year).
And yes maybe my current plan would have failed, I was trying to cram in a lot in a short time. Who know?

Maybe my new path will be more successful in the long run.

So I’m glad to say that I’m now focused on a new tactic to meet my goal and that includes finding the motivation to write first thing in the morning.

I forced myself to get up this morning and brainstorm which led to 700 words added to Ancient Secrets.

Getting there.

If you ever come accross this blog, tell me, when was the last time you had to pick yourself up?

Steampunk Fairy aceo by =kyrn on deviantART

Do you ever think of taking the time to enjoy the small joys in your life?

I woke up to produce about 700 words today. Such a slow writer. But the scene I wrote was a complete unit. A complete mini story. Hopefully starts with a hook, progress with enough drama, then end in a way that make the reader want more.

Those 700 words should expand to maybe 1100 words or so at edits when I add the things I’m not good at such as, for today, the description of a lush bedroom and some French history to weave into the dialog. So not too bad for a Sunday where I would have rather rolled over and fall asleep again than get up at 7:00 to write.

Later today, as my brain was spinning and I saw everything so dark, I caught myself as I saw the mountains in the background of Seattle. What are my small joys? It’s funny how you sometimes forget, or you let external forces affect how you are inside.

Those words I wrote this morning were my small joys and also the words from my son who told me today that I was a good mum and when I asked why he said because I loved him.

Seing my youngest on his skateboard today, this tiny boy surrounded by the concrete of the park and teenagers twice as big as he is, my son rolling down those ramps like he was born to do it, that made me smiled.

The music which I know is so close to me, my favorite bands ready to take me somewhere as I listen, that is joy, that can’t be taken from me.

The art work I post here, they are small joys too and I understand how the artists had something to share by creating, how sometimes emotions need a way to channel themselves.

I leave you with another art work today as a Steampunk Sunday inspiration.

And if you ever pass by my blog, please tell me, what was the last thing that made you smile, what was your small joy?

Blessed Be

Steampunk Ivy by *iKink on deviantART

by Marie-Claude Bourque

I really like this one:

Cassandra; by fantasy artist Alice Agostini (Portfolio here)

by Marie-Claude Bourque

I can’t remember how I learned about this t-shirt but an email came in my box and maybe because I received so few Steampunk related email, I was tempted.

And here it was, with one click, an exclusive, beautiful t-shirt designed by Steampunk artist Brigid Ashwood. I ordered it right away. After a tiny issue with her supplier (it all came through at the end, got my Woman-Small), she kindly included one of her own signed print with the shipment. The delightful “SteamBee” is now on my wall.

And yes, I did get the t-shirt in time for Steampunk (Sorry no pics) and it fits great and is really comfortable. And of course it looks awesome too!

I do love her website and all she has to offer, from her print work to intriguing perfumed lockets.

Totally worth a visit or two!

With my new brand new goggles!

by Marie-Claude Bourque

What is Steampunk style? I am probably the last one to know. That’s why when I headed for Steamcon in Seattle last week-end I didn’t really know what to expect, expect for a bunch of brass goggles and a few corsets.

Steamcon 09: The Airship Pirate look?

So it’s with my own corset (laced tight and rescued from the Romantic Times Convention) that I sat down in the lobby of the Seatt;le Marriot  and sipped my venti nonfat latte doing what I like best (after writing) and… people watched.

I was glad I had read about all the various Steampunk spin-off  in Suzanne Lazear blog post at Steamed! Dieselpunk, Monsterpunk, Oilpunk, Clockpunk, coompleted with Steampunk fairies, I think I saw it all.

Steamcon 09: A Victorian Gentleman (courtesy of Chadwick Ayers)

Steamcon 09: Steampunk Fairy (courtesy of ChadWick Ayers

What striked me the most was that really all goes. As you long as you have your goggles on, you are good to go. I did expect the clockwork and victorian look but I have to say that I was surprised by the intrincacy of it all and by how well dressed everyone was.

I saw plenty of victorian ladies and gentlemen in full regalia, top hats and elaborate googles and ornate canes, beautiful skirts and expensive corsets (mine is a cheap one, be warned) but also feather in upswept hair, parasol and yes, fans! So many things I want (need?) to buy!!!

Steamcon 09: Dieselpunk? (courtesy of Chadwick Ayers)

Beside the victorian look, was also the western look. Think of the movie Wild Wild West, with variation on steampunk  guns, cowboy hats. Some were on the goths or dark side with black and spooky outfit closer to MadMax that is probably what they would call Dieselpunk. And some ladies had on simpler dresses that wouldn’t have been out of place in Anne of Green Gables.

Steamcon 09: More Airship Pirates!

All in all, I think the rule is to let your imagination run, and yes get those goggles and that corset! Can’t down too many lattes with it on but your waistline may thank you!

Steamcon 09: A Steampunk Gun! (courtesy of Chadwick Ayers)

 Steamcon 2010 is on! Get your tickets as soon as they come on sale! I bet they will fly really fast! (yep, stood in line for four hours  to get mine!). I’ll be there

I’ve been listening to a lot of Abney Park since I saw them last week-end at Steamcon. Music is always my primary way of getting inspired for a new story and I am getting tons of awesome ideas these days!
Here is the video of their song Airship Pirates.

with writers and GSRWA members Deborah Schneider and Elizabeth Darvill (coursety of ChadWick Ayers).

So here I am, barely awake after a great week-end at Steamcon. I have lots to share (journal). Bought a few neat things, saw some great art and craft work.

My imagination was fueled by many the many costumes I saw and was also challenged by two panel I attended which included authors Tim Powers and Cherie Priest. I’ll write more about that on a day that I am a little less tired!

Abney Park

Abney Park in concert was awesome and Iwould love to see them again. Love all the different influences they add to their music such as oriental flavors and even sea shanties type lyrics and voice. They remind me a little of my favorite and now defunct Canadian band Uisce Beatha.

So off to bed now my mind swirling with images of brass goggles, corsets and bustles, top hats and tiny small glasses, clockworks and small engines!

Will talk Steampunk fiction and research tomorrow at Musetracks!

So I did it, made it to Steamcon today! Just spend a day there. Writer Elizabeth Darvill and I got there early to get tickets for the week-end. Wow! We got there at 11:00, a whole hour before they started selling and we got our tickets at 3:00.

So yes, 4 hours standing in line. But it was well worth it though. We were soon joined by authors and fellow Deborah Schneider and Gayle Ann Williams and we all hit the vendors (well after Gayle treated us for coffee so we could recover from our waiting ordeal.

The con is small, but all his fun. Everyone is dressed. So if yoiu are heading out there this week-end, do dress up. It’s so much fun. I just loved watching everyone, that was really the best part.

With fellow GSRWA Members Gayle Ann Williams, Elizabeth Darvill and Deborah Schneider

I had to head out early so I missed the writing workshop, but Gayle promised me some notes. Tomorrow though, I;m hitting the workshop and yes I do have tickets for the sold-out Abney Park concert.

Steamcon participants

Shall report later