“When I’m good, I’m very good. But when I’m bad I’m better.”
Mae West
I have always loved Mae West. She was always one of the guys, and could easily hold her own. She’d have a clever quip to anything and her “couldn’t care less” attitude made her that much more appealing. She was on a stage all her own compared to other film stars of the time. Her sass and her iconic looks make her one of the most interesting women in film.
-Collins
I recently read and reviewed a very sweet and funny novel by the talented Cassie Mae. (Totally check out her books.) Here is that review!
5 “two squeeze” stars!
Have you ever read a book and connected to it so much that the characters not only become real to you, but you became them? That’s what this book was for me. I felt like I was Liz. I understood everything she said, did, felt and I loved Landon as much her as well.
This book is about what comes after the happily ever after. Liz and Landon have been together for years and are finally tying the knot. Exciting right? Not always. Life isn’t always a fairytale and there are hard things to deal with, not to mention the trivial things like socks on the floor. When Liz comes to the conclusion that her relationship has become stagnant in some areas, she proposes a bet. Winner gets to pick where they honeymoon. And what ensues is one of the most realistic portrayals of love and relationships that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
This book was well written, well thought out and had me laughing, swooning and fanning myself over the sexual tension. It was sweet, flirty, fun and a pleasure to be immersed in. I didn’t want to leave their world.
I recommend this book to everyone. Seriously. If you love love, humour, chocolate and cheesecake, zombie props and movie sets, cute guys and trips to chocolateville, read this. You won’t regret it
-Turner
Apparently I didn’t post yesterday, whoops! Sometimes life gets in the way. But that’s okay, isn’t it? To be so involved in your life and the things you do that you forget to go on social media sites? As much as I love blogging and writing and anything else that I do on the internet, sometimes it’s good to just disconnect. I’ve always wondered how it would have felt being in a time when technology wasn’t around. Not even the 50’s or 60’s, as I know those times were much different then now, but the 1700’s-1800’s-1900’s. When there were no vehicles or proper washing machines. Would we survive in those times? If all of our technology was to be taken away, all of our engineering and scientific discoveries, undiscovered, how would we react? How would we function, seeing as we’ve never been asked or required to do it before? What are your thoughts on this? Do you think you could handle if we had a technology blackout?
-Turner
Hey there,
Collins and I had quite the weekend and achieved much in our editing! It is quite a gratifying experience, I must say.
However, as this weekend winds down I’d like to share my spotlight song for the day! I loved this song the moment I heard it and it’s been on repeat. No shame! Take a listen, and remember to stay true to yourself!
-Turner
Let’s get to know Maria, Stef’s step-mother from “Betrayal Comes After.”
Cyn and I have made it about ten steps inside the carved mahogany doors of my house when Maria hears us.
“Persephone,” she calls in a shrill voice, a Colombian accent coloring her words. “Did you pick up the order from Atkin’s Lingerie like your father asked?”
I cringe at the foot of the stairs. “Please just call me Stef,” I say over my shoulder. I don’t really want to look at Maria.
“Stef,” she says sarcastically, “That’s not a proper reply to my question. Turn and face me when you’re speaking to me.”
When I turn to face her, I make sure I’m standing on the first step, so I’m just a little taller than her. I have the misfortune of noticing the extremely low cut top she wears to display her fake boobs. She’s wearing some sort of spandex leggings she thinks can pass for pants. The fact that I can see her thong through them proves they don’t. She stands with her hands on her hips. Cyn sits perched at the top of the stairway, a grin plastered across her face; she thinks Maria is a riot. “Yes we did.”
Maria glances around dramatically. “Really? Where’s the box? I don’t see a box.”
Does Maria seem like sunshine and roses, or like fluorescent lights and Venus fly traps? Let Turner and I know in the comments.
-Collins
Happy Sunday friends! It’s that time of the week again to squeeze the last good times from your weekend before you return your nose to the grindstone.
Today I bring you a song to kick off your summer. The island vibes from this song are real. I present to you “Scarlet Skies” by an indie group called Chase City. This song put me at ease after the first note, and those steel drums… say no more.
Take a listen!
-Collins
We are realizing just how strange it is to hear your writing read aloud. During our editing period, we take turns reading scenes aloud and are finding just how neat it is for your characters to sound like real people.
Finally we are beginning brain storming for our book cover as well, and making some head way toward the preferred image. Things are finally starting to come together. The feeling of the culmination of so many elements coming together is almost overwhelming.
-Turner Collins
Inspiration is an illusive creature that often hides, despite your best efforts to capture it (sort of like a leprechaun). You could be inspired for days or weeks to write, then at other times, you can’t write for months. Writers are constantly at the mercy of inspiration.
To combat this irritating phenomenon, Turner and I often play prompting games. I would like to share one of our favourite games with you guys today. This game is easier to play with a writing buddy, but you can also play alone if you want to.
Here’s how to play: Say the first name that pops into your head. Each of you will write the name down and then quickly jot down the qualities/appearance/mannerisms of this character from your perspective. Then share with your partner to see how different your descriptions are. Repeat this as often as you like, because at the end you will have a list of characters that you can incorporate into different stories you are working on.
Did you find this game helpful? Turner and I would love to here what prompting games you like to use.
-Collins
“The future has an ancient heart.” – Carlo Levi
This has always been a profound quote to me. The future is based on our past decisions, the decisions of those before us and those before them. Not only decisions, but circumstances.Whether it be the future of an individual, the future of a society, the future of the world, I believe it is up to us to learn from the past to make our destiny the best it can be.
What do you feel has the greatest impact on your future? Do you believe that the past can define our future, or are we able to overcome our seeming fates?
– Turner
Let’s get to know our main male character, Luka, from “Betrayal Comes After” through a conversation with his mother.
“Okay,” I say, not returning her kisses or embraces. I haven’t been able to in years.
“Well, isn’t that lovely,” she smiles. I can tell it isn’t genuine. It’s the same smile I use.
“Yes,” I respond. I look past her towards my father’s office hoping she will catch on to my clear displeasure in the direction this conversation is taking. She takes the hint. Her eyes narrow, and she quickly plasters her fake smile back into place.
“Right, well. You best be on your way.”
“Yes.”
“You have a good day, Luka. Perhaps we could have dinner together as a family sometime?”
I eye her wearily. Something is up. I have a feeling I am about to find out. “Okay,” I say, finally stepping away from her and making a hasty retreat to my father’s office. I’m not sure which is the lesser of two evils: my superficial, fake mother, or my overly robust, self-centred, abusive father. Apparently I choose the latter.
What do you think Luka’s home life is like? What do you think he does for a living? Let Turner and I know in the comments!
-Collins
turner collins 