In Which I (possibly) Skipped Church and Ended Up Chasing a (real life) Criminal

So … There’s this thing that happened. And it was a one of those things that people think only happens in movies or books—and most of the time that’s probably true.  Unless, of course, you’re married to the Chief of Police in your town. (And actually, even when he wasn’t the chief, stuff like this happened to us—so yeah. Maybe it’s more about being married to a cop? We have been known to apprehend shoplifters at the grocery store with our cart half-way full and our ice cream melting. But I digress.)

Back to this particular Sunday. I work with the young women in our church, and it was my turn to teach the lesson. My plan included asking a lot of questions that would require responses from the girls, which meant I needed candy with which to bribe / reward them. So after the larger congregation meeting, my husband and I skipped our next class for a gas station run.

My husband’s personal car is also his duty car, which means our Tahoe has red and blue LED lights and a police radio installed, and the radio is always on whenever we’re in our town. We had just left the gas station and were heading back to church *coughcough* when dispatch notified the on-duty officers that county officers were in pursuit of a suspect (read: suspected carjacker) who had just driven into our town, crashed his first stolen car, and then stolen a second one.

The suspect was less than a mile from us. And being the chief, my husband needed to make sure everything went smoothly with this pursuit, since safety is always an issue. And so the LEDs went on, as we zipped between streets, passing a number of seemingly stunned onlookers, and a number of vehicles which the suspect had crashed into before he took off and fled on foot.

At that point, my husband armed himself and put on his bullet-proof vest as he instructed me to take his car and go back to church. But the foot chase didn’t last long, and with the help of concerned citizens who kept him in sight, officers apprehended the suspect and took him into custody before I could adjust the driver’s seat so I could reach the gas pedal. 

My husband returned to the car. “I’m going to be a while dealing with these accidents. Why don’t I take you back to church?”

Sunday school just got a whole different meaning.

“Well,” I said, feeling rather accomplished, considering that it was before noon. “My car is there, and so are our kids.”

And so back to the church I went. And guys, believe it or not, I made it in time to teach my lesson. Not only that, I learned one myself. Next Sunday we should probably skip the gas station run. Unless we plan to fight other Sunday afternoon crimes. If only I could remember where I put my cape…

*Interested in the real news story? You can watch the clip here or read about it here.

Fiction Writers are only Telling the Truth by Christy Dorrity (And a Contest!)

I don't often host guest posts, so when I do, you know I'm excited about the author or artist and their work. Ladies and Gents, please welcome author Christy Dorrity to my blog! (And stick around to the end, because everyone who comments will be entered to win a free copy of Christy's new book, Awakening!)

From Christy:

People ask authors all the time, where do you get your ideas? The answer is from everywhere. A spark of a new idea comes from something their three-year-old says while playing, from other books and movies, and sometimes from dreams.

For me, one of the most fertile grounds for creating fantastic worlds and far-off lands comes from what is already here. Have you ever seen an octopus that can change color and texture to blend into his surroundings? Did you know that there are people who truly believe that faery folk exist? Have you ever really thought about the fact that giant lizards used to rule the earth? Did you know that technology has produced a 3-D printer that prints ears, livers, and kidneys with living tissue?

The world around is so fascinating, that I don’t have to go far for ideas.

World mythology is one of those sources of potential for world-building and plot ideas. When I began researching Celtic mythology for AWAKENING, I was amazed at the rich culture and limitless idea-hatching possibilities. Mythology is filled with Hags who pronounce curses, men who turn into beasts in battle, and star-crossed lovers who are destined for heartache. You can’t ask for better material.

Take Cliona, the banshee in my book. When I did research on the legends surrounding banshees, I found very little. She is in spirit form, and often attaches to a certain family, warning them with her wail that a death is about to occur. Travelers are warned not to pick up a lost comb; the banshee who often combs her hair by a stream may have left it behind. Some have seen the banshee washing bloody clothing in the river. By some versions she is beautiful, by others, she is frightening.

In creating Cliona, I took what was already there and built on it—giving her motivations and a relatable backstory, while keeping true to original mythology. The elements are all there—the comb, the wail, the wraithlike figure, but the extrapolations are what give my story life.

The make-believe stories that come from an author’s brain are really just an extension of the fascinating facets of the world around us. It’s like Captain Hook says, “Lie? Me? Never. The truth is far too much fun.”

About the Book

. . . because some Celtic stories won’t be contained in myth.

A little magic has always run in sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery's family—at least that’s what she’s been told. McKayla’s eccentric Aunt Avril travels the world as a psychic for the FBI, and her mother can make amazing delicacies out of the most basic of ingredients. But McKayla doesn't think for a second that the magic is real—it’s just good storytelling. Besides, McKayla doesn’t need magic. She recently moved to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming, and already she has a best friend, a solo in her upcoming ballet recital—and the gorgeous guy in her physics class keeps looking her way.


When an unexpected fascination with Irish dance leads McKayla to seek instruction from the mute, crippled janitor at her high school, she learns that her family is not the only one with unexplained abilities. After Aunt Avril comes to Star Valley in pursuit of a supernatural killer, people begin disappearing, and the lives of those McKayla holds most dear are threatened.

When the janitor reveals that an ancient curse, known as a geis, has awakened deadly powers that defy explanation, McKayla is forced to come to terms with what is real and what is fantasy. A thrilling debut novel based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy rife with magic, romance, and mystery.

Praise for Awakening

"AWAKENING is a wonder and a delight. Christy Dorrity is a talent to watch."
~David Farland, New York Times bestselling author of Nightingale


"I thoroughly enjoyed AWAKENING, a captivating and unique debut novel that creatively integrates Irish dance."
~ CHRIS NAISH, Riverdance member and Creative Director of Fusion Fighters Irish dancers.

About the Author

Christy Dorrity lives in the mountains with her husband, five children, and a cocker spaniel. She grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming, and is the author of The Geis series for young adults, and The Book Blogger’s Cookbooks. Christy is a champion Irish dancer and when she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.

Purchase Awakening by Christy Dorrity:

 

Cool, right? And because Christy is so awesome, she has agreed to give away a free e-copy of AWAKENING to one lucky reader. Simply comment below (make sure to leave me your contact information) and be automatically entered. Contest runs through midnight, CST, on Sunday September 29th. Winner will be notified by email.

How Do You Know? It’s a Mystery.

Recently, we got a subscription to Netflix (I know we’re behind the times—don’t judge) and I was scrolling through and found Shakespeare in Love in our que. And OH MY GOSH, that has always been one of my favorites, and I was in a romantic mood (meaning I needed inspiration for edits and stuff), so that was kind of a no-brainer. I was all, love + kissing + Shakespeare = happy and yeah.

I watched it, remembering things I had forgotten, or picking up small comments or nuances I haven’t noticed in the past. And I was struck by an undercurrent, an ongoing theme that hit home for my current circumstances. At one point, the owner of the playhouse tells the loan-shark, Mr. Fennyman, that it’s okay that the playhouses have been shut down because of the plague, because strangely enough, it all works out in the end. Mr. Fennyman doesn’t believe him at first, asking, “How do you know?” and the playhouse owner (whose name slips my mind for now) shrugs and says, “It’s a mystery.”

This same line is used between Christopher Marlowe and Will Shakespeare, and then again between Will and Viola (his love interest) at the end of the movie. And then, mysteriously, it does work out in the end. Not necessarily with ideal circumstances, and as the queen predicts, the story ends with tears and a journey, but also with a playwright who will FOREVER have a muse. (Sorry if you consider those spoilers!)

That line pretty much applies to my life on any given day lately. And yet…strangely enough, things tend to mysteriously work out in the end. Call it faith. Or human nature. Or divine intervention. You could even call it fate if you’re so inclined. But the thing is, when life throws us challenges, IT REALLY DOES WORK OUT. And usually, for the better.

So there you have it. My weekly dose of wisdom handed down from a movie.

Has fiction ever given you wisdom? Do share!

A Town Called Hell

Yes, really. It’s an actual place, and it’s here on earth. Don’t believe me? Google it.

A few years back, I visited this place. Imagine that? I’ve been to Hell and back, literally. *grins at the irony* In fact, there were vans full of people transported to Hell for the privilege of being able to say they’d been there.

Hell, the town, is located on Grand Cayman, an island in the Caribbean, and has a great deal of character thanks to the creative thinking of its founders and residents, who capitalize on the name daily.

In this case, the name of the town makes it not only memorable, but also an interesting place to visit.

I’ve also visited places like Death Valley, AZ. and Intercourse, PA. (which is doubly ironic because it is largely populated by people of the Amish faith). There are more. Wish I could remember them all. But I can think of one more. Forks, WA.

I think these real-life towns are a great example of why setting is important in fiction, and why naming our fictional towns require thought—a lot of it. In this way, the setting has an opportunity to become a character in itself. Basically, the place where a story takes place becomes as important as the characters in the story, with a personality all its own.

Do you agree with this theory? Have a story with a really amazing setting? Know of more towns or cities with really awesome names?


**This week I’m spotlighting the Dark C.A.R.M.A. books, which were released last Friday.

Today I’m sharing a little about Exiled by RaShelle Workman. I haven’t read this book yet, but it looks great, don’t you think?

The blurb:


Stubborn, sixteen-year-old Princess Venus of Kelari wants one thing, to become immortal, that is, until someone exiles her to Earth, kills her irrihunter and takes her family.


Now she wants revenge.


First she’s got to get home. But before she can return to Kelari, the Gods have commanded her to help an arrogant boy named Michael find his soul mate.


Only she doesn't know the first thing about love.


Rather quickly, her inexperience with human emotion is obscured by other matters—alien-controlled psychotic teens that are out to kill her, and a government group that is set on capturing and dissecting her.


Worst of all, Venus will suffer a painful death-by-poisoning, thanks to Earth’s atmosphere, if she remains on the planet longer than one week.


Still, Venus is a Princess and she's got a plan. Surely, with her help, Michael will fall in love with a human.


But time is running out and Michael is falling for the wrong girl—her.


You can get your copy of Exiled on Amazon.

When to Stand Up

Yeah, apparently I’m still on that introspective-thinking-about-life kick. No worries, though, it’s not directed at anyone, I promise. I sometimes get this way in the winter. Probably my version of Seasonal Affect Disorder or whatever it’s called. (Have I mentioned I’m not a winter person?)

Anyway, on Monday I posted some rhetorical questions about people and labels and misconceptions. As you might have guessed, I actually have quite a lot of experience in this field. Not a bad thing, I assure you.

I’ve always been that person who liked to root for the underdog, the cheerleader of dreamers, the YES person. You know?

*shakes pom poms* Rah rah rah!

But being that doesn’t necessarily make me deaf, or blind, or...less observant than usual. It just means that I choose to not let the cynics of the world dictate my happiness. In this same vein, neither will I allow rumors or untruths or misconceptions go ignored to the point of damage.

Okay, wait, that’s not true. It’s all damaging to some degree. So let me reword that. I won’t allow it to directly damage me or the people I love without stepping in and attempting to pacify the situation.

The other day I stumbled onto Kelly Mortimer's blog, where the (agent)blog author discusses the importance of standing up to bullies who are attempting to steal your hard-earned chocolate milk. Her post made me really think, since I have recently encountered similar difficulties as the ones she mentions. 

I think, for me, what it comes down to is consequence. What will be the consequence of standing up, as opposed that of remaining sitting? Who will be hurt, how will they be hurt, and will that hurt accomplish anything good?

Again, rhetorical questions, because every situation is different. But I’m back to labels. Which labels are okay to keep, and which ones do we put ourselves out there to shed? And why?

Mislabeled

I think writers, by nature, tend to be observers. Well, okay, I can’t really speak for the rest of the writing community, but it seems a common trait among my friends. And it’s definitely true for me. I pay attention and often catch things most other people miss.

Like nuances of speech, the way strangers (or acquaintances) react to things people thoughtlessly spout (be they positive or negative in nature), and the possible differences in a sports team when they come out of the locker room after halftime. Maybe they’re pumped up again, or maybe they’re down and out. It all depends on the coaches’ mood, the words they used, and how those words were delivered.

I notice, for instance, the way people look away from one another when they’re telling a lie, or how they plead with their eyes when they’re telling a painful truth. And while I believe what other people think of me is none of my business, it’s sometimes hard to miss an emotion or thought when it travels across their faces and into their body language.

Once someone forms an opinion of another, it’s not an easy thing to change. Out of those formed opinions come misconceptions that turn into rumors, and rumors turn into stories, and stories into actions that may, or may not, be warranted.

This is the stuff of interest we read about in novels, be they fiction or nonfiction. In many instances, it’s the beginning of conflict. The catalyst, if you will.

Luckily, fiction and real life are two totally different things. The question is where will we allow our misconceptions, our preconceived judgments, or our unnoticed observations to lead us? Will we be the spreaders of rumors? The instigators of unwarranted arguments? The pot-stirrers in the mix?

Or will we find it in us to take a step back and observe the truth for what it is? People for who they truly are rather than what we (or others) have made them out to be? What will be the ending to our personal stories, and who will ultimately decide?

Do we become the person other people think they see, or do we try to correct their misconception? Or do we continue on with our own lives, ignoring the untruths and allowing those people to live as they choose?

For once, my above questions are rhetorical. I don’t know that anyone truly has all the answers. But I am curious. Have you ever felt labeled for reasons you couldn’t name?

Escaping into Books and Movies

Last week as I spent time with my family, grieving, and remembering, and saying goodbye, I realized why books and movies will never truly go out of style. More than just forms of entertainment, they are a means of escape, a way of stepping out of or away from the stresses or hardships of every day life.

Funny thing: As we spent the day at the hospital on Monday and Tuesday, there were at least two copies of MOCKINGJAY in the waiting room, along with two or three other books brought by various members of my family. (Yes, we pretty much dominated the room—large families tend to do that.) Not that any of us read much, but we all had that desire, that need, and at one point or another, we all tried.

Friday after the funeral , I had this intense urge to go to a movie. Something funny, happy. Something that would make me laugh. Not because I didn’t respect all the funeral proceedings or the fact that so many people were grieving, but more because I was also grieving and needed an escape. A laugh. A release other than tears. (Okay, also, I wanted salty theater popcorn.)

Books and movies offer an opportunity to step out of one world and live in another, for just a few hours at a time. Regardless of what’s happening in our lives, the break we get from stepping temporarily away helps give us perspective and new clarity of mind.

Isn’t that the whole point? I mean really, that is why we read, right? To step into someone else’s world, experience life through someone else’s eyes. To gain knowledge from someone else’s experience. To grab hold of someone else and ride the roller coaster with them—even though we know these people aren’t real. We feel what they feel, want what’s best for them, and more importantly, we want the best possible outcome for their situation and conflict.

And at the end, we’re able to close the book and move on, get back on track with reality, hopefully rested enough from the issues in our own lives that we’re able to focus and progress.

Have you found this to be true for you as well? I’d like to know how reading has helped you escape.