Just a little something for the people who voted for Amendment One in North Carolina yesterday. Not that they'll ever drop by here and see it, but still. :/



Thanks for the vid, twicet.

Cat Hair Purses

Poll #1838857
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 72

Cat Hair Handbags: Creepy or Cute?

My favorite quote: Upon presenting one of her clients with a handbag made from the client's cat's fur. "She had no words to express how she felt about it."

Oh Internet, why do you tempt me with such frivolities when I should be editing?

So... GayRomLit is in Albuquerque this year, but the big news (for me) is that it's in October--the only month I'm not booked up with my kids' sports and activities. SO tempting. I missed all the fun in New Orleans last summer, and I love New Mexico. *waffles*

Also, who's going to Ascendio? My daughter's softball tournament for that weekend has been rescheduled, so I've been thinking about it. Up until now, I've ignored the pre-con posts (me? bitter?), so I have very little idea of the programming and events.

Ben & Jerry's, the Vermont proprietor of ice-cream activism, has produced a limited-edition batch of apple pie-flavored pints—called "Apple-y Ever After"—to show its support for same-sex marriage in the U.K., where a gay rights organization has drafted a bill to legalize weddings between same-sex couples.

The apple pie ice cream—available in U.K. scoop shops—includes pieces of apple and chunks of pie crust, and a cartoon of two androgynous people in tuxedos atop a wedding cake on the carton.

Ben & Jerry's Europe launched a letter-writing campaign to urge members of parliament to support gay marriage, and even created a Facebook app so social network users can marry their same-sex friends, "because everyone is equal and deserves to live Apple-y Ever After!"

This isn't the first time Ben & Jerry's has dabbled in same-sex rights advocacy. In 2009, the company renamed "Chubby Hubby" to "Hubby Hubby" in support of gay marriage legislation in its home state.

"Sticking up for civil rights by a progressive company like Ben & Jerry's goes together like big chunks and swirls in ice cream," Sean Greenwood, a spokesman for Ben & Jerry's U.S. operation, wrote in an email to Yahoo News.

I know I should have something suitably witty and intelligent to say about this, but all I can do is smile. :D

It’s been said (by whom, I’ve yet to ascertain, but it’s a cool quote so I’m using it) the Internet is a mixed bag of enlightenment and oppression. However it revolutionized society, it certainly changed the writing community. In fact, “community” may be an optimistic term if we’re referring to the thousands of people who a handful of years ago were penning stories in their spare time, alone at their kitchen tables (in their jammies, let’s not sugarcoat it), without a chance in hell of having anyone read their masterpieces.

There’s no lack of people to read those stories now, or places for authors to share them. Just ask Google—it knows all. (Except who said “The Internet is a mixed bag of enlightenment and oppression.”)

Right. So the industry gurus claim the Internet has ushered in a new era of whimsical genres and that cyberspace will never be a place for serious fiction—whatever that means. Although I suspect it implies many of the communities once considered “niche” and “small” and, by association, “insignificant”, have gained enough ground and popularity to make those entrenched in the status quo squirm over their three-martini lunches. Which... good. It’s about time. But I personally don’t believe that what we’re writing has changed, only how we share it. The Internet hasn’t created new fascinations, only exposed them. (I totally typed that last sentence with a straight face.)

It’s in the review and critique process that everything has changed. Today we can write a poem, an essay, a story, or a chapter of a novel, post it, wait for a very short time—sometimes minutes—and get a response. Instant feedback. Instant gratification.

This is the phenomenon that is changing how we write—and think about writing. We are, more than ever before, performance artists. We are creating something less solitary than traditional fiction. The Internet hasn’t just shrunk the distance between writer and reader; it’s annihilated it. And lack of distance is what defines performance art: the artist and audience enmeshed in something complex and multilayered. Here’s an example from performance artist Helge Meyer I thought strongly analogous to online writing in this day and age:

“I invited the audience to exchange cloth with me, piece by piece. I brought cloth with me that had a deep personal relationship to my life, and I told each story of that piece, one after another, to the audience. In exchange for one of my belongings, they offered me a piece of their cloth and the story of their relationship with that piece.”

Lots of us write serials and update in regular time intervals, giving readers the opportunity to discuss the story with us as it’s being forged. This leads to a fair bit of interactive creating—changes to the original plan based on feedback. Not always. Some of us never deviate from our outlines and ideas. No one way is best, it’s all about creating. Some stories live close to our hearts, others we’re more willing to bend and twist. Regardless, the reader is always there, at times quite verbal and opinionated, a part of the process.

It’s a social revolution, not a technological one. (Okay, maybe it is a little, but ignore that for a moment. I’m trying to make a point.) Neither it is a moral revolution, because let’s face it, morals have stayed mostly static. Rather it’s a revolution in means, a way to carry shared life experiences the next step up the ladder, into fiction. For entertainment, for guidance, for advice, and for emotional connections that in the past were rare or nonexistent.

The word “writer” has never implied so much before. Nor have we ever inferred so much from the idea. To say the Internet has changed publishing only scratches the tip of the iceberg. Storytelling itself has evolved. Hate it or celebrate it, there’s no going back.

A Pirate's Life for Me: Book 1 by Tricia Owens (juxtaposefantsy) is FREE on Amazon right now, but only for a limited time.

These books, originally written for the Joyboy Island site (sadly no longer in business), are delicious, fun, and hot as hell. Tricia owns Juxtapose Fantasy, an original fiction site featuring M/M romantic storylines in genres such as fantasy, sci-fi, gothic, contemporary, and steampunk. Great stuff over there--definitely check it out. But in the meantime, dash over to Amazon and grab yourself a smokin' hot read for FREE.

Book 1 of A Pirate's Life for Me: After breaking up with his girlfriend, Lucas joins the cast of a pirate show on a tropical island. What he doesn't know until too late is that there are two shows, one gay and one straight, and he's just joined the cast of the wrong one. He wants badly to stay on the island but he faces two obstacles: the show's sexy, alpha captain and his obnoxious but good-looking boyfriend. Lucas has to convince them he can play 'gay', but might end up learning more about himself than he's prepared to.

Enjoy!

Low IQ and conservative beliefs linked to prejudice.

This is a bit like claiming the world's round, okay? I appreciate all the science behind it, but life experience taught me this one. Conservative views, sure, but education is huge. I'm not surprised some scientist made the leap to how low intelligence is linked to prejudice.

On a personal note, it gets under my skin. Not the information in the article, obviously. More the way it's put out there as if it's some great epiphany. Sort of like that article a few weeks ago about parenting. Hey, what do you know? Gays and Lesbians make good parents. Who knew?

Love this quote from the article: Nonetheless, there is reason to believe that strict right-wing ideology might appeal to those who have trouble grasping the complexity of the world.

I never would have guessed. *eyeroll*

Here's some more uplifting news: US Congressman Frank to wed same sex partner

And an article on the upcoming US gay marriage election battles: Gay Marriage Returns to the Political Spotlight

A/N: Major thanks to mechante_fille for beta reading. (Love you, M!)
Summary: Jamie doesn't let people get close, but his new employer refuses to play by those rules. Maybe this is the year Jamie will banish the ghosts of Christmases past.








Jamie squinted to make out the faded words: Seasonal Help Wanted.

Most would likely mistake the white-washed lettering as part of the painted landscape of the sign. Arched over a field of evergreen trees, nestled in a bed of snow, red stenciled lettering proclaimed Echo Valley Tree Farm was hiring—turn right at Perkins Market and drive a mile to the top of the hill.

Jamie wouldn’t be driving.

He hoisted his threadbare backpack higher on his shoulder while he debated. A mile in good weather was nothing. A mile in thirty-four degree driving rain with no promise of employment at the end wasn’t the sort of gamble a sane, reasonable man took.

He glanced skyward. The rain had held off all night, but with the temperature dropping, a harbinger of the impending cold front, the bloated clouds could start spitting icy water any minute. Better to push on closer to the center of town and hope for shelter and the odd job there.

The stoplight flashed yellow, casting a glimmer over the low-hanging fog. Cars slowed and Jamie stepped off the curb, prepared to cross the intersection in the direction of Cannonstown, population 4,812. A sharp wind whipped at his back, buffeting his jacket and slicing through his jeans. A drop of rain splashed against his cheek.

The sign beckoned.

He wasn’t so dead emotionally that the impulse to turn toward the Christmas tree farm shocked him. Winter in the Midwest could suck the happiness from the staunchest optimist. Snow cover and the promise of Christmas made December bearable, but this year the hills were bare and brown, reaching toward a slate-gray sky. The damp air left a shine of water on Jamie’s hands and face, though the serious rain had yet to fall. Temperatures hovered in the mid-thirties. It tasted like snow, but wishing for it wouldn’t change raindrops to ice crystals.

Christmas trees swimming in a pristine field of snow. An image from happier times.

Ignoring the inner voice calling him crazy, Jamie turned up the hill, ducking his chin against the worst of the cold breeze. Few cars passed; most traveled the busier road behind him that led into Cannonstown. Alone, he trudged the several hundred yards to Perkins Market—currently dark and empty—and turned right down an even narrower road.

( Read more... )

Around the beginning of November, I got an idea in my head that I would send out a short story with my cards this year. Just a thousand words or so, maybe a bit more—a couple of typewritten pages and a handwritten note at the end.

You can guess where this is going.

My little story morphed into 10,000 words. (Shocking!) So unless I wanted to fell a small forest and take out a second mortgage for postage fees, I wasn’t mailing hard copies anywhere. It bothers me probably more than it should, but I had my heart set on this.

Hardly a tragedy, I realize.

But I promised a story, and so there shall be one! Here on LJ anyway, and a couple of other choice places. Look for it a bit later today.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say these will be my last posts until the New Year; my life is full these days—very good but very full. Thank you, everyone, for your support and friendship. May the holiday season bring you joy and happiness and may the coming year be an auspicious one.

Yours,
Libby

Read it! And the sequels. Even the quest-for-more-money prequel sequel, when the mom and dad who were also brother and sister (but didn’t know they were brother and sister) fell in love and made the four blond babies who were locked in the attic in book one.

Pretty sure V.C. was the Stephenie Meyer of my generation. Only, you know, a better writer. I think. Maybe not. Time blurs these things.

At some point or another, all preadolescent girls hear about the book where the girl locked in the attic has sex with her brother. I went to the school library like a sweaty middle-aged dad guiltily cruising one of those Thai sex tourism sites. The book was hardly ever in, but one time I got lucky. (The check-out card in the back, I'm sure, was full of fake names. I think I signed it as Dr. Philip Q. Montague.) I remember being vaguely scandalized by the book and excruciatingly bored by the movie, which I'm pretty sure was shot from deep inside a bottle of sparkling shower gel. I wasn't expecting to enjoy reading it again, but I also wasn't expecting to experience the entirely new emotion that I did. The emotion is called blorfing, and it's where you are really bored but also kind of want to throw up enthusiastically. Like unsexy porn or when the people on Bones kiss.

But, getting down to sick-making brass incest tacks: Let's talk about the writing…

Nostalgia Fact Check: How Does V.C. Andrews's Flowers in the Attic Hold Up?

via alaana_fair:

On Thursday, November 10th, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the Respect for Marriage Act to repeal DOMA. We have the 10 votes to pass the bill, but Sen. Grassley is circulating amendments today that would take away rights from married same-sex couples. His goal is to either gut the bill or add enough poison pills that would make Senators waver on the bill, and we can't let that happen.

The Courage Campaign and their members have gotten us the 10 votes we need, and 31 overall in the Senate, along with President Obama's formal, public endorsement. I just signed their emergency petition to Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats today, urging them to oppose any amendments that would weaken the Respect for Marriage Act.

Join me!

http://www.couragecampaign.org/SenJudiciaryDOMARepeal

( Pics Under Cut )


Poll #1792478
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 85

Which one did it?

I. Hate. Writing. Summaries.


Also, this. Which I realize has made the rounds already, but goes well with the start of NaNo... in a twisted sort of way.

Happy Halloween!

This is going to be the fastest dive-by post in the history of LJ. I've got a million things to do before NaNoWriMo starts tomorrow. *pulls hair out*

I finally, finally got my act together and turned in interview questions for quillingtips, so if you have any desire to hear me wax poetic about writing, you can do so HERE. If you haven't been following the community, there are several interviews by other HP authors to enjoy as well. Check it out.

And in honor of Halloween... fic! It came out last year, but it's the only "scary" story I've written, so it's what's on offer today. ;)

Beneath Lake Redemption: Fascinated by a rash of unexplained events on Lake Redemption and undeterred by the locals’ warnings or talk of “people in the lake,” Syd sets out to uncover the truth. Soon he’s experiencing the terrors of the lake for himself, and he’s not alone: he rescues David Cooper from the mysterious waters. Trapped with his attractive and willing companion, Syd begins a fight for his life and sanity that can only be won with secrets from beneath Lake Redemption.

Spooky and sensual, Beneath Lake Redemption is about a man's efforts to debunk the supernatural aspect of some strange goings-on, and how the truth of those strange happenings changes him.


Link is to my website, because the fabulous rickey_a made an audio excerpt of the first chapter, and it's awesome! If anybody would like to read Beneath Lake Redemption, leave a comment here. The first five automatically get a copy (PDF, so please include your email addy or PM me with it) and I'll put five on a lottery for anyone else who'd like to throw their name in the hat. I'll draw names this evening, 5 p.m. EDT and email you the book directly.


And for my next trick, breakfast. Blueberry pancakes!

Also, OMG, thank you everyone for the adorable blue spiders! ♥

Full Story Here

Bobby Montoya is a 7-year-old boy from Denver. Unlike a lot of young boys, Bobby has no desire to join the Boy Scouts. Instead, he wants to be a Girl Scout.

We first saw Montoya's story over at 9news.com. The NBC affiliate reports that when the boy's mother, Felisha Archuleta, tried to sign her son up for Girl Scouts, a troop leader told her no.

Reporters with 9News contacted Girl Scouts of Colorado about Montoya's application, which prompted the group to release a statement: "Our requests for support of transgender kids have grown, and Girl Scouts of Colorado is working to best support these children, their families and the volunteers who serve them. In this case, an associate delivering our program was not aware of our approach. She contacted her supervisor, who immediately began working with the family to get the child involved and supported in Girl Scouts. We are accelerating our support systems and training so that we're better able to serve all girls, families and volunteers."

We placed a call to Rachelle Trujillo, vice president of communications at Girl Scouts of Colorado, for further clarification. She replied with this statement: "Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization, and we accept all girls in kindergarten through 12th grade as members. If a child lives life as a girl and the family brings the child to us to participate in Girl Scouts, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes her. Girl Scouts of Colorado respects the privacy of all girls and families we work with. When a family requests membership for their daughter, we do not require proof of gender, we respect the decisions of families."

So it would seem that Bobby will get his wish. Gender-identity issues are becoming more common, especially among young children--which makes it more likely that the policy of the Girl Scouts will face future tests in the months and years ahead.


I'm linking to the article, but I really suggest watching the video. Not only will you get the story from Bobby's perspective, but from his mother's, who is as accepting of her child as I wish all parents would be, whether their children are straight, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or questioning anything that challenges mainstream thinking.

Also, I think the second half of the video is worth watching, for a couple of reasons.First, the psychologist brought in to discuss the story on-air introduces a few interesting analogies and second, this sort of discussion--even in its imperfect moments--would never have occurred publicly ten years ago. Probably not even five years ago. I find that as uplifting as the story itself.

The NaNo site is live, but all my writing buddies have disappeared. :( Does it make me crotchety and set in my ways that I want the old interface back? Anyway, I am HERE (http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/libby-drew), just like last year. If you're taking the NaNo plunge and want to be "buddies", please leave a link to your profile so I can add you once that feature is enabled again. And let me know if you'd be interested in joining a cheerleading group here on LJ. I'm thinking about reviving act_of_optimism for that purpose.

I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT. I've been wanting to write something whimsical and farcical for ages. This is my working title/synopsis:

Paradox Lost:

Whoever said leading time travel expeditions was easy had never lost a rich ex-piano-bar-singing socialite. The trip back to 2013 was supposed to be a cakewalk: jaunt in, watch the legendary Crank McAfee make his inaugural speech, jaunt out. Easy as pie… until Silvia “Sunshine” Panettiere runs away from the tour group. Retrieving her before her tycoon husband notices her absence isn’t going to be easy. Reegan McNamara is on a short leash as it is—one more mistake and he can kiss his coveted job at Blast in the Past Time Travel Tours goodbye.

With one week to find Silvia, the wayward trophy wife, he turns to Saul Kildare, the best P.I. early 21st century D.C. has to offer. Unfortunately for Reegan, Saul isn’t swallowing the time travel idea, or the fact that the clock is ticking for both Silvia and Reegan, because the longer they spend in the past, the harder the universe will work to erase their existence. Dodging Fate’s falling pianos and massive earthquakes is hard enough. Now President McAfee is missing, Silvia’s husband is adding bullets to the mix, and Reegan can’t stop drooling over the 130-year-old hunk he’s hired to save his ass.

Welcome to paradox-free time travel.


Also, I got a new laptop. It is SHINY and FAST.

Because mine wants to pretend that the Internet doesn't exist. :(

Anyway, I have this little routine when I finish a novel. I buy a good bottle of champagne, then drink it while dancing around the house in my underwear. Hey, don't knock it til you've tried it.

Want to know what I'm going to be doing tonight?

Poll #1784237
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 41

This evening I will...

Also, this Scrivener thing. I was thinking about using it for NaNoWriMo this year. Anybody have any practical experience with the program? It looks neat, but I've fallen for that before, and the results weren't pretty.


*This posted created without the help of Semagic. Who knew such a thing was possible?