Writers aren't exactly people...

...they're a bunch of people trying to pass for one person." Or howabout: "Some of my best friends are fictional"? True. Absolutely, positively true. When you're a writer, anyway. I've got roughly six people living inside my head. Then there are a few who pop in occasionally. Lemme introduce you to some of those people (in order of 'main-ness'):

Jess Kane (15): MC (main character) of my Fire and Flame trilogy. And the books beyond. I often call her my evil twin. Or my 'evil twin's evil twin'. She has a bunch of my weaknesses, and only a few of my strengths. She is very feisty and stubborn. But a lot of fun. Poor kid, tho'. I generally take out my life on her. Any lessons I learn- Jess learns 'em too. Any problem/pain I have- Jess gets it too. But it's so nice to know that another 'person' is experiencing almost the exact same things you are.

Jack: Was originally going to be a sort of secondary character. He was actually going to die quite early in the story. However, that was not to be. He turned out to be my favorite character, so not a CHANCE of my getting rid of him. Not a chance. Jack is absolutely crazy. Well, not really, but he likes to make everyone think he is. He is extremely intelligent and skilled, but has some work to do on his people skills. He also provides the comic relief. Sarcasm and banter, yes, but that's pretty much what I do as far as humor goes. Btw, Jack learns almost as many lessons as Jess does. Maybe because they're so alike... even though they'd (or at least Jess would) like to think they aren't.

Alex Kane (18): The character who's giving me the most trouble. He's Jess's older brother, but he doesn't get along with Jack very well and, since Jack has a more dominant personality, Alex tends to clam up and get mad at ME (of all people!) when Jack is around. *shakes head* I need to give that boy a good talking-to...

Heather (17): Sweet, quiet-natured... everything Jess isn't. Theoretically. She's giving me some problems, but not as many as some *glances at Alex* She is more willing than Jess to go with the flow and doesn't do half as many stupid things. *sigh* And yet, at least in old drafts of the story, she's always ALWAYS getting captured. Maybe it's because Alex likes her... *'nother sigh* And here I am left wondering why on EARTH I ever decided to put a romance in the story. Oh, right. It wasn't MY fault. The characters just ended up liking each other and forced me to marry them. That's the way it happens when you delve too deeply into your story.

Xajtir: (pronounced Zay-TOR) The 'mentor' character of the story. However, he's very stingy about giving information and annoys the heck out of the Three (Jess, Alex and Heather), Jess especially. He has a mysterious past, though, and is a highly useful character, if not very much FUN...

Oh... and perhaps I should actually post a SYNOPSIS soon? Maybe? After all, I DID just introduce the main characters....

You know you're a MIT (Mother in Training) when...

...you meet a mother while watching your sibs at the playground and carry on a conversation at their level.

... you see a recipe that involves pre-packaged baking mix and shout "Cheater!"

... microwaves are an abomination, followed closely by frozen dinners.

... diaper-changing is a competitive sport- which sister can change Baby the fastest?

... your youngest sibling can't seem to decide who is her mom- you or your mom

...you dress nicely for going out and one or more of your younger brothers declare, "You're beautiful. I'm gonna marry you when I grow up."

...Mom doesn't give instructions on what to make for dinner, but you know anyways.

...most people mistake you for the mother of your youngest sibling.

...you go buy yourself an 'official-looking' ring simply because you are so often mistaken for your youngest sibling's mom.

...it isn't uncommon to be helping the 8year old with grammar while holding the 1year old, making two different courses and a salad for dinner at the same time, and listening as the 6 and 4 year olds ramble on about their Legos....

...mom calls and says she'll be out later than she thought... and you're not worried.

... the best way to get the little boys to be quiet is telling them a story about a sleeping monster who's in the process of transforming into a good monster but will be a very horrible monster if she's awoken prematurely (aka- you wake up Baby and you're dead meat)

...you go crazy with little brothers- and you'd go crazy without them.

...you wonder what on earth kids in small families (aka 4 kids and less) DO

...Baby goes "Uh!" and makes a face- and you know exactly what she wants.

Cold.

30-50 degrees Fahrenheit= perfect weather. Call me an Eskimo if you will. 60-70 is NICE... beyond 70 is, respectively: really hot, stay inside weather, and unbearably hot. Unfortunately, I live in NC. And right now, on December 30th, 2008... it is HOT. Ok, it's warm. But hey- it's WINTER f'r crying out loud. Oh well. At least I'm not in Florida.

I am Me

Cold. Dark. Moon. Stars. Wind. Minor music. Tears...

...These are a few of my favorite things. Some may call these morbid, yes. Weird, yes. I prefer 'insane', but what the hey. My most dangerous aspect is my imagination, though it is far more apt to hurt me than anybody else. Some people consider it a gift. Most people who have such a vivid/active imagination find it a curse. A curse, that is, until you learn how to use it. And the smartest people dealing with this curse will inevitably find the best way to release the energy that builds from HIS (Hyper-Imaginative Syndrome) is writing. But not just any writing. Fantasy writing. With enough education and intelligence to build a believable world of your own, you're free to let your imagination roam. Then record its adventures and PRESTO! You've got a book! Almost. (sorry, but it's not QUITE that easy) My imagination has been roaming in the same world for almost two years now. That's a record. For me. But I've developed something else to go with HIS- determination. That's what ultimately sees a novel through. And hopefully, it'll be enough to get me through.

Aside from writing, I love to make music. I play piano first and foremost, and am learning guitar and clarinet. I also love to listen to music. Hans Sparrow- my iPod Nano 3rd Gen- is at my side almost constantly. Reading is also an essential part to being a good writer. I love a good book (though unfortunately, I'm rather picky- and am getting even MORE picky- about what I deem 'good'). Though, I must say, I enjoy walking through the woods much more than sitting down to read a book. So much 'scope for the imagination' out there.

Well, this writer has more work to do. So it's TTFN for now, blogland. I would say 'don't worry- I won't be gone forever', but since this is ME we're talking about, I think I should say:

Worry. I won't be gone forever.