"Concordant Vibrancy 4: Inferno" Cover Reveal

Today the members of the All Authors Family are celebrating the cover reveal of "Concordant Vibrancy 4: Inferno", the fourth installation of the Concordant Vibrancy anthology collection.

First, the blurb ...

There is a universal fascination associated with passion―its defining element, fire, as well as the unseen. Yet how many dare to trespass beyond the final product, exploring the ingredients which keep it sustainable?

This is the traverse of the fourth installment of the Concordant Vibrancy collection, presented by All Authors Publications and Promotions, entitled “Inferno”. Nine phenomenal talents diverge under one purpose: the creation of literary works guaranteed to set the mind, heart, and spirit ablaze.

Stories included:

“Express-Oh” by Adonis Mann

“Not Always Like This” by Carol Cassada

“The Fireman” by Harmony Kent

“The Complications of Fire” by Beem Weeks

“Calliope’s Inferno” by C. Desert Rose

“Moxy” by Y. Correa

“Antipode” by Synful Desire

“The Chronicles of Aidan” by Da’Kharta Rising, and

“The Calefaction of Insight” by Queen of Spades.

Since January 2015 All Authors Publishing House has been exploring the elements of nature through the enterprise known as Concordant Vibrancy, an All Authors Anthology Collection.

Book One explored Unity under the theme question of "What elements contribute to the concept of unity?" The element being Earth. Through an array of tales, the authors explained what Unity meant to them.

Book Two examined Vitality. The theme question was, "What force drives your spirit?" The element was Air. Here the authors endeavored to answer the question with a combination of stories and essays.

Book Three looked at Lustrate using the theme question, "What embodies the composition of fluidity?" The element was water. Herein the authors spoke lucidly and clearly on what fluidity meant to them.

Book Four takes a peek at Inferno ... the element of Fire. It asks "What are the ingredients to a sustainable blaze?" By far the best of the collection, "Concordant Vibrancy 4: Inferno" is a demonstration of depth in thought and evolution in craft.

Now, without further ado and with great pride All Authors brings you the cover of "Concordant Vibrancy 4: Inferno".

"From Whence Jasmine Blooms" Official Book Release

TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF "FROM WHENCE JASMINE BLOOMS" BY C. DESERT ROSE.

BLURB:

The Garden of Life does not thrive by concept alone—it takes the right ingredients to fertilize it, so it can rise to its fullest potential.

In order to bloom into her fullest life, Jasmine first needs to learn the components of living a fulfilling life. The seven core elements of becoming are divulged to Jasmine in a fashion she would have never conceived.

In the coming of age novelette “From Whence Jasmine Blooms”, Jasmine will embark on a journey into magic, mystery, and most of all, knowledge.

 

EXCERPT:

Julian had a large smile on his face, his eyes beamed with pride. “I hear that you did well in your last lesson …” 

“I literally just walked out, so how did you hear that?” 

“News travels fast here.” 

“Yeah, I can see that. At any rate, thanks.” Jasmine smiled. Picking out her crumpled schedule from her backpack she looked to see what the next lesson was. Furthermore, it was an unexpected but gratifying thing to notice that she only had three lessons left. 

Strolling down the hall to the next class Jasmine fully expected another ginormous door with another shiny sign. Ready for the next lesson she trolleyed down the walkway with a mellow swagger that she hadn’t previously had. 

Shortly thereafter she and Julian had reached their destination. Only, something was incredibly amiss and suspect. Jasmine quickly found that there was no door or sign here. What there was, was an opening which led to a diving board that was approximately one hundred feet above a small tub of water. Above the opening a glowing red arrow was directly under the word JUMP. 

Jasmine’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “I am not jumping!” 

“Oh?” Julian asked in faux shock. “Why not?” 

“Nope! No. No, no, no, no, no! I can’t even swim! I am not jumping!” 

“Hmm … do you need a push?” Julian scratched his chin. 

“Absolutely not! Julian, this is not happening. Period.” 

“Alright,” Julian said then turned his back to walk away. Before leaving, however, he said one last thing. “Unfortunately, you cannot graduate unless you complete this course. To complete this course you have to jump.” 

Jasmine conjured up myriad cuss words in her head. None of which were nice. 

She paced, then stopped, then paced again. This went on for five or so minutes. Jasmine struggled with the having to and the wanting to. She couldn’t tell which one would win. Every so often Jasmine would glance up at the sign. 

JUMP … JUMP … JUMP … blink, blink, blink. 

Damn it! This is ridiculous! 

Jasmine scratched her head, took two deep breaths then taking five steps back and a running start she dove off the board. Jasmine held her breath the whole way down. The only thought in her mind was that she better not die. One-one thousand, two-one thousand and plop.

Both in paperback and eBook format you can get your copy of "From Whence Jasmine Blooms" at Amazon.com. Just click below.

"From Whence Jasmine Blooms" Day Four

Yesterday we touched on the first four lessons taught to Jasmine during her adventure to heaven. Today we will cover the final three, although, in actuality there are two lessons and one impromptu exposition.

Sit back, unwind and let life lead the way … I present you with Lessons Five through Seven of “From Whence Jasmine Blooms”.

Life Lesson Five: Choice

In “From Whence Jasmine Blooms” one of Jasmine’s teachers describes choices like so;

“Choices are a vapid, inconsequential and flighty thing.”

Oh how true it is. Did you know that on average a human being makes 35,000 a day? From whether or not they are going to hop out of bed to what they do just before they go to bed. Even at work people make multiple choices Choice making is so vapid in fact that most people don’t even notice they are making choices at all. Some choices are so inconsequential that they seem more like routine than anything else.

There are some decisions that we make however that are undoubtedly a choice. What our careers in life are going to be, how we are going to raise our children, who we marry … all these things are pivotal decisions that shape where we go in life. Some choices are so hard that some may argue that it goes against their moral compass.

In “From Whence Jasmine Blooms” Jasmine and her peers learn that not all choices are as “vapid, inconsequential and flighty” as some may think.

Life Lesson Six: Purpose

The biggest questions to plague mankind has always been, and perhaps forever will be, "What's the point? And, why?"

Have you ever found yourself at a point in your life where the roads are split and you have to make a choice however difficult? I've been there for sure.

But, did you realize that every choice you make takes you one step further to fulfilling your purpose in life. Decisions reflect directly on purpose. Perhaps this is why Jasmine had to learn them, for in order to know your purpose you must first learn how to choose properly. A "vapid" choice wanes you further from your destiny, just as a "proper" choice can take you closer to it.

Jasmine, like many of us today, believed that she had a destiny, but for the life of her she had no idea what it was. The manifestation of her choices was the precursor to the fulfillment of her calling—just as it is with all of us.

Here is where things get tricky for Jasmine …

Impromptu Life Lesson: Love

In the final stretch of the story Jasmine has to learn the biggest lesson anyone can learn ... What true love is and how we can choose to live by it or not.

Love, as stated in the story, is “never easy” but is love worth the fight, that is the question that arises. This, in actuality, is the very same question all of humanity faces each and every day.

Is love worth sacrifice?

Is the end result of loving make the pain worthwhile?

So many questions, hypotheses and ruminations can be seen and heard throughout the world as it pertains to love. Furthermore, it also poses the question, is choosing love the ultimate purpose?

In “From Whence Jasmine Blooms” Jasmine learns the true meaning of love. The question is, what path will she endeavor upon?

Tomorrow is the grand release of “From Whence Jasmine Blooms”, take that opportunity to see what Jasmine chooses to do.

"From Whence Jasmine Blooms" Day Three

Life has a series of lessons that everyone needs to learn; some more than others.


In “From Whence Jasmine Blooms” I take a moment to focus on 7 Important Life Lessons that everyone should know. While these core lessons are pivotal to everyday life, some people find themselves having to learn a lot more than just 6 things. However, i think that the 6 core lessons addressed in “From Whence Jasmine Blooms” are things that surpass age, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation.

The next 2 days I will be taking a moment to go over the 7 Important Life Lessons that Jasmine had to learn in order for her life to bloom into exactly what the Universe wanted for her.

Lesson One: Family and Friends

We’re all culpable of it to one degree or another. There is a reason why philosophers say that we tend to hurt the people closest to us.
Sometimes we take advantage of those who are always there for us. It isn’t always purposefully. Sometimes it is by mere happenstance. These things happen in life. The fact that you think you know that that person will never not be there.
There is something to be said about double negatives. Because one double negative equals a positive. If you know that you know that this person will never not be there, then you are putting yourself in a position of waking up to the possibility that he/she may not be there. We’re called mortal beings for a reason. We live and we die.
In the Family and Friends Lesson, Jasmine has to learn how to love and value those who love her, because one day that person or those people may no longer be there. For an even more profound effect, Jasmine learns that blood isn’t the only form of family—families come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes a good friend can become more family than you could have imagined.

Lesson Two: Memories

Whether people realize it or not, memories are everything. Without that you are not you. Without memories, humanity may very well have not existed.
Memories make us who we are.
They dictate who we will be.
Memories beckon sentiments that are the foundation of who we are.
Memories can be used for bad or for good.
Memories can be construed one way by one person, and another way by someone else.
Memories have the power to build us and destroy us—it’s all about how you use them.
In “From Whence Jasmine Blooms” Jasmine learns that memories are the vault that house our souls. She learns that memories can be the tool that one can use to paint a truer version of oneself, and in turn, the people that surround us.

Lesson Three: Perspective

“Perception is reality” is Y. Correa’s favorite saying.
How true it is.
Let’s take a moment to think deeply for a moment.
Make believe you’re in the middle of a political meeting. The left and right are arguing about the death penalty.
You’re sitting right in the middle and you can hear them screaming at each other.
“People who kill have no right to live!”
“Murder is murder, whether legalized or not! Only God can give and take life.”
Back and forth they go. Your anxiety hits a fever pitch and all you want is for them to stop fighting, listen to one another and come to an even ground where everyone can be happy. What do you do? How would you react? How does the left’s view fit your own and how do the rights?

In the turmoil you learn one very important thing, the only way they are going to come to any consensus is if they try to listen to each other and see things from each other’s side.

Jasmine has to learn the very same thing. In “From Whence Jasmine Blooms” Jasmine finds herself in a position which calls for her to be open to others’ opinions and consider that she may not always be right.

Life Lesson Four: Trust

I think we’ve all been victims of mistrust to one degree or another. Whether that distrust was thrust upon us or we are the ones not trusting, I believe everyone is familiar distrust.
Sometimes it comes from an extensive degree of suffering, sometimes by a person’s own nature, but distrust is a plague. An epidemic of enormous proportions that threaten to contaminate even the best of us.
But let’s use the lessons we’ve learned so far to put trust into a different light.
We know that family and friends are an essential part of the human bond and that they instill in us values and points of view that we carry with us throughout our lives.
We know that our memories are the experiences that mold who we are and how we react to the world around us.
We know the perspective is as individual as every living being on this planet.
How does trust play a role in this grand scheme of things?
We trust our family and friends because at our core believe that they care about us and would never want to do us harm.
For those forsaken few that have endured familial dysfunction it is hard to understand the value of family and friends. Therefore, trust is broken very early on as the memories they carry around are those of neglect, abuse and misery. These individuals find it hard to understand any other point of view that isn’t their own. It is a crying shame, to be honest.
Did you know that those who choose to trust regardless of the bedlam they may have endured are the strongest among us?
In “From When Jasmine Blooms” the example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was given. It is a powerful and tangible example that moves Jasmine to her very core.

Stay tuned for tomorrow where we cover the last three lessons that Jasmine learns in “From Whence Jasmine Blooms”.

"From Whence Jasmine Blooms" Day Two

Welcome one and all!

Today, I am super exited to present you with a Location Interview. This is to say, an interview of one of the primary characters in "From Whence Jasmine Blooms" ... its setting. Heaven.

Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Q: Does Heaven look in any way like Earth? If it is, how so? If not, what would Heaven be comparable to?

A: For the comfort of it’s pedestrians, yes Heaven does have a similarity to Earth. Of course, it is on a much more ethereal and celestial scale. This means, don’t expect to be walking on concrete or cement roads. Here the roads are made of gold and the seas look like crystal.

Q: What is the mode of transportation in Heaven?

A: Magic! Just think of where you want to go and you’ll be there. But, have no fear, for those who like long commutes or road trips there are options. Anywhere from riding on the local pegasus to taking the express air train. The transportation is only limited by your imagination.

Q: Are there any beings that you would like to deport from your location? If so, why?

A: Well, the idea is that only the deserving people go to Heaven. So, we are praying that there aren’t any unwelcomed citizens. If for whatever reason one has made his/her way in, that person will be caught and deported to the Eternal Fire.

Q: What is the currency in Heaven?

A: Love. You don’t need money to pay for anything. All things are free. Had there been a currency then it wouldn’t be Heaven. However, all things are acquired and paid for through and with love.

Q: If I wanted to pick up a beer in Heaven, where would I go?

A: You don’t have to go anywhere. You just have to think about wanting one, and BOOM, there it’ll be. That’s the way things work in Heaven. You can have whatever you want whenever you want it.

Q: Are there seasons or time in Heaven? For example, does the sun go down laying way to the rise of the moon? Do the leaves on the trees change color?

A: There is no time per say. Heaven is eternal and in so being time is elusive and intangible. However for the comfort of the residents—especially those who love the look of changing season—that does exist. The thing about it is that you are never too cold or too hot. You can see the snow and still come outside without a coat as the temperature is always perfect. It’s magic, what can I say?

"From Whence Jasmine Blooms" Day One

One day I woke up with an image stuck in my head—I couldn’t shake it. The picture was vivid and it felt profound to me, as if it were tied to something that was on the cusp of being realized.

Some may call it a vision or revelation. Honestly, I’d be pushing the envelope too far if I said that it was divinely inspired, for I can’t say that with certainty. But one thing I can say with absoluteness is that I saw this depiction in my mind’s eye as clear as day.

That day I met with my publisher and her representatives and talked a little bit about this image I’d had stuck in my psyche. Immediately the graphic designer put pen to paper and perfectly duplicated the picture I’d seen. It was a flower laying atop a dark surface, but in the background was a transparent, hardly noticeable hourglass.

“Rose, what’s it for?” she asked.

“I have no idea.” I replied sincerely.

The VP interjected. “It’s for a story, obviously.”

“What story? I don’t have anything I am working, nothing outlines. Nothing.”

“You will.” she retorted assuredly.

“Um, okay. I guess.” saving the image I set all these thoughts side and continued on other things that I’d been working on.

Then I had a dream.

The night had fallen and in their quiet neighborhood crickets sang their evening tune. The wetness left behind from the night's prior rain fogged the windows slightly.

A pink pegasus with a unicorn horn and a rainbow mane picked her up at the sliding glass door located in the dining room. I already knew why she was there.

After a furious fight with my father at that very moment my brother helped calm me whilst sitting at the dining room table. With the corner of my eye I caught sight of the luminescence that alerted me of the pegasus' presence. 

When I stepped outside I realized that I was not alone.

"Do you see this?" I asked my brother.

"Yeah." he responded, simultaneously flabbergasted and stupefied.

"So this isn't in my head ...?"

"Nope."

The pegasus neighed impatiently. A whimsical woman seated on the pegasus' back extended her hand towards me. "Come. We've got no time to waste. You have a long night ahead of you."

In that instance, from an indiscernible distance down glided another pegasus—this one with yellow fur—with two girls on her back.

In a state of disbelief I grabbed the angelic lady’s hand and mounted the creature.

"Come now ladies, prepare yourself for the flight. It may be a bit turbulent."

The girls on the second pegasus murmured amongst each other, chattering about the adventure that awaited them all. I said nothing.

With a nod of the head, the pegasus beat her front hooves, took a few leaps forward and just as simply ascended into the air.

Closely behind was the yellow pegasus.

Unmoved, and as if these things were an everyday occurrence, the magical lady spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "Hold on tight!"

I gripped the lady's waste as hard as I could.

The lady spoke again. "My name is Amelia-Aurora. I was sent to get you. In approximately 50,000 feet you will feel a shift in your vision. You will no longer perceive things as a human. You will instantly obtain angelic vision and see things as we do."

"So ..." I gulped. "you are an angel?"

"Of course. What else would I be?"

I nodded. A second later, my vision went blurry, static and then refocused. Then the whole of the world was now painted in a hue that resembled night vision goggles.

"At this point your vision should have changed."

The girls on the second pegasus confirmed. I nodded again. "Ehem ... yeah."

"One thousand more feet and we'll traverse The Wall."

"'The Wall'?" Asked one of the girls.

"Yes, the clouds." Just as promised, in a matter of seconds we were floating amongst the clouds. Skillfully, Amelia-Aurora navigated the beast. We traversed The Wall and made it to the Heavenly Gates.

That’s when I woke up.

After several days of discussion with my fellow authors and under the impression that the story could be a contribution to an anthology I began to write it. In the story I supplemented myself for a character called Jasmine and as if by pure instinct the rest of the narrative just came to me. I wrote the entire story in the matter of a week.

A few days later the All Authors VP read a portion of the story and said, “There it is. The story that goes with the cover.”

She was right.

That was when “From Whence Jasmine Blooms” was born—a coming of age story of a girl on a time sensitive adventure to discover her purpose in the world.

COMING TO AMAZON

SEPTEMBER 2ND 2019!

COMING SOON!

Amoresels is Here!

Today we celebrate the release of a new anthology by author Synful Desire.

What is "Amoresels"?

"Amore", Italian for love.

"Moresels", a yummy tidbit.

"Amoresels" is a short story anothology that take the reader on a trip to all sorts of sexy senarios. In "Amoresels" there is no fetish too crazy, and no desire too taboo. From the everyday to the not so common, Synful Desire take the reader on quick trips to all things sensual.

The most savory and steamy can be found in the tiniest most unexpected locations.

Amoresels is an erotic flash fiction anthology crafted to satiate the rush for the ultimate stimuli quickie. Ranging from tantalizing teasers to eye opening kinks, Amoresels is a bold, unapologetic cornucopia of sensual liberation.

Featured stories include:

“The Desktop Surprise”, “The Gamers’ Disruption”, “Laundry Day”, “Taste on the Move”, “GFY”, “Bookworm”, “Build-A-Mate”, “The Infomercial Purchase”, “House of Mirrors”, “Tree of Lust”, “Curves Gym”, “Suds and Such”, “Moments in Time”, “Moments in Time”, “Full Circle”, “Whale of a Sale”, “Scentacular”, “Pleasure’s Blur”, “Party Monster”, “Royals’ Delight”, and “Amoresels”.

 

 

 

The Birth of Amoresels by Synful Desire

Hiya, readers!

This week in celebration of the upcoming release of Amoresles by Synful Desire, I invited her to my blog to talk about it. Grind your gears, guys. She's awesome.

Hello Awesome Visitors,

I am so glad that Miss Rosie has invited me to her blog space to discuss the birth of Amoresels.

I must confess something to all: Most of my ideas for projects come from unusual places and can bounce in and out of my brain within seconds.

Amoresels was one of those. It actually existed during the time I was in a deep funk and feeling disillusioned about where the old All Authors was as an organization. Yet, my vision of it was similar to that dryer sheet that’s stuck to clothes … where you just pluck it off before you start folding.

When I got back in the groove of things, other projects called for spotlight. First, having to complete my contribution to Divergent Ink 2. Then, working on my story for Concordant Vibrancy 4. After that, my idea for what I want to do in Divergent Ink 3.

In the midst of all of this busy, Amoresels snuck in. This time, it had more purpose.

However, I thought I could shove Amoresels to the side. Surely, it could wait until I finished all the rest.

I don’t know how it is for my fellow writers, but even if I have a deadline set for certain things, characters and events have minds of their own. I can say I want to write on my DI3 story, but if the characters in the story aren’t speaking to me, I don’t force them to do so.

Nor do I stay stagnant because in 90% of cases, other causes are calling for attention. That is when the concept for Amoresels took center stage. It seduced me, with its whole “get to me when those others are quiet” mode, along with “I don’t use a lot of words. You can do 1500 words in your sleep.”

Amoresels is the work which happened in between all of the other shenanigans in my think space.

This flash fiction collection represents a hybrid of things—from a few tantric teasers, to bits of sensual humor, to some erotic tidbits that may make you see objects in a strange way.

Whatever the case, I had loads of fun putting it together. Creating should be fun. If what I do as an author feels too much like work, the struggle bleeds into the writing. Intuitive readers, devoted readers can pick up that tatter, when you didn’t come out with your best.

I’d rather take extended years of hiatus than to put out something when I’m at my worst—whether that’s physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. All have to be on full cylinders for me to operate. I’m not speaking for everyone. I just can’t operate half assed. It makes my output shoddy.


Until next time,

"PLEASURE PRINTS" IS HERE!

 

 

AND BOY DO WE HAVE A GOOD REASON TO CELEBRATE!

All Authors has been waiting 3 years to release this publication and the joy is beyond words!

Blurb:

Divergent Ink is the mesh of different frames of thoughts, various interpretations of one core question that yearns for universal expansion. Although the subject matter may change every year, the purpose of the Divergent Ink series will remain the same.The second book in the Divergent Ink anthology series, “Pleasure Prints”, revolves around the following question:

Where is paradise?

Six Divergent Inks exploring "Pleasure Prints". Will the destination cause one to sip a tropical cocktail or cock an eyebrow in amazement?

Featuring:

Adonis Mann: Desperation and delusion are a marriage of emotions. Sentiments collide when three lives tell their tales. Hypnotizing and melancholic are the days of the souls who pursue the "Odyssey of Rhapsody".

C. Desert Rose: Helena can be cumbersome and crude, while her life is at a standstill, she likes it that way. Amidst the orange glow of office lights and a steaming cup of hot chocolate, Helena learns that life is a series of "Fleeting Moments".

Da'Kharta Rising: For Masato, there's no time like the present. Is no limit too great to accomplish “Masato's Zion”?

Synful Desire: Cecilia Teflon knows she doesn't have much time left. Before she leaves this earth, she must make a confession. Will this revelation grant her entrance into spiritual paradise? Explore the twists and turns of “Onus”.

Queen of Spades: Axana has always lived a very careful life but a lucrative advertisement shreds her comfort zone. Paradise is where one least expects in “Axana … Unscripted”.

Y. Correa: Myth or memory, which can it be? A life so scripted can be less than desirable. To go or to stay, it is that question that leaves, "Nalani at Heaven's Gates".

AS AN ADDED BONUS GET "CRACKLES OF THE HEART: DIVERGENT INK BOOK 1" FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Y. Correa Speaks: My Divergence

Today we close out this amazing blog tour with my good friend, Y. Correa as she speaks on her divergence. Also joining the fray is author Da'Kharta Rising as a host in this very cool dual interview.

Enjoy!

Questions from Rose:

Q: I’ve heard you say in the past that you have a love affair with words. Where did this saying come from and why?

A: First of all, hello, Rose. I hope you are doing well.

To answer your question, the saying comes from the truth.
Much like paint is a painter’s first love, words are a writer’s. But not just any writer, but a writer who can appreciate the beauty in words. It takes a special kind of mind to see the allure in the sounds, meanings and use of a word.
For example, I could say, “Lucy was pretty.” and that could work just fine. But it makes a story humdrum. However, if I say, “Lucy’s countenance was like sun rays grazing flowers in a chromatic field in a mid-summer’s day.” the image suddenly becomes majestic.
That is why I love words.

Q: Being forced to pigeon-hole yourself into a single genre, what would that be and why?

A: Man, that is a hard one!
I guess if I am forced to choose just one, I would say science fiction. The why is because I’ve always been attracted to science and a lot of my stories are heavily sci-fi connected, although they are all mash-ups.
Your usual MO is to give the readers an ending they would not expect. When writing for anthologies, do you fit that same profile or do you feel the need to conform to mainstream storytelling?
Actually, I never really saw it that way. I didn’t even really think I had an MO, if you will. I just wrote the story that my mind dictated. So, I would have to say no to your question, but I could be wrong. Maybe I do use the same formula.

Q: Random Question One: Favorite superhero and why?

A: Wolverine, always and forever. I have loved Wolverine since before the movies were ever talked about. I loved his personage and anti-hero ways since he was just a scribble of an idea in a comic book.

Q: Do you consider yourself a rebel? If so or if not, why?

A: I think I am in rebel in a lot of ways. Not obnoxiously rebellious. Just rebellious enough to make people look and think. My life is all about making people think about the things they do and why. So if I have to rebel a little in order to accomplish that, then so be it. Plus, I honestly don’t really care what people think about me, so … 🤷‍♀️ 😆

Q: Out of all of the books/stories you’ve written, who is your favorite character?

A: Woooow … I don’t know if I could answer that, Rose. I love all my characters.
But forced to choose just one, I would have to say Aishé from “MarcoAntonio & Amaryllis”. I find that she and I have loads in common. She may even be a little part of me.

Q: Would you date any of your fictional characters? If so, who and why?

A: I would totally date Damian from “MarcoAntonio & Amaryllis”. He is a hottie and he’s fun. But I wouldn’t marry him. He is definitely not the marrying type.

Q: Random Question Two: Night owl or day bird and why?

A: Day bird and night owl by virtue of insomnia. Lol. But even though I can’t sleep at night, that doesn’t mean that I can function at night. Because I can’t. I rather stay laying in bed doing nothing than trying to get up and then make a mess of things. During the day, however, I am at my peek.

Q: Given the opportunity to change anything in your life, what would that be and why?

A: My health. It gets in the way of a lot of things and seems to hinder my productivity quite a lot. So, if I could change that, I would be golden.

Q: Random Questions Three: Secret addiction, what and why?

A: Doctor Who. Simply put, I am a Whovian. The extended version is … I adore Doctor Who. I love everything about it; the stories, the characters, the adventures, the realness. It is awesome.

Questions from Da’Kharta:

Q: Out of all the characters you’ve created, which one do you identify with the most and why?

A: Hey Da’Kharta. How goes it? All good, I hope.
I identify the most with Aishé from “MarcoAntonio & Amaryllis”. In a lot of ways I feel like she is a small part of me. I can relate to her fighting spirit, he need to alter self for the sake of the fight, everything really.

Q: Would you ever craft a female serial killer? If so, would it be just one novel or span off into a series?

A: I am actually in the process of that. LOL. It will be a novel and not a series, though. One large story with lots of interesting twists and turns. I hope the world is ready for the craziness of this story because it is already in the works.

Q: Most people talk about “legacy” in terms of their children. I think that can spill over to books because writers create life. What book do you think will best represent your legacy? Expand on the how and why.

A: Hmm … 🤔
I would have to say that I think all my books are my legacy. Because in one degree or another they are all a part of me. What does make me sad, though, is that fact that none of my kids have taken the time to read my stories. It goes deep, that.
I don’t want them to read my books after I am dead and go, “Hey, my mom wrote this.” and then lick their wounds for not having done it sooner and enjoyed it while I was still alive.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

A: Everything. LOL. I have a lot of hobbies and things that I enjoy doing. I like doing all kinds of things. Sometimes I crochet, sometimes I sew, sometimes I do house repairs, I cook, I do graphic design. I keep myself busy. LOL

Q: What genre would you like to dab into but haven’t because you think you’d suck at it?

A: Poetry. LOL.
I would love to try it but I fear that the public would just insult my attempt. I don’t want to look like a Basic Betty when it comes to the usage of words, and I fear that peoty would present that problem.

Q: What is the major ingredient your writings have that is becoming obsolete in the modern day manifestation of the literary world?

A: Romancing the words.
What is it, exactly? It is using a specific stream of verbiage to portray an amazing image. Not the basic, “Scott can jump. Look at Scott jump.” because anyone can do that and call themselves an author. What if “Scott lept like a dervish, seeking solace in the skies” or “ The people surrounding him awed at the spectacle and praised his magnificence”? Wouldn’t that be a much more attractive image?
The art of romancing the words has been lost to the slurry of elementary writers that want to call themselves artists or authors.

Q: In reality, would dating a fellow writer be a match made in heaven or a match made in Hades and why?

A: It would have to be a very special writer. LOL. 😂 🤣😂 🤣
I don’t know. As a matter of fact, most of the guys I’ve dated have looked at me like I had 3 heads when I tell them I am a writer. Their immediate reply is, “Wow! 😵 You write books?” like it is the most ludicrous thing they’ve ever heard.
So maybe it would be nice dating a writer. Maybe it wouldn’t. I can’t say.

Q: Do you deem your interest in science an obsession?

A: Probably. I never looked at it that way. I have always looked at science like a tool for educational expansion. I love to learn, the more I can learn the better I feel about myself. So if it is an obsession, I doubt it’s a bad one. LOL

Q: What do you do to detox when you are angry or when your characters leave you drained?

A: Chocolate and wine, rise and repeat. LOL

Q: Describe utopia in your own image.

A: It would be a place where the colors are so vivid they could potentially blind you, but don’t because it was meant to be looked at and enjoyed. It would be replete with nature and willed with a sensation of euphoria and inner completion. It would be something transcendent, unlike anything anyone has ever seen or experienced. A whole other world where the farthest stretches of your imagination are an everyday event. Peaceful. The scent in the air would be like grazing the most fragrant of fields but so intense that you could feel the aroma seeping into your pores … in a good way. Warm. Light. Airy.
Simply put … Elysium.

COMING SOON!

 

My Favorites from "Unscripted", Featuring Queen of Spades

If there is any author that I say I admire, it is Ms. Queen of Spades. Her words and prose are like a warm flame on ice, melting away ones literary desire. She is just amazing. I am blessed to have her here with us today. Everyone, welcome Queen of Spades.

Greetings everyone! For those of you who have been reading and supporting Pleasure Prints, many thanks. For people who are just joining the fray, All Authors is in the midst of its Pleasure Prints blog tour. Today is my feature day where all things are “Unscripted”.

I would like to discuss my favorite three parts of “Axana … Unscripted” as well as the reasons behind the choices.

Excerpt One

She surveyed the landscape. The grass was high, tinted yellow with neglect and saturated with candy wrappers, beer bottles, cigarette butts and ripped condom wrappers. A repugnant scent—a mixture of rotten eggs and raw sewage—gave foil to an otherwise clear day. If Axana were to guess, various neighborhood miscreants had taken liberties in the outward redesign of the grey building. However, the artistic direction lacked sync. The left side of the building—doused with profanity. The right side of the building—devotional mosaics of fallen comrades.

One portrait was of a little boy, who looked no more than six years old. His eyes were so big, his gaze so innocent and full of wonder. Axana wandered closer to the image and rubbed his button nose and robust cheeks.

What was this boy’s story? Why was his spirit called so soon?

With this, I wanted to paint a clear picture of the element that Axana was walking into. Although some people may be used to it because it’s what they see every day, this scene is not familiar to her, which is why it gives her tremendous trepidation. I also referenced the mural of the little boy to recognize that so many of them are taken from us too soon due to external elements. However, I leave the reader to come up with one’s own story as to the little boy’s demise.

Excerpt Two

Axana strutted over to the window. For a fleeting moment, she thought that Zube was studying her movements, but dismissed it just as quickly. She busied herself with different poses until he barked, “Don’t do any of that. It looks stupid.”

“What?”

“Axana, this isn’t a modeling shoot. I don’t need you to work the camera. This needs to come across as natural.”

Axana huffed, her forehead dimpled with lines of confusion. It was always championed that women tended to not know what they wanted. They had not come across Zube.

Zube placed his camera back on the tripod to approach her.

“Axana I wasn’t calling you stupid. I’m just saying that life isn’t staged so it doesn’t make sense for you to pose. You must behave as if the camera isn’t here. Look out of the window, think about how you are feeling and make it visual enough for me to capture … whatever that is, even if it’s unpleasant. For example, how did you feel when you first arrived here? I don’t imagine it’s an emotion associated with walking the runway.”

In this exchange, I wanted to capture the camaraderie between Axana and Zube. Both of them have awkwardness in different ways. Axana is slightly sensitive to Zube’s directness, and Zube does not have the eloquent finesse to deliver his request until in hindsight.

There is also a microscope on the operation of life. When one takes pictures for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and the like, we have time to make things pretty and perfect. Yet this is not what Zube is going for at all. Life is not staged or pretty. It often flows without opportunity for what’s appropriate or correct.

Excerpt Three

He didn’t answer, just pointed to the bed and instructed her to get comfortable. Just pretend he’s not here was the mantra Axana placed in her brain. Yet, she felt exposed. It had been a while since she’d been in this state of dress around anyone.

The more she attempted to dilute Zube’s presence, the more amplified it became. The silhouette manifested itself into him, adopted all of his features. The sensations pulling her closer to this fantasy rattled her rationale. Axana’s body was no longer her own. Some primal entity operated as her puppet master.

Axana’s eyes smoldered with lust while she looked into Zube’s camera lens. One brassiere strap, of its own volition, slid off her shoulder. One hand, originally on Axana’s thigh, slid closer to her secret treasure.

A tightrope is present between suppression and surrender. What is it about Zube that makes Axana’s cautionary wall feel comfortable enough to crumble? Is he that damn fine? Is it his art? Or seeing multiple sides to him? Perhaps, it’s just been a minute since she’s been sexually shaken up and she throws caution aside, thinking that she only lives once. Did they just kiss or go all the way? Those questions I left unanswered on purpose, for there’s really no wrong answer.

For more of Axana and Zube, don’t hesitate to pick up Pleasure Prints.

Peace.

COMING SOON

Synful Desire Speaks: The Consequential Absence

One of my best friends and a wonderful author ... today, Synful Desire stops by!

Hello everyone! Let’s talk … transparency.

Are the lows of life really an acceptable excuse when progress is at a standstill? Although I’m prone to believe there should be exceptions to every rule, others in the world do not share that same view. Most, in this day and age, tout that the show must go on.

What happens when the entire “supposed” show ceases?

Okay, no more code speak. Audience, you know that isn’t my style.

One of the first tragedies I went through was the suppression, damn near deletion, of stimuli to continue with the whole Convoluted Prism development. The main factor influencing this was the loss of someone who was the driving force for the final book of the story. Unbeknownst to a lot of you, I tend to plot out my titles and summaries far in advance, with an outline of how I want things to go. No, Convoluted Prism, in and of itself, isn’t nonfiction, but traits of certain characters in parts were.

My attitude became, “Why even continue with this?”

The sour in my normally sweet decorum started in 2015 and continued through 2016. It was a miracle that I was able to create “The Satiationship” for Concordant Vibrancy 3: Lustrate. Yet, I pushed forward, because I already committed to the project.

Along with that, things were crumbling with the All Authors Family. Not as much with the individual writers but more so with management. There was this air of discouragement, frustration, and exhaustion that trickled down the pike.

Yes, management did their best to keep things afloat, but it didn’t take a genius to pick up that something was wrong.

I wasn’t sure which came first: the elimination of the magazine or the changes within the publishing house. To me, I felt like they were both happening at the same time. I understood the Vice President’s pain and how hard she worked to keep everything afloat when the President behaved as if she didn’t give two craps. It wasn’t long before I took a side, admiring the Vice President while feeling anger and disappointment with the President.

When the VP finally had her fill and resigned, I threw down my pen as well. It added to my not wanting to write another word.

There was one snag. I was the person keeping Pleasure Prints from reaching completion. Everyone else’s stories were in, but because of all the All Authors chaos, production had been postponed from 2016 to 2017.

2017 came and went. Never had I experienced so much sadness. I wanted to confide in other All Authors brethren but didn’t want them getting caught up in my personal feelings toward the President. I reached out to the former VP to see how she was faring. She did admit to missing the creative process of All Authors but was not a fan of where things were going and how exhausted she was in taking the wheel for two.

Since my heart was still broken, so was my inspiration.

I gave the rest of the writers the option to produce Pleasure Prints without me. They all took a vote and refused. It would either be all or none.

I still felt bad but I couldn’t force what didn’t exist.

It was the middle of 2018 when I got a spark, based on a conversation I was having with a fellow author, confessing how stuck I was with Convoluted Prism. I remember her telling me there was nothing to stop me from writing about other elements in the CP world—perhaps doing that will give me the mojo to approach CP again.

Hearing that got me back into note taking mode—the preliminary process I go through while developing my stories.

I was working my way back, back to my paradise—the paradise of writing.

It made me think of the Pleasure Prints question, yet there was still no word on Pleasure Prints. The former President and Vice President were doing their own things.

Fall of 2018, rumors sprouted of a conversation—about how much each head missed All Authors. Yet, really All Authors never died, just the previous manifestation of it did.

What if All Authors could function without all of the extra—just an assembly of people putting out transcendent literature?

Finally, at the end of the year, both heads were in agreement. All Authors got new life, and so did I.

I know that it isn’t coincidence that just as soon as there was peace with my publishing family, my creativity would burst forth.

I recognize that I am not a writer who can write against the turbulence in my life. It puts me on pause. When my environment isn’t right, I’m not right. It’s how I’m set up.

I mean no disrespect to my sisters in write, Da’Kharta Rising and Queen of Spades, who have the ability to take pain and put it effortlessly on the page, whether they are personally going through it or not. I’m not able to compartmentalize—add, subtract, multiply, and divide as I see fit.

If I am going through something, I’d rather take my time and deal with that than to dare stain the pages with what could amount to garbage on my end. There’s enough garbage literature out there for me to add to the lot.

It only took me about 2 weeks, maybe less to write “Onus”. If one wants to add my doing extra editing and add-ins, about a month. Yet, I have the same rush of pride in this, as I did with “Seven Days of Stimuli” for Crackles of the Heart.

Despite all of the commotion in the background, each story in Pleasure Prints—definitely worth waiting for. No worries though, we won’t make you wait another four years for the next collection.

I would say “Scout’s Honor”, but I’m not a Scout.

Until next time,

COMING SOON!