Samhain Publishing

Why is it that we have a tendency to contemplate our life, past and future, when birthdays arrive?

I had a birthday this week. A friend of mine sent me my horoscope with all the transits and planetary alignments for the next several months. The horoscope report starts out by telling me that I am in a period of momentous change. If, I make the right decisions when the precise moment arrives…or if I don’t make the right decisions.

I’m a fan of change. I’m also a fan of sitting back relaxing and doing nothing but read a dozen books. (What can I say, I want it all.) I want excitement and new horizons.

When I was in college I remember going with five other girls to the gulf coast. We spent a week sailing and just hanging out. I have this vivid memory of sailing with dolphins swimming in the front of the boat, so close you could hear them breath. We took turns reading aloud the Story of O. We got lost in the fog returning to the shore. It was this amazing day that went from joy to fear and back again.

I have always loved sailing. It’s a symbol for how I approach my life choices. And coincidentally, for the way I tend to write a story. I know where I am starting out from and who’s who. I know what direction I want to go. My imaginary boat has sails, a motor and a cooler for the wine, chocolate and a light lunch tucked away. At the helm is a captain with decades of experience. When a steady breeze comes along the sails are ready to ride the wind. And if a breeze doesn’t come along for while, we can start the motor, go home and start out again the next day.

Hitching a ride from nature is exhilarating. Instead of facing life head on, you are allowed to steer. I like the idea of having some choice in where change takes me. It’s a lot like charting the journey of your characters in your next book, only you don’t have a full bladder at the end and can’t see the peir. just saying

The horizon is blush with the day to come. I wonder what is out there beyond the rising sun? I’ve got to go and see about hiring a sail boat.

Have a great day!

Rhianna Samuels
WWW.Rhiannasamuels.com

I moved a couple of weeks ago into a quiet condo community. It’s not a high rise type you find in the big cities, or even the ones that are resort-like. Many of my neighbors are elder and I’ve never seen so many small lap dogs in one area. My little piece of home is two bedrooms, two baths with a view of the small man-made lake with a waterfall. The windows in my bedrooms face the water and every morning I open my shades and leave them that way all day long, whether I am around or not.

For a while, it’s been going slow with my writing. The voices in my head strangely quiet. No, I’m not dealing with some psychological problems or on meds. It’s the characters speaking to me, telling the writer what is coming up next. When the hero or heroine share their journey and I stop reading and watching TV to write it all down, that’s magic to me. Apparently, they got my change of address, because the itch to stop unpacking boxes and write started almost immediately.

I shoved all the unpacked boxes and barrels to the sides of the garage to make room for my car. The neighbors own vehicles with the big L(exus) stamped on the back and I feel the need to hide the ford focus in such company. My new couch arrives on Saturday, so I can sit comfortably discussing plot points with major and minor characters I’ve come to enjoy. I hope you will to when they jump from the pages of my next book.

It’s not so much that I’m caught up in the every day things, more like running to catch up to my life. Even in my economy car, some days it’s a sweet ride.

Rhianna Samuels

I won’t enumerate all the economic games and political tap dancing now taking place, but I know that most of us at the end of the proverbial food chain are feeling the impact. Instead of the recent elected doing the line dance with our hard earned money, I like to watch Dancing with the Stars or let great actors investigate lying faces. Yes, I’m part of that great majority that has turned to movies and reading to take me away.

My day job is furiously busy, and during my lunch I take a pad and paper with me and can usually write a couple of pages in between bites of food. It’s my way of escaping into a stress free environment. I’ve noticed the last couple of months that an enormous amount of people are bringing books into read during lunch time.
People are actively looking for someway to separate themselves from the crush of reality and we as writers can lead them by the hand to passion, romance and vibrant characters. When I open the page of a book I want to be taken out of my reality and sucked into the word in which the characters live. I read and write romance. I speak romance as a second language or rather romance speaks to me. It murmurs and soothes my soul, it calls like a siren.

I’m going to the home coming party for romance book readers and writers in April. I wish I could gather all my friends and bring them along to the Romantic Times convention because they’d have a blast. For those five days we celebrate romance with everyone. The readers, the writers and the book sellers have a chance to come together and dance to the beat of passions beating heart. I wish it were less expensive, especially with the economy as it is, but I would hate to see one minute of that time cut away. I know that as an author I enjoy the panels and the networking. I was a reader long before I was a writer and as a reader those same things fill me with excitement. I get to be a fan girl as panelist talk about how they work through their stories and the process of bringing a story together.

When you escape into your book tonight, forget about the stress of reality and enjoy the journey to love.

Rhianna Samuels
Shaking Off the Dust

Starting on January 1, 2008, when Shaking off the Dust was published in E-book version, I’ve been living a duel life. The somewhat jaded, anything for a joke kinda gal, has been channeling Rhianna Samuels, a naive first time author. The former has not been naïve in a couple decades, but the writer got to see the publishing world and written word from newly opened eyes.

Lovely things have happened this year for the author. Perhaps the biggest gift was to be part of Samhain and working with my wonderful editor. I have blessed their names many times. This year ends with many thanks to everyone who has made my journey a little easier and with unexpected surprises.

I know that we are supposed to make resolutions; things about ourselves that we want to improve and start those changes at the beginning of the year. I like to think of myself as one of those progressive thinkers, who has a take charge attitude. Heck, I read the Secret. Well, actually my mom bought it for me and I skimmed through it, but that counts as reading for some reviewers. (It was a very short book, so skimming did give me a working knowledge of the concepts put forth.) Positive affirmation and putting out into the universe what we specifically need and want can bring it to us, like a magnet. Here goes;

My loved ones healthy and happy.

A better economy, a fat check for my tax return and my 403 retirement fund to quadruple in size.

A transporter, like on Star Trek that would scramble my atoms and land me back with my twenty- six year old body, but my current life and memories intact.

A rich, handsome, well endowed man (of wit, intelligence and sexual prowess), who adores me but will leave me alone when I ask. I’ll consider supernaturals.

(Same as above, it can’t hurt to have two.)

A symbiotic relationship with my dictation program, so it will understand every word I say and allow me to finish all six of my current WIPs without a meltdown.

Attend the RT convention this year.

Get a great review from Publishers Weekly.

One of my books optioned for a major movie.

Be on Oprah Winfrey as a romance author.

More time for writing.

This list could go on for a while. I’ll stop here and keep the really crazy stuff for my private list.

Rhianna Samuels
Shaking Off the Dust
Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Nomination
Small Press: Contemporary Paranormal/Futuristic
CAPA Nomination Erotic Paranormal Romance
NOR nomination in Paranormal Romance and Romantic Suspense

1. She will always know the innermost workings of her cabinet, DH and any visiting foreign dignitaries.

2. She will be able to put words in the mouths of the news reporters, instead of the other way around.

3. She will be a wolf in Ralph Lauren faux sheep lined clothing.

4. She feels strongly about environmental issues and often take private runs with her close family and friends.

5. She will increase taxes on the top five percent of the immortal beings that have managed to put the whammy on officials and will now pay their fair share.

6. She will promote integration of human and supernatural beings in our school systems and offer more diversity and night classes.

7. The world will see a true non political marriage. Woman everywhere will envy the obvious devotion she shares with her husband.

8. Offering affordable heath care and stabilizing the economy will require introducing innovative changes and perhaps a mage with a spell or three. It will require magical thinking.

9. The good old boy attitude and individual agenda of the political machines of the last fifty years will be challenged by new blood, who are used to a death challenges.

10. New Supreme Court judges will be appointed for limited terms of twelve years. The new appointee will include supernatural’s that have a minimum five hundred years of experience, to help incorporate the long view on today’s’ issues.

The election is around the corner. Vote your choice.

Rhianna Samuels
Shaking Off the Dust Print release November 25, 2008
Nominated for 2008 Fall N.O.R
Reader Choice Awards
for Best Romance Book in Paranormal Romance
and Romantic Suspense

www.rhiannasamuels.com

~The Samhain motto is “It’s all about the story.” And the reason I became a writer is to put to words what is in my imagination. Though, I am a part time writer, it would seem that what I do is in service to the stories in my head. It is all about the story and getting it out of my head and into yours.

~I often think my muse is a demanding Princess, who does not realize I have a day job and family to fit into each day. Some days she likes to try on every outfit she’s ever considered. I am not a slave to my writing, but as a loyal servant to my muse, I will bow to its power over my life. There are times I can only parcel out bits and pieces of time, but when I am with my muse, I am loyal and in the service of the story.

~I am discovering that a story will sometimes refuse to be rushed. It will come at its own pace, and if it is worth the effort, you allow it that time. I tend to write a more complicated tale. I like how love builds on moments, and life – or fate – gets in the way. I enjoy the intimacy of the hero(s) and heroine learning about each other, but I adore it when it is part of a grander plot.

~Ideas seem to creep into my head when I’m driving. Knowledge tucked in my subconscious will suddenly emerge telling me why a character is the way they are, what they are capable of doing in service to the plot, or the name of their third cousin. It’s all good

~How often have you wondered which permutation of an idea will be best, when it seems possible for endless variation. Once the seed is planted, you must deal with what grows. The seed of an idea must be planted with great care though …and fertilized. And that, my friend, is not a load of crap.

Rhianna Samuels
www.Rhiannasamuels.com
Shaking Off the Dust
Print release November 25, 2008

Have you every noticed that when the planets align it’s the basis for books, movies and television episodes. Wondrous things happen. Good luck abounds and you meet your lasting love, inherit millions of dollars or win the lottery. How do you get to be one of the lucky ones?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m blessed in many ways. I have family who love me, even when I’m a pain in the butt. My day job is fulfilling and my health is good, despite the usual aches and pains with an occasional worrisome ailment showing up. I am grossly intact – normal – that’s a descriptive term we use at work. When the planets align, I’m pulling clothes from the dryer, or trying to get six hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Like all of the other writers out there, the book(s) we were privileged to have published took many meticulous hours of concentration, staring blindly into a computer while images or words grew into sentences and spilled from our fingertips. It was time we spent away from family, friends and other diversions. At some point it may have included frustrated howls or tears. It doesn’t just suddenly appeared under your pillow one morning. (If anyone knows how to make that happen, please contact me.)

I don’t want to disqualify luck from the equation completely. I mean, here I am working to Feng Shui my place and starting to wear power crystals. I’m all for easy and ready to get on board the good luck train. Could somebody give me directions to the right platform?

It’s not that I think of myself as unlucky. I just never had something amazing fall into my lap. The successes have been the results of putting in the time and energy towards a particular goal. I want to spank the people who tell me they didn’t work hard for what they received.

If you are not one of the chosen few in life who were born with a silver spoon and a doting rich father or a horoscope that has the planets aligned, I can offer a suggestion. I find that the best substitution for luck is perseverance. The secondary effect is that positive energy flows out into the universe when we believe in what we are doing enough to keep going. Despite rejection, critics and the increase in postal rates the fortunate ones didn’t give up. We are the few, the blessed, the persistent who got lucky.

Are you feeling lucky?

Rhianna Samuels
www.rhiannasamuels.com
www.shakingoffthedust.net

As a reader, I was always frustrated that I had to wait nearly a year in between books by my favorite authors, especially those writing series. As an author, I understand that writing takes time. Finding those moments is an art form, for I must carve them out of my life. Whether it’s with a putty knife or a jack hammer, it is part of the craft of writing. How many times has someone come to you and told you they have great ideas for books, as if that were all you needed?

Every one who has spent innumerable hours searching for the perfect way to express a thought or vision, knows that the idea is the seed. In order for it to become a satisfying reading experience it takes time to grow into a plot, characters, word pictures on a page, revised and rewritten. In the midst of building our written worlds, reality intrudes.

But our process in how and when we write is individual. Yes, I freely admit that I am envious of those authors that are able to write full time. I tell myself it’s only three best sellers away. You may laugh…Okay, stop rolling on the floor in amusement. Being able to write full time is that secret wish in my heart, that and having a secretary to take my dictation and type for me. Yea, I know I’m pushing on the last one.

Everyone gives advice on how to set your schedules so that you can do it all. You only have to give up sleep or interacting with live human beings. It’s like dieting, there’s always a new book on how to do it fast and simple. Surprisingly, at some point in the book they mention cutting back on your food intake and exercising. As a writer even I could write a book with that plot. As a yo yo dieter, I have been thin and fat and prefer thin. Yet, here I am not thin. If the loosing weight was important to me, I would be thin.

I write, because it is important to me. I find time to write. I could tell you that it is because I have no choice, the muses are hammering in my head forcing me to hunch over the dim glow of my laptop, but I’d be lying. I enjoy making the vision in my head come to life on a page. I may only write one or two books a year, but I’d like to believe they are long, satisfying novels that will take the reader out of their own lives and into the story until the very last word. By the time I finish, my characters are like old friends that I’ve lived with for years. I know their secrets and their dreams. And hopefully so does the reader.

So, I ask you, the writers and readers, how do you carve out the time to do what it important to you?

Rhianna Samuels
http://Rhiannasamuels.com
Shaking Off the Dust
“Where laughter is bright
and Love incandescent”

Well, here it is the end of 2007 and I’m thinking it was a grand year for me. I contracted my first book and started blogging, a new website, my space and face book. I’ve had more opportunities to put myself out there than ever in my life.

Trouble is that I don’t want to put myself out there as much as I want to put my novel out there. I am not that interesting. I lead an ordinary life with a butt kicking job, mostly my butt. I love my family and enjoy my friends. I write, I read and live vicariously through my characters. I am content in many ways. I consider myself funny as hell, but then we should be allowed to have delusions of adequacy. (Leave me mine.)

The blog, webpage, my space and face book are for you to discover my novel…my writing. The expression of my world view found its way into the mouths of my characters. The story is an international adventure seen from the perspective of someone who thinks she understands her world. She clings to her comfort zone, controlling the small things around her. In the first paragraph the description of the tree misshapen from a tornado is a metaphor for her life. Her world expands in an ever widening circle, while the relationships with the two heroes’ binds her emotionally tighter to romance, friendship and love.

Some people will be put off that it is a ghost story. I can guarantee that you will find my take on ghost and their rules of their existence are different from Ghost Whisperer or other movies, books and shows. But, then it’s all about the story, isn’t it? I like to think this one is a fun and exciting journey and well worth your time.

Begin the New Year by
Shaking Off the Dust

I love the holidays. The food and decorations are part of it, but for me it’s my family gathering together. My father wasn’t in the military, but his job and promotions moved us across the country many times. With five brothers and sisters, family was home, not a town.

For a number of years it seemed that every time we moved, one of my siblings stayed behind. We all took different roads, but during the holidays we travel to be together. It’s chaos, with air mattresses and bodies lining the floors at night, but it’s a blast.

In the evenings my sister-in-law bakes cookies or chex-mix and cut throat Scrabble begins. We all consider ourselves the wit of the family, so it’s a contest of one liners, as we chose our words carefully on the board. My younger brother is one of those guys, who likes silence while he thinks. His turn is when everyone starts munching loudly on the chex-mix, or my sister and I discus politics. My older brother didn’t visit for the holidays until the last few years. He came to the table with the sure knowledge he’d whip our ass in word play. He’s learned humility.

The baker of cookies is one of the loveliest women I know. I mean that both figuratively and literally, she’s beautiful and the best thing that every happened to my brother. She is also a formidable scrabble player. Two years ago, I drank too much wine and called her a Bi***. I no longer drink while we play. (I still feel guilty. She’s that nice.)

We become so competitive that the bathroom reading material is the Scrabble dictionary. The kids on the play station in the other room slowly drift in following the laughter and pull up a chair to watch. We’re always our funniest when we sit down at this game. I love the holidays. I adore being with my family.

Holidays are the only time I play scrabble.
What about you, is there something you only do at holidays because it’s part of a family tradition?

Rhianna Samuels
“Let you laughter be bright and your love incandescent”
“Shaking Off The Dust”/ Jan 1, 2008
Rhiannasamuels.com
http://samhainpublishing.com/coming/shaking-off-the-dust