A Fantasy Novel

My favorite sights at last year's Renaissance Pleasure Faire were the behind-the-scenes campsites. Many Faire workers live in these tents (maybe only on weekends?), living out a mediaeval fantasy.

I have my own fantasies. One has become a completed novel called Camelot & Vine. It's about Casey Clemens, a minor Hollywood actress who falls through a gap in time, accidentally saves King Arthur's life, lies to him about magical powers she doesn't have and must face death and forgiveness to redeem herself.

I loved the process of writing the book. Now it's time to get it published. I'm not going to post about it every day (how many suits of armor and Avalon Funeral Homes can there be in the Dena, anyway?) but I might ask your indulgence from time to time and of course I'll update you when there's news. Today's post is by way of warning: next Thursday, May 3rd, my blog post will be a contest entry. I'll be posting my query letter (a sales pitch to potential literary agents) and the first 250 words of my novel as part of "The Writer's Voice" contest. There won't be any other explanation, so I hope you'll play along and not just say, "WTF?"

The contest is sponsored by four different book bloggers. Have a look:
Cupid's Literary Connection
Brenda Drake Writes
Love YA
Mother. Write. (Repeat.)
Nose around their fine blogs and see what's what. They've all got a lot going on. Maybe you've got a potential contest entry, too.

So this is a heads up. Next Thursday I'll be my own Guest Author. Feel free to comment and we'll see how it goes. And wish me luck! Some fantasies do become reality.

Not Skywatch Friday

I like this picture, looking west and slightly south from near the Avalon Funeral home at the corner of Orange Grove Blvd. and Los Robles. I thought I'd post it today because it's Friday and a lot of people post pictures of the sky on "Skywatch Friday."

Normally, that would be my reason not to post it today. I appreciate groups, I even hang out with groups, pretending I belong, but I haven't joined many officially. I've never joined a church or a political party. I've tried joining a couple of movements but I lose interest when things get strident, and they always do.

In high school I was a member of a three-person clique. Later I was in a theater company for a while until...I don't remember why I left, something else must have caught my interest.

I don't join because I don't want to commit to someone else's requirements. I want to keep myself free to say "Thanks but no, I'm not actually a member."

I'm in a book group. All the group asks of me is that I broaden my horizons and bring a bottle of wine.

But I'd be lying if I said I'm not an official member of groups (Facebook, Twitter). I can't pretend I'm not adhering to guidelines (City Daily Photo). I can't pretend I'm some kind of rebel (human race).