Oysters worry a lot

Jun 10, 2022 5:21 pm

Novels and other nacreous creations

OCEAN is an acronym describing the five basic personality traits that researchers use to categorize people. The last N is neuroticism, which gets a bad rap, although it's a fantastic survival trait. I'm pretty neroutic in that I'm often catastrophizing, coming up with plans for future scenarios that may not exist. Yes, I do have a zombie contingency plan.

Oceans are also where oysters live. Do you know how and why oysters make pearls? If a bit of stone or grit gets into the oyster's shell, the oyster will start to coat it with the same stuff that's on the inside of its shell. They do this to protect themselves from the irritant. Pearls are beautiful, but they're basically an artifact of an oyster's natural inclination to protect itself.

Artistic creations, including writing, feel like that too. My brain likes to worry at things, like a dog chewing its own leg when it's bored. It's pretty annoying, actually. Fiction gives it something to worry on, like a rope chew toy for my brain. Instead of worrying about conversations I had decades ago wondering if I really did sound like an idiot, I can worry about how Aaliyah is going to survive the plane crash and wildfire I'm going to throw at her. The novels are also an artifact of a thing I've created to keep my brain from irritating me.

You know another way my novels are like pearls? They make great gifts, especially if you buy a whole string of them and give them to someone with good taste. All my novels are avaliable in ebook and paperback form, even Animal Magic (which has title illustrations done by yours truly.)

I'm still working on KM11 (no working title yet). I'm at around 30K words so I have a ways to go.

Midlife Magic Magnolia

A family curse has an expiration on Alex's head, so of course she's going to inherit a vast estate not long before she's due to check out. Because fate's a witch. But so is Alex. If only she knew ... (Free)

Trimarked

In a town trapped within the Veil, humans, Fae, and Witches are forced to coexist. Through a fragile peace, they all agree on one thing: The Trimarked Child is dangerous. Ember's forbidden powers have defied the bonds placed on her, and she must keep them secret to survive. (Amazon, B&N)

Obsession

I hate everything about the Vampire King. So why did I let him have a taste? The shifters protect me because they own me. Which means, I have to follow their rules. If anyone finds out what I did, I’m screwed, but the king isn’t going to let me forget. (Amazon)

Vexed by Vampires

When I finally got around to dating after my jackhole of a husband walked out on my fortieth birthday, I went on a date with a vampire and ended up fighting for my life. Now I see magic—and danger—everywhere I look, and somehow I’m the one responsible for keeping everyone safe. (Wide)