Hello, authors! Do you ever find yourself writing a scene where your characters are having a steaming cup of coffee and suddenly have a craving for one yourself? Or, what if your characters are sharing a luscious ice cream sundae? Doesn’t that make you want one?
Why is that?
Because Words Have Power!
It is our job as writers to use those words in the best way possible not only to communicate an idea, but emotions and scenes.
The use of gestures and body language predates spoken language. Many researchers believe this form of communicating began at least four million years ago. When we speak today, we still use gestures and body language to supplement our communication. Often, we unconsciously use body language for at least 55% of all communication. I have always said, if you tied my hands, I wouldn’t be able to speak. 🙂
So what does all of that have to do with writing? Simple. By implementing the use of body language along with strong words in writing our stories (especially dialogue) we can tell our readers tons of information about the person speaking. For instance, if someone crosses their arms across their chest, it shows an act of defiance, or taking a defensive stance. Clenched fists, can portray anger. Picking at an imaginary thread on clothing shows restlessness or anxiety. You get the idea.
But I want to talk more about the words themselves. The language we use today still has words that were formulated sixty-five thousand years ago to describe the feelings and emotions that were emerging from the middle brain’s polarity thinking. If we consciously change our language, we can change the course of an entire story or life.
High-energy words accompany high-energy thoughts and vice-versa. So, in choosing words through which to tell our stories, we can set a tone from the get-go. If we are writing a scene where one of the characters is vile, we would want to use power words to get that point across. Maybe he has a permanent sneer on his face or a long scar running down one cheek. Words like deadly, poison, deceiving, death, dark or toxic might convey his demeanor. Of course, to show someone happy, and light-hearted would require opposite words.
And that leads me into the next transition. Words have power so why not choose power words when we are writing?
Power words are are persuasive, descriptive words that trigger a positive or negative emotional response. They can make us feel scared, encouraged, aroused, angry, greedy, safe, or curious. Make sense?
Here are a few examples:
Notice that all of these words are action verbs. Verbs determine when something happens, in the past, present or in the future. They set the tense of your story.
So, the next time you sit down at the keyboard, pay attention to the words you are typing. Are they weak words like felt, thought, saw, walked, etc? Or, are you using power words that pack a punch and get to the heart of the emotion?
I’d love to hear from you. What do you think about using power words in your writing?
Welcome to another segment of our journey through the Elder Futhark Script runes!
Today we take a detailed look into the rune, Hagalaz ((hah-gah-laz).
The runes are actually divided into three sections, with our symbol from last week completing the Freya Aett.
Our symbol this week begins the Hagal’s Aett and basically speaks to unavoidable experiences.
The keywords associated with this rune are: Destruction, chaos, interference, misfortune, or transformation.
While none of that sounds good, I can see a positive aspect from the perspectiive of transformation.
It is said that before change comes great chaos, and is that not true? So, while we don’t always like it, the end result is most always for the better. Think of the Butterfly. 🙂
This rune indicates that we cannot always control our circumstances. Even with all the technology we possess in modern times, Nature can step in at any moment with destructive forces that flatten cities and even countries.
The translation of this symbol is “Hail.” Hailstorms may be brief and localized compared to larger natural disasters, but the balls of ice that pelt the ground can often leave behind destruction, injuring people and animals and destroying entire crops. This certainly would have spelled disaster for any ancient community living off of the land.
Hagalaz signifies these forces of chaos that cannot be controlled. You simply cannot fix this interference. While this may be a frustrating time, know that your course is being corrected for reasons beyond your understanding. (Wow! How I love this. The most recent disaster we’ve all dealt with is COVID. So, we can hope that the course is being corrected and soon!)
If the reading surrounding this rune is generally positive, then the chaos may be on the lower of the spectrum – a temporary interruption. While if the runes close to Hagalaz are negative, then the trouble may be more severe or have longer lasting implications.
Please keep in mind this is NOT a reading. I will get into Rune readings once we finish examining each rune separately.
The birthdates associated with this rune are October 28th – November 13th.
Welcome to another Monday post to help get your week started off on a positive note. I took these words from the meditation I’m sharing with you today. They resonated deeply with me. We owe it to ourselves to live the best life possible, in this body, in this moment.
And now, Part Three of the Self-Love Series. This meditation is SO powerful. It is one I will return to often. Enjoy!
The Tarot Reading for this week is filled with more positive energy! I love all of these cards!
We have two Wands cards this week, and you may remember from our Tarot card series, that wands represent spirituality, inspiration, determination, creativity, ambition and expansion, original thought and the seeds through which life springs forth. I associate the Wands with Springtime. The Page of Wands symbolizes inspiration, discovery or a new idea. He indicates limitless potential. And I believe we ALL have limitless potential if we can learn to access it and trust the process. The King of Wands represents pure fire energy in its masculine form. It is a sign you are stepping into the role of a visionary leader, ready to direct your people towards a common goal (And this could be in a story you are writing). You have a clear vision of where you want to go, and now you are manifesting that vision with the support of those around you. Also, the King of Wands reminds you to lead your life with intent, vision and a long-term view (finish that book!). The final card in this week’s reading brings it all into a perfect balance. The Empress signifies a strong connection with our femininity, which translates in many ways – elegance, sensuality, fertility, creative expression, nurturing – and is necessary for creating balance in both men and women. The Empress calls on you to connect with your feminine energy. Create beauty in your life. Connect with your senses through taste, touch, sound, smell and sight. Draw on these senses to experience pleasure and deep fulfilment. Isn’t that exactly what we, as authors, attempt to do in our writing? A great week ahead with new inspirations, the masculine fire energy to manifest and the feminine energy to balance and soften.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead and invite your comments!
The worlds of Jag Peters and Rena Jett collide when he nearly crashes into her motorcycle in Ghostly Interference by Jan Sikes. When Jag tracks down Rena’s candy apple red Harley at a corner pub so he can apologize to her, he is instantly attracted to the spitfire, dark-hair beauty. They are nothing alike. A computer programmer, Jag avoids risks while Rena is a brash waitress who appears fearless. Nonetheless, it is as though “the Universe had strange ways of bringing two souls together.” After meeting Rena, Jag strangely glimpses a ghostly figure in camouflage military attire at various times. As his relationship develops with Rena, he discovers that beneath her hard facade is a lonely girl with a troubled past and that her brother, Sam, had recently died in combat in Afghanistan. Jag wonders if the ghost is…
It has been a very long time since I devoured an entire series from start to finish, but The Astral Conspiracy Series by D.L. Cross captured me and wouldn’t let go!
While I love reading all different genres, this is my first full-fledged sci-fi and I loved it!
I have to say, I can only begin to imagine the amount of time this author must have spent on research. Either that, or else she has extensive knowledge not only of world geography, but minerals, advanced technology and the ancient alien theory. While this series is a work of fiction, it has a touch of realism and I found myself thinking the “what ifs.”
I also want to add that my little short reviews don’t even begin to do each book justice, especially Book 5, where SO much happened – a flood, recolonization, memory wiped out – just to name a few of the events in that book. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and have a deep appreciation for the amount of work it took to create these five books. My hat is off to you, Ms. Cross (Troilo).
He lost his job. Lost his girl. Now it’s all he can do not to lose his life.
Landon Thorne is a disgraced archaeologist, a laughing stock in his field because of his unconventional beliefs — he’s an ancient astronaut theorist. No one takes him seriously.
Until an alien armada targets Earth.
Now he’s in high demand by the U.S. government. And someone far more sinister.
Mysterious mercenaries, government agents, and Landon vie for the lead in a race across two continents to the Gate of the Gods, the one place on the planet that might give humans an advantage over the Astrals. But no one is prepared for what they’ll find.
MY REVIEW: This is book one of the Astral Conspiracy series and with the riveting ending, I cannot wait to get into book 2! In this book, the protagonist, Landon Thorne, finds himself out of work and out of luck. That is until the Astral App alerts the impending arrival of aliens. Then, it seems everyone needs and wants this professor who has studied and believes in the ancient alien theory. The journey he finds himself on is relentless and filled with danger, as it takes him all the way to South America. If not for the need of his knowledge, his life would be worth nothing. What he discovers when he accesses the Akashic Records will change everything. This story is very fast-paced with plenty of heart-stopping action. The characters are believable, including the motivations for their actions. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is fascinated by the existence of aliens. It is well-written and even though the author gets into several of the character’s POV, she does it with ease and it never feels jarring.
He’s running from Astrals. Running with Black Ops. And running toward the end of the world.
Landon Thorne belongs to an elite group — he’s one of the few people who have ever accessed the Akashic Record. There, he discovers a weapon that could defend the Earth.
The Astrals want to stop him. The government wants to control him. Even his allies are hiding something.
Through it all, he has one purpose. One compulsion. He’s drawn to the Georgia Guidestones.
His journey is fraught with danger — bandits, cannibals, and ancient booby traps — but when Landon finally reaches the Stones, even he is surprised by what he finds. If he can decipher the code, he can save the world.
If he can’t? His discovery may destroy him — along with the rest of the human race.
MY REVIEW:
With the impending arrival of aliens in book one of this series, this is the book where they arrive. There are so many different aspects to this book, including a group of people who have moved underground beneath the university campus in Georgia and who go out daily to try and rescue more people and bring them to the tunnels. The connection is the leader, who is Landon Thorne’s best friend, Gunnar. We met Landon and Gunnar in book one when Gunnar fired Landon. We discover in this book there is an alien who has been held captive since its arrival in Roswell in 1947. This alien has a connection with Landon Thorne and when a breakthrough occurs and they discover they can communicate with the alien through sign language, he asks for Thorne. In the meantime, Thorne is running for his life. In fact, it seems everyone is running for their lives and trying desperately to protect the firestone artifacts stolen from a museum in Peru. In this book we see a devious agent go totally rogue. Nadia is out for one person and that is herself. I won’t leave a spoiler, but there parts of this book that were heartbreaking. Death and destruction are everywhere and Landon Thorne must reach The Stones. What he finds there changes him and everyone around him forever. I can’t wait to dive into Book 3!! I definitely recommend that these books be read in order to get the full effect.
He can’t trust his allies, won’t trust his enemies. Now he fears he shouldn’t even trust himself.
Landon Thorne is convinced the key to defeating the Astrals is in the vault — a repository of ancient artifacts, origins unknown, covered with as-yet undeciphered glyphs. He’s also convinced he’s the one person on the planet destined to translate the markings.
But strange, frightening things happen every time he gets close to the relics.
His allies decide it’s not safe to let him near the vault, so they force him to take a new mission in Astral-controlled territory. They narrowly escape only to be captured by the Nine — the nefarious organization he’s been running from.
Their leader makes him an offer he can’t refuse — study the Dropa Stones for the answers they seek. Or else. To do that, he needs a cipher. And there’s only one place he can get it.
Getting in will be difficult enough. Getting out may prove impossible.
MY REVIEW:
Book 3 of the Astral Conspiracy series builds from book 2 with the characters finding themselves in even more complicated and deadly situations. One thing that strikes me as I read this series is the hundreds of hours this author must have spent doing research on everything from the Rainbow Mountains in Iceland to Arizona, to how a mind would integrate into becoming nothing more than data in a computer bank. Another aspect of this book that intrigued me is the idea of connective minds, as the professor and others experienced in the presence of the vault they dug up in book 2. The author takes the reader from character to character and scene to scene throughout the book, at break-neck speed. From Air Force Major Bristol to the bumbling, but lovable professor, Landon Thorne, each is entangled and embroiled in a fight for their lives and the life of planet Earth. The aliens arrived in book two. In book three, we see more insight into their arrival, their purpose, and their motivation. The revelation of the true meaning of The Nine was not what I expected and I loved the twist. From horrendous bugs that destroy everything and everyone in their paths to alien clones, the author shows every aspect in full living color. Add the three-dimensional characters and you have a riveting Sci-Fi read!
They took the world’s best hope. Took the father of her children. Now she’ll take revenge.
Landon Thorne was abducted by the Astrals. If there were still newspapers, that definitely would have been a front-page headline. But Reverie Sterling doesn’t have time to dwell on his absence. She has twins to raise in this dystopian world.
Twins with psychic powers.
She was trained to rise to any challenge, so that’s what she does. Vowing revenge against the Astrals, she partners with an unlikely ally — the Nine, the mysterious organization that’s been thwarting the Resistance since Astral Day.
The tenuous alliance converges on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Or rather, what’s left of it. There they wage a war against local zealots and Astral warriors. For some, it’s the last stand.
Reverie thinks she’s protecting her children. Too late, she realizes the twins have more power than anyone — and she’s the one who needs protecting.
MY REVIEW: Book 4 in the Astral Conspiracy Series takes place seven years after the third book. It’s obvious the Astrals are not leaving Earth anytime soon. The Titans and Reptars still roam the countryside killing anyone in their path. The group that fled to the underground tunnels at a University in Ohio when the aliens arrived, now have children among them. Reverie has twins. The father is Professor Landon Thorne, who has been missing for seven years, reportedly captured by a spaceship. Bristol has a daughter. But the twins are the focus of this book. They are not ordinary children by any stretch of the imagination. The way this book unfolds is heart-stopping at times. The author did such a great job of showing the different personalities of the twins, Asha and Vonn. What happens after Landon finally returns is non-stop action from start to finish. I give this segment of the series a solid four stars. I do highly recommend reading this series in order. A well-written science fiction story with a touch of realism.
Time is running out for the planet, and Reverie Sterling — one of the leaders of the Resistance — feels each tick of the clock. Her twins insist on traveling to Illinois to find Jovian, their paternal grandfather, who’s been communicating with them telepathically. He swears he has all the answers they’ve been searching for.
He does, but they come at a cost. A steep cost.
Now Reverie and the Resistance must make their last stand. The Astrals have judged humanity and found it lacking. Annihilation is imminent unless Jovian can deliver on his promise.
Earth’s best chance is deep in his laboratory under Monks Mound.
And the old man has one last surprise that no one is expecting.
MY REVIEW:
This is the final book in the Astral Conspiracy series and the way the author wrapped up the story was satisfying. In this book, the children we met in book 4 are instrumental in helping save the others. Their ability to communicate through thoughts is a valuable tool. Professor Landon Thorne gets to meet his father at long last. But it is no happy family reunion. The man is a monster. How the book plays out and ends is sad at times, with so much death, but also keeps the entire theme of the series front and center. One of my favorite characters is a Separated, Nixon Beck, and he plays a big part in this book. I highly recommend this entire series to anyone who loves a good story filled with action, memorable characters, and believable science fiction!
I gave this entire series a solid Four Stars.
I’ve attached purchase links to each book title and to the box set.
About the Author:
I grew up in Western Pennsylvania writing stories and poetry in my free time, so no one was surprised when I became a writing major in college. After receiving creative and professional writing degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, I went on to get my Master’s Degree in Professional Writing, and I worked in corporate communications until I had my children. Now I’m a freelance writer and editor and spend many of my days happily immersed in fictional worlds.
Bonus! Ten (Little Known?) Facts About Me
In addition to being an award-winning author, I’m an award-winning recipe developer. I think I got that skill from my grandmother. We both love cooking and baking, especially for family.
When I had my wisdom teeth removed, the surgeon insisted I’d feel like my cheeks were sewn to my gums but assured me they wouldn’t be and the feeling would pass. My parents grew increasingly frustrated with me over the week I was recovering because I couldn’t open my mouth. They thought I was “being overly dramatic” and I should just deal with the pain and use my mouth. Guess what… my cheeks were in fact sewn to my gums. It’s unheard of, but if it could happen to anyone, it would happen to me.
Speaking of teeth…I’ve never had a cavity. Ever. Baby teeth or permanent teeth.
I adore my pets. I know; most pet owners do. But it might interest you to know I never had a pet until we got first Casey, then Max, and finally Lucky. I had a pet-free childhood. Not even a goldfish.
I can still do a split. Enough said.
I play the clarinet, although I’m pretty rusty right now. (Use it or lose it, and I haven’t been using it lately.)
I taught myself how to type. You can’t really be a writer hunting-and-pecking the keys.
While most of my work is inspired by my Italian heritage, I’m also part Irish, Scottish, German, and Swedish. (All from Dad’s side. Mom is full-blooded Italian.) I’m working on integrating more of my dad’s side into my work. (My serial Laci and Del series focuses on the Irish heritage, but I haven’t explored those roots too much yet.)
I could spell “Valentine” by the time I was three.
The first time I earned four-figures from freelancing, it was actually a ghost-writing job, so my name isn’t even on the project.
If I had to pick a favorite rune, I think this would be it. It is the rune I chose to use in my White Rune Series and is introduced in “Ghostly Interference.”
The keywords associated with this rune are: Joy, Pleasure, Happiness, Happy Relationships, Well-being, Success, and a Happily-Ever-After.
This is a very positive rune, indicating all manner of happiness and well-being. When this rune shows up in a reading, it indicates situations that have been difficult are resolved and optimism is renewed. It may be that a surprise development comes into your life which changes everything for the better. That certainly was the case in “Ghostly Interference.”
It can indicate that the Wheel of Karma has turned in your favor and you are about to come into yourself in some way. In one’s work, especially of an artistic or creative nature, it can represent the joy you get from your work.
As the rune of joy, Wunjo is associated with happy relationships. You are truly able to enjoy the company of others.
Overall, it is a super positive rune depicting joy, happiness and success.
See why I can say it’s my favorite?
The birthdates associated with this rune are October 13 – October 28.
Welcome to another Monday, and another opportunity to begin your week on a positive vibration.
Continuing with Part 2 of the Self-Love Meditation series, today’s focus is on gratitude. Enjoy!
And now on to our Tarot Reading for the week.
The Six of Cups is one of my favorite feel-good cards. The cups are overflowing with flowers and sharing one with someone else is such a wonderful thing to do. It reflects innocence of childhood and joy. It can also represent revisiting someone from your childhood. I just see it is a benevolent card. The Nine of Pentacles is a gorgeous card and exudes abundance, self-sufficiency and financial independence. It can represent a reward for hard work. While the suit of Pentacles typically focuses on material wealth and gain, this card also suggests that you are in harmony with the environment around you. You appreciate the beauty and abundance found in nature, and you can harness this high-vibe energy to bring pleasure into your life. You may enjoy gardening or floristry, or you may just like to pass your time in the beauty of nature with picnics or walks in the park. The Strength card is pretty self-explanatory. It represents strength, determination, and power. But it speaks to an inner strength, not an outer. You are fueled by your inner strength, personal power, strong will and determination. You can control a situation without excessive, outward force. No one knows it’s you calling the shots. It looks to be a powerful week ahead, incorporating benevolence and sharing, having gratitude for your abundance of blessings in life and strength to do whatever needs doing.
Welcome to another segment of our journey through The Runes! As a reminder, we are using the Elder Futhark Script as our guide.
Today’s rune is Gebo (gay-boo). It is also known as Gifu (gee-foo).
This is a rune I often see in the sky through cloud formations, so I’m excited to learn more about it.
The keywords are: Gift, hospitality, or generosity.
Primarily this rune signifies an exchange between people that necessarily results in a connection between the giver and the receiver. It may be material in nature, or something intangible, such as emotional support.
In centuries past, when contracts were signed by people who couldn’t read or write, they made an “x” mark to signify their agreement to the transaction. This concept of agreement between the two parties are the core part of Gebo’s meaning. If you are the recipient of a gift, you choose to either accept or decline it.
This rune may be advising you to accept wholeheartedly with gratitude, or to be wary of the motivations behind the gift. Alternatively, you may be asked to consider your own giving – are you reciprocating sufficiently to honor what you’ve received? Are you giving away too much to too many, or the wrong people?
A related interpretation for Gebo is success and harmony in partnerships. All relationships, whether personal or professional involve reciprocity to some degree. This rune can indicate that a relationship in your life is blessed with good fortune. With business partners or coworkers, this may mean that a synergy between you leads to productive, enjoyable work. In romance, you may experience a deepening of commitment and passion with your partner.
Just be sure, in all relationships, to pay attention to balance and harmony. Show compassion to people in your life, and be able to forgive (another aspect of giving) when forgiveness is needed.
Often this rune will appear in a reading when there is about to be relief from your troubles, and it usually betokens a time of peace and contentment in your life.
The birthdates related to this rune are September 28 – October 13.
Thank you for joining me. I hope you enjoyed this rune post!
Welcome to another Monday post designed to help start your week out on a positive note. I’ve added Sue Vincent’s beautiful book, Midnight Haiku – A Year in Contemplation, to my collection of physical books and it is filled with beauty, wisdom and thought-provoking poetry. In honor of the full moon’s aspect we are still under, here’s one from that book.
Our meditation is part one of a three-part series. Today’s segment stays with the vibration of the full moon – a time for letting go. Enjoy!
The Tarot cards for this week have such a powerful message that can apply to each of us.
The King of Cups personifies a person who is mentally stable. He/she is emotionally balanced, compassionate and diplomatic. Keep in mind, this can be either male or female. It’s more about the solid vibration of the card than gender. The Five of Wands symbolizes possible conflict, disagreements, tension or diversity. It can also represent a change. Notice how the five men on the card are only brandishing their weapons, but not actually striking anyone. Also keep in mind that conflict or disagreements can bring productive solutions as we listen to another person’s point of view. The final card shows such a beautiful solution to the middle card with a different perspective, pause, surrender or letting go. Interesting that the letting go card is fitting to the meditation. Such a beautiful life lesson is depicted in these three cards. If we approach life from an emotionally balanced place, no conflict will shake us but instead will give us a different perspective or the opportunity to let go.
