The ship be quiet…most of the pirates be off dickerin’ in the real world… Wrappin’ gifts, welcomin’ family…runnin’ and hidin’ from family… I’m thinkin’ might be nice ta stay all snuggled up wit’ me kraken collection…

But the ship, she still be here, bobbin’ on the gentle swells. The decorations still be sparkling, the tinsel hangin’ from the lines, the empty rum bottles tinklin’ as they roll inta each other. Aye, the Revenge bash was one fer the record books.

Sin? Well, she sinned. Repeatedly.

The Bo’sun nearly swallowed her whistle, laughing with Hellion as Jack and Hector tried to play the romance cover model and had a pose off.  (The pictures have been burnt to protect the innocent.)

Marn and Hal brought their young’uns, though put them ta bed early on ta enjoy the debauchery without hindrance. Who knew the kraken could be such a good kid sitter?

Scape, bein’ new ta the ship, brought cookies, which just inspired fightin’ over who got ta eat them. Next time she’ll know that a dozen dozen ain’t enough… We forgave her and the Assassin took over distrubutin’ the goodies. Which meant she got ‘em all.

Bitch.

Now, me? I stayed behind me bar, watchin’ the frivolity and usin’ me hidden camera now and then. (Ah, these pics may be useful in 2012!) I been feelin’ a bit overwhelmed with the year a’ 2011. So much good stuff, so much so-so stuff… Bein’ a published author ain’t fer sissies!

I arranged me pirate booty on the bar and let them sparkle fer me.

I want ta wish me pirate sister’s the brightest a’ 2012… I walked inta last year full a confidence and conviction and I’m workin’ the same mojo fer 2012.

I talked ta Pirate Santa as we shared some Kraken Rum, ‘bout me wishes fer the crew this year…

Fer Hellion – I wish yer heart’s ease, many more merry moments wit’ yer Da, and Deerhunter.

Fer the Bo’sun – I wish a Golden Heart and agent! You, go, girl!

Fer Sin! I wish a glittery ice pick, all bedazzled with real rubies and diamonds!

Fer Marn – Let’s see ya in print this year! The boys stay healthy and always in love wit’ pirates!

Fer Hal – Nothin’ but good news and health!

Fer Scape – Yer special girl, and ya got ta believe in yerself. Fer ya, I wish a year a’ believin’ and trustin’ in yer voice.

Fer the Assassin – I’m hopin’ ta see all those wild stories I hear ya been hoardin’ in print!

J. Perry, Santa, and Lisa…the pirates who been landbound too long, hope ta see ya climb aboard a bit more this year! Yer missed!

Me? I want ta set the world on fire! Oh, and be selected fer that reality show fer writers…

May the kraken be wit’ ya all! Save travels taday and all the weekend!

If’n there by any question fer taday…what would ya ask Pirate Santa ta give yer mates?

I’m getting toward the end of my revisions on a novel I’ve been working on for over two years. I’m exhausted with this project, and frankly, am sick of revisions. And like the whispers of a kid wanting me to come out and play, I hear the rumblings of a new story.

She’s a cop from a city on the East Coast. She’s running from something. I’m not sure yet. But she started driving, and she drove until her car broke down, which happened in some dinky little spot-on-the-map town.

He runs a sports tournament/camp type thing. He’s the son of a small town doctor, with two brothers. One’s a doctor too, the other is a fancy-schmancy lawyer. The reminder he’s not “living up to his potential” is constant.

Somehow they hook up. I think she needs a job and he gives her one. And then maybe her past catches up.  I have a feeling it’ll get dark because that’s what happens to most of my stuff. Maybe it was a serial killer she was chasing that drove her to run.

I love this stage. I love all the “maybes” that are floating around in my  head. I’m trying to capture all the emotions, and seize all the fragments I’m seeing. And every idea I get leads to new ideas.

When I was reading Jenny Crusie’s blogs about making collages, it seemed she bought most of her items/pictures for her collages during this stage. She looked for items that represented an emotion, or pictures that evoked a tone, while the story developed in her mind.

I tend to free write during this stage, to develop the ideas and emotions I’m seeing. I’ve heard other people draw pictures, and others start making outlines.

Do you do anything creative to capture ideas in the new-story-idea phase? Do you focus more on the characters, the emotions, the tone, etc? What do you love about this stage? Anybody have any ideas for the scenario above?

I’m in a training session all day today, but I’ll respond as often as I can!

*Bo’sun taps a music stand with her whistle* Since it’s the week of Christmas, we’re pulling out our favorite blogs of Christmas past. This is probably my favorite parody so once again, to the tune of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, everyone look lively and sing out.

Drink up ye scurvy pirate crew

Let no rum go to waste

Remember, Chance, our bartender

Will mix your drink to taste

So every wench gets what she wants

And we all stay shit-faced

O tidings of nookie and rum

Nookie and rum

O tidings of nookie and rum

Marn: Hal can’t really get shit-faced, so I’m going to have her share.

Bo’sun: Have at it, Marn. You’re doing it for the children.

Hal: Thanks, guys. Y’all are making me weepy.

In Port Royal and Tortuga

The streets are filled with cheer

Come join the fun and raise a glass

Careful, don’t spill your beer

It’s Christmas time, drink up the wine

Get drunk and flash your….arse

O tidings of nookie and rum

Nookie and rum

O tidings of nookie and rum

Sin: The last thing we need is to encourage arse flashing on this ship.

Bo’sun: That encouragement was for the Hotties.

Sin: Oh, I’m good then.

Hellie wants her Captain Jack

And Sin wants new ice picks

Hal just wants to GET IT OUT!

And Marn wants plotting tricks

DRD wants more Hotties

With great big thick wallets

O tidings of nookie and rum

Nookie and rum

O tidings of nookie and rum

Donna: How did you know?!

Bo’sun: You told me.

Donna: Oh yeah, I did. Fingers crossed!

Chance: What about me?!

Bo’sun: You got a contract, you’re done until 2012.

I hope you like my pirate tune

I wrote it just for you

There is one thing I’m wishing for

A whistle that is new

And if there’s room in Santa’s sack

Please bring Keith Urban too

O tidings of nookie and rum

Nookie and rum

O tidings of nookie and rum

Hellie: Nicole isn’t going to like that.

Bo’sun: She’s on location, she’ll never know.

Chance: I still can’t believe I don’t get anything.

Bo’sun: Suck it up, butterbean. I’ll buy you a drink in New York.

We have two extra pirates

We did not have before

One is an Assassin

A killer we adore

The other is a cute Scapegoat

We make do all the chores

O tidings of nookie and rum

Nookie and rum

O tidings of nookie and rum

The pirates on this vessel

Are bitchy and uncouth

They drink too much and sleep too much

And some are even loose

But even we can smile and say

Happy holidays to youtz

Oh, tidings of nookie and rum

Nookie and rum

Oh tidings of nookie and rummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Whole crew: HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

Other than Hal no longer being preggers and Chance and I never making it to New York, this seems to hold up. And so does the question. Tell us what one gift you’re expecting on Christmas morn. What did you ask for that someone had better get you if they want to live? And thanks for hanging with us for another year. Drinks all around!!!

Whoohoo! Today the new Sherlock Holmes opens and I’m so looking forward to this second movie. Hoping for lots of explosions, smart-ass comments, some fisticuffs…and phenomenal costumes. And music.

Now, I do think of Sherlock Holmes as an archetype. The second fictional consulting detective. (Yes, the second…the first was written by Edgar Allen Poe. But Arthur Conan Doyle caught fire with Holmes.) Homes, the man who has no use for women, understands body language like no one else, reads clues and extrapolates details that seem invisible to the normal eye, until explained. Well-mannered when needed, rude when not. (House really is remarkably like him, but with much less charm IMHO.)

There have been how many cinematic adaptations of the character? Wikipedia lists 75 actors having played the character in 211 films. And I bet that is out of date. I have to agree with Wiki that Jeremy Brett played the best of any I’ve ever seen. The most true to the books and Gods, that man can act. I even liked the two different actors who played his Watson.

I can’t tell you how many novels/short stories I’ve read. All the original Doyle’s and probably several dozen written by others. From putting Holmes in space to modern settings…writers love to toy with this character.

So do actors. Robert Downey, Jr. and Guy Ritchie are doing something bizarre and captivating…and borrowing heavily from suppositions about Holmes. And darn it, the movies are just plain old fun!

Archetypes…literary characters that are reinvented by the adaptors. Holmes is one of my favorites. (I also enjoy how Tarzan has been revisioned over and over again. And the Three Musketeers…another of my fav. Oh, and Robin Hood!)

Now, I’m not a massive Darcy fan. Though sheer ignorance…please, stop throwing rum bottles at me! I haven’t read the book or seen enough of the movies to have an opinion, but I’m sure you all do… If not…what of Holmes, Tarzan, Darcy…what of Dracula, Frankenstein? Ebenezer Scrooge? Have you a favorite? Have you characters where the changes have infuriated you? (I have always felt that way about several of the Holmes…btw.)

Have you a character you can imagine redone? That you would like to see redone? Can anyone think of a female archetype redone? (Other than Miss Marple?) (Agatha Christie if you aren’t familiar… Interesting how it’s often mystery characters that are redone again and again…) Though there are several adaptions of Emma.

Okay, there is Peter Pan… And gods, how often has Johnny done this? Willy Wonka, Sweeny Todd, Ichabod Crane and soon…Barnabas Collins, (who could be said to be Dracula…) And who is Jack Sparrow a recreation of? Errol Flynn’s Captain Blood?

Okay, he’s probably an original!

You see, it isn’t just a new actor…it’s the new story, the new vision of the character… It’s fan fiction, taken to the professional level!

Even the Kraken has been imagined in many ways. From the stop motion photography of the great Ray Harryhausen, to the latest Clash of the Immortals, to Pirates of the Caribbean, to my fine fella… And wow, how zombies have changed!

Can you think of any other archetype characters I’ve missed?

Hi Crew! Raises tankard of rum in salute. This is my first post for the Revenge so I hope you’ll show me a little mercy and not make me walk the plank just yet.

For a little background on me, I’m in the process of writing my first draft of that first book. And it’s been hard. Really hard. Three years worth of hard so far and I’m getting so close to the end I can smell it. Um…well maybe I should shower more often…

Bo’Sun recently talked about setting big goals and Hellion followed up with a post about breaking that down into smaller 5% size goals. But what I want to talk about is how many goals do you have? I’m not just talking about just writing goals because although we pirates are writers one and all, our lives are filled with other areas we have dreams for.

I have career goals, relationship goals, health goals, etc and I realized that although it’s not bad to have set goals in each of the areas of your life, the key is to find a way to be moving toward your goals in tandem. I’d been treating each area of my life as a separate entity and that made it impossible for me to give any one of those things enough attention. Something always had to take a backseat and for me it was easy for that to be writing when I was doubting myself. Plus, writing really is a time hog!

My health goals, while also a major time suck, are really important to me so I’ve tried to test out ways to make my workout time do double duty. The power of technology allows me to read blog posts, tweet and read books while I’m on the treadmill. Which is great, but none of those things are writing. What to do?

A Treadmill Desk. Yep, you heard me right. After reading some blogs and hearing other writers rave about them, I decided I could make my own cheap (read: $12 total for supplies) treadmill desk that would allow me to write on my laptop while walking slowly on the treadmill.

Now this won’t replace my regular workouts completely, but I will be able to do long slow walks for cardio now and be writing the entire time! Check out the photos to see my lovely DIY skills. I have plans to do some upgrades as I use it more and see what I’d like to add. Attaching a notepad and velcro for a pen are on the list.

The best thing, and what I’m so excited about, is that I was able to take two separate goals and find a way to make them work together. I’m moving forward with both without feeling like I’m sacrificing one part of my life for the other.

What goals are highest on your priority list? How do you set those priorities? Does writing seem to be the one goal that always takes a back seat? Take a look at your life goals/dreams and see if you can come up with some creative ideas on how to merge your time to knock out two goals at the same time.

Have a happy, crappy First Draft—

It’s the most fun when you write.

You can bet my word count’s met

And I’ve set my Hero right.

Have a happy, crappy First Draft—

And when you get set to revise,

Say “Hell Yes” to your writer’s stress

And kiss every typo goodbye!

Oh, ho, the plot does blow,

Holes as wide as you can see,

But CPs help fix your book,

Kiss them once for me!

Have a happy, crappy First Draft,

And in case it wasn’t clear—

Oh my chappie, have a happy,

Crappy First Draft this year!

Okay, so what do you like best about finishing a First Draft? And how do you keep yourself motivated to the end? What’s your favorite reward for meeting your daily word count: glass of wine, cup of cocoa, backrub? And what is your favorite Christmas Carol?

I really do love television, especially the quirky little series. I’m a fan of characters, in general, that is what I watch for. A good role and actor will totally suck me in. But it’s the twisty little ways my mind absorbs and then juggles plots about that inspires me. Until I begin to wonder…how many hidden agendas are out in TVLand? Not to mention LitLand.

For one thing, scifi/fantasy has always been accused of planting hidden agendas in their stories. Whether they end up on video or in books. One case in point? Avatar. The pope himself raised objections to the propaganda underneath the film…that a living planet bound the natives together without a ‘big guy in the sky’ premise.

I laughed. (Not at the notion, I thought Mr. Pope had it pretty spot on, but at the objection.)

Now, I’m watching Terra Nova. It’s on Fox, so I figured it would have all sorts of ‘global warming is nonsense’ at the most and at the least, make the colony, sent to a prehistoric past to give mankind a second chance, terribly earnest and religious.

Surprise!

Nope. The future air is nearly unbreathable, it’s a totalitarian world and those who first started the colony, though bound by a military sense of honor, are not wound up in God stuff. And the big bad in this series, other than the occasional ravaging dinosaur, is the merchants in the future, who want to mine the past, strip it of resources to bring to the dying future.

Okay, I can see wanting to save the world simply because they want to save the world, but from the hints dropped, it isn’t for saving the world…it’s for profit and power. And the way they manipulate the agents they sneak into the past…by holding their children hostage? Ugly.

I’m a huge fan of the guy in charge, Colonel Taylor. Who, surprise! Was the really evil guy in Avatar. In fact, I think Stephen Lang would be a fabulous Captain Silvestri when the movie version of The Kraken’s Mirror comes out…

But I digress as I drool…

I’m watching this show and finding myself looking for the agenda and the propaganda. I do the same with Fringe and Haven and a handful of other scifi/techy shows. I find the hidden messages do seem more prevalent in these type of shows. I suppose because the hidden message of something like The Big Bang Theory is more obvious, brainy guys can be sexy. (Except Sheldon.)

A series like Revenge, who my friend Jane got me hooked on, is a nice little exercise in vengeance and so it’s fun. But I’m not sure there is any major social message embedded in the very rich reaping what they sew.

Books have often been accused of preaching philosophies. I admit it, mine are full of the things that I believe in. But I hope it’s simply part of the plot and not seen as an attempt to proselytize. I don’t think we can help it, it’s human nature to ‘speak’ of what moves you to tears or makes you want to take up arms.

And sometimes that is simply the idea of a second chance at love and life.

And sometimes it’s about fleeing to past to escape the consequences of what a species has done to the present…

The season finale is coming up on Terra Nova and I have a bad feeling about it. The bad guys are gonna take over the colony and from hints dropped, more kids are going back to the future to keep their parents in line. I hate things like that, just makes me feel sick. I may tape it and watch it later. I know it’s a plot development that makes it all more personal, but still…

I’d rather watch them fight dinos. Especially Stephen Lang.

And if they kill him off I’m not going to watch the show anymore.

Now, back to agendas…do you have any hidden messages in your writing? Come on, fess up! You sneaking in some life lessons into your books? Ever read a book that you felt pounded a viewpoint on you? Or seen a movie that you left wondering why they bothered with a story?

My confession? Oh, big on the environmental stuff. Down on organized religion. Liberal viewpoints of my characters, I’m all over my books!

It’s no secret I’m revising.  I sent off my Golden Heart entry and when “whew.”  Like that was the end of it.  Um, yeah.  That’s just the first fifty pages.

Face. Palm.

So, I’m revising.  More.  What feels like endlessly.

Granted, it’s the holidays.  I’m ho-ho-hoing all about, preparing and hiding things in exhaustive, I-have-small-children-who-are-too-smart fashion.  Therefore, I’m not doing as much revising as I’d like.

To break things up (or add to the chaos), I’m enrolled (read: silently lurking) in Louise Edwards’ RWA University class on the myRWA forum.  (If you belong to RWA, get thee to sign up for myRWA.  Lots of good stuff on their new forum set-up and more to come, I hear.)

Anyway, Louise Edwards is a lovely lady who writes contemporary romance about hunky chefs.  Yum.

But before that, she was an editor at Berkley.  She’s talking about what she learned about writing from being an editor.

Her first lesson was about how we must be true to our voice.  She suggested writing in multiple genres to try to find your voice.  She said that editors and agents are first and foremost readers.  They might not always be able to define what’s wrong with a work but they can feel it when they read it, that something’s missing or rings false.

In fact, I’ve heard this twice since I’ve started writing.  My second manuscript, the only one I shopped as my first one is embarrassing to me, garnered a few full requests.  I didn’t get much feedback on one, but the other two said the same thing: I write well but the story didn’t pop. Contact me again when you have something new.

I had no idea what that meant.  Hal and I discussed and I think we ended up thinking it was something to do with the characters or plot holes.

But now, I think it has something to do with voice and truth.

When I read, I can tell if a story has that “thing.”  I can tell if the writer is pulling punches, shying away from emotion or going too far for drama’s sake.  I can tell if it’s authentic or not.  I don’t know if I’ve ever revised with that in mind before.  In fact, I’m not sure if I’ve ever thought about it before.  I’ve never revised as a reader before.

We all hear the clichés.  Write what you love.  Be true to your story.

I’ll add, “Revise like a Reader” to my stash.

How about you?  What advice can you give about being true to your voice?  Have you tried writing in different genres to find your voice?  Any ideas about making a story “pop?”

Bo’sun here and I am excited to welcome back one of our favorite Pirate Pals who just happens to be a multi-published, award winning author. JK Coi is celebrating the release or her latest Steampunk novella and gracious enough to hold the celebration aboard The Revenge decks. Here’s the blurb for Far From Broken… 

Soldier. Spymaster. Husband.

Colonel Jasper Carlisle was defined by his work until he met his wife. When the prima ballerina swept into his life with her affection, bright laughter and graceful movements, he knew that she was the reason for his existence, and that their love would be forever.

But their world is shattered when Callie is kidnapped and brutally tortured by the foes Jasper has been hunting. Mechanical parts have replaced her legs, her hand, her eye…and possibly her heart. Though she survived, her anger at Jasper consumes her, while Jasper’s guilt drives him from the woman he loves. He longs for the chance to show her their love can withstand anything…including her new clockwork parts.

As the holiday season approaches, Jasper realizes he must fight not just for his wife’s love and forgiveness…but also her life, as his enemy once again attempts to tear them apart.

Bo’sun: Welcome back to the ship!

JK: Thanks, Terri! It’s always a treat to come on board!  

Bo’sun: You have a novella available today in the Carina anthology A Clockwork Christmas, and as usual with your stories, Far From Broken sounds intricate, intense, and incredibly high concept. Tell us about this story. 

JK: This is the story of a man and woman—a married couple—who have to find a way to overcome the most horrible event of their lives and find out whether they can come out of it together. It’s not an uncommon theme—forgiveness. Even though it might be told in a less common way, since the story takes place in a Steampunk inspired Victorian England.  

Bo’sun: No one can ever accuse you of making this easy on yourself. I can’t remember the last time I heard a concept this unique. What is it about Steampunk that draws you to write it? 

JK: I like the possibilities of Steampunk. I like that there are no limits, and that it’s about more than just window dressing for the characters. Since my first foray into writing it I’ve done a lot more research in the Steampunk movement (yes, it’s a movement), which is fascinating. I still don’t think I’ve mastered the true feel of what Steampunk is supposed to be, but I’m going to keep writing until I do!  

Bo’sun: Did this story come first or did you find out about the anthology opportunity and then sit down to create something from scratch? 

JK: I wrote the story specifically for the anthology, and I’m glad I did. The three other authors included in the anthology are so wonderful, I’m truly blessed for the chance to be part of this group and we’ve already formed a tight bond. The others are Stacy Gail (Crime Wave in a Corset), Jenny Schwartz (Wanted: One Scoundrel), and PG Forte (This Winter Heart). 

Bo’sun: Great company! You have a mechanical element in this story. What kind of research did you do in that area? 

JK: I’m lucky that my husband is a scientist and I was able to bounce my ideas off of him to see how believable they would be. I suppose there has to be a level of suspension of disbelief (or else it wouldn’t be Steampunk) but I really hope that no one will be disappointed with the scientific elements in the story.  

Bo’sun: From the blurb of this story, I can’t imagine how you kept it novella length. Did you have any trouble keeping it relatively short and were you ever tempted to stretch it to a full length book? 

JK: I could have kept writing about Callie and Jasper forever, but the strength of this book is that it’s nice and tight. In a novella every word counts and I think I made the most of that with this story. 

Now of course, having said that, I realized right away that this couldn’t be the end for my characters, and I’ve just finished their sequel, which I’m calling Broken Promises. Callie and Jasper are sent on a mission by the War Office to find a rogue agent, but along the way they discover a horrible truth that could tear their lives apart again. I sent it off to my editor this week and I’m really hoping that she’ll love it as much as I do.  

Bo’sun: You included Steampunk elements in your novella Iron Seduction (which is awesome!) Do you see more Steampunk in your future? 

JK: I do! As I mentioned, I’ve written a sequel to Far From Broken, and I’m hoping to continue this series for a couple more books. I also have a few other ideas that I’ll try to flesh out when the writing schedule clears up a little bit, but whoooeeee, it’s been busy! 

Bo’sun: Somehow I don’t see you slowing down anytime soon. LOL! Now some fun stuff. If you had to have a mechanical body part, what would you want that to be and why? 

JK: I think I’d want those mechanical eyes. “The better to see you with my pretty!” *cackle* I’d peer through everyone’s clothes and giggle when I see grown men wearing spiderman underwear. Wait a minute…that could seriously backfire. There are things I don’t want to see. Hmm, maybe I could have a tommy gun attachment on my mechanical arm. I could rob banks and go all Bonnie and Clyde on my sleepy home town! I’d make the papers and be famous! (and be dead, but maybe then my books would skyrocket in sales *g*.) 

Bo’sun: You’re one of the most prolific writers I know so I’m sure you have six or seven stories in the works. What’s next from JK COI? 

JK: eek. Prolific? Not sure about that, but I’ll be diving into edits for my YA Fantasy, Greta and the Goblin King soon, and I do have a few things just out in time for the holidays.  

My contemporary erotic romance, BRAZEN GAMES, is available from Ellora’s Cave right now. It’s what I call my “cops and mobsters” story. Jack is the right-hand man to mob boss Sam Moretti. His life is a dangerous place to be, forcing him to always watch his back and never let his guard down. But when it comes to the club’s new dancer, he’s tempted. Very tempted. Trouble is, temptation could very easily expose his secrets and get him—and her—killed. When Moretti confides his suspicions that he has a mole in his operation, he turns to Jack to take care of the problem. For good. Who does Sam suspect? The new dancer…Brazen.  

Also, the AGONY/ECSTASY anthology from Berkley Heat and edited by Jane Litte of Dear Author is available December 6! My story CAGED is a part of it, which is So. Darn. Exciting! It’s a painful love story where, in the dark, nothing and everything has changed. 

To celebrate release day, I’d love to offer a copy of FAR FROM BROKEN to a commenter and I’ll also send out a full set of romance trading cards for all of the novellas in the anthology.  

Thanks for having me back on the ship, pirates! It gives me warm fuzzies that I haven’t been banned yet. 

Hugs and rum!

JK Coi

www.jkcoi.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jkcoi

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JKCoiAuthor

Bo’sun: You heard her, pirates. Get to commenting! What do you enjoy about the Steampunk genre and what would you like to see more of?

Kraken Friday Yup, today, I pay tribute to the kraken.

Not just the kraken that lingers near the Revenge, feasting on our many inner critics, though that be a worthy mission and I know we all appreciate it a great deal. And he’s been working overtime lately, in fact, I’m a little worried he’s gonna get a bit fat and slow. I must remember to invite Nessie over to help him burn off some calories…

Yes, the stress of holidays and dealing with people I want to gently call idiots. (Yes, gently, because the other words I want to use are much more vulgar, so idiot is the gentle term.) I’ve been dangling at the edge of my rope lately and eyeing Sin’s ice picks…and of course, the bar.

Ah, the bar.

How much would I have to drink to put it all behind me and relax? Not a riddle. I mean, really. How much?

Anyway, the kraken has been by my side, or dangling above my head and settling his great slimy tentacles upon my shoulders in comfort.

(Anyone have any more slime removal solvent? I ran out partway through November…)

But the kraken has been good to me and in his own eight brained way, has offered up some words of advice…

When in doubt, toss the irritant overboard. He’s right, my life belongs to me and I’m in charge of who boards. The sea is full of challenges and let the irritant deal with them, not me. Or me deal with them.

It is possible to partition the brain and set things aside, even without eight tentacles. Yup, distraction can be my friend. One of my best distractions from the idiots of life is writing. Especially writing diabolical endings for said idiots.

Camouflage is your friend. (Not just the sexy underwear store downtown in Santa Cruz.) Yes, my ability to blend in and just slip under the radar is my friend. Not sure it’s the best advice for my current situation, but in the months to come it may very well become a paramount talent to work.

Now, to honor his greatness, I’m giving away a kraken ornament.

Showing his primary place in my world, atop it. Clutching it…one could say he’s riding it, others could say he’s holding it safe in an uncertain universe. Your choice. All the details are on my blog, but strangers may be boarding the Revenge today for a chance to enter. So be nice, crew!

And tell me, what lessons do you think the kraken has to teach you? Or me!