The Lord of the Clones - The Showdown Part 1

"The Cave's changed. I hear it in the kitchen. I taste it in the mead. I smell it in the air. The Dwarves are dragonless and bored. We shall go out and make some trouble."  Tassin, leader of the DCS.

Starring:
Ninja Cloner 
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Lord Baldernot (He Who Must Not Be Shaved)
Mark Koopmans
Lord Baldernot's Hair Knitters
Tassin, father of Sessin; Sessin, son of Tassin; Pancholin, grandson of Manolin and Milin, son of Carmelita
Judges
Jeffrey S. Hargett; Manolin, grandfather of Pancholin; Zenon, father of Tassin.
Guest Star
Jezebel

The Showdown - Part 1
(CLICK ON PIC TO ENLARGE)

JUST IN CASE YOUTUBE DOESN'T OPEN FOR YOU.

REACTIONS:

NINJAS AMONG THE AUDIENCE...

DWARVES AMONG THE AUDIENCE...

THE JUDGES...

Meanwhile Sir Jeff manages to dig himself out of that mountain of gold in order to give a score,

and He Who Must Not Be Shaved warms up to blow your minds up and make the dance floor sparkle for real, please feel free to share in the comment section what score you give to the Ninja Cloner and his team.

to be continued...

(Previous Chapters)

NOTE FROM FATHER DRAGON: Thank you all for coming and a huge welcome to the new visitors. We're always glad to see new faces here. I hope you enjoy your stay while you keep basic safety measures. Don't feed the dwarves (tips in gummy bears are acceptable); don't drink Jezebel's punch (unless you wish wild hallucinations) and don't touch my virgin snacks. Dragon Hugs are given for free without previous warning!

PS. This was meant to be the last installment of the Lord of the Clones but Alex and Mark are too much awesomeness for the dwarves to have the whole Showdown done in one month. Alex and Mark deserve our best effort and so do you. Thank you very much for being here.

It's Coming!

The dwarves like to think the world has been holding their breath, waiting for the next installment of the Lord of the Clones. Don't kill the little guys' dreams and just act like this is the greatest news of all time. They have been working really hard all the month (REALLY HARD) to make the 2 minute show you're going to witness on April 29th. They have even gone on a diet and lost weight to look dashing on that new outfit.

Since making a video requires a lot more sweat than nine panels, the Shorties have decided to split the showdown in two parts. Ninja Army dance first, cheering groups cheer, judges judge and minions and clones bribe, (and dragon eats popcorn in the background). Then in a later installment comes the Baldinators' (name chosen by Lord Baldernot) turn to dazzle you and the judges with their amazing Riverdance and Hawaiian moves.

Now I just want to make it clear that the fact this showdown happens at the Dragon Cave doesn't mean Father Dragon endorses every and any attempt from the Shorties to win said showdown (including but not limited to bribery, cohersion, boicoting, seducing, etc.) I was informed that there will be enough of Jezebel's infamous punch available to expect the unexpected. Dwarves invited Jezebel as guest star for this showdown, so if you have already had tea with Mistress Snark, you know what I'm talking about. If you have not...well...just remember to clap hard and cheer for your favorite team (if you can remember which is your favorite team.)

Since a dwarf-only jury could make the ninjas think their decision is biased, there will be a third judge. He's known to be close friends with the dwarves for a long time but he's also known to be a knight of honor and principles. The one knight of the Order of the Dragon, Sir Jeffrey Hargett. Higher Powers bless his soul and his boldness and every sane bone in his body while he still has them. He'll be missed... I mean, GOOD LUCK to the bravest knight I've ever met! Best luck also to Alex J. Cavanaugh "Ninja Cloner" and Mark Koopmans "Lord Baldernot".

So everything is nearly ready. I leave you now to call my lawyer and make sure the cave insurance is updated and covers for missing limbs and/or clones.

Thanks for pretending you're holding your breath.  It is important for dragons to hold our breath whenever Jezebel's punch is close. You may end up flying in more ways than one.

Here Comes the Ninja and Celebrate Super Blogger Award

He's the Master of Blogging.
He visits hundreds of blogger buddies and leaves nice comments.
He helps to promote books, blogs, cover reveals, tours, bloghops and anything else that inspires him.
He reviews movies, he plays guitar, he is the successful author of CassaStar, CassaFire and soon-to-be-released CassaStorm.
He is the founder of the very successful (and growing) Insecure Writer's Support Group.

And none of the above is the reason why I am including Captain Ninja Alex J. Cavanaugh in the cave's Hall of Fame as part of my Dragon's Eleven. Don't take me wrong. It is all great. Alex is Da Ninja. He deserves all the recognition he gets. I don't believe there are many in the blogsphere who can do as many things as he can, and stay sane. If dragons wore hats, I would take off mine.

But the truth is, the first time I ran into his blog, I clicked on all tabs, checked the very long blogroll and noticed the high number of followers. I thought, "this guy is very popular and successful. Good for him!" And I moved on. I didn't believe we had much in common. I came from another world. I am not into rock. I rarely go to the movies. I am no author so I have no published or seeking-to-be-published book, and I had no idea what a bloghop/blogfest was. Lastly but not least, I had always been reluctant to join support groups (regardless how much they say I might need it). To me, dragon and ninja were different "genres", so to speak.

The only way to find out if there was common ground between us was through actual conversation, beyond comment and reply. Fat chance, I thought. Having such a tight agenda, why in the name of the Ancestors, would he care to converse with a dragon? He started by making me laugh. Surprise, surprise. There just might be something in common after all. Then he showed me he paid attention to what he read and not just understood it, but remembered it as well. And finally, he did care for conversation, even if it had nothing to do with blogsphere, books, hops and fests, rock or movies.

I'm including him because of a one-to-one approach. Neither the ninja left the suit behind, nor the dragon his scales, but they did walk on common grounds. Laugh and heartfelt conversation got the Captain Ninja into Father Dragon's heart. That's why his name will be in the Eleventh's wall for as long as Father Dragon writes.

Alex, this friendship has been a joy and my pleasure.

Celebrate the small things is the brilliant idea of VikLit. Each Friday we post something we wish to celebrate achieving or doing during the week. It can be writing/reading or life related. You can find the list and join us here.

Mother Dragon and I decided on celebrating doctor's good news with Italian food and red wine. Too drastic a change for a vegan stomach. It protested with fire (as dragon's stomachs do) so I spent three days pondering on the benefits of small and progressive "permissions." I'm celebrating my stomach forgave me already for my impulsive feast. (The wine was heavenly sweet, though. 8D)

On Monday, I was interviewed by Alex at Blogging from A to Z. He did a wonderful job putting the interview together and I had fun answering the questions. If you have not dropped by, check it out. (You'll get the chance to witness something completely unbelievable and extraordinaire. The one and only, the official Anti-A to Z, Gary Pennick, was there! Now I can say I've seen it all. Thank you for your sacrifice, Gary! ;))

On Sunday, sweet S.K. Anthony awarded me with the Super Blogger Award. This is a brand new award created by another blogger friend  of mine, Mark Means at Left and Write. The rule is: Take the award for yourself, and then pass it along to someone who inspires you or you just think is 'super' one way or another. Tell us why you think this person is super and deserving. Now, all the recipient has to do is reveal one small secret about themselves and pass the reward to another person.

Thank you very much for the award and for your kind words, S.K. You made me smile and float several inches above the ground, humming...

Those were the dwarves. They also thank you for mentioning them. There are many inspiring super cool bloggers, but since "there can be only one" I pass this award on to Jeff Hargett at Strands of Pattern. A dragon story should include a knight. Just this knight is not up to kill the dragon (thank goodness). Jeff was my very first blogger friend, critique partner and beta reader. Hidden under his cloak, I got the courage to enter this community and make this blog. Thanks to him, I've met awesome people I've come to cherish and who make my life richer. Tassin, Pancholin, Milin and Sessin owe their life to Sir Jeff.

To the Guardian of the Book, the Keeper of Secrets, Knight of the Order of the Red Dragon and my dearest friend, this award is yours.

Dragon's secret: I collect parrots. I have plush parrots, clay parrots, battery parrots, parrots in puzzles, in posters, and in hangers...and a Mr. Potato Head. The secret? I still play with Mr. Potato Head. (Long live the Inner Child!)

Buy an ice-cream to your inner child and have a marvelous weekend! I leave you dragon hugs.

Time to Be Actively Still, New Schedule and Celebrate Good News

I have been without internet connection for 15 days. My last post barely got through using a "stolen" signal. There I talked about turning the poison into medicine and the option of praying with action. Many things have happened since that day and not all of them good. Some of them have tested my temper enough to make my health falter a bit.

For some reason, each time I declare some new life-altering determination something happens to make my path more difficult. I'm close to believe it is a dare game between me and Life. I say "I'm going to stay balanced through the storm" and hail starts to strike my scales. I say, "No matter, I'll seek shelter in my cave," and a flood comes. I say "Dwarves, block the entrance!" but dwarves are already floating downstream along with the whole treasure (yes, the dragon's treasure is gone.)

I close my eyes, cover my ears and keep repeating "Inner peace, inner peace" as I struggle for the inner inferno not to kick in. I can feel, oh so clearly, how my stomach squeezes, my guts tighten, the muscles twist like cords and the acid flows. My whole body responds with stress signals to over-pressured systems. Eye pressure, heart pressure... and here I am madly working the relief valves in order to prevent a dragon disaster.

But Father Dragon doesn't take his word lightly. I said that I would work a miracle and that I would adjust my formula until I got the results I wanted. I said I would pray with action and that I would replace anger with love and friendship. So far, I've shared with you my ideas, my experiences and my falls. Today I offer you this thought.

Not all action has to be physical, and staying still doesn't necessarily mean you're not active. A day came that I was left with absolutely no option to move forward. I could either feel helpless, blast my rage against the rock to no avail (except giving me some days in bed) or I could sit down, trust everything to Mother Dragon and the Higher Powers and focus on actively keeping my insides (and wits) together. Honestly, it feels like doing nothing. Only paying closer attention I realized exactly why reaching inner peace takes sages a lifetime to attain. It's HARD work, make no mistake.

Life just reminded me there's a time for everything. Time to fight and time to step back. Time to fight outside and time to bring peace inside. Time to take the straight road and time to look for alternative paths. I know deep inside there is also time to win and time to lose. There is even a time to quit... but it is NOT that time yet!

However, it is time to let you know that I've chosen Friday for my regular posting day. Passing from three to one post a week is a difficult adjustment for me (I've become deeply addicted to you) but it is necessary. Besides, without treasure I can no longer pay such a large minion staff. I've set aside a handful of dwarves and taken the rest of them to the pawnshop for fantastic creatures. I was assured they will be well fed.

I'm still in for the occasional bloghop and I will be delighted to keep promoting my friends' books, set the fireworks for their cover reveals and have them as guests here. Good thing about fire dragons is that they always have fireworks available.

This meme is the brilliant idea of VikLit. Each Friday we post something we wish to celebrate achieving or doing during the week. It can be writing/reading or life related. You can find the list and join us here.

My celebrations are:

1. My butchering parrot made it against all odds!!! I am extremely happy and grateful for this. It has lifted such a tremendous weight off my heart. He ended up very thin but I'm sure he'll be back to his normal shape soon.

2. My friend Sir Jeff kept his word and met his deadline. Yes, I'm doing the dragon happy dance for that. Just imagine what I will do the day he gets published. I am convinced great victories are made of many little conquests and each of them deserves to be acknowledged.

3. Internet connection was reestablished yesterday morning. I'm crossing my talons it will stay like this but a few more days of instability are possible. Anyway, I'm glad I could work on this post in peace and I could also start visiting some of you.

4. My beautiful friend C. Lee at TheWriteGame awarded me with no less than the Dragon's Loyalty Award. What kind of dragon would I be if I didn't have the Dragon Award? You're right, Lee. The cave would not be complete without it. Thank you very much!

Now Father Dragon talking about dragon's loyalty gives this award an additional meaning. To me it also means that the dragon will be there for you, to the best of his capacity, in good and bad times. Problem is the rules limits it to seven and those for whom I feel this way are many more than seven. So I'll keep the award and prove my loyalty to you with action. Deal?

Now seven things about me. Hmmm, I'll tell you three but big ones.

1. I dropped my laptop just fifteen minutes ago and it didn't break. (And that's a break!)
2. Mother Dragon is my mother. (I stated it before but it was when I had like 3 readers. Have not clarified ever since.)
3. I'm not married. (Centuries-long war with Dragon Slayer and dragons going nearly extinct makes difficult finding a suitable mate.)

Bonus. I am happy to be able to talk to you again! Already told you that? Well, I've suffered severe withdrawal here so I'm going to go all cuddling and leave you dragon hugs! (Not that I will not keep seeking for victims if connection allows. Stay alert because you might be suddenly tackled by a big red scaly hugging force. :o))

Determination is not Enough for Success. There is also The Formula.

"If the things that are worth something were easy to achieve, anyone would do them." 

I set myself to achieve a goal worth everything; save my life. Armed with determination and willpower, I confronted my fears, made my research and overcame the first obstacles I found. A few small victories strengthened my faith and resolve. I also got myself some amazing back-up in the support of caring friends' thoughts and prayers. No doubt I was in the right road.

"When all doors close, it's time to bring a bulldozer and create your own door."

These were my words when I chose to go for a miracle. My plan was basically hit the rock until opening a door through the wall. Big surprise; my first assessment of the wall was wrong. Problems, as stones, piled up one after another, side by side and on top of one another. This was no wall. It was a mountain. My determination never wavered, even if my presence of mind did. But I would keep my plan the same. I would open my way through that mountain the same way I was going to do it through the wall. Boulders started to fall, threatening to break me and bury me alive.

Why was that happening? Just when I had gotten all heroic and brandished my highest qualities to face my problems and make my best effort to succeed, everything just turned out worse.  One week I achieved physical goals I've not achieved in 15 years, I got rid of the stabbing sensation in my stomach, I managed decent sleep and some peace of mind (go me!). But the week after that air pollution got so bad that I wasn't able to crouch without loosing my breath. My dog getting sick tightened a knot in my stomach. My parrot getting sick added more knots as days passed and he got worse. As if these were not enough to keep me in check, a careless action caused the breaking of my dragon sculpture, the car has a leak, the internet connection is intermittent again and my laptop started acting up, pointing out to a virus.

All this got me in the worst of moods and my list of things to do only served to mock me because I was not getting anything accomplished. I beat my brains to understand what was happening. The possibility that this chain of unfortunate events was a sign from the Higher Powers that my miracle was denied was unacceptable. That, my friends, is Determination.

But insisting on breaking the mountain with a plan designed to go through a simple wall will render nothing but endless failures now. I can try until the bulldozer is broken to pieces, and then beat the rock until I leave claw, scale and blood on it; I won't be closer to the other side of the mountain. And when I lay all broken and bleeding against that mountain, I would have to accept my goal was beyond my capacity. Unless I am willing to adapt myself to the changing circumstances.

We all have a formula we use to address everything in life. A formula we have always used, that sometimes work and sometimes don't. That formula is shaped according to our particular personality. It clearly specifies our potential and our limitations. It's linked to "This is the way I am and this is how I handle things. I've always done it like this and I always will."

I have mine, you have yours. It is fine and dandy if you get the results you want. Problem comes when, as in my case, you're not getting what you're seeking. I've always summed 2+3 even when 5 is not what I'm looking for. But that's what I get. And I try again and again (determination). I've changed the places of the numbers (3+2). I've written them vertically and horizontally. I've even written them in different colors and even in neon lights but no matter what I do, I don't get 100. "I've done everything to get it but why, oh why, you deaf Heaven, deny me my 100?!"

Is Heaven really deaf or am I too stubborn and blind to not see the fault is mine? "But I've always done it this way and I can't do it any other way." Truth is, yes I can. Either I don't want to because it will be REALLY hard or I don't know how to, but paw on my heart, I can do it different. I can increase the numbers and change my formula. Changing the formula is scary (I've never tried different) and it is also very hard (I'm used to do things as I've always done them.) It will require commitment, courage (to face the unknown), honesty (to self) and discipline.

As it's the first time I'm changing the formula, I really don't know for sure what's the right combination to make 100, so as in all trial and error process, I must be ready to adjust my formula as many times as circumstances demand. I must observe carefully what works and what doesn't work, and learn from my mistakes. All the great achievements followed this process. They didn't happen overnight and no one has ever done anything perfect in the first try.

If you're not getting the result you wish, look more closely. You might need to change your formula.

SEMPER FIDELIS 

Franny Stevenson from dr. franny and mrs. myself keeps spoiling me. (Thank you, Franny.) She has kindly shared three awards with me, but I'll work one at the time. This is the Semper Fidelis Award. I think Semper Fidelis is the motto of the navy in the US but also Mexican navy uses it. In my own life "Always faithful" means a lot to me. I'm faithful to my beliefs, my principles and to my friends.  

 Rules are:

§ Add the Semper Fidelis Award logo somewhere on your blog.
§ Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
§ Nominate 5 bloggers who’s loyalty and friendship you value and you consider being part of your ‘pack of wolves'.
§ Post something special for each one of your nominees and dedicate it to them. This can be a quote, saying, poem, picture, anything you think that would fit that person.
§ Let the nominees know that you’ve nominated them.

Jeff Hargett at Strands of Pattern, the most loyal knight I've been lucky enough to befriend and team with. You keep my brain working, my funny bone in shape and my dwarves in check. I cherish our chats, our exchange of ideas, your nudging me into action and me peeking into your brain, hahahaha. The real proof that there can be true friendship between dragons and knights.









Alex J. Cavanaugh Thanks for the ears and for helping me with my formula.

Laura Eno What else can I say except... BOLITAAAA! :O)















Julie Luek. I must work on a dragon Spam Hugs picture, but in the meantime, let's use this. SH is like the greatest and funniest practice we could come up with. Thank you for following the crazy prompt. It has warmed my heart more times I can count already. Thanks for inspiring new ideas in this dragon's head.

You know of whom I speak, don't you? Yes, the one and only Gary Pennick at klahanie. He doesn't like them and yet, he is cursed to keep running into them (or they running into him). Must be his magnetic personality.

But I am acknowledging he is an amazingly caring friend who has been keeping an eye on me, and is quick to respond to the slightest sign of distress from the dragon cave. If that is not a Semper Fidelis worthy person, I don't know what it is then.





Thank you for being with me and helping me in my moments of trial. Your names are written in golden letters in my heart and in the Dragon Cave for selfless actions in Father Dragon's benefit.

And here comes the second champion!, Black or White? and Disco Dwarves

I am thrilled. My good friend Sir Jeff Hargett chose to undertake a mission of his own and engage his word to the dragon. Very brave indeed, since he knows Father Dragon doesn't take words of honor lightly. I know it was not an easy decision for him but I also know it was about time. Action is the only way to turn dreams into something else than good intentions in our heads.

I believe in you, Sir Jeff. You have been there for me since the beginning of my journey in the blogosphere and into the English Writing world. It is an honor for the dragon to be able to nudge and prod you all the way to your success, if needed be.

"Their thoughts were the source of their acts. 

Their feelings were the source of their thoughts. 

The invisible and spiritual essence inside them determined their present and their world. 

The outstanding factor was their faith."

Of Heroes (T.Carlyle)

It is not my anti-cat prejudice that made me use this picture. I just needed a good laugh and it's actually related to redecoration. Okay, it's mainly the laughing excuse.

*Few chuckles later*

I am interested in your opinion about the new look of the cave. I had to make room in the cave for a new tab. I wanted to have a special wall to honor Dragon's Eleven (and as a reminder they gave me their word to do something.)

I changed the template because the previous one only allowed me four tabs. Everything pleases me except the post background. I changed the grey background to white. Personally, I liked the dark grey (even black) more. However, I've heard there are people who find very difficult to read white font over dark background. Truth is the Fridge White background is sight-straining to me but many blogs have it like this and I still read them. Since I want you to feel comfortable when visiting, I thought on asking your opinion.

My dwarves are up for the production of their new show. Since someone suggested there were many places in Vegas where they could sign for a show, they happily accepted the idea of the Disco Dwarves. Now we are trying to make a decision about the music.

Our list has narrowed to: Barry Manilow's Copacabana; Earth, Wind and Fire's Fantasy; Let's Groove Tonight (same band and my favorite). They also can go all John Travolta style with Far From Over or Close to the Fire from Staying Alive.

We don't want to make "I'll survive" as I don't like it. Pancholin got six hundred smacks for suggesting Lady Marmalade. Oh, yes, and Milin wants Disco Samba. Sessin wants The Man with the Golden Arm but I already told him that's not disco. He wants to make a detective series. An aftereffect from his clones drinking his beer reserves, I presume.

What do you think? Any thought about the background? Care to help my dwarves with a suggestion? And most important, do you have a pending mission that is waiting for you to be brave and determined? Tomorrow is an illusion. The right moment is now. Dragon's Eleven is up for action. :)

Liebster Awards

The dragon cave here at Father Dragon Writes has received the Liebster Award thanks to the nomination of J.A. Ward Writes.  In behalf of one hundred and fifty dwarves, my ninja muse, my adoring muse and Yours Truly, I say thank you to J.A for this honor.

*checks the mic and clears throat* So the rules of the Liebster Award are as follows:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to the blogger who presented this award to you.
2. Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself and create 11 questions for your nominees;
3. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen. (No tag backs)
4. Copy and Paste the blog award on your blog.

Let’s fulfill step number two. I am ready for J.A’s questions *Smoothing mane to hide nerves. The lights turn off and only one spot light remains on top of me*:

1.       Who is your favorite author and why?

 Master J.R.R Tolkien. He was my strongest influence when I started writing.

2.       If you could hang out with one character from a book or TV show for a day, who would it be?

American Dragon Jake Long, hahaha. *I shake my head and sober* Seriously, I think it would be Jethro Leroy Gibbs from NCIS. I am fan of this guy and the whole team.

3.       Edward or Jacob? Or neither? Or..both?? 

Who? *Tassin whispers nearby* Oh! The Twilight Series. Didn’t read them…watched them…er, can’t tell.

4.       What was your favorite book series you have ever read that wasn’t Harry Potter?

It was The Black Corsar by Emilio Salgari.

5.       Do you have any pets? If so, what do you have?

A Golden Retriever that believes herself a Chihuahua, a Chihuahua that believes herself a Mastiff, a mariachi wannabe Amazon Parrot, and six vultures that Mother Dragon lovingly calls her “canaries”. We are all messed up here. During the parrot's molting season I believe myself Quetzalcoatl, the "feathered snake" god.

6.       What aspect of writing do you find the hardest?

* The aspect of me wanting to write in English when my mother language is Spanish.

7.       If you could live anywhere else for a year – all expenses paid – where would you live and why?

Geez! So many places begging for a dragon visit! But I think the top of my list is…Mexico. I would travel it from coast to coast and from border to border. Mexico has all type of landscapes. There are paradise beaches, deserts, mountains, valleys, jungles, forests, magic towns, ghost towns, legends, history, folklore and one of the widest and richest varieties in food in the world.

8.      Who is your favorite band/singer?

Besides the mariachi? I don’t have a favorite. I like Pop, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Classic, Tribal (the more drums, the better), Film Scores, everything of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Indian Bollywood, Japanese Anime, French ballad, Egyptian and Arab rhythms, Spanish Flamenco, some type of Rock.

9.       Name a celebrity crush.

It’s an harem. My heart for celebrities is like my fire; it ignites, it consumes and it extinguishes to start all over again.

10.   If you could go back and change your name from birth, would you do it? What would you change it to? 

I have two names. One I love and one I don’t. I can’t tell the name I would choose instead because I would laugh so hard I would eat the mic.

11.    Favorite vice or addiction? 

*After two hours of thinking* I am addicted to over think everything. I have caused persecutions against me with forks, torches and crossbows for that, worst than for raiding villages. I can’t help it.

Eleven random facts about me.

1. I used to sing Jesuschrist Superstar while in the shower.

2. Once upon a time, I was an hospital clown volunteer. Took a training for that. One of the signatures was "Loosing the fear to ridicule." Still applying it.

3. Once upon a time, the distance between my bed chamber and the main chamber was the biggest distance I could walk and only did it twice a day.

4. Once upon a time, I danced break dance. 

5. Once upon a time, I was in a theater group and did two opera-rock plays. I had playback but I was a hit in dramatic scenes.

6. Cats don't like me.

7. I walked in a yard full of mentally disturbed people in order to rescue a lost boy who ran away from home.

8. I dodged cars in a highway once in order to save a dog that jumped off a pickup. 

9. I stood in front of a bus, to protect a dog that had been already hit by a car.

10. Scent to chocolate makes me sick.

11. I am both claustrophobic and aracnophobic.

Questions for my nominees:

1. What genre do you write?

2. What are you working on right now?

3. Panster or plotter?

4. What do you do when you get writer's block?

5. The best lesson you learned about writing?

6. Which POV do you prefer to write?

7. How do you respond to critiques?

8. Do you argue with your characters?

9. Do you have a bad timing muse (i.e. the one who gives you the best ideas when you can't do nothing about them)?

10. The book you cherish the most?

11. Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what kind?

And this is my list of nominees. You really have to meet these people if you haven't. Good stuff there. Congratulations to all of them and thanks to all of you:

Sharon Bayliss 

Steph Sessa 

Yvonne’s Poetry Corner

Martin Willoughby - From Sand to Glass

Mike Swift from M.L. Swift, Writer

Melissa Maygrove

VikLit from Scribblings of an Aspiring Author 

Mina Lobo from Some Dark Romantic

Jeff Hargett from Strands of Pattern 

M.J. Joachim from Effectively Human 

JeffO from The Doubting Writer 

PS. For the nominations on the Premio Cutie Pie award, please click here.

HELP THE ELF: I Found Santa’s Missing Nice List!

Hi everyone! As you may remember, a few weeks ago PETE the Elf had a touch too much Eggnog at the Holiday Christmas Party and as he stumbled home, he lost Santa's NICE LIST.

The North Wind scattered the papers to all four corners of the world, and The Bookshelf Muse put out a call to help find them in order to SAVE CHRISTMAS.

Ever since I read about it, I've been on the lookout. And then today, EUREKA!

Yes that's right...I found part of Santa's missing NICE LIST. There it was, fluttering in the wind, half caught under the corner of my welcome mat. And shock of all shocks, I recognized the name, and I bet you will too.

Here it is below:

NAME: Lynne Abernathy

LOCATION: USA

NICE LEVEL: 95%

NAUGHTY LEVEL: 5%

OBSERVATIONS: She's an excellent dragon tamer and guardian. She makes the most wonderful and original virgin snacks. She had bore 12 years of writing partnership with the Father Dragon (not easy at all). She might have abandoned Dragon Cave lately (for work.)

RECOMMENDATION:     a) Coal                   b) Special video card (look below)

~ ~ * ~ ~

NAME: Jeff Hargett

LOCATION: Strands of Pattern

NICE LEVEL: 92%

NAUGHTY LEVEL: 8%

OBSERVATIONS: He is a great supportive friend. He is an excellent critique partner. He offers good advice and honest insight. He is a good "Toss the Dwarf" player, for a human. He could have more confidence in himself, though.

RECOMMENDATION:     a) Coal                   b) Special video card (look below)

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There are two other people I just have to mention even if they're not writers but they also mean a lot to this writer. Mama Dragon, who hates writers but supports me and wishes for this dragon writer to be published one day. And Father Dragon "The Great", who was 98% responsible for my love for stories and books.

RECOMMENDATION:     a) Coal                   b) Special video card

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Because poor Pete is dashing all over the place trying to hunt down the rest of Santa's missing Nice List, I decided to take care of these ones myself. Merry Christmas, buddies! Your names are carved in golden letters on the Wall of Honor at the Dragon Cave. Enjoy the gift I made specially for you and have a wonderful Christmas!

*Dragon Video Card *

How about you? Is there someone you would like to say Happy Holidays to, or tell them how much they mean to you? JOIN US! There is still time. Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today :D. Sometimes a kind word and a smile is more valuable than the most expensive gift in the world. So go ahead and spread some kindness and cheer!


Photo credit: assorted gold baubles (christmasstockimages.com) / CC BY 3.0
Music: You Raise me Up feat. Josh Gobran

To Believe or Not to Believe, THAT is Da Question.

I've come to the conclusion there is one single rule in writing: There are no rules in writing. There is also only one constant in writing: The dire wish to write. And there is the Inevitable: The doubt on our skills and the fear we're not good enough. It doesn't matter whether the writer is published or unpublished, no one is untouchable. Doubt and Fear will rear their ugly head at some point in everybody's road, or at many points.

A teacher once told me whenever I found something hard to do, I should not think "I can't do it." Instead, I should think "I don't know how to do it." Thinking you can't do something leaves you without options. Thinking you don't know how, means you will achieve your goal as soon as you figure out how. It isn't a matter of skills or ability, it's a matter of knowledge.

Following this advice, I've practically devoured every bit of information I could about writing. Ironically, the more I learned, the more difficult the task became. As I struggled to digest the information, I got away from the "I don't know how" and leaned closer and closer to the "I can't do it." I lost myself in a maze of lessons, doubts and questions. The horizon disappeared from sight and frustration clouded the reason why I was doing all this search in the first place.

I stopped writing. I couldn't read the "map." Directions became enigmas and riddles. All of a sudden, the only thought spinning in my mind was "I can't do this." I know nothing. I understand little. Obstacles are too many. I'll never get it right.

I am a dragon. Fantasy is what I'm made of and magic is part of my everyday life. My belief there are such things as magic in the real world is what keeps me here. The day I stop believing is the day I'll disappear. This means, I do believe in signs from the Higher Spheres. I believe in conversation with a Greater Power, the one who made me just as I am: a writer dragon.

When I was close to dump everything and give up on finishing the stories I'm working on, there were questions repeating themselves in my mind. My heart turned to the Higher Powers.

"I am not a quitter. Quitting is just out of the question, but should I give up for a while? There are other forms of art I am better at and I can do so I let the writing rest. Should I do this? Or should I ignore all doubts, just sort it out and go ahead? Should I return to the starting point? Should I quit trying to learn so much so fast?"

As a dragon, I understand the Higher Powers do not speak in tenor's voice from the sky. They speak to me through others and through daily events. So my questions went to a Knight, friend of dragons. Sir Jeff's letter was eloquent and his general message was "Keep writing and trust on your heart to do this right."

But the Higher Powers were not done talking yet. I take inspiration from movies and books as well. I had offer author Catherine McLean to read her new book and make a review here. The book is Jewels of the Sky and the review is still to come. But it made me feel an excitement and hunger for adventure I had not felt in a while. It refreshed my wish to write and the confidence I could do it well.

Additionally, I promised mother dragon I would take her to the premier of The Hobbit. Whereas I enjoyed the movie, there was a part that echoed loudly in my heart. A snippet of conversation between Balin and Thorin, where Balin is saying Thorin doesn't have to fight the dragon. I don't remember the exact words but he says something like: "You have given your people a new home in the Blue Mountains. Forget Erebor." And Thorin's answer was that his ancestors didn't pass on to him a key expecting he would forget their home. He said, "You have that option. I don't." 

I have met two titans in my life. Two individuals whose fortitude, resilience and determination are worth of heroic songs. To them I promised I would never quit fighting for my goals. Thorin spoke the reminder from Above about my vow.

My last sign was the perfect wrapping and summary of all answers I asked for. I had a hunch I had to go see The Origin of the Guardians. My money was enough for one single ticket. It was either the Guardians or The Hobbit. I paid for the Hobbit. It was just too much coincidence that the theater made a silly mistake and tried to mend it by giving me free passes to another movie. I got to see the Guardians for free. That was, I guess, the clearest sign it was meant for me to see both.

The Guardians talk about fear and about fantasy and magic and dreams. The Guardians show you how fear and doubt destroy everything your child's heart believe in. We writers might not fear the boogeyman, but we fear nonetheless, and we fear a lot. It is this fear that kill our determination to keep writing. It kills our stories and our dreams. It is this fear that often makes the child inside us shut up and hide in the darkest corner of our hearts. The Guardians question people what is in our core. What are we made of? What's our special virtue that identifies us, individually?

It certainly hit home with me as I understood fear is only as big as I want to make it. It is as invincible as I let it be. My doubts get a hold of my heart in the extent of the fear that dwells inside me. This is no children tale. This is true. It happens to me, it happens to everybody I've read posts from these days. No one can save us from the boogeyman but our own wish to believe we have everything we need to defeat it. The understanding that it will be as big or as small, as powerful or powerless to defeat me as I let it be.

To me, it is the choice to believe fantastic magic can happen in this real world as well. We writers weave dreams. We should not loose the ability to marvel. We believe in muses, do we not? Then why not to believe we are also Guardians of Words and Guardians of the worlds we've created? Published or unpublished, they already exist, whether in paper or in our minds. We may choose to believe we're small and boogeyman is invincible and quit the writing, OR we may choose to believe there's a true writer in our core, a maker of worlds, and we are the Guardians of that core.

This brings to my mind a piece of writing that has accompanied me for many years. From Letters to a Young Poet, by Rainer Maria Rilke.

"How should we be able to forget those ancient myths that are at the beginning of all peoples, the myths about dragons that at the last moment turn into princesses; perhaps all dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave.
Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us. So you must not be frightened if a sadness rises up before you larger than any you have ever seen; if a restiveness, like cloud shadows, passes over your hands and over all you do. You must think that something is happening with you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand; it will not let you fall..."

The Higher Spheres have answered the questions of this dragon and I choose to believe in me, so Father Dragon can keep existing in this, the real world.

What do you choose for yourself?