Breaking from the norm

I'm breaking from my traditional Muse Avatar fare this week to highlight an actor that inspires me far more than even the hotness that is Kiefer Sutherland, Alexander Skarsgard or Adam Levine.

For the past few weeks, hubs and I have been obsessed with Breaking Bad, in my opinion, one of the most well-written drama series on TV today. There's a number of reasons I've dubbed the show brilliant, but a lot of it has to do with the characters - and the amazing cast members who have brought those characters to life.

I've featured Aaron Paul on my blog before, and in addition to being pretty darned cute, he absolutely deserves last night's Emmy win in the outstanding supporting actor category. He is outstanding.

But I'm most enthralled with - in awe of, inspired by - Bryan Cranston. No doubt his performance as the meek-chemistry-teacher-gone-major-bad-dude Walter White is fuelled by the complex character created by the show's mastermind, Vince Gilligan, but Cranston's portrayal is mind boggling.

And a blatant reminder of the importance of characterization.

Walter White is an extraordinary character - sympathetic, flawed, driven, even desperate. And the potential for growth? Staggering. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of an over-the-top yet somehow believable character arc. I'm invested - 100%.

Long after I (reluctantly) turn off the DVD player, I think about Walt - about the decisions he's made, and most importantly, the motivation behind them.

As I push through the last 10,000 words of HEARTLESS, I've been thinking a lot about character motivations. I've got a lot - too many - projects on the go, but there is no other character I know better, or love writing more, than Jagger Valentine. And yet, with this first book in the series, I have only started scratching the surface of what drives her.

I had a tough weekend, and a crappy start to the week to boot. The next few days don't look much better. But if I'm going to cross the finish line of this book, I need to channel my inner Jagger - and perhaps some Walter White - and push emotion to the side. I need to do whatever I must to get the book done. Without breaking bad, of course.

I can't think of a more inspirational muse avatar for the week than the brilliant Bryan Cranston.

- Dawn

PS - Those last 10,000 words? Yeah, they're a bitch. Tomorrow I'll be talking about my strategy for typing "the end" (sooner rather than later) on the Indie Elite blog. Please...come hang out, laugh at my psychosis, or offer some block-busting tips. Pretty, please?

The Book In My Bag Today: Carnival of Souls, Melissa Marr

More than an inspirational voice

Okay, let me get this out of the way: Yes, handsome hubby, you ARE better looking than Adam Levine, and while it may *seem* like I have a small obsession with the Maroon 5 frontman this past week, I assure you, it's strictly from a research/writing point of view.

Moving on.

It's no secret I'm a fan of reality-based talent shows, and for years have followed American Idol, despite my favorites almost never winning the title. If not for the addition of Stephen Tyler and Jennifer Lopez a couple of seasons ago, I may have forfeited the show for good...

I think Idol's days - for me - are done. Stephen and Jen are off the show this season, and last year, I fell in love with a new reality-based sing-off - The Voice.

Admittedly, a lot of that has to do with Adam Levine. Sure, Blake Shelton has some country charm, and Cee-Lo is funny in a creepy sort of way, and I'm vaguely intrigued by the hot mess that is Christina. But really, I'm invested in Adam - the way he begs for the artists he wants, how my heart aches when they choose another coach (are you NUTS, people?!), the way his face lights up when the sane people DO choose him.

And then I heard this new Maroon 5 song...



...and something creative popped.

I'd been struggling with a character/plot point with HEARTLESS for a while, and something about the lyrics, or the video, or just Adam Levine's voice/face/smile/ unlocked the key to my writer's block.

Despite being down and out with a cold for a couple days, Sunday turned into a fairly productive writing day - and I'm pretty sure I have Adam (and of course, YOU handsome hubs) to thank for that. But why stop the creative drive at Sunday?

I'm so close - SO close - to finishing the first book in this series that I know if I applied myself I could  be typing THE END by the end of the week. Since Adam did such a great job this weekend, I figure it couldn't hurt to cast him in the role of MUSE AVATAR for the WHOLE week.

Have a great week! I know I will.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Carnival of Souls, Melissa Marr

Heather McCorkle's cover reveal - awesome!

I love a good book cover.

Yeah, I know you're not supposed to judge a novel by it's cover, but there's something exciting about seeing the book jacket for the first time, both as a writer and a reader. Which is why I'm excited to help promote this new book from the talented Heather McCorkle.

Rise of a Rector is the final novel in her channeler series (due out this October). To celebrate Heather is giving away two copies of her historical fantasy novel, To Ride A Puca. Before we get to that though, here is the cover:



Isn't it BEAUTIFUL?

To add it to your Goodreads lists, click here. If you'd like to check out the rest of the channeler series (her novella Born of Fire is now FREE on Amazon & B&N!) you can do so on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. To win an eBook of To Ride A Puca, all you have to do is help Heather spread the word.

There will be two winners! To enter fill out this form.

Thanks for helping Heather spread the word, and GOOD LUCK!

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Girl of Nightmares, Kendare Blake

Starting a new BAD habit

I *may* be crushing a bit on Aaron Paul.

You may know him as Jesse Pinkman on the hit TV series Breaking Bad - which is pretty much the only place I know him from, and really, we've only just met.

Not literally *met*, of course. I mean, figuratively since I've only just discovered the brilliance that is Breaking Bad.

Hubs and I are about three quarters of the way through the first season, and I'm captivated. Perhaps borderline obsessing - and it has only a little to do with Aaron. No, really.

The writing is amazing.

Unlike the majority of TV shows I'm addicted to these days, Breaking Bad isn't a fast-paced, get-your-heart-pumping, sex-infused supernatural jaunt. Though at times somewhat shocking, and perhaps slightly gory, Breaking Bad is more of a slooowww burn - but man, when the pieces all come together, the payoff is worth the investment. And then some.

Breaking Bad is one of six shows sitting next to my DVD player, along with Being Human (season 2), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (all seven seasons - gulp!), Dead Like Me (2 seasons), Lost Girl (season 2), and Mad Men. I'm a little bogged down in TV land these days - but I have a good excuse.

As most of you know, I've just recently signed a rep agreement with the amazing agent Anna Archer of Lucas Talent. Anna reps screenwriters and show runners for the Canadian TV/film market, and I'm thrilled to join her team...

And yes, a little scared.

My whole life, I've wanted to write books - in all genres, for all ages. That's still the main dream, but my writing aspirations have extended to the screen, and though I'm mums-the-word (for now) on what's on the horizon, I admit, I'm going to need to lean on my muse to get me through the next week of writing both for the original dream, and in its now super-enhanced form.

I think Aaron is perfect for the role. How about you?

If you're not watching Breaking Bad, you should check it out. It's smart, thought-provoking TV, with stellar writing, and some excellent acting, particularly the work of Aaron and Bryan Cranston. Already Breaking Bad? What do you think of the show?

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Girl of Nightmares, Kendare Blake

Breaking up is hard on the knees

It's not you, Diet Coke...

Actually it is.

After more than 25 years of loyal consumerism, I've come to realize Diet Coke isn't really that good for me - and I've decided it's time to part ways.

* pauses for dramatic effect *

Our on-again-off-again relationship began in high school, when my then Coca Cola habit was adding more body curves than thirst satisfaction. I switched to "diet" and drank almost a six pack a day, usually in the cafeteria where I skipped classes to write. Oh yeah, I was a big time party girl, let me tell you.

Somehow, Diet Coke became synonymous with writing - to the point that I once filled an empty can with water to try and psyche myself out. I barely wrote a solid paragraph. My muse is not easily foiled.


And now I'm on a 12-day cleanse where Diet Coke is one of the big forbidden items, and I realize my dependency on it can't be healthy. Yes, I've read the research on aspartame and caffeine, but that's not why I'm breaking up with Diet Coke this time. I'm kind of a bitch without it.


No really.


Ever since I started this cleanse, I've been on a roller coaster of withdrawal. I claw back my self control,  only to have it yanked from my hands with even the slightest hint of stress. I can't write. (Well, not anything good, anyway.) And okay, I admit I haven't been the easiest person to live with. Headaches. Body shakes. Complete exhaustion. That can't be good.


But breaking up is so hard, because I really love Diet Coke. Coke Zero. Diet Coke with Lime. Cherry Diet Coke. Vanilla Diet Coke. I love them all. I really, really, do.

And I have some great Diet Coke memories.

Like sipping DC and Jack Daniels in Hawaii, until Jamie taught me about Gibson's and Grey Goose, far smoother companions. Better than Mai Tai's any day - and best paired with a turkey burger. (Groan...take me back...)

Or, how about biking 1000 km in the heat, gulping down water while dreaming of the GIANT Diet Coke I'd reward myself with at the end of a 100 km day? Good times.

And just a few weeks ago, I sat at my kitchen table with Karen sucking back an ice cold DC, and a few days later, Sue and I played with puppies in the back yard and drank sangria - and then Diet Coke. (Because Sangria is really really good, too.) What will we drink if I give old faithful the boot?

I'm rather well known as the Diet Coke lady - and my family and friends would never dare offer a substitute. (Diet Pepsi is immediate grounds for friendship divorce.)

The thing is, I don't actually know if I'm ready to quit Diet Coke. For the past 7 days, I've been on my knees begging family, friends, and heck, random strangers for a small sip of their Diet Coke, or even a quick smell. Creepy, right?

Twice I have even cracked a can of Diet Coke with Lime, poured it over a glass of ice, just to feel the bubbles tickle my nose. I know, my willpower is to be commended (*accepts pat on back*) but just who am I kidding? When this 12 days of torture is finished, will I be ready to welcome Diet Coke back into my arms?

Chances are good.

But for now, I'm suffering through the separation. Weighing the pros and cons. Trying to figure out where Diet Coke ranks in the "bad boys" of my dating continuum. Is it too much to hope that DC isn't really that terrible?

Wait. Don't answer that. I'm fragile.

And bitchy.

Got a break up story?  How did you avoid going back?

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Next Always, Nora Roberts

Cleansing mind, body

I'm on day 5 of a 12-day herbal cleanse which essentially consists of taking these disgusting herbs twice a day, swilling awful drops twice a day (instant gag reflex), and eating a restricted diet that does not include dairy, flour, vinegar, alcohol, some fruits and, gasp, Diet Coke.

For those of you who know me, you understand how a regime that doesn't include Diet Coke might be somewhat traumatizing. Drinking it has never been about weight loss for me - I actually enjoy the taste.

But more than that, I associate Diet Coke with my creative side, convincing myself that I can't write, edit, or pretty much function without it. Not going to lie, I haven't been super productive in the writing department in the last five days, but I think it has as much to do with the draining after effects of the cleanse as it does my lack of Diet Coke.

I'm not doing the cleanse for weight loss either, though "temporary" shrinkage is certainly a happy side benefit. I started the Wild Rose D-Tox at my doctor's suggestion after we came up blank - again - on how to rid my body of this nagging cough I've had for more than a month. It's the kind of cough that keeps you up all night.

And it's viral - which means antibiotics and cough syrups don't work. But I've also hit an all-time unhealthy stage of my life. I've gained back all of the weight I lost last year, and though there are exciting things happening in my professional life, there's a lot of stress, too, which doesn't help in exorcising this nasty cough.

So, I'm cleansing.

I'm not even half way through, but already I feel a difference.

My Diet Coke cravings have subsided (Sunday was a bad day, my friends), and I feel lighter, less bloated. My energy levels aren't quite up to par, but I'm managing my daily workouts. My skin is clearer, my hair a bit shinier, and I'm not going to bed with that full feeling. I'm not going to bed feeling hungry, either. Because there are a number of foods I CAN eat.

But most importantly, that nagging cough? Almost gone.

While it's tempting to quit the program early and indulge in a morning coffee (with sweets Southern Butter Pecan cream), I'm going to stick it out. Maybe as my body cleans out all of the toxins, my mind will feel clearer too - and I won't need Diet Coke to get me through the creative day.

- Dawn


The Book In My Bag Today: The Last Boyfriend, Nora Roberts

An original muse

All this TV (it's for a good cause, honest!) over the past few weeks has reminded me of the original show that introduced me to binge watching -- 24.

I watched the first two seasons in two weekends, enough time to catch me up to the third season, whereby for the next four years, Mondays became almost a religious occasion. Shows like Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Lost Girl or even True Blood don't hold a candle to the kind of obsession I had for 24 - missing an episode wasn't an option.

It's been two years since Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) saved the last President on 24, but I often watch random episodes thanks to the full DVD collection gifted to me by my awesome mother-in-law over the past few Christmases and birthdays.

Jack Bauer is a spectacular character. Of course, I'm a huge Kiefer fan (he was one of my original muse avatars) but there was something so kick-ass about Jack. I love his vulnerabilities, his tough-guy routine, his failed relationships, his heroism in the face of adversity. Jack Bauer is about as three-dimensional as they come.

I'm working on my own multi-dimensional character right now for HEARTLESS, the first book in a series featuring Jagger Valentine. You'll be hearing a lot about Jagger over the next couple of months - heck, maybe years - but I'm sure having fun with her right now.

I'm on a (soft) deadline with Jagger so she's my main goal as I had into the week, with the hope of finishing this first book by end of month latest. While I'm at it, I'm going to think of Jack Bauer. Well, probably Kiefer Sutherland if I'm being truthful. Either as himself, or in Jack's clothes, I'm sure this week's Muse Avatar will help me power through.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag This Week: The Last Boyfriend, Nora Roberts