Chronicling

I can't seem to find my Video Tape #5, so I've reluctantly moved on to #6 and will go back to #5 once it's located. Video Tape is full of all sorts of goodies, including my first copy ever of "Nemesis" by Shriekback. Essentially, this is the video tape that changed my life. Had it not been for capturing that music video, I doubt I would have completed The Vampire Relics, nor would I have gotten up the gumption to travel to England. So Video #6 is a pretty special tape to me. Ayup.

The Popularity of Harry Potter and Real Witchcraft.

We all wish we were something more than what we really are. Because of that, the Harry Potter series rings a chime of truth and wishful thinking on our part. For my part, I wish I were a part of that world, no matter the dangers of bad wizards and deadly Dementors. When I became a Witch in my very early 20s, I had this idea that everything would change for me. The only thing that really changed was my world view. My faith in Gaia multiplied a thousandfold and I became one of those rare Witches who believed contrary to the normal Witch that we humans could save the world.

We humans might be able to make out beds a little better, but we're far from powerful enough to change a world as massive and as powerful as Mother Earth. Once she's had enough of us, she'll shake us off like a dog shakes excess water off it's fur after a long swim.

When I taught dedicants and they were so dependent upon the tools of the Craft, I would tell them the story of Dumbo. Magick dwells within each of us and no amount of magick feathers is going to change that. The tools are there to put you in a frame of mind to conjure up that personal power that was always there. Just like Harry made the glass of the snake exhibit disappear. He did so without a wand, without a familiar, and without any manner of incantation. It was Harry alone.

I don't practice magick anymore. I'm too jaded and my knowledge of what it's really about negates my ability to suspend my disbelief. That's why I call myself an agnostic Witch. I will always consider myself a Witch, but I'm continuing to search for my place in that Old Religion. I'd prefer to live in Harry Potter's world instead of this Muggle-ridden dump of human waste, but a person has to deal with what's handed her, I guess.

Until, I'll read the books and watch the movies...and wish.

Drat! Fie!

My DVD player has stopped working. It's not only stopped working, it won't eject the DVD. When I have the nerves about me, probably tomorrow, I'll be dismantling the bastard and trying to repair it myself. Yes, I can repair equipment like that. I taught myself the rudiments of such when I worked in Quality Assurance. Needless to say, my Harry Potter-fest is at a stand still. Aunt Tudi and I are watching reruns of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and I'm seething because of my crap luck.

30-Day Meme

I've decided to delve into one of those 30-day memes to jump start my blog. These looked interesting, so here we go.

The questions:

0. Explain yourself!

1. Tell us about your favorite writing project/universe that you've worked with and why.
2. How many characters do you have? Do you prefer males or females
3. How do you come up with names, for characters (and for places if you're writing about fictional places)?
4. Tell us about one of your first stories/characters!
5. By age, who is your youngest character? Oldest? How about "youngest" and "oldest" in terms of when you created them?
6. Where are you most comfortable writing? At what time of day? Computer or good ol' pen and paper?
7. Do you listen to music while you write? What kind? Are there any songs you like to relate/apply to your characters?
8. What's your favorite genre to write? To read?
9. How do you get ideas for your characters? Describe the process of creating them.
10. What are some really weird situations your characters have been in? Everything from serious canon scenes to meme questions counts!
11. Who is your favorite character to write? Least favorite?
12. In what story did you feel you did the best job of worldbuilding? Any side-notes on it you'd like to share?
13. What's your favorite culture to write, fictional or not?
14. How do you map out locations, if needed? Do you have any to show us?
15. Midway question! Tell us about a writer you admire, whether professional or not!
16. Do you write romantic relationships? How do you do with those, and how "far" are you willing to go in your writing? ;)
17. Favorite protagonist and why!
18. Favorite antagonist and why!
19. Favorite minor that decided to shove himself into the spotlight and why!
20. What are your favorite character interactions to write?
21. Do any of your characters have children? How well do you write them?
22. Tell us about one scene between your characters that you've never written or told anyone about before! Serious or not.
23. How long does it usually take you to complete an entire story — from planning to writing to posting (if you post your work)?
24. How willing are you to kill your characters if the plot so demands it? What's the most interesting way you've killed someone?
25. Do any of your characters have pets? Tell us about them.
26. Let's talk art! Do you draw your characters? Do others draw them? Pick one of your OCs and post your favorite picture of him!
27. Along similar lines, do appearances play a big role in your stories? Tell us about them, or if not, how you go about designing your characters.
28. Have you ever written a character with physical or mental disabilities? Describe them, and if there's nothing major to speak of, tell us a few smaller ones.
29. How often do you think about writing? Ever come across something IRL that reminds you of your story/characters?
30. Final question! Tag someone! And tell us what you like about that person as a writer and/or about one of his/her characters!

If anyone wants to join in, please feel free! Here's #1

0. Explain yourself!
Well, my name is Tracy, but I'm known mainly as Tin or Tinhuviel online. That's the name I adopted because the properly-spelled Tinuviel is Sindarin for nightingale. Since I love the twilight and I love to sing, this made sense to me. It's also my Craft name, which I've used since 1990. I'm an author who will turn 43 next month. My first book will also be released next month by Fey Publishing. I can't think of a better birthday gift. Go out and buy it voraciously, won't you?

I've lived in the South for almost my entire life. I did spend two trial weeks in West Virginia, but that was an exercise in horror, so we moved back to Asheville, North Carolina. I now reside in the Upstate of South Carolina, but my dream is to move to the West Country of England. If I can't go there, then I'd very much love to return to Asheville.

Since 2002, I've been an avid blogger. I don't see this ever changing unless the world ends. That said, I'm also a student of Apocalyptic prophecies, referring to them as the Alpaca Lips. I look forward to the day when the Earth finally kicks our wasteful butts off her lovely surface and tries her hand at uplifting another species that may have more respect for her divine beauty and abundance.

I'm an animal lover, particularly birds and cats, although I try to keep them apart considering it usually always ends up badly for the bird. I am also a Witch and have been a solitary practitioner 12 years. I've been in the Craft for a total of 19 years.

Any questions, just ask. Number 1 will come tomorrow. Aren't you thrilled?