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Storms are an intriguing aspect of nature, because in any
season they can become so incredibly immense for the hours they are effecting
our lives. I live on the East Coast of Canada, and this past Winter we’ve
survived a pattern of weather that many people figured would never end! Three a
week, and most of them blizzards, we were buried, quite literally, under about
9 feet of snow by the end of March. Our winter didn’t fully kick into gear
until the end of January, so that will give you an idea of the pattern we were
locked into here on the coast.
Of course, all that snow did inspire a couple of great
writing sessions, and it probably won’t surprise anyone to know that at least
one couple from an upcoming book gets caught in a blizzard, and wake to a
changed landscape. If you’ve never seen a truly massive snowfall, it’s actually
a magnificent vision the morning after if the sun is shining. The ice crystals
sparkle like tiny shards of glass and diamonds on a scape that looks like the
Sahara desert, only this one is cold and white. The ripples are the same,
blasted into the snow dunes by high winds, and it blankets everything. I can
stare at it endlessly and appreciate its beauty.
Summer storms are a different kind of power and energy. After
a particularly long lightning and rain storm, I wrote a story called
Storm-Singer the next day. The idea being that a shifter-witch, I called her a
were-witch, could summon magic and power from the skies and channel the energy
of weather to weave spells. She is the mate of an ancient vampire in a world
called the Rim Rocques.
A while back, I discovered a video that fascinates me, of
lighthouses being battered by storms… I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve
watched that video, and I know there’s a story waiting to be told. Have a look
and see if it hits you the same way:
And, if you’re curious about my Storm-Singer, you can read
that tale here:
Three stories, one kind of
hero, pirates anyone? Includes the short stories:
Storm-Singer:
The Isle of Nyx has become the
dread of all sailors who must dare the waters surrounding the mythical island.
Local legends say a vampire prince resides in the ancient castle that can be
seen from the harbor of the island. At his side is a powerful sorceress whose
song can control and summon storms.
In a desperate attempt to end
the eternal threat looming over them, the people of the Aurora Islands
sacrifice their greatest treasure, the princess Sarita, entrusting her with the
task of seducing and destroying the dark prince who has been plundering their
wealth and their people for centuries?
Angel-Fire: A short intro to the world of Captain Jack Stanton, an
honourable man with a tarnished reputation. Stranded in Nassau, caught up in a
pleasant interlude with a barmaid, Jack has a vision that will lead him to his
past and his future, if he can survive to get back Tortuga to discover what it
all means…
The Phantom’s Lair:
Upon her arrival in the
pirate port of Tortuga where her father is acting as Governor, Katheryn
Hollinsworth is determined to choose her own path, and follow her heart
wherever it may take her. On the streets of Puerta de la Plata, she encounters
the mythical buccaneer known as The Phantom, and very quickly loses her heart
to the handsome rogue.
Jack Stanton is a man who has
never fully come to terms with his past, and in the Governor's pretty daughter
he finds a most unlikely champion. But when his past threatens her life, and
any chance of a respectable future, The Phantom must face the demons of his
past, and accept the dictates of his own reawakened heart...
12 comments:
Amazing video, Denyse. When I lived in Toronto in 1969-1970, I was shocked that we had snow on the ground from October to April. Coming from a more temperate climate, I'd never seen that before. Also I'd never seen the temp go below zero before I moved to Toronto. Your stories sound great.
I don't know how you stand all that snow, Denyse. I like the white stuff on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, then I'm done.
Great video!
Great post Denyse! Loved that video of the lighthouses in storms. I, too, have a thing for lighthouses and I can't help but think there's a story there waiting to be told as well!
While you were getting pounded by those terrible winter storms, we were having the warmest winter on record here in the west. I missed the snow, but not so much when I saw the volumes you were getting. I hope your springtime will be much less dramatic. That video was amazing. I kept imagining the person who must have filmed it in those storms. I think if I did a story on it, it would be about that photographer.
Thanks for sharing a great post.
Hi, Denyse! I can't imagine 9 feet of snow. We go crazy with four inches.
Wow, thanks everyone. Such great comments. Let me answer you all. First, Vicki - and anyone else - if you want to SEE what Winter looked like here, check this video out - it's funny as hell, and NSFW: https://vimeo.com/119946258
Cara, thank you. I don't mind cold temperatures, the heat is what kills me. However, when the snow is creating tunnels and you can't see to get out of your own driveway - it is a little much even for a Winter lover like me. :)
Tina, if only... we actually had a green Christmas again, though not raining this year, at least.
The video is awe-inspiring, isn't it?
Renee, I think lighthouses are amazing places, and I marvel at the people who once manned them and lived in them. I really want to set a story in one of them, in a massive storm - and see what happens!!
Stanalei - I watched the gorgeous temperatures in the West, too - and it was beautiful out that way. I don't think we've seen more than a few days of Spring yet, but here's hoping it's on the horizon now! Hell, it's damn near May!!
What a beautiful cover! I like that you combined the stories into one book.
Hubby and I keep talking about moving up to Canada. We love it except for the winters. :(
Melissa, the cover was done by Kayden McLeod. She's an amazing artist, and this is one of several she's done for my books.
I honestly love living where I live in Canada, even when the weather gets a little insane, I'd still rather be here than anywhere else... except maybe Italy. :)
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