Otherworldly Words: Labyrinth

  May is named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was believed to influence growth and was known as a nurturer. In the theme of the month, I’ll look at four other words, with an otherworldly connotation, that derive from Greek mythology. When I think of a labyrinth, I often think of the confusing halls…

Otherworldly Words: Fury

  May is named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was believed to influence growth and was known as a nurturer. In the theme of the month, I’ll look at four other words, with an otherworldly connotation, that derive from Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, the Furies enacted revenge on those wronged. Much like the…

Dark Quotes: Words of Wisdom (?) from Benjamin Franklin

I love wisdom passed down in pithy, easily regurgitated quotes. This one from Benjamin Franklin makes great use of the (often misplaced) human fear of wolves to make a political statement. One has to wonder about the double-edged sword of these words, however. Does the advice eschew acts of kindness and generosity, thus making more…

Otherworldly Words: Echo

  May is named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was believed to influence growth and was known as a nurturer. In the theme of the month, I’ll look at four other words, with an otherworldly connotation, that derive from Greek mythology. First up is echo. While no longer capitalized, the word comes from the…

So, I’ve decided to write a #slasher…

I often have so many ideas floating around in my head, and I’m never sure which one I’ll pluck to write next, but I’ve decided to write a slasher. Yes, a serial murderer stalking victims slasher. It’s a bit of a departure for me as my previous books have had supernatural elements to them. Yet…

It’s Arbor Day. Show a tree some love.

It seems silly to profess my love for trees. Who wouldn’t love trees? Oddly, I had a friend visit once, and she declared, “I don’t really like forests,” as we walked through one of my favorite forest preserves. I tend to think she was having a bad day or purposefully being difficult. Too many studies…

Dark Quotes: Poe, Alone

I was quite young, maybe third grade, when I discovered Poe on the family bookshelf in a bound compendium of his work. While my love for his stories took a bit of time to grow (they were a bit a slow burn for me), I was immediately taken with his poetry. Still today, the casual rhyme,…

#Otherworldly Words: Siren

All this month, I’m looking at less-than-flattering words for women. Next is that dread of all the seas, the siren. A siren is: Classical Mythology. one of several sea nymphs, part woman and part bird, who lure mariners to destruction by their seductive singing. a seductively beautiful or charming woman, especially one who beguiles men: a siren…