Thank you 2023!

 

Top Story November 2023 - Across the Lines, Space and Time

Across the Lines, Space and Time 

Out of all my little Vellas you liked one more than all the rest! 

Thank you so much to everyone who made Across the Lines, Space and Time the top story for November! You are all so amazing! I love that you love this weird little nod to the Noir. 

AtLSaT is an amalgamation of the new and the old in more than just the setting and the themes. More than half the cast were created when I was still in elementary school. DJ and the gang were my first real characters. The original story centered around their adventures as rural kids in the early 1980's with only a small dip into the supernatural. 

It was only later that I came up with the idea for Detective Mackenzie Grabes. I wanted to try my hand one NaNoWriMo at a Noir. It quickly got out of hand when I realized that Mac's hometown was the same one DJ and her friends grew up in. That's when things got really strange. 

I knew Mac was going to have to face some strange and unusual "magic" items, as is typical of the Noir mythos. The object isn't always magical, but it may have some connection to secret societies, and ancient myths. I decided this was certainly more fun with some real magic tossed in. 

I don't want to give away too much for those who haven't started reading yet, but yes, there are all manner of lines to cross in this story, be they timelines, powerlines, or gridlines. Any way you twist its one strange storyline. 

New episodes will be coming in 2024, but for now I hope you take this time to catch up with DJ, Mac, and the whole gang! Thank you again so much! 

Daily Inspiration Sunday Special

Welcome to October! Halloween! Friday the 13th! My birthday month! And we are off to a great start with the cards today!

I love when the Seven of Cups appears. We are sure to have a day of wonder and magic with this card. There is so much hope and blessings tied to the meaning of the Seven of Cups. There is also some wariness to it, though. We can dream big and let our minds go wild with expectations, but also stay aware and grounded. 

Prompt: I was struck with an idea, finally, for NaNoWriMo. I was concerned I would be flying blind on November first. But true to form my muses delivered a fully packaged idea a month before the big game. So what does this have to do with the prompt? 

The Well: Talk about your dreams. Do you have an idea or plan that you want to make reality? Tell someone! Be brave and share that dream with as many people as you can. Remember, it is the Emperor who holds the power to bring that Seven of Cups energy into reality! Tell someone who you see as a powerful leader or master of manifestation about what you desire. Most likely, today, they will use their power to help you! 

Be brave and dream big!

Full Patreon Post 

Czep

Sunday Special Daily Inspiration

Daily Inspiration is available to the public every Sunday! I hope you enjoy this taste of the magic and mayhem available to $1 tier patrons all week long.

We have all the Cups in the cards today! The Page of Cups gives us some lovely surprises and unexpected happiness. This card always brings a smile when I see it in a reading. No matter what else is going on, this whimsical youth brings an offering of simple joys. Be on the lookout for small blessings today!

In addition to the Page, the blessings continue with the Nine of Cups. The Nine of Cups reminds us to be aware of our worth and value our purpose. The woman in this card knows how far she has come and where her boundaries stand. She is no longer willing to accept just anyone into her emotional circle, and she is aware of how her own emotions affect others. 

With so many Cups in a reading, I expect this to be a Sunday full of emotions and connections. And probably wine.

Prompt: We recently dealt with how to develop emotional impact in a scene, as well as how to portray those emotions in writing. There is a much more in-depth post on this topic at the Writer's tier, but I'll share a taste here today. 

The previous week, we focused on headhopping and POV. This prepared us for adding the emotion to our POV character and the characters she perceives. Consider what your POV character sees, hears, and experiences with her other physical senses when it comes to the characters she is interacting with. How does she know what her costar is feeling if she can't get in their head? This is how you, as a writer, will create a more powerful emotional impact. The reader will experience the world as the POV character, rather than being 'told' how the characters are feeling. 

Movement: Let's stick to those emotions in our movement section. On stage, we are telling a story, whether through action, dialogue, or dance. In my shows, we focus on the action and dance. Mostly because we are low budget and mics are expensive. 

The big movements and choreography carry the plot, but it is the smaller moves, favoal expressions, and hand gestures that convey the emotion of a dance or scene. A well-timed wink at the audience, a flick of the wrist, or lock in a move can lift the audience into the spirit of the performance. 

In the same way POV puts the reader in the shoes of the character, nuance in form and face show rather than tell the story on stage. Next time you watch a performance, pay attention to which characters hold your attention. My guess, they will be the ones who pull their feelings to their very fingertips. Use this on your own and watch how your performance elevates.

Whatever you do today, put your heart into it!

For Daily Inspiration just like this check our my Patreon! See you Monday!

Czep

Sunday Special

Sunday inspiration is for everyone! 

Today is Sunday Madness at the House of Rainbows and Awesome! In honor of the open doors, Sunday inspiration will always be available to all patrons. So here's a taste of what you're missing during the week. 

It's a Knight of Swords sort of day at the studio today. We are going hard into rehearsals to prepare for our October 13th and December 2nd shows. 

The Knights are cards of youth, exuberant energy, and action! The Knight of Swords may be the pinnacle of this. He is an act first, ask questions later, sort of character. He is full of strong ideals and seemingly limitless motivation! His motto, let's do this!

Our other card today is the Ten of Cups. I can think of no better way to refer to this card than the Happily Ever After. This card always brings a smile to my face when I see it. On a day of rehearsals, tarot, and D&D, I know the power of this card is strong. 

Prompt: Show me the knights in your story! You don't have to be writing a fantasy or historical fiction to have a few knights in shining armor in your story. Who are the characters forever performing feats of heroism, welcomed or not? How do you show their heroics without simply telling the reader "he is a hero"? Show us a scene filled with action, energy, and unbridled strength of ideals, and you have shown us a hero.

Movement: Work it today! This one is specifically for my troupe today, but I'm sure some of you will gain from this, too. 

Give it your all today. Mentally, physically, emotionally, give whatever you do your all. Sweat through that workout and be present in that burning. Strive for the best in form and stamina. Dig deep for that desire to reach the next level of your achievements. 

In anything you do today, think of yourself as the Knight in a fairytale and strike forth with the power of your beliefs. 

Czep

Tarot Cafe - Suits and Symbols

In the Tarot, and in a standard deck of playing cards there are four suits in the Minor Arcana. In this session we will dive into some of the surface meanings and connections for each of these four suits.

Most of us recognize the common suits in the Tarot as Swords, Wands or Rods, Cups or Chalices, and Coins or Pentacles (sometimes also called Discs). These four suits correspond with the playing card suits we are likely equally familiar with which are; Spades, Clubs, Hearts, and Diamonds. Most of us take for granted the choice of these symbols, but there is a deeper meaning in the suits and the story each corresponds to.

For the purposes of brevity and basics, we will be focusing on the correspondences most common to the French, Italian, or Spanish. If you are interested and willing to do a bit of poking around you may also enjoy what you find in the Egyptian, Celtic, and various other histories. The playing card has traveled far, and seen much of history. We will likely revisit the suits again in the future and debate further the merits of each connection, but for now let’s try to keep it simple.

Want to learn more?

Just Write - Formatting

Tonight's class at Rio Vista is going to focus on manuscripts and formatting. That means this week's Patreon Post focuses on what even is proper formatting nowadays?

The difference between a manuscript and a book is similar to the difference between a writer and an author. A writer writes. An author publishes. A reasonable definition of a manuscript would be the text of your work before that text has been published in a completed book. Manuscripts become books once they are typeset and bound, or formatted as an ebook.

It is so important to note that all three are completely different formatting styles. We will touch on that later.

Agents, publishers, and even readers are looking for a well formatted manuscript. The writing may be stellar, but if the font, spacing, and style is a disaster, no one will want to look at the words on the page. A messy or poorly formatted manuscript, bad grammar, or poor font choice, are red flags to any reader which screams that this author does not want to put the time into their work as a professional.

When the industry still worked with paper, the manuscript was literally what you printed out. I am so grateful we have stepped into the future. I would much rather send a free PDF document than burn through 600 plus pages of paper every time I wanted to pitch my 180,000 word novel.

Today, the best practice is to make your digital manuscript as easy to access and read as possible. Don’t give anyone an instant reason to toss your file in the recycle bin.

Want to read more? 

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

I've been offering daily insights and inspiration to all tiers on my Patreon, and I've decided that Sundays are free days! 

Take this chance to check out what you're missing during the week!

How will you make the world more beautiful today?

When the Knight of Cups is revealed, we know it's going to be a beautiful day. The Knight of Cups is the biggest flirt you will chance to meet. He offers limitless compliments, gifts, and affection. 

But sometimes, it is all illusion. 

He doesn't mean to be fickle. He loves you. He just loves everyone else, too. 

The best way to give purpose to Knight of Cups energy is to share the love. Pairing this with the World card does just that. 

The World is a card of completion and connection. It puts us at the epicenter of our own blessing and the gifts the world has to offer. 

That said, how are you making the world a more beautiful place? Even if it is only for a moment and as fleeting as a shooting star.

Prompt: Did you think today's prompt would be anything besides world building? 

This is an invitation since that is another meaning behind the Knight of Cups. An invitation to revel in your created world. An expedition into the expansive and wondrous cities and homes your characters play in. 

Your world can be as much of a character as the actors who people it. Today, give it some time to shine. Take a tour and write deeply into all the sights, sounds, and smells your world has to offer.

Most of this revelry won't make it into final copy, but it will help solidify the places and spaces you are plotting in. And that's the magic of this exercise. You will discover the one or two sentences that boil down the multifaceted wonder that is your world and offer that to your reader.

Movement: Today's movement is about beauty and the body. I am not really a fan of exercise. I wasn't a picked first kid in gym class, and I am certainly not the first person you will see running for fun. But I appreciate my body and the gifts it provides. I want to enjoy quality of life well into old age. And I know this takes effort on my part. 

But the journey to a healthy body better not be dull.

I dance because I find beauty in the movement, not because I am thinking about all the muscles I am using and all the work I am doing. I sword fight for the same reason. I appreciate the geometry of the body as I square off with my opponent. And in yoga, I feel the same.

It has to be fun and beautiful! Or different and interesting. 

This brings me to my practice tonight. I'm on the path to my yoga certification, and I have to take a number of in studio classes in that time. I know I would be bored if every class were a basic how to. But the studio I attend offers ritual, visualization, and imagination in many of the classes. My mind is offered the opportunity to play while the body gets the work done. Everyone enjoys the experience!

Like what you see? Subscribe today for more great insights and inspiration! 

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May your Sunday be filled with blessings and beauty!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Through discipline and hard work, we earn the success we deserve. Today's cards remind us that we reap what we sow. 

Dig deeper into the Chariot and the Nine of Pentacles in today's Patreon post. 

Prompt: How is your focus on writing? Are you writing for pleasure or publication? Both are valid! But, if your answer includes a desire to publish and profit (or at least not starve) through your writing, discipline is key. 

Writing is a job. Read that again. If you seek payment for your work, it takes work! My average writing day is about six hours. In those six hours, I am writing, editing, plotting, marketing, or researching. 

Discuss goal setting and tracking in today's Patreon post. 

Movement: Oh discipline is the keyword here too, fear not. What are your wellness goals? Are you just seeking to stay active? Maybe lose a few pounds or gain some muscles? Maybe you've had a medical wakeup call.

Full Patreon Post

Stay focused and stay motivated!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Have faith in your ability to turn everything you touch into abundance. 

It's always a trip when Pentacles come up on Fridays. 

Prompt: The Queen is giving that main character energy. What are your female main characters like? Do you lean on cliche or give them equal agency? 

Movement: Though I am leaning into the feminine on this one, men can enjoy the benefits of today's exercise as well.

Let's learn about umis or pelvic circles today! 

Full Patreon Post

For those who need a visual aid, check out the Umis Bellydance tutorial video on my YouTube channel.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

You are a product of your self-acceptance and self-reliance. 

Ever feel like even though everything is exactly as it should be, you are still lagging behind? Today's reading is permission to let go of need and enjoy all you have worked hard for.

I invite you today to lean into the Sun energy and release any energies that make you feel cut off from its light and abundance. 

Prompt: Let's talk character arcs again. A character's growth doesn't have to be linear. In fact, linear might be the last thing a good character arc is. 

Movement: What's your hard push today? Or, alternatively, what push are you recovering from?

Full Patreon Post

Have a great one no matter what!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

It's the middle of the week. It's the day after a big energy day. Take a moment to rest. How often do you honor the benefit of restoration?

The cards today are giving permission to take a break. 

Prompt: Today we learn how to take the time to read like a writer. 

Movement: Stretch! Today, we are going to give our muscles some love. 

Full Patreon Post

I hope you have a fulfilling and restorative Wednesday!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

The Lion's Gate is open! What are you manifesting?

The cards today are likely tapping into the epic powers of the Lion's Gate portal, which peaks today.

So, what are you diving into and bursting out of today?

Prompt: All of this creative energy deserves to be spent in big ways! So my advice to you today is simple and direct.  

Write! 

Movement: So what brutal high energy, bust it out workout do I have for you on this powerhouse day? Stillness.

Full Patreon Post

I hope your day is filled with epic levels of abundance and blessings! Have a beautiful Lion's Gate day!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Happy Monday! 

Today's cards have big beginning of the week energy! 

These cards go quite well together as we face the run-up to the Lion's Gate portal, which peaks on August eighth. More on that tomorrow. 

Prompt: Have you dropped hints in your writing? Or been wowed by a foreshadowing in a novel or story?

Movement: If I haven't mentioned it until now, I've committed myself to achieving a yoga certification. I've paid the fees, bought the books, and booked the classes. This plan is already in motion. If I quit, I lose a lot of money, and I darken my reputation with a great local community. My die is cast, now I have to do the work.

What would it take to keep you committed? Investment? Partnership? A reward? Pinpoint that motivation, and stick to it.

Full Patreon Post

Have a great start to the week!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

It's collaboration time! What are you working on? How can I help?

The cards today are focused on collaboration and expansion. 

For me personally, there are a lot of final plans in the works for the Labyrinth Ball in a couple of weeks. 

Prompt: Okay, let's talk collaboration! Have you ever considered working with another author on a project, or submitting to a themed anthology? 

Movement: Today's movement is an invitation more than inspiration. We are seeking new dancers and sword performers for the Fall season and 2024. We meet on Sunday afternoons for rehearsals and collaboration. If you have ever wanted to be on stage, this is your chance! We welcome all levels! Show us what you got!

Full Patreon Post

Thank you again for your support! Have a wonderful day!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Do you ever feel like you are barreling forward with no idea how to stop or take time to rest and reflect? Same. The cards today are here to offer a reminder that sometimes knowing when to stand still is as important as knowing when to take that leap. 

Today's writingprompt focuses on the balance and control of description versus dialogue. And our movement prompt is a real HIIT!

Full Patreon Post

I hope your day is balanced with as much progress as reflection!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Happy Friday!

Today's reading gave us a great message to start the weekend! 

The Ace of Swords is a card of focus, ambition, and action. What are you doing today that requires your undivided attention? Pairing this go get it attitude with the Nine of Cups means you won't just be tackling all the big decisions with grace and gusto, but that others will see your prowess today too! This is a great way to end the week! 

Take pride in whatever you do today! 

Today's prompt writing prompt in one of the outline or storyboard methods I use when I need to slow down and assess my next move.

Have you ever tried the Snowflake Method? 

Movement: Staying on the topic of focus, take things slow today. That's not a rest day offer. When we work out, we should be focusing on form. 

Want more? Check out the full post on Patreon!

Full Patreon Post

Stay strong, and stay focused today! Have a great weekend!

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Are you showing up or showing off?

That's the big question the cards ask today. The Empress is all about natural creativity, abundance, and blessings. Her consort, the Emperor, brings structure, discipline, and authority. Too much of either puts us out of balance. When you have both, however, the world is at your command. 

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Discover the power of both in today's Patreon post. 

Full Patreon Post

Have a wonderful and productive day!

Czep

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Talk about a day of transition. Both cards are sixes! Six is a lucky number for me, and in Tarot, it can bring good things too. Learn more about these cards in the latest Patreon Post. 

We'll also talk about backstories, Hobbits, and having fun!

I know I beat everyone up yesterday with that workout, today is kinder, promise!

Full Patreon Post

Czep

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Happy Lugnasadh! 

Today's inspiration post on Patreon delves into the deeper meanings behind the Devil card, a little history on Lugnasadh and the patron god Lugh, how to gives depth to your villains, and what the Spartacus workout can do for you. 

It's a mixed bag, but I promise it all fits together. It's all part of being a great polymath!

Full Patreon Post

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot

Well, that's one way to start a week and end a month. What are you seeking closure on today? What old lessons can you finally graduate from?

Personally, I see this as the end of Summer Reading at the library and the end of summer in general. Tuesday is Lammas, the official start to harvest season, so that's all about endings and closure.

The Ten of Swords can be a scary card in a reading, but endings are not always bad things. The end of a toxic job or relationship, or the end of an illness, can feel like a great weight has been lifted. When you see the Ten of Swords, think of all the potential beyond that ending.

Have a productive and blessed day! And feel free to reach out if you need some guidance or a little nudge. See the full postvand all prompts on Patreon!

Daily Inspiration on Patreon

Here's a bonus picture of T2 hitting the mat this morning too.

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

You are the support so many reach out to. Ask and be open to the abundance you have cultivated. Today's reading is a reminder to reach out for the support you need. This is especially true for those who offer so much of their time, energy, and knowledge to their community. 

The Five of Pentacles is a card of lack and financial insecurity. Because of this, it is also a card of support and community. Pairing this card with the Empress reinforces the energy of support. The Empress is one of the most abundant cards in the deck. 

How can you tap into that abundance? Check out the latest Patreon post for all patron levels.

Full Patreon Post

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Weekends are not always about adventure and excitement. Sometimes they are a time to rest, reflect, and dream. What are your dreams telling you today?

Looking for more information on the tarot cards for today, and some prompts to go with them? See the full post on Patreon. 

Full Patreon Post

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Happy Friday! What adventures await for you today? What joys will you seek out? Find your bliss! 

Today's Patreon post delves deeper into the meaning of the Pages in Tarot. 

I've also started offering daily writing and movement prompts for Patreon patrons. I hope they inspire motivate you through your day. Go check it out! 

More insights and inspiration on Patreon

Daily Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Are you seeking truth? Starting today, find ways to dig deeper understanding of yourself, your ideal, and the origins of your beliefs. 

I took a short break from posting these because I was told I might be posting too much. Then I remembered something I taught in one of my writing classes; you can't overdo it on media presence. For every person who sees you too much, there are thousands (and that's probably undercutting it) who don't see you at all. 

But, I am modifying my daily tarot to Daily Inspiration. This will include a little something for everyone. So....

Writing prompt: On Thursdays, I meet with my writing partner Bob Frank to hash out ideas for Cloud to Cloud and Resurrection. Have you partnered with another writer on projects? Reach out today and seek a partner who can motivate and inspire you. 

Movement: Thursdays are sword days! Pick up a sword, or a Broomstick and follow the moves from a favorite action scene.

I hope this will give patrons a little more to look forward to on these daily posts, and that they will inspire new readers to see more. 

Thank you ❤️

Czep

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

This a Sunday full of love, connections, and finding your joy. Indulge and be open to the abundance of the universe. 

What are you doing to nurture yourself? That's the big question for the day. 

The Queen of Cups is a personal card for me. It has been my card for as long as I can recall. To draw it beside the Ten of Cups on a day I know will be a joy makes it feel like I am on the right path. 

If you would like more insight into the cards or your path, now is a great time to book a reading or join a class. 

Monthly readings and classes are included in the higher Tarot patron tiers.

I hope your day is as beautiful at this reading predicts.

#inspiration #blessings #witchtok #dailytarot #tarot #queenofcups #tenofcups #aceofswordsreversed 

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Daily Tarot Inspiration

Another Saturday of big decisions. This weekend is full of choices. You may not like all of them.

Getting two twos in a reading reinforces the duality of the day. Adding a four to the mix is less about stability than increased possibility.

 

What you do today will have a greater impact than you anticipated. 

Need more guidance on your choices? You can always book a virtual or in-person reading via comment, website, or email.

 #tarot #dailytarot #witchtok #blessings #inspiration #twoofswords #twoofwands #fourofpentacles 

New Episode: Piers of Glass

Piers of Glass