How Not to Be a Horrible Person to the Opposite Sex

Through the magic of spam, my e-mail address somehow ended up in the hands of someone who sells secrets for seducing women. In reading the subject lines of these e-mails, I can't help but wonder... What kind of horrible person would actually buy crap like that? They say things like:

"Learn the secret to hacking women's brains! These few words will make any woman want you instantly! Learn the scientific secret to controlling women's minds!"

The implication being that women are video games to which you can find cheat codes, or computers that you can learn to program to do whatever you want. That they're all exactly the same, and what works on one will work on all of them the same way. The further implication being that women are not people. That they don't have thoughts or feelings or free will. They're just playthings, good for a night of fun. Instead of popping a new game into the console when you're bored, just "play" a woman instead tonight, then toss her back in the pile when you're done.

The worst one of all, though, was this: "This is the seduction video that women don't want you to see!" Think about that for a second. According to the company selling this product, women don't want you doing this to them. They're not only telling you this, they're actually using it as a selling point for their service. She's not choosing to be with you. You're forcing her to. "Use these techniques to sleep with any woman... whether she wants to or not!"

Of course, I don't believe for a second that these "cheat codes for controlling women's minds" actually work, because, well... women aren't computers or video games. They're human beings. And each one is different. They like different things, they want different things, and they respond to different things.

And that's what makes women--or just people in general, for that matter--worth pursuing or spending time with at all: the fact that they're all different. And interesting. No matter who it is you're talking to, chances are they have something interesting they can share with you. Maybe they have a lot they can share. Maybe even a lifetime. Or maybe not. Maybe they just know a cool joke about eels, or something like that. The point is, if you go around approaching people with a pre-determined formula for interaction, whether it works or not, you'll never get to find out what they might have had to offer.

What's more, you too are a unique and interesting person with something to offer. But if everything you say and do is mapped out by this "proven technique" you found online, then, even if somehow it DOES work, they don't like YOU, they like a series of steps that you followed. What's sexy about that?

So, in conclusion, so-called "seduction secrets" are atrocious, and dehumanizing to both men and women, but mostly to women. Approaching a woman that way assumes that literally the only thing worth finding out about her is what she looks like naked. And if you take this approach, most likely the only thing you WILL find out about her is what her drink feels like when it's thrown in your face. So let's all try to avoid that, and respect one another as human beings. Thanks!

Three Word Story - Results!

In my last post, I detailed a new project/contest wherein I would write a story based on three words, left for me in the comments section of that post by a randomly chosen respondent. Now, a day later, I have the results. And the winner is...

Zetty! So my story will be based on the words:

effervescent
wring
holdings

Should be interesting! And Zetty herself will receive a signed, printed copy of the story at some point in the eventual future. Thanks to all of you who participated!

Three Word Story (your participation needed!)

So, this is an idea that I stole from my friend Teresa Jusino, whose awesome blog can be found here.

I love to write fiction and would love to do more of it... but lately I've been having a hard time 1.) getting inspired, and 2.) finding the time to sit down and do it. So that's where you come in.

In the comments below, leave three random words. Any words at all, long or short, common or obscure. Do it by 5pm Pacific Time today. At the end of the day, I'll put all the entries onto little slips of paper and draw one out of a hat. I'll write a story inspired by those three words, that's at least 500 words long. That's a net gain of 497 words! Or more! (In fact, probably more; I'm pretty long-winded once I get going.) The story will be posted this Saturday. Why Saturday? Because Teresa already does Fridays, and I don't want to seem like I'm copying her TOO much. :P

Now, Teresa also gives the winners a signed, handwritten copy of the story that their words inspired. If I did this, you wouldn't be able to read the story, as my handwriting is abominable. So I won't subject you to it. Instead, you can have a nice, clean, computer-printed copy, that's still signed. And possibly printed in an cool and vibrant color, since my printer is almost out of black ink at the moment.

So, to recap: Three random words, in the comments below. GO!

Reaper's Rhythm - Author Interview with Clare Davidson!

So, as you know if you've been reading my blog, I've been participating in a blog tour to help UK author Clare Davidson promote her new YA Fantasy, Reaper's Rhythm. We had a cover reveal, a couple of teaser posts... But today, we have something a little different: an interview with the author herself. This was fun to do--hopefully fun for her as well. A couple of my questions do get a bit silly. So, here it is, my interview with Clare Davidson.

1      1. What inspired you to write Reaper's Rhythm? How did the story come about?

I’d been working on a lighter mid-grade WIP [Work In Progress], which I was waiting for feedback on and needed something new to write. So, just for fun, I decided to write a darker version of it. Other than a character name and some of the world background, there are very few similarities between Reaper’s Rhythm and that original WIP (which is a good thing).

2      2. What authors and books did you read growing up? Who were your influences?

Lloyd Alexander and Tamora Pierce immediately spring to mind.

I loved Alexander’s characterization in the Chronicles of Prydain, as well as his meshing of fantasy and Celtic mythology.

Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lionness series were great for adventure and had a really strong female lead. Although they were young adult novels, they didn’t shirk away from issues such as death and sex. As an author, she didn’t treat her teenage audience as children, but presented them with story lines they could relate to, even though they were in a fantasy setting.

3      3. Your Author Bio says that you teach high school... What do you teach? Tell us a little bit about that...

I taught English for five years. This last year I’ve been teaching Drama and Performing Arts. I try to make literature and drama as inspiring as possible for the pupils I teach. Judging by one of my thank you cards this year, I’ve succeeded for at least some students!

4      4. If you could travel back in time to any period in history for one day, where would you go and what would you do there?

I’d like to go back to 1291 to see the first of the Eleanor Crosses being built. Edward I had them built in memory of his wife, Eleanor of Castile. Twelve crosses were built from Lincoln to Charing (now Charing Cross – probably more famous today as a tube station!), to mark all the places Eleanor’s body rested when it was taken back to London, for burial in Westminster Cathedral.

I’ve always loved how there was a British king who actually loved his wife, so much so, that my daughter is named after Edward’s queen.

5      5. Most people who know me know that I'm a bit obsessed with British television. So I have to ask... Are there any good TV shows you'd recommend that the average American wouldn't be familiar with?

That’s quite tough, because quite a few of our really good series, get an American makeover. Sherlock (which is amazing) became Elementary; Waking the Dead became Cold Case. I’ll also admit I watch more American TV series than British ones these days. Wow, that was a really unhelpful answer. Sorry!

6      6. What advice would you give to aspiring writers, or people looking to turn writing into their profession?

Never stop learning and improving. At the same time, don’t try to use someone else’s writing strategies verbatim. There are a lot of writing books out there, which offer advice on how to write and not all of it will work for you. Take what does, ignore what doesn’t, find your own way. Most of all, keep at it. Writing isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

7      And, a few rapidfire questions...

1      Favorite mythical creature?

Dragons (although you won’t catch me writing about them anymore). I have over 150 dragons at home of various shapes and sizes.

2      Best topping for ice cream?

Chopped nuts.

3      Morning person or night owl?

Morning person.

4      Best time of day for writing?

Whenever I have the time. Morning for preference.

5      How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

How big is the wood in relation to the woodchuck? ;-)

6      How many houses of parliament are there?

In the UK? Two. The House of Commons and the House of Lords.

About Reaper's Rhythm:

When everyone thinks your sister committed suicide, it’s hard to prove she was murdered.

Kim is unable to accept Charley’s sudden death. Crippled by an unnatural amnesia, her questions are met with wall after wall. As she doubts her sanity, she realises her investigation is putting those around her in danger.

The only person who seems to know anything is Matthew, an elusive stranger who would rather vanish than talk. Despite his friendly smile, Kim isn’t sure she can trust him. But if she wants to protect her family from further danger, Kim must work with Matthew to discover how Charley died – before it’s too late.

About Clare Davidson:

Clare Davidson is an independent writer, based in Lancaster. Clare is a high school teacher, mother and character-driven fantasy writer. Clare was born in Northampton and lived in Malaysia for four and a half years as a child, before returning to the UK to settle in Leeds with her family. Whilst attending Lancaster University, Clare met her future husband and never left. They now share their lives with their young daughter, a cranky grey cat and an insane white kitten.

She published her first novel, Trinity in July 2012. Trinity is a young adult, fantasy novel, which currently has seventeen five star reviews on Amazon UK.

Her second novel, Reaper’s Rhythm, is due to be released on the 26^th July 2013. Also aimed at a young adult audience, Reaper’s Rhythm is an urban fantasy with a dash of mystery.

Ways to connect with Clare Davidson:

Website: http://claredavidson.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClareMDavidson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClareMDavidson

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6445758.Clare_Davidson

New releases mailing list: http://eepurl.com/zpjGf