Symbolism

Symbolism (Def): The practice of representing things by means of symbols or significance to objects, events, or relationships.

     I have a few things in my life that are ripe with symbolism. I’ll share a few of them and you tell me some of yours.

     These things may not mean the same to you or they may be false perceptions by the population as a whole, but that is up to the individual to embrace or ignore.

     In writing, I’m learning that any covers showing a: knot, tie, or bindings – are part of the Erotic or Bondage realm. I wanted to use a knot on one of mine, until I was educated that it may not be seen as how I wanted it to come across. I still liked the idea and was shown something else that worked instead.

     I like peacocks and to me, they remind me of vampires. I see peacocks as regal animals that aren’t exactly beautiful but you can’t help but to notice them. They have a mannerism that makes them see as if they are looking down their beaks at you as they strut around. They may not be blood thirsty animals but you can’t ignore how they seem to set themselves apart from their surroundings. And have you ever seen an albino peacock? I have and WOW.

     My favorite flower is a tiger lily. My grandmother used to grow them in her yard in Columbus, Ga. I even have one tattooed between my shoulder blades.  I have recently found out that lilies are the symbol for beauty and temptation. I never would have thought that as they are not the most gorgeous flower out there. With me, this seems fitting as I am drawn to things like this, even if I’m not fond of orange. Unusual, huh?

     A wedding band represents an eternal love that has no beginning and no end. In the grand scheme of things, there is always a beginning and end but I see the purpose behind the symbolism. Maybe it’s my tendency to look at things literally, but I understand the concept.

     A sword can stand for strength, war, blood, and toughness.

     For me, a book is a form of escape, whether I’m writing one or reading one.

I’ve shared my ideas and now it’s your turn. What forms of symbolism do you see?

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

Wench Writing Tools - Can you just stop editing?

In my voyage to assimilate more writing tools, here's one that grabbed my attention.

Can you just stop editing?

I'm the kind of girl that likes to run through a story, from beginning to end, and then go back to do my first round of edits. But lately, I've heard of many people that edit as they go along. I never would've thought of this as a problem as my mind is wired differently (maybe because I'm typically a pantser). 

These writers have confessed to me that the write a page, read it, change it, and then move onto the next page. (or some semblance of this process) I can see a bit of insanity in that but it may be the way someone has to work. Myself, I have to purge and it's hard for me to even write out of the normal timeline. My old critique group warned me against over editing as it could actually take some of the passion out of your story. 

I've hung around with a few perfectionists as well and my muse has a fictional anxiety attack when I see these intense people in action. If I'm a pantser that has enough ideas in my head to warrant a stay in a padded cell, then there is no way that I could wrap my head around the idea of making every sentence perfect as my muse rattles off in my awaiting ear. It's just 

What do you guys do when it comes to editing? Do you edit at certain points, like each chapter/page? Do you send it to a perfectionist as you go along? Or do you totally wing it and spew the words on the fictional page? What works for you?

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

The first book that I ever wrote

Drum Roll Please!

This is my newest release and it only took me 20+ years to get it out there for you guys.

Just to be Left Alone is for sale on ebook through Secret Cravings Publishing, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookstrand, and All Romance. I honestly have no preferences, just buy it :-). (While you're at it, get Andromeda, too.)

Other than the sexy cover, thanks to Dawne Dominique, I have equally hot snippets for you guys to fan yourselves over. Samantha Malone has disaster following her as she lusts over the new stranger who rides into her chaotic life.

Jason Strickland: Psycho Ex

Before I could even breathe, his lips were on mine in a crushing kiss. The force of it smacked my head against the window. I moaned at the sudden pain in my skull. Though it wasn’t a noise of satisfaction on my part, the mere sound made him more aggressive. He leaned into me, his chest pressed against me and his legs on both sides of mine. My arms were pinned down by his. I gulped for air as he kept kissing at my neck.

“Jason, stop it.”

“Samantha, don’t act like this. I can’t make the evening better if you keep fighting me.”

He pushed me back against the window and tried to kiss me again, except I just couldn’t take it, not anymore.

“Jason, please stop. I just want to go home. We’ll talk about this some other time, okay?” The tears began to fall.

He looked liked he would hit me. I cringed.

“What do you mean you want to go home? I’ve been waiting for tonight for a long time. I think it’s about time we moved things to a more physical level. You can’t keep me waiting forever.”

“I’m sorry if you feel that this has all been a game, but it’s not. Just please let me go and I’ll get out of your hair. You won’t even have to take me home.”

“Out of my hair, you say? Samantha, you’re through my skin and in my blood. I wake up thinking of your skin against mine and this is the way you want things?”

He looked so hurt and betrayed but held me so tight that my breath hitched. I didn’t know how to react. I back pedaled.

“Look, I know you’ve had a rough week and needed to blow off some steam, but this isn’t it. Why don’t I just go back into the restaurant and call for a ride. You can go on home and get some rest.”

“No, I brought you here and I’m taking you home. Quit giving me this crap talk, you sound like Felicia. We’re going to finish this night, just like I planned, so quit looking at me like that.”

He tried kissing me again. I wrenched away.

“Stop being a bitch.”

He kissed me so hard that I tasted my own blood from his teeth grinding against my tender lips. Instinct kicked in. I brought my knee up as hard as I could. He cussed and bent over. I tried to back away from the door. He grabbed me in an instant. I looked at his face. It was as if a split personality had surfaced. This wasn’t the same sweet, patient Jason I’d been dating. This was a raging bull and I was nothing but red. I saw his other hand come toward me and I ducked, but I never felt anything. I looked out from behind my arm to see the tall man in motorcycle gear holding Jason’s wrist. He was larger than Jason, with black hair and gorgeous eyes.

“I think the lady wants to be left alone,” the stranger said.

“Buddy, you have no business here so I suggest you let go and buzz off on your tricycle.”

Jason tried to shake off the grip of the dark haired man, but failed. The stranger stepped closer to Jason, while he looked straight at me.

“Do you want this guy to take this evening any further?”

All I could do was stand there and shake my head at the man helping me out.

Conrad Forsythe: Shining White Knight

He admired the expanse of my legs as I hopped up into the seat. His hand immediately went to my thigh as he pulled me to him for a hard kiss.

“You look mighty tasty in that outfit, my dear,” Conrad said as he casually looked down at the skirt that had ridden up when I had gotten in the truck.

I didn’t even pull it back into place since I enjoyed him admiring my legs. Who cares if it was only three inches away from showing my underpants, no one else could see it. I snickered as I imagined myself wearing this another day, except purposely forgetting the underpants.

I told him just as much. The truck swerved.

“Wow, I didn’t think I’d get that kind of response.”

“Young lady, that was dangerous. Try to keep those thoughts to yourself when I’m driving.”

I reached over to pat his right knee and he smiled at me.

When we got to the restaurant it was later than the normal lunch time. We got seated at a booth in a sunny corner and heard slow country music playing over the speakers. We quickly ordered and sent the waitress on her way. We talked about ourselves as we listened to the soothing music.

Our food showed up, but we kept up the conversation. We even tried each other’s food. I had gotten the blue cheese filet and he had ordered the Hawaiian ribeye.

“Dreams. What dreams do you have?” I asked.

“Lately, wet ones.”

I choked on my potato.

“Okay, breathe.”

He patted me on the back as I chugged down enough water to get my lungs clear.

“Wow, seriously?” I asked between gasps of air.

“Yes, seriously.”

Giggle. Yes, I went there. ;-)

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer

Firsts - A few to udate you on

Okay, dear hearts, I have a few Firsts to update with you.  Those people close to me will already know some of this,  so just share in my joy.

First: Book in print

Since I was 17, I wanted to see my own book on my bookshelf. It may not be the first book that I wrote but Andromeda certainly makes up for it. Not only is it my first release and my first in print but it's also my first "best seller".

And a dream come true as I take a picture of it on my personal shelf of favorites.

It's surreal but if I think it's a dream, then I just waltz over to my bookshelf and stare. 

First: Book Signing

I've been invited to join some of the GRW authors at the AJC Decatur Book Festival at the end of August. Being as Andromeda is in print and I grew up in Decatur, it's an honor to join them there. I'm borrowing a canopy from Savannah Savage and getting my list of freebies together. I also have my local library looking to set up a book signing there. This week, I'll be calling contacts at Books A Million, Omega, and Barnes & Nobles, so I can set those up as well. I'd like to do these three places somewhere before Christmas as I have functions to attend the first week of October and November. 

October is the Moonlight and Magnolia 2014 Conference and November is the Southern Magic Reader's Luncheon. And I'm looking forward to seeing so many fabulous people there. 

I'll give you more updates later and stay tuned, wench lovers.

)))Corset Hugs(((

Ginny Lynn

Wench Writer