Posted by: Author | August 22, 2011

I Amuse Myself and That’s Probably a Good Thing-Or Not

Inspiration for my heroI normally put quotes at the beginning of each chapter that I write in my romance stories. Each quote has something to do with what will be happening in that particular chapter. Sometimes, I already have a quote in mind when I’m on the first draft. Sometimes, I have to search for appropriate ones once the book is done.

The story I’m working on polishing right now had no quotes at all. Note the word HAD. As some of you know, I have a monthly trek to a city three hours away from my home. This six hour round trip usually gives me some great plotting time.  This morning I realized I only have four more chapters to get the current manuscript in a shape to start submitting. I mulled over some known quotes and decided I’d have to dig out some of my quote books to search since I had nothing in mind that fit my story.

So, I did my work in the distant city and then headed back home. Imagine my glee when I was struck by inspiration in the middle of Interstate 10. Wait for it… it’s brilliant… ready?…

Here it is:  I would make my own quotes from an imaginary book.

 Once I made that decision,  I then brainstormed for a couple of hours. I got 16 of the 20 quotes I need. The name of the imaginary book is Manual for Gamblers.  The quote for the chapter where the hero is accused of cheating at cards is “Your ace in the hole can’t be the ace up your sleeve.”

As you can see, I’m easily amused and today I think it was a good thing. Tomorrow, I may realize that I had a moment of insanity and the whole idea stinks, but for now, I’m content.

 Check out Jeremy Northam. He’s the inspiration for the hero of this story.

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Posted by: Author | August 19, 2011

Friday Facts- August 19, 2011- Statues at Gettysburg

Quite a few years ago, we went to Gettysburg, Pa as a part of a tour of Pennsylvania as our family vacation. The most interesting thing to me was the fact that the battlefield felt so peaceful. It would seem that there would be some residue of the angst that was felt there but it was lovely. All I wanted to do was plop down on the grass and let the atmosphere soak in. I didn’t, of course, because I had two young boys to entertain.

We went on a tour and one of the really cool things we learned is that the statues of the men on  their horses have meaning. If all four feet are on the ground, the rider survived the battle. If one foot is off the ground, the rider was injured and if two feet are off the ground, the rider died. I thought that was quite unique and a poignant tribute to injured or fallen soldiers.  

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Posted by: Author | August 19, 2011

Friday facts- August 19, 2011

Friday facts will be late today. This week at the day job has done me in and I’m exhausted. Went to bed at eight last night and am still wiped out. I have a trial this morning and won’t be able to post the fact until later this evening. If i survive the day. Sorry.

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Posted by: Author | August 18, 2011

Have an Hour at My Desk

I have about an hour til I have to go off to my next legal duty but thought I’d share a picture with you all in case you’re bored. 

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Posted by: Author | August 17, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

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Posted by: Author | August 16, 2011

A Review of my Latest Book

Long and Short of it has reviewed Redemption for the Devil and given it four books.  I’m thrilled with the review as the reviewer, Azalea, seems to have gotten what I was trying to convey with the story. That means a lot to me as a writer.  Here’s the link to the review: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/redemption-for-devil-by-jillian-chantal.html

Here’s a quote from it:  “Ms. Chantal’s novella is compelling and well paced. The troubled period in Irish history is one not generally seen in romantic fiction. I truly enjoyed Chantal’s descriptions of the steamship Mauretania and life below decks. Ms. Chantal has created a highly entertaining and emotional read worthy of a few tears. “

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Posted by: Author | August 16, 2011

Stress and a Bit of a Whine and Request for Patience

I love my friends, my job and my writing. Right now, I’m feeling beset on all sides, though. I like to think I’m a supportive and caring person. It’s always been easier for me to give than to receive and that makes things hard for me. When I need support and patience, it seems it’s in short supply. It almost seems like it becomes the expected norm for me to be the strong one and I get no quarter from others.

Right now, I’m under some emotional stress and am buried at work with upcoming court appearances and depositions that I need to be prepping for. I’m also trying in every spare moment to get this manuscript that I have done polished and ready to submit. Right now, I have nothing out there to any of my publishers with a release date and I need to get this done so I can submit it.

Every time I find 10 mins to relax, it seems like there is pressure on me to do something. Like respond to an email, send a letter, answer a question, etc.  I’m respectfully asking that I be given some space to just BE. If you see me tweeting or a new blog post comes up (I do have several already written that are set to go off at a certain time/day), that just means I had a few minutes for me. I do need me time once in a while. I really want to answer all the needs my friends have but right now, I feel spent. Tired- exhausted even. Please understand it’s not that I love anyone any less, it’s that I need to love me for the next few days.

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Posted by: Author | August 15, 2011

Where in the World is Jillian Today?

http://www.caseycrow.com/blog/  I’m guesting here today talking about Redemption for the Devil and it’s also my day Over the Backyard Fence and I’m sharing a recipe over there: http://llblog2010.wordpress.com/

Other than that, the day job has me tied up in prep for court!

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Posted by: Author | August 14, 2011

Birthday Weekend

My sister’s birthday was Friday, the 12th and my mom’s is tomorrow, the 15th. Friday, I went to see Harry Potter, the last installment, with my sister and today, I must have lunch and ice cream cake with my mother. My mom is already  mad at me for not going to lunch with my dad, her and my sister on Friday for the sister’s b’day but I already had plans, and we usually do dinner for the sibling. So, I’ve gotta be sure to head to the lunch today since I’m already on the bad daughter/sister list–even though I DID take her to the movie on Friday. I can’t win. LOL!

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Posted by: Author | August 12, 2011

Friday Fact- August 12, 2011- Catenary Arches

A catenary arch is a perfect physical embodiment of compression. There’s no wasted section of the arch and it’s self supporting. The word catenary comes from the Latin for chain.   If you hook each end of a chain to a post, the way it hangs loose is  a catenary as it acts on its own weight. An example of an inverted catenary arch is the St. Louis, Missouri Gateway Arch. I’m attaching a copy of a double inverted catenary arch to the end of this post. You might be surprised about it.

I’m oversimplfying this as there are also arguments that the Gateway Arch is a parabolic arch which  is a math term that differs somewhat from a catenary. Just trust me on this, if you want the differences explained, don’t ask an architect as they are too esoteric to explain it in layman’s terms – you must trust me on this because my son has his degree in architecture and I don’t have a clue what he said about it. LOL!  Just check out the pictures and enjoy!

example of catenary arch with chain

Gateway Arch

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Double inverted catenary arches

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