So, I got asked to be interviewed by the Southern Magic Chapter of Romance Writers. I lallygagged around on getting the answers done since as you all know, I’ve been whining about hell weeks the last two weeks. Last night, I finally got around to answering the questions and sent them back to my friend, Heather. Lo and behold, this morning, the thing is up! Go by and give me a little love if you get a chance. http://romancemagicians.blogspot.com/2011/08/adventures-with-international-flair.html
Posted by: Author | August 27, 2011
Interviewed
Posted by: Author | August 26, 2011
Friday Facts- August 26, 2011- An Arm and A Leg
One traditional story of how the phrase an arm and a leg came into use was through the charges of portrait painters. This may be an urban myth but it was what I learned a long time ago so I’m gonna share it with you. Portrait painters charged less for paintings that were just of a head and shoulders. If the subject wanted a picture with his or her limbs depicted, it would cost more. Thus the phrase “it cost an arm and a leg.”
Really, it may have been the cost of the canvas as one would presume that a full body portrait would call for a bigger piece of canvas than that of just an upper torso and face, right?
Anyway, I like this story of the etymology of this phrase. If you know of another theory, don’t tell me ’cause I don’t wanna know!
Posted in Friday Facts | Tags: arm, Friday Facts, leg, painter, portrait
Posted by: Author | August 25, 2011
Is It Friday Yet?
It’s been a crazy two weeks and there’s more in store for me today. I’ve been stressed and have felt pulled in twenty different directions. I hate these kinds of weeks. I’m counting the minutes til the weekend. I’ll have to work some this weekend since I had so many out of the office things going on but at least I’ll be in my shorts and on a comfy couch rather than a courtroom.
I’m gonna have me a big ole lie in as well on Saturday morning. Just thinking about it makes me smile. As the bard said in Hamlet, “to sleep, perchance to dream.” ahhh, yes. That.
Posted in Random thoughts | Tags: court, Friday, Shakespeare, sleep, work
Posted by: Author | August 24, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
Posted in Wordless Wednesday | Tags: wordless Wednesday
Posted by: Author | August 22, 2011
I Amuse Myself and That’s Probably a Good Thing-Or Not
I 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.
Posted in Books, Random thoughts | Tags: final draft, first draft, Jeremy Northam, romance, submission, The Gambler
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.
Posted in Friday Facts | Tags: battlefields, Friday Facts, Gettysburg, horses, soldiers, statues
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.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Friday Facts
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.
Posted in Random thoughts | Tags: ceiling in Vatican museum
Posted by: Author | August 17, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
Posted in Wordless Wednesday | Tags: wordless Wednesday
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. “
Posted in Books, Writing | Tags: Desert Breeze Publishing, Long and Short Romance Reviews, Redemption for the Devil, review
Jillian Chantal 