Sally Ember's Blog, page 129

Reblogged from David Chapman at Wordpress:

If we want a non-supernatural version of Buddhist tantra, it will help to look at why magic was traditionally an important part of it.

Read more… 950 more words

Learned some more about Tibetan Buddhism, particularly Vajrayana Tantric practice and philosophies, here, from David! Thanks!

Maybe I’m jaded.

I know I’m old.

My vim could be faded.

But, truth must be told:

I’M BORED!

and, I’m not the only one…

Here are the 15 #Literary #Plots, Devices, #Characters that made my 2014 #Meh List. #Writers/#Authors/#Publishers/#Producers: PLEASE stop using these!

15. Vampires as sexy

Really? Blood-sucking, fangs-wearing, skin-ripping, not breathing, cold-feeling, immortal, amoral, selfish, violent, predatory, soul-less monsters are messy, painful, adolescent and FAKE. NOT SEXY. Not role models, either.

14. Werewolves, shapeshifters, or any human who becomes a hybrid of something as sexy

Lovers who are hairy to the max, with bones bursting through into other shapes, moon cycle problems, clothing issues, ever-present danger and mind-numbing repetition of animalistic and imbecilic behaviors do not serve as candidates for great relationships. Another variation of: “He’s /she’s a psychopath and violent, but I love him/her” that NO ONE NEEDS.

13. Sexual abuse/incest/rape/molestation/personal trauma as the rationale or cause for character traits or plot twists

Yes, these abuses are horrible. Yes, these children or adults have suffered. Yes, I’m sure that, for survivors, it’s therapeutic to write about it. But, it is NOT therapeutic to READ about it for the thousandth time. THERE IS NOTHING NEW TO SAY, here. I’m not unsympathetic and I’m more than a little empathetic. That doesn’t mean I want to read or watch stories with these plots or characters AGAIN. I do not.

12. Addiction/recovery as heroic or interesting

I know I risk the censure of every 12-Stepper who ever pledged to “Take One Day At A Time,” but I’m SICK OF THIS topic. I just cannot view the people who chose to become addicts and then finally decide to stop using as “heroes.” (YES, regardless of whatever story the current mental/physical health industry wants to spin for this decade, the START of this journey for almost all of these addicts was a CHOICE.) Their “journey” is not interesting. Their feelings as addicts or those in recovery are not interesting. Many people with their same backgrounds, chemistry and traumas make better choices. Addicts are not interesting, until they stop using/cutting/gambling/having compulsive sex. Then, we’ll talk.

11. War/battles as fascinating, fun or heroic

War is awful. It is horrible for those who fight in it, it is horrible for those who die or get injured in it. War and battles cause untold injury, damage and tragedy to everyone touched by it. WE ALL KNOW THAT and it’s not fun, fascinating or interesting to ME to see yet another martial arts/special effects kick-boxing/flying show, or more weapons than I can count added to with C.G.I. effects, or any other depictions or descriptions of war or battles in stories. STOP CHOREOGRAPHING FIGHTS, glorifying the military and positioning anyone who volunteers for these unnecessary, terrible wars as “heroic.” Start writing better characters and more interesting stories, please.

10. Terminal or long-term illness, disability or dementia: having it or witnessing it as if it were unusual or interesting and automatically makes the bearer and/or the caregiver a “hero”

Of course, having a long-term or terminal illness in oneself or family is awful. Some people rise to the occasion as bearers or caregivers; some do not. Life goes on. It is no longer interesting, new or entertaining in the least after the tenth book/movie about “my autistic child” or “phantom pain from my missing limb makes me grouchy.” May be educational: make a documentary. Then only the people who need/want to know the gritty details can watch and the rest of us can be spared. Real life is hard enough; everyone suffers. Please stop bringing death, disability and despair to my books or screens, please.

9. Death of a child as the foundation or pivot point

The worst grieving occurs when a child dies. We all know this. There is nothing new to say about it. Marriages falter, friendships wither, people suck. We know.

8. “Love” at first sight

After one glimpse, one touch, one word: that isn’t love. Lust, attraction, crushing out, wish-fulfillment, fantasy, sure, but never was and still isn’t love. STOP SAYING IT IS.

7. Bullying/”mean” girls/frat-type hazing as the major problem in a teen’s life until s/he a) develops a super power or b) finds out s/he is magical/royal/superhuman or c) both

Harry Potter and his ilk aside, how many times do we have to see this same plot recycled? Get some new material about and obstacles/miracles among children and teens, please?

6. “Coming out” as the shocking or unique event

Still? in 2014? Please. Even those living under a rock in some remote locale don’t care who’s gay or lesbian, trans or transvestite, any more. Or, not enough for me to care. Come out, don’t come out; it’s not a story any more. It’s a thrift store!

5. Muslims or Islam as the “other,” the enemies, the terrorists

Anti-Semitism isn’t always against Jews; it’s alive and well in most TV and films, targeting/vilifying Muslims, the religion of Islam and anyone looking like or coming from countries that include these religious practitioners. Racist/prejudiced and, worst of all, BORING. Enemies wear many faces, and most actual terrorists are white, Christian males if we’re talking about law-breaking, economy- and environmental- destroyers, socio-pathological and inappropriately powerful, overly-wealthy 1%-ers. Move on.

4. Former USSR folks or Chinese as the “mafia” or terrorists and Hispanics as populating the drug “cartels”

Fact: most of the money behind ALL of these illegal activities comes from and flows back to the 1%. See #5. Stop blaming the middle-men (and they are mostly men). Let’s see more stories about the actual criminals of this planet, please, and not just from filmmakers Michael Moore and Robert Reich!

3. “Meet cute” or “hate” at first sight becoming “love,” especially after being “forced” to a) work together or b) share a small space or c) both

Just so trite, tired and over-done. Right? Find some new material!

2. The “ugly” person is actually “beautiful”

If I see one more montage in which the “friends” help this “uglypuss” overdo hair, remove glasses, trendify wardrobe and stir, I may vomit. And, BTW: size 10 is not “plus” sized and losing 10 pounds doesn’t make anyone look all that different.

1. Women who crave billionaires who use bondage, domination, abuse and sado-masochism and women who consider those to be romantic and sexy: 50 shades of ridiculous

Glorification and presumption of women’s rape and bondage fantasies are THE favorite tools of the 1%. Of course: they’re sociopaths. See #5. Feminists need to rise up against this horrific “trend” in “entertainment” and object strenuously to its depiction of vacuous, disempowered female 20- or 30-somethings who “find their bliss” in being beaten up as “romantic.” BREAK FREE of this and every other oppressive stereotype!

That’s my Meh list for 2014. Argue, agree, applaud, critique, make your own!

Filed under: Writing Tagged: meh, Sally Ember, Writers, writing

Hi,

I have a new book trailer for This Changes Everything, Volume I, The Spanners Series, which released via Smashwords in December, 2013. Would you like to feature it/share it/view it some time?

http://youtu.be/WL9lPK8IhRk

or

http://animoto.com/play/WAfmAzgWC5D9OVfDMQbzDA

or embed with:

Thanks!

Best to you,

Sally

Filed under: The Spanners, This Changes Everything, Volume I of The Spanners Tagged: book trailer, The Spanners Series, This Changes Everything, Volume I

Reblogged from This and That:

To read the article go to

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Fe...

Read more… 2 more words

I and my "alternative health" friends and practitioners have been saying for decades (centuries): FEVER is helpful. Let it do its thing unless it's dangerously high, which is to kill the virus/bacteria. Stay home at least 24 hours after fever passes: then, you're no longer contagious.

Reblogged from BIRTH AND DEATH AND IN BETWEEN:

I sat on a bench outside her house, staring at the liquid grey sea that was tightly framed by heavy, dark clouds. It looked cold and lonely. Gulls flew overhead, their plaintive cries echoing the sorrow in my heart. My friend had passed away the day before. It all felt wrong and it also felt perfect. I began to sob. Emotions that had been carefully tucked away for a week, now demanded expression.

Read more… 602 more words

More from a mutual friend who attended our friend, Cynthia Toth, as she died last week. Thank you, Candy, for your heartfelt service and sharing. You are both inspirations to us all.

Stellar Review by David ben Efraim for This Changes Everything, Volume I, The Spanners Series: “The End of Humankind’s Loneliness”

Excerpts and link to full review, below.

“From the moment I opened the book I felt that it was indeed a pure science-fiction novel; the author hits the nail on the head with the atmosphere she created, blending elements of comedy, mystery and surrealism together to give you, the reader, an unshakable desire to learn more about the aliens and the worlds they come from.”

“I found the story itself to be one of the most immersive and original ones I have read recently. Amongst the sea of science fiction novel clones, there is This Changes Everything, a book in which old ideas are taken in completely new directions (such as the whole intergalactic committee actually trying to help the humans), and new ideas are spawned by the dozens.”

“This Changes Everything is certainly much more than what I expected from it, presenting us an enthralling and original storyline set in a majestic and extremely-detailed world, populated by many characters that will stay with you once the last pages are closed. I wholeheartedly recommend the book to science-fiction fans, especially the ones who prefer their literature to explore ideas and concepts through words rather than actions.”

http://quick-book-review.blogspot.com/2014/01/this-changes-everything-volume-one-by-sally-ember.html

Filed under: Reviews, The Spanners, Themes from The Spanners, This Changes Everything, Volume I of The Spanners Tagged: aliens, Book Review, paranormal, romance, Sally Ember, sci-fi, The Spanners Series, This Changes Everything

Surprisingly glowing review by Carrie Shepherd for This Changes Everything, Volume I, The Spanners Series, who commented: “To be honest, I didn’t like it at first but kept on reading and then got that ‘Aha!’ moment and the next thing I knew I was on the final page. I very definitely am interested to see how the second in the series plays out.”

Excerpts and link to full review, below.

“The concepts that the author discusses certainly align with some of my own beliefs and, perhaps, this is what kept me turning the pages to see the direction in which the story would lead. By page 36, I was glad that I did. It was around this time that I started enjoying the spin the author put on past events, giving them flavor that played well into her version of the purposes behind past alien encounters.”

“I will say that very rarely do I finish a 248 page novel in the course of two days and that, even more importantly, I’m curious to see where the author takes this series in the next installment. This speaks volumes as to Ms. Ember’s writing skills and ability to keep her readers interested in her content.”

http://authortoauthorbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Filed under: Reviews, The Spanners, Themes from The Spanners, This Changes Everything, Volume I of The Spanners Tagged: aliens, Book Review, Clara Branon, Sally Ember, sci-fi, The Spanners Series, This Changes Everything, writing

Reblogged from This and That:

To read the article go to

Astronomers Capture The First Image Of The Mysterious Web That Connects All Galaxies In The Universe

http://redicecreations.com/article.ph...

Full article at: http://www.sfgate.com/technology/busi...

Reblogged from Kindness Blog:

Whether you are Atheist, Christian, Muslim, Agnostic, Jewish, Humanist, Buddhist or even a Jedi, already strong in the ways of the force, you can and will see clear and noticeable positive changes in your state of mind when you practice mindfulness meditation. This is especially so if you are suffering from stress, anxiety, pain or depression*.

If you have an interest in meditation but are not sure where to start, contact us with your location etc and Team KB will happily point you towards resources and meditation classes that are local to where you live or work!

Read more… 23 more words

Meditation is good for your body, your emotions, your work, your mind, your relationships and your soul. DO IT!

I decided about four months ago that even though I am excited about getting readers and fans for The Spanners Series, I am so busy writing, revising, marketing and trying to find a job/having a job and a life that I do not have much time to explain, interact or engage with you. My #Pinterest Boards are for YOU, my #readers and #fans!

Please visit, follow, enjoy, and pin on the open Boards. I now have 75 followers and I follow 295 Boards (or try to). I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Come back here and comment!

Here is a tour of my Boards, to date:

Board #1: “Writers I love: Authors who influence and inspire Me” http://www.pinterest.com/sallyember/writers-i-love/

Board #2: “The Spanners Series includes….Books, songs, musicals, poetry, celebrities, events featured or mentioned in The Spanners Series sci-fi novels, starting with This Changes Everything, Volume I”

http://www.pinterest.com/sallyember/the-spanners-series-includes/

Board #3: “Space Shots I like: NASA, Hubble, Spitzer and other telescopes and photographers post space shots I like, so I share. Captions are NOT astronomical terminology (mostly). Just for fun.”

http://www.pinterest.com/sallyember/space-shots-i-like/

Board #4: “Inspirations for the Earth locations in The Spanners Series: Towns, cities, topographies, places Clara Branon and other characters live and go.”

Board #5: “Resonating Pins: Others’ Pins I resonate with and want to share”

http://www.pinterest.com/sallyember/resonating-pins/

Board #6: “Flora & Fauna that amaze me: Laugh, gasp, sigh, smile, weep with wonder”

http://www.pinterest.com/sallyember/flora-fauna-that-amaze-me/

Board #7: “TV Shows and Movies I actually like: My son says most of what I like are ‘all the same.’ You decide!”

http://www.pinterest.com/sallyember/tv-shows-and-movies-i-actually-like/

Board #8: “Music of The Spanners Series: Songs, lyrics, performances that are mentioned or depict events/characters/relationships in this sci-fi series. Thanks for all composers and artist!”

http://www.pinterest.com/sallyember/music-of-the-spanners-series/

Board #9: “My Blog Posts: Links and images for each Blog post at my website blogs on WordPress and Tumblr (and echoed at Rebel Mouse and Goodreads)”

http://www.pinterest.com/sallyember/my-blog-posts/

Board #10: “Artists, Musicians, Groups I Endorse and Support:

Talented, worthwhile people and groups to explore and support”

http://www.pinterest.com/sallyember/artists-musicians-groups-i-endorse-and-support/

I also participate/pin to these collective Boards started by other Pinterest folks:

“Books that changed my life: As avid readers I (Philip Newey) am inviting you to pin those books that have meant the most to you over the years, with perhaps a word or two about why. Happy choosing! (Note: self-promotions will be deleted)”

http://www.pinterest.com/philipnewey/books-that-changed-my-life/

“Book Billboard ([Philip Newey asks authors to] Advertise your books here): FREE ADVERTISING! I invite you to add links to your own books here. In return, consider purchasing one of mine. (Note: repeat posts will be deleted)”

http://www.pinterest.com/philipnewey/book-billboard-advertise-your-books-here/

“World of Indie Writers: Welcome to the World of Indie Writers. (Scribe77 asks us to) Pin anything and everything relating to indie books and their authors. All genres welcome.”

http://www.pinterest.com/scribe77/world-of-indie-writers/

“Authors and Book Lovers: Where Independent Authors and their friends can post their books. (MerridM asks) Please, no nudity. Do not post your work more than once. Only book/author/reader related pictures. Thank you.”

http://www.pinterest.com/merridm/authors-and-book-lovers/