Don't Tick Off The Author...

This is a bit too polite for me. But you get the drift.

It's funny, but people don't know you're a writer, and you can go and create a character from someone you dislike, or someone who has angered, or annoyed you, and do whatever the hell you want with them. They'll never know they have a small roll in your book.
I know we've all done this. I don't know if I've ever actually put any one person into a character, but usually I've rolled a few people up, and created someone. I'm not sure who Penelope (Nephilim), was before I created her. She dies brilliantly in Vampire Nocturne. I'm not certain who Alucard (vampire), was--but possibly any rotten man who dared to piss me off. Huh. Drakulya kills him in the end of same book. So, I think mostly I roll up everyone who have annoyed the crap out of me, into one or two characters, and do away with them.

My WIP is coming along. This morning I've gotten to page 180. One thing to note, you don't want your readers to become bored when your MC is off doing something dull. I knew that Sabrina's visit to a dry goods store in the town of Patchwork Junction, something needed to happen. The men who come in are drunk and make a bee line to her. But I couldn't have a very long confrontation. I needed Sabrina to get out of the jam quickly and be on her journey. At this point, I was in about the center of the book. I needed to keep things happening. So, in stead of her having to endure their pawing her, she has a gun. Points it... Well, here is the scene from "Six Shades of Hell". Quickly, Virdin is the store owner who she met on the train, and Gilbert is his son.

I shrugged and strapped on the gun belt and adjusted it. It was like when I had put on my dagger's sheath, only much heavier and bulkier. I had to put my dagger on my left side, so that the gun was at my right, since I was right handed. On second thought, I'd probably put the dagger away. I didn't really need the dagger where I was going. At least not right away.

Virdin counted out the amount of bills I needed to pay him for all the things. “This should do it. Five crowns.”

“Yer sure you kin handle that thar hogleg?” the old-timer asked.

I finished tying the leg thong around my thigh and with the aplomb of a gunfighter, I pulled the gun out twirled it on my finger—much heavier than a toy gun, believe me—and slid it back into place. I turned and collected my change from the counter. I knew from the cowboy's loud laughter I had impressed him because he laughed so wide I could count the remaining teeth in his head—about six.

A noisy couple of men came through the door, making rowdy sounds and one of them kicked over a bunch of shovels, which went crashing to the floor. A woman nearby darted away, her eyes big. She held a number of packages, and stood like a deer frozen in gunsights.

“Uh-oh,” Gilbert said. “Not these guys again.”

“Why?” Virdin said. “Who are they?”

“Trouble. They're the Brayton brothers. That's all I know about them, except that when they get drunk all they want to do is tear up the town,” Gilbert said.

One of the brothers looked at the lady, and with one hand threw all her parcels up, out of her hands and they went flying everywhere. With a screech, the woman darted around them and out the door. The brothers laughed, thinking it was funny.

“Go get the marshal, Gilbert,” Virdin said. Gilbert nodded, and ducked through a back doorway—where they kept extra supplies. Oddly enough, I didn't see where the old-timer had gone, but he had cleared out like a cock roach when the lights go on.

The Braytons turned our way. Upon seeing me, they stopped. One brother knuckled the other in the chest casually.

“Hey, lookie thar. It's one of them girl-men.” They laughed.

“How kin ya tell?” Said the larger, heavier one. They both looked like they hadn't had a bath since they were twelve, and that age had long since gone by. It was hard to tell, just by looking at them how old they were, but they were old enough. A quick read of these Bozos told me they were in her to make a ruckus, and break things. Finding me was like a cat finding a cornered mouse. Well, I had news for them. I had to stop things before they got started because they were bit, strong, and dumb as rocks. And, they hadn't had a woman in a long, long time.

They stepped toward me, still chuckling like goofs, leering at me, and nudging one another, egging each other on. It wouldn't take much, and if they crossed the store too me, no one was going to stop them. Not even Virdin.

My gun cleared leather and I pointed at them. This gave them pause and their mouths hung open. Then, they laughed stupidly.

“Awww, she's gonna shoot us,,” the bigger one said. They laughed.

“Look, gentlemen,” Virdin said. “We don't want no trouble, here.”

“Trouble? Who says we gonna make trouble?” one said.

“Yeah, we just wanna talk to the lady, here,” the other said.

Okay, these guys were getting annoying. I wasn't going to shoot them, but I had to find a way to stop them in their tracks. My gaze went above their heads. The ceiling was tall, and above was a wagon wheel with four lanterns arranged around it for light. A rope held it aloft, tied to a wall brace, and hung down, and was used to lower the make-shift chandelier in order to light it. Presently they were not lit, as it was daylight out. The rope was about two fingers thick. A steady hand and good aim, I knew I could cut it.

The two had taken another step and were directly under the lights/wagon wheel. I shot the rope holding it up. The wheel came crashing down on them. They went down, stunned. One was out on his back.

Virdin's gasp of surprise made me turn. I reached into my pocket, pulled out another bill, and handed it to him. “For the damages,” I said.

“Oh, no. You needn't pay for these two—”

“No,” I said, collecting my purchases. “They don't have any money, and they were going to do a hell of a lot worse, if they got a chance.” I had the riffle, amo box, and a few other things in my arms. “I need to clear out of here before the marshal comes.”

“Go the back way, through the alley,” he said.

I went behind the counter, and ducked through the doorway his son had taken.

“Thank you, Virdin,” I said, pausing to glance back over my shoulder at him.

“If you need anything, Sabrina—anything—wire me,” he called to me.

I nodded, feeling the bite of tears at the corners of my eyes, and had to turn and move away. He'd been a great friend to me.

What Makes A Heroine?

Well, last week I wanted to find out what makes a hunk for you ladies. I was surprised what the answer was and still, it was a great way to find out what women find attractive in a man. If it means he does the laundry or dishes, while looking good doing it, why not?

But today I'm going to answer my own question: What Makes a Heroine?

No one likes a dim-witted woman. I don't like seeing a woman walk out alone at night, unless, of course they're Buffy Summers, of course, and I know she can whip anybody's ass.

Buffy fighting Angel in season 2

When I created my Sabrina Strong, I needed her to have some realistic issues--like money issues--so that it made perfectly good sense that when offered to work for vampires, she couldn't turn it down. I mean, her biggest problem is keeping or even gaining employment. It would you too, if you were a touch clairvoyant and anything you touched, or came in contact would put you into a coma for a week.

While I enjoy other books in my genre, Sookie Stackhouse comes to mind. She has virtually the same problem as she is a telapath, and every man she might try to date she can hear their very thoughts. Sort of kills the moment when you know exactly what a guy is thinking about you.

I like Buffy because she did have a couple of falts, like falling in love with a vampire. Well, who wouldn't fall for Angel? And then she had to kill him because he became evil. That was a thrilling show, let me tell you. The build up of how they fell in love, had a few fights along the way, she had to fight and kill him. I got all tied up in the overwhelming grief over the fact she had to kill her boyfriend. And, of course, save the world, at the same time. That Josh Whedon, gotta love how he can blend humor with  horror, and know exactly how to hit the emotional bar juuuust right.

Sookie Stackhouse Books:

With Charlaine Harris's character, Sookie, we find a young woman who never has gone on a date, let alone had sex, and is introduced to both through Bill, the vampire. Their on/off relationship is steamy, wild, and at times she's fed up with it because she just winds up in the hospital, or gets beat up, or is staked. I think her first novels, Sookie is black and blue and bleeding all over the place. Sookie eventually goes from Bill to Eric, and then she's in and out of relationships with a werewolf, a tiger-were, and then back to Eric. NOTE: I have not read the last book, so do NOT tell me what happens, please!

Sabrina Strong Series:

My heroine of this series had to be strong willed enough to resist the vampires the best she could. In the first book Vampire Ascending, she certainly meets up with some handsome vampire dudes (Vasyl, Tremayne and Nicolas), and one shapeshifter dude (Dante Badheart). Who wins her heart in the end? Well, she falls for Dante. Resisting and later on rejecting Nicolas for the things he has done, or was part of abducting her best friend, Jeanie, who almost dies, and she asks the vampires to save Jeanie by turning her.

Sabrina is hired to find out who has killed Tremayne's life-time mate, in the first book. In the second book, she's involved in learning more about Vasyl, who has been seeking her--the sybil--for centuries. He saves her from a car wreck, takes a bullet out of her and proceeds to tell her all about why he has been waiting for her. And, because Dante has distance himself from her (because Tremayne has forbidden him from being intimate with her any more), she naturally becomes infatuated with Vasyl.

Her mission in this second book, Vampire's Trill, is to rescue Tremayne from imprisonment, and get him to his trial on Dark World. Easy? Not really. While there she makes a few enemies. Well, she sort of kills a designer pet and cuts the tails off a demon (he grows them back, but he's pissed). But they all return to Earth okay. But she is later abducted and tortured because Jeanie's mother wants to know where her daughter is. Jeanie's brother just wants to cut her up. Sabrina winds up in the hospital at the end of this book, and the two Mrs. Woodbine and son, Mark, are put in jail.

Meanwhile, Sabrina's guy troubles have mounted. New guy across the road, Bill, Gannon, wants to date her. Vasyl proposes, and Dante has died.

The third book, Vampire Nocturne, continues with Sabrina becoming Vasyl's bride, and then because she is still mourning her loss over Dante (who she still loved), he gives her time to grieve. But she learns that her cousin, Lindee, has disappeared, and when she goes to investigate, Sabrina winds up on a totally different world where vampires rule, in fact, Drakuyla (Vlad Teppes), is king and a number of other men want to become her lover, or taste her blood. I enjoyed witing this one where I place Sabrina into a world stuck in the Victorian age.

In each book I've manage to put Sabrina up against some nasty vampires who want to do her in, or taste her blood. I've always wanted to put the real Dracula into a story and Vampire Nocturne has him in there as the unlikely hero in the end, and my little surprise ending cures readers curiosity as to what is going on with Dante and that stone he gave her.

More adventures for my heroine is in store, so either check out those you've missed, or stay tuned for updates on the next book in the Sabrina Strong Series.

Curently, Lorelei is working on
fourth book in the series.

Teaser Tuesday ~ Vampire Nocturne

It's funny how a writer may get inspired for a certain character by seeing a person in life, perhaps they know them, perhaps they don't. I often see people in my everyday job, and have, from time to time used their likeness for a character.

And then there may be pictures I find along my Internet travels that just simply grab me and think, "Oh, now he/she would make a great character in a book!" That's how I came up with Jett, a main character in this up-coming third book, Vampire Nocturne. This picture above has been altered slightly. As I give you a new teaser here, I hope you remember Jett's likeness. He is the son of Drakulya. Yes. The real Dracula, somehow found his way onto another planet (it's explained to some degree in this book), and I had fun with the Victorian era, coming up with the styles, the palace, and how Sabrina is treated for wearing pants.

At any rate I've a short teaser to share with you here. They've arrived at the palace. Enjoy.

The carriage swung under a grand entry where servants stood waiting beneath gas lamps. We were greeted—or rather Jett and Skrlock were—by a head butler. I felt out of place here, no better than the mud upon their shoes. I was wondering if I shouldn't wait in the carriage. Maybe I should be looking for my way home. I listened for the baying of wolves—a sure sign to cut and run in most creepy old movies and books. My eyes went automatically to the full moon. It hung in a black void over the palace. Wolfsbane indeed.

I heard no howling in the surrounding hills. It was quiet, in fact. Almost too silent. No bat wings beating the air. Where were all my omens?

I followed the men inside. The interior was no less lavish than I would expect for a palace. Rich tapestries hung on stone walls, some with golden dragons worked on purple cloth. The rugs on the floors were thick, colorful and lavish. A huge main entry hall boasted double doors along this passage. The spiraling stairway to one side would have tempted Scarlet O'hara to descend. A large stone fireplace burned merrily at the foot of it.

“You're just in time for the evening meal, if you wish to join them now, Master Jett,” the majordomo said.

“I would not dream of keeping them waiting.” He glanced my way. “There'll be food,” he said, doing his best to put me at ease. I was actually hungry. Especially after what I'd gone through.

“His highness is in his withdrawing room, Master Skrlock, if you would follow me, please?” the butler said with a slight bow and directive hand toward a closed double-doorway beneath the grand staircase.

“Thank you Rumbel, I must see if Vlad is up to a game of chess tonight.” Skrlock strode away from us.

I stood wavering with indecision. There were many people in the dining hall. They all seemed human enough. I would have to block them the best I could, or risk replacing my glove on my right hand, covering up the mystic ring.

Jett paused in the hallway, then turned to gaze at me. “Are you coming?” He gestured toward the door, where the butler held it open for us.

“I can't turn down food.” I moved forward, and caught up with him. I was so out of my comfort zone it was ridiculous. Among royalty. To them I was—to be bitterly honest—a peasant. A country bumpkin. I had no refined manners to speak of, and it truly worried me. I mean what is with the dozen forks, knives, and spoons for the table settings? Couldn't I just use the same spoon or fork over? I'd have to mimic the others in order to get by.

We entered a large room where a long table with a white linen cloth, set in cut crystal and bone white china, and gold cutlery took up most of the space. An elaborate centerpiece with lovely pink and white flowers cascading over their bowls brought color and a mild bouquet to the room. Several people seated turned expectantly toward us. ©2012 Lorelei Bell

Which Character On Buffy the Vampire Slayer Are YOU?

Hi, everyone! How are you this Saturday? I had a busy morning, buying a few things at Bed Bath & Beyond for my kitchen.

As you may know I recently bought a second series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I really liked when they were all in school. And you are allowed to hate the principal! Nasty folliclly challenged creature that he is.

I'm watching through the episodes again--I just need my Buffy fix, I guess--and I see that we have teenage types. I was wondering which type I would be. Do you have a type? Not one you would want to be, but the one you would be in school.

You have your ne'er-do-well, Cordelia, who is all about her self/make-up/finding the rich kid she needs to impress, etc. She is rather quick witted when the need arises.

Then There is Willow who is shy, but not exactly a wall flower, and she's a computer geek. She's has a crush on Xander, but he only has eyes for Buffy--and later for Cordelia, and let's face it, his hormones are in control.

Buffy, is your typical teenage hottie, but with a twist. She can kill vampires. Has a vampire boy friend which is on/off for most of the second season.

Angel, is of course your good vampire hot guy--until he loses his soul and then all hell breaks loose.

Spike is the all-time bad-boy vampire guy, likable in his nasty ways, and he really cares about Drusilla.

Drusilla  . . . okay. She's wacko, but damned funny to watch.

And we have Giles. Tweed wearing, bespectacled Watcher who is full of knowledge and really not bad looking, and I love his place--all those stained glass lamps, and he has a whole library to look up incredibly old stuff. Who wouldn't want that? (Okay, I'm the geek here!)

I would have to say I am a Willow. I was painfully shy in high school, had crushes and heart breaks aplenty and I am still quite the geek. Although I'm part Giles because of the book-loving thing. I couldn't be a Buffy because I'm not so brave, although I would love to trade places with her when she's smooching it up with Angel. Grrrrrrr!

So, which character are you most like? You can be two characters, blended, if that helps.