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Writing means different things to me. I'm a storyteller, a book editor, and a songwriter. For me, it's like breathing.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Monday Musings: Retelling the Greek myth of Callisto

There are a couple of different versions of the Greek myth about Callisto, the nymph who betrayed Artemis, but ancient writers seemed to agree on some facts: Zeus seduced Callisto, she was changed into a bear and bore a son named Arcas, was hunted down as a beast and then placed among the stars as the constellation Ursa Major. In some stories she is the daughter of King Lycaon while in other, older versions she is simply another incarnation of Artemis as the bear.

I came into this with an open mind, using what I knew from the various myths and what I discovered from other sources on Greek mythology and history. Since I was writing a series set in Arcadia, Artemis’s realm, Callisto’s story had to be part of that series, but I had to figure out how to make this myth into my own story. I focused on the one common thread of the myth—Callisto betrayed Artemis whether she meant to or not. Who can say that when you fall in love you can fight those feelings? I wanted to make Callisto flawed like a human with real problems—even though she was a nymph, like the rest of us she wasn’t perfect.

The next thing I decided was that my nymphs were not going to be innocent and vulnerable. I did discover that the Oreades, the mountain nymphs, were known as great huntresses, they were tall and fierce. So my nymphs were going to be dangerous and quite capable of defending their goddess’s forest. I created The Guardians, an elite group of nymphs who could fight as good as any male warrior.

I also created an honored station among the nymphs, the Bear Goddess, who would act in Artemis’s stead when she wasn’t present and keep the barriers around the goddess’s forest strong. Only the Bear Goddess could take the form of a bear and the other nymphs could take the shape of other forest animals.

I actually ended up changing quite a bit. Zeus doesn’t seduce Callisto, but one of his followers does—a centaur who can take human shape. I had this idea of a forbidden love theme since the original versions hint at this. In my version she is the daughter of Lycaon and the nymph Maia. While my story may differ from the original myths, it stays true to the main theme—betrayal. And despite Callisto’s flaws, she possesses bravery and conviction, two traits I admire and hopefully readers will too.

****************
Short excerpt from The Bear Goddess:
Kasin stared at the line of nymphs, a formidable wall of gold and black leather-clad Guardians flanked by brown-clad nymphs and satyrs. Artemis’s powerful symbol of a full moon and crossed arrows taunted him from the unyielding line of small round shields his opponents held in steady grips.
He waited for the nymphs to make the first move. He would give them a chance to negotiate his terms and, if fortune favored him, avoid a battle.
Davona stepped into place next to him. “That is their merciless leader, Maia, the one who called for my death. She is also Callisto’s mother.”
Kasin looked closer at the nymph at the head of their army. She had dark red hair that almost looked black, an unusual color among the brown and fair hair of the other nymphs, and she had been among those that captured him.
“Callisto’s mother is a fire nymph. They are a particularly nasty kind of nymph.” He felt a twinge of sympathy for Callisto for it seemed her mother was as difficult as was his armor-hearted father.
“If she will allow her own daughter to die…” Davona stared fiercely at the leader of the nymphs. “She will not be easy to negotiate with.” 

 Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed


Friday, August 14, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fantasy book

Favorite book—Clash of Kings, Book Two in the Song of Ice & Fire series. This is the book behind season two of Game of Thrones on HBO. Highly recommended for fans of this series. The books expand on the characters and intricate storylines.




Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed


Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

Biggety
      adjective big·ge·ty \ˈbi-gə-tē\
Definition of BIGGETY

1
Southern & Midland :  conceited, vain
2
Southern & Midland :  rudely self-important :  impudent
Variants of BIGGETY

big·ge·ty or big·gi·ty \ˈbi-gə-tē\
Examples of BIGGETY


Origin of BIGGETY

big + -ety (as in persnickety)

First Known Use: 1880

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, August 10, 2015

Friday, August 07, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite kitchen item

Favorite kitchen tool—wooden chopping bowl from Alaska. I've had this for years. I use it more than anything else in my kitchen to chop chicken or vegetables. It’s easy to use and clean. Highly recommended.




Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

Bigeminy
  
  noun bi·gem·i·ny \bī-ˈje-mə-nē\
Definition of BIGEMINY

:  the state of having a pulse characterized by two beats close together with a pause following each pair of beats
— bi·gem·i·nal \-mə-nəl\ adjective

Origin of BIGEMINY

bigeminal (double, paired), from Late Latin bigeminus, from bi- + geminus twin

First Known Use: circa 1923

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, August 03, 2015

Friday, July 31, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite sleep aid

Now essential oils Peaceful Sleep Blend

I love this smell and it helps me sleep. I put a dab on my pillow before I go to bed. 
Ingredients
Orange Oil, Tangerine Oil, Lavender Oil, Chamomile Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Sandalwood Blend



Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

bigarade
      noun bi·ga·rade \ˌbē-gä-ˈräd\
Definition of BIGARADE

1
:  sour orange
2
:  a brown sauce flavored with the juice and grated rind of oranges

Origin of BIGARADE

French, from Occitan bigarrado, from bigarra to variegate
First Known Use: 1658




Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, July 27, 2015

Monday Musings: More Backyard Wildlife: Mr. and Mrs. Godzilla

There are two desert iguanas in my yard now. Since they are hanging out together, they must be male and female because males will fight. Anyway, I'm expecting to see some tiny lizards running around soon.









Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Friday, July 24, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite beauty product

I started using coconut oil for my skin. I buy the oil and add some to my lotion. I've noticed a difference--my skin is softer now. You can also use it on lips, nails and hair. It's a great beauty product.



Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

Biedermeier
      adjective Bie·der·mei·er \ˈbē-dər-ˌmī(-ə)r\
Definition of BIEDERMEIER

:  of a style of unostentatious furniture and interior decoration popular especially with the middle class in early 19th century Germany

Origin of BIEDERMEIER

after Gottlieb Biedermeier, satirical name for an uninspired German bourgeois

First Known Use: 1905

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, July 20, 2015

Monday Musings: Symbols under fire

In the wake of the shootings in Charleston, S.C., the Confederate flag is under attack. Now, I’m not a southerner and really have no opinion of this flag, but to many, it represents support of slavery—specifically, black slavery. Do only racists fly this flag? Maybe. I can’t say for sure. But another side of this is that some people view this flag as a symbol of freedom from government control. That sounds credible to me. Would getting rid of this flag stop racism and violence directed at black people? Probably not. Racism is something that needs to be stopped at home.

The problem I have with the call to get rid of the Confederate flag is that this isn’t the first symbol to be twisted into something evil. I can think of at least three that have suffered this fate—the swastika, the pentagram and the cross.

The swastika is an ancient symbol, dating back to at least the Neolithic Age, and possibly earlier, and is believed to be a symbol of good fortune. It is more common in India, its name comes from the Sanskrit word svasti (sv = well; asti = is), meaning good fortune, luck and well-being. The right-hand swastika is associated with the Hindu god Vishnu, is a symbol of the sun and the Hindu sun god, Surya. The symbol imitates the sun’s rotation. The left-hand swastika (sauvastika) is associated with the Hindu goddess Kali, night and magic. It’s not considered “evil” and this form is more common in Buddhism. The swastika is also associated with the worship of Aryan sun gods and this may be why the Nazis chose it for their symbol. Whatever the reason, they turned the swastika into a symbol of evil.

The pentagram has a long history. The word “pentagram” is of Greek origin, but it’s possible the five-pointed star dates back to ancient Mesopotamia at Ur of the Chaldees. In ancient Greece, it had metaphysical associations. To the ancient Celts, the number 5 was sacred and this is revealed in Cormac’s Cup of Gold. Early Christians associated the five-pointed star with the Five Wounds of Christ. At times it represented the senses and the elements. Nowhere is it considered an evil symbol until The Inquisition when it was judged a demonic symbol.

We forget that the cross, another sacred symbol, used to be shunned as a representation of suffering thanks to the Romans and their penchant for crucifying their enemies.



So, is it fair to proclaim the Confederate flag an evil symbol and stop selling it in well-known stores like Walmart, Amazon, eBay and Etsy? Probably not. But as with everything controversial, it’s all about politics and being politically correct and not offending anyone. And I’m getting tired of it all. Maybe the Confederate flag has no place in government buildings, but to some people it has a deeper meaning that may or may not have to do with anti-black sentiments. I do believe people have the right to display their chosen symbols whether it’s a pentagram or a Confederate flag. What it comes down to is this: symbols have different meanings to each individual, and it’s not up to the government to decide something that should be a personal choice.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Friday, July 17, 2015

Favorite Friday:Sharing a favorite scent and body spray

I don't like heavy perfume. It gives me a headache. Instead, I use body spray and love vanilla because it is a light scent. This one is my favorite vanilla blend from Bodycology.



Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

bifurcate

      verb bi·fur·cate \ˈbī-(ˌ)fər-ˌkāt, bī-ˈfər-\
: to divide into two parts
bi·fur·cat·edbi·fur·cat·ing
Full Definition of BIFURCATE

transitive verb
:  to cause to divide into two branches or parts
intransitive verb
:  to divide into two branches or parts
— bi·fur·cate \(ˌ)bī-ˈfər-kət, -ˌkāt; ˈbī-(ˌ)fər-ˌkāt\ adjective
See bifurcate defined for English-language learners
Examples of BIFURCATE

The stream bifurcated into two narrow winding channels.
bifurcate a beam of light
Origin of BIFURCATE

Medieval Latin bifurcatus, past participle of bifurcare, from Latin bifurcus two-pronged, from bi- + furca fork
First Known Use: 1615

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed


Monday, July 13, 2015

Monday Musings: My Pets: Loki’s world







Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly


Friday, July 10, 2015

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite beauty product

I love my wet brush to comb and detangle my fine hair. It works so much better than a comb and the bristles massage my scalp.



Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        


My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Wednesday, July 08, 2015

Weird Word Wednesday

biflagellate

adjective bi·fla·gel·late \(ˌ)bī-ˈfla-jə-lət, -ˌlāt; -flə-ˈje-lət\
Definition of BIFLAGELLATE
:  having two flagella <biflagellate gametes>
First Known Use of BIFLAGELLATE

1856


Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        




My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, July 06, 2015

Monday Musings: Moon and Jet Stream pics






Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly