Loss, Acceptance (and the Lack Thereof)

My aunt Camilla died.

She was one of my favorite people on the planet, unfailingly kind and supportive, always cheerful, and just an all-around great human being.

She was ninety-one.

And by the end, she was failing, and it was hard.

But I already miss her so much.

She was such an amazing human being.

And her husband is devastated, as is my mother, her sister.  But being very private people, they are dealing with it privately, and quietly, which is how they want it.

It is sad for me to realize that my parent's entire generation is rapidly passing on, leaving me and mine as the elders who are supposed to have the wisdom.  I'm NOT READY.  Wisdom?  You have got to be kidding me!  What wisdom?

I remember my mother telling me a long time ago that it's weird how you don't feel like you're getting older--you just notice how old the "kids" are getting.  She was SO RIGHT. My body keeps telling me that "Yoo hoo, remember me?  I've been around a while now.  You might not want to try some of that stupid shit you used to do any more.  I'm not willing to put up with it."  I don't really regret having done the stupid shit--but every morning the arthritis in the various joints I've injured pokes and prods me.

And I'm sad.  A lot of the time now is being spent on goodbyes.  And while I truly believe in an afterlife that is better, and in an Almighty who is kinder and considerably more forgiving than most of us (a) believe and (b) deserve, I also miss the friends and family who are gone.

There is a very old joke that a man goes to heaven, gets through the gates, looks around and is STUNNED by who he sees there.  He's speechless.  And St. Pete turns to him and goes, "Yeah, I know.  They didn't expect to see you here either."

I spend much of my life being very driven.  I have so much I want to accomplish.  I have goals, and I strive very hard to meet them.  Some I reach quickly.  Some will take me a lifetime.  But in all the rush and push to go, go, go--I sometimes forget to rest, and enjoy the moment, and treasure the fact that I have wonderful people and animals in my life, people who have taught me about laughter, loyalty, and courage in the face of adversity.

I've had a great life thus far.  People like my Aunt, and my Father can take a lot of the credit for that.  I never once doubted that I am loved.  (Although sometimes I admit I've not been all that lovable).  And knowing that is a bedrock foundation that allows me to be who and what I am.

I have experienced many things (still no wisdom though--but I'm working on it).  And those experiences, good and bad, and the people who took part in them, taught me things about life that make it possible for me to be a writer--to show others shaded, nuanced realities and tell stories about people who aren't just cardboard cutout figures.

I could go on, but, being driven (and looking at the clock), I realize that I only have a few minutes before the day job starts.  So I move on, diving into yet another day, that blurs into weeks, months, and even years.  Seriously, I don't remember the past three years.  They went by that fast.  It's terrifying.  Because if I don't experience the now why am I here?  I need the now.  Yes, the future is important too--but it isn't promised.  The past is gone.  It can only serve as a source of experience if I'm willing to learn the lessons.  Now is it.  I need to remember not to waste it on BS.

Toodles.

I'm Not Sure

There are so very many things I am not sure about.
But I am sure I love my son, and my family, and friends, and pets.
I'm sure that I do my best, even if it often doesn't seem that the best I've got is enough to get the job done.
I'm sure that I've never been sorry to have done something kind--and am constantly beating myelf up about the unkind things I did that I didn't need to.
I am sure that being kind and good are seriously unfashionable.  But they are very important.
I have noticed that people equate goodness with weakness, but I've found it's MUCH harder and takes more strength to be good in the face of a world that is often harsh and cruel.
I don't know where this post is going.  I'm not sure.
But I will keep going, and doing.
Because that's the point of life.
Until it is over.
And then . . .
Well, we'll see.

:)

So much stuff . . . .

I am going to have a long weekend this weekend.  This is a VERY good thing.  THERE IS SO MUCH STUFF that needs doing.  Edits.  Writing on the next book.  Finish the class I am taking.  Household painting and repairs that DESPERATELY need doing.  Cleaning.  Paperwork.  I am so incredibly overbooked that it's crazymaking.

But I'm happy.

Why?

A.  Because I've got this crazy career that is keeping me so busy, and which I love.  Seriously, they pay me to tell stories and pay with my imaginary friends.  How can that be ANYTHING other than a spectacular win?

B.  I have a home that I can tend to.  So many people don't.  And I love my little house.  I wish it were in Denver.  But the house itself is awesome.  And I actually enjoy painting and doing some of that sort of thing.  I LOVE having a product where you can actually see the difference when you finish.  There's a sense of accomplishment with even the little things like WOOT -- I FIXED THE TOILET.  I SO ROCK.

I know.  A little over the top.  But still, it makes me happy.  And I'm big into doing things that make me happy right now.

Okay, gotta run.

Cie

ON READING

Lifetime learning is important.  Reading is important.

Okay, I am about to preach to the choir.  I KNOW that the people who are likely to read this blog post are readers, otherwise they wouldn’t be interested in anything I have to say.  But I am going to say this anyway.

FIRST – Reading teaches empathy. It gives us practice getting into someone else’s head and POV, making us think about things that we might not have considered in our normal life, helping us view situations that we would never have otherwise experienced.

I have never been a black man.  But by reading mysteries with EZ Rawlins and other characters, I’ve had the opportunity to be shown inside the thinking of a black man and to experience the prejudice that was a part of his everyday life.  It gave me understanding that, I hope, made me more considerate than I might otherwise have been.

That’s just one example. 

SECOND – Reading teaches us things.  Okay, that sounds stupid.  But bear with me.

When my son was very little (and I mean VERY, since he was reading before he ever got to kindergarten), we were talking in the car and he said he wanted to know everything.  So I told him.  “READ.  If you learn to read, and read well, you can learn anything.  Because everything we know is written down somewhere.   And even if it is written in another language—someone’s written down how to learn that language.  You want to know everything?  The way to do it is to learn to read.”  He hasn’t stopped since.

I believed it then. I believe it now. 

THIRD – READING IS ENTERTAINMENT, cheap, accessible entertainment that doesn’t even require electricity.  People were reading LONG before we had electric lights.  And I sincerely hope we’ll be reading far, far into the future when the light bulb is just a quaint memory.

Can’t afford cable (or dish, or internet?).  Find your way to the library.  There, at your fingertips, is entertainment on the grand scale, available FREE FOR THE ASKING.

But I worry.

Because reading is becoming tres unfashionable.

Seriously, people are given shit for reading.  Even with the turn of the culture and the rise of the geek, reading hasn’t “caught on.”  I was told by a woman at my job that she was “stunned” people would pay me to write books because “she doesn’t have time to waste reading.”

Seriously?  She has time to shop and cruise the internet.  But reading, feeding the brain, is a waste of time?  WOW.  Just WOW.

We are supposed to take in our information in bits and bytes.  We’re supposed to be VISUAL, soaking in flickering images from a screen.  If we read, we’re to do it electronically.

There are studies that show how many people don’t crack a single book after they graduate high school; or college; or whatever.

It makes me sad.

It also scares the crap out of me.

People need empathy.  Look at any of the news feeds and you can see that.  People also need to get their information from multiple sources.  (Including, my friend, Wikipedia).  They shouldn’t trust a single news source as being unbiased.  They should ask questions and keep learning. 

Because the world doesn’t stop moving forward.  Things change daily.  You need to keep up.  And reading, whether on the page, or on a flickering data screen, is the best and easiest way to do that.

People need to ask questions—not just be led blindly by the most charismatic, handsome guy or gal on the screen. 

Hitler was charismatic.  So was Stalin.

I may not love every bestseller that hits the top of the list.  But it brings me joy that they do.  Because it means that SOMEBODY is reading.  And when something like the Harry Potter phenomenon hits, I crow with absolute delight.  Because an entire generation of people remembered that reading is also, at it’s core FUN, EXCITING, and ENJOYABLE.

End of sermon.  Stop reading this.  Go, pick up a book.

Cie 

Life can be very good.

Life can be very good.  It can also be a pain in the ass.  Then there are those days, weeks, and even months that are both.

I am grateful for so many things in my life that it's actually hard to count them all.  On the other hand, I get very tired of people blaming me (loudly) for things that truly have nothing to do with me.

But I am making the choice right now to let go of all of that crap, just let it go and concentrate on all of the wonderful things that are just ahead for me.

Seriously, I have so much to be excited about.  I can't tell you yet--but hopefully I can come back to you in 30 days with an update that will knock your socks off.

In the meantime.  Be well.  Be happy.  Read lots of books -- preferably mine!

Still not back on track

Hi Guys!

Okay, I've been home 2 weeks and life still isn't close to back to normal.  It is AMAZING how behind a little travelling can get you.

Still, I had a wonderful time on both trips and am now going to post some pics from the con.  (For more, see my website:  http://CTAdamsauthor.com

ANYWAY, EXCELLENT EXCELLENT TIME HAD.  WILL GET ON TRACK SOONEST.

Cie

Welcome to May

BLOG

Welcome to mid-May.  Life has been wild.  Last weekend was Mother’s Day weekend and I got to spend it with my family, including MY mother and my son.  J  Extreme awesomeness ensued.

Big trip to the Fan Expo Dallas/ComiCon in Dallas May 29-31. 

I am VERY excited.  Look for this banner to find me and other awesome authors.  (Say those last two ten times fast).  I will take pictures and maybe (if I master the new video camera) video.

ALL YOUR WISHES is with the editor.  THE EXILE is doing well.  I am working on THE RESCUE which is the tentative title of the next Fae book and am also working on PATIENCE MY ASS.  Much fun.  Very busy.

SO, that said, I’d best get back to it.  Take care of yourselves. 

Happy reading!

  

I am having an adventure!

First off.  I want to give my condolences to those who have suffered catastrophic losses in the recent flooding.  It is amazingly horrible what has happened, and appears may continue for a while yet.  What is happening to me is merely awkward, which is why it is simply an adventure to be approached with energy and creativity, not a crisis or disaster to be coped with in horror.

That said:

I am very glad I have good friends who can help me through awkward times when flights are delayed, things are lost, broken, and I wind up in the wrong place at the right time.

I will be at the Convention today, and I will have a wonderful time.  I will use my brand new (as in bought yesterday) selfie and video camera.  I will hopefully see lots of good folks and sign lots of books, laugh long and mightily (as I did at dinner last night with said friends) and have one of the times of my life.

Now the lightening is crackling overhead.  So I am off the computer for the nonce.

Best.

Cie

Travel Plans

The house/critter sitter will be a busy person this spring.  I will be visiting family on one long weekend, and I have been invited to attend Dallas ComiCon May 29-31.  It's good that the critters love her.

I hope folks will come see me and bring books for me to autograph!!

A Snake's Tail

Wednesday I had an EVENT.

One of the stray cats I feed/get vet shots, etc. for left a present for me by the garage door.  A very dead, very large, (six foot) rattlesnake.

I live in town.  We do not expect to see large rattlesnakes wandering around the neighborhood.

YIKES.

So, I've been concentrating on fitting in lots and lots of yard work (pruning, weeding, eliminating snake habitat) with all of the other multitudinous crapola that I do, but really don't have time for.

But GOOD KITTY, nice kitty.  LOVE the kitties.

Cie

Finding a Happy Medium

Hi Guys!

Okay, I FINALLY finished the edit pass.  I'm waiting a couple of days as a cool down before looking it over ONE MORE TIME before sending it to the beta reader and my editor again.

Had a friend design a tee-shirt for me--the same one mentioned in THE EXILE.  I am now looking into places like CAFE PRESS to see about having them available for sale.  THANK YOU SHAWN!

Still waiting on PATIENCE MY ASS.  Had to get the contracted work done first and regain my health after a bout of illness.  

Anyway, out of time.  Hope you are all well and happy.

Hope you're enjoying the book(s).

Cie

Saturday Morning Stuff OOPS/Saturday early afternoon stuff

Hi Guys!

Well, today is gorgeous outside, and I am attempting to accomplish things.  We'll see how well that works.  At least I got up the section of fence that I needed to to keep Lucky the Wonder Dog from running all over the neighborhood when she (inevitably) slips her harness.  It will also keep all of the neighbors dogs that they simply let run loose to poop in other people's lawns from getting into the back yard.  (Front yard is sadly, still fair game).

Writing is reaching critical mass--I simply MUST finish the edits.  Of course that's tricky to do when there are only so many hours in a week. But it is crunch time and I need to FIND the time, which means this will be a very short post and I probably won't be having as much fun in the sunshine as I would've liked.

I've been getting polar comments on THE EXILE.  People either REALLY like it or HATE it (and are hateful about it).  I've taken to not reading the reviews.  Probably for the best.

In the next few days I will be signing up for a conference in New York with my son.  It has to wait because my purse/wallet got stolen the other day.  It was recovered later (minus the cash, but with all my other stuff intact), but I had canceled all of the credit cards, ID, checks, etc. and must now wait on the replacements.  Once I have them I can enroll and make an announcement in case anyone wants to run into me so I can sign their books.

The whole purse stolen thing was very stressful.  It could have been much, MUCH worse, but it was still a nuisance.

Well, that had better be it for the nonce.  Time is (not) on my side . . .  yes it is.  Ti i i ime is (not) on my side.

(Leaves humming.)

BOOKS, BOOKS and MORE BOOKS

Hi Guys!

Okay, release went off without a hitch.  I've been promoing my tuchus off!  There are interviews and blog posts pretty much everywhere.  It was fun, but exhausting.

I think the book is doing well, but it's hard to tell these things at first.  I did notice that more e-copies seem to be going than paper this time.  Previously it was about equal.  But that's just looking at B&N & Amazon online, so I could be off by a mile.

ANYWAY, thanks to those who have bought the book.  I appreciate you, and hope you like the new series and new direction.  I'm enjoying doing this series in third person, and having the various points of view to work with.

OH! Good news!  There is going to be a re-release of Hunter's Moon for the 10th anniversary.  (Ten years--YIKES!)  Here's the new cover.

Looks gorgeous!  I'm very excited.  Cathy may have taken athe Sazi series (except for Raven, who I get to do a short story for in my upcoming collection), but I get Celia, and I will always LOVE me some shapeshifters.  Many of the characters in the Sazi are like family in a weird way--then again, they've been in my life for more than ten years now.  

I just want to drop a note publicly thanking Tor for their support.  They've been awesome to work with and have shown a lot of support.  

Thanks guys!

Cie

STUFF AND CHAPTER 1

We're in the beginning of March.  March 10 is the release date for THE EXILE.  I have a huge blog tour coming up, which is awesome.  (See below.  There are a couple more interviews that were late entries into the game, I'll try to post them later, but can't seem to find them at the moment).

3/10/15  The Vampire Book Club    http://vampirebookclub.net 

3/11/15  Layers of Thought              http://www.layersofthought.net/ 

3/12/15  Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews   http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com 

3/13/15  My Bookish Ways      http://www.mybookishways.com 

3/14/15  Urban Fantasy Investigation http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com 

3/15/15  SciFi Chick           http://www.scifichick.com 

3/16/15  From the Shadows http://www.fromtheshadows.info 

3/17/15  Little Miss Trainwreck http://littlemisstrainwreck.com 

3/18/15  SF Signal http://www.sfsignal.com/ 

3/19/15  Manda-Rae Reads A Lot http://www.manda-rae-reads.com/ 

3/20/15 Literally Jen http://www.literallyjen.com 

3/21/15  Civilian Reader http://civilianreader.wordpress.com 

3/22/15  Preternatura http://suzannejohnsonauthor.com/category/blog

3/23/15  The Qwillery http://qwillery.blogspot.com 

3/24/15  Fantasy Literature http://www.fantasyliterature.com 

3/25/15  Between Dreams and Reality www.betweendandr.com 

 I just got the newsletter drafted.  It should go out today.  New puzzle with contest and, of course, the first sneak peek of the book. I haven't gotten the video camera thing going yet because life has been lifish, but I want to get you guys excited, so you get a sneak peek too.  Now, the newsletter peek was a bit longer -- I want to reward people who sign up after all.  But you get a taste now, and more to follow in a couple of days.

 (Note, this was cut and pasted from a typed version of the manuscript, not the final copy, so pardon any errors as being part of the risk you take for peeking.):

PROLOGUE

            Atropos shivered, despite the weight of her heavy wool cloak. Her bones ached and her joints stiffened in wet weather. It made her move more slowly, which meant she would be out in the rain longer. That soured her mood. She did not want to do this, and cursed the necessity. Normally she’d let one of her other two aspects handle it. With her youth, Clotho could ignore foul weather, and while Lachesis loathed the damp, it didn’t incapacitate her. But both of them had history with the King of the Sidhe. Atropos did not trust the younger ones not to be affected by sentiment. So with faltering footsteps, supported by a cane carved of ash, she made her way through the darkened rose garden, following a path strewn with shifting shadows, until she reached a little-known servant’s door, tucked discreetly in a corner behind a trellis that bore a thick covering of ivy.

The door was unlocked, as arranged, and she stepped through into a wide, marble-floored hallway dimly lit by a few glowing crystals.

            Depending on one’s perspective, it was either very late or quite early, barely three hours past midnight. Even the hardiest courtiers had gone to their beds, as had most of the servants. But Atropos knew the king was still awake and at work, and his guards with him.

            The man on the door was no fool and no coward. The moment he saw Atropos he knew who, and what, she was. But he stood his ground, a mountain of ebony muscle barring the heavy oak doors with his body, weapons ready, though not actively threatening her.

            “I will see the king.”

            The guard did not meet her milky gaze. Instead he stared over her left shoulder, into the middle distance, as he answered her in a voice that was completely steady, despite the muscle that twitched nervously above his right eye. “The king is not to be disturbed.”

            “He will see me.” Her voice was harsh as the caw of a carrion bird, but the soldier neither flinched nor moved. He was accustomed to death, this one, having dealt it out, and seen it, more often than most. His name, she recalled, was Petros. It was certainly apt. He was solid as a rock—and just about as bright.

Petros opened his mouth to again refuse her, but was saved by the king’s command from behind the closed doors.

            “Let the crone in.”

            The guard turned and opened the door for her without further comment.

            After the chill dimness of the hall, the warmth and light of King Leu’s library was most welcome. Atropos moved gratefully toward the fireplace in the corner nearest the door. Though Leu was seated near the fire, he was not looking into the flames. Instead, he stared at a painting that hung on the wall nearby. To the uninformed, the painting was just that, a perfect rendering of the entry hall of a modern human apartment. Atropos knew, however, that the frame contained something more than a painting. She also knew just how much the image meant to her host.

            Leu made her wait before turning to greet her. It was a deliberate slight, and it rankled, though Atropos knew better than to let that show. She had sought this meeting. She was in his castle, his place of power. And while all men must bow to the will of Fate, this was not the time or place to remind him of it. Leu was a king, and a proud man.

            “Why are you here?” He spoke calmly, his eyes gleaming silver in the firelight.

            “I need a boon,” she answered sourly.

            His elegant, dark brows rose so high they disappeared beneath a shock of his dark hair, in the front braided tight against his skull and pulled back in a tail, the back hanging nearly to his knees. She felt a pang of memory—Clotho’s—of the silken feel of that hair beneath her fingers and sliding over her naked body. . . . The crone found herself fighting her younger aspect for control of their shared body. Closing her eyes, she clamped down tight with her will until Clotho sullenly relented.

            “You seek a boon? From me?” Leu gave a slow, feral smile, his pleasure evident in the anticipatory flash of sharp, white teeth. “Have a seat,” he suggested with belated courtesy, gesturing toward the beautifully carved wooden chair across from him. “Would you like a drink?”

            Atropos nodded her consent. Resting her cane against the nearby table she lowered herself onto the straight-backed chair. It was not a comfortable seat. The carvings dug painfully into her back, and whatever padding the seat had once held had been worn down to nothing. She smiled grimly, knowing that the only better seat in the room was the king’s; the others were all intended to subtly discourage everyone else from lingering.

            Everything about Leu was subtle, complex, layered. He was a very physical being, Clotho and Lachesis could both attest to that, but ultimately his mind was what made him most dangerous—and the kind of High King Faerie needed. Atropos might not like the man, but she respected him, and her respect was not earned easily.

            She took a glass of wine from his hand, the liquid so dark a red it was nearly purple. She didn’t worry about poison. He wasn’t the type, and she was immune to most of them anyway. Still, there was always the possibility of an accident. The man had so very many enemies.

            Leu pushed aside a stack of maps and leaned back against the edge of the table, quite close to her. Taking a sip from his glass, he looked down at her and, smiling that dangerous smile, said, “Let the dickering begin.”

* * *

Today

I'm slowly recovering from the whole bronchitis kicking my butt thing, but I am in a VERY good mood.  THE EXILE is coming out in just a few days, and I am very excited.

I was able to get in touch with the USO, and they referred me to a charity that sends books to our troops.  I have committed to sending out a BUNCH of my novels that have been sitting on my shelves at home to the military.  This makes me very happy as I always want to support our troops.  Of course I also HOPE that they'll love them, and want to get all the rest.  (BWA HA HA HA).  Loyal readers are a great and glorious thing.

Everybody drive safe in the icy conditions that seem to be covering most of our country.

Cie

Audiobook cover, THE EXILE

This is the audiobook cover for The Exile.  Isn't it AWESOME!  Great job all.  I am THRILLED.  

Galloping Crud

Alas, I am behind on things again.  Got a bad case of bronchitis and was flat on my back ill for a full week.  The short story collection is now being shelved until after March so that I can do the book promo stuff and get caught up.  Writing has started again, and is going well.  Edit letter for ALL YOUR WISHES is due soon.

Tomorrow I am hoping to get the newsletter out so that I can notify the winners of the contest.  The winners books will be going on Friday.  But I am not going to push myself too hard because, frankly, I'm not completely well yet and can't afford to.

BEST TO ALL.

Cie

Camera has arrived.

WOOT -- the video camera has arrived.  I now need to learn how to use it to post interviews, clips and readings here and to the website via YouTube.

Wish me good luck!

Cie

HMNNNNNNNNNNN

AND THE GOOD NEWS IS

There's actually a Wiki page for Cat Adams.  Not C.T. Adams (bummer) but HEY one of my aliases is on Wiki.  How cool is that?

Got the cover flats for THE EXILE and they are FREAKING GORGEOUS.  WOOT!  It looks even better full size.  This, of course means, that I will have them available for giveaways when I send out the next newsletter on 2/1.

When I was in Denver in December I went to the big Barnes & Noble downtown and was treated spectacularly well when I offered to sign stock.  They were sweet, efficient, and flattering.  Too, there was STOCK of my books to sign.  This is a good thing and it made me feel very good about myself and my craft.

Recently I went to a smaller city in a different state and offered to sign stock.  They were not particularly helpful and stopped just a bit short of rude. If it hadn't been for the great experience in the city I would've been pretty low about it--particularly since I'd been questioning whether or not I'm still "relevant" and have fans.

But I'm beginning to think, based on things like responses to my newsletter contests, the Wiki page, the fact that B&N in a major city had multiple copies of my books on the shelves (and some faced out), that perhaps the bad experiences (and there have been more than one) are an aberration, or perhaps a localized phenomenon.

Either way, I'm going to keep going.  But if you have a wild desire to encourage me, feel free.

Cie

Video Camera

Well, I bit the bullet and bought a video camera.  The goal is to do short video readings to link from my website to YouTube, interviews, and other stuff.  I THINK I can link them to here too.

I'm trying to do new and nifty things that you guys (the fans) might like.  Also getting ready to do some promo stuff like the tee-shirts that are mentioned in the book for giveaways.  We'll see.

ANYWAY, I'm very excited that things are getting back on track.

Best always.

Cie

BUSY -- OY

I'm VERY busy right now.  Only have a minute to stop by and thank those of you who commented, and those who have been visiting with me on Facebook.  I am glad to know I haven't completely fallen off the map.

I'm still in the process of re-designing the website.  No links are up and running yet, but I'm getting pretty pleased with the look of it.  Simple.  That's the plan.

I'll check back in a couple days and let you know that it's finished.

Cie

Things are never quite as easy as you think they'll be.

Just when I think I've got a grip on reality, the handle breaks.

What if . . .

THERE’S A PARTY GOIN’ ON RIGHT HERE . . .

I had a thought the other day–what would it be like if characters from my various books and series showed up for a bash.  Who’d come?  Who’d send regrets?  Who’d talk to whom, and who’d be most likely to wind up with a lampshade on his/her head?

Silly, I know.  But I could picture it.  

From the Sazi–Tony might make it–but only if Sue dragged him along.  Might be fun if he brought Carmine, Linda and Babs along.  Raphael and Catherine would surely be there, dancing carefully around the inevitable issues with Tatiana, who’d show up on Lucas’ arm decked in diamonds.  If the Monier family arrived it could get VERY interesting indeed.  I’d hope that Raven could come, but he’d probably be on the road somewhere.

From the Thrall world I’m sure Kate Reilly would make it with Tom.  So would Carlton–who I imagine would be the life of the party, towering over everyone and chowing down on hot wings.

Of course, there’d be LOTS of food, very heavy on the protein offerings.  After all, you do not want your shapeshifters getting hungry.  

Music would be tricky.  What to play?   Hmmnnnn.  Some of these shapeshifters have been around a LOOONG time.  Others, not so much. Should there be dancing?  Might be fun.  Or not.  

Having the Fae show up from the new reality would be interesting as well.  How would the shapeshifters deal with creatures even more exotic than they?  And what do you suppose a Doxie would smell like?

But any way you slice it, it would be unforgettable–and more than a little dangerous.  All those predators . . .   And they might not be that happy with me.  I mean, seriously, I put my characters through a LOT of crap.  Maybe it’s just as well they CAN’T come off the page and in my living room.

But it’s sure fun to imagine.