#Fairies, #Myths, & #Magic 2018 Author Spotlight Guest Posts, “Myths of the Mirror,” by Author, D. Wallace Peach

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fairies,myths& magic

Hello, and welcome to my Spotlight Author Guest posts where you can meet independently published authors and sample some of their work. My inspiration was to give independent authors another place where they could connect with readers.

I asked for posts dedicated to the themes of fairies, myths, and magic where authors could show off their writing skills by stretching their wings and stepping out of their genre comfort zones if need be. I also wanted them to tell you about their books and to share the magic it took to create them.

fairy dust wand

This week, I am pleased to introduce you to author, D. Wallace Peach. I’ve just recently started reading The Rose Shield series also written by Diana. I’ve reviewed the first book, “Catling’s Bane,” and you can read that review HERE. If you LOVE fantasy, this is an author whose writing will speak to you in ways you didn’t think possible. I am enthralled by her writing, her world-building, and the magical stories she weaves.

So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and take a few minutes to meet and read the magic behind D. Wallace Peach’s first book, Myths of the Mirror.

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Author, D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked. Diana lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s Coastal Mountains with her husband, two dogs, and Pinky the Cat.

In the distant mountains of the Mirror, exiled skyriders fly dragons in the old Way, merged in flesh, blood, and bone. Twenty years past, they fought for the freedom of the valley’s dragons … and lost.

 

Imprisoned in the stone lair, the captive dragons beat their webbed wings and thrash serpentine tails. They tear their flesh and batter their bodies against the black bars of their cells, iron grating against iron. The once peaceful creatures howl, tormented by spine and spur, their fury matched only by their despair.

 

Treasa, the daughter of exiles, seeks the secrets of a hidden past and a father she never knew. Gifted with visions, she glimpses pieces of years long lost and a veiled future that only raises more questions. The dragons visit her dreams, laden with contradictions that tear at her heart—for one day she sails in unfettered flight, her arms thrown wide, and the next she writhes in tortured darkness, desperate to be free.

 

The lair’s black-garbed riders sense the dragons’ growing savagery. Yet Conall longs to grasp their power, to subdue them and soar. He will endure the reek, filth, and terror of the lair to earn his right to fly. With a heart encased in steel, he masters the weapons of compliance to see his will done. At the cost of the woman he loves.

 

Then, a curved talon rends flesh and dragon scale, rattling against white ribs. Blood falls like rain and the world shifts. Treasa and Conall must decide who they are and what they stand for. Thus the battle for the dragon soul begins again. Alliances form, old myths are revealed, and new myths are born.

***

Myths of the Mirror may be read as a stand-alone coming of age fantasy novel appropriate for young adult readers or as the first book in an epic adventure that stretches from the small village of Taran Leigh and the mountains of the Mirror to the Anghard Archipelago in the western sea.

 

Conall and Treasa face a world where wealth and power rule. Fear is the weapon of choice, and cruelty is tolerated for a pocket of gold. It’s a world that forces a choice—indifference, complicity, or defiance—each choice defining the core of who they are and who they will become.

 

The dragons of Taran Leigh, souls of grace and beauty, hang in the balance. Will they descend into the howling violence of terror and pain inflicted upon them by their tormentors? Or will they fly free, the creatures they were born to be? With each book, the stakes rise and far more than the dragons’ souls lie at risk.

 

“The nervousness he felt upon mounting the dragon had ebbed, and he stroked its back, almost affectionately. He sensed a growing bond between them, a grace in their flight as natural as breathing. There were times when he glided over green fields, gazed into the weave and texture of leaves, that he released the reins and simply let the dragon fly. In those rare moments, he felt a profound sense of peace and deeply free.” –Myths of the Mirror.

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I used magic to write my first book.

In a way, I suppose all first books are magical. Characters barge into our heads. They start yapping and running off on adventures, falling in love, and making choices regardless of our opinions and plots. It’s surprising the first time it happens. I thought I was channeling spirits. Honestly, I did.

I pantsered that book with only the barest inkling of a plan, and I let those characters run amok. Who was I to argue with magical beings pouring their stories from the ethosphere? I followed wherever they wandered, on tangents and around in circles.

It wasn’t until I dotted the last sentence that I learned all writers feel their characters’ tugging on their stories this way. So maybe it wasn’t magic, or maybe we all have a little magic in us.

But that’s not the only way that magic had a role in writing that book. Each morning, I meditated and the next chapter played in my head like a movie. All I had to do was write it down – describe what I saw and transcribe the conversations. I wrote 189K words in 30 days without breaking a sweat. (Then it took a year to carve 70K words out! That part wasn’t magic at all – it was pure unadulterated torture!)

runes

And that wasn’t all! At intervals in the writing process, I chose runes from a blue velvet bag.

Runes are small stones with ancient symbols, a means of divination, of receiving guidance, or perhaps more accurately, they guide us to ponder and find our answers within. I’ve had my bag of runes for 30 years, and their wisdom has always felt pertinent.

The runes I chose determined the story’s direction, and I never wavered from their guidance. I never groaned and shuffled through the bag for a different one that fit my preconceived ideas of where I wanted the story to go. I bequeathed the rune’s messages to the Droom, the book’s cryptic healer, so when she chose a rune (an “eye”), it was the one I chose in real life.

At one point, halfway through my first draft, I had a severely injured character I intended to kill off. The Droom (me) picked a rune, and suddenly, not only was the guy destined to live, but he became THE main character of the book!

Well, well, well. I had to backtrack and rewrite huge chunks of the story to accommodate that rune!

Here’s the message that saved his life, as spoken by the Droom:

“Ahhh. The shift come into hisself, open to blessings, joy here.

Now crossed through the gap by the will of the World.

Draw light down to the Mirror,

Light up from deep hisself.

All is changed, nothing the same.

New knowing, now hisself here Belonging.

Eye of rebirth.”

The Droom picked many runes, all but that one puzzling into the story with uncanny precision. And despite the hours of toil it demanded, the wisdom of that rune proved sound.

Funny thing… like my character, I was also experiencing a significant shift. I’d begun my writing journey, one of joy, lightness, and belonging, and coming into my own – a rebirth.

The book, Myths of the Mirror, continued its magical journey and was my first book picked up by a publisher.

Now you know its secret.

©D. Wallace Peach, 2018

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Ready for an adventure? Click HERE to visit D. Wallace Peach’s Amazon Author Page to find all of her books.

The Sorcerer’s Garden
Sunwielder
The Bone Wall
The Melding of Aeris

The Rose Shield Tetralogy:
Catling’s Bane, Book I
Oathbreakers’ Guild, Book II
Farlanders’ Law, Book III
Kari’s Reckoning, Book IV

The Dragon Soul Saga:
Myths of the Mirror, Book I
Eye of Fire, Book II
Eye of Blind, Book III
Eye of Fire, Book IV

Grumpy Ana and the Grouchy Monsters: A Children’s Space Tale

How to Connect with the Author

For book descriptions, excerpts, maps, and behind the scenes info, please visit:  http://dwallacepeachbooks.com.

For her blog on all things writing, please visit http://mythsofthemirror.com.

TWITTER: @Dwallacepeach

FACEBOOK: Myths of the Mirror: @DWPeachbooks

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dianapeach33/pins/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/activities/d-wallace-peach+0_2F1UmSg–qRIqYJlk2W1Q_?trk=nav_responsive_sub_nav_yourupdates
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/101899993447765818692/posts

 

witchey kissesThanks for stopping by to hear about Myths of the Mirror and to meet D. Wallace Peach. By the way, would you be interested in appearing in my Author Spotlight – Guest Posts? I’m looking for themed posts about fairies, myths, and magic. If you are an enthusiastic author and would like to be featured on my blog, please click HERE to find out more.” ~Colleen~

170 Comments

    1. Oh, my gosh, yes. I’m reading her Rose Shield series and it’s one of the best epic fantasies I’ve ever read. I love it! How are you, Rob?

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        1. I agree. She is quite gifted. I’m well, also. I’ve been writing like a fiend. I’ve got a few more books in the works. Always something going on. 😀 ❤

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    1. Thanks, Staci. I’ve never shared this story before. It seemed like an “out-there” way to write a book. But writing, in general, feels magical to me, so I guess the time and place to share was right. Runes fascinate me too! They’re uncanny. Wishing you much good fortune. 🙂

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      1. Funny you should mention that. My next book’s plot is based entirely upon the Fool’s Journey. Once the time runs out at a publishing house, I could release it at the end of Spring. If they pick it up, who knows.

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        1. OMG!! I love that idea. My last book in my series I was going to do something with “fairy runes.” I definitely want to read that book, Craig!! 😀

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          7. Thanks, Diana. I’m forging forward. Abby’s story is a journey or an awakening, I should say. ❤️

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      3. I collect unusual and unique Tarot decks. I’ve always wanted to illustrate, design and write my own deck because I love The Fool’s Journey and evolution. This is a fabulous posting!

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        1. Thanks for the visit, Deborah. I’m tickled that you enjoyed the post. How interesting that you collect unusual Tarot Decks! I find them fascinating and tried once to make my own, simply as a way to personalize the meanings, but it’s a huge job and I never got very far. I hope you give it a try someday!

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          1. We are of like mind, I see. Too many creative ideas and so little time. Thrn, I switch my hat and become the nuts-and-boots editor and publishing format advisor, but that’s interesting and exciting, too! I’m ambidextrous so I think the two halves of my brain are always fighting like little children. 😇😈 👭 📚🎨 🎭 🎹

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          4. LOL! That’s how I write, Deborah… write, then edit, write… LOL! I’m a retired bookkeeper. I have to reconcile both sides of brain constantly. ❤

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    2. Thanks for much for reading, Craig. I don’t know if it helped with plot issues. Sometimes it created them! But in the end, the runes didn’t lead me astray. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Happy Writing!

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    1. I know, Mae. I never wrote like that again, and to be honest, that first draft was so full of tangents and overwriting it was ridiculous. Ha ha. I had to cut a book-length chunk out of it. But the experience… that I don’t regret. It truly felt like magic. I’ve been hooked on writing ever since. 🙂

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  6. Hi Colleen! I’m just tickled pink to be here on your blog today and share my long-held trust in magic! Thank you so much for the invitation and the lovely feature. What a pleasure. I will reblog in the near future. 🙂 Have a magical day, my friend.

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    1. Isn’t that interesting? It just goes to show that sometimes we have to use all six of our senses to write. I love it! ❤

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    2. It was definitely an interesting adventure, Judy. I haven’t had the courage to write that way since (now I’m an outliner), but it did feel magical. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful evening. 🙂

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  8. Thanks Diana, for sharing that experience of writing magically…I am reading ‘The Sorcerer’s Garden’ and the magic shines through your words in this book too! I am glad you have kept it alive in all your plots and dragons seem to be your pets! 🙂 Have a wonderful week.

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    2. Thank you so much for giving one of my books a try, Balroop. I hope you don’t mind the bloody battles too much! You have such a sweet soul. I do try to keep magic alive in my writing and in daily life. Have a wonderful day, my friend. ❤

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    3. Balroop, I started to ‘learn about’ Diana’s imagination and writing skills by reading The Sorcerer’s Garden also. Such fun!!! I’m jealous that you’re into those adventures now. 🙂

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    1. Robbie, I had to pop in… I call those flashes of brilliance. It magically appears fully formed. I love when that happens. Serendipity! ❤

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    2. The book I wrote with the runes was almost completely off the cuff, Robbie, but usually stories do pop up fully-formed. Poetry too. I love that, and I’m not surprised that you and others have that same experience. Imagination is so amazing. I think humans are only starting to understand it. Happy Writing, my friend.

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  11. I am off to find myself a bag of runes! I’ve read several of Diana’s amazing books, and I’ve read about her through her own blog as well as others, but I never heard the story of her own kind of magic and the runes. Fascinating. The art of writing entails a lot of magic, in my mind. Thanks so much for inviting Diana to guest post here, Colleen. Diana, you rock! Ohh, I mean, you rune! 🤗

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    2. Hi Pam. You never heard of my “magical” writing because I never told anyone before! It was an intense experience letting the runes lead the way and having no idea what was coming next. Serious pantsering. If you haven’t played with runes, the link I gave Colleen is for a wonderful set. They’re amazing. Happy Writing, my friend.

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      1. I love learning new things, particularly when they stretch my consciousness into realms that are reachable, if I only look. Thanks for directing my attention to the runes. (And I’m so glad you decided to talk about your magical writing here!)

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        1. I like the same thing. Those mind/spirit stretching words and experiences. I love it when I hear or read something and remember it 25 years later almost word for word because it was so eye-opening. 🙂

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  12. Ms. Peach is the best … but then again so are you, Colleen. I don’t know who I love more … but then again … it’s a moot point, seeing has how you both have husbands that could beat me up if I got over affectionate. So, I reckon I’ll be good … at least until the husbands aren’t looking.

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  13. Excellent feature! I’ve read a couple of Diana’s books already and can attest she does excel at world building and creating three-dimensional characters. The fact that her books live up to their gorgeous covers is icing on the cake.

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    1. I do too! It’s one of the most exciting parts of writing. And it does feel magical, doesn’t it? Thanks so much for stopping by to read the post. I’m delighted to be over here at Colleen’s. Happy Weekend!

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    1. I must admit she is my writing idol. I would love to learn more of her plotting and planning process. That is the hardest part for me, although, I’ve ordered the book and set of runes. I do a fair amount of pantsing myself. ❤ Thanks so much for stopping by. ❤

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      1. Aww. Thanks Colleen. I’m an outliner now, or maybe more a hybrid. Writing still feels magical, but as my books become more complex I find the structure necessary. I’ll try tackle a post on it some day!

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        1. I struggle with the outline part the most and how to expand on the theme. I outline too, but pantser the heck out of it until I get a plan. The first draft is the hardest, I think. After that I so much to work with and my next edit is much easier. ❤

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          2. I can’t wait to try them out. First I will have to read and study. I have to feel their call. I bet you’re empathic too! ❤

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          3. The book offers several spreads, but I usually just pick one. My hand idles in that bag for a long time until the right one “clings.” I wish I was empathic! I’m always the one that doesn’t have cool experiences while everyone else does!

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          4. LOL! It’s overwhelming sometimes like getting too much energy from too many people all at once. I’m slowly learn how to block the energies and receive them one at a time. Oh, I can’t wait for the runes. Amazon said they’ve shipped so just a few more days I suppose. Weee! 😀

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    2. Thanks so much for stopping by, Jennie. This was my first time sharing how strange and magical it felt when I started to write. I’d never blogged, never met another writer, had no idea what the heck I was doing, and I was swept away. Have a wonderful relaxing weekend, my friend. ❤

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      1. It was meant to be, Diana. You were always a writer and loved fantasy. It all came out when you had time and put pen to paper. Happy weekend to you, my friend. ❤️

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  17. Pingback: The Book of Runes – My Journey Begins – The Sisters of the Fey
  18. Pingback: Author Spotlight: Magical Writing, D. Wallace Peach | Myths of the Mirror

  19. Diana, it’s great learning more about you and your writing process. How amazing about using the runes to guide you and the story … and that a character you meant to kill off became the main one instead!! I get shivers just thinking about it! Wow, 189K in 30 days is phenomenal – your brain must have been on fire by the end! I’m impressed that you could pare it down to 70K. Magic inhibits all your writing – pure creative energy crackling from the pages, wonderful descriptions which are joy to read and amazing characters (and names!). I know I’m in for a treat with your books, posts & comments! xxxx

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    1. Annika, you just said everything I wanted to say and more. I just purchased the four book series starting with the Myths of the Mirror. Diana’s writing transports me to her magical lands. I just finished the Rose Shield series. A must read!! ❤

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      1. Colleen, I’ve got Catling’s Bane on my kindle and this is one of my first reads over the Easter break! Can’t wait … I have visions of Diana’s books one day gracing a whole shelf in major bookshops! They should be up there!

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    2. Thanks for reading, Annika. I only used this process once because the paring away of whole scenes and chapters was like getting flayed! Ha ha. I cut it by 70K, not down to 70K, so it’s still a big book, but not as rambling! And thank you for the kind comment about my writing. You always leave me grinning. 😀 Happy Writing!

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  20. There really couldn’t have been a better author to be invited in to talk about faeries, fantasy and writing… Diana sure knows her stuff! I love how she started her literary adventure later than most and how happy and successful she is. A very well-deserving lady with a lot to teach! Amazing post 🙂

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    2. Aww. Thanks so much, Sophie, for popping by to read. I do love the imaginative liberties that come with writing fantasy. My books have a lot more planning these days, but it was a great way to start off the writing journey. 😀 Have a wonderful day and great weekend ahead. ❤

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  21. Myths of the Mirror was my first book I ever read of Diana’s, and now I’ve read ALL of them! She is such a talented writer and I’m thrilled you shared her “secret” with us. I am gobsmacked that her runes saved Conall’s life!!! Wow.

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    1. I just bought the Myths of the Mirror series! Diana got me interested in rune stones and I’ve started working with them. I can imagine writing a book this way and might have to try her secret. ❤

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    2. Hi Kathryn. You’ve read them all?? You are a writer’s dream come true. Yes, poor Conall was supposed to die! And Torin and Treasa were supposed to hook up. Well, no way according to that rune! I had to restructure the entire book! Too funny. But I have a huge crush on Conall, so it’s good he lived. Ha ha. Thanks for the visit, my friend, and for making my day!

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  22. I’m deep into the Rose Shield quartet, almost finished book 3 – and am a born again D Wallace Peach fantasy reader! I love Diana’s writing – the world and the characters and the incidental inhabitants are all delightful. I’d love to see a movie bring it all to life….. It was fascinating to read how runes drove the development of the first published book. I do like me a bit of magic!!

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    1. Oh, my goodness, me too! I always tell Diana that I feel like a swooning fan! LOL! I’m working on the review for book 3 and book 4 today in the Rose Shield series. I’m totally smitten!! ❤

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    2. Thanks so much, Pauline. I was a little worried since you’re not usually a fantasy reader, but if I got you to book 3, I’m doing a little happy dance! The last book is a whirlwind! I hope you have a book hangover when you’re done 😀 Ha ha. Thanks for stopping by and I hope the rest of your week and your weekend are magical! ❤

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    2. Thanks, Mary! I bet you feel that magic too when you write – the characters and stories just taking over. 🙂 I’m an outliner now, but I so enjoyed that magical feeling when I started out and it was all new and wondrous. Have a great day and Happy Writing!

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        1. I’ don’t think I’ve done a post on it yet, Colleen. I think it’s pretty loose. I have no idea. Lol. I’ll see what I can come up with. I think what’s hard is that everyone is different, so ultimately we have to find what works. I’ll see what I can come up with. 😀

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    1. Thanks, Jina. It was torture! I never want to have to do that again. I whacked whole scenes and chapters. Talk about killing your darlings… all those pretty words GONE. But it was an amazing learning experience too, so no regrets. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Writing, my friend! ❤

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  25. “That part wasn’t magic at all – it was pure unadulterated torture!”–Ha, truer words were never spoken.

    I’m sure the character you almost killed off was most pleased you picked that rune. 😁

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    1. It was so bad, Carrie. I felt like I was being flayed. Ha ha. I basically chopped a full-length book out of my book! Well, we live and learn and are wiser for the effort. Thanks so much for swinging by and I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Have a magical weekend!

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  27. Wow Diana! Colleen had told me about your experience with runes as she keeps reminding me to get with the ‘rune’ program lol. What a fascinating story. So nice to see you over here at Colleen’s place ❤

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    1. I think you would enjoy them, Debby. You have a mystical side that comes out all the time. Listen to Colleen and give them a try. They’re fun and amazingly insightful. Thanks for the visit and I hope you and the hubby have a wonderful weekend. 🙂

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  29. Great interview, but I admit I’m seriously puzzled. I’ve read about runes but I’ve never actually seen any, and I have absolutely no idea how they ‘work’. Help?

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    2. They are very fun, Andrea, if you like tarot and iching and other sources of wisdom and guidance. I’ve had the same set for about 25 years and they are full of magic. 🙂 You’ll enjoy Colleen’s post on them. Thanks for the visit and Happy Writing!

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    2. Believe me, Marje, I know how hard it is to keep up with all the wonderful books out here in blogland. I recently gave up computer games in order to create more reading time. I’m sure we’ll cross paths with our books. 🙂 Thanks so much for the visit and have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. It was insane, Brigid. I really did feel like I was in the midst of something magical, and I just couldn’t stop. But, of course, it required 24 times as much time to edit. Ack! Thanks for stopping by, my friend, and have a lovely weekend. ❤

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  32. I’m sooo with you on the writing process thing. My first novel went 200k. I’m still cutting that one. Current total is around 113k, which is still too high. Actually my first six novels all went that way–quick writing that felt like pure magic, followed by tortuous editing with much-loved beta friends.

    I plan instead of pantsing my way through now, so the drafts are no longer so unwieldy. But the feeling when the story takes control and moves through you–I think that will always feel like magic.

    I’m so glad to see a buzz going up about your books. It’s well-deserved. And thanks, Colleen, for hosting Diana here on your lovely blog. 🙂

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    2. Aaah. I’m so glad you can relate, Cathleen. It really does feel like magic! And yes, eventually we get to be a little more efficient and start with a plan/outline. It sure does save on editing time. I think that some writers feel that an outline stifles creativity, but like you, that magic still has a way of happening. Happy Writing and thanks so much for stopping by. ❤

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    1. I was so taken with writing that I ordered my own set of runes and… I ordered the whole series of Myths of the Mirror. I love her writing! ❤

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    2. Thanks for making me smile, Kim. Colleen’s review was wonderful, and I was so tickled to share this story about my initiation into writing. I had no idea what to expect and was I ever hooked. I never told anyone about this before because it was such a crazy way to write, but with enough editing anything is possible. Ha ha. Have a great weekend, my friend. ❤

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  34. Hi, Colleen. I just wanted to thank you again for hosting this guest post. What great fun to chat with everyone over here and load up the post with good cheer!! Thank you for all your kind comments, too; you’ve once again made my day. ❤ < 3 ❤

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    1. You are so welcome, Diana. I’ve got more of your books to read and review so I hope to see much more of you. ❤️❤️❤️

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  36. This was a brilliant interview with great quotes. Well done both of you for this entertaining and insightful piece. I particularly liked Diana’s use of either randomness or the spirit of the universe (take your pick) to help her decide plot paths as it resonated with other things I’ve read along the way. People like the musician Brian Eno use a similar technique but with random things written on cards rather than runes. And William Burroughs cutting up and rearranging his own text. It is backed up by the textual criticism philosophy that nothing a writer does is random but is drawn up from the deep subconscious where most of our plot details are probably being processed unconsciously and unknown to the poor author. What a disturbing thought… we are but victims of our own novels! I blame the muse!

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    1. LOL! Thank you, Paul. I always learn so much from you. It’s true that the runes pull from our own subconscious and Ralph Blum discusses that. We are the Oracle. Diana’s post convinced me to explore the runes, myself. I haven’t used them for any writing yet, but who knows? Thank you kindly for your comments. Always appreciated. ❤

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    2. Thanks for the comment, Paul. You always have something interesting and insightful to add. My view of the inspiration probably reflects my perspective on the universe – a sublime order born of chaos. But I have no idea of how that relates to writing which feels mysterious and magical, indeed. Thanks for stopping by to read! Have a great week. 🙂

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  37. Pingback: Colleen’s 2018 #Book #Reviews – “Myths of the Mirror, Dragon Soul Book 1” by D. Wallace Peach – colleenchesebro.com

  38. Great work in laying out your post! I have just begun my own novel The Red Lands and soon hope to publish an e-book. As a fantasy writer it is great to get those mythological creatures incorporated into a good book. Even at this old age I still love Enid Blyton children stories because they introduced the imaginary world of faeries and gnomes. Only when you get older does Tolkien change that image of small creatures 😉

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  39. Pingback: Colleen’s 2018 #Book #Reviews – “Eye of Sun, (Dragon Soul Quartet, Book 4)” by Author, D. Wallace Peach | Colleen Chesebro ~ The Fairy Whisperer
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