© 2014 by Joyce Mason
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| Cool Chironic necklace |
What interesting times as I morph more deeply into my
Chironic, hybrid career of being both a fiction and non-fiction writer. That’s
on top of my other adventure in half-and-half: writer and astrologer.
My first Left
Coast Crime was quite a thrill. LCC is a conference of mystery writers that
moves from city to city on the West Coast annually. My 46 minutes of fame
occurred when I spoke on a humorous mystery panel (the first 45 minutes). The
second was a one-minute “elevator” speech, introducing my novel at a new
authors’ breakfast. I got laughs at both, particularly when I likened the
Crystal Ball costume gala in my book to a
cross between a Star Trek convention and a New Age revival meeting. I think
I accidentally stumbled onto a new marketing phrase.
The synchronicity that amused me most, though—and I know it
will bring you a smile, too—came by way of the necklaces worn by Kendel Lynn, moderator of our humorous
mystery panel. Kendel’s another individual with a hybrid career, both a terrific writer and
publisher (Henery Press). She was wearing
three items on a neck chain: a round watch, a round K for her first name, and a
skeleton key. The K fell right over the key, making it look exactly like a Chiron
glyph. I read the “omenclature” as, “It’s time for Chiron.” The hybrid part of
Chiron’s repertoire of meanings became clear as the conference rocked on and I
got home to various blog and book feedback.
As I’ve let go of a portion of my astrological writing to
make room for fiction, some of my better Astro-ideas are emerging. I am
blogging less, but I feel like my posts are meatier—and judging by the
unprecedented volume of traffic to this blog lately—they are hitting home. By
feeding my hunger for fiction, I actually keep myself from getting too stuffed
and burned out on writing about astrology and related topics. As usual, Chiron
gets my vote as the astrological archetype of the Millennium. I also saw the
hybrid trend at the conference with many forms of fiction merging with mystery
almost seamlessly. The Crystal Ball
is mystery blended with visionary/metaphysical fiction. I saw so many blends of
topics and other genres with mystery; I began to see mystery as the table salt
of what writers cook up. It goes with everything. And our diet is so full of
it, a book almost doesn’t taste right if it doesn’t have at least some mystery
in it.
Radical Virgo Marcia
Clark
After knowing her in 1995 as an overworked, overwrought and
completely exhausted center of attention, to see Marcia now is to see the
phoenix of her Scorpio Rising in all its glory. She is upbeat, positive and
simply radiant. She shines like her Leo stellium, and she looks just like her
Wikipedia picture—much younger than her actual age of 60. She is no longer
working as a prosecutor, something she ultimately gave up for the sake of
balance in her life, particularly while raising her two sons. There’s a
fabulous video
from Oprah’s OWN network of Marcia telling the story of her transition from
prosecutor to novelist.
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| Click to enlarge |
In her new incarnation, Marcia now writes a mystery series
about Rachel Knight, “a Los Angeles D.A. … a tenacious, wise-cracking, and fiercely
intelligent prosecutor in the city's most elite division.” There are now three
Rachel books, starting with Guilt by Association. Marcia
Clark is currently producing a movie of the
same name not yet released, starring Julia Stiles as Rachel Knight.
I saw Marcia on two panels, and she was an inspiring role
model. I thought you’d enjoy this update and look at her chart. Marcia is a
great example of the many lives we live within one life. So much more is
possible with today’s extended life span at a time where interconnection brings
more opportunity than ever.
Research: Book #2
Some of the most fun I had was revisiting one of my favorite
places on the Monterey Peninsula, Asilomar Conference Center, a place that has
a cameo in my next book. Turns out a dear astrologer friend of many years was
raised in the area since he was three weeks old. He has given me so much material
on the local color; I can’t wait to recreate my fictitious Monterey small town
and the evil goings-on in stark contrast to the breathtaking beauty of this
special place of John Steinbeck, sea creatures and Monarch butterflies. I plan a
return trip for more research, maybe for
the annual Butterfly Parade and Bazaar
in early October to welcome the Monarchs back to Pacific Grove.
Happy Homecoming
I came home to a wonderful review of The Crystal Ball by Donna Van Toen in the NCGR Memberletter. If you’re not already a
member of this fine organization, I recommend it highly. Highlights from Donna’s review:
“Once you pick this sweetheart up, it’s hard to put down … Absolutely delightful.”
~ Review of The Crystal Ball, NCGR Memberletter
The cat and house were in one piece when we got back, and my
decision to write mystery novels feels better than ever. I’m already planning
to attend Left Coast Crime 2015. The next one's called Crimelandia, and it takes place in
Portland, March 12-15, 2015. LCC is now my favorite writing conference with its
egalitarian flair—first novelists were treated the same as NY Times
best-selling authors—and its purpose as a conference for both readers and
writers.
If you read or write and love mystery genre, plan ahead to
join the party in Portland a year from now.
~~~
Photo Credits: Kendel’s
necklace by Joyce with Kendel’s iPhone; Marcia Clark © Larry D. Moore,
Wikipedia common license
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