The Z Files: Jan Ruth ~ Sagittarius

Astrology ~ a bit of fun, a load of rubbish, or something to take seriously?

I invited around 70 writers/bloggers to write a piece about how typical they are of their sign, and how its traits affect their writing life ~ if at all...

Has your favourite writer been featured yet?  Links to all previous posts at the end of this one :)

Galloping over the mountains of Snowdonia and aiming her arrows at the Amazon bestsellers list, I'm delighted to welcome highly acclaimed contemporary women's fiction author Jan Ruth, a (you've guessed it) Sagittarius! 

 
If you love mature contemporary romance, animals and Welsh hills, Jan's your archer :)  You might also like her In The Christmas Chair series of author interviews ... and her fabulous photographs of the glorious Welsh landscape.  Look at THESE and scroll down to the Winter ones, they're my favourite!

That's Jan waving at you from yonder hills...

Sorry to make demands on your Sagittarian freedom, Jan, but could you canter down and tell us about your ninth sign writer self?

"The centaur. I think I was actually born half a horse. I could whinny from the age of 8 and so far as horses are concerned, I’m still obsessed. Although November 23rd means I was born on the cusp, I’m a true Sagittarius. I’m the Tigger of the zodiac, an optimistic equine adventurer searching for the truth with my bow and arrows, and always on the move.  

I love big outdoor spaces, dogs and horses. I tend to prefer the company of funny men who can talk about politics, poetry and philosophy when the need arises. I have a disgraceful pile of ironing and a full rack of wine, but my walking boots are well waxed."

"I’m annoyingly blunt sometimes and prone to sarcasm and exaggeration, but I dispute the fact we tend to be disloyal! I’m intensely loyal... unless you cross me, then I might be tempted to draw an arrow, although they’d more than likely be as blunt as my fingernails. 

How does this manifest itself in my writing? Surprisingly, I write - mostly in a saggy dressing gown surrounded by last night’s pots and pans - fast-paced contemporary fiction set in Snowdonia and my male characters tend to epitomize the witty anti-hero, usually with a couple of dogs in tow. 

Readers, I’m truly Saggy."

 

Yes, I think we can agree on that last sentence; another contributor for whom I had to highlight nearly the whole article for phrases particularly relevant to the sign!  You can catch up with Jan and find all about her books on her blog and/or follow her on Twitter; it being near Christmas I'll give her special mention to her seasonal short stories, details HERE and cover below!

I've found two fellow contemporary women's fiction lady archer writers for Jan...

...Ms Middle Class family drama herself, Joanna Trollope...

... and a more recent bestseller 

and the other half of Ricky Gervais (I just found out!), Jane Fallon

Up Next: Scorpio

Previous Posts:

Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Julia Proofreader

Leo: Rose Edmunds, Anne Goodwin, Alex Johnson,

Aries: Joanne Phillips, Trisha Ashley, Cynthia Harrison

Gemini: Haydn Lee, Norah Colvin, Jerome Dumont, John Privilege,  
Shelley Wilson,

Aquarius and Capricorn: Nicky Black

Aquarius: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham

Capricorn: Georgia Rose, Wendy Janes, Annie Lyons, Steffany R

Sagittarius: Adrienne Vaughan, Rachel Amphlett, Wendy J Lennox,  
Katrina Mountfort,

Cancer: Emma Gray, June Kearns, Sarah Boucher, Katie Oliver, Mark Barry

Virgo: Louise Marley, Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub

Pisces: Lizzie Lamb, Julie Haiselden, Maria Savva, Sacha Black,

Scorpio: Gen Gannon, Stacey Garrity, Gemma Lawrence, Robert Leigh, Catherine Hokin, Jenny Twist,

Taurus: Valerie-Anne Baglietto, Valerie Poore,

Libra: Tom Hocknell, Jen Ammoscato, Joanne B

The Z Files: Rachel Amphlett ~ Sagittarius

Astrology ~ a bit of fun, a load of rubbish, or something to take seriously?

I invited around 70 writers/bloggers to write a piece about how typical they are of their sign, and how its traits affect their writing life ~ if at all...

Has your favourite writer been featured yet?  Links to all previous posts at the end of this one :)

Zipping over on a long haul flight from Australia, in true Sagittarian traveller mode (in fact, her Twitter bio says 'traveller at heart'!), is thriller and suspense author Rachel Amphlett.  Rachel's new book, Three Lives down, is now available for pre-order HERE, or on Nook,  Barnes and Noble, Kobo and iTunes ~ sadly no link for the last one as I haven't got a clue how to find things on there!  I've bought it recently, as someone who has already read it told me that it's stunningly good ~ watch my book review blog :)

 
Now, Rachel, please take the pack off your back and tell us what being a Sagittarius, that most fortunate and optimistic of signs, is like for you ~
 

"I laughed when I read the opening line to this one. (NB: Rachel refers to the list of traits I sent to all contributors)

"From playing in a band, to running a pub, to starting a new career in radio, to emigrating halfway round the world from the UK to Australia, to starting another new career as an author – yeah, that takes optimism, and a sense of adventure.  

It helps to keep a sense of humour, too, especially when life isn’t so much handing you lemons as chucking well-aimed ones at your head.

Am I a philosopher? I definitely think too much, and crave the stimulation that comes from learning new skills. 

To me ‘carefree’ sounds a bit too irresponsible; I’m more of a calculated risk-taker. I like to weigh up all my options, do my homework, and then pick the best one. I never purchase anything on impulse. OK, maybe the odd guitar or book…"

"I’d like to think that I’m generous and sincere. People that know me understand that if they’ve got me for a friend, they’ve got me as a friend for life. I’ll fight their corner for them, help them out of a tight spot wherever possible, and am usually the one they turn to for a shoulder to cry on, and I wouldn’t change any of that for the world. 

Finally, I do think I have an eagerness for life and everything it chucks at me. I love the fact I can go anywhere, do anything, whenever I want. I think too many of us forget sometimes how lucky we are to be able to have that freedom."

The last sentence is very Sagittarianly philosophical, of course :)  You can follow Rachel on Twitter and read about her suspenseful thrillers on her website  ~ ooh, look, and when you click on, you can claim a free copy of her book, Under Fire!

Rachel's new book, Three Lives Down.

 

I hope I've chosen suitable December born writers to hike the Sagittarian mountain trail with Rachel ~

... travel writer and all round fab guy, Bill Bryson...

...and trendsetting Sex and the City creator, Candace Bushnell!

 

Up Next: Scorpio

Previous Posts:

Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Julia Proofreader

Leo: Anne Goodwin, Alex Johnson

Aries: Cynthia Harrison

Gemini: John Privilege, Shelley Wilson

Aquarius and Capricorn: Nicky Black

Aquarius: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham

Sagittarius: Wendy J Lennox, Katrina Mountfort

Virgo: Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub

Pisces: Maria Savva, Sacha Black

Scorpio: Catherine Hokin, Jenny Twist
Taurus:  Val Poore

Cancer: Katie Oliver, Mark Barry
Libra : Joanne B 

The Z Files ~ Wendy J Lennox ~ Sagittarius

Welcome to The Z Files, in which writers/bloggers show how the characteristics of their star sign influence their work; contributors were invited to treat the subject as seriously, cynically or lightly as they like!  Links to all previous posts can be found at the end of this one.

Ooh, look, a Sagittarius ~ catch her before she dashes over the horizon in search of another adventure!  Welcome Wendy J Lennox, YA fantasy author of The Crystal Keeper trilogy (Book One on Amazon HERE)~ a wonderfully typical Sag, I think.  Best line: 'even on the days I've put on my pants of despair by mistake' ~ love it!

How does being a lady archer affect your writing life, Wendy?

"I was born a mythical centaur. A match made in heaven you could say, considering I spend my days dreaming up fantastical worlds inside my head. Known as the philosopher of the zodiac, the centaur gazes skyward, his arrow aimed at the stars as he ponders the meaning of life. Yes, that’s me. My inherent curiosity and restless soul has always driven me to gallop with reckless abandon across life’s boundaries in my thirst to explore the world around me. But having never been at one with nature, (which has habit of chasing me whenever possible) nowadays most of my adventures begin and end on my sofa."

"I might not be able to wander as freely as I used to B.C. (Before Children), or am quite as impulsive as my younger self (that’s a good thing, trust me) but this hasn’t reined in my need to broaden my horizons. Whether it’s chatting into the wee small hours about the wonders of the universe, expanding my knowledge or immersing myself in a new creative project, if I didn’t channel my restless energy somewhere, I’d probably spontaneously combust. Fortunately for me, there’s enough challenges that come with being an independent author to keep me out of mischief for many years to come."

"Independent, ambitious and enthusiastic are three valuable Sagittarian traits I’m fortunate to have in abundance. Without them, I wouldn’t have been brave enough to fly solo and self publish my first YA fantasy novel, or had the determination to park my bum and carry on writing, even on the days I’ve put on my pants of despair by mistake. On the flip side, this drive to succeed can also bring out my impatient, stubborn and tactless side. But whenever I have a Wendy wobble, make yet another stupid mistake or forget to engage brain before speaking, it’s my archer optimism that makes me readjust my aim and take another shot."

Thank you, Wendy, a piece I think will make all fellow archers nod in recognition.  Ah, the Sagittarian who dares to take a punt; sometimes it's a more sensible one, unlike the glued-to-the-card-table Sag gambler with whom I used to live.  You can follow Wendy on Twitter, look at her website ~ and here's the cover for the second part of her trilogy, which will be out in January 2016 :)

Here are some fellow Sagittarian writer-adventurers for Wendy:

....the wonderful C S Lewis, theologian, speaker (for adventures are not always of the physical self!), and creator of the ultimate in children's/YA fantasy 

(back in the days when they were called 'children's books'!) ~ Narnia.

....and a man of many journeys, a Sagittarian speculator in new ventures: Mr Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain :)

Coming next time: My most sceptical post so far ~ a Gemini non-believer!

Previous Posts (click on writer's name to view):

Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Proofreader Julia

Leo: Anne Goodwin, Alex Johnson

Gemini: Shelley Wilson

Aquarius and Capricorn: Nicky Black

Aquarius: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham

Sagittarius: Katrina Mountfort

Virgo: Barb Taub

Pisces: Sacha Black

Scorpio: Jenny Twist

Taurus: Valerie Poore

Cancer: Katie Oliver, Mark Barry

 

The Z Files: Katrina Mountfort ~ Sagittarius

Welcome to The Z Files, in which writers/bloggers show how the characteristics of their star sign influence their work; I instructed contributors to take the subject as seriously or as lightly as they wished!  Links to other posts can be found at the end of this one.

Firing her arrows at you then bounding off over the horizon, I'm delighted to welcome Katrina Mountfort, who was born under the sign of Sagittarius.

I got to know former Civil Servant, homeopath and forensic science researcher Katrina after I read her book Future Perfect, the first in the Blueprint Trilogy.  I embarrassed her by going on and on about how brilliant it was (in my over the top Leo fashion!), but I'm sure she didn't mind.  It's like a modern version of 1984... You can read my review of it HERE

Now, Katrina, what does being a Sagittarius mean to you?

"I display plenty of the traits of this sign. I’m optimistic and still believe that Future Perfect will become a movie starring Aiden Turner! Others describe me as bubbly and I’d like to think that this shows through in my writing voice. I’m adventurous and open-minded in my writing: I constantly try new ideas and writing styles to see what fits. I’m also philosophical and freedom loving; in the Blueprint trilogy I question the definitions of beauty, the price of freedom and so-called ideal societies."

"Now to deny the negative aspects: unlike typical Sagitarians, I’m fiercely loyal and reliable! Inconsistent is a better description – I may write 8,000 words in a day (typical Sagitarius enthusiasm!) and nothing the next. When I’m excited about a project I forget to eat or sleep if my husband doesn’t remind me. This is how I manifest my excesses. And I’m absolutely scattered: I have four novels in various stages of completion and easily get distracted by a new project that captures my imagination. Likewise with book promotion: I’ve had plenty of ideas but tend to be unfocussed; I’ve learned that it’s better to concentrate on a couple of social media platforms. Sagitarius characteristics (good and bad!) appear in plenty of the characters I write; Joy in Forbidden Alliance is the one most modelled on myself."

★.:*´`*:.☆

I am so looking forward to reading Forbidden Alliance!  (Note Sept 8th ~ It's out now ~ HERE ~ I've read it and can confirm that Joy is very Sagittarian-like! There is a link to my review on the review of Future Perfect, above. ) You can follow Katrina on Twitter and find out more about her on her blog.

Sagittarius sometimes misses the finer details...

Before Kat shoots off over yonder hill, bow and arrow over one shoulder ~ does she have anything in common with these fellow Sagittarian writers?

The forward-thinking and science obsessed Arthur C Clarke....

....and fellow Sagittarian SciFi writer who had plenty to say about authoritarian governments, Philip K Dick!

Coming next: a Leo who challenges her sign, followed by a Cancer who thinks he's only half a crab...

Previous posts:
Leo and Aries:Terry Tyler and Julia Proofreader
Gemini: Shelley Wilson,
Aquarius and Capricorn:  Nicky Black