I invited around 70 writers/bloggers to tell me how typical of their star sign they are, 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 :)
Lots of people go 'ooh...!' when someone reveals that they're a Scorpio:) Those who know about such things might give the Scorpion a suggestive wink, or instantly put up their guard... certainly some characters in the terrific Retribution Trilogy by Robert Leigh need to watch their step. Robert's an excellent writer, I've read the first two of this trilogy (they're both stand alones, no connection to each other at all) and very much look forward to the third ~ you can read my reviews of Any Man Joe and Kill Line HERE (contains Amazon links), and also his other publication, about the coffee trade in Ethiopia. The Z Files is not essentially about book promo, but I could rave for the North East about Any Man Joe, in particular.
Scorpio:
Sensual, intense, deep thinking, loyal, philosophical... but can also
be cruel, dogmatic, possessive, jealous.
"Having now read over these traits for the seventh time, and
considered them for a week, I would say yes, I am probably an intense thinker
who has a habit of getting a little lost in deep thought. Philosophical
thinking gets in the way of self-promotion. I can’t bear people trying to sell me
things, so I find myself blocked by the ‘do unto others’ dogma. I really need
to have a word with myself about that.
I don’t think I’m a cruel person, but I will openly admit to
cruelty to characters. I hope I never have the Breakfast of Champions moment,
when my characters appear and say, ‘Rob, seriously, what the f&%k…?’ I don’t think I have created a possessive
character yet, but I am certainly possessive of them – even the bad ones. I
suppose I just want them to be happy."
"Loyalty doesn’t seem to mean a lot these days, and I’ve
noticed that its very concept is deemed scoff-worthy by many. So maybe loyalty
between people is fading, but I think writers have to be loyal to the work.
It’s the only way it ever gets done…. And there we see my dogmatic streak.
Sensual I will leave for now in the hope that life throws me
enough experiences down the line so I can explore the topic more fully at a
later date.
Jealousy – oh dear, yes, in my youth, I was a horribly
jealous person - particularly when it came to the successes of others. I’ve
found myself less green-eyed as I’ve become older. It’s definitely a subject
I’d like to write about in the future."
"Intensity – God yes. I bloody love it. The more intense the
better. Much like anger, I see it as fuel. As a project runs onto the home
straight, the intensity builds to a point where I shut everything else out. My
girlfriend, family, friends – none of them get a look-in. I zone out
completely, nothing but pages and keyboards. The only colours I see are the
bright fluorescents of highlighter pens. It’s addictive – or at least it is to
me. I’ll admit it’s probably not
healthy."
That was all fairly Scorpion, I think you'll agree ... Thanks Robert; you can follow him on Twitter where you'll see another black and white photo of him with his eyes hidden (how Scorpio is that!), and you can take a look at his three books on Amazon via the link in the introductory paragraph.
I chose two ostensibly very different Scorpio writers, though maybe they have a few things in common (and with Robert, maybe...).
.... first, the man whose work explores human psychology in the troubled
atmosphere of 19th-century Russia ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky
.. and music/media journalist unafraid of airing his opinions,
who also writes novels about 'new men' ~ Tony Parsons
Up Next: An exceedingly helpful Virgo!
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: Rachel Amphlett, Wendy J Lennox, Katrina Mountfort,
Cancer: Katie Oliver, Mark Barry
Virgo: Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub,
Pisces: Maria Savva, Sacha Black
Scorpio:Catherine Hokin, Jenny Twist,
Taurus: Valerie Poore
As one who is familiar with Scorpios (used to be married to one, have 2 great friends who are Scorps), I must say that Rob fits the bill very well. I have read 'Any Man Joe', and it's terrific. Couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought when I read it!! I love how even the way in which contributors approach this is often indicative of their sign; Elizabeth Ducie's Virgo is a partic good example.
DeleteGreat to read more about you, I'm just imagining Terry shouting to the whole of the NE from the top of a tower about your books! I'll give a shout from the south - Oi You! Go read this man's books, they come highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteIs being systematic also Scorpio? I am tickled by Robert's methodical approach to this because the two scorps close to me do exactly the same thing. It makes them powerful critical thinkers too! Robert is now on my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteThis intensity is what my beautiful scorpion son is all about - I can't say it has made his life so far very easy but it's certainly been challenging. I am really looking forward to getting to your books Robert, great to meet you :-)
ReplyDeleteRobert finds himself unable to comment on my blog, alas - you know how temperamental these things can be, there are several I can't comment on. I didn't realise you could only do so on mine if you have Google+/gmail, will see if I can sort that out. But he has read and thanks for all comments.
ReplyDelete