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...
I featured fifty-one writers and bloggers last year ~ if you would like to have a look at the list (with links), they're all HERE
Today I'm delighted to introduce another lovely, romantic Libra : the charming Jan Brigden. Jan signed with well-known independent publishers Choc Lit after winning their Search for a Star competition with her first novel, As Weekends Go; well done, Jan! She's also a proud member of romantic novelists group The Romaniacs.
Take it away, Jan!
"I’m so often told I’m a typical Libran. Born smack in the middle – not a cusp in sight. My best friend’s a Libran too. We joke about our scales bobbing up and down to suit the mood, and how they continually play those contrasting and very familiar traits off against each other.
As in …
Sociable (I can party and interact both on and
off line with the best of them) versus
Hesitant
(except when self-doubt and a craving for my own space pitch up, the
isolation being handy when those writerly creative juices need to be flowing).
Tolerant (have you seen my easy-going &
fair-minded badges?) versus Selfish (what
do you mean, you want dinner? I’ve another plot hole to fix!).
Diplomatic ( I can peace-make for England) versus Fearful (I hate ill-feeling and
confrontation)"
"This ‘seeing all sides of a dilemma or debate’ does help me tremendously, though, with being able to really delve beneath the layers of each of my fictional characters to obtain their private/public viewpoints and opinions.
Affectionate, gullible, sentimental, idealistic, romantic?
Yep! I wear my rose-tinted glasses with pride, still cry whenever I
watch Bambi, Titanic or Ghost, even though I’ve seen them a thousand times, and
love a big old bear hug if I’m feeling a bit fragile."
"The main Libran characteristic I can relate to, though, is indecision. Guilty as charged, m’lud! I can weigh up the simplest of issues for days, especially when it affects other people, yet once my mind is made up, that’s it. It’s certainly hindered my writing progress at times, dithering over one paragraph for hours – tweaking and re-tweaking, instead of moving on and editing afterwards. Next minute, the old scales will dip and the words will be flowing nonstop. I suppose this can be both a strength and a weakness (don’t ask me to pick one over the other though – we’ll be here for days!)."
It's funny how all the Librans who've appeared on here prove that this indecision thing isn't a myth! If you would like to know more about Jan, or say a nice friendly hello, you can follow her on Twitter HERE.
She's an active user of the site and a generous tweeter:)
Two Libran writers to join Jan in her wordsmithery?
I've chosen Truman Capote, a very sociable chap....
...and F Scott Fitzgerald, lover of all things aesthetically pleasing!
What a fab post, Terry and Jan. My brother is a Libran, so I know all about the scales of justice ... And you are beautifully charming, Jan, even though I don't think you realise you are. My understanding is Librans often have dimples, and not necessarily on their faces ... :-) xx
ReplyDeleteI've heard that too, Laura! Thanks for reading, glad you liked it :) x
DeleteThank you for your lovely words, Laura. Glad you enjoyed reading my post. I'm a huge fan of the Z Files and of Terry's blog full stop, so feel very honoured to feature. And Yes, I do have dimples. Various sets! :D Xx
DeleteI don't believe that Jan has any negative points! She's a lovely person, great company and I'm soo happy to be reading her first book.
ReplyDeleteAh, the charming and balanced Libran! Nice to hear, June x
DeleteJune, I could say the same of you. Thanks so much for your lovely comments. It's great to know you're reading my novel. I so hope you enjoy it :) X
DeleteSo lovely to see my friend Jan featured on your blog Terry. (you're also a mate, too, BTW). Jan is a lovely friend to have, so kind and empathetic and I think that shines through in her debut novel. Are Librans and Piceans supposed to get on? I dunno. But I think we do. Oddly enough, my former classroom assistant was also a LIbran and she was a great lady to work with - her catch phrase was: GO WITH THE FLOW. Says it all.
ReplyDelete(Ha ha, glad I'm also a mate too, Lizzie!!! :)
DeleteYou've got the positive Libran down to a T... Libra and Pisces is one of those neutral combinations, ie, can go either way. I used to have a very good Libran friend (well, I still have, I just don't see her because she lives in Buckinghamshire and me in Tyne and Wear!), and she was the Margaret Thatcher type of Libran - the iron hand in the velvet glove. The strong side of femininity!!! I worked with a much older Libran woman who told me that phrase about them - she was glamorous and charming, and really knew how to make men do her bidding... but you didn't mess with her!
Actually, this is all making me more interested in astrology again - and I want to know Jan's birthdate!
Lizzie, I reckon our Libran/Piscean combo does us proud on the friendship front (Ha, nearly typed fiendship then - a whole new story ...) It's great to hear your thoughts on my book. I've been so nervous about how it's received, with it being my debut, so to get the thumbs up from you is fab. :) X
DeleteI think it's October 9th !!
DeleteAh - the same as my friend.... must be different years, tho!!!!
DeleteA lovely post, Jan. I've read about you somewhere else recently and you sound consistently warm and generous...nothing unbalanced about the scales there :)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be one of the people who are helping Jan to get the word out about her debut novel, as well as featuring her star sign, Val! x
DeleteOh, thank you, Val! That's so lovely of you to say. I've been very lucky to have been asked to feature on some great blogs, so really appreciate the support. Terry knows I've long been an admirer of her blog and indeed her writing, so to be a guest on the Z files is brilliant. Lovely to meet you here :) X
DeleteTerry, a HUGE thank you for putting together my post and for all you've done for me in helping to spread the word. The time and effort you put into your posts for all of us and and the online support you give is hugely appreciated. Xx
DeleteAh, how sweet of you - you're welcome. xxx
DeleteI'll let you know the view count at the end of the week!!!
Lovely balanced blog from another lovely balanced Libran, I've never met one I didn't like. However, I find their charm is their secret weapon, trying NOT doing what they really want you to, you love them so much you just have to! Apart from being a super supportive chum, Jan is a great writer and editor and definitely tipped for stardom. Love this celestial inspired series Terry, great fun and total proof it's all in the stars! (Jan's book has reached the top of my pile ... shall start this evening, can't wait!) X
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a lovely comment, Adrienne; I'm starting to think that Jan must surely be a candidate for sainthood after reading all these!!! Just before Christmas I featured another Libra, Marcia Carrington, who I always think of as one of the nicest ladies on Twitter. She has emailed me on occasion and I am always touched by what a truly sweet person she is :)
DeleteAdrienne, thank you! You've been a huge support to me and a great friend. I hope you enjoy my book. Agree completely about the Z Files series. Inspired! :) X
DeleteLovely to see Jan here and read about those balanced Libran traits. I can totally relate to all that dithering, tweaking and re-tweaking, too. :) Really looking forward to reading As Weekends Go.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, thanks so much for commenting. Glad you enjoyed reading the post. It was quite an education seeing just how many traits did come through when I was writing the book. I know we've had a few conversations about the dithering. I'm glad I'm not alone, Wendy. :) X
DeleteI think I need a little Libran balance in my life! Another great Z file and great to read more about you Jan. :-)
ReplyDeleteShelley, thanks so much for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the post :) X
DeleteThanks for your comments, Shelley. Glad you enjoyed reading the post! :) X
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