The Z Files: Jan Brigden ~ Libra

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...

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!

 

 

The Z Files: Annie Lyons ~ Capricorn

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 :)

A big welcome today to another bestselling chick lit author and one of the UK Carina group, Annie Lyons ~ a sceptical Capricorn.  I laughed when I read her piece, because one of my and my sister's long-standing astrological jokes is "I don't believe in all that astrology rubbish; very sceptical, we Capricorns" ~ I pass you over to Annie so she can tell you more!

Like so many on-the-surface-staid Capricorns, Annie has a 'wacky' side, too!!

"When I was a teenager, the only magazine that any self-respecting thirteen-year-old would be seen dead with was Just Seventeen (by the time we were seventeen, it was Cosmopolitan – Just Seventeen was for babies). My friends and I would read it on the bus on the way to school and one of our favourite pages was the horoscope page. 

I tell myself that I’ve grown up since those days, that astrology is for teenagers, that you can make characteristics fit anyone. And yet... 

You see I’m a Capricorn and they are goats – stubborn and unmovable. I am stubborn. No-one is going to tell me what to think. I already know what’s what. So I approach the notion of astrology with scepticism. Apparently this is a Capricorn trait too. Hmmm…"

"I dig a little deeper but with caution - apparently this is also common to my star sign. I consider my writing and how my career began after I was made redundant. My practical side (another Capricorn trait) wanted to find something to do alongside my new job as ‘Chef de fish fingers’ for two small people."

"Once I realised I could do it, something sparked inside me (perhaps that Capricorn determination?) and I kept trying until I was offered a publishing deal.  

I have always tried to be casual about this writing lark. I don’t mind if it works, I am using my creative energy and that is enough. Pah! Who am I kidding? I want to be best friends with JK Rowling and have all my books made into films. And there’s that Capricorn ambition, right there.  

So maybe, I do share some traits of the goat but the one I do believe in and try to put at the forefront of everything I do, is humour. I want to laugh and make people laugh because humour unites and enriches our lives. I try to carry this into my writing and when promoting my books on social media. I find it impossible to take myself too seriously. I write books for a living. I’m not saving lives here. 

All in all, I remain the healthy sceptic I’m supposed to be and I’ll take the stubbornness on the chin. Just remember if we get into an argument, I won’t back down but I might try to make you laugh at the same time!"

A very well balanced and positive example of the sign, I'm sure you agree :)  I've always thought Capricorn must be one of the more difficult signs to be; I used to have a good goatly friend who often said, 'you're so lucky being a golden summer lion instead of a dark, depressed goat' - or maybe that was just her; Annie doesn't sound dark and depressed at all!

If you would like to follow Annie on Twitter, she's HERE, and if chick lit is your thing you can find out more about her books on her blog; she writes on lots of other subjects besides her books and writing, though; I really liked one post  a couple of months ago about the modern trend for everything having to be shared, via social media, all the time.

Now, let's find two suitable Capricorn writers to struggle determinedly up that mountain with Annie...

Must have been similarly ambitious ~ the fabulously successful Diana Gabaldon, 

author of the Outlander series

... and hugely accomplished romantic drama author, Nicholas Sparks.  

Coming up next ~ a delightful, homely and NOT crabby Cancerian!

Previous posts ~ click name to read article

Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Julia Proofreader

Leo: Rose Edmunds, Alex Johnson, Anne Goodwin

Aries: Trisha Ashley, Cynthia Harrison

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

Aquarius and Capricorn: Nicky Black

Aquarius: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham

Capricorn: Steffany R

Sagittarius: Rachel Amphlett, Wendy Lennox, Katrina Mountfort

Cancer: Katie Oliver, Mark Barry

Virgo: Louise Marley, Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub

Pisces: Maria Savva, Sacha Black

Scorpio: Gemma Lawrence, Robert Leigh, Catherine Hokin, Jenny Twist

Taurus: Valerie-Anne Baglietto, Val Poore

Libra: Tom Hocknell, Jen Ammoscato, Joanne B

 

The Z Files: Trisha Ashley ~ Aries

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 :)

Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, Mars ruled ~ and they like to win!  My next guest, Trisha Ashley, certainly has; she's been named a Sunday Times bestselling author of romantic comedies.  Her new book, A Christmas Cracker, is not so much 'now available', as leaping up the Amazon chart accompanied by tinsel, sparklers and a cheering crowd ~ you can look at it HERE on Amazon, as many thousands have already, and many more will do!

Here's Trisha in her favourite Day of the Dead apron ~ excellent picture!!  Now, what does being an Aries mean to her?

 

"I once read that Aries are artistic and creative and since I’ve been writing and painting since I was a little girl, that’s certainly true for me.

I’ve achieved great success with my writing, but to follow my star and get to that point I had to make great sacrifices and endured long struggles. So yes, you could say I’m courageous, strong-willed, confident, a risk taker, persevering, assertive, independent and frequently filled with bursts of unfounded optimism."

"I think many of the other Aries traits, like enthusiastic, curious, spontaneous, extraordinary and exciting (though actually, I don’t feel very exciting, I’m just me), come under the umbrella of  mad as a box of frogs, the term most often employed in the mail I receive from my readers."

"I’m not energetic, nor a leader – I don’t want to lead anyone anywhere - but I hope I’ve always been a good and steadfast friend.  And I’ve continually strived to help other hard-working writers achieve their full potential: for instance, I’ll be giving the first Trisha Ashley Award for a humorous short story at an event in Exeter this October.  So I hope I’m selfless, inspiring, helpful, frank and stimulating…though that, of course, may come over as bossy. I can certainly be brusque and impatient with those who expect success to drop into their laps without any effort at all."

Sounds pretty Arien to me; Trisha had highlighted some words/phrases that she thought particularly typical of the sign, and I found a few more :)  I'm honoured that she took time out of her busy schedule to write a piece for my blog (I get a bit 'we are not worthy' with anyone who is massively successful in their chosen field!), and would like to add that Ms Ashley is one of those people who, despite having 'made it', still bothers to do stuff like retweet others on Twitter <<<-- follow her by clicking!  You might also like to take a look at all her bestselling romcoms on her website.

Here are two other cheerful, open and friendly looking rams to make up the Aries trio...

... I found bestselling chick lit author from Philadelphia, Jennifer Weiner...

.....and the male version of a chick lit writer, 'bloke lit' scribe, Nick Hornby!  

 Up Next: an educationally minded Gemini!

Previous Posts:
Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Julia Proofreader 
Leo: Anne Goodwin, Alex Johnson 
Aries: Cynthia Harrison 
Gemini: Jerome Dumont, John Privilege, Shelley Wilson 
Aquarius and Capricorn: Nicky Black
Aquarius: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham 
Capricorn: blogger Steffany R 
Sagittarius: Rachel Amphlett, Wendy J Lennox, Katrina Mountfort 
Virgo: Louise Marley, Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub
Pisces: Maria Savva, Sacha Black 
Scorpio: Gemma Lawrence, Robert Leigh, Catherine Hokin, Jenny Twist 
Taurus: Valerie-Anne Baglietto, Valerie Poore
Cancer: Katie Oliver, Mark Barry
Libra: Tom Hocknell, Jen Ammoscato, Joanne B

The Z Files: Jennifer Ammoscato ~ Libra

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 whether or not they're typical 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 :)

 
I had no Libra contributors at all then two came along at once, balancing it out nicely:)  I'm pleased to introduce my second lady of the scales ~ chick lit author Jennifer Ammoscato.  The heroine of her books, Avery Fowler, gets into scrapes that would test the equilibrium of the sturdiest Scorpio, never mind a Libra... here's my review (including both Amazon links) of her debut, Dear Internet, It's Me, Avery..

Here's Jen's rundown of a few of her Libran traits:

"Friendly, sociable – Like many writers, I’m an introvert at heart (probably due to a lack of confidence). But, when I have to go out there and meet with people, as with book promotions, I can do it.

Artistically orientated –I’ve always loved writing stories and even poems. I still have some of my earliest efforts; they make me laugh, which is nice.

Appreciative of beauty – I love beauty in many forms: a face, a misty morning; my lovely Welsh Springer Spaniel. I find beauty in simplicity. That’s reflected in my website, my book cover design, and any other art related to my work. 

Feminine, harmonious to be around – I’ve never thought of myself as particularly feminine. I enjoy beautiful clothing, have a passion for shoes and adore manicures. But I’m a very direct communicator; I like to be in charge. And I can curse like a sailor. I think it gives me a better sense of both a man and a woman’s perspective when writing."

"In terms of harmonious, I believe the word “hurricane” has been used in association with my temper." 

(Note ~ let us not forget that Margaret Thatcher was a Libran.  I once knew a very strong woman of this sign who was very glamorous and charming but said that the female Libra was 'the iron hand in the velvet glove')

"Can be superficial, indecisive, a giver of platitudes – I can be superficial (I enjoy reading gossip columns). I can lay it on thick when I want something. The platitudes part sounds about right. 

Actually, I tend to be fairly decisive which comes in very handy in writing. Once I figure my story out, I don’t second-guess almost ever. I may experiment a bit if another idea presents itself, but for the most part, once it’s set, the book’s set. "

I think even the way Jen presented that article is oh-so Libran - nice, clear paragraphs under headings - I laughed when I saw it!  And of course she's fantastically glamorous - see photo :)  You can follow Jen on Twitter, and she writes a brief and amusing article on her blog once a week.

I just had to find two other lovely lady Librans for Jen, it being allegedly the most feminine sign of the zodiac (but never confuse 'feminine' with 'girly')... 

.... starting off with a queen of chick lit, Katie Fforde...

... and who else but the late, great Jackie Collins.

Coming next time: A sexy Scorpio!

Previous posts:

Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Proofreader Julia 
Leo: Anne Goodwin, Alex Johnson, 
Aries: Cynthia Harrison 
Gemini: Jerome Dumont, John Privilege, Shelley Wilson 
Aquarius and Capricorn: Nicky Black 
Capricorn: Steffany R
Aquarius: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham 
Sagittarius: Rachel Amphlett, Wendy J Lennox, Katrina Mountfort, 
Virgo: Louise Marley, Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub,
Pisces: Maria Savva, Sacha Black 
Scorpio: Robert Leigh, Catherine Hokin, Jenny Twist, 
Taurus: Valerie-Anne Baglietto, Valerie Poore
Cancer: Katie Oliver, Mark Barry,
Libra: Joanne B