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: Marcia Carringon ~ 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...

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

Now I'd like to introduce someone who always tries to make Twitter and the indie publishing world a helpful and supportive place, in the nicest, harmonious, Libra way possible.  Welcome to Marcia Carrington, a frequent blogger and writer of short, light romances ~ you can find out all about her and her books (with links to all sites) on this part of her blog, Marcia's Book Talk
Rather than send me a photo of herself, Marcia sent me the picture she uses for her profile on Twitter, which I imagine many tweeters-about-books will recognise.

"Being a Libran, I believe that I am artistically orientated, and do love beauty. Beauty whether it be in people and their hearts, clothing, places, food, furniture…the list goes on. As for everything being balanced and harmonious, I sometimes want everything TOO balanced at times, and that may sap spontaneity if the line is too straight, the shoes at home lining up exactly with each other, or other such things! "

"As for being indecisive, yes, I have been guilty of that in the past, and less in the present, but it’s funny, with writing, I’m never indecisive, and don’t waver! If I have a release date for a book, I don’t deviate from this, deliver it on time, and quickly choose the cover models for my books. It is more clear cut for me, oddly enough, and being a Libran this may seem strange that I don’t mull over things much more, but I don’t! The place I can be very indecisive, though, is in the supermarket, especially when there are so many delights on offer, and it can be difficult to choose between lemon cheesecakes or baked American cheesecakes, for example - now these are heart-rending dilemmas for me!"

Aha, and did you know that Librans are supposed to have a particularly sweet tooth??? Do follow Marcia on Twitter, she's a charming lady :)

Now, the famous Libran writers....

.... first up, here's Nora Roberts, American author of over 200 romance novels - 

how does anyone physically manage to write that many??!!

 

... and for no reason other than he hasn't appeared on The Z Files yet ~ 

Libran Oscar Wilde! 

 

Coming next time: Virgo

Previous Posts (click name to see post):

Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Proofreader Julia

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: Lynda Renham, Cathy Ryan

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

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

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

Virgo: Louise Marley, Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub

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

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

Taurus: Valerie-Anne Baglietto, Val Poore

Libra: Tom Hocknell, Jen Ammoscato, Joanne B

 

The Z Files: Tom Hocknell ~ 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...

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

Bringing a little light Libran debate to the proceedings, today's guest is idle fellow, gentleman blogger (and novelist, I believe), Tom Hocknell.  I first encountered him on Twitter when I read his very amusing Top 18 Essential Tips For Writing Fiction; I knew he had to be a good chap because his blog is named after Jerome K Jerome's Idle Thoughts Of An Idle Fellow.  I'm a big fan of JKJ, so clicked without delay!

Now, Tom is an AstroSceptic; come on then, let's have it...!

"According to astrology there are 13 types of humans: 12 who fall under signs of the zodiac, and those who think it’s the sort of manure bought by people considering crystals as acceptable room decoration and generally own cats.

As a Libra I have to admit to liking debate, hence after a few moments of deliberation I decided against a cat."

"Somehow without sniggering, horoscopes claim to predict the future. In some newspapers they remain the most accurate reporting in it. Despite this, it takes believers far more than wildly inaccurate forecasts to shake their faith. After all, as Francis Bacon once said, ‘the root of superstition is men observing when a thing hits, not when it misses.”

 

To be fair astrologers do know what they’re doing, even if it doesn’t involve understanding how planets millions of miles away determine the fate of Deidre, Ferndale Close, Gloucester. Astrologers understand the importance of being vague. Waffle like ‘You have a short window of opportunity this month, so be determined to get out of the house and see what the world holds for you’ is far better than specifics like ‘you’ll date a brunette sex-pot on Tinder, who likes cherry brandy and sitting facing the door’, which will too often be dashed by getting no matching swipes on Tinder for a week. Predictions need to be universal to attach, a kind of spiritual Velcro."

"The most important spice to the astrology soup is the audience’s desperation, which is something that lies within mankind; we all vaguely hope there is some preordained destiny beyond arriving at work to spend the morning anticipating lunch.  

However, considering a burgeoning UK population of over 60 million, and ignoring the 13^th category, there are 5 million people with the same star sign, and it’s unlikely they’re all having the same day, unless they live in Norfolk. But there are plenty who believe it, even claiming there is actual proof.

 

Of course research pointing to astrology’s accuracy, is generally carried about by organisations called the Spiritual Research Foundation Trust, who don’t sound biased at all, and carry out objective and empirical research, in high pointed hats. However, research is a double-edged wand. In 2003, research started in 1958 revealed birthdays in affecting future health to be rubbish. Although it only involved March babies, which might mean that astrology’s inaccuracies maybe limited to Pisces, who’ll probably brush it aside with their usual generous sanguine nature."

"These 2003 findings caused anger in astrological circles, with Roy Gillett, the president of the Astrological Association of GB, saying the study's findings, like the A3 on a bank holiday, should be treated "with extreme caution." Although he probably should have seen it coming, just like you did that joke.

Do we think Tom modelled for this, ladies?

Without star signs there’s immediately half as many chat-up lines, and without them our lives are made even more senseless. Anything we can clutch to, that gives our life purpose and meaning should not be underrated. Besides, what's Mystic Meg going to do otherwise, other than feed her cats; it's not like she can put her name on a serious CV.

To close, it's important to state that my birthday lies on the Virgo and Libra cusp, which seems such a balanced, considered thing to do, that it suggests I am a typical Libra. Perhaps there's something in it after all, but it’s likely that interplanetary solar systems have better things to do than helping us to decide whether it’s worth stocking the house with cherry brandy."

Ah yes, but, Tom, not only do Librans love a little 'on the other hand' type debate, but the sign is often called (by those in the know) 'Lazy Libra' ~ yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, I'm clutching at straws....  You can follow Tom on  Twitter, and one click will take you to more Idle Blogs of an Idle Fellow.

Now, which fellow Libran writers might like to indulge in more amusing, light banter with Tom?  If only JKJ was a scaly sort of chap, too, but he's a Taurus, and has already appeared on Val Poore, Taurean on a boat ;)

...so I've chosen the charming creator of Jeeves and Wooster, P G Wodehouse....

.... and Our Man in Havanna, Graham Greene ~ the writer who combined 

literary acclaim with widespread popularity.  Very Libran of him! 

Up Next: A Sunday Times bestselling Aries, on my humble blog!

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

Aquarius: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham

Capricorn: Steffany R,

Sagittarius: Rachel Amphlett, Wendy J 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, Valerie Poore,

Libra: 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