The Zodiac Files: Linda Hobden ~ Taurus/Gemini

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...

I've featured fifty-four writers and bloggers so far ~ if you would like to have a look at the list (with links), they're all HERE

Now, there was me thinking I'd got myself another Taurus, and then I read the article from my next guest, shoe and fashion blogger Linda Hobden, and discovered that she's a Taurus/Gemini cusp who feels more like the twins than a bull!  The blog's gorgeous, a real must for shoes and fashion addicts ~ it's HERE

Tell us all about your cuspal life, Linda :)

"I was born on May 21st and depending on what horoscope guide one refers to, I am either a Taurus or a Gemini.  I have always considered myself a Gemini, but looking at the two different traits, I am definitely half and half.  Being on the cusp can be lots of fun - when reading my horoscopes I read both Taurus & Gemini and pick the prediction that I like the sound of!  So, when Terry asked the immortal question of how my zodiac traits present themselves when I write my blog, in true "cusp" style, I picked out traits from both lists."

"My Gemini side shows itself in the fact that I am nosy, chatty, communicative, sociable and I'm interested in a variety of subjects. This bodes well for me as I interview on my blog people from all walks of life from around the world - CEOs, models, photographers, fashion designers, craftspeople, authors, entrepreneurs  and others - about their careers, lives and their personal footwear and fashion tastes.  Being nosy, chatty and interested definitely helps.  In the field of communication, I love the English language (and literature)."

My Taurus side shows itself in the fact that I am stubborn and I dislike change.  I had been told for months that my blog of 4 years was no longer mobile friendly but I was too stubborn to agree to change the theme ... but after a while I did change my theme and it does look slicker and.... well, let's just say, it has been done! Other Taurus traits include being independent (I may be sociable but I do like to work on my blog independently); being loyal (I do support those who have given me hope, encouragement and help as I go on my blog journey); being dependable (if I say I will do something, I will); being reliable (I blog every week without fail and have done since 2012 - I just cannot blog without being organised in advance!); being artistic (I enjoy photography, especially macro and textures - and I like the chance of using my photos in my blog).  Unfortunately, patience is a Taurus trait that doesn't apply to my blog life especially when I experience a technical hitch or two ...in fact I display that Gemini trait of being a tad quarrelsome!  Just ask my Leo husband!"

I haven't noticed that my Taurean husband is patient, at all.... mind you, he has half his birth chart in fiery, demanding Aries!  A very clear insight into the two signs ~ if you would like to get to know Linda and follow her posts, she can be contacted Twitter or Facebook.

Now, famous writer time ~ I thought it best to choose one of each!

.... with Gemini chick lit writer Jane Green....

and the king of the American blockbuster beach read, Taurean Harold Robbins :)

 

The Z Files: Jaye Marie ~ Taurus

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

Couldn't resist this picture!

Now, here's the sign for which I had the least contributions to this feature ~ yes, yes, I know Taurus natives tend to be sceptical about the whole thing (as proven by my Taurean husband, brother and best friend, who all threaten to disown me if I mention it!).  So I was pleased to find another ~ welcome Jaye Marie.  Jaye is a writer of mystery and thrillers, and very supportive of other tweeters, writers and bloggers; you can find out more about her and her writer sister Anita's books on their blog HERE.

Now I'll let Jaye tell you all about being a Taurus writer:

"Saint or Sinner? 

If you read the list of attributes for the average Taurean, most of them are highly desirable, and my family would agree that I have most of them. I am practical, generous, patient and loving. Most people like me, but if they were honest, they would admit that my intense stubbornness could sometimes be a bit of a problem. I have yet to come across anyone who can make me change my mind…  I cannot do it, even when it’s for the best!"

"My sister hates the fact that I always have to be right, moving heaven and earth to achieve this. Most of the time I am right, but will go to extraordinary lengths to make things fit. Once made up, my mind is unchangeable, even by me! 

I have more heads than Worzel Gummidge and have had a go at most things. If I like the look of something and someone made it, I will have a go too. Doesn’t matter what it is either, I learned to upholster furniture that way, and found I had a talent for making those wire and gemstone bonsai trees that were all the rage once upon a time."

"I love a challenge and is one of the reasons I became a writer. Although, I did imagine in the beginning that I would write beautifully romantic, magical stories. How I have come to enjoy writing psychological thrillers is a mystery, but there are two on the shelves of Amazon, with more to follow. Maybe there is a darker side to me that I didn’t know about!

Somewhere inside me is an artistic streak, desperately trying to get out and be recognised, and although I have created some lovely things in my time, sheer perfection still eludes me."

"I have a weird sense of humour, an infectious laugh and a legendary bad temper. The passing of time has rounded off the edges a little however, as I have learned a little patience.

The down side of being a Taurean is not so desirable however, and I have to own up to possessing some of these traits too.  I can be unadventurous, secretive, frugal, possessive, opinionated and overly sentimental. Boring and lazy I would argue with, but I dislike chaos and unnecessary risks. I tend to avoid bossy people, and I am supposed to be good at making money.  

Not much sign of that as yet…"

I love this cover!

Well, you never know... at least Taureans are good at sticking at it!  You can give Jaye a big cheery hello on Twitter HERE. 

For Jaye's two Taurus writers I chose a lady who is clearly a very tenacious bull...

....HOW many books has Barbara Taylor Bradford written??!

And another lady without whom a series about writers would surely not be complete: Charlotte Bronte

 

The Z Files: Valerie Baglietto ~ Taurus

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 :)

The Z Files' second Novelistas lady ~ the bossy one, says Valerie-Anne Baglietto :)  If this is true, she can blame it on her birth sign ~ Taurus (well, if she's anything like my Taurean husband....). Val is a writer of 'modern, grown-up fairy tales, because someone has to and it might as well be me'.  I love that!  You can have a look at her books HERE.

Let's see what Val has to say about her Taurean writerliness ~

The grown up fairy tale writer in her Cinderella Coach - every girl should have one :)

Locking Horns?
A Taurean Writer Tells All 

"In many ways, I can be quite bullish when I want to be. So I suppose that fits in perfectly with the Taurean profile. I’ve been writing professionally in one capacity or another for nearly two decades, with the typical highs and lows of any creative career. Bullheaded determination has kept me going.

My element is supposedly the earth – a practical sign. I’m ambitious but realistic. I’ve got three children to orbit around, so I don’t work to ridiculous deadlines that would have me tearing out my family’s hair as well as my own. My writing has to fit in with everything else, wedged in between dog-walks and school-runs and frequently finding myself buried in a laundry avalanche. But stuff gets done, and books do get written, so this life works well enough for me at the moment."

 

"Taureans are persistent. We can endure. I set myself goals and tackle them slowly but steadily. I’m stubborn (ha, yes!) and strong-willed. I know I’m a perfectionist, which is useful when it comes to editing but not so good when I grind to a halt in the middle of the first draft, fixating over the ‘perfect’ word to end the ‘perfect’ sentence. I still haven’t learned to just get the story down and worry about the second draft later. Like a bull about to charge, all I seem to be doing is obsessively stamping my hoof in the dirt, over and over again.

Apparently Taureans can be quite diplomatic and peace-loving, with an eye for beauty. Hmm, not something I’d necessarily associate with a bull, but O-K. That does sound like me. I believe I’m known for being diplomatic when I’m keeping order among the other members of Novelistas Ink. And even though I do have a red-hot temper when provoked – my Latin temperament, I think, as well as the bull in me – I like to quickly make up and move on. I’m not comfortable with grudges.

I also write contemporary, adult fairy tales set in picturesque villages, so I guess that’s the ‘eye for beauty’ part right there. Gritty, urban and bleak? Sorry, not me. 

So in essence, in some things I’m quite grounded like my earth sign, but in other ways it’s very obvious that my head is occasionally in the clouds! Perhaps, in fairy tale fashion, this bull sometimes magically transforms into a giraffe…?" 
 

(Just an excuse for a picture of giraffes because I think they're so beautiful!)

I think we can safely say that Val is fairly typical of her sign...if you've looked at her books at the link above, you might like to follow her on Pinterest HERE and on Twitter HERE.

Now, which famous Bull writers should I choose to join Val?  

I've gone for he of the similarly fantastical, Terry Pratchett...

...and a lady who stubbornly said 'no more novels' after publishing one in 1960, but published her second in July 2015 ~ Harper Lee, of course!

Coming Next:  a charming French Gemini!

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
Capricorn: Steffany R

Aquarius: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham

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: Robert Leigh, Catherine Hokin, Jenny Twist

Taurus:Valerie Poore

Libra:  Joanne B
 

The Z Files ~ Val Poore ~ Taurus

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

Val escapes via Taurus Bull when her barge gets into trouble!

I waved a red rag and she rushed towards my blog ~ here is a cheerful Taurus, and one of the nicest people I've met in cyberspace, the fabulous Val Poore!  I first got to know Val after I read her accounts of life on board barge, Watery Ways and Harbour Ways, and her magical book about life in South Africa (you got it - African Ways!).  You can read my reviews of all three HERE, all Amazon links included. 

Let us moor up here for a while, Val, so you may tell us about being a Taurean writer...

"Taurus the bull. That's quite something to live up to, or rather live with, for as the sign suggests, Taureans are known for being stubborn, intractable and when they've got their heads down and horns out, totally un-extractable too. I am one of these, and a fairly typical example. I seem to have all the 'difficult' characteristics that Taureans are known for to some extent, but I like to think I'm not too impossible or unforgiving...well, at least my sense of humour is in pretty good shape, so I hope that redeems me a bit!"

"That said, being a Taurean can be very useful as a writer. Because of our natural persistence, we bulls tend to be pretty determined to finish what we've started. So, once the first page of a book is down, you can be pretty sure the Taurean will make it to the last one. I've managed to complete and publish five books and have nearly finished the sixth, and that tenacity - or bullish doggedness (metaphorical animal mix intended) to make it to 'The End' has really helped. It's also helped in providing the material for my writing in that life has thrown a few lemons at me and landed me in some curious places - on a remote farm in Africa and a barge in Rotterdam to name two. The Taurean trait of being practical and coping really saved me in these situations, and of course gave me the stories to fill the three memoirs I've written. That and a well developed sense of the absurd, which I think is quite a Taurean characteristic too."

"Apart from this, bulls like fine, artistic things in life and good quality too. In writing, this translates to an obsession with getting it right. I'm not saying I always do, or that I'm fault free - far from it, and it can drive me nuts - but I proofread and edit to the point where I end up dreaming of catastrophic disasters involving missing commas, and having - horror of horrors - semi-colon nightmares. But don't worry, I won't bore you with the details...dreams know no boundaries when it comes to either reality or tedium.

All told, though, I'm glad the astrological gods saw fit to plonk me on earth in May. I rather think that if I didn't have these bullish traits, life might have steered (sorry, couldn't resist that one) another, less exciting or creatively rewarding course for me."

~ Val in the 1960s?? ~

Ah, you are more Taurean than I thought, Val!  I think it must be quite a good sign to be - and I do like bulls, you tend to know where you are with them, it has to be said ~ hell, I married one!  If you have any interest at all in somewhat less than conventional lifestyles, you'll love Val's 'Ways' books, she's a smashing writer, and she writes the odd bit of fiction, too!  You can also follow her on Twitter  and look at her 'Rivergirl' blog.

Now, some famous Taurean scribes for Val.....

I couldn't resist this one: Jerome K Jerome, author of one of my favourite books ever... Three Men in a Boat! 

.... and another of my favourite authors ever, and a jolly nice Taurus chap, John Boyne.  A real 'we are not worthy' ~ if you haven't read him, do!

......my sister Julia bumped into him on a train and he was happy to have his photo taken with her!

 

Coming next: Another luscious Leo! 

Previous Posts:

Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Julia Proofreader

Leo: Anne Goodwin,

Gemini: Shelley Wilson,

Aquarius and Capricorn: Nicky Black
Aquarius: Lynda Renham

Sagittarius: Katrina Mountfort,
Cancer: Mark Barry

Virgo: Barb Taub

Pisces: Sacha Black

Scorpio: Jenny Twist