The Z Files: Jan Ruth ~ Sagittarius

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 :)

Galloping over the mountains of Snowdonia and aiming her arrows at the Amazon bestsellers list, I'm delighted to welcome highly acclaimed contemporary women's fiction author Jan Ruth, a (you've guessed it) Sagittarius! 

 
If you love mature contemporary romance, animals and Welsh hills, Jan's your archer :)  You might also like her In The Christmas Chair series of author interviews ... and her fabulous photographs of the glorious Welsh landscape.  Look at THESE and scroll down to the Winter ones, they're my favourite!

That's Jan waving at you from yonder hills...

Sorry to make demands on your Sagittarian freedom, Jan, but could you canter down and tell us about your ninth sign writer self?

"The centaur. I think I was actually born half a horse. I could whinny from the age of 8 and so far as horses are concerned, I’m still obsessed. Although November 23rd means I was born on the cusp, I’m a true Sagittarius. I’m the Tigger of the zodiac, an optimistic equine adventurer searching for the truth with my bow and arrows, and always on the move.  

I love big outdoor spaces, dogs and horses. I tend to prefer the company of funny men who can talk about politics, poetry and philosophy when the need arises. I have a disgraceful pile of ironing and a full rack of wine, but my walking boots are well waxed."

"I’m annoyingly blunt sometimes and prone to sarcasm and exaggeration, but I dispute the fact we tend to be disloyal! I’m intensely loyal... unless you cross me, then I might be tempted to draw an arrow, although they’d more than likely be as blunt as my fingernails. 

How does this manifest itself in my writing? Surprisingly, I write - mostly in a saggy dressing gown surrounded by last night’s pots and pans - fast-paced contemporary fiction set in Snowdonia and my male characters tend to epitomize the witty anti-hero, usually with a couple of dogs in tow. 

Readers, I’m truly Saggy."

 

Yes, I think we can agree on that last sentence; another contributor for whom I had to highlight nearly the whole article for phrases particularly relevant to the sign!  You can catch up with Jan and find all about her books on her blog and/or follow her on Twitter; it being near Christmas I'll give her special mention to her seasonal short stories, details HERE and cover below!

I've found two fellow contemporary women's fiction lady archer writers for Jan...

...Ms Middle Class family drama herself, Joanna Trollope...

... and a more recent bestseller 

and the other half of Ricky Gervais (I just found out!), Jane Fallon

Up Next: Scorpio

Previous Posts:

Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Julia Proofreader

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: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham

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

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

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

Virgo: Louise Marley, Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub

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

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

Taurus: Valerie-Anne Baglietto, Valerie Poore,

Libra: Tom Hocknell, Jen Ammoscato, Joanne B

The Z Files: Emma Gray (EJ Greenway) ~ Cancer

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 :)

Today I welcome a politically thrilling crab!  In other words, Cancer political thriller writer Emma Gray, who writes as E J Greenway.  She's written two parts of a political trilogy, Party Games and Power Play ~ and if anyone knows what she's writing about, Emma does; she's worked at Westminster for twelve years.  Go on, just take a look at her Amazon author page bio HERE; see, she's not making it all up :)
 

Tell us about your Cancerian self, Emma ~

Please note ~ Emma doesn't have a carapace, so has chosen 

to hide behind sunglasses instead...!!

"I have to admit this, but since Terry asked me to be part of the Z Files, I’ve been putting it off. I think it’s a great idea, and I sooo wanted to do it, it’s just I’m TERRIBLE at talking about myself as, like Cancerians tend to be, I’m rather crap at self-analysis. We can become insular, sure, and I’d like to think of myself as insightful and intuitive about others, but when it comes to seeing myself objectively, I think I’ll probably air on the (expected) negative… 

I did a bit of research before putting type to screen, and one particular website describe Cancerians as ‘over-imaginative and prone to fantasy…they may themselves possess some literary…talent’, so really I can’t object to that! Although the same site says Cancerians can be shorter than average height with brown hair and ‘they sometimes walk clumsily’! We’re not actual crabs, y’know!"

"Anyway, I don’t think I’ve got any psychic ability, which is an apparent trait, perhaps more of an ability to predict the behaviour of others once I’ve got to know them. This really helps in my writing, as my books are so character-driven, and I’m extremely loyal to my characters - I’m probably far more emotionally attached to them than I should be! I’m quite a dreamer sometimes, although I’m quite a practical person and I’m thorough in my day job so I don’t let dreaming get in the way (most of the time)! I’d much rather pour out emotion into my writing than in my own life, so I’m not one of those heart-on-sleeve types, and it is true that I’m rather cautious and dependable…God, I sound dull!"

"I also have quite a good memory, meaning I can remember small details about my storylines and characters, which can make the process a bit easier at times. But then, of course, I’ll have a sudden inferiority attack and walk away from my writing for sometimes months, oozing with pessimism. But like all good Cancerians, I’ll be loyal to the cause and determined to see it through, so I’ll get back on the writing horse, keep calm and carry on!"

I asked Emma to tell us a bit about Book Three, currently in progress...

"I'm really excited about book three in my trilogy, End Game, as I've had a lot of political inspiration over the past few months! It picks up six months after Power Play, and the Opposition benches are living in fear of their tyrannical yet ultimately insecure leader Colin Scott. End Game follows the lead characters from my previous two books, but one in particular has a difficult decision to make about the path he must take if Scott is to be overthrown."

I have huge respect for writers like Emma who manage to run a demanding career and a family, and still find time to write - and do posts like this for me!  You can follow Emma on Twitter and read more about her on her blog.

Now...  which famous writer crabs shall I choose?

Ultimate thriller man, with a government conspiracy or two himself ~ Dan Brown....

...and historical fiction maestro Hilary Mantel ~ because Wolf Hall and her other works are all about politics, are they not?  A politician more devious than Thomas Cromwell would be hard to find ~ okay, he lost his head, but he should have known Anne of Cleves was never going to work!)

Next up: a horse loving Sagittarius!

Previous Posts:
Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Julia Proofreader 
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: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham,
Capricorn: Georgia Rose, Wendy Janes, Annie Lyons, Steffany R
Sagittarius: Adrienne Vaughan, Rachel Amphlett, Wendy J Lennox, 
  Katrina Mountfort
Cancer:June Kearns, Sarah Boucher, Katie Oliver, Mark Barry
Virgo: Louise Marley, Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub,
Pisces: Lizzie Lamb, Julie Haiselden, Maria Savva, Sacha Black,
Scorpio: 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: Georgia Rose ~ 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 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 :)

A Capricorn with a very cheerful smile, rather than a dour saturnine expression... I am delighted to welcome romantic suspense/mystery writer Georgia Rose! 

Georgia's the author of the very well received Grayson Trilogy ~ you can see all three books (and read the sooooper reviews!) on Amazon HERE.  She's active on Twitter and the blogging world, and very supportive of her author friends; she also reviews for Rosie Amber's Review Team.

So is Georgia a typically serious, hardworking Capricorn (but with a bit of a nutty streak, like they tend to have)? 

"I’ve always considered Capricorns to be the dullest of the Zodiac signs. Born at the bleakest time of year our birthdays are forgotten among the excesses of Christmas or the gloom of January. And it’s all so serious with us goats - where’s the fun, the frivolity?" 

Georgia tries hard to be an Aquarius....

"I’m a hard worker, determined to complete whatever I set my mind to - just as well considering the writing schedule I set myself this year. I’m able to work alone - this I do on a daily basis and I’m definitely independent. Serious as a child, I’ve probably always been 40 so I totally agree that I’m gaining a more youthful outlook as I get older. 

Depression - it’s a constant challenge. Solitary - totally, I love the peace and quiet and always choose staying at home rather than go out. Ruthless, self-centred and uncaring about others - well now, I am driven and I’m guessing in my determination to get stuff done I have probably, hopefully now in the past, been all of these things - but never deliberately. However to all those I’ve treated badly rest assured I feel guilt very easily and have a hard time forgiving myself."

"We are loyal, supportive and will tell you what you need to hear, even if it’s not what you want to hear - what more could you want? Other than me to beta read for you. Well how about this, although we need no one to complete us, once we love we have a hard time letting go, but, not caring for money, cars or clothes we only need your love, loyalty and dedication - now that’s not too much to ask, is it? However, we very rarely find ourselves attached to people so if we feel for you consider yourself lucky! Or not, depending on whether you’re interested in someone this intense."

"We can detach ourselves emotionally in a second and out of all the signs we have the most control of our feelings, but that doesn’t mean we do not feel. Because we do, passionately, and although anger doesn’t come often when it does it is the coldest anger you will ever feel and being the deepest earth sign it comes like an earthquake, will destroy the base of everything  and leave no one unaffected, which is why when I saw this....

...I was not surprised. ;-)

However I only just squeak in as a Capricorn so I had a peek at the traits for Aquarius. Unprejudiced - totally. Open - yes, got hypnotised once purely because my mind was so open, at least that’s what the hypnotist told me! (Probably a story for another time ;-)).  Contrary - of course! A bit too batty... for my kids, yes, but then they’re so easy to embarrass. 

I’m thinking I could be an Aquaricorn??"

Aquaricorn?

It so often depends which decanate of the sign you were born in, Georgia - ie the early, middle or late part, and also which signs you have in the rest of your natal chart.  For instance, I am in the second (middle) decanate of Leo, thus a true one, but have 4 planets in Virgo, which calm it all down a bit!

Georgia is someone it's well worth following on Twitter, and her blog is a good one, too, with lots of reviews and other author related stuff ~ it's HERE.

Now, famous Capricorn writers....

... a man whose most famous creation, Holden Caulfield, might have been a struggling goat/water-carrier too ~ J D Salinger...

and Patricia Highsmith, known for her thrillers ~ 

you might have heard of The Talented Mr Ripley :)

Coming next: a politically thrilling Cancerian!

Previous posts (click name to see article):

Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Proofreader Julia

Leo: Rose Edmunds, Alex Johnson, Anne Goodwin

Aries: Joanne Phillips, Trisha Ashley, Cynthia Harrison

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

Aquarius and Capricorn: Nicky Black

Aquarius: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham

Capricorn: Wendy Janes, Annie Lyons, Steffany R

Sagittarius: Adrienne Vaughan, Rachel Amphlett, Wendy Lennox, Katrina Mountfort

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

Virgo: Louise Marley, Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub

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

Scorpio: 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: Genevieve Gannon ~ Scorpio

Welcome to The Z Files, in which writers show how the characteristics of their star sign influence their work; I instructed contributors to take the subject as seriously or as lightly as they wished.  Links to other posts can be found at the end of this one.

Today I'd like to welcome Australian Scorpio chick lit author Genevieve Gannon, who is published by Harper Collins.

"The idea that I'm an archetypal Scorpio makes me laugh. Scorpios are always described as hot-headed and passionate, jealous and dark and perhaps a little stubborn. When Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton started wearing vials of each others' blood around their necks, I thought: Scorpios. That's nothing like me! So it's difficult to say how these characteristics apply to my writing style and my stories, which are irreverent, light-hearted comedies."

However, the philosophical, intense approach the characters in my book Husband Hunters take to the task of finding a spouse is somewhat reflective of the Scorpio nature. And Violet Mason, the heroine of my second novel Chasing Chris Campbell, leaves her entire life to chase a guy she barely knows around Asia. That's definitely very loyal and intense. Perhaps not very deep thinking, which is another Scorpio trait.  

Unlike all the other contributors Genevieve has told us nothing about herself ~ which in itself perhaps reveals more of her Scorpio character than she realises; they do like to keep things hidden, and reject the frivolous. Perhaps she possesses some of the other traits listed above :)

You can find out more about Gen's books on her website or click the links above, and follow her on Twitter. 

Two famous Scorpio lady writers to go with Gen ~

Fellow chick lit writer Kathy Lette...

....and Pulitzer prize winner who has been likened to Jane Austen, Anne Tyler.

Up Next: A very talkative Capricorn!

Previous Posts:

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: Cathy Ryan, Lynda Renham

Capricorn: Wendy Janes, Annie Lyons, Steffany R

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

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

Virgo: Louise Marley, Elizabeth Ducie, Barb Taub,

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

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

Taurus: V A Baglietto, Valerie Poore,

Libra: Tom Hocknell, Jen Ammoscato, Joanne B