Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Monday, December 16, 2019
Holiday culture - by Vijaya Schartz
Edouard Herriot famously said that culture is what remains when one has forgotten everything. Culture in the French vocabulary of the period meant learning and knowledge, but the saying is also true in today’s extended meaning of the word.
We speak of ancient cultures, of the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, their philosophy and their mythology. We speak of the great artists of the Renaissance. They left long lasting testimonies of their history, architecture, writings, and way of life… Some say modern culture will only be evident when we are long gone and forgotten.
I say culture is not only art, architecture, wisdom, or knowledge, but it is how we treat each other, and how we celebrate life, family, and the traditions that accompany good and bad events in our lives.
Being raised in France, my first contact with America over the course of a three-month summer vacation was a true culture shock. I didn’t understand fast-food. Who in their right mind would eat ketchup? Why stick a piece of dry meat between two dry buns, when you can simmer your own coq-au-vin and bake potatoes au-gratin?
I couldn’t understand why Americans worked such long hours and never took extended vacations. The French, even in those days, took five weeks of mandatory paid vacation each year, and often took a few extra, unpaid vacation weeks as well, with their employers’ blessing. Many French companies still close completely for an entire month each summer.
When I returned to France, that fall, I declared that I would never want to live in America. These people were crazy, frantic, and didn’t know how to live… and they probably thought the same thing about me.
As things go, life has a way of making you regret such statements made in the ignorance of youth. While studying in an ashram in India, where I felt totally at ease, despite the many cultural differences, I met an American man and fell in love. We were married, and I came to live with him in the United States.
Imagine my reaction when he took me to eat a T-bone steak at Jack in the Box, on a paper plate, with plastic flatware. The culture shock was back. Never in my life had I cut a steak with a plastic knife. From then on, I cooked at home. It was great for a while, but soon, my husband missed American food… which I didn’t care for, and didn’t know how to cook.
This was decades ago, and I since learned to appreciate American food and culture. I understand that a busy life requires take out or fast food, in order to spend more time with family. My mother spent all her time in the kitchen. I can now fully enjoy a barbecue party, or a seafood buffet. I absolutely love apple pie a la mode (which surprised me at first, because the French do not eat pie with ice-cream). I smile when I hear my neighbors shouting at the referee during a football game… although I still cook most of my meals at home… you know… trying to eat healthy.
I even corrected my husband when he said America had no culture, compared to the Europeans, the Greeks or the Egyptians. But America is still young. These ancient cultures had a chance to mature over many centuries. Besides, Lady Liberty could compete with the colossus of Rhodes, and what about the faces carved in the rock of Mount Rushmore?
Because America is young, it experiences many growing pains and is learning to cope with change, and handle diversity. It’s not an easy task, and progress is painful and takes time. Yet in the midst of all that, America has all kinds of great cultural traditions, because of its diversity. Emigrants from many countries melted their cultures together so much that we do not exactly know where American traditions come from. You can experience Mardi-Gras in New Orleans, or a Greek Festival in California. American pizza (nothing like its Italian ancestor) is now conquering Europe. Who hasn’t enjoyed a bagel smeared with cream cheese, Mexican food, Thai food, sushi, or Chinese take out? America embraced all these different cultures and from them, forged its own.
But Thanksgiving is definitely a unique holiday of the American continent (although Europe is now trying to copy it), and I enjoyed it to the fullest, with turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and all. And I take my pie a la mode, merci beaucoup.
For a total culture shock, read ASHES FOR THE ELEPHANT GOD, a reincarnation love story set in India.
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo
To scatter her brother's ashes over the Narmada River, Fabienne leaves France for the mysterious India of her childhood dreams. As she awakens to a newfound spirituality, unexpected visions of a former life during the Raj stir ancient yearnings for a long lost passion. Mukunda, the palace architect Fabienne loved a century and a half ago, lives again as an American engineer and works on the local dam project.
As Fabienne falls in love again with India and the man of her destiny, the tapestry of her previous life unfolds. But, in the karmic land of the blue gods, a ruthless foe lies in wait. The Kali worshiper, who murdered the two lovers in a faraway past, has come back through the centuries to thwart their dream once more.
"... a broad-stroked, magnificent picture of a lavish India of the past and the present... a vivid tale of suspense... a gripping account of a woman coming to terms with heightened awareness... destiny." The Book Reader
"... entertaining, fast-paced yet deeply spiritual... Here is a superior metaphysical novel!" Richard Fuller - Metaphysical Reviews
"... passionate... love, lust, faith and deception... a magnificent offering to the world of fiction..." The Charlotte Austin Review
"...rich, sensual... multilayered... a thriller... magical, mystical book..." Writer's Digest
"...a striking and highly recommended metaphysical novel..." Midwest Book Review
Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo - FB
Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo - FB
Monday, October 24, 2016
Holidays in Space - by Vijaya Schartz
It's getting close to the holidays. Looking for a story with a holiday theme that is romance and science fiction? Look no further. The Space Station Borealis is celebrating, but other things are going on.
Black Dragon
Borealis novella from Desert Breeze Publishing
A gambler is cheating in a den of the Borealis space station, and Lieutenant Zara Frankel intends to catch him in the act. She always gets her man, but this one could prove more than she can handle.
Captain Czerno Drake, code name Black Dragon, has come under cover to break his innocent uncle from the most secure penitentiary in the galaxy, on the Borealis space station. He will stop at nothing to succeed, even enrolling the help of the lovely straight arrow TPP enforcer. When Zara realizes that she’s been used by a shrewd but seductive rebel, her reaction surprises everyone, most of all herself.
"I love the Borealis novellas, and in particular, this one by Vijaya Schartz. As always, her action-packed, well-plotted out prose kept me glued to the pages of Black Dragon from start to finish." TwoLips Reviews 5-kisses review and a RECOMMENDED READ
Captain Czerno Drake, code name Black Dragon, has come under cover to break his innocent uncle from the most secure penitentiary in the galaxy, on the Borealis space station. He will stop at nothing to succeed, even enrolling the help of the lovely straight arrow TPP enforcer. When Zara realizes that she’s been used by a shrewd but seductive rebel, her reaction surprises everyone, most of all herself.
"I love the Borealis novellas, and in particular, this one by Vijaya Schartz. As always, her action-packed, well-plotted out prose kept me glued to the pages of Black Dragon from start to finish." TwoLips Reviews 5-kisses review and a RECOMMENDED READ
Also read: AKIRA'S CHOICE
Borealis novella from Desert Breeze Publishing
In kindle HERE
Everywhere in eBook
When bounty hunter
Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something didn't add up.
Why would the Trans Planetary Protectorate want a kidnapped
orphan dead or alive?
She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the BOREALIS space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.
Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station?
Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the BOREALIS space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.
Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station?
Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
"Wow!
If readers want to see and feel and believe they are in deep
space, then "Borealis IX: Akira's Choice" is the perfect choice!
With a touch of romance, the vivid descriptions and beautifully
developed characters masterfully presented by Schartz create a
virtual world that invite the reader not merely to observe, but
to walk amongst them and participate... This is a delicate art,
and Schartz wields her weapons with precision and skill.
Banzai!" 5 stars - exceptional - recommended read -
Ind'tale Magazine
Vijaya Schartz
Romance with a Kick
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
A Valentine's Gift
Hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day with the special someone in your life and don't forget the chocolate.
Elysa Hendricks
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elysa-Hendricks-Author/137316289643103
Friday, November 29, 2013
Celebrate!
As we on Earth are sliding into the holiday season, my thoughts naturally turn to space. There's no doubt in my mind that when we look to establish bases beyond our planet we will bring with us our traditions.
You know what I'm talking about. That's right. The important thing.
The food.
Naturally we will bring with us seeds of our future but also as likely we will have to improvise as our seeds may not take. Which leads us to some potentially interesting plot twists. Remember those aliens that got drunk on milk? I'm sure some folks might claim that after imbibing in too much eggnog now:) Imagine if the alien substitute for yams caused the same thing. Or, for those who like a little holiday chaos, what if it mimicked ergot poisoning?
One thing is for sure, like space, the possibilities are limitless.
So I raise my glass of shoggerflost before digging into a helping of candied fizzigest, "Have a safe and wonderful holiday Eason and happy writing!"
You know what I'm talking about. That's right. The important thing.
The food.
Naturally we will bring with us seeds of our future but also as likely we will have to improvise as our seeds may not take. Which leads us to some potentially interesting plot twists. Remember those aliens that got drunk on milk? I'm sure some folks might claim that after imbibing in too much eggnog now:) Imagine if the alien substitute for yams caused the same thing. Or, for those who like a little holiday chaos, what if it mimicked ergot poisoning?
One thing is for sure, like space, the possibilities are limitless.
So I raise my glass of shoggerflost before digging into a helping of candied fizzigest, "Have a safe and wonderful holiday Eason and happy writing!"
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
IT'S A CAT'S LIFE
There's a saying that goes - Dogs
have owners. Cats have support staff. This was always true with the dogs and
cats in my life. Both dogs and cats are wonderful companions, but while a dog
is attentive to his owner, a cat demands her person's constant devotion.
The general perception is that
cats are fastidious and independent, that they don't need people in their lives
to be complete, but they tolerate us for what we can give them and occasionally
reward us for our devotion with a head butt or a purr. Dogs on the other hand are
slobs and totally reliant on their people for everything. In return for our
caring for them they shower us with slobbery doggie kisses and absolute
loyalty.
Dogs come when they're called.
If you call a cat, you'll merely
get a haughty look, unless there's food involved. A cat is deaf to its person's
voice, but can hear the refrigerator door open from a hundred feet away. Dogs
also have super hearing and smell, but they'll come even without the food.
Both dogs and cats will play with
their people, but cats always choose the games they'll play. Dogs don't care
what the game is, they're happy to do whatever their people ask of them, even
if it's work. Cats won't fetch the paper or sniff out drugs or chase bad guys
with guns. In my book that makes cats just a tad smarter than dogs.
Though I've had male cats and
female dogs, I've always thought of cats as female and dogs as male. Even
though I knew my animals' correct genders, it just seemed natural to refer the
dogs as "he" and the cats as "she." Sort of like men always
refer to cars as "she."
But when I came up with the cat
character in MUST LOVE CATS, the cat is definitely a "he." Thomas
Cash (TC) Riley is a man reincarnated as a cat to redeem his soul. Considering
my preconceived notions about cats and dogs, I found it fun and challenging to
create a cat with a totally male outlook on life.
Blurb:
Thomas Cash (TC) Riley is mad, bad and –dead. Killed in a one car wreck the twenty-nine-year old playboy is given one last chance to redeem himself for living a selfish, unfulfilled life and to determine his soul’s final destination.
To help his young daughter recover from the loss of her mother, Daniel Bishop, a widower who dislikes the country and is allergic to anything with fur, has moved back to his wife’s rural hometown to be close to her large family.
Katherine Sinclair, the local veterinarian and the single mother of an adventurous ten-year old son, is wary of the handsome newcomer. Once before she’d given her heart to a wealthy, charming man and she’d ended up pregnant and alone.
With the help of a lonely little girl and a brash young boy, can TC find a way to bring these two damaged people together? Can he remember his past and save his soul in the allotted time?
And can he do it all as a cat
Blurb:
Thomas Cash (TC) Riley is mad, bad and –dead. Killed in a one car wreck the twenty-nine-year old playboy is given one last chance to redeem himself for living a selfish, unfulfilled life and to determine his soul’s final destination.
To help his young daughter recover from the loss of her mother, Daniel Bishop, a widower who dislikes the country and is allergic to anything with fur, has moved back to his wife’s rural hometown to be close to her large family.
Katherine Sinclair, the local veterinarian and the single mother of an adventurous ten-year old son, is wary of the handsome newcomer. Once before she’d given her heart to a wealthy, charming man and she’d ended up pregnant and alone.
With the help of a lonely little girl and a brash young boy, can TC find a way to bring these two damaged people together? Can he remember his past and save his soul in the allotted time?
And can he do it all as a cat
Check out TC's first Life in MUST LOVE CATS - The Nine Lives of Thomas Cash Riley - Book 1
http://is.gd/mustlovecats
And if you need a bit of Holiday kitten cheer check out my short romance - A KITTEN FOR CHRISTMAS
http://is.gd/akittenforchristmas
Sunday, December 16, 2012
The Holidays - Frantic or Fun?
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I hope everyone has a beautiful, loving holiday season and if you feel like winning a prize or two, drop by my blog. I've joined over 200 blogs for the the Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop. I'm giving away a $10 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble, winners choice, while there are three grand prizes for the hop.
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $200 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more
Monday, December 10, 2012
THE HOLIDAYS IN SPACE - by Vijaya Schartz
I always felt as if I came to this world from the future... with a short detour through medieval times, to be revisited later. So now that I'm back writing about the future, let me describe for you what the holidays look like on a space station.
I'm not talking about our puny International Space Station with its handful of astronauts and cosmonauts dining on shiny packages of pureed food. Imagine a giant five mile wheel spinning in space, creating its own artificial gravity, sheltering several thousand people... an honest to goodness, fully operating space station. It has deflector shields, titanium bulkheads, docking bays for spaceships of all sizes and shapes, duty free shops displaying goods from the far reaches of the universe. Many visitors pass through, as this space station is a major stop on the space routes. Besides its civilian population, it has military personel and well trained security forces. Get the picture?
The holidays have expanded to include many cultures around the universe, who celebrate the winter solstice, the return of longer and warmer days after the cold season. Think big. All religious traditions like to celebrate on such auspicious dates... although establishing corresponding dates in space might require complicated algorhythms. That's where computers are helpful.
The festivities would last at least a week and would include foods and drinks from alien worlds, some populated or colonized by Humans, and others by other races. There would be religious celebrations in temples and churches. The Christmas carols might sound different on an alien musical instrument.
I'm so excited to be writing science fiction romance again. For most of the year I took a break from science fiction to publish the first four novels in my medieval romantic fantasy series, The Curse of the Lost Isle. Now, I get to set my next story on a space station where I'll live it for a while. I love the smell of metal grease on the bolts of the docks, the clanks of expanding and retracting metal under the temperature changes.
If I made you nostalgic for a space station, visit the novellas of the BOREALIS series. Mine is titled BLACK DRAGON, and I'm plotting another to be released from Desert Breeze next year.
In the meantime, you can find all my eBooks in all formats and paperbacks at the regular online stores. Here are the links:
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
Monday, December 3, 2012
A Christmas Miracle?
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Since they're upon us, I hope no one is stressing over their writing and holiday shopping. Visiting family can sure pull you away from a manuscript faster than a house fire. And congratulations to everyone who did NaNoWriMo this year, whether you finished or not. Any progress is good progress.
I've been busy accidentally deleting almost finished manuscripts and rewriting them. Eep. It was supposed to have been the fourth book in my Legends & Lovers series, due out next fall. It also felt like a colossal failure. I fought for every word in that novel and hated most of them. I'm not sure if it was a subliminal deletion or a genuine accident. The recovery of my flash drive didn't work.
But it means that I had to start over. When I told most of my friends about the loss, they all looked on in horror. "Wow, how are you not freaking out?" they asked.
I'm not sure. I was just so mad at the characters for being lame and the plot of being so weak and far-fetched (yes, even for a fantasy novel), it was almost a relief to have lost it. I'd been considering changing the hero's occupation and parts of the plot. Now, with a blank document, there was my chance.
I started over at the beginning of November, even though I said I wasn't participating in NaNo. I try to write 2,000 words at a time when I sit down to do it, but I didn't want the pressure of trying to do that every day. Sometime working at my own pace is better. I did take comfort in the NaNo guest authors. They reassure me and remind me that I'm not the only writer who struggles. That's always good to know.
I've currently only managed about 30,000 words. But the fresh start and the second chance are like a breath of fresh air. And I won't be as ashamed to show this one to my critique partners.
So, have you ever lost an manuscript and how did you handle it?
Since they're upon us, I hope no one is stressing over their writing and holiday shopping. Visiting family can sure pull you away from a manuscript faster than a house fire. And congratulations to everyone who did NaNoWriMo this year, whether you finished or not. Any progress is good progress.
I've been busy accidentally deleting almost finished manuscripts and rewriting them. Eep. It was supposed to have been the fourth book in my Legends & Lovers series, due out next fall. It also felt like a colossal failure. I fought for every word in that novel and hated most of them. I'm not sure if it was a subliminal deletion or a genuine accident. The recovery of my flash drive didn't work.
But it means that I had to start over. When I told most of my friends about the loss, they all looked on in horror. "Wow, how are you not freaking out?" they asked.
I'm not sure. I was just so mad at the characters for being lame and the plot of being so weak and far-fetched (yes, even for a fantasy novel), it was almost a relief to have lost it. I'd been considering changing the hero's occupation and parts of the plot. Now, with a blank document, there was my chance.
I started over at the beginning of November, even though I said I wasn't participating in NaNo. I try to write 2,000 words at a time when I sit down to do it, but I didn't want the pressure of trying to do that every day. Sometime working at my own pace is better. I did take comfort in the NaNo guest authors. They reassure me and remind me that I'm not the only writer who struggles. That's always good to know.
I've currently only managed about 30,000 words. But the fresh start and the second chance are like a breath of fresh air. And I won't be as ashamed to show this one to my critique partners.
So, have you ever lost an manuscript and how did you handle it?
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