Saying Goodbye to Those We Love

This week I bid my best friend's mother adieu. She passed away after battling a long string of illnesses, and though we all know she isn't suffering anymore, it's still a shock to the system for everyone to say goodbye to someone who was a seemingly permanent fixture in our lives.

I was honored to have been requested to write a eulogy, which I read at the funeral. One thing I noticed about this particular funeral is it was a very nice gathering of people who loved her, not just her immediate family. The chapel was packed. There were lots of flowers sent. Everyone felt connected in this time of letting go.

Losing loved ones can be a bittersweet thing--on one hand, there are so many tears and sleepless nights and lost appetites. But on another hand, it brings together those of us who are still living to show that we're all still here for one another, especially during the rough times. It shows people they're not alone. It also reminds people to live their lives to the fullest because there is a finish line, and we all will reach it someday.

But despite losing her to death, I still believe her spirit endures, just not in this immediate setting. So even though we say goodbye, there is that hope we may meet again in another time and space.


XOXO

Scarlett

Valentine's Day Anthologies

To get you in the mood for Valentine's Day, here are a couple of erotic anthologies that feature a couple of my sexy short stories, along with stories from other awesome authors. They'd make great gifts for that special someone. Or if you're single this V-Day, there's no shame in enjoying the sensual fun all by yourself, if you know what I mean. ;)

This tantalizing collection combines the red-hot stories from both Be My Valentine and XOXO. With a total of twelve sexy shorts from well-known erotic authors, these stories will certainly spice up your day! 

Valentine's day is the perfect time for some furtive fumbling and secret sauciness. This amazing collection of nine erotic stories all with a valentine's theme is sure to get your heart thumping, your blood pumping and your pulse racing. Written by some of the adult and romantic fiction world's best-loved authors, this special digest is a Valentine's treat that can be enjoyed all year round!

XOXO

Scarlett

Movie Review: 'Blue is the Warmest Color'

Finally, I watched this incredible film!

In a word, it's unforgettable. It's an epic sort of love story, really, and one with a not-so-happy ending. It tells of a simple but deeply loving teacher and what seems to be her soul-mate: a daring, ambitious artist. This sort of Yin and Yang have chemistry on a primal level and share a very sweet romance, but ultimately "who they are" interferes. And it's so real it's heartbreaking.

I'm very bummed there probably won't ever be a sequel. I want to know what happened. The characters were three dimensional, brought to life by the two fine, gutsy actresses. The emotion they portrayed was impressively raw. And the love scenes...intense.

The soundtrack was also interesting: it seemed like the majority of the music was actually occurring within the scene, instead of looped onto the film in production.

It's a movie that I think will stay with me for a long time.


XOXO

Scarlett

A Wine Recommendation

This is going to be a super short post, but I wanted to recommend a wine for all the white wine-lovers out there.

Last night I tried a Sauvignon Blanc by SeaGlass, and it was wonderful. It was slightly sweeter than the other Sauvignon Blanc wines that I've had, but it was delicious. I imagine it'd go great with fish.

That's all! Happy Monday!


XOXO

Scarlett

Pop Stars and Sex Marketing

I just read an interesting article that discusses the forced hyper-sexuality of our modern pop stars. I'm glad it didn't just slam pop stars for being sexual because for some, it fits. But it did also mention most are unfortunately put under pressure to do so--even if they aren't as "sexy" by nature. The article mentions Beyonce and how she comes at her "sexy" from a place of authenticity, which is always, well, sexier!

But sometimes pop stars try to play the sex kitten when it just looks awkward on them. Now, I think we're all sexual beings, but not everyone is Beyonce, nor should they try to be. In particular, I think of people like Ariana Grande, who it seems, has recently transitioned from being the cute girl character to attempting the sex goddess role...and I don't think it's a good fit for her. It seems forced, as if her star crew is forcing her to "be sexier" just for the marketing aspect of it.

What do you think? Think some pop stars are naturally sexy and others are forcing it, or do you think they should all flaunt what they've got?

Have a good week!


XOXO

Scarlett

On the Creation of Characters and Keeping a Little to Ourselves

Today I spent some time getting inspired to work on my new WIP by listening to some tunes and browsing pics of my favorite celebs. There are a couple of people I decided to base some secondary characters on, looks-wise, but I'm not going to tell you who they are or what songs I was listening to! Why? Well, I'll try to explain.

Part of me thinks it's really fun to know what authors were listening to when they wrote a certain scene or to know exactly what famous person they based their main characters on. But the other part of me just doesn't want to know. And I think the part of me that doesn't want to know has the louder voice.

When I read a book, and I fall in love with the story and the characters, I often have my own idea of who/what they might look like. I also may be playing my own soundtrack as I read, making my own special playlist to create a special soundtrack for the tale. I'm making it my own, that way, turning it into something special and personal.

Reading a story is a private endeavor. We all interpret books in our own ways, often shaped by our life experiences. When we dive too much into the original creator's mind, we lose a little of our own magic that we add to our individual interpretation of the tale.

I remember when I found out that one of Anne Rice's inspirations for her character Lestat was actor Rudger Hauer. Now, if I had known that before I read the book, I would've pictured that beloved sexy vampire totally differently! To me, Lestat's not Rudger Hauer. He doesn't look like him or act like him. And I'm glad I didn't have this knowledge to make me think differently because might not have fallen in love with him the way I did by imagining him the way I wanted him to be!

And as for music, I remember listening to some Celtic music while I read one of the first books I ever read, The Hobbit. And even now, when I listen to that CD, it brings it all back. That's my soundtrack. Who knows what in the world Tolkien was listening to, if anything. But if he was, it may have been totally different.

As writers and/or readers, do you prefer to know what the author's inspiration was, or do you prefer to create your own world?


XOXO

Scarlett

Live Together Before Marriage?

(Previously blogged on Goodreads July 28, 2014)

I read an interesting article this morning about living together before marriage. It made me think of a friend of mine. This buddy of mine, whom I've known since high school, thought I was making a huge mistake by not living with my husband before marrying him. (Well, technically we lived together 3 weeks before getting married, but we were engaged and had the date set. It was a matter of my lease on my rent house being up first.)

So, even though my hubby and I dated for a year and a half, my friend still thought it was a bad idea. Anytime I've called her up and talked to her about the little bumps in the road that I've had with my husband, she always goes back to the whole "You should've lived together first" thing. 

But I don't agree. I don't think that's where the problems have come from.

I think all relationships have their ups and downs, and I don't necessarily think that living together before we got married would have prevented them from happening. My husband and I are in a really fine place right now, with 5 years of marriage under our belts. And I think it has more to do with our willingness to compromise and grow together than anything else.

My friend, on the other hand, is still living unmarried to her boyfriend of 7 years, and has two children now. She really, really, really wanted to get married and have a big, fancy wedding, but it never happened for her... I think it's because she lived with her boyfriend first, and he didn't see the need to marry her since they were already living together.

Also, they haven't had a peachy-keen relationship... Nobody has a problem-free relationship! It's all about how you tackle those speed-bumps, when they hit, that matter, in my opinion.

Now, I am not an advocate of just marrying someone you barely know. No, no, no. That's why Drew and I spent a year and a half dating and spending weekends together and getting to know one another before we wed. 

But on the flip-side, you can "know" someone for 30 years and still be finding out new things about them that you didn't know before. I think getting to know someone is a life-long process that never really ends.

I think if you have some core values in common, similar goals in life, and you respect one another, that is more important than if you live together before marriage or if you don't.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents on the matter. What do you think?

XOXO

Scarlett