Author: FanTC

Readers, writers, and adventurers, lend me your eye. This blog is for editorial tips as you make your way in the world. I may also insert a little of what I like to call "raw writing," where a writer opens up about herself. Who am I? Just a young adult fantasy fiction author, part-time blogger, and avid fan of National Novel Writing Month.
Books and Affiliated, Le Shorts, Writing Prompts

In the Beginning

FanTC

There was once a beautiful white snake and a great black snake in the caretaker’s garden. The black snake lay at the caretaker’s feet and enjoyed all the best he had to offer, as well as companionship and the pride of the caretaker. But for the black snake, it wasn’t enough, and he became bitter and greedy because there was one other in the garden who held the caretaker’s esteem.

Mankind.

So often, the caretaker spoke of Mankind and boasted of his achievements. It made the black snake resentful. He concocted a scheme to reduce Mankind and elevate himself once again, but something stood in his way. The black snake could go anywhere he desired as long as he did not enter the inner garden where Mankind rested. So he bequested the aid of the beautiful white snake. She guarded the coming and going of the garden and greeted the caretaker every day. One night, while he was away, she opened the gate for the black snake. He entered the inner garden and made his way to Mankind’s other half which lay sleeping beneath the trees. And so the black snake whispered in her ear to cause Mankind to fall.

#PatchworkDolls

~FanTC

Ponderings

Obligatory Holiday Post

FanTC

Mystery dinner No. 4.

Hubby found the most delightful restaurant in Lake Geneva. The Baker House is an 1885 luxury mansion with decorative rooms branching out to reveal the most nostalgic details from a bygone age.

While waiting for our table, we sat at a small bar tucked in the corner. Hidden throughout the room were touches of circus themes, old national pride, and black and white stills of people with intriguing stories.

We were seated in the four season room where we enjoyed the view of the front gardens as well as the architecture of the mansion. A woman played piano and sang familiar songs, setting the mood for romance.

This has been,

Fanny T. Crispin

Ponderings

Morning Ritual

FanTC

The trouble is, after spending so much time ensuring I do not overheat at night – because for some reason it has become a regular issue – I find myself shivering and rolled tightly under the blankets in an attempt to get warm.

It’s these mornings which are the most difficult to wake up when the alarm sounds. My husband has already been gone a few hours so there is no sliding in close to him in the hopes of retaining residual body heat.

So I stumble out shivering and annoyed, throw on my bathrobe and plug in the heater in an effort to get warm again.

Welcome to the Midwest.

I like to explain to people I am a default resident – had I a choice back when it might have been simpler, I would have moved to Tennessee or further south. We considered it, GW and I, but his mother firmly responded “NO.” It is more difficult to change scenery when one has been rooted for too long. Truth be told, I don’t want to leave. I just want the winter to go away.

It’s proving to be a mild one at least. The farmers will resent the lack of snow, but I’m quite certain we’ll have enough rain in spring to make up for it. This seems to be the trend as of late. We did not have a white Christmas, but if one was truly desperate, one simply had to rent a snow machine.

I don’t criticise anyone for enjoying the snow. I simply retain the right to dislike anything cold.

This has been,

Fanny T. Crispin

Mind & Body, Thoughts

New Year

FanTC

What if you adopted a motto instead of making a resolution?

It doesn’t seem like there should be a distinction between the two words. They are both goals which yield results. But I find there is very much a difference, and I would like to present a few mottoes I have adopted.

2008 – I wish to become a positive person.

2016 – I am at peace with my circumstances.

2018-2019 – I do not need to defend my choices or my family.

2020 – (similar to last year) I do not need to justify my actions.

I don’t place much stock in resolutions due to the epic failure rate. Of course, statistics mean nothing to the individual, but I know myself. That’s s big clue…

I know myself.

I am more apt to work on a motto long term. I think about what I want to become and let it sit in my soul all year. I bring it out, review it, make adjustments, and set it back again. These are things which require more mindfulness than action, and they’re not necessarily bound to time.

Not to say one is greater than the other. I feel there is something in the approach which may benefit one person more than another. It really is up to you to know yourself and embrace your strengths.

I find more value in mental and emotional growth than physical and material.

What are you working on this year?

This has been,

Fanny T. Crispin

Ponderings, Raw, Thoughts

What’s in a Number?

FanTC

I’m going to be 29 this year.

I’m not where I expected myself to be.

Truth be told, I should have had at least two kids by now. I should be conducting my own house by now. My husband and I shouldn’t still be squabbling over the dishes, because we should have figured it out by now. But I’m realizing, I’m not as old as I thought I would be by now…

When you’re a kid, 30 seems astronomically old. Everyone talks about this “internal biological clock,” and you start to feel fear over something you don’t yet understand. What I’m beginning to understand is this biological clock is really based more on how old you feel. I’m being perfectly serious. The doctors can’t dictate when you’re ready to be a mother or father. They base their entire system off averages and statistics, but statistics mean nothing to the individual. I personally know women (plural) who had perfectly healthy babies in their 40’s.

Maybe things didn’t happen the way you planned when you were twelve and dreaming up your life. So what? We are in the here and now.

And that is a miracle.

This has been,

FanTC