Camping in Minnesota, eh?

This year's Adventure Siblings Excursion™ took us the furthest north we've been, outpacing Seattle, WA by a latitudinal smidgeon.
Seattle, WA --- 47.6062° N, 122.3321° W
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Mine Underground State Park, MN --- 47.8234° N, 92.2419° W

Preparation
Having neither backpacked nor camped since 2014, I upped my workout game (as in, I began 10min/day home workouts four (4) days a week) in preparation. I was feeling pretty good, even lost a few pounds. I'm nowhere near the activity level or metabolic level I was in my twenties, which is a continual disappointment to thirtysomething me, and I always worry about slowing down my younger, fitter brother.

I was also worried about pain. During the month leading up to our trip, my meds were being adjusted and I was experiencing varying levels of 'ow' from 'bandage-for-stability' to 'constant-pain-and-loss-of-strength'. A few days before we were set to embark, both of my wrists and hands felt terrible. I began to envision a repeat of our days hiking in Washington and the cross-country drive thereafter, during which my knees were in excruciating pain. I wanted this to be a fun trip for Sasquatch; not one tainted with my inability to adventure alongside him.

Thankfully, everything balanced out in time. I had very little disease-related pain during our excursion.

Day One

15+ hours of driving. S'quatch and I were on a tighter budget this year, so we opted for one long day of

driving over an additional hotel stay. I love being on the road, and S'quatch loves seeing me freak out over ridiculous traffic, so it all worked well. We departed well-before sunup with the goal of reaching the park and hiking into our campsite before dusk.

I will never again forget how much I loathe driving through the Chicago area. Much like driving through St Louis, all of my experiences with freeway traffic have been abysmal. Chicago and its traffic situation was the source of the majority of my Day 1 ranting.

Our routes around Cleveland don't take us through many traffic circles. Using them (without anxiety) was practically a skill I had to learn while at college, as my drive to and around Sweet Briar featured a few. S'quatch has not had this same experience, evidenced when we encountered a series of traffic circles in Minnesota and he began a mini rant. Which I found hilarious. I can't say whether it's the ease of traffic flow sans stoplights or just because my brother found them so annoying, but I have gained a higher appreciation for traffic circles in all circumstances.

When I booked our campsite in Afton State Park, I checked distances between the site and the parking area, swimming area, visitor center, park office, toilet, drinking water, and firewood. I also checked the ground cover / camping pad of the site. (Some had elevated gravel pads, which I did not want.) What I forgot to check was the topography. Somehow I missed a note that the 1-mile hike into the backpacking campground is strenuous; and that note did not lie. After a jaunty walk beyond the visitor center, there is a steep hill down to the beach. And then a steep, switchback path up to the campsites. There's a bit more path in between the two, of course; a lovely wooden bridge, other paths branching off, etc. It doesn't sound like much. It doesn't look like much. We've hiked more difficult terrain. But in the humidity, at that elevation, with backpacks...I am ashamed to say that I kneeled down more than once.

I had to take off my pack to be able to breathe. Even then, I struggled to get enough air. Cleveland's elevation is 653'. The lower elevation of Mount Rainier National Park starts at 1,600'. I never imagined 938' in Minnesota would cause me so much distress. Sasquatch eventually shouldered my gear along with his, leaving me with the lighter burdens, and still I crawled portions of the incline. God bless my brother, he never abandoned me.

Our campsite was fantastic. Private trail in, partially wooded, soft grass. And it was before dusk. We had accomplished our goal for the day! I unpacked and set up the tent while Sasquatch ventured to find firewood and potable water to replenish our bottles. Afton State Park has self-serve firewood, saws provided, for a fee per day/bundle. It had rained recently, humidity was high, and everything was damp. We had a collection of fire-starting tools (matches, magnesium, ferro rod, fire sticks) but couldn't keep the tinder and kindling aflame long enough for the larger fuel pieces to catch. It was an exercise in futility, having to continually relight the fire. Had we lost our amazing campfire skills? Oh, the humiliation!

Exhausted and blind in the dark, we retired to the tent. Paper-and-pencil games are a favorite when we're traveling. We especially enjoy battleship, tic-tac-toe, hangman, and dots & boxes. And of course we each brought a paperback book to read. Neither of us packed sleeping pads, but the grass beneath our tent and sleeping bags was perfectly comfortable. We were visited by deer, owls, and a raccoon during the night! Hearing hoofbeats gallop onto the site was incredible, and I laughed out loud when the confused deer stopped short. It did not care for the appearance of our tent in its frolicking zone, but was curious enough to snuffle the tent - and me inside it - before bouncing away.

Day Two

It was a beautiful morning in the park! Waking up to wild turkeys in our campsite was awesome. Sasquatch and I hiked a prairie trail that led to a wooded overlook of the St Croix River. Early morning mist made everything ethereal. Without backpacks our hike around the park was less difficult, though the steep paths still left us out of breath. My water bottle was my most important possession; I refilled it at every opportunity. And where yesterday I had scoffed at benches placed along more demanding routes, today I took advantage of every one offered.

As we completed a long loop on our return trek to the camp area, a team of young men were jogging the arduous trail. Envy flared within me, and even S'quatch looked incredulous. There was no way we were joining them for a run.

After lunch and a nap (I love midday camping naps!), we ventured north to William O'Brien State Park for a bit of canoeing on the St Croix. Afton offers a boat-in campsite, but does not rent watercraft. Everything we experienced in the parks was very much an honor-code system. From parking passes to paying for firewood and renting canoeing supplies, the park provided envelopes and drop boxes for payments and returns. And not once did I see anyone abusing the system. It was refreshing and uplifting.

The river was low in the launch area and along the route we canoed, so we spent a lot of time wading and pulling our craft. It was still a fantastic scene. We had a great time making up stories about who lived in the houses along the river. An island served as our halfway point, and we had a snack break and stretched our legs before the return trip.

Swimming is a staple of our Adventure Siblings Excursions, whether in a natural body of water or a hotel pool. Swimming in the St Croix River was unlike anywhere else I've swam. Maybe it was the river plants tangling around my legs. I didn't feel unsafe exactly, just different. The water almost seemed more dense than usual. It was a very odd feeling. S'quatch said nothing felt off to him, so perhaps it was a product of my tired self.

That evening I broke out my final, trusty fire starter I'd saved from our whitewater rafting trip in 2014. Sawdust with a wick packed into a paper cup and sealed with wax. It burned hot and long, and we had no problem lighting a proper campfire. Because can you really say you had a successful camping trip if you didn't make s'mores?

Day 3

On our quest to discover something awesome to do during our trip - besides backpacking, camping, hiking, canoeing, swimming, etc. - we found tours advertised for Soudan Underground Mine. And we were not disappointed. Being approximately a 4-hour drive further north, Sasquatch and I packed up our campsite and said goodbye to Afton, in favor of visiting Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park.

In short, it was amazing! Our tour guide was absolutely fantastic and fun. Having worked in a mine himself, Karel had the best stories and insights to share. And he was enthusiastic without being irritating. I do get claustrophobic, but other than the 3-minute cage ride down into the mine I was fine. Besides the underground mine tour, a science tour into the physics lab (there really are underground government labs!) is also offered. I would absolutely visit again for the science tour, and even a repeat of the mine tour. It was such an interesting experience.

The Journey Home

The drive home was eventful. We hit a massive rainstorm in Wisconsin that stopped traffic. It was the worst weather I have driven through. Everyone on the freeway was creeping along with their hazards turned on, trying not to hydroplane or hit other vehicles. The rain was sheeting in such a way that visibility was limited to maybe 7 feet. Even when it cleared a bit, I couldn't drive over 20mph without slipping. And this went on for 30+ minutes. I had white knuckles. It was so stressful. Naturally the exit we needed in that area was a grand sweeping curve on the left-hand side. Always an adventure.

We began our drive out of Minnesota in mid-afternoon, and the storm slowed us down, so we stayed in Wisconsin overnight. It was nice to have a hot shower.

If you're wondering, yes, our second drive of the trip through the Chicago area was just as awful as the first. Between construction and other motorists behaving like [expletives], our average speed was 15mph. Argh! But all those experiences make memorable trips.

Another successful Adventure Siblings Excursion™ has ended. It wasn't our best camping experience - campfire difficulties the first night and an invasion of bugs the second night - but I am never disappointed to have spent any time with my brother. I'm so thankful we have this sort of relationship. And I cannot wait to plan our next adventure!

You can see more photos from our trip (including park habitat information and info about Soudan Underground Mine) in my album Minnesota Camping Trip (2021).

Writing Environs

It seems like it has been hot and rainy for weeks. Hot even by my standards, and so humid that I'm becoming uncomfortable. For the majority of my life, I've preferred temperatures in the mid-high 70°s Fahrenheit, but lately I've noticed that I'm becoming more acclimated to temperatures in the low 60°s - 70°s. To the point that the present temperature of 79° has me sweating and debating air conditioning. I absolutely blame my partner, who prefers downright chilly temperatures and whom I want to keep comfortable in our home during the summer. It's only fair, since he suffers through winter while I have the heat cranked up to temperatures unreasonable to most other human beings. Once I'm cold, I cannot get warm; it's worse without sunshine.

Beyond the personal relationship implications of the weather, it is also seeping into my writing. I was working on a scene in my fantasy novel in which the protagonist is traveling. Suddenly, a rainstorm occurred! Granted this protagonist is a sorcerer with some watery magic abilities, so the storm could plausibly suit the story, but it definitely wasn't in the early drafts. Outside my window, a fresh rainstorm beat into the yard and had me considering building an ark. Whether or not the impromptu rain remains in the scene, it did remind me to pay more attention to atmosphere.

Where I live, I worry about damaging rainstorms and flooding more than tornadoes or fires or drought. If such an event did occur in my area, I would be far less prepared to deal with it than others who more often experience such natural phenomena. Types of weather can become routine, and you can forget how awesome and terrifying they truly are.

Artemis is sprawled at my feet declaring things have become too hot and humid. It's time for me to close up the house and turn on the AC. She'll retreat under the bed for maximum frost (it'll be like someone unleashed the Casket of Ancient Winters) and remain there throughout the expected thunderstorm. Yes, I'm adjusting the household temperature based upon the wishes of my cat, rather than my partner. Luckily for him, she also appreciates a cool abode :)

Raccoon Creek State Park (2013)

For our second annual summer sibling trip, Sasquatch wished to backpack. We defined this as carrying all the gear we could possibly need to survive a day-long trek and at least one night of rustic camping. I had visited Raccoon Creek State Park on a previous camping trip which had not gone well for me, but I was acquainted with the area and willing to give it another go.

Raccoon Creek State Park is located in Beaver County, PA, approximately a 2-hour drive southeast from Cleveland. They offer educational programs, multiple camping and fishing areas, boating areas, swimming and sunbathing areas, and more. For this particular trip, we were interested in none of that!

S'quatch and I found an empty trailhead parking lot and set off along the more rigorous hiking trails. According to the map, our route would take us 9.5 miles through the park to a backpack camping area milepost. We both considered ourselves in fairly peak condition at that point, well-prepared for a strenuous outdoor adventure, and expected the excursion to provide a moderate challenge.

It rained sporadically and the temperature wasn't quite sure what to do at any given moment. The humidity definitely made things seem more dire. And our path included the most difficult hiking trail within the park. But both of us were eager to prove we could manage such a challenge, so we had a blast.

Bug spray and sunblock were used and reapplied. At one point we were sweat- and rain-damp on the outside, while near dehydrated on the inside. The water bottles went empty and it was time to risk a drink from the creek. Drinking from wild sources is one of my favorite things; I always look for a spot that is well-aerated and with stages of rocks and sand for maximum natural filtration. I've sipped from a variety of springs and never had an issue, but of course caution is always recommended.

After a long afternoon of pushing through dense foliage, we reached the overnight area just before dusk. The Adirondack shelters, fire rings, and pit toilets were perfectly acceptable. However, we decided not to stay, opting instead to continue the loop trail. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have made this additional push. My back ached and somewhere along the return journey my legs went numb below the knees. I was convinced my feet had become bloody stumps held together only by my hiking boots. Sasquatch's enthusiasm waned as well, and our shenanigans dwindled.

I don't remember the hike out as well as I do the hike in, probably because I was so tired. I do recall using a service road as a bit of a cut-through at one point, and that the sounds in the darkness were exhilarating and concerning all at once. In the end, we hiked an estimated 19.1 miles that day, which placed us in the category of average human. We were no less impressed with ourselves and our backpacking capabilities, and certainly earned the semi-delicious dinner-in-a-bag that we had!

See more photos from our hike in the Raccoon Creek State Park (2013) album.

Community

Being an introvert, I have always bristled at the suggestion that I should be part of a wider community. Having the high anxiety that I do, I have always felt a gut-twisting fear of judgment and inadequacy. Both of these conditions often led me to spurn situations where people of like-mindedness gathered with the intention to assist one another. I was wrong; at least in this particular case with regard to my writing and with these particular people.

I met Duckie and Tenmao over a decade ago while pursuing my creative writing degree. Of the individuals in our classes and writing workshops, they were the two with whom I connected most and whose comments and criticisms were most constructive for me. Recently we discussed forming our own writing group, just the three of us, to hold each other accountable for progress on our projects. It's been less than one week, and already I've seen the immense benefit.

We each have different styles and strengths and thought processes, and just having to explain to another person what I am working on has helped solidify ideas. My memory warehouse is a labyrinth in which I have gotten lost more than once. Having their support is the proverbial fuel my creative vehicle needs to crest the next hill, and knowing they are waiting for updates and results is the tailing officer in my rearview mirror.

I knew I wasn't accomplishing as much as I could, having to answer only to myself. Facing organized goals is daunting, but will help me improve my habits and establish more solid expectations. And I didn't realize how alone I had become in my own thoughts creatively, until I had someone with whom to brainstorm. I prefer working alone so much that I had gotten to a point it was restrictive rather than conducive. Tenmao and Duckie are the inspirational rays of light through my clouds of procrastination.

I still feel all the same anxieties about communities (especially larger communities) in general, even though I know how helpful some can be. In this case, my case, it comes down to trust. I have a difficult time trusting, especially with regard to my creative ideas. I trust these writing pals of mine; I value their input. That makes all the difference.

If you're having difficulties progressing in your project(s), maybe a small community could be of value.

A Handful of Shenanigans - California Edition

California, 2007

That brief period where I enjoyed smoothies from local vendors, shopped the farmers' market, and received my first (and possibly last) tan in life on Zuma beach. I visited Six Flags and walked the entirety of Disneyland in high-heeled sandals (do not recommend). I ate dinner at the amazing Stinking Rose and met up with AveMarie for a movie date night near Alfred Hitchcock's grave in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. I was with Dracona while she received her first tattoo, and did not receive one of my own because the artist didn't understand the design I wanted.

riding in front with Dracona

movie on a mausoleum with AveMarie

I also attended the Hollywood red carpet premier of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix...If by "attended" you mean slithered through the crowd from the Kodak Theater parking garage to Grauman's Chinese Theater and plastered myself against the barricades. I was up close for the arrival of the three leads, and Daniel Radcliffe was surprisingly smoldering (sexily) for his photos. That sounds a bit weird, because I always think of Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as children, but they're not much younger than me. Finally, because I was there and it was there, I slipped through a gap to step onto the red carpet. Security was quick to escort me away - thankfully only back behind the barriers - but for one brief moment, I, Aeroaux, stood upon a true red carpet in Hollywood. *Bow*

April, 2007 (pre-California) for comparison

July, 2007 (post-California) as tan as I naturally get

The Shinkickers

I present to you the adventures of The Shinkickers!
(Not to be confused with these Shinkickers, who are also amazing.)
Sasquatch requested an all-short-stack campaign, so I've been creating an adventure that caters to his gaming desires. This is the most world-building I have done for a tabletop RPG thus far, and I find myself getting into the weeds a lot of the time just because I love having the detailed intricacies for him to discover. I'm also trying to balance gameplay and prepare meaningful sessions. It is overwhelming!

The Basics
Campaign: The Reach (homebrew)
Game System: Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 / Pathfinder
Storyline: Due to his longstanding amiable relations with the monarchy of Mallondil, Jarl Cailan's allegiance to his own king has recently been questioned. King Kirden of the Iron Mountain is unsure how to handle the situation. Cailan's political dealings have certainly benefitted the kingdom and, should it come to a moot or outright war, Kirden isn't certain he would have the people's support in removing the renowned Jarl. The over-arcing story will ultimately decide who controls the Dwarven kingdom within the Reach.

The Setup
Location: Anatheim

Anatheim is a small trade city on the eastern sea, known foremost for its visible mountain of blackrock that shields the cliffside castle. Originally settled by dwarves, the city proper is surrounded by imposing stone walls, ornately hewn and several feet thick.

Opening Plot: The Jarl of Anatheim has recently opened the city for tourism and new business; a rarity, given how strictly the dwarves regulate trade. It is an opportunity to build wealth and reputation in the region.

The Player Characters aka The Shinkickers

All PCs must be of small size for this campaign.

Asa Ro-Boam: male | halfling bard | chaotic evil | leader of the Ro-Boam Company of entertainers

Bar-Bar Biff Bozo: male | gnome ranger | chaotic good | basically along for the ride

Skozel: male | goblin barbarian | neutral evil | likes opponents to crush and easy money

Khos'o: male | kobold sorcerer | lawful neutral | adores the jarl's daughter (and her shiny tiara) and is seeking her favor

Prominent Non-Player Characters

Jarl Cailan Reachdelver: male | dwarf noble (fighter) | lawful neutral

Cailan Reachdelver is part man, part myth in his city of Anatheim. At the age of 70, Cailan set the record for distance traveled into the cutting bowels of blackrock beneath Anatheim, opening new avenues of mining opportunities and pushing back monsters he encountered in the Darkreach.

Guard Captain Edric Rainwalker: male | human fighter (light) | lawful good

Born in Mallondil, human Edric rose through the ranks of law enforcement due in large part to his natural dexterity, earning him the moniker 'Rainwalker' within the mostly elvish force protecting Mallondil-on-the-Sea. He was initially disappointed to be redeployed to Anatheim, but has found the dwarves' appreciation for structure and tradition to be comforting.

Lieutenant Azarhine: male | half-elf ranger (woodland tracker) | neutral good

Originally from somewhere northwest of the Reach and orphaned at a young age, Azarhine is one of few half-elves found in Anatheim. An encounter with Edric Rainwalker led Azarhine to join the city guard, where his survival skills brought swift advancement. Still, a half-elf is so often out of place.

Chammolie: female | halfling rogue (informer) | chaotic neutral

The halfling called Chammolie acts as spymaster for Jarl Cailan Reachdelver. No one seems quite sure what Chammolie does; but isn't that the hallmark of a great spymaster?

Stay tuned for character highlights, more worldbuilding, and the adventures of The Shinkickers!

A Few Good Friends

I did not grow up with a best friend or experience the type of bonding childhood shenanigans depicted in films such as Stand By Me or The Sandlot. And it bothered me for a very long time. Despite being liked in school and moving easily between groups of people, I felt very isolated. I struggled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. I struggled with the reality that life was nothing like the novels I enjoyed reading.

When I reached my lowest point, I knew that only I could affect how I interacted with the world and how I felt about myself. It wasn't an easy thing, or a quick thing. Something that helped me especially was deciding to view everything as a possible adventure. It was like writing the book of my life, and I wanted to ensure there were exciting chapters worth reading.

I was lucky enough to connect with a few great people in high school; the type of people I consider family, who I will love and cherish for the rest of my life. I also (finally) found my best friend, that part of me that seemed to be missing, in college. I had waited so long for that feeling of connection, of knowing another person before even meeting them. I discovered that it exists. It is real. I just needed the patience.

When you find people who make your life better, more enjoyable, easier to manage, spending time with them can be a type of catharsis. And it can help reaffirm that you are worthwhile, especially during times when you can't muster that feeling yourself.

Hold on to the people and the experiences that make you happy, that remind you who you can be.

Date Night, 2008

        A collection of happy memories, featuring Cole!

A celebration of the highest order, 2018

Lakewood Park (2009)

Chautauqua Lake (2012)

Ohio Pinball Show (2017)

You can see more photos from our impromptu adventures in my collection Adventures with Cole.

Voices in my Mind

There is a squirrel hanging by its feet in the tree outside my window. It is adorable and distracting. Artemis is completely unfazed. She supports the squirrel army and intends to employ them in her war against birds; especially blackbirds and mourning doves. #AdventuresofArtemis #GoddessoftheHunt

In other news, the writer's block struggle is real. I'm actively stopping myself from switching between projects, because Project A has actual deadlines and needs to be finished. But it is so difficult! I was in a great headspace to complete the necessary chapter on Tuesday, full of excitement and drive. It was going so well! And then I completely lost the tone of the chapter in the final sentences. So frustrating. I wanted to be done, done, done and send it off for review. Instead I've been staring at just those sentences for the past two days, willing them to morph into more suitable phrases. There are groups of chapters that contain the same style, so I'm going to move forward and hope I regain the necessary voice in my mind. That's how I write - I internalize it.

With a cast of characters this sometimes manifests as me talking to myself out loud, having full conversations with actual emotions. Writing tool, or dissociative identity disorder? Discuss amongst yourselves.

For the scene I'm working on, I need to inhabit two very different personalities simultaneously. The dialogue needs to be perfect. I'm not sure I'll ever be satisfied, so I rely on my reviewers to tell me when it's good enough and appropriately conveys what I'm attempting. Good editors and reviewers are an absolute must!

The Missouri Adventure

Throwback Thursday to the year I ran away from home (as an adult) and lived in Missouri.

Mistakes were made. Visiting the St. Louis Zoo, Shaw Nature Reserve, and Lone Elk Park were not among them.

The Saint Louis Zoo is my absolute favorite zoo to visit. I walked seven (7) miles one way to spend the day walking around the entire zoo, then walked those seven (7) miles back home. It was worth all the pain, and I'd do it again.

See (so many) more photos from the zoo in my album Saint Louis Zoo (2009)

Shaw Nature Reserve "strives to inspire responsible stewardship of our environment through education, restoration and protection of natural habitats and public enjoyment of the natural world." The trails were lovely, and visiting reminded me of the Cleveland Metroparks.

See more photos from the nature walk in my album

Shaw Nature Reserve (2009)

Lone Elk Park was certainly an experience!

See more photos from the park in my album

Lone Elk Park (2009 | 2010)

My To-Be-Read Pile is Overwhelming

A Dance with Dragons; Rafael; Pandora's Star; Rust; Dead Witch Walking; Strangewood. These are but a sampling of the dozen-or-so books scattered prominently on my shelf, my side table, my headboard, waiting to be finished.

And yet, yesterday, I bought a new book and read it immediately.

To be fair, it wasn't an entire book. I read a particular series by an author. I've invested years in this series; even as the author's style has changed in a way that I don't especially enjoy, I'm still very much invested in the characters and their growth and curious as to what will develop next. I began collecting the books in high school and I have a nice progression of cover art through the different publishers, paperbacks, and hard covers. I pay brand-new-book prices when a new title is released, I'm so eager to read the next installment.

This author also writes shorts within their larger story world, which are then included in collections with works by other authors. Some of these collections are even specific to certain retailers.

If I were an author whose work was included in a collection that prominently featured the name of a well-known author (thereby leading someone to purchase said collection when they wouldn't otherwise purchase my stand-alone work), I would probably be thrilled. Maybe that person would read every story in the collection, and enjoy mine, and feel prompted to seek out my other works. That would be excellent!

As a reader of a specific series, this drives me crazy. Mostly because at one point, years ago, one of the 'regular' books in the series referenced something that happened in one of the shorts...Which I hadn't read, because I hadn't thought these one-off stories would impact the greater arc. I was wrong. Yes, explanations are given to catch-up the reader if they haven't read the shorts, but the details within those shorts are important! Since that revelation, I have begrudgingly purchased collections containing these shorts, only for these shorts, because I don't want to miss anything in this story world.

That is how I found myself standing in a bookstore, purchasing yet another book. The author's name called to me from the front cover, announcing that within this collection resided a short story taking place within the world of the author's larger series. I didn't want to buy it; I had been lamenting to Sasquatch about my overwhelming to-be-read pile earlier in the day. But I flipped to the story and the opening lines did their job. I absolutely needed to know what happened. I read half the story while standing in the bookstore arguing with myself. Ultimately I purchased the collection; those authors deserve the sales.

I finished reading the story as soon as I got home. And I'm glad I did. Things occurred in that short story that will definitely impact the series, and I cannot wait to see how it unfolds. Eventually I'll pick up the book again and read the other tales within the collection, but for now it is tucked on my bookshelf as a far-in-the-future endeavor. Because right now I'm just not devouring books at a reliable pace. Sometimes I feel sad about that, knowing the worlds that are waiting for me to dive in and enjoy them. But the books will be there when I'm ready, when I have the time and energy and focus. That's the fantastic thing about books.

What's on your to-read list?

On the Road is How I Relax

However you spend your day (or the day spends you), it is recommended that people take at least 30 minutes for their well-being to do an activity that they enjoy. That doesn't sound like much time in the grand scheme, but sometimes it can be impossible to find those 30 minutes in a given day.

Lucky for me, driving is an activity I thoroughly enjoy. Even when I'm travelling somewhere new or crowded and my anxiety spikes and frustration has me growling at other drivers. My car is my safe space. It was my love of travel that begot my love of driving, not the other way around; but the end result of road-trip relaxation is the same. When all I have is 30 minutes to relax, I'll often reach for a more immediate activity such as yoga or reading or listening to music, that requires zero prep and can be abandoned without too much fuss as adulting calls me back to the world. But when I've got the time, or the need, I pick a direction and drive.

Sometimes I wind up on the side of the road in a different state, completely lost and loving it.

Lost in Illinois (2010)

Sometimes I find myself at the border to another country, experiencing firsthand nature's awesome beauty and power.

Niagara Falls, NY (2012)

And sometimes I find something fun in an area I'd thought totally explored. [Ghostly Manor Thrill Center]

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center (2013)

Whatever it is that helps you recharge, do it today. Do it now! Trust me ;) 

What Makes a Villain?

Motivation. The answer to everything character-driven. The equivalent of the number 42. Problem solved; the end.

Creating a proper villain is something I struggle with, because no defining experience or motivation ever seems 'bad enough' to me. And the level of relatability I want depends on the story, the character, and the emotions I want to convey to readers.

I have an easier time when writing fantasy, within a wholly-constructed world I've built, because I can go wild with scenarios. There's a suspension of belief inherent in such stories that allows for some real deep-delving madness. You don't necessarily need to understand the villain to accept them as such. As opposed to, say, a story set in real-world present day, where part of the fear is how real and relatable a villain can be. I don't want any of my characters to appear 'cookie-cutter' ever, but I especially worry about my villains because so much hinges on them. Without an appropriately matched and scary villain, the hero falls flat.

Part of the great joy of writing (at least for me) is getting to assume the role of so many different characters. Each has a little piece of me, tapping into some experience to find the emotion and motivation I need to make that character compelling. Maybe I spend too much time thinking about heroes and villains, their motivations, how they are perceived. How they are so very similar.

There was a movie many years ago that was so full of suspense and fear, when I saw it in theaters, it had the audience deathly silent throughout the runtime. At the end, there was a collective exhale as though we had all forgotten to breathe. The movie felt innovative and shocking, both in content and in its villain. But the best part to me was the opening scene: the villain was hidden in plain view. At the end, after the surprising reveal, my seat-mate turned and asked me how I'd knew. Feeling a mix of pride and unease, I answered, Because it's what I would do.

Need a bit of help constructing your villain? Check out the articles below and always remember Willem Dafoe's wise words: There's no difference between playing heroes and villains; they all think they're righteous.

* What Makes a Good Villain? Your Checklist for Writing a Good Bad Guy

* How to Create a Villain Readers Won't Forget: 6 Tips

* 8 Villain Archetypes: How to Write Different Types of Villains

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

As a child, my parents were always taking me to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. It felt like the biggest, most amazing place on earth to tiny me. I was and am absolutely fascinated by animals of all varieties. As curious as I am about people's motives (generally, and as a writer), I have the same interest in animal behavior. I want to know the 'why' of things.

As a teenager, I spent my summers volunteering with the Zoo Crew. I'd ride my bicycle early to work in the mornings, enter with confidence through a side gate, and lie with the red and western grey kangaroos for their morning sunbathe. I was already studying animal biology and behavior in high school, and I brought that knowledge to work with me. My supervisors and the keepers took note, and I will forever be grateful for their mentorship. The experience I gained as a volunteer was incredible, from specialized animal handling to detailed animal enrichment. My first year was 2000, when the Australian Adventure exhibit opened. I was part of the volunteer launch team, hosting story time, performing puppet shows and face painting, and appearing in character costumes. It was a brutal summer; some of those activities were discontinued due to the overwhelming heat. Once established, I supervised the barnyard animals and petting zoo activities, performed animal handling shows, and assisted the keepers as needed. By the time I aged out of the Zoo Crew program, I was treated as an authority within the exhibit.

My time as a volunteer also allowed me opportunities to interact with animals elsewhere in the zoo. One of my favorite experiences was playing fetch with black rhino baby Azizi in 2001. She loved chasing that red rubber dog toy!

I still love visiting the zoo, but the Australian Adventure exhibit feels bittersweet. The majority of the animals I worked with are no longer there. The barnyard goats that I trained have all grown up and moved on. The kangaroos I interacted with were selected for breeding programs and shipped out. The emu with whom I used to race lived out its life. Entering the exhibit feels like stepping back in time for me, but it's missing all the cohorts that made that part of my life so enjoyable.

You can see more photos from the zoo in my Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (2010) album.

Writing to Music

I love music, in all its forms. I certainly have my preferences as to genres, artists, sounds, musical stylings. My CD collection is an eclectic mix ranging from digeridoo sounds for meditations to doo-wop to alternative rock and metal. I have something for just about every situation and scenario. I listen to music while driving, while in the shower, while performing household chores, and while sleeping. These are all moments when my mind is relaxed and free to create.

Yet I've never been one to listen to music while writing. I find it distracting. Even tones meant to soothe or just provide background sound irritate me to an unreasonable level. When I'm writing, I'm focused. On the story, the worldbuilding, the character creation. Anything, any sound, interrupts that focus. I do find inspiration in music in all those other situations, that I then bring to my writing space later. But listening while writing is an absolute no-go for me.

I tried listening to music while writing this post. I was curious about the playlists that exist, the music that writers and other creatives have curated to keep them engaged and in the necessary mindset while working on specific projects. I'm having a rough go with the second part of Sons and Daughters of Olek, and wondered if the right bit of music might unlock something for me. A Google search brought me to a website full of playlists, organized for authors by the genre they were writing. I selected the first science-fiction playlist...and immediately regretted my decision. It was definitely not to my taste, for the writing exercise and in general. I can only compare it to the melodious shrieking and tinkering sounds of a local band whose full set I once sat through, doggedly determined to support, while both my head and my whiskey glass throbbed and threatened to shatter.

But I see authors on social media posting about the albums or playlists they are/were listening to while writing a particular work. So, I'm curious...Do you listen to music while you create? And do you play something you know, or do you seek something new? Do you listen to vocals and maybe sing along? Do you need atmospheric sounds? Do you listen to the same playlist over and over during a project?

Let me know in the comments!

Backstreet Boys (2010)

I'm throwing this week's post back to August 2010, when I attended the Backstreet Boys' This Is Us Tour at Nautica Pavilion. It was my second time seeing them live; their stop at Gund Arena in 2001 during the Black & Blue Tour was my very first live concert without adult supervision.

It was a beautiful summer day on the Cuyahoga River, and I felt terribly nostalgic. AveMarie's love of BSB had led me to join her for the concert, and a couple other members of our high school clique were present as well. Impromptu meetups with friends are the best!

I visited Nautica Pavilion for the first time in 2004 with a friend and saw Modest Mouse perform. It was very exciting to be a high school graduate, arriving to the venue by boat, and having men buy me beer. My very first beer was a Michelob. I remember it was smooth and rich and tasted like freedom. Beer is not my drink of choice, but that beer in that situation was the epitome of summer. 

BSB put on a good show (even without Kevin, who was my personal favorite of the group). I felt like they never took themselves too seriously, but obviously put forth a lot of effort for the fans, and the love they received from the crowd was fun and uplifting.

AveMarie & Aerofaux

Shoutout to AveMarie, my perpetual pal and founding member of our #concertsquad

You can see more photos from the concert in my Backstreet Boys (2010) album.

Fan Fiction

I admit, I read fanfiction. I write fanfiction. I love fanfiction!

That's easy for me to say as an author whose characters have yet to be put through the proverbial ringer. However, the one thing I note in fanfiction that I enjoy so much, is that characterizations remain consistent. The author of the source material wrote such well-developed characters, that their readers understand those characters and their personalities and are able to reliably place them in new situations. That is something I want to accomplish, as an author. I think that a reader being so invested in the world and characters an author has created, to the point of wanting to continue the adventure so badly that they are compelled to write, is fantastic.

Will there be fanfiction that doesn't meet the high criteria of stable and consistent characterizations? Yes. Will there be situations in fanfiction when characters are bandied about and abused? Yes, inevitably. And when characters I have created are eventually subjected to such treatment (please, God), I hope I will continue to view the efforts with grateful amusement.

Want to know a secret? Sometimes, I write fanfiction about my own characters. It could be a little puff piece with them in a weird situation that helps me develop some aspect of their personality. It might be an experiment with a romantic pairing not appearing in the book, unlocking some similarity in their thought processes.

The trick is to keep all that headcanon appropriately compartmentalized. I have dozens of little one-offs, but not all of them include material / situations / outcomes that I want to influence the existing characters. Consistency is always key. Sometimes a quick coffeeshop AU is just a coffeeshop AU.

Austin Lake Park & Campground (2012)

I mentioned my brother (codename: Sasquatch) in a previous post. Every summer, he and I take a trip together. It all started the year he turned sixteen...

Growing up, my parents enrolled me in all sorts of outdoor activities. I learned orienteering, trap-setting, identification of animal tracks and edible plants. You get the idea. I loved it. Every weekend we were hiking, biking, canoeing, rock climbing, visiting the zoo. It left quite an impression on me. I feel strong and capable and connected and creative when I'm outdoors, I get an adrenaline rush and feel like I'm doing something important when I try something new, and each experience helps boost my self-confidence.

My brother and I are eleven years apart. We are each other's only sibling. He didn't focus as much on the outdoorsy stuff. So when he expressed interest in camping, I leaped at the chance to be a model big sister and teach life skills. We had so much fun on that first trip that a tradition began: Adventure Siblings!

Our first summer adventure was a two-day trip to Austin Lake RV Park & Cabins in Toronto, OH. Located 2+ hours southeast of Cleveland, near Jefferson Lake State Park, it was a manageable drive and easy to navigate. Austin Lake Park has a variety of hiking trails and water activities, both of which Sasquatch and I enjoy.

He wasn't quite tall enough to have earned the nickname yet, but there were already signs...

I purchased a dome tent specifically for this trip, so Sasquatch's first assembly and overnight experience wouldn't be in the military tent I usually used. Our primitive campsite was pitched with minimal struggle. I was so proud of him!

I'm still proud whenever I look at this photo!

The true highlight of the trip was Sasquatch's first campfire. It took us over an hour to get the flame to catch. I had never had such problems getting a fire started. Burned finger pads and knuckles later, we were both frustrated and losing hope. And then...then...the tiny flame flared and decided now was its time!

And once it was lit, nothing would put out that fire. A thunderstorm raged throughout the night / threatening to flood our campsite / but our campfire burned strong and bright. We were so impressed with it and ourselves that we stayed awake in the tent watching the fire, letting it burn long overnight. He still talks about that epic campfire!

We had a great time hiking and canoeing at Austin Lake Park. Two days wasn't enough to partake in all the activities, but it was the perfect first trip to launch our adventures. I would absolutely return for a low-key, family-friendly camping experience.

You can see more photos from our hike in the Austin Lake Park (2012) album.