New Title? Thank You, Muse!

Although I haven’t officially typed a new title into my manuscript, it is apparently changing. And it’s a done deal.

The other day, while reading through the table of contents of Book One, a chapter title grabbed my attention, and wouldn’t let go.

Awen Rising.

The two words dogged me, meandering in and out of conscious thought, diddy-bopping through my brain cells, refusing to cede ground, or depart. I pondered and mulled the two words for days, loathe to relinquish a title I’ve treasured for the last six years. But, the more I agonize, the deeper the proposed title burrows in.

Sitting down with pen and paper, I search for an answer. Awen Rising? Why?

• It is active, leaving the passivity of Blessed Are the Peace Makers cowering in the dust.
• It’s shorter, snappier, and more personal to Awen, the driving force of the trilogy.
• It implies that something, or someone, good or bad, will be rising, or increasing in awareness and power. Something, or someone, that must be reckoned with. Awen.

So, basically, Awen Rising captures the essence of Book One. Even better than Blessed Are the Peace Makers.

But if Book One's title changes, then so must Book Two's.

"Awen Storms", the muse whispers.

Hmmm. Awen Storms hints that Awen will be challenged, or conversely, bring challenge upon others. Again, this title captures the heart of Book Two, if not perfectly, then pretty darn close.

And what about the finale? Book Three?

"Awen Tide", la muse moans softly, rocking me gently to and fro. I consider the meaning. 

A tide is relentless, never-ending, always encroaching, consuming, constant. It can cleanse and heal, bringing life from sea to shore, or it can rip the land to shreds. And, like Awen, a tide is ruled by the heartbeat of this fair planet, as she is influenced by Earth's elements and the moon.

So three new titles. Woohoo!

"But why change your titles, after all this time?" you ask?

Because the muse says so. And when la muse speaks, I must needs listen. Else my muse will go mute, and a writer is naught without the sweet serenade of her muse. But, get on board with her "suggestions", and she will gladly stick around. At least, until the next kerfuffle.

Plus, the shiny new titles have catapulted me back into the thick of Awen’s story, soaring high on the wind beneath my wings.

Thank you, Muse. I've missed you so.

~ That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell writing as O.J. Barré

O.J. Barré is author of the upcoming AWEN trilogy. Book One, AWEN RISING, is complete and in query. The first draft of Book Two, AWEN STORMS, is nearing completion, and Book Three, AWEN TIDE, is swirling in the mists of creation.

Celebrating Life

Hi Y'all,

Thought I would share my Facebook post from earlier today.

Good Morning! Thank you for your well-wishes on this Fabulously Happy Day!

In celebrating my entry into the seventh decade of Life, I pause to relish the wonder and joy, the sweet sensation of loving, and of being loved.

It has been a wild ride.

And wasn't that what I wanted from the get-go? To live this life, running through the grasses, the weeds, the brambles, the vast jungles? To find my way through, around, and over, each and every obstacle, challenge and adventure? To savor the catastrophes alongside the joyful interludes?

Yes. Yes. It was.

In looking back at my dreams, accomplishments, my travels, my voracious thirst for knowledge, my raging appetite for more, more, more, I see the thread that binds it all together, and keeps me from hurtling into the abyss.

No, it's not gravity. It is love. I know this with all my God-given senses, in the deepest recesses of my heart and soul.

As a child, I desired wisdom. To be wise, a wise woman.

That little girl took in every nuance of her life, and from all she absorbed, chose wisdom over love, not realizing it was an all-or-nothing choice.

She got her wish.

Today, as wise woman, I make a new wish for that little girl. Henceforward, and forever more, this wise woman dedicates our remaining, remarkable, years, to Love.

Happy Birthday, Wise Little Girl. You are loved beyond measure. And so much more.❤️

~ That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré

O.J. Barré is author of the upcoming BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS trilogy. Book One, COMING HOME, is complete and in query. The first draft of Book Two, COMING TO, is nearing completion, and Book Three, COMING FULL CIRCLE, is swirling in the mists of creation.

DON'T POKE THE MAMA BEAR!

I love that God has a sense of humor. Last night I prayed for an answer to a looming decision - which of two actions is the best for me to take? This time my answer wasn't sent via dream.

It appeared in the guise of a horoscope.

Don't poke the Mama Bear.

I didn't. I promise. I let her have her way.

But first, I made a list of all that needed doing, with the intent of following-though later in the day.

Well hoo hoo hah. Guess what?

This morning, Mama Bear got her way. But, less than three hours into the afternoon's work session, she roared. Loudly.

via GIPHY

Granted, the last two hours had been a bust, and the simple task no nearer completion.Shutting my laptop in extreme frustration, I came outside to regain some balance.

Now I pause to wonder. Do I really want to waste another minute keeping his fly-tying website with DonO's old provider?

Bluehost has a $2.95 a month special for the first year. How 'bout we pick up and go there for our hosting needs? The Bluehost I remember gives excellent customer service. Their system, while formidable to a dilettante geek like me, is at least doable. And did I say, their tech support is superb?

Done. Sold. No more debacles with ITX. Mama Bear says so.

But, she's still poked. Only a few things are marked off our to-do list. Which means weekend work. Until it's all done. Then Mama Bear can go back to being happy.

Want a peek at my list?

1. Set goals for June.
2. Write a blog post for That Rebel. Another for Dr. O.
3. Transfer DonO's new Fantasy Flies website from Wordpress.com to .org.
4. Attend/watch a webinar re: Essential Oils certification, plus my doTERRA gameplan.
5. Call Dr. G re: Position.
6. Take care of Mama Bear.

Seriously. Only Mama Bear was first. Else, NOTHING would get done.

And yes, beside the website transfer, and the Dr. O blog post, the rest of my list is complete!

Do you have a Mama Bear? Care to share? What happens when your Mama Bear gets poked?

~ That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré

P.S. When O.J.'s not writing, Mama Bear lives in a mildly-poked state, so I'm hoping this post helps calm her.

P.P.S. My Mama Bear is me.

O.J. Barré is author of the upcoming BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS trilogy. Book One, COMING HOME, is complete and in query. The first draft of Book Two, COMING TO, is nearing completion, and Book Three, COMING FULL CIRCLE, is swirling in the mists of creation.