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Inspirations … Music and the written word are two creative staples in my process. I am inspired by the work of other artists. A song can spark a story. A singer can become a hero. A hero can encourage me to be better than I am, and give me the confidence to try. Inspiration is important, and here are a few of my sources. George R. R. Martin: http://www.georgerrmartin.com/ Author
of my all time favourite fantasy series, “A Song of Ice and Fire”. Talk
about inspiration! This man has created a world of fabulous characters,
lush locations and captivating action. He visited Victoria in January
2006 and I was absolutely thrilled to hear him speak. Listening to him
describe his love for the work and his process in creating it was like
hearing him describe my own. I came away with three signed books, a photo
that I’ll treasure forever (see below), and the sure knowledge that my
soul is indeed that of a writer! The flagship
rock band of the 80s and longest-running obsession in this household.
Their best album? 1996's "Slang". Anyone who disliked it wasn't
paying attention-though I confess that Volume One of Fixed Fire ("Treason")
was written with "Retroactive" pounding in the background, and
the character of Lucius Aurelius was conceived during a viewing of "Gods
of War" on the live concert DVD. Terri and I will move mountains
to see these guys rock in person; they put on a high-octane show that
leaves you breathless. They hit Victoria in 2005; catch my review here. The flagship
pop band of the 80s and my all time "feel good" band. I cannot
listen to DD and be depressed. John Taylor's groove is solid gold funk
and Simon LeBon's lyrics are mad poetry. Throw in the rest of the Original
5 and you have a double whammy: ear and eye candy-even after 20 years!
That said, JT has provided the inspiration for two of the author's favourite
characters: the vampire Julian Scott-Tyler; and His Imperial Highness,
Quintas Lunaris Maximian, King of the Torpani Empire and Lord of the Outer
Provinces. The Raven Drum Foundation: http://www.ravendrumfoundation.org/ I
was fortunate to meet one of the foundation’s co-founders, Def Leppard
drummer Rick Allen, in August 2005. The work he and his wife are trying
to do with impoverished and traumatized youth is wonderful, and Rick himself
is an inspiration for having overcome the loss of one arm in a car accident
when he was 21 years old. I’d love for the foundation to be known in Canada,
so I wear my Raven Drum t-shirt wherever possible. It’s not much, but
it’s something … Please check out their website at the link above. … and Obsessions What is life without a few obsessions? Here are my most precious few: Chocolatier Magazine: http://www.chocolatiermagazine.com/ Two words: “culinary pornography”! The Great Canadian Game: http://www.nhl.com/ And, of course, my two favourite teams: http://www.philadelphiaflyers.com/default0506PlayoffFlash.asp http://www.edmontonoilers.com/ The Jack Bauer Power Hour: http://www.fox.com/24/ I especially love that the hero is played by a Canadian—yummy Kiefer Sutherland. Tazo Tea (also available at Starbucks outlets): http://www.tazo.com/default.asp?bhcp=1 Right
now I’m hot for Tazo Refresh (mint with a hint of tarragon), but it was
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