Sunday, February 28th, 2010
Archive for the 'Photo Stuff' Category
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Back in the first week of September, me and 5 author friends went to Washington State for a writers retreat.
Hey there! Delilah Devlin, here.
Sasha gave me access to add my comments to the photos. So I’m taking major advantage here. If you can imagine, we all had some trepidation about spending five days couped up in a cottage with five other authors. We knew each other, some of us better than others, but you never know what happens when the “nice” wears off in close confines.
What happened was magical. We worked hard. Sasha has tons of shots with us parked around the living area with our laptops perched on our knees. We brainstormed new ideas. Talked about publishing woes. Shared advice for getting through slumps. Everyone was very giving and supportive.
As the groups bartender, I have to say I think the daily Margaritas helped. 
Pssst…..I’m not showing any of the photos of the girls with laptops and such because this was a RETREAT, and we were WORKING, therefor it was all sweats and messed up hair, and they only let me take the pictures if I promised they wouldn’t get posted on the internet.
On the last day together, we all talked about how well we’d gotten along together. Sure, we’d learned each other’s faults, but we weren’t ready to kill each other. When it’s women, you never know. We’re planning to do this again next year!
Isn’t this gorgeous? That’s the view of the lake from the cottage where the retreat was held. This was early one morning when the fog sat on the water. Doesn’t it look like sky stretching from the edge of the lawn?
Almost daily, we powerwalked the two-mile route around the lake. One day, Sasha made the trip alone to take pictures of anything that caught her eye.
While I’m not posting the pictures of us working, I will post this LINK to Delilah’s Blog where she posted some of the pictures she took. *bats eyes*
Oh, and have I mentioned that Delilah and I are going on a Caribbean Cruise in December? Yeah, we’re going to work, and research, and write, and have a damn good time doing it all!
Monday, October 12th, 2009
At the beginning of September some friends and I did a writers retreat in Washington State. When the writers retreat part of the trip was over, me and my buddy Delilah Devlin spent a few days bumming around Seattle.
DD: Sasha gave me access to her blog to post some comments, so here I go!
When the retreat ended, Sasha and I stayed with my cousin and his partner in Seattle. Sasha took this pic in my cousin’s back yard. She said, “Pick up the baby gargoyle and let me take a shot!” Little did I know the joke was on me. Who knew the gargoyle and I would bear such a strong resemblance! I do love it though.
Sasha Here: I asked you to pick it up so I could get a picture because your story with a gargoyle hero had just released. I know that little guy didn’t resemble your hero, but I thought it was cute. 
My cousin and his partner took Sasha and I to Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle so that we could make a tour of the Underground. I know, all the lovely places we could have gone, but we wanted to see the nasty bits. That’s writers for you. Not quite sure what this shot’s supposed to convey, but you can see a bit of the architecture.
Sasha : It’s the shop right next to where the first part of our Underground tour started. That first part of the tour started through a door to the left o the Cafe, and we came back up in that alley to the right of the cafe. So we went around all underground and behind it. PLus, I thought it was cool cus the sign for the shop says “Seattles Oldest Restaurant” on it.
This shot is definitely in The Underground. If you don’t know, Seattle was originally built at sea level. When more people moved in and they built a sewage system, they had real problems every time the tide rolled in. They posted the tide timetable in the newspaper so folks knew when not to flush, otherwise they’d have geysers of nasty backwash. So when the town burned down in the late 1800’s, they rebuilt the streets higher than the ground. Businesses on either sides of the streets had to build up their foundations and put their entrances on the second floors. Everything beneath became The Underground. There was an intricate system of walkways beneath the ground with skylights in the sidewalks above to let in light. Some of those underground structures still exist, and we got to roam the parts that haven’t been closed to the public.
Sasha: One of my few from the actual underground that turned out. I really need to learn more about my cameras lighting features.
Without artificial lighting, The Underground would be dark as a cave. She shot this of me with just her flash. Of course she didn’t tell me I was sweaty and bedraggled from the rain.
Sasha: I love this shot. I think it’s all moody and cool, especially considering some of the Dark Vampire stuff you write.
After a day of slogging around The Underground, we picked up takeout at a Chinese restaurant and headed home. Seattle is pretty hilly, almost as bad as San Francisco in parts. Sasha was on the uphill looking down at us.
Photos and information about the writers retreat part of the trip are coming up in a separate post at a later date.
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
I spent the weekend out of town at a Trade show with my mom, selling her wares. (She’s all sorts of crafty and creative.) On the drive back the scenery was beautiful, one of the best things about living in Canada is that yes, we are all apred out up here, but it’s so that we can still enjoy the nature that surrounds us.
Here are a couple of photos of the sunset taken on the drive home-while the truck was moving. Mom refused to stop just so I could take pictures. LOL
The ones below I played with in photoshop. Can’t can’t decide which one I like best. Which one do you like?
You can see some of my other photos from teh whole summer at my Photoblog.
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
One of the many things I gave up when I started writing full time a couple of years ago was hanging out with friends and taking part in events and outings. The last few months I’ve made a concentrated effort to try and have a life away from my “Sasha” things, yet I still want to share with you all.
We had a staff event held together with another store on the weekend and I took a ton of pictures. Take a look. 
Monday, July 27th, 2009
Still diddling with pictures more than words. I think maybe becasue it’s less solitary, and right now, I’m sort of refilling my energy stores by being with friends. I’m blessed to have such good friends. They model for me, and let me play photographer so I can practice. Check out some more photos from a recent shoot with a friend. Click on the photo to see a larger version.
Want to see more of STR’s pictures from the same shoot? Click here.
Friday, July 10th, 2009
This is a picture I took when I was in Ireland years ago. It’s simple really, just a doorway I thought was very unique and cool that had a subtle Celtic vibe to it. I recently scanned the photo and wanted to do something unique with it, and came up with this.
What do you think? If you saw a doorway that led into space or another universe, would you go through it?
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
So, if you follow my blog regularly you know I have an interest in photography. I’m used to taking scenery and landscape shots, but last year I decided I wanted to get into portrait and people stuff. It took a while but I finally convinced some friends to come over and do a photo shoot so I could practice. We had a blast, and got some good shots, even some great ones! Taken last week, here’s a few for you to take a look at.
To see these photos and more, keep watch at my photoblog
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
Had a little spur of the moment fun with Kathy and Erin at RT. Had to do this up right.
For a closer look, click on the image.
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
OKay, so I took a bit of a break, and feel so very refreshed. Yes, part of it was abreak from here, but also time off from writing, and time spent in the Florida sun last week at the Romantic Times Booklovers conference.
All of it adds up to a refreshed and ready to work Sasha. I also have to say, this past RT was my favorite so far. I’m not sure if it’s just because *I* was more comfortable, or because of the venue / sunshine / pool bar, or if it’s because I not only got to meet many new people, but also got to know those I’d met before that much better. It was fun, and worthwhile.
I arrived in Orlando on Monday night, and after doing a small bit of volunteer work for the fabulous Jo Carol, we all ended up at the poolbar. (Yes, big surprise) Kathy Love was my bestest buddy that night, and we had a nice chat about life, love and writing…as well as some fun. Did I mention the wine and Corona? 
The next night the fantabulous Lorelie James helped me get started on a bottle of Don Julio before we headed over to Lauren Dane and Megan Hart’s room where they were holding a shindig. Notice I didn’t bring my camera to that either? Go visit Megan’s Blog and watch her slideshow and you’ll get an idea of what it was like. Those girls know how to have a good time.
I got to spend more time with editor extrodinair Angela James, (Thank you very much to her and Marty for the Samhain wine and Cheese social) as well as long time writing friends like Shayla Black, and Larissa Ione.
Cathryn Fox, Delilah Devlin, Myla Jackson,Sylvia Day,Vivi Anna and I (the Allure Authors) Hosted the Paradise Happy Hour on Friday afternoon where we gave away free Sangria and books. The party was held in the pavilion by the pool, and it was HOT! But, readers stuck around and gathered up the goodies. Including early copies of my June release MOST WANTED. Lisa Renee Jones, our final Allure sister, didn’t make it in person, but she was there in spirit.
Beth Willaimson, was my roomy and the poor girl got sucked into posing for me cuz I really wanted to do a photoshoot. The pics turned out pretty good, and we had a great time.
This year I got to know the lovely Richelle Mead better.(She says I’m her second favorite Canadian! *grin*. Which is cool because her first favorite is Michelle Rowen, and she’s awesome) As well as author Mark Henry and his wife Caroline. (be sure to visit Mark and Richelle’s Blogs for great recaps of the week) Most of my Wicked Writers co-horts were in attendance as well. We had breakfast with the readers from our loop who could make it, and they were as fantastic in person as they are online. (LKap, you rock!) Reader DannyFiredragon made it in from Germany again, and Booksellers from all over the world were there. Christina and May from Asia, Rosemary from Australia, and of course the fabulous Sue Grimshaw from the US.
During the big booksigning on Sat, I got to sit beside Smart Bitch Sarah, and she was a sweetheart. She didn’t remember meeting me last year, I had to remind her, but thats okay, she was still a sweetheart. She was gracious and and funny and stuck around even after selling out of all of her books. She also offered to share her sugar coated bosoms with me. *grin*
I’m sure I am forgetting many many people that I got to chat with, and get to know, and I’m sorry. But my not naming you doesn’t mean I don’t remember you the smiles, hugs and laughs. Thank you to every one who said Hi and took the time to make my RT experience in Orlando the best ever.
Here’s my annual slideshow of the conference. I didn’t mess with the order of the pictures, so you can see it from start to finish for me. You might notice a lack of party/dancing/costume pictures this year. Thats not to say I didn’t dance and party, but to say I didn’t bring my camera to those particular events this year. LOL I was more into catching the people every day, with a few spontaneous photoshoots. There is one session I didn’t include in the slideshow, and you’ll get to see that special piece tomorrow. Be sure to come back because it’ll be worth it. :)
If you want to see the slideshow from Last Years RT conference, CLICK HERE.
