Author C. B. Dixon
Books. Life. Wonder.
Eye Contact
“How does Taz know to make eye contact?” my husband Mark asked me after talking to our cat Taz.
If you have a pet or went to a friends house that has a pet you may have noticed that cats, dogs, and even birds make eye contact when you call their name. Mark and I talk to our kitties often as if they were fuzzy little people that understand our every word. So I took the question outside of our home and into the world of other animals.
Today I went to the pet store to get our class geckos their yummy crickets. While I waited I talked to the cockatiel that was singing on its cage. The instant it noticed I was talking to it the bird tilted its head and looked it’s one beady eye into mine. I didn’t use a name or nick name, just talked about its cage, food, toys and other things that the bird had around it.
My question for you is the same my husband gave to me.
How do animals know to make eye contact?
Could it be a universal communication that all animals understand?
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I write. I become. I experience.
Why do I love writing?
The joy and relief I get when I crunch a few thousand words into my keyboard is much like when a Martial Artist gets after beating a bag of sand. When I enter my hidden world I get to open myself up to many new opportunities that I have never experienced. Yes, I don’t build the muscles although the stimulation I receive is real.
Have you ever wanted to fly on a dragons back while being chased by crazed witches? Have you ever wanted to breath underwater? I know I have, among many, many, many other things.
While my mind rapid fires ideas at my fingers my story unfolds, and in those moments I become whatever I want, when ever I want.
That is why I love to write.
Fighting demons. Meeting Gods. Nothing is impossible. All is possible.
Write. Write. Write.
Happy NaNoWriMo to all my writing friends.
Keep up the great work!
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Rain
The gentle raindrops splash against the trees and soil, a magical song my soul sings too.
When I stand in the rain under a vast canopy of trees I can’t help my close my eyes and listen to what the world around me has to say. The longer I stand and listen with an open heart the more at peace I become. The melody of the rain patting the trees, logs, shrubs and puddles in the soil, wash away the stresses of everyday life.
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Want to get a signed copy?
Get a signed first print of my new novel coming out in 2015.
I have now written my first novel! Now all that is needed is donations to get the ball rolling.
How to get your signed first print copy.
The first 100 people that donate $50.00, or more, will receive a signed copy of my first ever printed novel. A receipt will be issued to every persons that donates.
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Let me know that you would like to donate $50.00, or more, towards the project.
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*E-transfers and cheques are accepted
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Bus Note.
I stood and waited for the bus downtown Victoria while I listen to Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. I realized that no one knows what I’m giggling about while Tweetledee and Tweetledum go on about their nonsense.
Bundled up, protected from the heavy shower, people with their eyes cast down seem to be as glum as the grey sky. Here I am laughing under the lip of a roof to keep my sweater dry. An angry woman begins to beat a old pop can discarded in the parking lot of the nearest store. Yet I giggle as the Walrus and the Carpenter argue over their meal.
The bus rolled up to the curb and beaconed me out of the rain. The sound of the patter of rain against cement was drowned out by the rumble of the engine. I loaded the bus as Alice cried. Poor silly girl. I crammed my legs into the tight space between the seats.
Alice dressed the Tweetle brothers for battle as I observed the people on the bus. A drip of water landed on the woman in front of me, angered she slipped into the seat beside her. I eyed the underside of the advertisements. At each joint water collected and then dripped at each jump of the bus.
The white queen’s scream drew my attention back to the story and back to the world outside the window. My small white house came to view. I pulled the yellow cord at my ear. And there my bus journey came to an end.
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To School or Not To School?
In a way I’m still a wanna-be author. I have a manuscript that is yet to be professionally edited. It screams and begs to go to the story spa. My manuscript has even picked out the package it desires. And like any parent without money to give their child such a luxurious gift, I shake my head. Not yet. Deep in my chest my heart snaps. My manuscripts big dream of being on a bookstore shelf shatter.
If I went to school would my manuscript end up in a bookstore?
In the past few months school has been on my brain. I’ve been wondering if going to school would help me in the in end. It would give me the tools I need to grow. When I look at tuition…I feel like I should cry. Maybe if I’m lucky my tears will turn into diamonds I could sell them. College here I come. Dreams. Dreams.
Keep dreaming. Work at those dreams. One day all your hard work will pay off.
School costs more then I can afford, unfortunately, doesn’t mean that I will never go.
If you’re in the same boat and want that story you have hidden way; read, told, shared, and adored. Your story might inspire or even scare the living daylights out of someone, then consider school. School will give you a connection with other writers that are learning along side you. Test you. Push you to the breaking point to help you expand your theories and worlds.
I had to think of an alternative to school. There are free blogs to read, groups to join, and the entire internet to explore. There is also the most effective way…walk in to a library and ask. Bookstores too!
I stroll into the library by my house and found there’s a list of resources, meetings, work shops, contests, readings and other little helpful gatherings for authors to connect with one another. I take a picture of them each month with my phone with the intention to register for everyone. Today I saw one that is a must, it is about self-publishing and marketing. This, at the moment, is one of my weaknesses. Best of all it’s free! This isn’t the first free coarse they’ve offered. I’m sure your library would have the same. If you keep your eyes open you will find cheap workshops that will help polish your wonderful bossy manuscript. This way you can afford that expensive time at the spa.
Happy writing!
C.B.
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Stones of Life
Life is a balancing act between many stones of life. We each pick and choose each stone from a sea of rocks and test it by placing the stone with respect and tender care. Think of each stone you place as friends, family, career, and hobbies. Once they all work together you will find a inner peace. Not every stone will work. Experimenting is unavoidable. Think of it as going on a date, meeting a new friend, or even buying a computer. You can’t be sure that it will work perfectly the way you want it. Your date could smell or that new friend could be rude or that computer could have glitches and is rendered useless. You could focus your time in fixing the glitches though you will risk of taking attention from your other stones.
Friends support you through the best and worst of times. Don’t forget to do the same for them, they too are balancing the stones of life.
Family creates the base of the tower. When you mature it’s your turn to build on your own. Choose your own stones and test them. (Think of all the weird phases you went through as a child. I know I had a few.)
Careers are important, we all need them, find one that is right for you. Don’t settle. If you have settled ask yourself is it making your tower weak or keeping it strong?
Hobbies are those special stones that will glorify your structure with your adventurous and playful side. Could be anything you enjoy doing. Art, dance, blogging, writing, photography, knitting, sewing, or anything you can think of.
If you topple over, don’t worry, we’ve all fallen and will do so in the future. Gather your friends and family, they can help put all your pieces back together.
Now that you have all your stones in mind build them up. Is it a sturdy tower that can last the sands of time? If not see what stone is wobbling and give it care and attention. Maybe your not giving enough attention to one or to much to another. Are you spending more time with friends and not enough time for career? To much time on hobbies and not enough on family? The one I’ve come to see the most is to much time on career and not enough on family. Take a hard look at your tower and ask your self, have I balanced my stones?
We all have imaginary delicate towers that we hide behind a mask. If you see a friend, family member, or coworker, even a stranger, and their tower seems wobbly give them a stone of confidence. A small complement goes a long way.
How are your stones of life doing?
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Faith Restored in Humanity
We humans can be vile creatures. It’s hard to argue with this logic. I know you’re thinking, what? You’re crazy. People say horrible about one another, to one another, and behind backs. My positive opinion of our kind as a whole has depleted over the time I have lived. We kill each other. Steal. Belittle. It has become one disgust after another. Chaos. And I know I fall in this statement too.
Now for the silver lining that shined down and brightened my view on our existence.
Mark and I were on our way to Horne Lake Caves, and we made a stop at Port Place Mall in Nanaimo, needed to buy a case that could withstand camping. We bought it and then stopped at a bench to put the case on. Mark, being the awesome man that he is, figured out how to take the Otter Box apart and trap my IPhone inside. Yay, success! Off to pick up our friend from the ferry, then the caves!
Or so we thought.
At the ferry terminal Mark couldn’t find his wallet!
We searched the car, around the car, remembered the last place he had it…Rogers in the mall…crap! Okay. Don’t panic. Try not to think of the $120.00. The Master Card. Where is it…shit I’m panicking. Don’t panic. Don’t panic. Oh man!
So I called CIBC Bank in the mall, a wonderful lady searched the bench and area. Still, no wallet. Mark and I searched the car, bags and area. The ticket man at the ferries helped by looked around the car once more for us. He told us about the lotto booth across from the bench. “Maybe someone turned it in?” He suggested with a faint smile. It was worth a shot. I searched for a number…nothing. So I called CIBC. Another woman answered, I explained, she put me on hold. Beep! Don’t panic. Beep! Breathe. Be-the ladies voice replaced the beep. She had gone to the lottery booth and asked them about the wallet. Someone handed it in! Fantastic. The wallet was in the hands of security and she called them to bring it to the bank. Amazing!
We told the ticket man we found it, but we lost our friend. While I was on the phone Mark texted our friend and he had already arrived and was in the parking lot. I looked around. We were all that was left in the parking lot. The ticket man asked what ferry he was on. Departure bay or Duke Point? Duke Point, we answered. He bit his lip and shook his head. We were at the wrong ferry. A twenty minute drive from this ferry terminal to the other ferry terminal.
We decided to pick up the wallet first, then our friend. Mark and I parked. Rushed in to CIBC Bank. Would the cash be gone? ID? Credit card? And there it was, his wallet rested on the back counter. The teller greeted us with a smile, we explained our story, she checked Marks ID to make sure he was the man he said he was…ID yes good start. She handed Mark the wallet, and he was quick to rip it open. There neatly placed in the large pocket, all of his $120.00. Everything. All of it left where it should be.
We decided to go thank the one who passed it to security and buy a lottery ticket.
Mark and I asked the woman at the till if she had found the wallet. “No. A young woman with a backpack found it on that bench,” she pointed to where mark placed it on the bench, “and gave it to me without hesitating.” The ladies smile beamed. She too was fond of what she witnessed. We thanked the woman again and then preceded to buy the biggest lotto pack she sold.
The view I stated earlier in this post…it had softened. Not only did that one thoughtful woman find our wallet and return it she lit a light close to my views and showed me how wrong I am. The team of random people that worked together to getting a stray wallet back to its owner lit more around hers to support her light. Thank you all!
To: The Woman Who Found Marks Wallet,
July 11 2014 3:00pm at Port Place Mall Nanaimo Canada
You’re a gem among stones.
Thank you so much for what you did. Mark and I were on our way to spend my birthday caving and all our camping money was right there in cash in that wallet. We had a fantastic time thanks to you. We’ve told everyone at the camp ground about what you did and how thankful we are. You’ve restored my faith in humanity, that’s not easily done, and everyone that witnesses the event unfold was blown away about how natural that kindness is to you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Cheers,
C.B. Dixon
P.S You’re an amazing person.
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New Look
Hate to say it, appearances are everything when it comes to certain things. Marketing, websites, blogs, the list goes on and on. When you go up for a job interview, most of us pick out things we wouldn’t wear on a day-to-day bases.
The past few weeks I’ve had cover art on my brain. What will the cover of Wicked Soul Ascension look like? Should it be hand drawn or digital…hm. So I popped on to my blog and looked at the cover, blah. I really didn’t like the colours, they clashed. The wording and name is a mouthful, though it flows nice. Colour, it was the colour that struck me the most. I needed something that represented me, something that I saw one day. The picture of two paths I took worked with the title. Perfect. The black and gray is easy on the eyes. I’ve come across blogs, websites, and adds that have white writing on a black background, three words in my eyes water.
Easy on the eyes.
We all want to see what you have written, but if we can’t get past the colours and layout. I’m still learning and experimenting with the countless possibilities I can use. I am always learning.
Key points:
• Simple too extravagant and over the top causes the eyes to roam all over the place and miss the key portions that you want the reader to see.
• Balance use other gadgets and images along with your text. Insert a picture where it is needed to have a break from text.
• Reader interest If the article written is about healthy eating, don’t tag it as music. Tags are useful tools to help potential readers find articles they are interested in and help the blog, website, and so on, find people that are into what has been created.
• Colour important to have it match. My mom used to call me colour blind, i’d dress myself in the tackiest of clothing to the point she wouldn’t want to leave the house with me. My sister too. I have the inability to match colour. Thank the heavens for my husband the painter, my colour saviour.
Now back to my cover. Hand drawn or digital? Hm. Ooo, maybe both.
Cheers.
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Dear Father Time,
Dear Sweet Father Time,
Life is not a race, please slow down. You are immortal and can with stand the tick of each second, minute, hour like they don’t exist. Me, I’m chained to the clock of life, bound to my mortal body count down. I beg of you, slow down. Each day seems to speed by like a blurred sports car.
Quick blink; June’s gone.
I’m almost twenty-four although I remember laying out on my trampoline, sleeping under the vast night sky, watched the stars twinkle and the moon phase. Ten years old with dreams of the future, seems like yesterday. There’s so much yet to do and now it seems that a year is too short, when it used to feel like a life time.
Pause. Take in the moment. The bright blue ocean with its morning sun light reflecting off its smooth rippled surface, the blue mountains with their white snow caps defining the distant shore line. The call of the crow, seagull, and tiny unseen birds. Breathe in the salty air, and taste it upon your tongue.
If you could walk through life you’d enjoy it more. Slow down. Relax. Take in the beauty of life around you. Take the moments you have within each day and embrace them, you will only get that moment once.
With rushed love,
C.B
Author C. B. Dixon 