Goodbye to a Friend

Sometimes you meet someone who turns into an immediate friend. Those of us fortunate enough know these friends through a lifetime. Others, only a brief time. Today, I’m sad to say I have to count myself in the latter group.

Months ago I was searching for an editor. Okay, searching is the wrong word, and as a writer, I like to use words correctly. I was flailing around trying to find someone who could look over my dreck, not get ill while they read it, and offer me some constructive points on how I could improve what I had written. After a few false starts I discovered Karlyn Thayer.

I immediately endeared myself to her by spelling her first name wrong in an e-mail. She corrected me, in no uncertain terms, and I knew I had found a friend. I was absolutely sure I had a friend when, one of the stories I sent her for editing, contained the anthro character of a dragon. She let me know she really did not like dragons. Okay, okay, some people don’t, that’s understandable. We chuckled over that, through e-mail, and she helped me improve my story greatly.

Since I frequently write anthro stories, many of my characters possess animal characteristics. I sent Karlyn another story to edit, this one with a wolf as the main character. I was brainstorming a suggestion she sent me and told her it was a great idea and was thinking seriously about it. She responded with:

God forbid you should have to think! // I like the idea of a story for each calendar page, although (I hate to tell you) I dislike wolves even more than I dislike dragons. // Looking forward to your next story!

Write Crap

There’s a saying most writers are familiar with attributed to Ernest Hemmingway. He is quoted as saying, “The first draft of anything is shit.” Okay, he should know, and I mean no disrespect when I write that. Someone who has written such classics as “The Old Man and the Sea,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and “A Farewell to Arms” obviously knows how to write. He also must know what it takes to write and write well.

Do you recall how you learned anything? From something like riding a bicycle to driving a car. Did you just hop on and do it? Probably not. Unless that was you who backed into my AMC Matador one day in the Restaurant parking lot in Weedsport, NY. Most of us learn from someone who has done it, and usually done it competently. We will not be good at first. If you remember back to when you first learned to ride a bike you were probably a bit wobbly, unsteady. You improved over time. You probably even had an accident or two before you gained confidence and climbed onto the seat and took off without even thinking of what you were doing. If you ever learned how to drive a manual transmission car your first starts and stops were probably less than smooth. Let’s not even talk about stopping at a red light on a hill and some jerk pulls up close behind you. Eventually you took it all in stride and didn’t give it any thought.

Why should writing be any different? The answer, of course, is it isn’t. You’re first attempts, as Hemmingway alludes to, will be crap. Even when you know how to write the first draft will still be crap. I hear from too many people writing and saying they would like to write. Of course they’re lying to themselves. What they’re really saying is, “I would love to write well. The first time. The first draft” I suppose some people can. I’m not one of them. You probably aren’t either. Hemmingway didn’t believe he was either or he would never had made that famous statement. So the people writing to me and conveying their wish to write are saying they want to do something even one of the most talented writers could not do. Sound unrealistic? Yeah, to me too.

So what should they be saying? Well, that’s hard to say. I usually respond to them by saying, simply, “Then write.” Of course they come back with the reasons they cannot write. Busy with life and family, busy with the job, they aren’t talented enough, and many, many other reasons. Those reasons are all valid of course. Who am I to say they aren’t? However, if those reasons stop someone from writing then that simply indicates to me that the person doesn’t really want to write. Writing takes effort, it takes passion and it takes sacrifice. If you are not willing to bleed for your art then you’re not interested in being a writer.

Take Stephen King for example. He threw his first success, “Carrie” into the trash and his wife fished it out and convinced him to finish it. Obviously he thought it was crap. He has said of “Carrie,” “…my considered opinion was that I had written the world’s all-time loser.” Another highly successful writer acknowledging that early work can be considered crap. However, like Hemmingway, Stephen King did not let that stop him. He went on. Before he was famous he lived in a trailer, couldn’t pay his bills and even had his phone removed because he could no longer pay for it. He sacrificed in order to write. He taught in order to make a living and still wrote. He lost confidence in his writing ability and still wrote. He bled for his art. He wanted to write, and he did.

So, my advice to everyone out there who wants to write? Write crap. I’ll make it even simpler. Write. Sit down and write. Turn off the radio. Turn off the TV. Put on some background music if it sets the mood but don’t let it distract you. Then write. Then write some more. Then write even more. Write crap. Just like riding that old bike or driving that jalopy you owned as a kid, you’ll know when you’re improving. You’ll get turned down. It’ll hurt. It’ll smart. You’ll probably bleed. That’s Okay. Keep writing. Unless you’re writing you’ll never be a writer. Unless you first write crap, you’ll never be a writer.

I Voted!

This is going to be a little different from what you’re used to reading here. When I started this blog , I wanted it to be a place where people could come to read about new stories, writing tips, my struggles as a new author, my love of other author’s works, and more.

Today however, I’m taking a detour because that’s life, and those of us who write use those unexpected twists and turns in our stories. Sometimes things hit us from outside we simply have to deal with, no matter how deep in the woods we live. Today I’m going to address the upcoming election. Some of you who know me will be surprised because, as passionately as I believe in this election you’ll not be able to tell how I lean from the words I place here. That’s not important and my personal political leanings have no place in this blog.

Instead, today, I want you to prepare. I want you to prepare to vote. The election, perhaps the most important election of our lifetimes, is less than sixty days away. It’s important that we all participate this year. That’s what I’m going to encourage in this post. However, I’m taking it farther and I hope you all, whatever your political leanings are, will join with me in this.

Whatever you think of pledges I am going to make one here and now. I pledge to vote this year. I want you to make the same pledge. Being a writer I understand the power of social media. Most people I know have a Facebook or Twitter account. I use them to publicize new releases of stories, to help other authors, or share ideas with other authors. Today I am going to use social media for a far more important purpose and I hope you will too. I am pledging that those I know, who do not signify they have voted on November 6th, 2012 will be removed from any contact list I maintain on those venues. Additionally, I am vowing to drop all contact with all companies that have not indicated they have encouraged their employees to vote.

I sincerely hope everyone will join me in this effort, today, right now. Make sure you can vote. The laws here in Tennessee have changed so it’s wise to make sure you are both registered and carry the correct ID. Other states have changed their laws too. Whatever you think of these laws is irrelevant. They are the laws in place and you should both make sure you can follow those laws and cast your vote.

Today I will use the social media to make people who know me aware of my pledge. I am going to duplicate this post on my author site. I encourage every single author I know to do the same. Encourage your readers to do the same. Spread this pledge far and wide. People on my author blog have read my rants concerning people who read an author’s hard work then fail to leave a review. As brutal I have been about the laziness shown by people who do that, this is far more important.

Please, spread this. Take the logo on this page, use it, alter it or improve it, then send it far and wide. Make the same pledge and let’s make this election an election where most Americans participate! It’s that important.

Let’s Have Some Fun!

I just finished a short story concerning a young dragon. In this story, every dragon must successfully complete ten trials in order to be recognized as an adult. The trials are given to a dragon only once every hundred years, on the anniversary of their emergence from the egg. The first test, the easiest, is called the Gifting. In order to successfully complete this test a dragon must receive a gift and return one to the giver.

While there are ten tests for every dragon, and every dragon has to take them in order, there’s an additional component of the test called the challenge which also must be fulfilled along with the test. The challenge is different for every dragon and is individualized specifically for the dragon taking the test. This story is about a young dragon named Tarla’s first test, the Gifting. No, I’ll give no spoilers.

In this story I mention five tests a dragon must take on the path to be recognized as an adult: the Gifting, Honoring, Collecting, Service, Sacrifice. There are a total of ten tests. Now, to be honest, I had no intention of writing any more stories following the Gifting. Until, that is, my editor, Karlyn Thayer, suggested it would be a very interesting collection of ten stories, following the life of a young dragon through all ten tests. I think I now hate my editor. *grins*

I really, really like her idea. However, being the person I am I thought I’d invite others to suggest test names and a very brief description of the test. I will judge the tests suggested and select the five I like the best. When I write the stories I will link to this post and give the the person suggesting the test credit for the name and the concept in the forward. If they have a website I’ll provide a link to that as well. No other credit or compensation, other than a free ebook when the collection is complete, will be given. I suppose I have to say that for legal purposes.

If you have an idea please suggest it below. You can suggest any number of ideas along with a brief summary of what your test is. I thought this would be fun for everyone and get the juices flowing. Remember, this is for dragons, not people so a test called, “The Drive” requiring the dragon to take a Sunday drive in the family car is right out!

Have fun! I’m loking forward to the suggestions!

How’s Your Ego?

Today I want to talk to you about editors. If you have not used an editor before, you should. I am absolutely convinced these people are worth their weight in gold to a writer. What does an editor do? In short, they take your perfect work and make it better. Yes, I’ll explain.

I had never used an editor before a few month ago. It’s not because I have an ego as big as the universe, I don’t. It’s simply because I didn’t understand the importance of an editor. When I think of an editor I think of someone like Perry White in the old Superman serials. He sits behind a big desk and tells reporters just what stories they should be working on. Same word, different role. For writers, an editor is an indispensable partner. A good editor will make your good work sing. A good editor will make your good work flow and connect with a reader in ways you never imagined.

I talk to many writers. I was fortunate to meet an excellent writer, Jennifer Owenby, through Twitter. Think what you will about social media, and I have been on both sides of that fence, it can serve a useful purpose. Jennifer was kind enough to introduce me to the editor she uses for her creative works. Her name is Karlyn Thayer, and Karlyn has convinced me that having an editor is one of the best moves a writer can make.

You have to understand I almost did not use Karlyn. I had selected another editor before I met Ms. Thayer and this other editor was taking literally months to finish working through the story I had sent. I did send a story to this editor in order to get a very close estimate of what it would cost me to have it gone through. Understand, I had no experience with editors before this. The quote to work through this story seemed reasonable so we agreed on a price. I consider myself very fortunate the work by this first editor took so very long. While I received updates about every two weeks it seemed, after a while, the work was going to drag on so I wanted to get another story looked at, and I sent that story to Ms. Thayer.

Karlyn works through writing in 10K segments. She is thorough, exacting and pulls no punches. I know my works are much improved after what she points out what she suggests should be improved. She has a unique way of working through writing from short stories to novels. She understands that many writers are not as financially well off as J. K. Rowling or Stephen King. Her price structure allows a writer to proceed at their own pace. I find this convenient because as I send sections of stories, and get them back in a timely fashion, I can apply her suggestions to the next section, decreasing her work, and mine.

Now, if you’re like me, you stories are like your children. They’re obviously perfect and anyone who cannot see that is an idiot. We all have egos. Editors truly don’t care. Notice I did not say editors are uncaring! That’s obviously not true. They would love to see every one of their clients become highly successful. I’m convinced of that. No, editors do not care about your ego. They care about finding the things in your work that make it awkward, that make the reader stick, that make the flow stop. They dredge through your work, deepening the channel so a reader can sail smoothly, and enjoyably, from the beginning of the journey to the end.

You can take their advice, or not. I’m convinced a writer who does not at least seriously consider every single suggestion made by an editor is an idiot. They are only interested in putting words to paper, and not writing a story which will be an enjoyable read.

I’ve talked with Karlyn about needing an editor in the future. She’s said that, as you mature as a writer, as you learn the craft, and make it a part of you, you will not need an editor. At this point in my career I’m going to disagree with her on this one point. I can’t ever see me writing anything and not having a professional give it a look. Maybe it will require very minor tweaking. OK, that’s fine. But that one small tweek might just make the difference between a reader recommending the story to a group of friends and not doing so.

As for the first editor, I did finally get my story back. I also received a final bill far in excess of twice the amount we had agreed upon. I’m the kind of person who does not like to raise a fuss so I paid it. Needless to say I will never, ever, use that ‘editor’ again and certainly will not be recommending their services.

If you have not used an editor before you should give one a try. Just be careful and look for recommendations from writers on the one you decide to work with. I know you’ll find the experience well worth it!

Paying Your Dues

We’ve all heard it at one time or another in our lives. You know the old cliché, “You have to pay your dues to get ahead.” Admit it, you’ve heard it at least once in your life and probably several times. Sayings like that are popular becuase, largely, they’re true. When you start out in a career you typically start at the bottom. That means you do all the shit jobs no one else wants to do. The new person gets those really distasteful jobs completely due to the fact they’re new. It’s called paying your dues. For writers it’s a little different. It’s not that we don’t have to pay our dues, we do, but we do it differently.

You will read that some people say in order to get to be a good writer you have to write 1,000,000 words. OK, I’ll agree with that to an extent but someone who is not a good writer will simply produce a large pile of trash. Oh, I agree a writer has to write, and write, and write some more, but simply writing one million words will not make a poor writer better. No, there’s more to it than that.

This week I commented on my first one star rating for my collection of short stories, “Changes” on Amazon. This was my first attempt at a collection of short stories and my first attempt at indie publishing. I’ll admit it, the one star review stung. However I’m a realist and I know that no matter how well I write I will never please everyone. When J.K. Rowling receives one star reviews, and she does, I feel like I’m in good company.

Those kinds of reviews are part of paying dues. If you’re a writer you’ll get them. That’s not the only way you’ll pay your does though, not by a long shot. You need to be able to take criticism and make changes when it’s pointed out to you, by people who KNOW, weaknesses they’ve come across. Yes, they are your characters, your plot lines, your arc, your endings but they are also the readers. If you’re not writing for the reader who are you writing for? Yes, yes, I have also heard you should write for yourself. Nonsense. That would be like calling yourself a singer and singing in the shower. While you may like the sound, to anyone else your singing may still sound like crap and you have no right calling yourself a singer. If the shower is the only place you sing and the only one who ever hears your voice is you, your not a singer. If you write for yourself and you’re the only one who reads your stories you’re also not a writer. If someone tells you the story is weak, you have to LISTEN. Note I did not say your have to agree, but you have to listen. You also have to consider they may be right. Listen to what they’re saying and give it due consideration. You don’t have to act one it. You may get crappy reviews every once in awhile and you might be able to chalk it up to someone having a bad day. On the other hand if you get the same response from many people you might just want to consider modifications. Pay your dues.

When you started your career, what was one of the first things you did? You probably apprenticed with someone to learn what you were supposed to do. Whether it was a new lawyer, doctor, IT person (I’m very familiar with this one) or anything else, you had to learn the ropes (another cliché). The same holds true in writing. No, you probably don’t have the luxury of following an author around, see how they structure their day, talk with their agent to see just what they like. While it might be helpful it may be completely useless to you. For example, getting up like I do at 4am isn’t for most people! However, there is another way to learn what a good author does; read! Read the works of an author you like. Read the stories you have an interest in. Study how they put thoughts together, how they lead a reader down a trail. Learn what they do to make the reader keep turning the page. STUDY! It’s just another way of paying your dues. And it helps!

Think of singing in the shower again. I’d be the last one to say someone singing in the shower is a horrible singer. If you were to take voice lessons, practive using your voice for the instrument it truly is, and actually learn how to sing, your singing in the shower could very well be great. If you read all kinds of works, read how you should structure stories, learn punctuation (one of my weaknesses), and actually study HOW writing works, then I absolutely guarantee you the one million words you write will be far better at the end than they were at the beginning.

Writing, and almost everything else, starts with paying your dues.

Thoughts and a Teaser

Ohanzee

I’m one of those writers that don’t keep track of everything I’ve written and how other people are rating it. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I rail against those who read works and then never rate it but that is a double edged sword. I recognize it as such and I welcome it. I would much, much rater receive a poor review than no review at all. You might think that makes no sense but in fact, if you think about it for a minute it makes a great deal of sense.

First, how many reviews on a site are posted by friends or relatives? You really expect good friends to give poor reviews? Do I have some family members giving reviews on my stories? Certainly. They’re my beta readers, along with others. While I can’t prove it to you I also promise that some of the reviews on my story, “Changes” less than five stars were posted by family members. *laughs* Some of them, while liking the fantasy of the stories are not into anthro. My daughter graduated with a four year degree in Literature. She’s very, very critical. *laughs* That’s why she’s one of my beta readers. She’s caught holes in my early revisions that I completely missed. She’s also very critical.

The reason I’m writing today though, and the reason I mention one star reviews is because the collection of short stories titled Changes received it’s first one star review. I was shocked. I expected the lowest I’d ever receive was three stars because Changes, I’m convinced, is a great story. That’s why I’ve sent it to a professional editor to help me with weaknesses in it. I’m going to re-release this new version to see if it sells any better. So why does the collection of stories receive a one star review? Who knows? You can read the review for yourself. I’ll not argue with it because that is what this person thinks. I chalk it up to the fact you can never please everyone. Even if I were giving away money someone would complain that I hadn’t given enough to them!

I also looked at other authors who are far better than I am and found, lo and behold, they also receive their share of one star reviews. Check out the links below to some great authors and some of the reviews they have received. It’s really eye opening!

Steven King – It

George R. R. Martin – Game of Thrones

Suzanne Collins –  Hunger Games

J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

These are just examples of fantastically popular stories yet every single one of them received their share of one star reviews.

I point this out in case other writers feel somehow crushed by a one star review. Yes, some writers are rather sensitive creatures. They want everyone to like their stories, their creations, their children. Not everyone will. All writers need to accept that. We need to understand, no matter how much time we put in, no matter how much research, no matter how much we try to bring out characters to life we will still get one star reviews. I’m going to wear my one star review like a badge of honor. Until I received that one star review I couldn’t realistically prove to anyone that all my reviews are real. Now I can. *laughs*

As for the teaser I mentioned, I’m slowly working on a story titled, “Rain and Willow.” It’s a story about hubris and punishment for it. It’s a story of good people caught in something far beyond their understanding and yet trying to do the right thing. Some of you have read the early versions but in the last couple of weeks I have reworked it significantly. It’s still very raw and certainly not complete, but I want to give you folks a taste. Please let me know what you think of this short excerpt. Yes, comments on a one star level are also welcome! *laughs*

Rain and Willow

“They say there is time.” Ohanzee told him. “Go into the woods and bring back three handfuls of wild cherry tree bark. Boil it and let it cool. It will help with the delivery. Hurry. Now!”

Jeremiah squeezed his wife’s hand. “There are trees nearby. I will not be gone long.”

She smiled back then grimaced as another contraction hit her. Finally she was able to say, “You hadn’t better be. I’m not doing this alone.”

Jeremiah rushed out of the cabin and grabbed the small axe Ana used to split wood for the kitchen stove. He found several small trees and stripped a length of bark from each one. Hurrying back to the cabin he showed the result to the three wolf spirits who nodded and growled at Ohanzee. He relayed, “Boil them, the results will be a cloudy liquid. Let it cool and then give Ana a small cup full. It will help with pain and ease the entry of your son into your world.”

Jeremiah did as he was told, firing up the kitchen stove and boiling a pot of water. It seemed to take forever and he wondered to himself if this was simply a way to keep him occupied. He looked to the bed every time Ana moaned but the four wolves were keeping a close eye on her so he continued following the instructions he had been given. Once the liquid was ready he poured some of it into a cup and brought it to the bed showing it to the wolves.

“They say that looks correct,” Ohanzee said after listening to them. He looked at Ana, “Drink what your husband has, all of it,” he instructed, “It will make the birthing easier.” Ana did as she was told and it wasn’t long before she settled, her body taking over.

For the next several hours there was little change as far as Jeremiah could tell. Ana moaned every time a strong contraction hit and he wiped her forehead with a damp cloth to try to sooth her. The female wolf spirits growled information to Ohanzee and he would relay what they said to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah seemed to think the contractions were getting stronger and more frequent when one of the wolf spirits barked a command at Ohanzee. “It is time.” The wolf conveyed immediately. “Do you have a sharp knife?”

“Do I what?” Jeremiah asked incredulously. “Why?”

“Get one. And string or yarn or a leather tie. Do it. Now!” the spirit commanded.

Jeremiah quickly gathered a knife and yarn Ana had been knitting a blanket with. She moaned as another large contraction hit saying, “Jer! He’s coming, I can feel it.”

The wolves barked another command at Ohanzee and he relayed, “Position yourself at the end of the bed. When your son appears you will have to guide him out. Make sure you support his head. It should appear first.”

Jeremiah went to the foot of the bed. The position was awkward, half standing, half lying on the bed, but he made sure he was close enough to be able to guide his son into the world when he appeared. One of the wolves growled another command. This time Ohanzee spoke to Anabel instructing, “They say at the next contraction push with all your strength. Your son is demanding entry into the world.”

Ana yelled loudly when the next contraction hit and bore down powerfully. Jeremiah was amazed to see a small patch of gray appear. Ohanzee told Anabel, “On the next contraction push hard. Your son is almost here.”

Jeremiah saw Ana’s stomach harden and she pushed hard, yelling out in pain. Jeremiah was taken by surprise when his son literally shot into the world. Again he was surprised at the lack of blood on his son’s skin. There was some but not near as much as he had expected from a birth. “The chord connecting your son,” Ohanzee instructed after listening to the three other wolf spirits. Carefully cut it. Do not pull it. It is tougher than it appears so be careful. When it is severed use the yarn and tie off the end to your son. Quickly now!”

Ohanzee was correct. The cord was far tougher than it looked as Jeremiah started severing it. He was glad he had selected a sharp knife. Once he had the chord tied off he wrapped his son in one of the blankets Ana had knitted in preparation for this event. He was about to hand their son to Ana when she yelled as another contraction hit her.

“It’s normal,” Ohanzee said to him after listening to the three spirit wolves, “She will be expelling his rainbow tent. It is normal.”

“No, no it’s not,” Anabel insisted. “I feel movement!” She sounded frightened as she told Jeremiah, “Hand me my son and guide the other…” She screamed as another contraction hit her.

Jeremiah set their son down on the bed next to his wife after glaring at Ohanzee. He positioned himself where he had been to help his son into the world as the wolves looked at each other in confusion. Jeremiah saw another patch of gray appear just as the first had. As he had just minutes before with his son, Jeremiah carefully guided his daughter into the world.

He repeated cutting and tying the cord of his daughter and carefully wrapped her in another small blanket. It was obvious Ana was waiting impatiently to see both her children. Carefully handing his daughter to Anabel and positioning the newborn at a breast he did the same for his son. When they were both suckling strongly, Ana pulled the blanket away from their heads in order to get a good look at them. Both newborns looked up at her at the same time. She reacted with a gasp, and a mother’s concern, as they pinned her with almond-shaped golden eyes and a head full of wolf gray hair. Ana looked at fingers and toes and was quite relieved they were completely normal.

Jeremiah glared at Ohanzee, “What have you done? What have you done to my children?” he demanded.

“Done? I have done nothing.” The wolf spirit replied snarling, obviously insulted at the accusation. As he finished the three other spirits growled at Ohanzee, looking towards the children. They sat and as Ohanzee snarled at the three spirits menacingly. It was obvious they were waiting for something and were not about to budge. It was equally obvious as spirits, as in life, the females of this tribe were used to having their way and would get it this time too. Ohanzee sighed deeply. He looked at both Ana and Jeremiah, giving in to the unspoken demands made by the three, saying, “This has happened before,” he then looked at the three spirits adding, “Though rarely. There are legends in our tribes about such births, but never with twins. They are called waya-asvnasdi, wolf touched.” He again looked at the spirits sitting near the bed. They were impassive and unmoving as though waiting for more. Ohanzee looked back at the Tanners saying, “It is said they are walkers between worlds.”

Jeremiah interrupted, “Walkers between worlds?” He looked at the three wolves at the foot of the bed then at Ohanzee, “What do you mean?”

Ohanzee took a deep breath and hesitated a second as though searching for a way to answer. It was obvious explaining this lore, especially to whites, was distasteful to him, “You are not of Lakota so it will be difficult to explain. Whites simply do not believe.  Walkers between worlds are not human, they are not wolf either, they are both.” He looked at Ana and continued with his explanation, “You can touch wolf spirits, they are drawn to you.” She nodded then he continued, “Walkers between worlds are also able to touch, but…” it was evident Ohanzee was holding back some information, “…much more.” He looked at the thick gray fur on each child’s head and running down their spine, “They can speak to those in both worlds, they are a part of each world. That is why we call them walkers.” He looked at the three spirits watching him carefully and hesitated once again, “They have a foot, or paw, in each world.”

Ana looked into the face of each child suckling on a breast. She looked at the wolf fur on each child, the fur running down their back, the almond-shaped golden eyes that peered back up at her when they paused in feeding. She then accused Ohanzee, “You did this to my babies! You are responsible!”

Ohanzee glared at Ana then turned to face the three spirits still standing at the foot of the bed, “I told you whites would not understand! Their stupidity concerning the spirit world prevents them from seeing truth!” He looked back at Ana, “I had nothing to do with your children being wolf spirits. I only healed your body so you could conceive.” You’re too stupid to know the honor that has been bestowed upon you. It is a wasted gift!” With that he turned and walked out of the cabin, his anger evident in the stiffness of his stride back to the woods.

The three remaining spirits watched Ohanzee stalk off then one of them offered a short snort. Her distaste for his actions evident in that small sound. The gray and white wolf spirit then rounded the end of the bed, placing forepaws on the mattress so her head was at an even level with Ana’s. Ana started for a moment but when the wolf offered no obvious indication of attack she relaxed. The female wolf leaned forward, licking Ana’s forehead then repeating the action with each of the children.

“What’s she doing?” Jeremiah asked nervously and the other two wolves lined up behind the first.

“I believe she is honoring me and the babies,” Ana answered as the first wolf dropped to all four paws and the second wolf repeated the actions of the first. “I believe that if these were human they’d be kissing each of us on the forehead in a show of honor and respect.”

The second wolf had completed the actions and the third took its place, repeating the actions of the others. As the first rounded the end of the bed and headed towards the cabin door it made no sound. It simply looked at Jeremiah as Ana was answering his question and nodded once. It waited for the others and, when all three were together, left through the open door of the cabin. Jeremiah watched them as they too disappeared into the thick woods surrounding their home.

Jeremiah turned and went back to stand beside the bed where his two children were now dozing, having eaten their fill. He smiled at Ana and kissed her lightly. She smiled at him weakly, “We have a problem,” she said matter of factly.

“Ohanzee?” Jeremiah asked as he rubbed the soft fur on first his son’s head, then his daughters.

“No,” Ana smiled, tiredness stealing over her, “We knew he was a problem almost from the beginning.”

“Then what?” Jeremiah asked, watching her face for a clue as to where she was heading.

Ana looked at her sleeping children and then back at Jeremiah. It was obvious she was tired and wanted to sleep too but the smile on her face said her sense of humor was wide awake. “With these two,” she said quietly. “We had picked out only one name and now I’m not sure Joseph fits at all.” As she finished she closed her eyes and was fast asleep. Jeremiah smiled, watching them all sleep, proud of his now larger family.