Sorchia's Universe

I’m venting today about obtrusive dialogue tags. But first—a story: Back in the day when I taught the King’s English to the masses, I worked at a small school in deepest, darkest southern Missouri. The native language of the area is a combination of Scotch-Irish Appalachian, a little Elizabethan, and a smattering of modern slang and inventive metaphors and is known as the Ozarkian dialect. I grew up in the area but my folks were from ‘away’, so I speak two languages—English and Ozark. The two are not always interchangeable. If you want to talk to locals and get anything done, you better sound like they do.  If you want to get gainful employment outside of the area…well, there’s no accounting for people’s prejudices, but an Ozarks accent tends to give other people delusions of grandeur. For a Tale within a Tale, go HERE . Anyway, one of my favorite kids—a large, young man of the redneck persuasion—got suspended. I ran into him in the hallway and asked about the incident, hoping to provi

First , I wanted to let you all know that I just passed my most recent blood test and am free from doctors for nearly three months–just a little yearly maintenance to do. You know how it goes; the older the model, the more upkeep. Second , be aware that the entire Zoraida Grey trilogy is up for a Reviewers’ Choice Award at Paranormal Romance Guild. Voting begins on February 6 and ends on February 12 so hurry over to the Paranormal Romance Guild and make your voice heard.. Many categories, many great books. Finally , this quarantine has at least given me time to jump into some books I’ve been dying to read. One such item is Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish. Ok. I admit it. I got the audio version of Clanlands just so I could listen to Scottish accents whispered in my ear in the evening. Mission Accomplished. Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish is a trave

99 Cents each! How many Scottish witches does it take to destroy one small-town fortune teller? Follow Zoraida from Arkansas to Scotland on a quest to save her granny’s life. But it seems Granny hasn’t told her everything. Zoraida lands smack dab in the middle of a witchy clan war and in danger of being ensorcelled by not one but two smoking hot witches. The truth of her own heritage is buried deep beneath Castle Logan. She’s going to need help but the only one who strikes fear in the black hearts of the Logan witches has stepped in a steaming pile of Voodoo thousands of miles away in the Caribbean. To save her granny and her best friend, Zoraida must decide between her old, safe life or a new one filled with magic and danger. The task may be the end of her— or the beginning. Sale Ends January 22 Start the adventure with Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones in which Zoraida discovers just what a mess Granny has let her in for. Continue the story in Zoraida Grey and the Voodoo Queen in

Let’s take this premise: The apolitical author sells more books. I see the point. Right now, expressing a view on any given subject may indeed alienate people who feel differently. I have myself avoided the products of some celebrities who are rabidly opposed to something I am just as rabidly for. I don’t make a habit of it, but I do it from time to time. Just as often–even more often–I have gone out of my way to support artists and businesses who embody values I support. Writing stories with political overtones, no matter how subtle, does invite comment. Lately, some comments have taken on an ugly tone. If you don’t write about controversy, you do avoid that negativity.  Who isn’t tired of name-calling and ugly innuendo—and this comes from every side of every issue. So here’s what I think. Having different opinions is perfectly acceptable. It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable. My opinions find their way into my books, my blog posts, and into my social media. Anyone w