Thursday, November 7, 2013

For the Spell of It! Aneesa Price talks about creating authentic magic



a guest post by Aneesa Price


When I first decided to write a paranormal novel, I knew that magick had to be a major ingredient. But, what did I know of magick? Sure, I’ve watched movies, I’ve read a few articles, devoured many fantastic paranormal books but writing spells? Eeeck! To say that it was daunting would be an understatement. It wasn’t the poetry of spell-crafting that had me quivering with anxiety; it was the complete lack of magickal knowledge.

And so, I approached it like I do many unknowns. I Googled. Sadly, there’s so much on the internet and way too many factual sites reek of fiction themselves that all that exercise got me was feeling overwhelmed. Of course, there are probably many credible sites out there. I just didn’t know how to filter the information to find the facts.

Then, I decided to visit the local bookstore and found some sparkling gems on witchcraft. One book in particular, Witches’ Craft by Bruce K. Wilborn (http://www.amazon.com/Witches-Craft-Multidenominational-Wicca-Bible-ebook/dp/B006NZBFV4), was invaluable. I used it so extensively that when I moved halfway across the world, I bought it for my kindle. Through my research, I learnt of magickal instruments, how to open and close circles and how to craft a spell. I read the Wiccan Rede and my respect grew. “Do As Ye Will An Harm Ye None” has become a favourite quote of mine. After this, I felt reasonably comfortable to create a world infused with magick.

When I realized that magick was more than something I watched in Harry Potter, it became immensely important to me to find the balance between creativity and integrity where the world I created was both respectful of the craft, accurate and yet allowed for my imagination to colour what happens within it. It took me three months to research the first Coffin Girls book.  Does that seem long? It may, but any act in magick has meaning and just spell-crafting, for example, is a study in itself. When you cast a spell, you have to request assistance from the Goddess, it is important to acknowledge the elements and their respective gates, you have to convey the meaning of what you need and then, of course, there is the poetry of it all whilst doing this.

Here is one of the spells from Coffin Girls:

We call on the gate of the East,

With your Air comes release

We call on the gate of the West,

With your Fire burn what is bound with zest

We call on the gate of the South,

Let Water wash away what is loath

We call on the gate of the North,

With Earth bury the bindings so she may go forth

Goddess we ask of thee,

Help us set her magick free,

What was sealed is now released

What was bound now is freed

As we will, so mote it be



The irony is, of course, that few picked up on the accuracy of the magickal acts within the book until one reviewer raved about it. I had another reader, who practices the craft, contact me and thank me for the accuracy with which I portrayed magick. When I asked this person what was accurate the spell work, energy work and approach to magick as a whole was mentioned. In other words, I nailed it! Oh yeah! I was ecstatic because I had achieved what I’d set out to do – create a fictional world that was both imaginative and accurate.

The best confirmation for me, was this review:

“I won’t read just ANY vampire book. Add in witch-lore and the Fae, I may fling it across the room and not finish it at all. So many are inaccurate and feed the untruths and biased opinion many have of witchcraft or those who practice it, or the books simply bore me with their vampire stupidity…
Coffin Girls is smart, sexy, witty, erotic, wqlively and engaging. Throw in a bit of history and the New Orleans French/Cajun culture and you've got a book full of a fascinating brew. Ms Price's writing is intelligent with a dramatic flair and she gives us a sweeping picture perfect profile of Southern U.S. hospitality. This was not an easy task she set for herself writing this book. A bit of Gone With The Wind meets Dracula/ess meets Lothlorian. The story flows seamlessly and flawlessly. Amazingly so, with vampires, fae and witches mixing with werewolves,voodoo practitioners - even ghosts and zombies make an appearance. Oddly, it works perfectly. I see a power in this story and in Ms Price's writing that could potentially become epic.
Kudos to Aneesa Price for doing what I thought could not be done - writing an adult vampire novel (not just a vampire romance) that could sit on the same shelf with Anne Rice.”

(From an Amazon Review)

I’m currently researching mythological monsters, Gods and supernatural creatures! And yes, they play a pivotal role in my next novel series. I’ve found my research MO, a bit more confidence and a passion for ensuring accurate and imaginative reads. 

SERIES SPOTLIGHT INFO:

ELEGANTLY UNDEAD
Coffin Girls, #1

Publication Date:  7/18/12

A sexy, female vampire with secrets. A sinfully-handsome witch prince on a mission. A formidable Vampire Council with something to hide.


A vampire descendent from the original Coffin Girls, Anais runs a successful event and wedding planning business from her majestic New Orleans plantation house. To the Vampire Council, she is seen as an exemplary hostess and household head of a misfit bunch of vampires.


When Yves, her maker and head of the Vampire Council requests her assistance in hosting the mysterious, yet dashing Prince of Witches, Conall, she has no option but to accept. But Anais is the keeper of secrets; secrets that can kill. Protective of her family’s undiscovered uniqueness, Anais is guarded, yet intrigued by the enigmatic witch prince.


Conall and Anais are drawn together when confronted with fatal encounters and an unimaginable destiny… if she’s willing to accept it and fight.

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SUPERNATURAL SEDUCTION
The Coffin Girls,  #2

Publication Date:   July 18, 2013


This is an adult paranormal romance and contains scenes of explicit sex, violence and strong language.


Witch-vampire, Sophie, has the power to feel and influence others’ emotions. With the establishment of the Coffin Girls as warriors for the Goddess that kick supernatural ass, the effects of her empath abilities threaten to harm her. Sylvain, the mischievous and seductive fae prince and Coffin Girls ally, offers her the assistance of the fae to hone her powers. Sophie is drawn to Sylvain, which unnerves her as her hope for love has only ever led to devastation. The two of them must face the demons of their past, unknown enemies and new evil to find true happiness at last.


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About the Author:

You have to dream, think big and believe. Then, while you're at that - work harder than you ever have before!

 

Aneesa Price writes romance and lives it with her university sweetheart and husband. After having surmounted the challenges of being in a bi-racial marriage in the newly democratic South Africa, she now attributes her marital bliss to purposefully added spice and passionately resolved differences. After living in a variety of cities in South Africa, the cosmopolitan city of Johannesburg is the playground that she enjoys with her husband and two daughters.



Aneesa completed her internship in counselling psychology and went on to work first as a therapist and then in Corporate Finance in on projects and in organizational change. This diversity in experience, coupled with her understanding of the human psyche, is translated into her writing through the creation of believable, flawed characters with the innate ability to overcome adversity.



She writes to give her readers the gift of experiencing the new and fascinating, something she strives for herself when she explores new places, reads, cooks with her kids or goes picking for antiques with her husband.

She welcomes new connections so feel free to 'friend' her on facebook or follow her on twitter.



Contact or follow Aneesa Price


TOUR GIVEAWAY :

GRAND PRIZE:  $20.00 Gift Card to Amazon

RUNNERS UP:  FOUR (4) winners will get eBook of their choice from ANY of Aneesa's books.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

7 comments:

  1. Thank you for hosting me on your blog, Inner Goddess. I had fun writing this post. :)

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  2. Thank you for the giveaway, would love to read your book

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Deborah. In exchange for an honest review and as a thank you for hosting me, I'd be happy to gift you a copy.

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    2. That would be Awesome, my email is dcpooh55@cox.net I will be glad to review it when I'm done. I always do review the books I win or are given to me. Thanks again.

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  3. Great Post! Thanks for sharing!
    Love LOVE Love it, Aneesa!! :D You know I love my CGs!! <3

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  4. Thx for stopping by, Jeni. And yeah, it warms my heart... that you love them. x

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