We are Angelica Hart and Zi and work full time as authors. The mundane and monotony are held at bay by one very practical quality. Whereas, we take our writing serious, we seldom take ourselves so. Back when we were going through the idiosyncratic process of creating the tone and texture of SNAKE DANCE, a fantasy piece, there were days that boredumb bit not out of any other reason but self-defense of our sanity. The genres we’ve chosen would include, contemporary romantic thrillers and romantic fantasy. Furthermore, we believe we do have a propensity for humor and have works that are specific to that.
On a serious note I’d like to share something you don’t know about Zi. He will KILLER DOLLS me, shameless reference to our most recent release, if he knew I was writing this. So, shhhh, don’t tell him. That means you! And we both know the you that I mean.
We do a lot of field research where we go places to absorb the milieu and believe this makes more genuine our writing. This one day we agreed to meet at the park near his home. The plan was to be there early before anyone arrived. We were looking for the surreal temperament of that loneliness. I got there before Zi, sat on a bench out of view. Saw him enter from the southeast entrance, he stopped, turned around and retreated back toward his home. I suspected he had forgotten something.
Minutes later he returned with a dustpan and broom. Mind you, I had that look of what’s this all about, skewed up nose and all. Then he did something that put the oh my in my whisper. He swept up the broken glass bottles that had been arrogantly discarded by someone. He knew that this place was frequented by pets and children, and considered the possibilities of hurt. Once cleaned he tucked the broom and pan behind a bush, I guessed to be retrieved later. Then he joined me.
He had inadvertently cut himself and I asked how that happened, fully expecting a capsulation of what he had done. Instead, Zi replied he had no idea, licked the blood, swabbed it on his shorts and moved on to what we were doing. I waited for him to bring up the broken glass. He did not.
There it was, this man just did the right thing when no one was watching. It didn’t really amaze me. Over the years we spent writing, I’ve gotten to know a bit of the inner man. This humorous, kind man who dogs everyone endlessly with his comedic banter, who teaches by example, who is the first to give of himself without ever considering if it would disadvantage him, who is strong when strong is needed, yet gentle when it is called upon. Yes, I’ve seen this side of him, and more, when he thought I wasn’t noticing. But I did. And, I know he hopes that I didn’t, that no one understands or recognizes the truth of him. For I recalled him once saying, when we were talking about heroes, that it is easy for someone to do the right thing when they are being watched, but real champions do it when no one is watching.
We write of heroes and heroines, struggle to make them likeable, honest, admirable, and I believe our books have been privileged by Zi’s intimacy with heroism. I am touched and awed that in this day of self, that he lives his life as if he is a role model. Wanting, actually avoiding, no fanfare or kudos. And to the children and pets of that park on that day he was a silent champion.
This message will self-destruct in five seconds. You are all sworn to an oath of secrecy.
We’d love to hear from anyone interested in what we do. Anyone who writes us at angelicahartandzi@yahoo.com and leaves an s-mail address, we will send you a gift and add you to any future mailings.
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Oscar Wild and Mystery Puppy would have known (sensitive noses don’t cha know).
Heroes are humble and he is a good example of one.
Thanks,
Tracey D
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by eromance: HERO IS AS HERO DOES http://bit.ly/ugTVe...
See, now there you have the perfect likable, honest, admirable hero. I have one question, though: Does he do windows? I love your idea of immersing yourself in a place you want to write about. I tend to write about them, then visit them later. All bass ackwards.
Linda
Ahhhh…. that is wonderful!
I love it when folks do the right thing whether they get credit for it or not!
First, don’t enter me in the contest but second you are about to hear a collective sigh *sigh* from all of my personalities including me, myself and I! How adorable that he would try to blow that off as nothing. I am so used to you guys making me laugh that I totally did not expect you to make me say “awwwwwwwww”! So you have done it again, surprised the heck out me. Can’t wait until next time! You guys are the best!
That is a definite “awww” tale! A good definition of a hero being one who does the right thing even when no one sees! On top of that he has a good sense of humor and is willing to be a good teammate! Sounds like a real life hero to me! But I’ll never tell!
Have a great week!
That is a definite “awww” tale! A good definition of a hero being one who does the right thing even when no one sees! On top of that he has a good sense of humor and is willing to be a good teammate! Sounds like a real life hero to me! But I’ll never tell!
Have a great week! mesreadsATgmailDOTcom
Hodgepodgesvp – One of my fav Oscar Wilde sayings is, “I can resist everything except temptation.” How does this tie in with a sensitive nose? Good question. My nose is ultra sensitive to chocolate! Thanks for coming by, adore that doggie.
Tracy D, I appreciate your kind comment. Certainly there are heroes in the monumental episodes of live, but the quiet ones, the ones behind the scenes, the ones that do the every day heroics, like picking up that stray dog and helping find its owner, or taking the time to chat with an elder who is alone, or sweeping up broken glass are the heroes that are the foundation of good. I’m just happy such people still exist and honored to be working with one.
the doggie is my rescued oscar wild (a terrier of great independence). as for chocolate, mystery puppy does not understand it is poison for her and her sniffer managed to find it in the form of an easter bunny that was wrapped in plastic, in a box that was also plastic wrapped…now that is a nose that knows! both of them are quite good at sniffing out good guys who do good things!
Aw, geeze, Val, now you are making us go AWWWWW. That is so wonderful of you to say. Now, Zi looks like a red beet, all blushing. Yup, he found the article, read the comments, gave me the how could you… Tee Hee… Of course, I replied, how could I not? So, will we stick to funny? Will we go sentimental? Will we get dark and gloomy? Ah, one never knows except maybe The Shadow. BTW, great to see you. Hope you are all healed up.
HODGEPODGESVP, I dub your doggie… SUPER DOG! Wow, that is indeed a nose that knows. It seems you have your own little hero, for he’ll always let you know who is good and who is naughty. Hmmm, me thinks I’m getting the wift of Christmas.
Hey Martha, Fabulous to see you, and it is quite grand to have him as a writing partner. Speaking of heroes, they can be found in strange places, we know of this lady who was a hero while spending some time in a mental Hospital. She saw a fellow patient jump into the deep end of the pool and not come up, she reacted instantly, dived in and saved him. The hospital administrator considered such an heroic and rational act showed she was stable, and immediately ordered her release. However, after he told her the good news, he also delivered some bad news, “Jim, the man you rescued, I’m sorry to say hung himself with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I’m sorry to tell you that he is dead.” Edna responded, “He didn’t hang himself. I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?”
What can I say… had to end all this sentimentality on a chuckle.
Linda, So kind of you to stop by. No matter which way you do it, it adds a genuine flavor to the piece. At this point, we have to add our congrats for FINDING HOPE being a 2010 Eppie Finalist . You must be so excited. This is awesome. If anyone here wants to check it out visit… http://lindarettstatt.com/
Hey Kimber, Great to see you… Miz Eboowise best seller! You are always one doing the right thing, helping everyone else out, and so it is only right you get some rewards. Thank you for your wonderful comment.
Hey Kimber, Great to see you… Miz Ebookwise best seller! You are always one doing the right thing, helping everyone else out, and so it is only right you get some rewards. Thank you for your wonderful comment.