Writer’s Reference: Birthstones

Ever wondered which birthstone fits best with your character? No matter what genre, this information can be useful. Take this example: A thoughtful gift within a romance novel can showcase how much the two main characters care, by adding just the right detail such as the inclusion of a birthstone. Or a birthstone can leave just the right clue in a mystery. During my research for a story I was  working on recently, I compiled a list of birthstones and some of their meanings and associations for you. Enjoy! 

January

The Garnet is known to dispel sadness. This blood red stone used as a necklace ensures friendship and fidelity

 

FEBRUARY

The bright purple Amethyst was originally very expensive. Ancient Greeks decorated goblets and other expensive pieces with them. Often worn for protection from contagious disease, the Amethyst was also thought to bring tranquility to the wearer’s life.

 

MARCH

The Aquamarine has been thought to bring intelligence, youth, and happiness. The Bloodstone, another March gem, was carried by Roman soldiers to keep them from bleeding to death.

 

APRIL

The Diamond, the stone of April, is known as the “fire of love.” Diamonds bring love and protect from evil. They are also thought of as the frozen tears of past princesses.

 

MAY

This month has several stones, the main one being the Emerald, where value depends on the color and number of flaws. This brilliant green stone reinforces love and creates harmony in the family.

 

JUNE

The Moonstone protects against danger at sea and is thought to bring financial gain and protect against turbulence. Another present day stone for June is the Pearl which is said to preserve modesty, chastity, and purity.

JULY

The Ruby protects its wearer from fear and financial stress while its strength banishes evil spirits.

 

 

AUGUST

The stone of August is the Sardonyx. It is said to create courage and make the most timid brave. A present day addition is the Peridot, a clear, normally green stone of gem quality Olivine.

 

SEPTEMBER

The Blue Sapphire often heals the body of illness and despair.

 

OCTOBER

The mystical Opal is filled with all the colors of the rainbow. Historically, this stone was considered to cause disaster to those who wore it; but today it is said to bring only good fortune and happiness. The Tourmaline was added to the list in more current times.

 

NOVEMBER

The Topaz symbolizes good fortune and longevity. According to legend, this golden stone possesses the power to cure many diseases. Citrine, a transparent yellow quartz gem many of the best of which come from Brazil, is a current day birthstone for this month.

 

 

DECEMBER

The vibrant turquoise was believed to be a defender against bad luck to those that wore it. It has been said that cowboys always carry a blue turquoise on their journey’s so that they might be blessed with success. A present day addition is the Zircon, whose naturally found brown clear crystals are heated to turn into the beautiful blue gemstone.

Feel free to share this handy guide with your writer friends – just please include a link back to this post. Thank you!

 

Blessings

 

Claudia

P.S. This post is a part of the following blog hops:

Friday Finds 

No Rules Weekend Blog Party

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Short And Sweet – Relevance of Flash Fiction And Micro-Fiction

Considering that most people skim online content – which reflects our fast past way of life – Flash Fiction and Micro-Fiction has become a more relevant part of our reading and writing experience.

Flash Fiction – short stories between 100 and 1000 words – and Micro-Fiction – very short stories under 100 words – are a fantastic way to get a readers attention.It fits perfectly into the new reading habits, allowing the reader to find great content, without having to invest much of their time.  Creating a complete story within this short space, however, forces writers to think outside the box.

 

Flash Fiction Custom Designs

for Writers

I personally find Flash Fiction to be a great exercise in being concise. In such a small space, one has no option, but to engage the reader with every word. Micro-fiction, such as 6-Word-Fiction or Twitter-Fiction make use of the content streams of social media applications, no need for a blog, or website.

 

Writers should take advantage of the attention-grabbing potential of this type of fiction, as it can be used as a gateway and advertisement for lengthier works.

 

Happy Writing!

 

Claudia

The Fourth Wall – A Daily Prompt Post

Today, Daily Prompt from WordPress asked us to answer the following:

Fourth Wall

You get to spend a day inside your favorite movie. Tell us which one it is — and what happens to you while you’re there.

 

In a way, I am constantly inside stories – but not as an active participant, but as an observer, as the person recording the reaction of characters I created, and put into sometimes impossible situations. I would rather be in the midst of making a movie, than being a part of the story, my participation would be a lot more boring. I am no Superhero, so being in the midst of the Avengers, I would be the one attempting to fix the emotional drama of bystanders.

Another favorite, Harry Potter, would have me sitting in the library of Hogswart, taking in as much of magickal information as I possible could, in the fasted possible time. Maybe grill one of the teachers about potion making, and then hang out with the multitude of ghosts.

As writers, we are inside our favorite stories, emerged in the middle of conflict, and resolution, heartbreak, and happy endings, all of our own making. We are the Captain of our Ship, in control of where it sails, allowing those in our care to do, whatever it is they need to do, to come to a conclusion of our choosing. I am as much inside any story, as I want to be, as much a part of entertainment, of the moments the readers forget their own troubles for just a little while, and focus on those on the page or on the screen.

Now, if you excuse me, I have my own movie to write.

Here are some other answers to this interesting question:

http://crashcoursedummy.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/i-wish/

http://tombalistreri.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/movie-me/

Just like Honey!!!

http://jamescleggartwritings.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/mugwhah-the-continuing-story-determined-by-you-part-iv/