Guest Post: Fiction IS Truth

Today's guest post comes from J.A. Beard, a fellow author who is currently on a book tour through Positively Publishing. Make sure you check out his other posts throughout the week at my fellow book tour hosts' websites.

A novel is fiction. To consume fiction is to consume concentrated untruth. It’s an interesting idea when you think about it. In general, most societies function with the implicit idea that people should generally be truthful when dealing with each other. How then can the consumption of well-constructed falsehoods benefit society?

I’ve met more than a few people who claim that fiction doesn’t actually benefit society or who see no point in reading fiction. They only have time for “truth” and not tales filled with lies, clever or not. Such thoughts are cross-cultural and ancient. There’s even a scene in the 11th-century Japanese novel The Tale of Genji where a young woman has to defend her enjoyment of fiction from the insults of the main character.

Of course, many books are read for nothing more than simple entertainment. I certainly know that motivates a lot of my fiction reading. There’s nothing wrong, after all, with just wanting to relax and absorb an enthralling tale or two. If anything, in this hyper-connected world of twenty-four hour news and constant change, it almost seems like we all should spend a bit more time relaxing and just absorbing a bit of entertaining untruth.

I’ll take it a step further and defend fiction as a source of truth. We live our existences as defined by our memories and interpretations of experiences. No matter how we fancy ourselves objective judges of reality, we are blinded by our own biases. Even if we were totally objective recorders of reality, we’d still be limited by our perceptions. Consider the importance of camera angle in a movie or television program. The camera relays only what it captures. It doesn’t interpret the information, but an ill-placed (or well-placed) camera can make all the difference in the world how a viewer perceives something.

Fiction offers us something similar to those camera angles. It allows us to see one interpretation of a set of experiences through others. While the characters provide us points-of-view, interpretations, and different ways to experience life, the crafting of the work itself also reflects a certain point of view and choices by the author. The author passes along their own truth, of sorts. In reading stories, we learn something about how other people perceive the fundamental aspects of life: love, friendship, death, humor, metaphysics, and so on.

Even if an author tries to not inject their own world-view into a work, the choices they make in creating a story to please an audience still communicate something about how they perceive society. Indeed, many attempts at censorship and other related controversies concerning novels have focused on what sorts of messages, what sorts of truths if you will, they threaten to pass along into a “vulnerable” society.

So, in reading fiction, we gain new perspectives, and these new perspectives can help us perhaps get just a bit closer to objective truth.

J.A. Beard likes to describe himself as a restless soul married to an equally restless soul. His two children are too young yet to discuss whether or not they are restless souls, but he’s betting on it. He likes to call himself the Pie Master, yet is too cowardly to prove his skills in an actual baking competition. So, really, he’s merely a Potential Pie Master.

While writing is one of his great passions, science is another, and when he’s not writing or worrying about baking, he’s working on the completion of his PhD in microbiology.
He blogs at riftwatcher.blogspot.com and is on Twitter as @jabeard_rf.

His current release, a young adult urban fantasy, THE EMERALD CITY, can be enjoyed for simple entertainment or used to expand your personal perspective on life. Your call.

Champis The Sheepherding Rabbit

This is one of the funniest videos I've seen in awhile. Champis, a Swedish runny babbit, does a pretty good job keeping those fuzzy beasts in line. Miss Bunny Boop only herds cats, but I think she has potential.

Pennies - The Bane of My Existence

Ah, Abraham Lincoln. So stoic with his manicured immediately-recognizable beard. One of America's most beloved president's and hero to slaves all over the south. I wonder, did he realize what a bane his visage would become a century and a half after his death?

President Lincoln's face first appeared on the penny in 1909 in honor of his 100th birthday. (The history of the Lincoln cent is actually somewhat fascinating.) Since then, he has graced purses, wallets, pockets, cup holders, and parking lots all over the world with his presence.

According to the US Mint, the penny is the only coin whose portrait faces to the right

 Yet while the penny is likely the most plentiful coin in the US, I would say it's also the most useless. I hate pennies, with a passion. If I want to spend them, it takes forever to count them out and you always get "that look" from the cashier and all those customers who are behind you in line waiting. And they're so small, they disappear among the other coins. I have 9 pennies in my wallet at this time. How long do you think it took me to find those 9 pennies? A lot longer than it took me to find 1 dime, that's for sure.

So maybe my wallet isn't that bad. Only 9 pennies. Let's take a look at the bottom of my purse, because as you know, you'll get more glares if you actually try to put your change away, so it just gets tossed into the bottom.

• 18 quarters
• 14 dimes
• 6 nickels
• 28 pennies

I thought about heading out to count the pennies in my cupholders, but I have two of them and I think that task may take all day, not to mention how icky it would be.

And those are just the pennies I can keep track of. I'm always finding pennies in random places, too. On the floor, in the washer, under the couch, in water fountains, in every parking lot I've ever been in. They're everywhere. And you know that those pennies sitting on floors and parking lots all over the place aren't being used.  In fact, they're being junked. An estimated 1.2 million pennies are tossed every year. That's 1.2 million dollars being thrown away.

And guess how much it costs to actually make the penny? $0.0179. Yep. It costs more to make it than it does to spend it. But hey, all those pennies in my purse keep me in shape. Guess I can't complain too much. And on that note, I'm going to go wash my hands because I always feel horribly dirty after messing around with change.

Take a look at the Great Penny Debate and let me know what you think. Do you actually use your pennies or do they sit around collecting dust? Do you think the penny should be done away with as its equivalent has in many countries? Do your pennies always make your hands feel like they have an invisible layer of ick on them?

Images courtesy of Wiki Commons

Create Yourself

Today's guest post comes from a wonderful lady, Lynette M. Burrows.

Are you searching for yourself? Is your life missing something? Does it seem as if for every little thing you want there is a can't?

You want a vacation to Florida, but can't afford it. You hate your job, but can't quit because you have a mortgage to pay. You dreamed of being a dancer but can't because you are too short. You want to travel the world, but can't because you are afraid to fly.

You watch or read enviously about someone who has 'made it.' They achieved their dream. Why them and not you? You feel like a Martian. Someone who doesn't fit in the hole that's become your life.

It's not that you don't love your family. Maybe you even like your job. But you always wanted to try horseback riding or being a race car driver.

You have lots of reasons why you can’t do something. Maybe you had a bad childhood. Perhaps you married too soon, you need a new car, you aren't smart enough, you are afraid of hurting yourself. There are always plenty of can'ts and shoulds in life. Just as there are plenty of bad things you can blame.

When you are trying so hard to survive you can get so focused on trying to figure out how the world works, so focused on how you fit in the world, that you lose your focus on what you want. You ignore what you need. If you ignore it long enough you forget it was what you wanted, or you get frustrated and throw everything away so you can start over. Only to find yourself in the same old rut, the same hole dug by can't.

You don't have to throw away everything you've achieved in your life. The reality is that you will not be able to wave the wand of decision and be a brain surgeon tomorrow, but you can take the first step.

George Bernard Shaw said, "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." In otherwords, you create your opportunities. You take responsibility for making choices that carry you forward, toward your goal. How do you do that? Take a step back and a step sideways.

Ask yourself what would happen if I quit my job tomorrow? What would it take for me to move to Europe? What would happen if I took a race car driving course?

Do not allow yourself a single,"I can't" or "I should" in this conversation with yourself. Make it happen. In this conversation, nothing is impossible. If I quit my job tomorrow I'd have to figure out where to live. I'd have to give up my daily latte at my favorite coffee shop. I could take a ship instead of a plane. Write down the posibilities. If some of the steps seem too big, too much, too abrupt, break it down into smaller steps.

Now you have a list of things you CAN do. And you have a choice. So reality says you won't be a prima ballerina or a world champion race car driver. Reality doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't try. Take lessons. Sing in the shower. Sing for friends and family. Go to the speedway, drive a race car. You _can_ quit that dreadful job because there are alterantives you can pursue. But only you can create the person you want to be. Make it happen.

Remember Shel Silverstein's poem

A l l T h e W o u l d a - C o u l d a - S h o u l d a s
L a y i n' I n T h e S u n ,
T a l k i n ' 'B o u t T h e T h i n g s
T h e y W o u l d a - C o u l d a - S h o u l d a D o n e . . .
B u t A l l T h o s e W o u l d a - C o u l d a - S h o u l d a s
A l l R a n A w a y A n d H i d
F r o m O n e L i t t l e D i d .
F r o m O n e L i t t l e D i d .

Create yourself. Just pick a direction. Take a step back and step sideways. And please, share with us the steps you have taken or will taken in creating the new you.

right-wrong image by Stuart at freedigitalphotos.net
street signs by Stoon at freedigital photos.net
 all reproduction rights belong to the creators of the image, please go to http://www.freedigitalphotos.net for more information

About Lynette: 

I was born in Detroit to teen-aged parents.  My father, with only a high-school diploma, constantly sought better pay or a promotion at the next job, in the next city, the next state.  As a result, we moved seventeen times before I graduated from high school.  Friendships with next door playmates never lasted beyond the next move.

Nancy Drew, Laura Ingles, Meg Murray, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. What, an countless others became my best friends.  I haunted libraries searching for more.  Story characters and worlds were as real to me as the ground beneath my feet: they taught me, comforted me, and sparked a desire for adventure.  That's how I became something of a Ms. Walter Mitty - dreaming of action, suspense, heroes, and heroines.

Searching for who I was, I took ballet, piano lessons, and sang in the choir.  I wrote in my diary, played adventure games in the backyard, and joined drama club.  I worked at burger joints, pizza joints, and retail stores.  Inspired by books like Cherry Ames, Student Nurse I became a nurse, learned to create stained glass windows, and adopted a cat.

I learned that Cherry Ames' work day and real life were in no way close to the same thing.  I married the wrong guy, had a baby, and learned that adventures in parenting can be harrowing and wonderful.  Attending my first science fiction convention, I finally discovered that I was a writer, that writing completed me somehow.  

I met and married the right guy.  He encouraged me to live the life of Ms. Walter Mitty, to follow my dream, to be a writer.  I love exploring and learning about the creative process.  I've struggled with and come to detente with the dark side that haunts every creative person.  I write about strange and wonderful story worlds populated with villains you love to hate, and heroes big and small.   

Through my novels, my blog, and my website, www.lynettemburrows.com, I hope to encourage you to explore, discover, and follow your dream, whatever it may be.  Find your joy.

Be the hero of your own story.

And The Winner Is...

Donovan!

By overwhelming majority! Congrats Shaye! You've won a signed copy of Jane Vol 2 when it comes out (after I finish book 6, which will be included). I'll also make sure to note you in the acknowledgements so everyone knows how creative you are!

Thanks to everyone who participated. The creativity was fantastic. You guys have true talent!

And the winner from those who commented is Laird Sapir! I'll shoot you a message via Twitter with more details!

Look for Jane #6 in late April!

Fix Your Pet, Empty Your Wallet

Pets are wonderful creatures. I expounded on their virtues on a guest post I did over on Kristy K. James' blog. And I'm wholeheartedly advocate getting your pets fixed. However, I've discovered a snag to what seems like an easy solution to controlling the excess of pets in shelters and on the streets.

You see, now that spring is just around the corner, our lovely little barn kittens from last year are getting a bit, shall we say "frisky"? I'm many of you remember them from previous posts, especially the adorable munchkin Itty Bitty. Itty Bitty is about half the size of her siblings, but alas, she is just as mature as them otherwise. We need to get her fixed to avoid any problems an unwanted pregnancy might have.

This seemingly simple task is becoming much more complicated than I thought it would be. While the vets that visit us on the farm are awesome, it would seem that experiences with small pet doctors around the area are less than pleasant. I've heard numerous complaints that someone took their pet in for one thing and ended up paying for much, much more that they did not authorize the vet to do. I ran into this problem once when I was in Florida. I took my cat in for what I thought would be something simple and ended up paying almost $300. I don't know about you, but that's a lot of money. Then they told me to bring her in for a follow up visit and that I wouldn't have to pay for it. They tried to charge me another $30.

So I'm beginning to understand one aspect to why people don't get their pets fixed. It should be an easy, fairly inexpensive procedure. But vets are sheisty and tack on a ton of other "well, they needed this" things to push up the bill. I'm looking for a program to help with Itty Bitty, but in the meantime, I guess we'll just have to wait and hope nothing happens, because while I adore her, I'm not spending $300 on her.

Has anyone else experienced a sheisty vet trying to pull one over on you? Do you have any tips on how to get the vet to do just what you want them to do without losing an arm and a leg?

And make sure you vote for your favorite werewolf name! A random winner will receive a signed copy of Jane Vol 2 when it's released.

Time to Vote!

Last week, I asked you all to help name one of my characters in the upcoming Jane novella. The submissions are in and now it's time to pick your favorite! Just put your favorite name in the comments. The winner will receive an acknowledgement in Jane Vol 2 and a signed copy. I will also choose a random winner from the voters to receive a signed copy! So get voting!

Name: Austin
Gender: Male
Background: Hispanic-American, family came to America the generation before his, he was born here. They lived in Texas and liked the name Austin (maybe the first city they settled in?), so they named their first-born son after the city. He kind of looks down on his parents and thinks they are pretty uneducated (he's condescending to them a lot), and resents his name, but still loves them (and his younger sister), and respects his heritage and their determination to come to America.

Name: Donovan
Gender: Male
Background: Born in Ireland, then moved to America at a young age with his family. The name Donovan is Irish meaning "Dark Warrior" as it suits his personality to a tee. He is implosive and never backs down from anything. Although he knows that family is everything and will protect them at any cost. When he transforms into the wolf his fur is an amazing Blue-black colour that glistens in the moon light. His music taste is pretty much anything he can work out too. He does a lot of exercise as it helps keep himself calmer so he wont lose control of his "rage" (rage is the feeling of anger that only happens before the full moon, which werewolves can't control completely). 

Name: Alexandre
Gender: Male
Background Info: His family comes from Brazil, but he was born in the US. He cares for his family, but his parents’ indecisiveness and his older sister’s who-cares attitude exasperate him. He is very careful not to succumb to rage, and he regrets the times when he wasn’t able to control himself. He is wise-cracking and funny when in public, but the humor masks his feelings. He sometimes has impossible crushes that leave him devastated afterward. He likes folk rock, and movies like “The Motorcycle Diaries” and “Into The Wild”. He’s also a little bookish. He’s not very athletic, but he is a superb runner. His fur has a chocolate tone, peppered with gray near the paws. He has amber eyes that show a sad look when in wolf form.

Just As You Are

So, I just found out about August McLaughlin's wonderful Beauty of a Woman Blogfest and I decided to jump on the bandwagon, albeit a little too late to officially participate, but hey, it's never to late to celebrate inner beauty! Make sure you visit her blog tomorrow to win some prizes and read some amazing blog posts!

I have a lot of trouble excepting myself as I am, but I'm trying very hard. I'm trying to accept my too-round face, my uncooperative hair, and even those extra pounds that seem to follow me around wherever I go. I'm trying to accept my imperfections and accept myself Just As I Am.

There is a part in Bridget Jones' Diary that has been one of my absolute favorite scenes since the moment I saw it. It made my heart melt and my goal in life is to find a guy exactly like him. He sees all her flaws, but still he loves her, just as she is.

Finding Balance

Balance: An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady

Balance is something I struggle with. It's something I've always struggled with. No, I don't mean that I can't stand upright on one foot. I'm actually pretty good at that. What I mean is that I have trouble finding balance in my life, in many areas. I find something I like and tend to focus on that, solely, to the detriment of everything else. I've been slacking off on the writing something horrible, ever since SWTOR came out. If any of you are gamers, you feel my pain. It's so much more fun than dealing with real life issues. But believe it or not, before that, I did the same thing with writing. My life was consumed with everything writing, to the detriment of everything else.

While I was writing this, oddly enough I found a blog post from someone else who also has trouble balancing. It has some really insightful advice from Kristen Lamb. (Kristen is one of my heroes, by the way.) The blog pretty much says what I already knew, but for some reason, I can tell myself something a million times over and it won't take root until someone else says it.

So what did I learn from that blog post? First and foremost, I need to say no, even to myself. Second, I need to get back to creating lists. My new computer setup doesn't allow for easily viewable lists, so I need to figure out where to put them. Third, I need to prioritize. I stress out about what I "should" do (I really hate the word should), or what I think others think I should do, and don't focus enough on what I need to do for me. So I need to narrow down the scope of what really needs to get done, not just chore-wise, but for my own emotional well-being.

Do you ever struggle with balance in your life? How do you keep one aspect from overrunning all the others?

Just a little reminder: Jane #6 is in the works and you get to name one of the characters! Head on over to this post to enter your suggestion and get a chance to win a signed copy of Jane Vol. 2. 

Your fantasy is great wealth? Don't Make Your Own Cash!

Everyone's favorite fantasy is Oprah-like wealth, or maybe even Bill Gates billions, right? Most of us will never get there. Is there a better way? Maybe use our ink-jet printers and create a few million bills? Great idea! Or is it?

Our guest today, Diane Capri shares what she learned researching her new book, Don't Know Jack where the villains tried the do-it-yourself-plan, with deadly results. I hope you enjoy this guest post by Diane Capri!

Licensed to Thrill: Crime Fiction

Crime writers are licensed to thrill, but how can we manage it when so many readers crave fantasy and science fiction? Human thrills are fueled by fear leading to flight and fight, and what is more thrilling than a speeding asteroid or fire-breathing dragons?

Crime stories don't have vampires, zombies, or warewolves. Missing from our thrill-creating toolbox are jet packs and light sabers. Bereft of rabid dogs, evil potions and carnivorous wolves, potential readers might think crime fiction is a bit too tame. Those readers just might be wrong.

Crime stories feature evil far more chilling than robotic terminators: all-too-real human monsters. The kind you'd never want to meet in a dark alley -- or the mall parking lot. Villains both writer and reader want to vanquish. Through crime fiction, we readers can prevail in a big way, even though the odds are stacked against us. And maybe we'll learn a bit about our own strength along the way.

Crime-fighting heroes are armed with determination and persistence, just like readers are. Is that enough? We crime writers are licensed to thrill, we've got the fortitude and permission. But we've got to make it happen. Do we have the tenacity?

As anyone who's ever watched an episode of CSI knows, technology has leveled the playing field in the high stakes game of law enforcement vs. criminals. While law enforcement agencies benefit from vast resources that even fictional criminals can't match, criminals possess such high-tech weapons as ubiquitous smartphones that do everything a government computer can do, and more.

Yes, criminals (and non-criminals alike) are being watched every minute of every day, but the overwhelming volume of images is a dense forest that conceals each poisonous tree from the most diligent of crime-fighters. The good guys have every advantage, but that doesn't mean the white hats are always bound to win.

FBI Special Agent Kim Otto will never, never, never give up. Her partner, Carlos Gaspar, has no choice but to follow her for another twenty years. But are they good enough to win against criminals who just keep on coming? Especially in the high stakes counterfeiting game?

Counterfeiters know that crime does pay, and has for centuries. But technology is leveling the playing field there, too, and helping the average criminal succeed more often than I realized before I started researching this book.

Did you know, for instance, that the United States Secret Service handles counterfeiting crimes, and they're plenty busy. Technology has made both counterfeiters and law enforcement more effective. Almost as soon as new currency is created in the ongoing effort to thwart these geeky thieves, counterfeiters find a way to copy the new designs. Neither player in this tense drama is likely to be finally defeated.

Consider the Superdollar. That sounds like fantasy, doesn't it? A superhero, maybe, able to multiply itself through mere exposure to the air, or some such? Nope.

As early as 1989, the first "supernote" or "superdollar" counterfeit was identified by the Central Bank of the Phillipines and submitted to the Secret Service for analysis. The quality of the ink, paper, engraving and printing were superior even to authentic U.S. currency. See what I mean about technology?

The Secret Service believed the Superdollar counterfeit operation was perpetuated by a single organization, perhaps even a foreign government. North Korea and Iran were the most likely. Pretty chilling, right? Arch enemies of the United States with unlimited U.S. currency? Imagine all the crime they could finance. *shivers*

By 1992, the value of Superdollars in circulation was estimated in excess of one billion. Today, Superdollars are considered one of the most serious terrorist threats to the United States and the world.

Perhaps the Superdollar controversy informed Lee Child's breakout thriller, The Killing Floor, which introduced us to Jack Reacher in 1997. I don't know. But it definitely plays a part in my new book, Don't Know Jack.

A lengthy article, published in the New York Times on July 23, 2006, lent support to the already researched facts in Don't Know Jack. If you're not already quaking, you can read Stephen Mihm's fascinating piece No Ordinary Counterfeit online at newyorktimes.com.

Maybe you think counterfeiting at the Superdollar level is too difficult for the average person to get away with, even temporarily? Nope. Examples surface every day.

Consider Albert Talton, dubbed The Most Notorious Counterfeiter when he was convicted of making more than $7 million in counterfeit bills using ink-jet printers. Before he began his business, he'd never used a computer. Counterfeiting has a short learning curve. After all, we're money experts, aren't we?

Talton's bills were first noticed in 2005 and by 2007, they'd travelled across the country in significant quantities. He was convicted and sent to prison--but not until 2009.

Privately, law enforcement conceded that Talton's counterfeits likely exceeded the $7 million estimate. But by how much? And where is that money now?

Feeling the thrill yet? No?

Well take a look and tell me: What's in your wallet?

About Diane Capri

Diane Capri is the bestselling author of six prior novels and a recovering lawyer. Diane says she writes mystery and suspense for the same reason she reads: to have fun, find out what happens, why people do what they do and to restore order to an unjust world. Diane's readers say her books emphasize everywoman's inherent strength and self-reliance. Diane's books are translated in multiple languages. She and her husband are snowbirds who divide their time between Michigan and Florida. Diane loves to hear from readers. Connect with her on the web: http://DianeCapri.com

Click here: Buy or Sample Don't Know Jack Now!**

**Readers who don't own a Kindle can download free Kindle software to read Kindle books on any computer and other devices or Click Here to convert Don't Know Jack to a reading format of your choice.

Just a little reminder: Jane #6 is in the works and you get to name one of the characters! Head on over to this post to enter your suggestion and get a chance to win a signed copy of Jane Vol. 2. 

Name That Werewolf!

I'm currently writing Jane #6, and I've decided to include you guys in the process. I'll soon be introducing a young werewolf whose family is being persecuted by the vampire council. Said werewolf wants to enlist the help of Jane and her crew to keep his/her family safe.

Here's where you come in. I want you to name the werewolf. And I don't want just a name, I need a gender (male/female, obviously), and small background info if you'd like (such as country of origin--American? Or are they immigrants?-- favorite music, fur color, etc).

I'll choose my three favorite next Saturday and post them for voting on Sunday. The winner will get their name in the acknowledgements, along with two signed copies of Jane: Vol. 2 when it's released. All you need to do to enter is post your entry in the comments!

Name:
Gender:
Background Info:

Easy peasy! Let the creativity roll!

Much Overdue Thank Yous (Awards Incoming!)

Over the past few weeks, I've received quite a few rewards from some very wonderful fellow bloggers, and I would be remiss to say that I've been quite a slacker on thanking them. For that, I apologize. So now it's time to take care of that, and I'm sure I've missed one or two. Please yell at me if it was you!


First, let's thank Jessica O'Neal, a wonderfully fun blogger who I have much in common with. She gave me the "Liebster" award.

“Liebster” is the German word for “dearest” and this award is given to new bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. There are a couple of stipulations for accepting the award.

1. Thank the person who awarded you and link back to them.
2. Pass the award on to 5 fellow bloggers and let them know.

Thanks have been given and now it's time to pass on the award.

1. Merry Farmer
2. August McLaughlin
3. Prudence MacLeod
4. Colin Falconer
5. Tim O'Brien

Next up is the Versatile Blogger award from the fantastic Prudence MacLeod. Thanks Prudence!

1.      Thank the person who gave it to you.
2.      List 7 random facts about yourself.
3.      Pass the award along to 15 other deserving bloggers. Then you have to let them know they’ve won.

Random Facts
1. When I was younger, I really liked chocolate sauce on bread & butter pickles.
2. When I first brought my oldest cat, Josephine, home from the shelter, she spent three days holed up inside the space heater.
3. I have a cow that loves sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies, but won't touch gingerbread cookies. Another loves oranges.
4. I have a huge pile of socks at the bottom of my bed from where I kick them off every night, and I have so many socks, I only need to wash the pile once every couple of weeks.
5. My favoritest song ever is "Got You Where I Want You" by the Flys, a one-hit wonder band from the 90s.
6.  I have a ring on the second toe of my right foot that has been there since the summer of 2002 and has never come off.
7. My favorite type of cheese is muenster.

Versatile Bloggers (in no particular order)
1. Julia Indigo
2. Merry Farmer (Is it cheating to include someone who's awesome twice?)
3. Janelle Madigan
4. Diane Capri
5. Babara McDowell
6. Fabio Bueno
7. Evelyn Lafont
8. Jami Gold
9.  Lynn Kelley
10. Debra Kristi
11. Elena Aitken
12. Amanda Rudd
13. SM Reine
14. KD Sarge
15. Lex Mosgrove