Official Correspondence
Take your power seriously. Keep each other safe.
~ Janiss
Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
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Vampires aren’t born; they’re made. In my experience, they aren’t a race, a virus, or a curse. While I can’t speak to the exact intent of the bloodworkers who created the first Vampires, evidence suggests it was meant as a blessing… before things got out of control.
That said, I wasn’t always as I am now.
In either a somewhat late or ridiculously early Throwback Thursday #tbt, I found my old college blog — and by “found” I mean I’ve stopped trying to hide it. After what happened to myself and Daniel — what *I* did to Daniel — it hurt… it STILL hurts, but it’s part of who I am: my prequel.
Also, a bunch of you keep auto-subscribing to it without realizing there’s nothing there, so now there is!
So, for all the rest of you, here it is from the beginning: https://janissconnelly.wordpress.com/2007/05/25/im-graduating/
It makes more sense in order, and there’s even a few old photos in there. Happy?
Keep each other safe.
~ Janiss
Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly
Facebook @JanissConnelly
Tumblr janissconnelly.tumblr.com
Google+ JanissConnelly
Discus @justjaniss
Ever feel like you’re the star of your own television show? Not a good one or the most watched one, but a show on the bubble, always teetering on cancellation?
You wake up, think about things, then go about your life. There are recurring supporting characters, the occasional guest star, and those who are written out because their contract’s up.
If you were the outside observer — a mere viewer tuning in for a bit of escapism — how many stars would you give your own program?
There’s a movie called The Truman Show about a man (Jim Carrey) whose life being broadcast live 24/7, only he’s blissfully unaware that his existence is scripted — entertainment for the masses. All of his successes and failures are orchestrated under the control of a director and a writer’s room.
I don’t know about you, but I feel like that from time to time.
I’ve updated all of my social media profiles now to include the description “fictional character.” I’ve done this for a couple of reasons — one of which was covering my backside after being warned a few of my private posts were bleeding over into public viewing — but the best excuse is that it seems correct. After some of the most horrible things I’ve endured or seen, I still ask myself too often, “Did that really happen?”
So my question is, how about you? With online media and cameras everywhere, every word recorded and every image archived, doesn’t it feel nowadays like we’re all on television? On display for the entire world to judge or sympathize with? The only control feels like whatever you put into your profile, a sentence or two to sum up your full existence into an easily digestible bite for any potential audience.
Here’s mine:
Bleeding-heart Millennial w/tragic backstory & fangs. Stargazer. Whedonite. Phlebotomist. Fictional character. Hugger.
On half of my profiles, there wasn’t enough room to squeeze even one additional word in, so I changed them all to match the smallest allowed description (turns out that’s Google+ with 140 words or less) and I like the consistency.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t confess a few folks I’ve spoken to don’t believe what I’ve been through in my short thirty years on this earth. I’m obviously disillusioned, a liar, and/or starving for attention… blah blah blah and yada yada yada. So for them and for me, there it is: fictional character — a made-up or imaginary person… because we all present the image of ourselves we want others to accept.
Maybe I should have someone mock-up a few fake book covers and slap my face on them. Timothy?
Keep each other safe.
~ Janiss
Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly
Facebook @JanissConnelly
Tumblr janissconnelly.tumblr.com
Google+ JanissConnelly
Discus @justjaniss
Kevin here, author of the The Matriarch Vampires.
Janiss has taken Memorial Day weekend off, so I hope your weekend was enjoyable and that a few moments were spent remembering those who gave everything to defend their country.
To provide a brief series update, the first draft of the fourth and final book is well under way, but I took a little time before a convention this past weekend to compile all the new images (and a few of my newest) to create an all-new novel series book trailer.
I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to share it anywhere you can. Also, if you’re a fan of the series and haven’t had a chance to leave a review or rating for any or all of the books, please take a few minutes and leave as little as five words and a rating on Amazon. It really helps get the word out and anything is appreciated.
And now, the new trailer!
Janiss will return next Sunday with more Vampire Verisimilitude.
From: the desk of Timothy Harker
To: all residents, staffers, and supporters
Good morning.
I wanted to address a few rumors that have been making their rounds at Cedarcrest, not the least of which was suggested by your executive administrator a week ago.
While Louisa Newcomb was still with us, a plan was created to govern how Cedarcrest Sanctum would develop and what the overall scope of the Cedarcrest Foundation of Appalachia would be. Part of it you know already; you live or work here, and we all know each other very well. Our facility has been a success and has remained true to our founder’s vision. That said and in light of recent events, we have begun developing implementation of Phase IV.
I will be personally responsible for a key element in this phase, and this is not a decision I take lightly. Let it be known that these are options on the table and nothing is set in stone, but there exists the possibility I may no longer reside here at Cedarcrest as a result; a significant risk is involved. Ms. Connelly has much experience with regard to this and I greatly value her opinion, but ultimately the decision is mine to make.
When the times comes and a final decision is made, you will not be left out of the loop.
Have a great new year, everyone.
~ Timothy Harker
Operations Administrator, Cedarcrest Sanctum
timothy.harker@cedarcrestsanctum.com
It’s almost here: Halloween.
No bait-and-switch angst today, just a fun idea. A throwback, if you like.
(“Can’t we have a little of the angst?” “No. Shh! I’ve been a stick in the mud in previous years; I’m done with all that.”)
We’re all-ages here at Cedarcrest, young and old, with many an All Hallow’s Eve tale to tell.
Once upon a time, some of you called it “Beggar’s Night.”
For those celebrating, I’ve heard all kinds of stories about you little gremlins and your so-called harmless pranking. One of you titled yourselves “The Goblins of the Season.” Moving furniture off of porches, throwing rotten tomatoes or fruit, eggs and toilet paper. Little hellions all! Parents ignored this as long as it was kept to certain level; there were lines you knew not to cross.
The best part sounded like keeping your secrets each year, with each other or from each other.
Book release announcement! Discount pre-sale on Kindle has begun for the third book release this Friday June 10, 2105; get ’em while they’re hot and spread the word! Thank you for your patronage of Cedarcrest Sanctum.
It’s okay. We understand. Please remain calm.
You’ve reached your destination but can’t seem to remember all the turns you took before you arrived. Perhaps you’ve misplaced your car in a familiar parking lot – just after nightfall. Have you ever forgotten why you came into a room?
Finding money in an old coat or purse is always seems like a good thing, even without any recollection of putting it there. Maybe you’ve noticed a mysterious wound healing on your arm or shoulder – or perhaps found a spot of blood on your clothes. Have you?
There is a chance that – even if it’s only the smallest possibility – you have recently crossed paths with a VAMPIRE.
Hilarious, right? You’ve been assured there’s no such thing.
Even if there was, would it really matter to you? A creature that takes only that which is required out of desperation, leaving no unpleasant memory and perhaps granting some small boon in return. An extra twenty in your pocket for a moment’s confusion? Honestly, now – nothing has been stolen that you’ll miss or can’t get back in a day or two; mortals are blessed like that.
You should also keep such ideas to yourself. You never know who you might be talking to.
Perhaps the encounter was by chance, an immortal just passing through your neighborhood. Then again, maybe it’s someone you know, even a person who watches over you. It could even be someone new in your life…or an individual that you feel you’ve known forever.
Don’t try to guess who they are. Don’t watch to see if they slip up. Don’t confront them if you think you know.
If they feel threatened, you still won’t remember anything…or ever again.
Trust us. It’s better this way. Life will continue.
You want that, right?
NEVER TELL.
If this isn’t warning enough, learn more before it’s too late.
Spread the word.
Please copy and share this anywhere you’d like; we here at Cedarcrest Sanctum appreciate your continued support.
The Matriarch: Changeling is slated to drop by the end of June 2015 on Amazon.com in both print and eBook. If you haven’t reviewed it on Amazon and enjoyed it, any kind words are welcome.
The answers are coming…along with a whole batch of new questions.
Spread the word.
Please copy and share this anywhere you’d like; we here at Cedarcrest Sanctum appreciate your continued support.
The Matriarch: Changeling is slated to drop by the end of June 2015 on Amazon.com in both print and eBook. If you haven’t reviewed it on Amazon and enjoyed it, any kind words are welcome.
The answers are coming…along with a whole batch of new questions.
Cedarcrest Sanctum 